Black Flag Army

Chapter 124 United Monsi

At this time, Hangda was also very worried. He had to deal with the Japanese and the Beiyang diplomats. Duan Qirui was also a troublemaker who loved to take advantage. Hangda had to take care of these Beiyang officials stationed in Kulun. At this time, Maeda Toru brought people in again and asked him to send troops to deal with Di Xiong together with the Beiyang Army. Hangda was even more worried. Kulun had always lost miserably in the war against Erdenet, which made Hangda lose his enterprising spirit and acquiesced to the independence of western Mongolia. However, after Maeda Toru sent another box of jewelry and jade, his attitude changed decisively. He agreed to mobilize the Mongolian army and provide logistical support. At the same time, he also asked the Japanese to send planes to help in the war to relieve the pressure in the air.

On the other hand, Ono Ryunosuke also persuaded Commander Danbijian with a thick stack of coupons for Japanese brothels in Kulun. With these yellow coupons, he could enjoy himself in any Japanese brothel in Kulun without spending a penny. Danbijian, who had always been lustful, naturally couldn't resist the temptation and agreed to mobilize three brigades of his main force to participate in the war. In view of the poor equipment of the Northeast Army and the uneven number of wounded and disabled personnel, the Japanese advisory group had to modify the combat plan and postpone the attack time for nearly a month to allow airlift of weapons and ammunition for replenishment, and at the same time, Japanese instructors would reorganize them.

Chen Yi, who was negotiating in Kulun, heard that the Kulun government was going to attack Mengxi again, and hurried to protest to Hang Dado. Hang Dado showed the official document of the Beiyang government. Chen Yi was shocked to know that the Mengxi garrison had been cancelled and Di Xiong had become the leader of the black bandits again. Hang Dado said with a bitter face: "We don't want to fight either, but this time it is the Beiyang government's five provinces coalition forces encircling and suppressing, and the Japanese are pressing step by step, so we have to obey."

Hang Dado looked helpless and of course did not mention the fact that he had received a box of jewelry and jade.

Chen Yi returned to his residence and sighed to the secretary Huang Chengbin: "As a special envoy for negotiations, I actually learned the latest official documents of the Beiyang government from my negotiating opponent. Duan Gong has ruined the country! The Black Flag Army in Mengxi was originally the pillar of the country and will play an immeasurable role in resisting foreign enemies in the future. However, the Beiyang government headed by Duan Gong has forced them to become enemies and even colluded with the Japanese invaders to harm their compatriots. President Li's oath has been torn up. How can I, Chen Yi, have the face to face Commander-in-Chief Di and the people of Mengxi?"

Chen Yi's son Chen Huangpo said: "No wonder the woman named Xian Yuji didn't believe my father's words in Beitang City. The top leaders of Beiyang change their policies at will, making it difficult for us to be human beings."

Huang Chengbin worriedly asked, "Can Mengxi resist the joint attack of the five provinces this time? My cousin's family is still in Beitang City. Will they be in danger?"

Chen Yi said: "You don't have to worry about this. Although the five-province coalition army has a large number of people, its combat effectiveness is definitely not as good as the Black Flag Army. Their opponent is a united Mongolian and powerful Black Flag Army. You saw the combat effectiveness of the Black Flag Army last time. It was just a battalion of new recruits, but it defeated more than 300 Tsarist Russian soldiers and easily recaptured Tangnu Uriankhai. If it was the elite troops of the Black Flag Army, fighting against those motley Northeast Army, would there be any suspense about the outcome? What's more, they also have powerful air force and artillery units."

Chen Huangpo said: "I heard that the Japanese air force will also be dispatched this time. The Japanese army has even defeated the German army. I'm afraid there will be a fierce battle in the air force!"

Chen Yi said: "The gun foundry in Mengxi produced a large number of anti-aircraft guns. With the support of ground anti-aircraft guns, the Japanese will not gain any advantage in this air battle. Moreover, the Japanese also know that if they win, the five provinces' coalition forces will rob the spoils, so the Japanese will not do their best to help them."

After a month of training, the Japanese instructors eliminated the old, weak and disabled soldiers who were really unable to fight, and organized the remaining 7,000 people into two brigades, with Zhang Jinghui and Tang Yulin serving as brigade commanders respectively. Together with the three brigades of the Kulun Army in Outer Mongolia, the Feng-Mongol Allied Forces totaled more than 16,000 people. After the coalition soldiers had their fill, each received five silver dollars as travel expenses and a yellow consumption voucher. Their morale immediately boosted, and after queuing up to enjoy themselves at the brothel, they set off in a mighty procession.

Taking into account that the Kulun Army had previously attacked from Darhan or Orkhon in the north, and that the Black Flag Army had now deployed barbed wire in the trenches there, making for a tight defense, Ono Ryunosuke decided to attack from Decheng County in the south by surprise. At the same time, he dispatched aircraft to interfere with the reconnaissance of the Black Flag Army's reconnaissance aircraft, so that the Black Flag Army could not find out their strategic intentions.

On the same morning, in Beitang City, Di Xiong, wearing plain clothes and a mask, accompanied by Xian Yujie, was walking on the streets of Beitang City. He saw that there were not as many people on the streets as before. Most of them were women, elderly people and children, all of them walking in a hurry and looking nervous.

Di Xiong asked, "Where have the young people in the city gone?"

Xian Yuji said: "Of course they went to the conscription office and the logistics department to sign up. I'll take you to see!"

They first came to the logistics and transportation office on East Street and saw a long queue of several thousand people next to a red paper on the wall that read "Material Transportation Team, Stretcher Team Registration Office". Xian Yuji saw an acquaintance in the queue, Tie Zongwei from Tieji Fruit and Vegetable Store. She smiled and walked up to greet him: "Boss Tie! You are over 40 years old this year, right? Why are you queuing with young people?"

Tie Zongwei looked up at her, recognized her, and replied: "You are Commander Xian! I am queuing here to be a transport team member because I am old. If I were younger, I would go to the conscription office to queue up. Those bandit troops of the Beiyang government are about to attack us. I am a member of the Sharp Knife Society and I have no choice but to support the Black Flag Army!"

He seemed to have forgotten that he joined the Sharp Knife Society in order to save some tax money.

Xian Yuji asked, "So your fruit shop is also closed?"

Tie Zongwei said, "We're temporarily closing the shop for a few days. We won't starve to death. The Beiyang Army is coming. We must do our best to help the Black Flag Army defeat them. If we fail, we won't even be able to save our lives. How can we sell fruit?"

Di Xiong also saw familiar faces inside: Mrs. Wei from the noodle shop, chef Guo Jinxiong, and Di Xiong's cousin Di Fu. People from all walks of life in Beitang City were queuing here. Otsuka had learned about the attack by the five-province coalition forces from the newspapers. The danger of war was coming, but they did not choose to escape. Instead, they actively participated in the transport team and stretcher team, doing their best to help the Black Flag Army and sharing life and death and suffering with the Black Flag Army.

They walked to the city hall, and at the military fund collection point in front of the city hall, there was also a long line. The people stuffed their hard-earned money into the collection box without hesitation, including silver dollars, copper coins, vouchers, and gold, silver and jade items such as rings and earrings. At the donation site, people kept shouting slogans: "Down with the Beiyang Army, down with the Japanese dogs, the Black Flag Army will win!"

Seeing this scene, Xian Yujie, Yang Lushuang, Huo Qingtong and other guards all cried with excitement, and Di Xiong's eyes also became moist.

They went to the new recruit camp registration office outside the city. More than 10,000 young people were waiting in a long line to register. There were 20 registration tables at the registration office, and 20 long lines behind the tables. The loud speaker in the new recruit camp played the loud Black Flag Army song: "... Today we hold high the flag of justice, bravely take the lead in recovering lost territory, and follow one after another without fear of death, and pass on our loyalty and righteousness through the ages!"

The loud speaker on the other side was playing a new piece by the famous storyteller Sun Tiezui, "The Black Flag Army Recaptures Suwu City."

Di Xiong said to Xian Yuji: "With everyone's will and determination, we can win this battle. This is all thanks to your propaganda department!"

Xian Yuji said quickly, "I dare not take such great credit. It is the Justice Party's senior leaders who have managed all aspects of Mengxi well. In addition, our army has won victory after victory. Naturally, the people have confidence in the Justice Party, so we can promote it. If it is as bad as the Beiyang government's governance and we can't produce decent results, no one will believe us even if we can brag!"

At noon, Di Xiong walked into the operations room of the Justice Army Headquarters. Senior generals such as Wu Chunlei, Liu Chengliang, and Subuda had already arrived. Jiang Hongyu, who had just been appointed Chief of the General Staff, had also arrived. He had just flown from Suwu City to Beitang City today.

Di Xiong said: "Everyone must have seen the atmosphere of preparation for war in Beitang City. The people's support for us is unprecedented. It is not only Beitang City, but also other cities in western Mengxi. In just a few days, the number of new recruits has exceeded 50,000. Together with the original three divisions and one guard division of more than 50,000 people, the total force has quickly exceeded 100,000. I should actually thank Prime Minister Duan and the Japanese. Without their coercion, the people's enthusiasm for joining the army would not be so high!"

Everyone laughed at the last few words. Leng Hanbing, the chief inspector of the Second Division who also served as the intelligence staff, said, "At present, more than 16,000 Feng-Mongol coalition troops from Kulun have set out from Kulun City. Their route is to bypass Longcheng County and attack us from the south. Although they drove away our reconnaissance planes with airplanes, the Kulun Intelligence Station performed very well this time and sent us intelligence in time. According to the time calculation, they will reach the Orkhon River in Bulgan County in about three days. I suggest that we set up an ambush battle on the Orkhon River and dispatch a division of troops, plus heavy artillery and airplanes, to completely wipe out this enemy army."

The generals and staff officers were staring at the sand table on the table, looking for the location of the Orkhon River.

Due to the importance of Kulun, the Kulun Intelligence Group has been upgraded to an intelligence station, and the station chief is of course Sun Xiaotie.

Jiang Hongyu asked: "What about the enemy's air force intelligence? This is the most troublesome thing."

Leng Hanbing said: "The Japanese Kwantung Garrison Army dispatched 30 fighters and 20 bombers, and the Fengtian Army dispatched 15 fighters and 8 bombers. They have arrived in Kulun and are resting and may be dispatched at any time. In addition, the Japanese Tianjin Garrison Army also dispatched 30 fighters and 10 bombers to the border towns of Suiyuan and Chahar provinces bordering us. A total of 113 enemy aircraft."

Jiang Hongyu said to Di Xiong: "Commander-in-Chief! The Western Mongolian region is too big, with 700,000 square kilometers. With Tangnu Uriankhai, it is 860,000 square kilometers, 12 cities and more than 30 counties. Although we now have more than 200 planes, if the Japanese planes come to attack, except for Beitang City and Daranza, other places cannot be defended. Moreover, the planes cannot be passively defended, and some must be used for attack."

Di Xiong said: "I understand that in air force operations, offense is the best defense. Without accurate intelligence, there is no defense. We can only rely on anti-aircraft guns to passively intercept and then send out an alarm to let planes rescue. We don't have an intelligence group in Lushun, and the Tianjin intelligence station has not been restored after its destruction. Therefore, intelligence work is really too important. Sometimes a piece of intelligence means countless lives."

Leng Hanbing said: "It's a pity that Lushun is too far away from Mengxi, which exceeds the maximum range of current aircraft. Otherwise, when Japanese planes bombed our Mengxi, we could carry out reciprocal bombing and let them also have a taste of being bombed."

Wu Chunlei said: "With the help of the traitorous government like Beiyang, Japanese planes can stop and refuel in Suiyuan, Chahar, and Kulun, which are very close to western Mengxi, but we can't do that."

Di Xiong said, "Let's not talk about the other things for now. Which division should we send to the battle of Orkhon River in Bulgan County?"

Wu Chunlei, Liu Chengliang, and Subuda were all vying to go. Di Xiong looked at Jiang Hongyu, who said, "This is our first battle against the Feng-Mongol coalition. To ensure complete annihilation, let the most elite Second Division go. Division Commander Wu was also a wise general that Feng Jishan highly praised back then."

So Wu Chunlei and Leng Hanbing led the three brigades of the Second Division with more than 10,000 people and set off immediately, heading straight to Bulgan County. A heavy artillery regiment cooperated with them, and the Justice Army Air Force Command was also ready to dispatch aircraft to cooperate with them. As the number of aircraft had increased to more than 200, the Air Force also expanded from an aviation brigade to an aviation division, and a headquarters was established. Gu Yuan was appointed as the aviation commander, and Feng Yi was appointed as the deputy commander and commander of the aviation division. Subuda's cavalry division went to Daranza to deal with the attack of Tanaka Yu in Chahar, while taking into account Fan Guozhang in Suiyuan to prevent Fan from suddenly going crazy and sending troops into western Mengxi. Only Liu Chengliang did not get any tasks. His guard division was a reserve team. Liu Chengliang, who was almost sixty years old, was angry and glared at Di Xiong. Di Xiong hurriedly stepped forward to comfort him for a long time, promising to send him first in the next battle, and promised to invite him to the Lanji Hotel for a drink in the evening. Only then did Liu Chengliang restrain his anger.

On the morning of November 22, 1917, the Black Flag Air Force and the Japanese-Fengtian Air Force fought fiercely over Bulgan for air supremacy. On the same day, the political situation in Beijing changed suddenly and Duan Qirui resigned as Prime Minister. As Feng Huafu advocated a peaceful solution to the Protection of Law War and issued an order contrary to that of the Prime Minister's Office, he received support from the British and American envoys. The army of Cao Kun, the governor of Zhili, also turned to Feng Guozhang, and the direct troops in Jiangsu, Hubei and Jiangxi also responded actively. Duan Qirui was forced to resign and President Feng Huafu appointed Wang Shizhen as Prime Minister.

After Wu Chunfeng received the intelligence from Beijing, he quickly reported the matter to Di Xiong, and then said: "Duan Qirui has stepped down, and Wang Shizhen has taken office. Will your position as the governor of Mengxi be restored?"

Di Xiong said: "This is impossible. Neither Feng Huafu nor Wang Shizhen has any friendship with me. It is impossible for them to offend the Japanese for me. It would be almost the same if Xu Shichang was the president and Zhang Shaozeng was the prime minister."