Chapter 320: End Of The Honeymoon Period
This “local emperor” who had dominated Shanxi for decades looked a bit leaner than in his photos, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, flickering with shrewd light.
He didn’t look at Su Yaoyang first, but went straight to Battalion Commander Chen, with a familiar and enthusiastic smile on his face, proactively extending his hand.
“Brother Chen!”
Yan Xishan smiled very cordially, as if seeing an old friend he hadn’t met for many years: “Long time no see, still as impressive as ever! This time in the liberation of Taiyuan, your Eighth Route Army’s containment outside the city was indispensable!”
Su Yaoyang was secretly surprised in his heart.
He knew that Battalion Commander Chen and Yan Xishan had connections in their early years, but he didn’t expect their relationship to be this close.
They all say this Shanxi King has extensive social connections, with contacts in both the Nationalists and Communists as well as local forces; seeing him today, his reputation is well-deserved.
Battalion Commander Chen also smiled and grasped his hand, shaking it vigorously: “Brother Bochuan, you’re too kind. We were just beating the drums on the periphery; the real protagonists who delivered the decisive blow were this Battalion Commander Su and his militia!”
Su Yaoyang watching from the side could only grimace; they say no one who leaves a name in history is simple, and it’s true.
In just a few words of greeting, several moves had already been exchanged, and he had cleverly steered the topic to himself—what had he done to deserve this?
Yan Xishan’s gaze finally fell on Su Yaoyang formally and without reservation.
It was a complex look mixing scrutiny, curiosity, approval, and a trace of deep-hidden vigilance.
He sized up this young man from top to bottom, as if trying to see right through him.
After scrutinizing for a full few seconds, Yan Xishan released Battalion Commander Chen’s hand and extended his slightly lean but distinctly jointed hand toward Su Yaoyang.
“You, young man, must be Su Yaoyang, right?”
He spoke, with a heavy Shanxi accent, but his tone was very mild, like a neighborly elder: “These past two years, your name has kept appearing in my ears; this old man’s ears are about to grow calluses from hearing it.”
Su Yaoyang immediately stepped forward, brought his feet together, saluted him with a standard military salute, then extended both hands to respectfully grasp the hand he offered.
Yan Xishan’s hand was somewhat cool, but his grip was unexpectedly strong.
“Commander Yan, you flatter me.”
Su Yaoyang’s smile was perfectly measured: “My unit was merely fulfilling its duty as soldiers.”
“Duty…”
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Xishan’s turbid eyes; he didn’t release his hand immediately, but stared into Su Yaoyang’s eyes and said meaningfully: “Well said, that word.”
He lightly patted the back of Su Yaoyang’s hand, his tone becoming earnest.
“If every one of us soldiers fulfilled our duty, how could we fail to drive the Japanese out of Shanxi!”
These words were exceptionally grandiose, but Su Yaoyang noticed Battalion Commander Chen’s mouth twitch inadvertently, as if forcibly holding back some expression.
In fact, even Su Yaoyang himself almost couldn’t help sneering; as a Level I General appointed by the central government and Second War Zone Commander-in-Chief, he only ever talked about Shanxi, utterly lacking any broader vision.
No wonder none of the big shots like Old Jiang, Li and Bai of the Guangxi clique, or others ever saw this old man as a real threat; even Su Yaoyang, meeting him for the first time, could smell a petty air about him.
But after these years of experience, at least his expression control was passable.
Su Yaoyang slightly bowed: “Your teachings, sir, my unit will always keep in mind.”
“Good… good!”
Yan Xishan released Su Yaoyang’s hand and happily said “good” twice, his smile seeming more sincere, as if genuinely pleased at the rise of a junior.
He took one of Su Yaoyang’s hands while affectionately patting the arm of his trusted general Yang Aiyuan, who had just come over, with the other.
“This old man is very happy today!” Due to his excitement, his voice was full of vigor: “Not just because of Taiyuan’s liberation, but more because I’ve seen you young talents; with you here, Shanxi’s liberation is just around the corner!”
With that, Yan Xishan invited the two: “Come, it’s getting late; I’ve already had the kitchen prepare a simple meal. Mingxi, Brother Chen, Xingru, today we won’t talk business, just celebrate the victory—please do me the honor!”
Su Yaoyang and Battalion Commander Chen exchanged a glance, both seeing the knowing smile in each other’s eyes. They knew this meal was where the real action began. Neither declined and readily agreed.
Lunch was soon prepared in the small dining room nearby.
The table wasn’t large, just a simple square table. The dishes were indeed “simple fare” as Yan Xishan said.
Two meats, two vegetables, one soup, placed in the center of the table—not too much, not too little, just right for four people.
One plate of red-braised pork, braised to a bright red sheen, fatty yet not greasy; one plate of scallion stir-fried lamb, authentic Shanxi style, with an enticing aroma; one plate of vinegar-stirred cabbage, one plate of stir-fried bean sprouts—both refreshing home-style dishes.
Finally, a pot of light tofu and greens soup.
No rare delicacies, no extravagance, yet everywhere exuding the style of this “Shanxi King”… expressing sincerity in celebration while showcasing his virtue of thrift.
During the meal, Yan Xishan never mentioned postwar arrangements or benefit distribution, just kept serving food to the three and chatting about Shanxi customs and wartime anecdotes, the atmosphere quite harmonious.
After lunch, the orderlies swiftly cleared the bowls and chopsticks, then served each a cup of steaming clear tea.
Yan Xishan picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, took a small sip, then let out a long breath.
He set down the teacup, his smile fading, his expression turning solemn.
“Though Taiyuan is liberated, there’s still much to do afterward, and this old man doesn’t have much time to keep you, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
His gaze swept over Su Yaoyang and Battalion Commander Chen, and he said directly:
“The two million silver dollars I promised you beforehand, and all the Japanese weapons and ammo you captured in this battle, you can take them all; I, Yan, have no objections.”
This was fulfilling the promise and demonstrating his credibility.
Immediately after, he changed tack and finally revealed his true intent.
“But I hope.” Yan Xishan drew out his words, slowing his speech: “That we can temporarily form a mutual aid alliance to jointly counter the Japanese next counterattack. What do you two think?”
The words “mutual aid alliance” instantly froze the previously relaxed atmosphere in the dining room.
Su Yaoyang and Battalion Commander Chen simultaneously raised their heads and exchanged a glance.
Each saw a trace of gravity in the other’s eyes.
Here it comes—the fox’s tail is finally out.
After a long silence, Su Yaoyang broke the deadlock first. He didn’t agree or refuse directly, but gently set down his teacup, raised his head, looked calmly straight at Yan Xishan, and quietly asked.
“Commander Yan!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but his gaze fixed on Yan Xishan: “If I may be bold, I’d like to ask: what exactly is the nature of this ‘mutual aid alliance’ you mentioned?
Is it a military alliance or a political one? What’s the term of the alliance? In the alliance, how should the three parties’ respective responsibilities and obligations be divided? Who holds command? How to coordinate logistics? How to divide spoils of war?”
This string of questions instantly froze Yan Xishan’s smile on his face.
Yan Xishan’s eyes clearly faltered.
He clearly hadn’t expected this young man to react so quickly; he had planned to set up a vague framework first, get them on board, then talk details, but the other side wasn’t buying it and directly demanded to see the fine print.
“Well…”
Yan Xishan picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if organizing his thoughts, then said after a moment: “This… is a military alliance for mutual offense and defense.
We’re all anti-Japanese forces, so we should work together.
As for specific responsibilities and obligations… well, we can discuss that later based on the situation.
The most important thing now is to set up the framework first, let the Japanese know our Shanxi anti-Japanese forces are united!”
He beat around the bush, refusing to answer Su Yaoyang’s core questions directly.
Hearing this, Battalion Commander Chen, who had been silent, also set down his teacup; his weathered face looked especially stern.
“Commander Yan.”
He spoke slowly, his tone polite but with a hint of displeasure: “Forgive my bluntness, but your alliance proposal is really too hasty.
As the saying goes, ‘even brothers must settle accounts clearly’; in military cooperation, the greatest taboo is unclear responsibilities and muddled command.
If even these basic details aren’t clear, once fighting starts, with orders changing daily and logistics passed around, it’s not an alliance—it’s chaos, mutual bickering that will ruin the big picture. I think this matter should be considered carefully.”
Su Yaoyang and Battalion Commander Chen sang in harmony, voicing opposition on the spot.
They knew it like the back of their hands: Yan Xishan’s urgent push for this alliance had only one purpose… to have the Eighth Route Army and Shanxi militia—these two powerful “external aids”—take the front line, shielding his Jin-Sui Army from the Japanese first wave, buying him precious time to consolidate defenses and stabilize rule.
In plain terms, he wanted two free “meat shields”.
This old Yan really thought they were fools.
Battalion Commander Chen’s “consider carefully” was like a masterful Tai Chi push, sending Yan Xishan’s ball right back.
Su Yaoyang no longer wanted to circle with this calculating old fox.
Since the other’s intent was plain and his own stance clear, talking more would just waste breath.
He shook his head decisively, stood up directly; the chair legs scraped the floor, making a slight but piercing sound that broke the dining room’s awkward stalemate.
“Commander Yan.”
Su Yaoyang said bluntly: “Taiyuan has been taken; our Shanxi militia has fulfilled our original promise. I hope you can hand over the promised two million silver dollars to my unit as soon as possible; my unit must lead the troops back to Wutaian County to rest.”
Su Yaoyang’s meaning was clear: we’ve completed the task, time to pay up.
As for that vague “alliance”, he didn’t even bother mentioning it again.
Seeing Su Yaoyang about to leave, Battalion Commander Chen got the hint and immediately stood too, cupping his hands to Yan Xishan.
“Commander Yan, thank you for the hospitality today. I have military duties too, so I’ll take my leave first.”
The two left one after the other, movements crisp and clean, without any dragging, heading straight for the dining room door.
Yang Aiyuan opened his mouth as if to speak, but seeing Yan Xishan’s gloomy face, he swallowed the words.
Yan Xishan didn’t rise or speak, just sat quietly in his chair, face ashen, watching Su Yaoyang and Battalion Commander Chen’s backs disappear through the door. He picked up his teacup to drink and calm his anger, only to find the tea had gone cold, just like his mood.
“Bang!” He slammed the teacup down heavily on the table.
Footsteps sounded; an adjutant who had been waiting outside the door hurried in.
He glanced at the empty doorway, then cautiously at Yan Xishan’s ugly face, lowered his voice with a mix of flattery and malice, and asked bowing his head:
“Sir… this Su Yaoyang shows you no face; shall we… give him a lesson?”
Yan Xishan slowly raised his head, gave him an idiot-look glance, and coldly countered: “A lesson? What lesson do you plan to give them?”
The adjutant felt chills under his gaze but steeled himself and offered what he thought was a brilliant idea.
“For example… withhold the promised two million silver dollars for now. Teach them a lesson!”
Before the words finished, Yan Xishan slammed the table, shot to his feet, pointed at the adjutant’s nose and unleashed a tirade:
“Idiot! Fool!”
His spittle nearly sprayed the adjutant’s face: “Don’t you know the Japanese could counterattack us anytime? At this critical moment, not making nice with them is one thing, but you want to make more enemies? Has your brain been kicked by a donkey?!”
He grew angrier, finally waving his hand and roaring: “Get out of here, now!”
The adjutant was terrified, scrambling out of the dining room.
Yan Xishan paced back and forth alone in the dining room, chest heaving violently.
Of course he wanted to teach Su Yaoyang a lesson, but he knew now wasn’t the time. He needed Su Yaoyang’s troops, at least as a barrier against the Japanese counterattack.
Withholding those two million silver dollars might feel good momentarily but would thoroughly enrage that tiger; then if they just left, when the Japanese came, he’d be the one suffering.
“Sigh…” After a long while, he sighed deeply, sat back in his chair, a trace of helplessness and wariness in his eyes.
This Su Yaoyang was far trickier than he had imagined.
