Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

For an industrial power like the United States, providing the Eighth Route Army with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of rifles was no big deal. Given the United States' strength, even increasing the supply of weapons and ammunition tenfold or twentyfold wouldn't be a problem, let alone this small amount.

Or rather, easily.

"Jingzhi, what do you mean?"

Chang Kai-shek wrote to He Yingqin.

He Yingqin was very calm and said, "Chairman, I am only expressing the American people's thoughts. What the Americans need now is someone who can help them fight the Japanese."

"President, calm down. Director He was polite."

Chen Cheng stood up to express his views.

Chiang Kai-shek snorted coldly and said, "That American, Stilwell, ruined my 100,000-man expeditionary force. Isn't what I did enough? Damn it."

"President, we didn't expect the Eighth Route Army to be so active in the past two years. Stilwell probably saw that the Eighth Route Army was performing very well, so he had this idea. But the leader of China's anti-Japanese war can only be the President. He can't support the Eighth Route Army without us Americans."

Chongqing had already blocked the bases of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army since the end of 1939.

The intention was to destroy the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army in battle with the Japanese. However, not only were they not destroyed, they grew even stronger. This led to the subsequent "Southern Anhui Incident."

Since the blockade was useless, Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to take action himself.

But it didn't work either.

Since the "Hundred Regiments Campaign", the Eighth Route Army has become a force to be reckoned with in North China.

Chen Cheng told Chiang Kai-shek that the Americans saw the Eighth Route Army was currently active on the battlefield. Of course, he still flattered Chiang Kai-shek later.

Chiang Kai-shek asked, "Do you think Stilwell really wants to support the Eighth Route Army with weapons and ammunition, or is he dissatisfied with us and doing this on purpose?"

"Both."

He Yingqin replied.

Only He Yingqin dared to say such words.

Chiang Kai-shek thought for a moment and said, "Damn it! It seems the Americans will always look down on us unless we fight a couple of battles. Jingzhi, Cixiu, think this over carefully. Plan an autumn offensive for me. I want to show that American Stilwell that Chongqing is the only central government in China and that the Nationalist Army is the main force in the fight against Japan. Make a big move for me."

Chapter 472 International Relations

After 1942, North China became the center of China's War of Resistance.

The Eighth Route Army's heavy offensive in North China directly changed the anti-Japanese situation in North China and also affected the overall anti-Japanese situation in China. The failure of Ningci Gangcun's large-scale mopping-up operation in the Hebei Military Region further exposed the weakness of the North China Front Army.

Everyone could feel that the Japanese army's combat effectiveness had declined.

This was particularly evident to the Eighth Route Army commanders fighting on the front lines. Today, even small Japanese units, let alone those of the main Eighth Route Army, dared to engage a small Japanese unit. This would have been impossible just a few years ago. The difference in combat effectiveness and fighting spirit between the current Japanese army and those of a few years ago was a world apart. Yet, everyone still acknowledged that the Japanese army still held the upper hand in the current war of resistance.

The results of it?

The failure of the sweep in central Hebei boosted the Eighth Route Army's confidence. This battle revealed that the Japanese recruits were indeed superficially talented, even worse than the Eighth Route Army had anticipated. Consequently, the various Eighth Route Army units in North China launched offensives, capitalizing on the current weakness of the North China Front Army to expand their bases.

This has shifted the main force of China's War of Resistance from the National Army to the Eighth Route Army, which Chongqing cannot accept.

At this time, Stilwell and Wu Hao met privately, which was very meaningful.

After meeting with Wu Hao, Stilwell directly told Chiang Kai-shek's representatives that he would request the US government to provide some weapons, ammunition, and supplies to the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army. Chiang Kai-shek could not accept this, so he personally met with Stilwell. However, Stilwell insisted on his position with Chiang Kai-shek. He believed that providing some support to the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army would benefit the overall anti-Japanese war.

The relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and Stilwell was not good to begin with.

Chiang Kai-shek hoped the United States would send someone to assist him in commanding troops and coordinating US aid supplies. This required a crucial element: the person must respect him and acknowledge him as the supreme leader on the Chinese battlefield. In other words, the person sent by the United States could not interfere with his command or undermine his authority. However, the US government sent Stilwell to serve as the US Army Representative to China and Chief of Staff of the China Theater.

In particular, Stilwell's position as the US military representative in China was completely outside Chiang Kai-shek's control. Furthermore, Stilwell directly influenced US aid supplies, wielding considerable power.

Stilwell came to China with the purpose of using the Chinese army to contain the Japanese army.

This led to a power conflict between the two people.

Therefore, the relationship between the two of them was not good from the first time they met.

After the First Expeditionary Force's failure, the conflict between the two sides intensified. Chiang Kai-shek believed this was due to Stilwell's lack of respect for him and his reckless command, which he lacked understanding of the local realities. Stilwell, however, blamed his own troops for disobeying orders and the numerous problems within the army. In particular, rampant corruption throughout the Nationalist army contributed to these problems. Stilwell, therefore, demanded increased power and complete control over the Expeditionary Force. He wanted to retrain the troops according to his own ideas and shape the army according to his own vision.

However, the expeditionary force was the elite of the Nationalist army and Chiang Kai-shek's trump card. How could he hand over the command, troop training, personnel management, etc. to Stilwell? Therefore, the contradiction between the two sides further deteriorated.

At this time, Stilwell actually met with Wu Hao in private, and also proposed to support the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army.

It directly touched Chiang Kai-shek's nerves and touched his bottom line.

Although Chiang Kai-shek was later mocked by many, his victory in the warlord war and his rise to power in China were not undeserved. He clearly judged the current situation to be one of ultimate Japanese defeat, and that Yan'an was the greatest enemy in the future. Now that Stilwell was actually wanting to support the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, how could Chiang Kai-shek agree?

As a result, the conversation between the two parties was very unpleasant and ended in a bad mood.

Chiang Kai-shek and Stilwell each sent a telegram to the US government, each expressing their dissatisfaction with the other.

Unlike Chiang Kai-shek and Stilwell in Chongqing, the situation in Yan'an was quite positive. They were also very interested in contacting Stilwell. After Chen Jiageng's visit to Yan'an, Yan'an received a large amount of donations from overseas Chinese in a short period of time.

Although the time is short.

These donations were interrupted due to the outbreak of the Pacific War.

Yet, within a short period of time, a massive influx of donations and supplies from overseas Chinese alleviated the difficulties in Yan'an and the Eighth Route Army's material shortages. The support of overseas Chinese played a significant role in the Eighth Route Army's continued expansion despite the difficult circumstances of 1941. If the Eighth Route Army could have secured support from the Americans, it would have undoubtedly significantly increased its strength.

Yan'an has always wanted to gain support from world powers such as the Soviet Union and the United States.

I just haven't found a way.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union wanted China to contain Japan, but they both chose the Chongqing government because it was the legitimate government of China and had millions of troops at its disposal.

As for Yan'an, it was just a local government.

Moreover, the power at hand was limited. Therefore, even the Soviet Union, a fraternal party, did not trust Yan'an, let alone the Americans. But now the Eighth Route Army has attracted the attention of the Americans with its own achievements.

"That's a good thing."

The commander-in-chief said with a smile, "Although our Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army have developed rapidly in the past two years, we are still seriously short of weapons, ammunition, and logistical supplies. If we can get support from the Americans, it will definitely have a huge boost to the development of our troops. If we can be given weapons and ammunition for several divisions, it will be of great benefit to improving our strength."

"Boss, you're too optimistic."

Wang Jiaxiang questioned.

He said: "At present, the United States cannot do without the Nationalist Government on the Chinese battlefield. As long as Chiang Kai-shek firmly opposes it, the United States will not support us."

The United States is the boss.

The Nationalist government also recognized the United States as the boss.

But even if you are the boss, if you infringe on my core interests, I will never agree. At this stage, if the United States supports Yan'an and provides Yan'an with weapons, ammunition, and logistical supplies, Chongqing will continue to hinder it in secret, even if it does not directly turn against it.

The United States’ current grand strategy is to reduce the pressure on the US military.

During this period, they would not overly provoke Chiang Kai-shek, because Britain and the United States still needed Chiang Kai-shek to exert their strength in the Far East.

Ren Peiguo nodded and said, "Comrade Jiaxiang is right. It's unlikely that we'll get support from the Americans in the short term."

Still, I think this is a good start. We don't have much communication with the United States right now, and we're unfamiliar with the American situation and their perspectives. But once our revolution triumphs, it's inevitable that we won't have to interact with the Americans. We can start now by engaging more with the Americans and understanding them better.

The Tubalu could not remain Tubalu forever, forever confined to the mountains. Their goal was to move from the countryside to the cities, and eventually to the international stage.

As long as we step onto the international stage, countries like the United States cannot be avoided.

The chairman was smoking next to him.

These CCP leaders, including those who studied in the Soviet Union or Europe, have virtually no experience in dealing with other major powers. Their primary experience was with the Soviet Union. Furthermore, in this relationship, the CCP was consistently dominated and held a passive position.

After all, they are just forces fighting in the mountains and cannot come into contact with the world powers.

After arriving in Yan'an, these CCP leaders have always wanted to develop international relations.

But the results are average.

Now Stilwell suddenly appeared, and everyone had no unified opinion for a while.

Hearing Ren Peiguo's words, Chairman Mao put down his cigarette and said: "Stilwell's contact with us should have two intentions. One is to express his dissatisfaction with the Chongqing government's attitude towards the war of resistance, thereby putting pressure on the Chongqing government.

One reason is that they saw the performance of our Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army in the Anti-Japanese War. So they wanted to support our Anti-Japanese War and relieve the pressure on the United States.

What exactly the meeting between Stilwell and Wu Hao meant was something that people in Yan'an could only guess.

It is not known whether Stilwell used the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army as bargaining chips to negotiate with Chongqing, or whether he really wanted to support the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army in the war of resistance.

"Lao Mao, what do you think we should do next?"

"What I mean is that we can continue to contact Stilwell. It would be great if we could get assistance from the Americans, but even if we can't get assistance from the Americans, it would still be good to establish a channel of communication with the United States. Having a channel of communication is not only useful now, but also in the future. We can be more proactive.

Chairman Mao ultimately decided, "Since Stilwell has expressed his support for the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army in their fight against Japan, we can be more forthright. We can ask the US government, US military representatives, and American journalists to visit Yan'an. We can also arrange for them to visit the various bases of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army if they wish. We in Yan'an, our Eighth Route Army, and our New Fourth Army have no secrets. Let them see how we fight the Japanese under such difficult circumstances. Through such contact, we can understand the American perspective, and the Americans can also understand us."

"Yes, we can get to know each other better."

The commander-in-chief said, "Old Mao, our Eighth Route Army has become famous in the past two years. Even Stilwell has taken the initiative to contact us. We should seize this opportunity. Currently, the only countries that can support our war of resistance are the United States and the Soviet Union. Previously, the Soviet Union supported the Nationalist government.

But now we should take the initiative and ask the Soviet Union to support us.

Leaders who grew up as localists had complicated feelings about the Soviet Union and the Communist International.

The early development of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was inseparable from the support of the Communist International, including the Northern Expedition, which was also inseparable from the support of the Soviet Union. However, a series of subsequent actions by the Soviet Union and the Comintern severely undermined the Chinese revolution. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's attitude also dissatisfied the CCP leaders.

They only care about their own interests and don’t care about the interests of the CCP at all.

In the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese Communist Party was at a low ebb, weak, and unable to comment on Soviet policy decisions. But things are different now. The Eighth Route Army has grown significantly in strength. While it cannot rival a power like the Soviet Union, it has become a force that China cannot ignore.

Ren Peiguo immediately supported the commander-in-chief and said, “The boss is right.

The Soviet Union is currently facing a difficult battle on the European battlefield, and their biggest concern at this time should be the Kwantung Army. And the only force capable of containing the Kwantung Army right now is not the Nationalist Army, but our Eighth Route Army. The development of our Eighth Route Army in Rehe and eastern Hebei is what truly holds the Kwantung Army back. If the Soviet Union can offer support at this time, it should be to us.

"But the Soviet Union is currently engaged in a fierce battle in Stalingrad and probably won't have time to deal with us anytime soon.

Wang Jiaxiang shook his head.

The Chairman laughed heartily and said, "Don't be afraid. We have been fighting independently behind enemy lines for many years. Even without support, we can persist. However, support is always better than no support. So, whether there is a chance or not, we should give it a try. Besides, our voice in the Soviet Union was too weak before, so they always ignored the Chinese Communist Party. Now that the opportunity is so good, we should boldly contact them.

"Yes, that's it."

Everyone is still very relaxed.

In any case, we had never imagined the situation would develop so quickly, with even the US military representative, Stilwell, contacting Yan'an. Everyone wanted assistance, but even if it wasn't available, they weren't afraid. After all, for so many years, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army had both developed without assistance.

"Then we should contact the Soviet Union and inform them of the current development of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army. We should also learn about the current situation of the Anti-Japanese United Army that retreated into the Soviet Union. As our Eighth Route Army expands into the Northeast, it would be much better if we had some cadres who are familiar with the situation there."

Chapter 473 Sheng Shicai's Hesitation

Dihua (Urumqi), Xinjiang

Sheng Shicai is the governor of Xinjiang.

Many people in later generations have interpreted Sheng Shicai as someone who came from a scholar-bandit family like Zhang Zuolin. In fact, Sheng Shicai could not be said to be well-educated, but he was definitely from a scholar family.

He attended various schools in his early years, eventually studying political economy at Meiji University in Tokyo. He later returned to China and participated in the May Fourth Movement, a movement that profoundly touched him. Although it was students who initiated the May Fourth Movement, their pressure on the Beiyang government was minimal. Seeing the powerlessness of unarmed students, Sheng Shicai decided to join the military.