The big move that took place in the political and business circles of the Northeast made the entire Northeast depressed all of a sudden. But soon, this depression translated into an even greater economic boom. The businessmen are in order, and the government is clear. Judging from the government report, the Northeast quickly broke free from the crisis, and the business community was more vigorous under the strong intervention of the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce.

"Young marshal, do we really want to cooperate with the Germans? Germany is now the enemy of the world. If we work with them, it will make it more difficult for us to gain recognition from the rest of the world. Xu Zheng asked. As a close person to Feng Yong's side, Xu Zheng's vision has also been exercised, and many ideas are no longer limited to one country and one place. Feng Yong's idea is very good, stay neutral, and keep the left and right. But China's decades-long history of aggression has taught him that capitalist countries are all demons that eat people and do not spit out bones, and whether they cooperate or become enemies, it will not benefit the current northeast. Maintaining neutrality may be even more difficult.

"Recognition of the world? You mean the approval of the British! Hum! The British are too arrogant. Even though they were now beaten by the Germans on the battlefield, the British never gave up their so-called dignity. Our Northeast has defeated Beiyang, but we are not the only government of China now, and the British will contact us just to take advantage of the contradiction between us and the Beiyang government to benefit from both sides. You have already read Dean Li's telegram. The British Yankee's aggressive face is undoubtedly leaking. Accept all the treaties signed by the Manchus and the Beiyang government? Then what's the point of overthrowing the Beiyang government and establishing a new government? If it weren't for the Japanese devils coming to make trouble, even if we couldn't unify China, we would still be able to expand the influence of the Beijing government to the greatest extent possible. It is like now that the two governments of China coexist. Feng Yong also felt distressed. He knows that the military strength of the Northeast is strong, but the logistics are not strong. Until now, the government still owes money to the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce. Tuoba Huiji really let Feng Yong see what it means to distinguish between public and private. The Mansfield Chamber of Commerce belongs to the Feng family, but not to the government, and Tuoba Huiji is very resolute in implementing this concept. This makes the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce the largest independent consortium in the world. Moreover, Tuoba Huiji is firmly opposed to sharing the finances of the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce with the government's finances. Tuoba Huiji did not want the well-developed Mansfield Chamber of Commerce to play up the bureaucracy of the government.

For the stubborn Tuoba Huiji, Feng Yong had no good way, so he could only sign a loan agreement with the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce in the name of the government. As for the interest rate, of course, it is lower than the interest rate on borrowing from the World Bank. Before the war in the Central Plains ended, the Japanese government's sudden coup d'état and the coming to power of the military government shrouded the entire Korean Peninsula under the clouds of war. The government is unwilling to repay the money, and all the government's current financial revenues are transferred in the direction of war materials.

"Young marshal, if we go to war with Japan, will the British send troops?" Xu Zheng asked.

"Impossible, the British are already struggling to maintain the Western battlefield now, how can they still have the strength to send troops to China. In addition, little Japan will not agree to the British sending troops. The little devil's heart is not enough, and the snake swallows the elephant. His expansion strategy has not changed. Conquer Korea, invade China, and then dominate the world. Didn't the British get involved to share the cake! The greedy Japanese will not agree! Feng Yong said affirmatively.

"Young Marshal, do you think we can win the first war with Japan?" Xu Zheng had no confidence in his heart, after all, in the past hundred years, China has never won a foreign war.

"There must be victory. If we fail, our entire ruling system will collapse completely! Also, Little Japan is not as scary as we think. Although we are still at a disadvantage in terms of weapon level, the firepower level is not much different. As long as there are no other big forces involved, we will definitely be able to win this battle. Feng Yong said confidently.

Shandong, under the city of Licheng.

"Prime Minister, you go first! Everything here is left to the subordinates. The subordinates will definitely stick to the city and live and die with the city! Fu Liangzuo said in a deep voice.

The pace of advance in the Northeast has exceeded all expectations. The 30,000 troops along the Yellow River did not stop the advance of the Northeast Army, but instead lost their own troops. Most of the heavy weapons were killed by the Northeast.

"No, if I leave Licheng, the morale of the soldiers will be affected, and this battle will not last for a long time." Duan Qirui said with a gloomy face. Fu Liangzuo's second line of defense was bombarded indiscriminately by the Northeast Army, and soon the position was torn apart, and although Ni Sichong tried his best to maintain it, the Beiyang Army finally retreated. If Duan Qirui hadn't sent troops to respond in time, these troops would probably have entered the prisoner of war camps in the northeast again.

"Prime Minister, we only have 50,000 people now, and it is very difficult to defend the huge Licheng. Plus there was heavy artillery in the Northeast Army. The protective role of the thick city walls of Licheng has been greatly reduced. In this case, it is dangerous for you to stay here. Prime Minister, for the sake of Beiyang, you better leave Licheng! Fu Liangzuo said eagerly. He led his army to be defeated by the Northeast Army several times, and most of his troops entered the prisoner of war camps of the Northeast Army. Several brushes with death made Fu Liangzuo very aware of the combat effectiveness of the Northeast Army. If there is no heavy artillery in the northeast that can shoot through the walls of the city. With a strength of 50,000 men, they were able to entangle with the Northeast Army in Licheng for a while. But the heavy artillery in the northeast can easily blast through the walls of Licheng. The total strength is also about 80,000 people, and once the Northeast Army breaks through the city wall, the possibility of them holding Licheng is much smaller.

"Where is General Xu Shuzheng's army?" Duan Qirui didn't answer, but asked his adjutant.

"General Xu has already passed Tai'an, and he will be able to reach Licheng in two days at most!"

"Let them speed up. Tell him about our current form. I believe Xu Shuzheng will judge. Duan Qirui's face was very gloomy. Xu Shuzheng's slow progress made Duan Qirui very dissatisfied. After all, Xu Shuzheng's troops have been in Shandong for seven or eight days, and they have only arrived in Tai'an until now, and the speed is really slow.

Under the city.

The army of the Northeast Army finally arrived at the city of Licheng. Looking at the tall city walls of Licheng, the Northeast Army was full of confidence. After all, there was heavy artillery, and the city walls of Licheng couldn't stop their progress at all. Now the morale of the entire Northeast Army is high, and it is not afraid of death in battle. Because every soldier wants to make meritorious contributions, and they all want the young marshal to personally award him with honors. With the support of this idea, the Northeast Army's combat effectiveness was brought into full play by 200 percent. Naturally, the Beiyang Army could not resist.

Temporary Command of the Northeast Army.

Jiang Baili frowned, looking extremely distressed.

"Commander, our consumption of weapons and ammunition is very serious, and it has now affected the firepower level of the army, although we have captured a lot of weapons and ammunition of the Beiyang Army. But many of them can't be used at all because of different models! The quartermaster of the Northeast Army rushed to the headquarters in a hurry to report to Jiang Baili.

"I know, all the ammunition that meets the model will be distributed first, this battle may be the last battle between us and Beiyang, don't be stingy with ammunition. As long as the war is won, the military supplies will slowly become abundant. Jiang Baili said in a deep voice.

The Northeast Army has been winning battles with its powerful firepower, and it can be said that it has been continuously captured. It's a pity that the weapons and ammunition of these defeated Beiyang Army themselves are very messy, and there are really not many ammunition that can be used by the Northeast Army. Now that the logistical supply to the northeast has almost stopped, Jiang Baili's department is in danger of running out of ammunition.

"Yes!" The quartermaster nodded, ready to go back and distribute the ammunition.

"Wait a minute! Gather all these ammunition and send them all to the Eighth Brigade, and let them sing the leading role in this battle. Be sure to guarantee their ammunition supply! Jiang Baili stopped the quartermaster and said. If the captured ammunition is distributed to all the fighters, at most a dozen rounds per person, it will not have an impact on the whole situation, but it is better to supply an elite army with concentrated ammunition, so that it can achieve a breakthrough in one fell swoop with sufficient firepower.

"How's the artillery position being constructed?" Jiang Baili said to Wang Jigang, the operational staff officer of the General Staff.

"Construction is being intensified. Commander, there are also not enough shells for heavy artillery. Shi Jian, the deputy commander of the heavy artillery regiment, sent a telegram asking us to replenish their ammunition after this battle. Wang Jigang said. The troops are now approaching the limit. Not only are the weapons and ammunition of the various units reaching their limits, but the soldiers themselves are already exhausted, and if it were not for the stimulation and support of the young marshal personally awarding medals to the meritorious service, the morale of the army would have declined long ago.

"As long as we break through Licheng and we won't need heavy artillery units in a short time, they can have a good rest period, and the supply of weapons and ammunition will naturally be fine. Tell Shi Jian that this is the last play sung by their heavy artillery regiment in the Luzhong area, and you must sing it for me! Jiang Baili nodded and said. Regardless of the outcome of this battle, the Battle of Licheng is already the final stage of the contest between the Northeast and the Beiyang. Both sides are somewhat exhausted, and the intention of fighting again by force.

"Can you get a map of Licheng's defense?" Jiang Baili asked.

"I'm stepping up my pity for our intelligence officers. As for whether it will succeed, we will have to wait a while to know! Wang Jigang said. Intelligence agencies in the Northeast are spread all over the country, among which Licheng, as the capital of Shandong, is naturally the focus of attention. It was only after Duan Qirui sat in Licheng that the entire intelligence organization fell silent. It was only when the Northeast Army arrived at the city of Licheng that the intelligence organization resumed contact. It's just that the city defense map is such a confidential thing, and the intelligence organization has made it very difficult. Therefore, Wang Jigang did not dare to guarantee the success of the intelligence organization.

"Let's hope they succeed! With the city defense map, we can also reduce casualties as much as possible. Jiang Baili sighed and said. Siege warfare has historically been the deadliest battle. With its superior firepower, the Northeast is not afraid of field battles at all, but siege warfare requires not only sharp artillery, but also various possible crises. Duan Qirui has been operating in Licheng for more than half a month, and it is impossible not to have the slightest preparation.

(To be continued)