"The Burma Highway has been opened, and my mission is basically over. It's time to retire and go home to enjoy my old age."
"Is there anything else besides this?" Liao Mingyu asked. He didn't believe that this old man came here just to tell him this.
"Oh, for the sake of God, my friend, can't you congratulate me?" Smith said helplessly, deliberately looking disappointed.
"Okay, gratulations, what's next?" Liao Mingyu stared at him seriously.
"All right, actually, I am here on behalf of General Stilwell, and I want to talk to you about matters related to the subsequent battle..."
Smith slowly told the purpose of the trip, but Liao Mingyu was shocked. After a while, it turned out that it was Stilwell who offered him an olive branch.
In fact, Chiang Kai-shek had made plans from the beginning. Not only was he preparing to withdraw his troops from Burma, but he also proposed to Roosevelt at the Cairo Conference the idea of recalling Stilwell and sending another representative to China.
Roosevelt did not give a clear answer on this point, just business as usual, but he still respected the opinions of his allies and acquiesced to China's withdrawal from Burma. After all, the focus of the Americans has always been on Europe and the Pacific, and for Southeast Asia and China , I really have the mentality of playing if I can, and forgetting if I can't.
Without military command, Stilwell, the commander-in-chief of the Southeast Asian theater, was really embarrassed. Everyone knew how it was possible for the British to stand alone in Myanmar.
Fortunately, after discussion, the strength of the three armies was finally retained. But Stilwell could see that, except for Liao Mingyu's 88th Army, the other two troops stayed entirely to take care of the Americans' face.
Based on the wishes of their head of state, the most they can do is to do logistical work and defend the Chinese border. At the critical moment, they will probably be faster than the British, let alone expect them to march towards Malaysia.
From another perspective, Liao Mingyu has become the only person Stilwell can count on now, because it is not difficult to see from the former's acting style that he is completely different from those bureaucratic senior government officials. He and Sun Liren basically belong to the same category. , an iron-blooded soldier with strong national consciousness.
Stilwell collected information about various incidents of Liao Mingyu in recent years. This person has always been independent and has done many things to disobey military orders. Perhaps those stupid leaders are worthless in his eyes, and the top brass of the government have very little control over him. This is the best opportunity to win over.
The most important thing is that Liao Mingyu can fight well. From annihilating the Nantianmen defenders to defeating the 18th Division in the decisive battle at Mangshi, to blitzing Nankan and Bhamo, and a surprise attack on Lashio and severely damaging the 54th Division... one after another shocking achievements are revealed. He can be said to be a legendary existence in any Chinese army, but all this glory belongs to him alone.
Who would have thought that more than two years ago, this group of people was a group of confused soldiers who only knew how to escape for their lives, but now they have become the most dazzling dark horse in the expeditionary force. They have fallen into their hands and countless Japanese troops have fallen into their hands.
Therefore, Stilwell expressed his desire to achieve ideological agreement with Liao Mingyu. He was willing to provide military equipment and logistical supplies, but in return, the latter must obey his command strategically.
To put it simply, in Southeast Asia, you are the vanguard and I am the coach. You can fight wherever you are asked. I will give you the best equipment and you just need to win the battle for me.
Damn it, don’t you just want me to become your mercenary? Liao Mingyu sneered in his heart.
We still know a lot about Stilwell’s Xiaojiujiu Liao Mingyu. At this time, he held six positions. He was the military representative of the US military in China, the commander of the US military in China and the chief of staff of the Chinese theater. He also served as the commander of the US and British forces in Burma. , the management controller of materials leased to China, etc.
However, as the strategic goal of counterattacking Burma was achieved, Stilwell's status became less important, which was absolutely unacceptable to the proud and arrogant man.
Originally, the Southeast Asian battlefield was Stilwell's springboard. He had always hoped to obtain all command rights of the Chinese army in order to prove his personal abilities and at the same time wash away the shame of being beaten to India by the Japanese during the first battle in Burma.
I originally wanted to use strategic victory and the defeat on the Chinese battlefield to force Chiang Kai-shek to hand over military power, but who the hell would have thought that at the Cairo Conference at the end of last year, Roosevelt and Chiang Kai-shek reached a consensus, and the President actually stood up Beside the person you hate the most.
Although the president has never mentioned his intention to recall himself, it can be seen from his agreement with Chiang Kai-shek to withdraw most of his troops from Burma that that day may not be far away.
He didn't want to compromise like this. He had to fight for his destiny again, and the best way was to gain more say through military victory.
"Liao, I didn't want to get involved in these things, but I also didn't want to see my friend sink like this."
Liao Mingyu did not answer immediately, but played with the cigar in his hand in silence, constantly thinking about the pros and cons in his mind.
Smith sighed. He had a good relationship with Stilwell. It can be seen that Liao Mingyu did not express his position for a long time and could only continue to patiently persuade:
"You are a smart person with independent and bold ideas. In fact, such a proposal is beneficial to both you and Stilwell. Your head of state is too suspicious, so you have to think of some escape routes."
I have to say that this proposal does sound very tempting, and it does not conflict with Liao Mingyu's own thoughts. However, it is likely that he will break off the relationship with the government in advance, and finally be labeled as a "seller" in the country. The infamy of "seeking glory" was criticized verbally and written.
And ideologically speaking, he is not willing to be a thug of the old America. What he wants is to become bigger and stronger. In the future, you Americans will not be able to interfere in Southeast Asia.
"I wonder what General Stilwell means by military support?" After a long silence, Liao Mingyu suddenly asked.
Smith was overjoyed, thinking that the other party was finally tempted, so he immediately said excitedly: "Currently there are 50,000 brand-new firearms and 160 tons of various ammunition in India, as well as a batch of heavy artillery and tanks, and there are plenty of shells. Originally, These are all prepared for the troops stationed in India, you know now."
Darling, the Yankees are still arrogant. Bullets are calculated by ton. If they are all converted into 7.62 caliber, it must be at least more than 4 million rounds. The key is that they also have heavy equipment such as artillery and tanks... You have to keep your eyes peeled. Smith even dared to say that the caliber of the heavy artillery would never be lower than 105mm.
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