The general flag of the Nezasak Mongol Jerim League. The last brigade of Xu Shuzheng's division of the Beiyang Army set off for the south. As if to wait for the arrival of the Northeast Security Army. On the day they left, the vanguard regiment of Zhang Xiaoshan's division of the Western Military Region was stationed in the Zhelimu League.

Prince Jelimu looked at the Beiyang Army in the distance again, and with full of unwillingness, he led more than 3,000 of his henchmen to set off north. He couldn't stay any longer. The strength of the Northeast Security Army has undoubtedly been demonstrated along the way. All the tribes that dared to resist were dealt a merciless blow. The horse bandits on the grasslands, all the routes that approached the Northeast Public Security Army, were ruthlessly suppressed. Faced with heavy machine gun slap breaking. The horse bandits in Niucha can only choose to flee or surrender. Otherwise, you can only report to Lord Yama.

The entry of the Pioneer Regiment of the Western Military Region into the Zhelimu League indicates that the entire Nezasak Mongolia has basically fallen into the hands of the Northeast Security Army. None of the six Mongol alliance banners of Nezasak, the prince, the prince of the county, and the beyler, chose to resist, and all of them went north to the Kulen region with their henchmen to participate in the alliance organized by the Mongolian Princes' Federation. They know. With the strength of any of them, they may be the opponents of the Northeast Security Army. But once they are united. With the Russians as their base and the Russians as foreign aid, it is not necessarily impossible to maintain their aristocratic rule in the Mongolian steppes.

These Mongol princes, corrupted by aristocratic life, have completely forgotten the interests of the state and the nation. Now they only want to be able to maintain their original privileges, to be able to maintain a life of luxury. As for who gave them this life, they don't have the energy to care anymore. Therefore, they would rather be dogs for Lao Maozi than maintain their rotten rule.

For a Mongolian prince who disregards the general interests of the nation and only pursues personal interests, Feng Yong has no intention of surrendering at all, otherwise his title of Mongolian governor has been carried for so long without any substantive action. He is accumulating strength, hoping to exterminate the princes and nobles of Mongolia at one time with the overwhelming power of Mount Tai, and completely eliminate the hidden dangers of Mongolia.

The cancer of Mongolia is not only the privileged nobles such as the Mongolian princes, but also the more problematic category of people, that is, the staggering number of lamas and monks. Although judging from the total number of people, it is only more than 100,000 people. But don't forget that the entire Mongolian steppe is home to less than a million people. Excluding half of the women, there are fewer than half a million men. Among them, a quarter are lamas and monks. This shows the influence of Buddhism on the steppe.

These lamas do not produce and live from the offerings of local herdsmen. There are even some lamas who are idle, relying on the power of Lamaism to oppress local herdsmen, which has become an unstable factor in the grassland. For this situation, Feng Yong also made preparations.

"Lamas under the age of forty must return to the laity within the prescribed time, otherwise it will be seen as an order against the Mongol governor Feng Yong." Feng Yong wanted to solve the problem of Mongolian lamas from the source. After all, Feng Yong's westward invasion of Mongolia was to completely incorporate the vast Mongolian steppes under his rule, not to plunder resources. Therefore, he must solve these hidden dangers in the Mongolian steppe. The Mongolian steppes were completely brought under the rule of the Northeast Governorate.

With the backing of strong force, most lamas can only choose to accept it even if they are not convinced, after all, there are those who do not care about their lives for the sake of faith, but they must be very few. Just kill these troublemakers. If you want to fight against the powerful military junta, you have the consciousness of death. Feng Yong will not pity such a person who can't see the general trend of history clearly. Coming from the later generations of reform and opening up, Feng Yong has deeply rooted the truth that reform and innovation are the foundation of rapid development. From his creation of the Northeast Security Army, to the control of the three eastern provinces, to the attack on the Mongolian steppe. Feng Yong carried out thorough and radical reforms of those backward systems. Feng Yong's idea is very clear, there is no experience to learn from the reform of later generations, so he can only cross the river by feeling the stones. So the reform uses a gentle and peaceful approach. However, the direction of reform of the backward system of this era has been tested by another time and space history. Although it cannot be said that it is completely adapted to the national conditions, the basic direction is not wrong. That's why Feng Yong has the confidence to carry out drastic reforms.

When Zhang Xiaoshan led the headquarters of the Western Military Region to the Zhelimu League, all the forces of the entire Zhelimu League were sorted out by the vanguard troops.

"Commander, it seems that we have inherited a great favor from the Beiyang Army. If they hadn't used this near-handover retreat, I'm afraid that we would definitely not have been so smooth if we wanted to take Inner Mongolia so smoothly. Cui Xiaolong, political commissar of the Western Military Region, said with some emotion. Originally, their Western Military Region regarded the Xu Shuzheng Division of the Beiyang Army as an imaginary enemy. After all, the only one in the entire Inner Mongolia that could pose a threat to the Northeast Security Army was Xu Shuzheng's Beiyang Army.

Because of later generations, Feng Yong originally respected Xu Shuzheng very much. But taking the entire Mongolian steppe is very important for Feng Yong's future strategy, so even if the patriotic general Xu Shuzheng is stationed in the Mongolian steppe, Feng Yong does not mind taking action against it. After all, although Xu Shuzheng is patriotic and has a certain amount of strength under his command, it is still very unrealistic to rely on him to keep the Mongolian steppe. In fact, it was precisely because Xu Shuzheng lacked the strength to protect the entire Mongolian steppe that the Transzazak Mongolia was completely infiltrated by Tsarist Russia, and finally became independent from China's territory under the operation of the rising Soviet Union. Feng Yong would never allow such a thing to happen again, so even at the risk of offending Xu Shuzheng in Beiyang, he would completely take over the Mongolian steppe.

As for the Russians who had gathered in the Mongols, Feng Yong was ready for an all-out war with them.

"Judging from Xu Shuzheng's actions, the Beiyang Army also doesn't want to confront us. Since this is the case, we only need to transfer a brigade of troops to be stationed in Inner Mongolia and establish the Inner Mongolia Military Division. Two infantry brigades and one cavalry brigade were transferred to form the Westward Advance Corps and continue its westward advance. According to the division of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Mongolia did not only include the Inner Zasak Mongols and the Outer Zasak Mongols. It also includes a vast area in the west. We have been preparing for so long, but only to take such a wasteland-like Mongolian steppe, it is really boring. So let's continue to move westward, as long as we are in the territory of the Republic of China, where we fight! Zhang Xiaoshan had a sly smile on his face. Feng Yong really did not expect that Mongolia also included Ningxia, Xinjiang, Tibet and other vast regions in later generations, and after the establishment of the Republic of China, those regions were also divided into independent provinces. The name of Mongolia is also only spread locally. Feng Yong, who came from later generations, only thought of Mongolia as Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia, and never thought about the scope of Mongolia in this era.

"Commander! Will this make the young marshal angry? After all, now we are only taking Inner Mongolia, but there is no news from Outer Mongolia yet, I'm afraid things are not as smooth as ours. Cui Xiaolong said with a smile. He was also very interested in continuing his westward expansion. After all, expanding the territory is the greatest wish of every general.

"It's okay, I understand the young marshal's temper. As long as you are dedicated to the public, even if it is a little out of line, it is nothing. Besides, don't we have another division of troops! I am ready to lead the political commissar of hard work to the north and fight against the Russians together with the Northwest Military Region. ”

"I'm going?" Cui Xiaolong was stunned, you know, he is a political cadre. Not proficient in military command.

"Of course you go. I have to deal with the whole of Inner Mongolia, as well as the war of the Western Advance Corps. And the northbound corps must be led by a weighty person. The commissar is the most suitable person. Zhang Xiaoshan smiled and complimented.

"Commander, this won't work! In our Northeast Security Army, there are very few military and political chiefs who are in command separately. And it's okay for me to assist you in commanding, but if you command independently, I'm afraid there will be a big problem! Cui Xiaolong shook his head, not all political commissars have the ability to be both military and political, and both hands are hard enough.

"Hehe, Lao Cui! How can you not know if you haven't tried it! Zhang Xiaoshan said with a smile. It seems that he was determined to let Cui Xiaolong lead his troops north.

"Wait! Commander, you're not trying to get rid of me, are you? Did you use this trick to get Commander Zhen away last year? "The two are also old comrades-in-arms. has been partnered for so long, and it can be regarded as a tacit understanding, and it is no problem to make some jokes between the two parties.

"Huh! I don't have such a big ability, you don't know the young marshal's vision. We people are able to have today, and it doesn't depend on the young marshal's discernment. Lao Zhen and I have a more iron relationship, this guy pays attention to his stomach, and he has a calm temperament, whether he is a military officer or a political officer, there is no problem. This is not as good as Zhang Xiaoshan. Of our group, this guy should be the best. It's a pity that he doesn't like to perform, and was jacked by me, Lin Hu and Lao Hei. But our young marshal will not bury talents, and will value them early and select them as the first person to be the political commissar. Later, after discovering his military ability, he was promoted to military director. Now the status is not lower than ours at all. The development potential of Lao Zhen, a military and political all-rounder, is greater than ours! We should also keep up with the times. You learn to lead the troops, and I learn the work of political commissars. Learn from each other and progress from each other. They both laughed.

"Commander, anyway, I think you're acting rashly. I'm not worried at all about your political work, Commander, but you handed over an army of tens of thousands of people to me at once. This is a sign of irresponsibility to the soldiers. And I, Cui Xiaolong, also have a self-aware reputation, and I definitely don't have the potential to be a famous general. It's okay to march with troops, but it's not okay to command a large army to fight. Commander, you better stop kidding. Let's talk about your next step! Cui Xiaolong knows that leading troops and fighting are completely different things. After being a political commissar of a military region for such a long time, even if you look at it, you can see how to lead troops, but fighting a war is different. To fight a war is to judge the enemy's movements according to the enemy situation on the battlefield. Tactical literacy and vision are required. Although Zhang Xiaoshan did not have a formal military school education, he was born with strategic vision, which is the potential of being a general. Later, he continued to fight with the young marshal, and almost single-handedly founded the entire Western Military Region. If Feng Yong's position in the entire Northeast Security Army is supreme, then he Zhang Xiaoshan is indispensable to the Western Military Region.

Without Zhang Xiaoshan's command of the Western Military Region, its combat effectiveness would have been greatly reduced. Feng Yong knows this, and others know better. This is also why Feng Yong often dispatches political commissars from various military regions to replace them, but the military chief has not moved. Now is the time when the Northeast Public Security Army is booming, and the generals of various departments are loyal to him, and there is no need for him to change the military commanders indiscriminately, thus affecting the combat effectiveness of the troops. Anyway, because of the political commissar system, the influence of the military chief officer in the Northeast Public Security Army in the army is indeed much lower than that of other warlord forces.

"Alright! Commissar, I now officially issue the order of the young marshal! Orders you to lead the 1st Brigade, the 1st Independent Brigade, and the 2nd Cavalry Brigade to form a northbound dispatch army to temporarily join the Northwest Military Region sequence. Obey the command of General Jiang Baili, deputy commander of the Northeast Security Army. ”

"Deputy Commander Chiang? He wants to personally come to Outer Mongolia to command the battle? Cui Xiaolong said in surprise. Now he understands why Zhang Xiaoshan asked him to lead his troops north. With a military master like Jiang Baili here, it is a victory that he only needs to bring the troops of the Western Military Region to Outer Mongolia safely.

"Not bad! According to the latest information, the vanguard regiment of the Northwest Military District has already met the Cossack cavalry of Tsarist Russia, and the two sides have exchanged hands for the second time, and the vanguard regiment has suffered a small loss. Zhang Xiaoshan said. At present, he has not received a telegram from the Western Military Region, and it seems that the headquarters of the Western Military Region is still advancing, and the information of the major marshal has also been transmitted to them after being reported through the Pioneer Regiment of the Northwest Military Region.

"Heavy casualties?" Cui Xiaolong said with a solemn expression. Since the Southeast Military Region resisted the Japanese Imperial Army, the various military regions of the Northeast Public Security Army are no longer so afraid of the combat effectiveness of the foreign army. After all, the Russians are defeated by the Japanese, and the Japanese have no way to take the Northeast Security Army, and the Russians, who are weaker than the Japanese, have most of the combat effectiveness.

It can be said that the Russo-Japanese War kicked the armies of the Western powers off the high altar. The recent Battle of Tohoku kicked the Japanese off the altar. Although the world does not recognize the combat effectiveness of the Northeast Security Army. But the Northeast Security Army believes it. This gives them tremendous confidence.

"They surrounded and annihilated a cavalry battalion of more than 500 Cossack cavalry of Tsarist Russia, and more than 3,000 people went up together, although they eliminated more than 500 people, but they suffered more than 400 casualties, and the battle loss ratio was almost 1 to 1. From here you can see the combat effectiveness of the Cossack cavalry. At present, the situation in Outer Mongolia is not optimistic, the young marshal cannot do without Changchun, and the chief of staff is also entangled in official duties, so he can only let Deputy Commander Chiang, who has the easiest work for the time being, take command. Political commissar, this time you must control the thinking of the troops when you go north, and resolutely obey the orders of Deputy Commander Chiang. This was Deputy Commander Chiang's first major battle after he arrived in the Northeast, and it was related to his future status in the Northeast Security Army. We must fully cooperate. Otherwise, the new official will take office with three fires, don't burn us. "Jiang Baili is the eldest brother of the young marshal. This relationship is not very concerned in the eyes of figures like Feng Yong and Jiang Baili, but Zhang Xiaoshan and their subordinates can't care less. In addition, Jiang Baili is not an ordinary person. After all, it is not easy for a character who can become the idol of the chief of staff.

When the large troops of the Northwest Military Region arrived at the garrison of the vanguard regiment, the morale of the vanguard regiment was relatively low, and although Cao Biao and others had already set up a camp for the large troops, Cao Zheng's face was still ugly.

"Head Cao, what's going on? Three thousand men besieged five hundred, and more than four hundred people were lost, how did you command this battle? Cao Zheng saw Cao Biao with his head drooping, and couldn't help but reprimand him anymore.

"Commander, in fact, we don't blame the regimental commander for this incident, at that time we thought it was the guard of the Mongol prince, so we launched a charge against it. Who knew that when the troops were completely strangled together, we found out that they turned out to be the Cossack cavalry of Lao Maozi. Zhang Yuan, political commissar of the Pioneer Regiment, said first.

Cao Zheng listened to Zhang Yuan's words, although his face did not get better, but he reprimanded Cao Biao again. Cao Biao did not refute either. Listen with your head drooping. made Cao Zheng look angry and laughing.

"Tell me about it! I don't believe that the Cossack cavalry of Tsarist Russia really had such strong combat effectiveness? Cao Zheng's face was very bad, he didn't expect the first battle with the Russians to be like this.

Cao Biao glanced at Zhang Yuan and asked him to speak.

"Commander, commissar, here's the thing. This morning, our troops crossed the Chechen Khan and came to the Kulen region. Fifty miles ahead, I saw a troop of cavalry plundering a small tribe. When we turned on the phone, we thought it was a horse bandit, but when we got closer, they thought it was a Mongolian prince's guard. So the regimental commander ordered our team to charge. Although this group of horse bandits was small in number, it was extremely fierce, and they still launched a charge in the face of opponents who were six or seven times more numerous. As a result, when the enemy and us were strangled together, we found out that this group of people turned out to be blue-faced and high-nosed Tsarist Russians. The fighters were surprised and their combat effectiveness was affected, and in the end we completely annihilated this Cossack cavalry battalion. As a result, our human losses are no small either. Zhang Yuan said guiltily. Although the battle was victorious, 3,000 men besieged 500 people, and the result was a battle loss ratio of 1 to 1. This is a spiritual blow to the Northwest Military Region, whose confidence is inflated.

"Commander Cao, I don't care what method you use, you must bring up the morale of the vanguard regiment to me. The Pioneer Regiment is a sharp knife in the North-Western Military District, not a soft egg. I will report this matter carefully to the young marshal. Since the war with Lao Maozi has begun, it is necessary to be prepared for a full-scale war. Lao Maozi is extremely aggressive, and he won't forget it like this if he suffers a loss. I think it won't be long before they send a large force to retaliate. This time, it's up to you pioneers to do the bait, and I'm going to teach them a lesson. Saying that, a touch of ruthlessness flashed in Cao Zheng's eyes.

Looking at everyone's puzzled looks, Li Fei said with a smile: "Our two heavy machine gun regiments have arrived. To deal with cavalry, you still need a heavy machine gun. ”

Everyone looked overjoyed, two regiments of heavy machine guns, almost hundreds, to use them against the Cossack cavalry, what is the concept. Cao Biao's spirit was greatly lifted when he listened.

He snapped and stood up and said loudly: "Commander, rest assured, I will successfully complete the task of luring the enemy!" “

(To be continued)