After the guests of honor exchanged courtesy greetings and greetings, General Stilwell said bluntly: "Mr. Zhou, General Ouyang, the British side officially submitted the outline of the negotiations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country this afternoon. The situation is very critical at the moment, and the British side decided to make significant concessions. It was agreed to open a northwestern land route, and the British side instructed the Chinese government to build a large airport in Kashgar, Xinjiang. In addition, the British side did not agree to the formation of a joint command in Burma, but proposed a compromise plan, in which the Chinese expeditionary force could enter Burma to fight and exercise military command alone. ”

"General Ouyang, as the plenipotentiary representative of the Chinese side, wishes to convey this to your government. The British side has made concessions to the maximum extent possible, and hopes that your government will take into account the overall situation and bring about a successful negotiation between the two sides as soon as possible. Ouyang Jian said: "General Stilwell, equality and mutual benefit are our national policy in the future, why bother today, please tell the British side, we agree to this plan." ”

"General Ouyang is really extraordinary and admirable. I have a personal request: The US High Command asked me to inspect Jiangxi and instructed me to submit a report on your party's military strength as soon as possible. "General Stilwell, there is no problem, I will personally accompany you on the inspection at that time."

After several days of consultations, China and the UK formally signed the text on December 15. Foreign Minister Soong Ziwen signed on behalf of the Nationalist Government and British Ambassador Carr on behalf of the British Government. The atmosphere was friendly, and the two sides exchanged texts amid warm applause. After the signing of the two sides came into effect, the British ambassador Karl said: "The British military has called, suggesting that General Ouyang should be the commander of the expeditionary force!" I ask your high command to consider it carefully. "There were extraneous branches, and everyone, including Ouyang Jian himself, was deeply surprised.

Stilwell stood up and said, "We also agree with the British proposal, and ask your government to consider it carefully." The stakes were high, and a few hours later, Song Ziwen's figure appeared in Lao Jiang's official mansion. At this time, He Yingqin, Minister of Military Affairs, was also among them, and it was obvious that Lao Chiang had already received this news. After listening to Song Ziwen's briefing, He Yingqin immediately objected: "President, there is no problem with General Ouyang's military talent, but he is a Communist Party member after all, and it is not suitable to serve as the supreme commander of the expeditionary force, please think twice." Lao Jiang frowned and felt that it was difficult to do, and Song Ziwen saw Lao Jiang's thoughts

"If we do not agree with the British proposal, the British army will definitely cause trouble if the expeditionary force enters Burma in the future, and the attitude of the US side is also very delicate. He Yingqin said: "Appointing Ouyang Jian as a military adviser to the expeditionary force is the best plan, but I am afraid that the British and American sides will not accept it!" ”

Lao Jiang walked a few steps on the ground, and suddenly stood up and raised his eyebrows: "I have decided to appoint General Ouyang as the deputy commander of the expeditionary force to assist Bai Chongxi in commanding the battle!" "President Takami, I have no opinion!" "Explain to all parties, wonderful!"

Soon this decision was communicated to the British and American sides, and the American side was able to express its approval, and the British side, although somewhat unhappy, accepted it, and then the Chinese Expeditionary Force was formally established and the Ministry of Defense was appointed. The expeditionary force is mainly based on the 4th theater, and at the same time, Sun Liren's department is recruited to strengthen the strength of the expeditionary force, and the total strength of the expeditionary force is tentatively set at 100,000. The commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force is Bai Chongxi, and the deputy commander is Ouyang Jian. The composition of the expeditionary force is roughly the 5th Army of the Middle Route Army, and the army commander is Du Yuming.

The 6th Army of the Eastern Route Army, commander Gan Lichu. The 66th Army was a reserve mobile operation, and the commander was Zhang Zhen. After the formation of the Chinese Expeditionary Force was announced, on December 18, the Ministry of Defense ordered the 5th Army to be the first to enter Burma. The day after the official appointment of the Ministry of National Defense was issued, at Lao Jiang's official residence, Lao Jiang apologized to Ouyang Jian in the living room: "General Ouyang, you have been wronged due to your identity, please understand my difficulties." "Fighting in Burma was an unexpected gain, Ouyang Jian didn't expect that the desire in his heart would actually become a reality, and his blood was boiling.

"Headmaster, frankly, I am already satisfied to join the expeditionary force as a military advisor, thank you for the headmaster's weight, I promise not to let you down." "Frankly, I'm relieved that you're in charge of the expeditionary force, but be careful of the British, don't fall for them." "I know how to do it, there is a good saying, there will be no orders for foreign kings, and the principal must be mentally prepared." After Ouyang Jian left, Song Meiling found that Lao Jiang had a strange expression and said, "Da Ling, General Ouyang can be completely trusted, do you have any objections?" ”

"Madame, I'm being proud, don't you see? In fact, the British made a fatal mistake by choosing Ouyang Jian, he would cause trouble for the British, and the British would have a hard time arguing. General Ouyang was suggesting to me that the interests of the country were above all else. Originally, I wanted to arrange for him to sit in the Ministry of Defense to command the expeditionary force, but I didn't expect the British to help. "Your men's minds are too meticulous, they sell people, and the sold ones are willing to count the money for you, and they are still happy!" "Madame's analogy is apt and to the point."

Time passed quickly, and the Japanese army had already assembled in Thailand, but the British did not seem to be aware of the danger. The Ministry of National Defense requested that the Expeditionary Force Command depart from Chongqing on the 20th and go to Lashio, Burma to form the Expeditionary Force Command. The night before leaving Chongqing, Ouyang Jian came to the office of the Eighth Route Army again. "Brother Enlai, it is estimated that the US government delegation will arrive at the end of the month, and I am afraid that I will not have the opportunity to participate in the negotiations. Let's discuss the details of the negotiation carefully and try not to miss anything. ”

"In addition, to accompany General Stilwell on his visit to Jiangxi, I can only ask Brother Enlai." "Brother Ouyang, don't worry about going to Burma, I will persuade General Stilwell to accept or adopt our suggestion." "For Stilwell to recognize our munitions industry, we don't need American light weapons, we need tanks, warplanes. If we can get the US bomber group to enter the Xiaoshan base in Fujian, we will have achieved our goal. ”

"What are Lao Jiang's plans?" "I have repeatedly talked about the benefits and disadvantages of Cheng Po, although Lao Jiang did not make a clear statement, but he has his mind. In addition, I privately communicated with Wei Lihuang, Chen Cheng, Xue Yue, and other high-ranking generals, and they were also in favor of seizing air supremacy in China's battlefield. "Your purpose is that the U.S. military aid will focus on the air force, and I guess the U.S. side will agree." The Chairman believes that the center of gravity of the United States is in Europe, so we should be mentally prepared. This is the President's letter to you about the future of the war in Myanmar. ”

Ouyang Jian took the letter and opened it to read. "There is no need to rush to see it, the chairman has analyzed the unfavorable situation that may arise in the future according to the situation in Myanmar for your reference." Ouyang Jian put away the letter and put it in his jacket pocket. "The British side agreed to open the Northwest Land Route, and the U.S. Ambassador Condoleezza Rice asked to see the Northwest Railroad, and it seems that the Americans are worried about the situation in Burma." "At present, the tracks from Turpan to Dihua are being laid, and it is estimated that it will be opened to traffic in April next year."

Ouyang Jian continued: "Lao Jiang has instructed Zhang Xueliang to send an engineering force to Kashgar in southern Xinjiang, first to repair an airstrip, at least with the take-off and landing of small transport aircraft. After the airstrip is completed, the British will bring in building materials and then expand the airport. The British side demanded that the airport runway be built into a cement runway to meet the take-off and landing of large transport aircraft. "How's the situation at Dihua Airport?" "Last year, the airport in Dihua has been completed, the four standard runways are very spectacular, the airport in Dihua is personally supervised by Zhang Hanfu, and the finishing work is now over."

The two studied until late at night, and Ouyang Jian returned home. After breakfast in the morning, Mrs. Mei Fang muttered while packing up: "Ouyang, this time we go to Myanmar, I'm afraid we will have to go to the end of the world again, the British are too hypocritical." Ouyang Jian stepped forward and put his hands on Mei Fang's shoulders and said, "Madam, I promise you that I will return triumphantly in less than a year." "How sure are you?" "I'm 90% sure, take my head as a guarantee!" Mei Fang quickly covered Ouyang Jian's mouth with her hand.

Before Mei Fang could say the unlucky words, there was a knock on the door. The two hurriedly parted, "Please come in!" "I saw the security chief Gong Nan walk in." Chief of the General Staff, I will assign you two special service guards plus guard Xiao Yang, and there can be no less. "Alright! Tell them to get ready to go! After Gong Nan left, Mei Fang suddenly threw herself into Ouyang Jian's arms, tears flowing out silently. Madame, this is not your demeanor, be stronger. Mei Fang nodded and said softly: "I won't go out to see you off, otherwise I won't be able to control it." ”

Gong Nan personally escorted Ouyang Jian to the airport, and Bai Chongxi, the commander of the expeditionary force, and several operational staff officers were already waiting on the tarmac. Soon after the plane took off, Bai Chongxi said: "Du Yuming's vanguard has arrived in Lashio, but the efficiency of the British army headquarters is too low, and the 5th Army's defense has not yet been determined, so the vanguard of the 5th Army has no choice but to stand by in Lashio. "Who is the commander of the vanguard?" "200th Division Commander Dai Anlan!"

"Brother Bai, this is deliberately done by the British army, the trouble has just begun, to put it bluntly, the British army is not convinced. Since the British army is not in a hurry, why should we be in a hurry, we want to make the British army jump over the wall in a hurry. The 6th and 66th armies were ordered to march slowly and reach Ruili in mid-January. "But how can the Ministry of Defense answer the order? We are asked to enter Myanmar as soon as possible. "Does the Ministry of Defense know what is going on at the front? The generals will not be granted orders abroad. Brother Bai, remember one thing, the winner will not be blamed, and I will resist it on the side of the Ministry of Defense. ”

"Brother Ouyang, you are really scheming, it seems that how to deal with the British, you are not only mentally prepared, but also confident!" Bai Chongxi smiled. "Brother Bai, you and I are grasshoppers on a rope, with glory and loss. Now you and I are the commanders of the 100,000 officers and men of the expeditionary force, and the safety of the 100,000 officers and men is your greatest responsibility. No matter what the situation in Burma is, as long as the Japanese army is not allowed to enter China, we are the victors. ”

"If you and I are lucky and win a battle, the purpose of the Chinese Expeditionary Force to fight abroad will be achieved. At present, we are opening up the northwest land route, and the Yunnan-Burma transportation line is already a chicken rib, although it is a pity to abandon it, but it is not a big deal. This time to send troops to assist the British army in defending Burma, to put it bluntly, is to let the British open up the northwest transportation line as soon as possible, and Lao Chiang does not say it clearly in his heart. "No wonder you're so ambitious, I see!"