Chapter 56: The Assassination of Zheng Zeliang

Zheng Zeliang actually dared not agree with Chen Chushen's words, because Zheng Zeliang remained deeply worried that if the reinforcements he requested failed to arrive by the time he returned, the Zheng clique would still be plunged into a desperate situation.

Seemingly guessing what was on Zheng Zeliang's mind, Chen Chushen continued to speak.

"Commander Zheng, do not worry. After all, this matter was personally arranged by the Commander-in-Chief himself, so our Ministry of Military Affairs is naturally doing our utmost and will not deceive you. As Commander Zheng just said, the battle at the front is urgent, so you should return as soon as possible to command the military situation."

Zheng Zeliang smiled slightly, stood up, and shook Chen Chushen's hand.

"Minister Chen, thank you very much this time. Now that the matter is settled, I might as well speak from the bottom of my heart: when I came to Pingling City this time, I truly harbored no expectations of securing reinforcements. But now, being able to receive aid from the Third Army is already an immense blessing."

"Alright, I shall head back now. Nowadays, the enemies in Bozhou and Huangzhou are stirring restlessly, and I have no idea how much longer our Zheng clique army can hold out. Earlier, I heard Secretary-General Zhai mention that your Ministry of Military Affairs is plotting the Tongzhou Campaign, is that correct?"

Taking advantage of the intelligence he had overheard earlier, Zheng Zeliang probed, hoping to gather some information.

Chen Chushen also smiled. "Commander Zheng, you... some things cannot be disclosed for the time being. In case any of us happens to be an enemy spy, the leakage of this information would be a disaster for us."

"However, although I cannot share the details, the Tongzhou Campaign is imperative. We are in such desperate need of a major victory right now; only then can we sit down and negotiate with those allied nations."

Although Chen Chushen did not reveal the detailed tactical deployment for the Tongzhou Campaign to Zheng Zeliang, he did disclose some of the campaign's objectives.

Knowing better than to pursue the matter further, Zheng Zeliang tactfully refrained from asking more. Instead, he left the Ministry of Military Affairs, returned to his official residence, and prepared to pack his belongings for the return trip to Luzhou City.

"Sanshun, get everything ready for our departure. Hehe, our trip to Pingling City this time was certainly not a loss."

As soon as he returned to the residence, Zheng Zeliang said happily, giving instructions to his personal bodyguard, Sanshun.

Sanshun, standing nearby, also smiled. "Commander, will the matter regarding Corps Commander Zheng Li be resolved then?"

"Hehe, just wait and see," Zheng Zeliang said with a pleased look. "This time, that kid Zheng Li is in for some good fortune. Who knows, perhaps our Zheng clique can encircle several of the enemy's brigades and win a resounding victory."

Sanshun smiled even more brightly. Having followed Zheng Zeliang since childhood, he was not only his personal bodyguard but also one of the people Zheng Zeliang trusted most.

After packing up inside the residence, Zheng Zeliang and his entourage boarded their automobiles early the next morning for the return journey.

When their vehicles reached a point two kilometers outside the city walls of Pingling, a sudden, deafening roar shattered the air—it was the sound of a bomb explosion. Even from two kilometers away, everyone inside Pingling City heard it with absolute clarity.

"What?" As the head of the Ministry of Military Affairs overseeing Pingling City's military affairs, Chen Chushen was the first to receive the report.

The voice on the phone reported that after Zheng Zeliang's convoy departed Pingling City, an explosion triggered by pre-planted explosives two kilometers outside the city had completely destroyed the vehicles and killed everyone on board. By the time rescue teams arrived at the scene, raging fires had consumed all the passengers beyond recognition.

However, from the medals and other personal effects recovered from the wreckage, it was still possible to identify that among the dead was Commander-in-Chief Zheng Zeliang of the Zheng clique.

Hearing this news, Chen Chushen collapsed limply into his chair, repeating incessantly in his mind: We are finished, we are completely finished.

Because the last place Zheng Zeliang had emerged from was the main gate of the Ministry of Military Affairs, his death just outside Pingling City would cast suspicion upon them from all quarters. Most importantly, Chen Chushen had no idea how he was going to explain this to Commander-in-Chief Sun Huairen.

Yet, recovering quickly from his panic, Chen Chushen hurried to his feet and rushed toward the Commander-in-Chief's Mansion. He needed to deliver the news to Sun Huairen at the earliest possible moment, especially given the gravity of the situation and the critical timing.

"Commander-in-Chief, on his way back to Luzhou City, Commander Zheng Zeliang's convoy was hit by pre-planted explosives. Everyone on board perished." Standing inside Sun Huairen's study, Chen Chushen spoke with a grave expression.

Having listened to the report, Sun Huairen swallowed hard, remaining silent for a long, unbroken stretch.

Just as Chen Chushen was wondering what to do, Sun Huairen suddenly turned around and slammed his notebook heavily onto the desk.

"Utterly lawless! To dare commit such an act right under the eyes of our government, especially at a time of such national crisis—it is sheer madness! Such behavior is no different from inviting national destruction!"

"Zhai Jin, come in."

At Sun Huairen's furious summons, Secretary-General Zhai Jin stepped into the room.

"Go, have Kong Quan brought to me immediately. There must be an accountability for this matter—not only to our central government, but also to the troops of the Zheng clique."

Complying with Sun Huairen's instructions, Zhai Jin turned to transmit the order. This Kong Quan was the current head of the government's Special Service Department, a position personally appointed by Commander-in-Chief Sun Huairen and operating independently of all major ministries.

While waiting for Kong Quan to arrive, Chen Chushen stood inside the office, not daring to draw a full breath. At that moment, his only wish was for Kong Quan to arrive swiftly.

"Commander-in-Chief, Kong Quan reporting to you."

Before long, the head of the Special Service Department, Kong Quan, arrived.

Sun Huairen looked at Kong Quan, his tone still heavy with fury. "Kong Quan, you must have heard about what happened outside the city. How audacious these people are to murder an anti-Japanese commander-in-chief right outside Pingling City! What does this mean? What on earth does this mean?"

"This is nothing less than a direct challenge to our government's authority and a blatant sabotage of our unity. Kong Quan, I give you one week. You must find out who is behind this and bring every single one of them to justice, wiping them out without mercy."

Knowing full well that Sun Huairen was referring to the incident involving Zheng Zeliang, Kong Quan puffed out his chest. "Commander-in-Chief, this subordinate guarantees the mission will be accomplished."

"Furthermore, Chushen, Zeliang came here to seek my assistance. How did your Ministry of Military Affairs handle the deployment?"

"Commander-in-Chief, yesterday I discussed the matter with Commander Zheng and decided to dispatch Corps Commander Wei Ju's Third Army to Bozhou to reinforce their Zheng clique. What do you think?"

"Very well. Let Wei Ju go. But before he departs, have him come see me. There are certain matters I must instruct him on personally, do you understand?"

Hearing Sun Huairen's words, Chen Chushen nodded. From his tone, Chen Chushen could tell that Sun Huairen's anger had subsided considerably.

"Commander-in-Chief, Minister Zhang of the Political Department has arrived and wishes to see you."

At that moment, Zhai Jin's voice came from outside the door. Hearing this, Sun Huairen waved his hand, signaling Kong Quan and Chen Chushen to withdraw.

The Minister of the Political Department, Zhang Long, courtesy name Zhengshan, was also a veteran official within the government.

"Zhengshan, what brings you here?" Sun Huairen asked as soon as he entered.

Zhang Long wore a troubled expression and began, "Commander-in-Chief, I noticed Minister Chen and Department Head Kong just leaving. Have you already given them instructions?"

Sun Huairen nodded. "Indeed. The repercussions of this incident are extremely severe, especially at this juncture. We are about to organize the Tongzhou Campaign, and the Zheng clique's forces are meant to be one of the main pillars of that offensive. With this incident happening now, it is bound to have a massive impact."

"Commander-in-Chief, that is precisely what I am worried about. To my knowledge, the war in the Zheng clique's territory has reached a white-hot stage. The Ma-sha Allied Forces are exerting all their strength to capture Bozhou City. If Bozhou falls, the rear of the Zheng clique will be directly threatened by the war."

Zhang Long's analysis of the military situation was exceptionally perceptive, and his vision was far-reaching.

As Commander-in-Chief, Sun Huairen naturally knew that what Zhang Long said was a harsh reality. Yet, for the moment, Sun Huairen had no other choice but to urge the Special Service Department to swiftly unmask the hidden masterminds, bring them to justice, and provide an account to the Zheng clique.

"Zhengshan, do you have any good suggestions? Once the news of Zeliang's death reaches the Zheng clique, it is bound to provoke mutiny within the army, which bodes ill for the frontline operations." Sun Huairen rubbed his temples; the incident had occurred with such suddenness that he lacked any good strategy to reassure the more than two hundred thousand troops of the Zheng clique.

Zhang Long pondered for a brief moment before speaking. "Commander-in-Chief, I believe our immediate priority must be to dispatch representatives to the Zheng clique's forces while simultaneously increasing the volume of aid. This will stabilize the situation at the front and secure internal stability within the Zheng clique's ranks."

"Moreover, there is something I hesitate to say—should I speak frankly?"

"What is it? Speak your mind; there is no need to hold back," Sun Huairen prompted.

Zhang Long continued, "Commander-in-Chief, given that Commander Zheng has passed away, the most urgent task now is to select a new commander-in-chief for the Zheng clique's two hundred thousand troops. This commander must command respect within the force and win the allegiance of all."

"Therefore, I suggest we allow the new commander to be chosen from within the Zheng clique itself for the time being. We should refrain from meddling in their internal affairs to avoid touching off even greater turmoil."

Sun Huairen carefully weighed Zhang Long's words and found them to be true. Although they had long desired to bring the Zheng clique under their control and Zheng Zeliang's death seemed like an ideal opportunity, the current circumstances rendered it a most inopportune moment.

"What you say makes sense, Zhengshan. Stabilizing the Zheng clique's two hundred thousand troops is indeed paramount. But who should we send as our emissary? Who possesses the stature to convince them?"

Sun Huairen continued, highlighting another formidable dilemma: the chosen envoy could neither be biased toward the central government nor toward any faction within the Zheng clique, yet must command the profound respect of the Zheng clique's personnel.

"Commander-in-Chief, I do have a candidate in mind."

"Who?"