Chapter 114: Intercepting Reinforcements

The Revive China Society, by comparison, was more akin to a rough-and-tumble organization of the underworld. Most of those who joined were outlaws and rebels against the Qing Dynasty; while valiant, they acted on impulse, which was one reason the society could not measure up to the Tongmenghui. In his letter, Sun Wen’s tone was also quite informal and "underworld-style." He stated that if Yang Xiaolin were willing, he could persuade the Japanese to support him, allowing Yang to carve out a base in western Liaoning to serve as capital for the society’s uprising.

Sun Wen did not shy away from telling Yang Xiaolin that he had already prepared an uprising in the south, which was to be launched immediately. He insisted that if Yang Xiaolin coordinated with him from the north and south, success would be guaranteed. Furthermore, Sun Wen offered that, should they succeed, he would appoint Yang as the Minister of the Army.

After reading the letter, Yang Xiaolin chuckled. In the movies he remembered, Sun Wen was always portrayed as a figure of immense wisdom and courage, but this letter revealed a different side. Offering official positions before even achieving anything made him seem like a gambler who had lost his stake, suddenly grabbing a stranger on the street and saying, "Lend me thirty taels of silver; once I win, I'll pay you back a hundred."

Would one lend it? Ordinary people certainly would not, but Yang Xiaolin would. Because he, too, was a gambler now, and he knew the ultimate trajectory of events: Sun Wen would succeed.

He tucked the letter away, pondered for a moment, and said, "Mr. Aso, please wait a moment. I need to consult with a few of my brothers, and I will give you an answer shortly."

Naifu Aso was overjoyed; Yang’s demeanor had already signaled that there was great hope. Whether he could help the Chinese build a new nation mattered little to him; what mattered was that these bandits, regardless of the method, stood on the side of Japan, which was a blow to the Russians. With Feng Delin and Yang the Ghost, the Japanese had secured both geographical and human advantages before the war even began.

"Please do so, Mr. Xiaolin. However, I must remind you that those Russian reinforcements will arrive tomorrow. I suggest you prepare accordingly."

Yang Xiaolin nodded. "I understand."

Yang turned away. Instead of consulting his brothers, he went to find Yang Du, which took the latter by surprise. Up to this point, Yang Du had never spoken of helping Yang Xiaolin, and now that Yang was asking him to decide the future direction of the force, Yang Du found it difficult to accept such directness.

"Zizi, if I agree to the Japanese now, they will certainly help me. At the very least, they will provide intelligence on the Russian and Qing forces. As Aso said, my troops will soon be out of their current predicament."

"Then why do you hesitate?" Yang Du asked calmly. His expression was conflicted, as if there were more he wanted to say but held back.

Yang Xiaolin laughed softly. "You know why I hesitate, Zizi. The Revive China Society claims the revitalization of China as its mission; joining it is an honorable thing. But once I join, my force will no longer be pure. I will have to listen to Sun Wen and the Japanese. I am in a dilemma because there are both pros and cons. I want to know what you think. Can you offer some advice?"

Those who fancy themselves intellectuals often possess an urge to guide others. Seeing Yang Xiaolin’s eyes looking at him with apparent expectation, Yang Du could no longer restrain himself. "That depends on whether you are prepared to revolt immediately."

"How so?" Yang asked.

Once Yang Du began, he did not stop. "If you are ready to revolt, agree to Sun Wen. You can have him secure material support for you; I know that man—he has great prestige overseas, and many merchants are willing to finance him."

Yang Xiaolin nodded. "And if I am not ready to revolt, I shouldn't agree?"

Yang Du continued, "Exactly. Sun Wen is interested in your capability. He surely believes that with your men and Japanese aid, he can carve out a territory for the Revive China Society in western Liaoning. If you join, he will not let you sit idle."

Yang Xiaolin smiled. "Wise words, Zizi. So, do you think I should revolt or not?"

This was a trap. No matter how Yang Du answered, he would be boarding Yang’s ship. Yang Du opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly closed it. "Chief, you must decide that for yourself."

The fish did not bite, but Yang Xiaolin was not anxious. A brighter smile appeared on his face. "Actually, besides the two paths you mentioned, I have a third. Aside from revolting or not revolting, I can raise the banner without actually starting a rebellion."

Yang Du was stunned. "I would like to hear more."

Yang Xiaolin said, "I just thought of it. I believe our current strength is insufficient to contend with the Qing Dynasty; to raise an army and seize territory now would be suicide."

Yang Du nodded in appreciation. "Good, it is excellent that you realize this."

By saying this, he made his own stance on the rebellion clear.

"Zizi, do you think the Qing court will take a side once the Russo-Japanese War breaks out?"

Yang Du replied with disdain, "Take a side? I suspect the Old Buddha wouldn't even dare to let out a fart!"

Yang Xiaolin nodded. "So, I will raise the banner then, but I won't rebel against the Qing. I’ve even thought of a name: the Northeast Volunteer Army. We will fight for the people of the Northeast. Whoever bullies the people, I will strike."

Yang Du was momentarily stunned, his gaze vacant. He realized that this banner was a brilliant move. First, by raising it, he drew a line in the sand with the Qing. Second, it left the Qing with no grounds to object; if the court wouldn't protect the people, why shouldn't someone else? Third, with enough strength, both the Russians and the Japanese would adopt a posture of tacit acceptance, as neither wanted to offend an enemy that could keep them awake at night. Finally, this banner was so righteous that it would completely transform the image of "Yang the Ghost" from a mere bandit.

Yang Du’s lips twitched. A question remained: "Chief, if you raise this banner, will you drive the Japanese and Russians out?"

Yang Xiaolin shook his head. "Of course not; I cannot do that. In my territory, the Japanese and Russians may come if they wish. I will cooperate with them, provided they do not bully our people."

Yang Du let out a long breath, as if having made a decision. "What about the Japanese? They have helped you so much. If you also collude with the Russians, won't people call you untrustworthy? And what about your reply to Sun Wen?"

Yang Xiaolin laughed heartily. "I am a bandit! What trust is there to speak of? Don't worry about the Japanese. As for Sun Wen, I intend to keep him on the hook—neither refusing him nor giving him a definitive answer."

Yang Du’s chest rose and fell before he said, "Chief is brilliant. However, I suggest you do not make things too rigid with the court. If you can obtain the court's recognition, it will only benefit your future development."

Once that was said, it meant Yang Du was officially offering his counsel. Yang Xiaolin was delighted. "Zizi, do you think the court can still coexist with me?"

Yang Du replied, "There is nothing impossible in this world. Tell you what: if you can capture Fengtian, I will handle this for you."

Yang Xiaolin held out his hand with a smile. "It's a deal!"

"How do you intend to capture Fengtian?" Yang Du asked.

Yang Xiaolin said nonchalantly, "There are only three thousand Qing soldiers inside, and they are the ones Zeng Qi didn't want. Once I blow open the city gates, they won't be able to stop me."

"With what will you blow open the gates?" Yang Du asked curiously. "Hand grenades won't do it, and you have no cannons."

Yang Xiaolin said mysteriously, "I don't have them now, but someone is already sending them to me."

He spread out the Russian military map once more. It was tattered, and though he wanted a new one, he had to treasure this old one until he found a replacement.

A circle of bandits gathered around him. Yang Xiaolin traced the map to Fengtian, then asked Naifu Aso, "Mr. Aso, which route are the Russian reinforcements taking?"

Aso had already received his answer. Though Yang hadn't agreed to cooperate with Sun Wen, he was willing to make contact, and that was reasonable. Aso believed that if Yang had sworn loyalty based on mere empty words, it would have been unbelievable. Thus, he believed Yang was sincere. Since the other party was sincere, Aso felt he should help Yang survive—at least long enough to meet Sun Wen.

Aso’s finger moved north from Fengtian on the map and stopped at Kaiyuan. "These Russians are coming by train. The tracks to Liaoyang can only handle cargo; they cannot transport large numbers of troops. So they have to get off at Kaiyuan. They arrived the night before last."

Yang Xiaolin nodded. "They are here to put out a fire, so they won't be slow. I estimate they are near Changtu by now."

Aso looked at him. "Mr. Xiaolin, do you intend to attack these four thousand Russian reinforcements?"

Yang Xiaolin did not hide his intent. "Of course! Look, Mr. Aso, Changtu is a Qing hunting ground—hundreds of miles of wilderness! The terrain isn't as treacherous as the Changbai Mountains, but finding a spot for an ambush shouldn't be a problem. The Russians are in a hurry to save the city; their march will be lax. If I can reach Changtu ahead of them, I have a chance to wipe them out."

Naifu Aso took a deep breath. He didn't believe him. Although Yang had created miracles that defied belief, this was different. To annihilate four thousand fully armed Russian soldiers with just over a thousand men—that was a boast even the Imperial Japanese Army wouldn't dare make, let alone a bunch of bandits.