"Brothers, the Zhejiang people have fought their way to our Jiangning (Nanjing)," Wang Youhong asked the officers of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the New Army Ninth Division. The Thirty-sixth Regiment was the regiment that had cleared out outsider revolutionaries most thoroughly. It was also the regiment Wang Youhong suggested Zhang Xun focus on winning over.

The officers sat around the wine table, but they were far from enthusiastic enough. Wang Youhong didn't care about this. As a field army, the New Army engaged in military training specifically and considered themselves capable of fighting, so they looked down on the Jiangnan Patrol Battalions which served as defense. This was an open contradiction.

"Brothers, the Zhejiang people are shouting revolutionary slogans and fighting their way to our Jiangning. are they really doing it for the revolution? Definitely not. What they have their eyes on is our Jiangning where merchants gather in clouds; what they have their eyes on is the taxes we sit and collect in Jiangning," Wang Youhong said loudly. Since the strategy of dividing the New Army and the revolutionaries was decided, Wang Youhong didn't care about speaking bluntly at all. If he could persuade the New Army with the last combat effectiveness to stand on Zhang Xun's side, Wang Youhong didn't mind sharing some benefits with the officers in the New Army.

"Zhejiang isn't poor to begin with; compared to our Jiangsu, it's not inferior at all. Moreover, Jiangning is attacked from two sides. If the Anhui people and Zhejiang people don't attack us, we would be thanking Amitabha Buddha; where would we have the mind to attack Zhejiang? But in the news sent back, the Zhejiang revolutionaries say they are afraid we will attack Zhejiang. They also say whoever can conquer Jiangning first will be given huge titles and rewards. Brothers, everyone is a sensible person; what do you think these Zhejiang fellows are really after by fighting their way to our Jiangning?"

Wang Youhong was telling the truth. The officers present were not fools either; they still had the ability to distinguish basic truth from lies. Although they despised the Defense Battalions in their hearts, quite a few officers also developed considerable aversion to the Zhejiang revolutionaries.

Seeing his words successfully resonate among the officers, Wang Youhong continued, "Brothers, up to now, has our military pay ever been short? Isn't it issued on time and in full every month? As long as the court exists for one day, I dare say this military pay will absolutely not be short for everyone. If we let the Zhejiang revolutionaries conquer Jiangning, do you still believe this military pay can be issued on time? The Zhejiang fellows come to our Jiangning empty-handed, holding only guns; could it be they will give everyone money? Moreover, once war starts, trade routes will be cut off. Anqing first fell into the hands of the Yue Wang Society, and later into the hands of the People's Party. Up to now, those doing business basically don't go to Anqing. The common people in the whole city can almost hardly survive. Even less possible is there any commercial tax. Everyone serves as soldiers to eat rations and also has to support a family. No need to say much; if there is no military pay for three months, how will everyone live their days?"

If only fighting was mentioned, the officers of the New Army Ninth Division might still feel quite confident. But when military pay and family were mentioned, the officers began to look at each other for the first time. Revolution can be done anytime, but not eating for a day won't do. These officers had mixed to their current status with great difficulty. Their families were not only proud of them, but the livelihood of many officers' families really depended on these officers' military pay to live.

"Brothers, Commander Xu banned gambling and whoring; I, your brother, admire him very much. Men, sometimes playing a few dice games, pushing a few rounds of Pai Gow, playing with a few women—these are all liked, but they all cost money. After banning gambling and whoring, the money everyone can send home is really much more. This is for everyone's good. But if you are incited to revolution by those rebels, what about everyone's military pay after the revolution? Have those revolutionaries said anything? What they say about overthrowing the court and driving away foreigners sounds nice. If these are really achieved, can they raise everyone's pay by one copper cash? Next time you meet revolutionaries, you might as well ask. Listen to see if they can say anything decent."

"Commander Wang, what exactly do you want to say?" An officer asked.

Wang Youhong laughed once. "What do I want to say? What I want to say is, if the whole world rebelled now, and everyone wanted to rebel, I wouldn't say anything. But now, except for Anhui and Zhejiang, no one in this world is rebelling at all. Why should we Jiangsu people muddy this water? Moreover, some say the court is bad, but now the court is about to implement a constitution immediately. After the constitution, local gentry, and the relatives and friends of you brothers become parliament members, what they say will count. If you don't trust the court, you can trust your own fellow villagers and elders, right? We leave a good life unlived but insist on following the revolutionaries. Isn't this looking for trouble for ourselves?"

Listening to Wang Youhong's description of the future, the officers who were originally almost all like wood carvings and clay sculptures finally began to become active. Some subconsciously touched their chins, some frowned, some couldn't help touching the mustache on their upper lips, and some showed a look of restlessness.

Seeing his words had an effect, Wang Youhong said, "Brothers, I don't want everyone to do anything either. Since you are the New Army, at least you have the responsibility to protect the borders and comfort the people. If we let these Zhejiang fellows kill their way into our Jiangsu, do you think they will really commit no offense against the people? We honest people don't speak dark words; among the brothers present, I'm afraid some know these revolutionaries. If there are brothers who know them, you might as well send someone to persuade them not to attack our Jiangning. We Jiangsu people absolutely have no intention of attacking Zhejiang. Once this war starts, how many merchants won't be able to do business? If they want to get money, Shanghai is richer than our Jiangning. Why should the Zhejiang fellows seek far and neglect near, coming to attack our Jiangning?"

These words were spoken sincerely. The New Army officers and soldiers actually knew that up to now, whether it was the New Army Ninth Division or Zhang Xun's direct line, there was simply no plan to dispatch troops to Zhejiang. After the annihilation of Admiral of Jiangbei Wang Shizhen's entire army, the troop strength of the Jiangnan New Army and the New Army Ninth Division wasn't even enough to defend the whole of Jiangsu, let alone deal with the revolutionaries in Anhui to the west. Under this situation, where would they have the energy to deal with the Guangfu Society in Zhejiang?

Officers had already started whispering to each other, speaking of their worries in low voices. Wang Youhong was right; once fighting started in Jiangning, there would definitely be considerable losses. The New Army officers didn't realize that after clearing out people from other provinces, Jiangsu localism could quickly trigger resonance among officers of Jiangsu origin in the New Army.

Wang Youhong immediately struck while the iron was hot. "Brothers, if the People's Party attacks, let's not talk about whether we can beat them or not for now. But the Yue Wang Society once occupied Anqing; they were locals, yet they tossed Anqing into misery. Everyone hasn't unheard of what Anqing turned into. Let's not say anything else; could it be that you gentlemen will watch helplessly as the Zhejiang fellows toss Jiangning into that kind of appearance too? Watch helplessly as the Zhejiang fellows wrap up our Jiangsu's money and wealth and leave? Our Jiangsu people's money, no matter what, has to be spent by us Jiangsu people ourselves, right?"

The miserable state of Anqing under the rule of the Yue Wang Society had long spread throughout the Yangtze River basin; many merchants had seen it with their own eyes. If the Guangfu Society did this once in Jiangning too, the New Army officers of Jiangsu origin absolutely couldn't accept it.

"Commander Wang, what exactly is your idea?" This question was much friendlier.

Wang Youhong said loudly, "My idea is very simple. We are the New Army, so naturally we must protect the borders and comfort the people. The Guangfu Society wants to talk revolution? No problem. Wait until they take Shanghai, then we can talk with them. If they can't take Shanghai but take our Jiangning instead, don't you feel the Guangfu Society people will let everyone go attack Shanghai?"

The officers exchanged glances. An officer asked, "Commander Wang, what if the Guangfu Society refuses to leave our Jiangsu?"

Hearing this, Wang Youhong was overjoyed in his heart, but showed no joy on his face. He replied in an extremely inflammatory tone, "What to do? Brothers, everyone is the New Army, concentrating on drilling all day, training daily. Do you really feel you can't beat that rabble of the Guangfu Society? Could it be that just because that rabble shouts revolution with their mouths, everyone doesn't need to test how much weight they carry, and just obediently obey the Guangfu Society like this?"

Since the New Army were soldiers, their confrontation consciousness was naturally stronger than others. Wang Youhong's words thoroughly stirred up the fighting spirit of the New Army officers. Immediately an officer shouted, "That's right. If the Guangfu Society wants to be masters in our Jiangsu, they have to ask our New Army first."

Wang Youhong achieved great success. After a fierce dispute within the New Army, without the connection and incitement of revolutionaries from other provinces, and without the existence of New Army Ninth Division Commander Xu Shaozhen, the officers of the Second Battalion of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the New Army Ninth Division expressed they wanted to "meet" the Guangfu Society. Even if other officers didn't want to fight with the Guangfu Society, they likewise didn't want to let the Guangfu Society enter and leave Jiangsu so easily and freely. Under the situation of high localist sentiment, the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the New Army Ninth Division waveringly stood on the opposite side of the Guangfu Society.

Zhang Xun was skeptical about Wang Youhong's report. In his view, the New Army were all revolutionaries, or at least the reserve team of the revolutionaries. Letting the New Army fight with the rebels was a good strategy, but inevitably a bit wishful thinking. Since this topic was very confidential, there were only Zhang Xun and Wang Youhong in the room.

"Admiral, this humble officer has words to say to Your Excellency. Please forgive this humble officer's crime of disrespect first," Wang Youhong said.

"Commander Wang, speak without reserve." Zhang Xun believed Wang Youhong was sincerely loyal to the court, so he was naturally quite tolerant.

"Admiral, now chaos parties are rising everywhere in the world. This humble officer feels that the court's inability to tolerate people is one of the reasons." Although Wang Youhong's tone was humble, the content was sharp.

Zhang Xun was a person of forthright character. Although he trusted Wang Youhong very much and had expressed his attitude beforehand, hearing these sharp words, his face still immediately became gloomy. Cold light shot from his pair of eyes.

Since Wang Youhong had mentioned this topic, naturally there was nothing more to fear. He completely ignored Zhang Xun's gaze that looked like he wanted to eat people and continued frankly, "Admiral, since the revolutionaries can incite the crowd, could it be what they say makes no sense? The court suffers repeated defeats, and various incidents emerge endlessly; the livelihood of the common people isn't easy. If we who are loyal to the court really want to be loyal to the court, we precisely cannot gloss over faults. The Empress Dowager Old Buddha works hard to promote the Westernization Movement and prepare for the constitution. Isn't it just to enrich the country and strengthen the army through these measures? To re-establish the Great Qing's prestige in the hearts of the common people. This humble officer feels that the more it is this kind of matter, the more we as subjects must keep the world calm. Let the benefits of these measures show. For the rebels, we naturally absolutely cannot let them off. But we cannot force people to rebel."

Zhang Xun pursed his lips tightly. Because his teeth were clenched tight, the muscles on his cheeks bulged high. Zhang Xun had two thick eyebrows and also grew two thick mustache whiskers. Because he was forcibly suppressing his agitation, his eyebrows and mustache seemed about to stand upside down, and they were still trembling slightly. Obviously, various thoughts were fighting fiercely in Zhang Xun's mind. After a long time, the expression on Zhang Xun's face relaxed. He said slowly in his Jiangxi mandarin, "In the Gengzi year (1900), the Eight-Nation Alliance fought into Beijing. I escorted the Emperor. After 'returning to the capital,' the Empress Dowager Old Buddha summoned me at the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity in the Summer Palace. I was moved at that time, and for a moment I even forgot my surname and name. At this time I only called out the word 'Subject' (Chen), then was tongue-tied and couldn't speak. Just then I looked up and saw the plaque on the hall written 'Hall of Benevolence and Longevity' (Renshou Dian), so I patted my chest, extended my thumb and said, Subject Renshou Dian..."

If it were someone else, they might be smiling along at this time. Wang Youhong just listened quietly; he knew Zhang Xun didn't need anyone to echo him at this time. He saw Zhang Xun sigh deeply before continuing, "At that time, the people in the hall wanted to laugh but dared not laugh. Logically speaking, this was a breach of etiquette and should be punished; even pushing me out to be beheaded wouldn't be strange. The Empress Dowager Old Buddha acted as if she didn't hear it, asked me a few sentences as if nothing had happened, and let me go back. People say a prime minister's belly can pole a boat; the Empress Dowager Old Buddha's breadth of mind is higher than mountains and deeper than seas. I, Zhang Xun, am loyal to the Old Buddha with no second heart. If it is for this world of the Great Qing, so what if I tolerate those bastards fooled by the revolutionaries?"

Just as Wang Youhong relaxed in his heart, he heard Zhang Xun say sternly, "I tolerate these bastards now, but it doesn't mean I will tolerate them going on like this in the future. Commander Wang, remember this clearly for me. If they still don't know how to restrain themselves and are not loyal to the court, I, Zhang Xun, will absolutely not let them off in the future."

"Admiral, this is not the time to create incidents. As long as the New Army and the rebels fight, whatever thoughts they have, we have to tolerate them. Now Anhui and Zhejiang are in great chaos, and our Jiangsu is attacked from two sides. If we ourselves are chaotic too, then from Hubei to Shanghai, the court will no longer have a foothold along the river. Admiral understands righteousness deeply and is loyal to the court. If it's just for a moment of pleasure but ruins the court's major affairs, we are all sinners of the court." Wang Youhong spoke extremely crisply.

Zhang Xun nodded. "Just follow Commander Wang's method. If the New Army fights the rebels effectively, I will absolutely not be stingy with rewards."

Hearing Zhang Xun say the most crucial words, Wang Youhong finally put his heart back in his belly. Only Rui Fang and Zhang Xun could give rewards to the New Army legitimately. Even if Rui Fang gave rewards, he couldn't make the New Army officers and soldiers submit. The most suitable candidate remaining was naturally Zhang Xun. And if Zhang Xun didn't sincerely understand the reason for giving rewards, he would inevitably bring out dissatisfaction, which would be worse than not rewarding at all.

Wang Youhong's idea was that no matter how much he wasted his tongue, he had to make Zhang Xun abandon his prejudice against the New Army out of consideration for the overall situation. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xun himself understood the key to the matter so quickly. This breadth of mind made Wang Youhong very happy.

After the two determined these basic points, Zhang Xun was somewhat doubtful whether the New Army would fight the rebels. Wang Youhong had great confidence in this. He believed that within three days of the New Army leaving the city for defense, they would definitely start a war with the rebels. However, the progress of events was far faster than imagined. News came back the next day: the Second Battalion of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the New Army continuously defeated three groups of invading rebels. Wang Youhong's prediction came true; not only was he happy, but Zhang Xun was also quite excited. Worried that this was news fabricated by the New Army, Zhang Xun sent people to investigate and go to the battlefield to check. The news sent back repeatedly verified that the Second Battalion indeed engaged in fierce field combat with the enemy; at least forty-odd rebels died, and more than thirty captives were caught.

"Interrogate the captives quickly." Zhang Xun bit the word "interrogate" loudly and heavily.