On the night of August 24, 1940, Huangshan Official Residence
After finalizing the weapons purchase, General Chen immediately went to the Huangshan official residence to report.
Although they had been mentally prepared for a long time, the highest authorities were still shocked when they saw the purchase intention of 100 million yuan brought by General Chen.
How many weapons is this? According to the national army's standard of four thousand rifles for one division, this order can equip almost a hundred divisions, not to mention those giant cannons and tanks.
In recent years, the focus of assistance from the northern powers has been on the air force. The army's equipment can only ensure that the combat effectiveness of the troops declines slowly, but cannot meet the demand at all. With these, the shortage of weapons in the national army can be greatly alleviated.
"Ten million oceans is indeed not cheap." The highest authorities had long been prepared to spend money to block the weapons channels of the Eighth Route Army, but actually spending 100 million oceans still frightened him. Silver bullets, It’s scary to spend a silver bullet like this.
"According to the normal market price, it should be about the same. Moreover, due to the Japanese blockade and transportation capacity restrictions, the transportation of heavy equipment is not very convenient. Even if the government has channels, it is not very convenient to obtain large quantities." General Chen explained, The tone was a little cautious. The quantity of this batch of weapons was too large and it was too important to the Ministry of Military Affairs. If it was rejected, the Army would continue to live the same miserable life as before.
"There must be no problem with the order, just these additional terms." The highest authorities hesitated to speak. Although their plans are already being deployed, except for Director Dai of the Military Command Bureau, others still don't know what they want to do. But now, the additional terms of this order hit his seven inches.
"Which one is problematic? How about I go find them and talk to them again?" General Chen asked carefully, suddenly a little panicked. This was going to be difficult. His previous promise was a bit too hasty.
"No, just urge the Eighth Route Army to implement it as soon as possible. There is no need to create extraneous matters." The highest authorities felt bitter and disagreed. If they disagreed, wouldn't it mean that they had clearly told others that they wanted to cause big things?
"Okay, now it depends on when the Ministry of Finance will hand over the deposit of five tons of gold to the other party."
"You don't have to worry about this matter. It's just five tons of gold. The government will definitely be able to come up with it. I'm afraid some people want to take advantage of it." The highest authorities didn't take it seriously at all. Some time ago, a big melon was revealed. The standard gold bars minted by the Ministry of Finance are actually short of each other. Although each bar is not much less, it also greatly damages the government's credibility.
"Understood, I will definitely urge the Eighth Route Army to complete the delivery of the first batch of weapons as soon as possible." General Chen promised, feeling ecstatic in his heart. This time the military is considered developed. Even if this batch of weapons has to be delivered in twelve phases, It can also greatly restore and enhance the combat effectiveness of the army.
"Today, people from the Navy and Air Force have come to see me, hoping to get a ride on this purchase. "The highest authorities are in a dilemma. Although the presence of the Navy and Air Force is getting lower and lower, they cannot really ignore it. , air supremacy still needs to be fought for, and the Yangtze River waterway still needs to be blocked. It is really indispensable to use others.
"Principal, this batch of weapons is very important to us and must not be reduced!" General Chen's heart skipped a beat. The Navy was okay, but this was not the first time that guys like the Air Force had squeezed out the Army's share. Well, although the Ministry of Military Affairs also manages the Air Force, General Chen is from the Army after all. Your Air Force is not from the civil engineering department.
"The current order will not be modified, but the Ministry of Military Affairs cannot favor one against another. The Navy and Air Force will each give an additional share of 20 million. It is up to you to come forward and lead them to talk to the Eighth Route Army. You can buy the best equipment. If you can't buy it, "It's nothing." The highest authorities smiled and looked indifferent. The Eighth Route Army has an air force. The air force has also inspected this point, but the aircraft models are too old. As for the temporary 68th Division, He didn't think Li Yunlong would be willing to sell those small boats to the navy.
"The principal is wise!" General Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yunong, how is the situation in North China?" The highest authority turned to Director Dai, who had been silent.
"The four provinces of Shanxi, Hebei and Luyu were almost reduced to a pot of porridge. The Eighth Route Army dispatched more than a hundred regiments of troops and launched a comprehensive counterattack against the Japanese army. The situation in Shanxi Province was better. General Yoshio Shinozuka had the strength The losses were not large if they were concentrated in important cities. However, it was different in the three provinces of Hebei, Shandong and Henan. Each base area of the Eighth Route Army had strengthened a large amount of offensive firepower and automatic weapons. Not to mention the small strongholds of the Japanese army, even those heavy strongholds could not stop the Eighth Route Army. "Yesterday alone, they demolished at least 300 strongholds." Director Dai said with some fear, "With 300 strongholds, the national army may not be able to remove that many strongholds in a month."
"One hundred regiments, at least one hundred thousand troops, well-equipped one hundred thousand troops." The highest authority muttered to themselves, looking gloomy.
"Principal, according to our estimates, they have mobilized at least 300,000 troops, maybe even 400,000." Director Dai reminded in a low voice.
"It's too late, it's really too late." The highest authority looked bitter. At the beginning of the year, he might not have been so scared, but it's different now. That's not a 400,000-strong army that lacks food, clothing, and ammunition. A well-equipped, well-trained, and well-supplied force.
"Principal, this may not be a good thing for the Eighth Route Army. They suddenly showed off 400,000 well-equipped elite troops and caused heavy losses to the Japanese. The Japanese dispatched troops will definitely focus on them in the future." General Chen aside comfort.
"Hopefully, being able to purchase this batch of weapons from the Eighth Route Army this time can be regarded as curbing their development in disguise. The Ministry of Military and Political Affairs must keep an eye on them in the future. With their little financial resources in North China, they cannot buy many weapons at all. , as long as the government persists, it will definitely snatch away their collaborators. Businessmen always want to make money. The government can give them everything they want, money, beauties, high-ranking officials, generous salaries, whatever they want! "The highest authorities swept away the previous sadness and said with some excitement, what's wrong with the big northern country? In the end, it's not about profit. Otherwise, we would not dare to blatantly assist northern Shaanxi.
"Principal, here are some photos, please take a look." Director Dai presented several photos to the highest authorities. The top one was a photo of Li Yunlong and Wang Yue standing on the 1124 patrol boat. The ones at the back were Most of the photos were of Li Yunlong or Zhao Gang and Wang Yue together, and there were also a few photos of Wang Yue wandering around the city.
"Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, hey, Yunong, who is this young man? "Li Yunlong is suitable now. "Jian is in the heart of the emperor." The highest authorities naturally know him. As for Zhao Gang, he also personally awarded him the rank of major general, but Wang Yue is not. No impression at all.
"Currently I only know that this person's surname is Wang, and he has a good relationship with several senior officials of the temporary 68th Division. No, it should be that several senior officials of the temporary 68th Division are very polite to him, and almost every day The next time he appears in Qijiang County, the equipment situation of Li Yunlong's troops will be improved." Director Dai explained in a low voice that although "Jian Bing" is a member of the military command, in Qijiang County, the military command does not only have "Jian Bing" .
"Yunong, you mean, this person is the arms dealer who provided weapons to the Eighth Route Army?" The highest authorities naturally understood what Director Dai meant.
"Based on the analysis, we believe that this person may be a middleman or the person in charge of escorting the supplies." Director Dai continued.
"That's very important. Have you contacted the other party?" The highest authorities also became interested.
"Not yet. The analysis department needs to evaluate the consequences of contacting the other party rashly, because if the other party is unwilling to contact us, it is likely to affect our transaction." Director Dai was a little embarrassed.
"You can try to get in touch. You can study what to do specifically." The highest authority smiled. If it can really cut off the source of the weapons of the Eighth Route Army, the effect will be much greater than that of causing trouble on its own. At least it will not affect itself. reputation and image of the government.
"Ci Xiu, what do you think of Li Yunlong's plan to suppress bandits in Qijiang County?" The highest authority smiled and turned their attention to General Chen in a good mood.
"It should be training. After all, when he first entered Sichuan, his troops only had more than 3,000 people. Now there are more than 8,000 people. There will be more in the future. The proportion of new soldiers is too large. Although the equipment is good, the combat effectiveness is actually It's declining." General Chen expressed his opinion.
"Principal, I have another piece of information here." Director Dai was hesitant to speak. In fact, he shouldn't have said this, but you have to report this matter. If you don't report it, wait for the Central Committee to If it was found out over there, the highest authorities would definitely have objections to him, so when he spoke, he even cast an apologetic look at General Chen.
"Say it"
"Just yesterday, Li Yunlong intercepted and detained a fleet on the Qijiang River. It contained three regiments of arms, and the owner of the arms was Wu Heqing from northeastern Guizhou." Director Dai explained.
"Wu Heqing?" The highest authorities found this name a bit unfamiliar.
"Wu Datou, who is in the second batch of the advanced class of the Central Military Academy, can also be regarded as your student." Director Dai smiled bitterly in his heart. You are trying to win over people everywhere, but you can't remember it.
"It's that bandit! What, the Ministry of Military Affairs is planning to let him lead the troops?" The highest authority couldn't help but laugh. Ever since Wu Datou's troops were dispersed, he didn't pay much attention to this person. He was just a bandit leader without his troops. He didn't care about him. It can be considered a meritorious service to the government, so let him live.
"Principal, there is absolutely no such thing! The Military and Political Department will not allocate even a bullet to this person!" General Chen also had a black line on his face. He also knew Wu Datou. This guy had caused him trouble before. According to I wouldn't let him go back to northwest Guizhou even if I thought about it, and I never thought that this man would actually jump out on his own.
"Three regiments? It's interesting. He was detained by Li Yunlong all at once. With his character, he will never let it go. Yunong, please be careful and don't let Li Yunlong suffer a big loss." The highest authority asked Director Dai with a smile.
"Yes." Director Dai was speechless. Li Yunlong still suffered a loss. Those are eight thousand elites. Why don't you care about the life and death of your student?
Some people died, but not completely...
