The elegant and exquisite courtyard with lush flowers and scenery at the foot of Cuiping Mountain finally has an official name - Xiyuan. This name was given by the bride Ou Chu'er. Originally, the brothers called it An's Mansion or the Commander's Mansion as they pleased, but there was no unified
After arriving, Chu'er visited the charming scenery in the garden and was so happy that she immediately asked An Yi to call her home the West Garden.
An Yi readily agreed without even thinking about it. The reason was that since Chu'er liked it so much, he could just let her be happy. Another reason was that the name "Xiyuan" was indeed much simpler than An's Mansion or the Commander's Mansion.
Chu'er liked her new home in Xufu very much, and she was very polite to the beautiful and simple housekeeper Aunt Ma. She saw the seven-year-old Xinghua holding the hand of her younger brother Chengcheng, who was less than three years old, like a little adult.
Playing happily under the big tree, sometimes playing hide-and-seek, sometimes playing catch, Chu'er's beautiful face showed a satisfied smile, and she even thought about whether to give Chengcheng a younger brother or younger sister sooner?
After three consecutive days of grand wedding banquets held from inside the city of Xufu to outside the city, An Yi's family finally settled down. The brothers from all walks of life in the military and political circles in southern Sichuan stopped their unrelenting drinking fights and once again turned their energy to military construction and local government affairs.
Chu'er was very touched by the respect and affection shown by the brothers. What made her even more emotional was that the entire Xu Mansion was a clean and beautiful garden city with a strong southern Sichuan ancient charm but full of vitality: neat and tidy.
Broad, tree-lined streets with complete drainage systems, brand-new schools and hospitals with antique buildings
, military camps and markets are perfectly integrated with the old city. The tram rails being laid run through the southeast, northwest and northwest of the city. The main east-west line passes through the Jinsha River Second Bridge that is about to be completed and is connected to the factory-lined Jiangdong New District.
The largest city in southern Sichuan with a population of 150,000 has begun to show its colorful new look to the world.
On the fourth day after settling in, Chu Er could hardly suppress the strong impulse in her heart and asked to start working.
An Yi did not immediately agree to Chu'er's request, but suggested that she walk more and see more, take her children to visit more brothers' homes, and meet all the brothers' wives, children, old and young, to establish a relationship first.
, it’s not too late to start the stressful and busy work.
Chu'er could only agree. A few days later, she slowly discovered that most of the brothers' wives were teachers, doctors, and low-level officials in government departments. For example, Yin Jinan's wife Duan Xiner was the principal of Rongjun Primary School, and Gu Changfeng's wife was
The deputy director of the Xufu Education Bureau, Ding Zhicheng's wife is a clerk in the Agriculture Bureau, Xia Jian's second wife is actually the police officer in charge of household registration in the police branch, etc., finally understood An Yi
With all the good intentions, I calmly readjusted my life and work plans with all kinds of gratitude, and began to have an in-depth and detailed understanding of all aspects of Xufu and even southern Sichuan. The rich humanistic society and the ubiquitous simple family love are often
Chu'er was so moved that the corners of her eyes became moist, and she gradually understood that the burden on her shoulders was far more complicated and heavier than she originally imagined.
An Yi attended meetings endlessly, inspected the garrisons of various ministries and the police force that had expanded to 6,000 people. In the evening, he usually called the brothers to the yard of his home or a small pavilion in the back mountain to have two drinks while drinking.
Talk while taking your time.
At the family dinner on the seventh night, Chu'er suddenly saw a nationally famous figure who was in the whirlpool of public criticism two months ago. What surprised Chu'er especially was that this influential figure was still wearing a tight-fitting shirt.
The neatly ironed general's summer uniform, the general's star embroidered with gold thread on the collar is still shining, and there is always a faint smile on his calm and chiseled face. He is the person who was predicted by the newspaper to be sentenced to a heavy sentence by the military court.
Wang Geng, the "romantic general" of Xing.
What makes Chu'er even more incomprehensible is that today Wang Geng has not changed his name or surname. His official title is still Army Major General, but his official position has become the Chief of Education of the Central Army (Xufu) Non-commissioned Officer School, in charge of twelve
It is the largest military academy in the country that admits 5,500 outstanding students to the national military and society every year.
An Yi saw Ou Chuer's doubts and did not explain it at the time. Instead, after the excitement in the evening, he told the truth about his statement to Chairman Chiang and his proposal to transfer Wang Geng out of the tax police corps to serve in southern Sichuan.
Explain. Chairman Chiang will naturally not admit his mistake. No matter what, it is a fact that letting the Japanese capture him will bring great loss to the army.
, the previous arrests and detentions were regarded as punishment. At the same time, he also felt that this time he had beaten his brother-in-law Song Ziwen and his tax police team. If the stalemate continued, there would be no peace in the family, so he agreed to An Yi's request. Song Ziwen
Seeing that the life and future of his general had been saved, Wang Geng readily agreed, so Wang Geng came to Xu Mansion.
Although Wang Geng is aloof and arrogant in his dealings with others, he always seems to be a bit domineering, but as a top student of the United States Military Academy at West Point, his military theory is extremely solid and his vision is very broad. He absorbs new things very quickly and knows how to learn and apply them. I believe that after this experience
He will learn a lot from the major changes in his life. It is more than enough to serve as the chief education officer of the sergeant school. An Yi got a talent for nothing, and his mood is also very good.
Nowadays, the 24th Army, the nationally powerful honorary unit, has established a headquarters, and each department has its own responsibilities from top to bottom. Therefore, although Army Commander and Commander Yin Jinan, Deputy Army Commander and Chief of Staff Ye Cheng, and Commander of the 16th Division Xie
Chi, Xia Jian, commander of the 39th Division, Gu Changfeng, commander of the 44th Division and other generals were inseparable from An Yi all day long. A main force composed of 60,000 soldiers was still operating efficiently and stably.
The security force affiliated with the Southern Sichuan Appeasement Office once again increased to five divisions with 80,000 soldiers. Together with the 6,000-strong police force formed from retired and active officers and soldiers, and the engineering corps composed of 100,000 retired officers and soldiers and second-line officers and soldiers,
Lieutenant General Yang Bin, Director of the Office, Major General Li Fuqiang, Director of Military and Political Affairs, Police
Under the leadership of Major General Ding Zhicheng, Director of the Inspectorate, and Major General Shi Lejun, Commander of the Engineering Corps, they formed the backbone of the defense and construction of southern Sichuan. It was with the support of such strong military power that governments at all levels in southern Sichuan were able to operate stably and smoothly, and all aspects were recorded.
I have reached new levels and gradually matured.
Another night, An Yi, who had been busy all day, was eating and talking with his brothers. They were enjoying themselves. Halfway through the drink, Lin Yaodong, the captain of the bodyguard, came to report that General Zhan Huanqi, chief of staff of the 38th Army and commander of the Kunming Garrison Command, had arrived.
All the brothers cheered in unison and stood up together with An Yi to face the courtyard gate.
At this time, Zhan Huanqi was already accompanied by Zhao Rui, the new Lieutenant General and Deputy Director of the Fourth Hall of the General Staff Headquarters. He happily turned around the screen wall to greet him, respectfully stood at attention and saluted the old commander An Yi, and then beat the crowd with the overjoyed brothers.
They beat each other, greeted each other, and laughed for a while before being dragged into the banquet by the brothers and forced to drink three large bowls.
The blushing Zhan Huanqi took the three heavy gift boxes from the hands of the two adjutants standing behind him, and respectfully delivered them to Chu'er one by one:
"This is a small gift from Mr. Yi, General Zhu Shigui and my younger brother. Many generals of our Thirty-eighth Army and the Garrison Force have been friends with Commander An for many years and feel like brothers. However, my younger brother took the opportunity to come and cannot bring so many gifts, so he can only temporarily
Please offer these three gifts first and hope they will be accepted."
All the brothers laughed and asked what kind of treasure it was. An Yi readily asked Chu Er, who was extremely moved, to open it and take a look.
Chu'er thanked her earnestly, sat down and opened Zhan Huanqi's gift box first. A one-foot-tall emerald horse with exquisite carvings and a soft green luster all over the body caused all the brothers to exclaim. Zhan Huanqi smiled and asked Chu'er to open the second gift box sent by Zhu Shigui.
Two boxes, a pair of jeweled silver scabbards, and an exquisite sword with a gold wire handle inlaid with rubies were quickly displayed in front of everyone.
An Yi carefully took the sword from Chu Er, and pulled out one of the swords with a "clang" sound. The cold light of the scimitar immediately attracted a burst of exclamations from the discerning brothers.
An Yi took a deep breath, slowly put away the sword, took the third smallest gift box from Zhu Peide and slowly opened it. A burst of fragrance immediately filled the air, which made people feel relaxed and happy. There was a cardboard box inlaid with crystal colored shells.
The rosewood box appeared in front of everyone.
An Yi slowly opened the lid of the red sandalwood box engraved with a harvest pattern. He was stunned for a while, then grabbed a stone covered with green rust spots in the box, and blurted out in his heart: "Copper?"
"Yes! It's copper ore. My father-in-law thought about it for a long time before picking it out from many items as a gift for the commander. Commander, guess what, my father said that if the commander guesses his intention, everything will be up to the commander.
." After saying that, Zhan Huanqi laughed, picked up the wine glass and drank comfortably while the brothers looked at him in surprise.
An Yi stared at the green ore in his hand and stood up slowly: "If I guessed correctly, this ore should come from northeastern or southeastern Yunnan, and this exquisite red sandalwood box is more meaningful. It is said that the wood grain is mixed with gold.
The silky red sandalwood tree grows in Myanmar, and also grows in small quantities in Shangliao and Annan areas. More than 30 years ago, the French red sandalwood tree grew in Annan.
Governor Nan once cut down a section of this kind of rosewood and ordered the best craftsmen in Shangliao to carve it into a tiger and send it to France. This immediately triggered the French's fifteen-year gold rush in the Far East. The mining and forest areas from Hanoi to the Red River Valley in Annan
That's how the two-hundred-kilometer railway was built. Huanqi, I don't know if what I said is right?"
Zhan Huanqi looked impressed: "Boss is really knowledgeable and knowledgeable, I admire you! Yes, after four months of hard work by Chinese and foreign experts from the Southern Sichuan Mineral Resources Bureau, last week it was clearly determined that the minimum reserves of Dongchuan Copper Mine are 400,000 tons.
The associated silver ore reserves cannot be determined, but experts predict that as long as mining is expanded
The annual silver output of the Dongchuan Silver Mine will not be less than six tons. My father-in-law said that Dongchuan is right on the main road of the Sichuan-Yunnan Highway that is under construction. We do not have the advanced technology and funds to mine and smelt copper ore and silver ore.
Instruct the younger brother to invite the commander over, and the two families will join forces to have a big fight, haha!"
An Yi was overjoyed when he heard this. The brothers were all beaming with satisfaction and immediately started a heated discussion about it.
Yin Jinan signaled the brothers to be quiet, turned to Zhan Huanqi and asked: "Huanqi, last month our Third Division of the Engineering Corps built the Sichuan-Yunnan Highway to Zhaotong. It is estimated that in another five months, more than 100 small and medium-sized roads will be built along the way.
The bridge will also be completed and opened to traffic. Now it seems that the most difficult part of the entire highway is the section from Dongchuan to Zhaotong. According to your estimate, when will this section of road be repaired?"
Zhan Huanqi shook his head bitterly: "The Yunnan Provincial Government has no money. After building several cement plants, it no longer has the energy to develop transportation. The officials of the Provincial Council and the Construction Department were helpless and repeatedly suggested that my father ask for help from southern Sichuan, otherwise
It will take three to five years to repair this
It is the main road out of the province that benefits the people. It is precisely for this reason that the Dongchuan mining area was successfully captured by us. I have another important mission this time. Please use this rare vacation to go to Kunming.
, to guide and discuss cooperation matters between the two places.
Half a month ago, after the central government's document announcing that the commander-in-chief was the director of the Sichuan-Yunnan Border Region's Appeasement Office was sent to Kunming, the entire Yunnan province started quarreling. Many people were unwilling to include the Zhaotong area in the Sichuan-Yunnan Border Region territory, even though my father repeatedly stated that this was just
The temporary administrative measures of the central government are aimed at revitalizing the economy and promoting the development of agriculture, industry, commerce and other industries in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Zhaotong still
It is within the territory of Yunnan Province and will not leave Yunnan. Our Yunnan Army is still stationed in Zhaotong to manage it, but the opposition has not stopped. Therefore, if the commander can be invited to Kunming to explain the situation, maybe all the opposition
The noise will stop. Nowadays, people in Yunnan are very envious of the rapid development of southern Sichuan, but they can’t let go of their inherent old ideas.”
An Yi thought for a while, then understood the mystery, and immediately agreed with a smile: "Okay! I'll go... Chu'er, haven't you always wanted to visit Kunming Xishan? Back then, Wu Sangui and Chen Yuanyuan burned incense, played the piano, and drank wine to talk.
The golden palace is still there, let’s take this opportunity to have a look too, right?”
"Really?" Chu'er was very happy.
"Really, let's bring Chengcheng and little Xinghua with us. Huanqi and his wife are my sworn brothers, and their son is half a year older than Chengcheng. It's just a good time for the little ones to play together, haha!
"An Yi said with a smile.
Zhan Huanqi also kindly invited Chu'er to visit Kunming. Everyone happily raised their glasses and started drinking, chatting with each other in twos and threes, and the atmosphere was relaxed and warm.
An Yi turned to Yin Jinan and Yang Bin to discuss the key issues of this trip to Kunming. After a while, he heard Gu Changfeng's uninhibited voice:
"...The British are so fucking mean! They have been instructing the rebels to invade the Xikang area for more than ten years, and now they are plotting in southern Yunnan to invade our territory. Huanqi, why don't you let Yi Gong fight him tit for tat?
A battle for my mother?”
"It's difficult! There are many ethnic groups in the four towns of Pu'er in southern Yunnan, and the situation is extremely complicated. Behind the scenes, the British connived at the indigenous people on the Burmese side to continue to invade and encroach, destroying a large number of boundary monuments originally established by the Qing Dynasty, and constantly provoking armed conflicts between tribes, using despicable methods
The conditions are so bad and bloody that the Dai and Han people living in Che (Jinghong), Fohai (Menghai), Nanqiao (Mengzhe), and Zhenyue (Mengla) areas have been forced to move north since the year before last. We just want to
Even sending troops is not enough!
You also know, how long have we been in power in Yunnan? The political power in the vast areas of western Yunnan such as Dali and Baoshan has not been fully taken over. How can we consider the four remote towns in southern Yunnan? It turns out that my little brother has the same idea as you, is just as angry, and can’t wait to
Immediately lead his troops south to fight him, but you won't know until you actually do it
It's so difficult. Let's not talk about the miasma poisonous snakes, forests and mountains that are difficult to cross on a large scale, nor the complex ethnic tribes and historical hatreds between each other. Let's talk about roads. In many places, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and there are no roads. How can you
Go? It feels so uncomfortable to be powerless!" Zhan Huanqi shook her head in frustration.
The brothers were speechless. An Yi thought for a while and asked: "Huanqi, I heard that there is a fairy land in the car that the Dai people call Xishuangbanna. It has towering giant trees, fertile land, good weather and good products.
rich, listening
It is said that in the Qing Dynasty, the peacocks and a kind of rare rice produced there were still tributes. In the early years of Guangxu, a Qing army was stationed there. The largest post station on the Tea Horse Road in southern Yunnan was Fohai. Why has it become so bad now?
Already?"
Zhan Huanqi replied with some helplessness: "Although Yunnan has been closed for many years, internal turmoil has never stopped. There are many conflicts at the top and frequent regime changes in various places. For decades, everyone has focused on Kunming, Qujing, Dali, Zhaotong and connecting Guangxi.
, Guizhou and other civilized places have already lost their control over Yunnan
The governance of the Burmese border and the areas bordering Shangliao and Annan. After we came to power and were firmly established, we took a quick look and saw that the situation in the south was all out of control. It would take ten or eight years to slowly straighten it out. For example, now, we have to build a road out of control.
The provincial highways are so difficult, how can we still have the energy to take care of distant border areas?"
An Yi pondered for a moment and raised his eyebrows with a smile: "Huanqi, if I offer assistance to Yunnan-Guizhou and Yunnan-Sichuan roads out of the province on the condition that I lease four towns in southern Yunnan to resettle the victims in the northwest, do you think the big men in the Yunnan Provincial Government will
Don’t agree?”
Zhan Huanqi's eyes lit up and he replied without hesitation: "Of course, no one cares about the remote areas in southern Yunnan that are beyond our control... But, boss, this is a huge investment! You can calculate it and get it right.
?”
An Yi said with a smile: "The unity and integrity of the motherland's territory cannot be measured by money, not to mention that the rich land in southern Yunnan can bring huge returns as long as it is developed for a few years. Nowadays, the plague is prevalent in the northwest of our country, and northern Sichuan and
The war between the warlords in western Sichuan has resumed, and victims from the northwest and northern Sichuan are flocking south again. I am worried about how to resettle these victims.
, if this idea is feasible, I plan to recruit 20,000 young people from the disaster victims and go to the four towns in southern Yunnan to settle in the name of resettlement. From then on, there will be a steady flow of immigrants there. At least 30,000 to 500,000 people will have to immigrate. I don’t believe it.
In five years, southern Yunnan will not return to the embrace of the motherland. It doesn’t matter if the money is not enough, I will pay for it without spending a penny from the southern Sichuan government.”
All the brothers cheered in unison. Yang Bin, Gu Changfeng and others were keenly aware that there must be a huge conspiracy behind An Yi's decision. Judging from An Yi's investment over the past few years, he would definitely not lose money, so they asked An Yi one after another if he could
Can't buy one share?
After Yang Bin and Gu Changfeng made such a fuss, all the brothers woke up. Even Zhan Huanqi stared at the cheerful An Yi and asked her what her plan was.