The Qing Imperial Army landed in Liaodong Bay and began its march toward Fengtian. Even during the landing and throughout their advance, there was no resistance from Zhang Zuolin's forces.
Zhang Zuolin concentrated his military strength in Fengtian, planning to destroy the Qing Imperial Army in a decisive battle. He issued orders to local commanders stationed across Manchuria—250,000 troops in total—to move toward Fengtian. However, here arose a major miscalculation for Zhang Zuolin.
None of the regional armies came to Fengtian—not a single one.
"Damn it! Those bastards! They only flocked to me when things were going well, siphoning off all the sweetest rewards. And now, when it matters most, they betray me!"
Zhang Zuolin stamped his foot in rage.
Originally, the Beiyang Clique forces spread across Manchuria were nominally called an army, but in reality, they were just a collection of local bandits—private militias and self-defense groups loyal only to themselves. No one truly owed loyalty to Zhang Zuolin.
Moreover, the covert operations of the KGB and the Space Force's R'lyeh Division had already taken root beforehand. The leaders of these bandit factions had been promised personal safety and certain positions in exchange for laying down their arms after the Qing Empire's restoration. Most had already submitted quietly.
The 70,000-strong Qing Imperial Army advanced on Fengtian without encountering any resistance. Inside Fengtian, Zhang Zuolin's remaining forces numbered fewer than 20,000. The outcome was clear.
Then, Aisin-Gioro Xianshi (Kawashima Yoshiko ), now serving as a colonel in the Qing Imperial Army's General Staff, visited Zhang Zuolin.
"Good day, Chancellor Zhang. I am Colonel Aisin-Gioro Xianshi of the Qing Imperial Army. I bring letters from Emperor Puyi of the Qing Empire and Commander Chiang Kai-shek."
"Hmph. So it's you, Kawashima Yoshiko. Your adoptive father, Kawashima Naozumi, was also obsessed with restoring the Qing. Do you really believe that puppet emperor can govern the nation? Besides, reinforcements from all over Manchuria will soon arrive. Once they do, the situation will turn in my favor. Enjoy your confidence while it lasts."
Zhang Zuolin tried to bluff as best he could.
"Chancellor, do you really believe those reinforcements are coming?"
"What did you say?"
"All the warlords across Manchuria have already pledged allegiance to us. None will come to rescue you—now or ever."
"You're lying! You've already reached out to them? That's why they disobeyed my orders?"
"Yes, Chancellor. Victory in war is decided even before the first shot is fired. As stated by Sun Tzu, the great ancestor of the Han people, in Sun Tzu's Art of War ."
"I see… so we never had a chance from the beginning… Was it you who orchestrated the subjugation of the warlords too?"
"Yes, Chancellor. I devised and executed the plan."
In truth, it had been Takashiro Soryu's directive, but she saw no need to mention such details. If her opponent perceived her as an unstoppable threat, then the mission was already a success.
"Hmph. You've grown into quite the cunning vixen."
"I shall take that as a compliment."
Yoshiko handed Zhang Zuolin the letters. He opened them immediately and began reading in front of her.
"Did you know what's inside?"
Zhang Zuolin glared at her.
"Yes, Chancellor. I drafted the content myself, so naturally I know."
"What? You wrote these too?"
"Yes. I wrote them. That's exactly what it means."
The letter from Chiang Kai-shek offered generous treatment if Zhang surrendered and joined the Beiyang Clique under Qing authority. The letter from Aisin-Gioro Puyi contained nearly identical assurances.
"You have three options, Chancellor: surrender to us, surrender to Commander Chiang, or fight here and die."
There wasn't a trace of fear in Yoshiko's expression. To Zhang Zuolin, capturing her and executing her publicly should have been effortless. Yet, Yoshiko radiated absolute confidence. Her demeanor seemed to say, I planned all of this—and I hold the power over your life and death.
"But even if I surrender with my army, don't you think someone will eventually slit my throat in my sleep?"
"The Qing Empire values capable individuals. We will eliminate the bandits who merely exploited the people and instead bring peace and prosperity to the land, securing the nation's safety and development. I believe, Chancellor, that you understand this ideal. Will you lend us your strength to achieve it?"
Zhang Zuolin crossed his arms and fell silent in thought.
"No… I think I'll go to Chiang Kai-shek instead. I've had enough of being used by Manchurians."
And so, Zhang Zuolin defected to Chiang Kai-shek, bringing his unit with him.
———
Though Zhang attempted to rally the local warlords to join him, most refused. They were unwilling to abandon the lands they currently controlled. In the end, only Zhang Zuolin and his immediate forces defected to Chiang—but since he brought along his family, the number still totaled over 50,000 people.
On the day of their departure,
Zhang Zuolin's unit was given sufficient supplies to prevent looting during the journey. Since soldiers' families were also relocating, the total number exceeded 50,000.
———
Aisin-Gioro Puyi entered Changchun—the future capital of the Qing Empire—with his family. There, he was welcomed by the citizens and both the Qing Imperial Army and the Kwantung Army.
Puyi thought to himself:
Indeed, the people were waiting for me!
———
Meanwhile, within the Space Force, a draft of the Qing Empire's constitution was completed. Its contents were nearly identical to the constitution of the Legitimate Russian Imperial Government , though it placed clearer limitations on the emperor's authority. This was done because traditional Chinese political thought lacked the concept of separating authority from power, and thus, mechanisms were put in place to prevent the emperor from interfering in politics.
※ Historically, the separation of authority and power in China typically occurred only during the final days of a dynasty, just before imperial succession was usurped.
———
Thank you for reading Chapter 56.
In real history, Zhang Xueliang also retreated without resistance against the Japanese military, so having fewer battles makes historical sense.
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