The undercurrents in Nanjing never ceased, and the murderous intent towards Cheng Muyun grew wildly like vines. There were always people sharpening their knives in the shadows, hoping to eliminate him completely.
The existence of the Dongzhou Army is a double-edged sword.
They were a formidable and fierce force on the battlefield, unmatched in combat power. What was even more deadly was that most of the men in this unit were homeless souls—their homeland had become a German colony.
Their carefree nature made them easy pawns to manipulate.
However, this "fierceness" also became a thorn in the side of the surrounding warlords.
These local powers had long coveted Cheng Muyun, after all, the reputation of the Dongzhou Army was well-known, and everyone was afraid that one day this iron army would invade their territory.
Especially when the Dongzhou Army was still a regular army, they received imperial provisions from the court, guarded their own defense zones, never easily expanded their territory, and never plundered surrounding resources, so the warlords could barely keep their minds at ease.
But things are different now. The Dongzhou Army is independent and no longer bound by "imperial grain." The south has so many fertile lands, and everyone is afraid that in order to survive, they will turn around and seize territory and resources.
The Dongzhou army's "recruitment" was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a scheme orchestrated by several southern warlords in collusion with government officials.
They accurately predicted the weaknesses of the Dongzhou army and thoroughly understood Cheng Muyun's temperament, gradually presenting him with the bait.
The news that Cheng Muyun was about to be executed spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the city in just a few days.
Unexpectedly, the public's reaction was frighteningly enthusiastic—some people banged drums and gongs, some cheered along the streets, wishing they could personally spit on him, their fierce determination to "kill him by everyone" as if Cheng Muyun were some heinous villain.
Those with ulterior motives in the shadows immediately seized upon this wave of public opinion, compiled it into a case file overnight, and reported it to their superiors.
Those parasites sitting in high positions have long been blinded by greed, their minds filled with nothing but the gold and silver jewels and promised benefits stuffed into their heads by warlords. They have no regard for right or wrong.
His eyes were completely blinded by lard, and with a wave of his hand, he approved the "call" order.
Ultimately, Cheng Muyun's move was too hasty and too risky.
They lifted a stone only to drop it on their own foot, plunging themselves into an abyss of no return.
Those around who heard the news were shocked.
There has never been any news of Nanjing forcibly incorporating any army. Most of the warlords who fled halfway were just receiving military pay and did not cause trouble. Both sides pretended not to see it.
Apart from the Fengtian clique in the north, they completely broke away from the Beiyang government.
Among the southern warlords, Cheng Muyun was the only one who went to such extremes.
So everyone knew that this day would come.
But I never expected them to use such an extreme method.
The strength of the Dongzhou Army is evident. Not only are its soldiers all seasoned veterans, but its armory is also piled high with artillery shells. If a real battle were to break out, it might not be at a disadvantage and could even be confident of going head-to-head with the enemy.
The problem is that when it comes to war, in addition to actual combat strength, reputation often has a greater influence on the situation.
If the Dongzhou Army really breaks with the government and starts fighting, Nanjing will definitely not let it go. Nine times out of ten, they will be labeled as "bandits"—this is almost a certainty.
Once labeled with this title, the Dongzhou Army nominally became a bandit that everyone could kill, completely losing its status as a legitimate military force.
At that time, the warlords around them who have been watching them for a long time will have a legitimate reason.
Anyone can use the pretext of "bandit suppression" to harass and attack others with impunity.
Sending a small squad to raid the camp today, sabotaging the supply line tomorrow—these endless harassments are enough to wear down any elite force.
This situation is undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the Dongzhou army.
Having figured out the crux of the matter, Cheng Muyun has been frowning these past few days, the wrinkles between his brows never easing.
In fact, earlier, he didn't care about these disputes—at that time, he believed that Xu Zhuohua was no longer alive, and his grief almost overwhelmed all reason. The open and covert attacks and power struggles around him became blurry shadows in his eyes.
He was well aware of how tempting the Dongzhou Army was, and he knew all too well that the surrounding warlords were like hungry wolves, their eyes already red with greed, just waiting to be devoured.
But at that time, his enthusiasm had waned, and no matter how many crises were in front of him, he was too lazy to care and didn't take them seriously.
Now that I've come to my senses, I realize that this game has been turned into a complex and complicated affair, and every move is fraught with peril.
Xu Zhuohua's fingertips were a little cold as she gently gripped Cheng Muyun's hand, her knuckles tightening slightly, revealing the tension she couldn't hide.
Those fragmented yet vivid historical moments kept swirling in her mind.
In his past, Cheng Muyun was first stripped of his legitimate status and became the target of public criticism. Then he was caught in endless harassment from all over the world, which exhausted him and depleted his energy. This allowed those lurking people with ulterior motives to seize the fatal gap, and he finally met such an end.
Cheng Muyun patted the back of her hand in return, his tone deliberately relaxed, as if the predicament before them was nothing more than a passing cloud: "It's alright, let them come. The gates of the Dongzhou Army are wide open, let's see how many of them dare to step in."
His confidence was not unfounded.
The formidable strength of the Dongzhou Army is an undeniable fact. Its superior equipment, fearless soldiers, and the iron discipline he personally forged have made this force a force that no one in the southern region dares to provoke easily.
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