In fact, before coming, the Nationalist Government had a discussion about how to reward the Eighth Route Army. With regard to the merits of the independent column this time, it is normal for He Zhengdao, as a commander, to be promoted to another level by virtue of his combat exploits.

If the general who commanded this battle was a major general and division commander of the Central Army, perhaps Lao Jiang directly promoted him to general, which is very likely. Speaking of which, it is reasonable to promote He Zhengdao.

But if this kind of thing is spread out to the side of the Eighth Route Army, it will be a bit disgusting and even add to He Zhengdao's taste. The commander-in-chief of the dignified Eighth Route Army is the general, and now a main division commander worships the general, so what is the embarrassment of He Zhengdao?

This kind of promotion order, which has some reason but can invisibly add to the blockage, was discussed under the study of a group of staff officers. It's just that He Yingqin didn't expect He Zhengdao's reaction to be so intense.

As the saying goes, 'ask for a price all over the sky, pay back on the spot', He Zhengdao directly flipped the table and didn't do it, which somewhat surprised them and even caught them off guard. On the other hand, Zhou Enlai, who heard this promotion order, also looked a little unhappy.

But for He Zhengdao's application to withdraw, he still said very harshly: "Xiao He, sit down!" As a deputy negotiating envoy appointed by the central government, how can you withdraw from the negotiating team because of this matter?

Minister He, why didn't you inform our Central Committee and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters in advance of the order for promotion? We wanted the government to give us more staff, but you said there was nothing you could do.

Now that you have promoted Xiao He to general, I also admit that his merits are indeed enough to assume the position of general. There is just one thing I would like to ask Minister He, among our two parties and two armies, have you ever met a general and division commander? ”

It is also clear that Lao Jiang deliberately added to the blockage of the Eighth Route Army and separated the hostility of the main division commanders of the Eighth Route Army towards He Zhengdao. But in Zhou Enlai's view, it is a bit unreasonable to only promote the rank. In these years, what is the matter with the general and division commander?

Facing Zhou Enlai's rare serious expression, He Yingqin also knew that the other party gave him a step. If He Zhengdao really shook his hands and left, then the negotiations that had just been going on for less than half an hour would be about to come to a standstill.

Looking at He Zhengdao's expression with some unkind eyes, He Yingqin said with a smile: "Director Zhou, Master He, meritorious service will be rewarded, which is also something that the chairman has always emphasized. Master He is young, but he also contributed to the country and the War of Resistance.

To tell the truth, the order for the promotion of Division Commander He has also been discussed many times. Although it is true that Commander He's age is a little too young, the merits of Commander He since the Anti-Japanese War are also obvious to the people.

In view of this situation, the chairman of the committee decided to promote Division Commander He to national general, and at the same time expand the independent division into the new 67th Army. The appointment of Division Commander He as the commander of the new 67th Army can be regarded as a commendation for Division Commander He.

In addition, the chairman also took into account that since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he has won many battles in the face of the Japanese army. We also hope that in the future, when the government needs it, Division Commander He can lead the minister to cooperate with us in fighting against the Japanese invaders. ”

The commander of the new 67th Army?

Regarding what He Yingqin said, Zhou Enlai and Zuo Quan were shocked again. Only He Zhengdao, when he heard this new number, his expression was slightly overwhelmed. If he remembers correctly, this number originally belonged to the Northeast Army.

Even in the Songhu battlefield, it should have been praised and commended, but it was slandered by propaganda agencies with ulterior motives as 'leading the troops to rebel, and the 67th Army surrendered to the enemy'. In fact, the 67th Army fought very bravely in the Songhu battlefield.

According to what He Zhengdao knew, the former commander of the 67th Army, who was regarded as a rebellion by the Central Army, was actually shot and died after being attacked by an elite small unit of the little devils, and he was also the first lieutenant general to sacrifice his life for the country in the Anti-Japanese War.

To reward such an army that was canceled by Lao Jiang to He Zhengdao is somewhat disgusting. Even in He Yingqin's words, the 67th Army added a 'new' word in front of it, but who would add this word to the outside world?

It's just that for such a promotion, there is also a military number for He Zhengdao, but He Zhengdao thinks that he can consider it. At least in his opinion, the actual troop establishment of today's independent columns has far exceeded the size of a division.

At this time, He Zhengdao suddenly said: "It seems that Chairman Jiang is really atmospheric!" I was given a commendation from the general, and even a military-level number that was declared by the government to be 'on the verge of surrendering to the enemy'.

If I'm not mistaken, the soldiers, salaries, and equipment all need to be solved by ourselves. In a word, the government only gave us a number, and there were also some divisions and brigades. Right? ”

He Zhengdao's opening made Zhou Enlai and Zuo Quan look at He Yingqin again. In their opinion, for the Eighth Route Army, if it can get one more army number, I believe that the central government and the headquarters will not refuse.

As for He Zhengdao, he was promoted to general and held the post of commander of an army. In terms of He Zhengdao's efforts to eliminate the number of Japanese troops and expand the base areas of the Eighth Route Army, He Zhengdao did indeed make the greatest contributions, and his promotion was not excessive.

Even He Zhengdao's age is the youngest of the ten main division commanders. But ambition is not in old age, not to mention that He Zhengdao's merits are real. Now that the government has given such a promotion, is it really lost?

It's just that now He Zhengdao is saying this, undoubtedly getting cheap and selling well. can only have a military rank and a not-so-good reputation, and if you don't solve the salary and equipment, the government seems to only need an appointment letter and an empty number.

This abacus is really good!

Regarding the contemptuous expression in He Zhengdao's eyes, He Yingqin wanted to scold 'Boy, don't be too arrogant'. But he knew that apart from some promotion orders and a number, the government really didn't plan to give anything.

What's more, as far as they know, the actual strength of the independent column with the number of an independent division is already more than that of an army. Giving He Zhengdao such a name, in fact, doesn't it also make the independent column more straightforward?

Moreover, the final plan of He Yingqin and the government is to hope that after He Zhengdao accepts this number, if there is a war in the future, He Zhengdao will be sent south to participate in the battle.

If there is a chance, he will try his best to kill He Zhengdao, who led the troops to participate in the battle. After all, under their noses, Lao Jiang and they all believed that no matter how capable He Zhengdao was, he would not be able to escape the fate of being yin.

So in the face of He Zhengdao's inquiry, He Yingqin could only smile helplessly and said: "Master He, you must also understand the difficulties of the national government. After all, since the war of resistance, we have lost the land we originally had to pay taxes.

The supplies we have in stockpile, as well as the military spending to support the expansion of the army, are all loans that we have borrowed from abroad. With so many troops to take care of, the government is indeed powerless.

Although the 67th Army made mistakes in the Songhu battlefield, they were also the name of the National Revolutionary Army after all. We also hope that Division Commander He can lead the new 67th Army to revitalize the country's prestige and revive the prestige of the 67th Army in the future! ”

There is a lot of empty talk, but there is nothing to dry goods!

Listening to He Yingqin's answer, He Zhengdao quickly showed an expression of 'I knew it would be like this'. But his eyes were more at Zhou Enlai, hoping that he would make a final decision.

In fact, for He Zhengdao, he had to do the thing of refusing to be a general. After all, people who are proud of their achievements are still very annoying. But he also knows that this military-level number is very important to the Eighth Route Army.

is still the same sentence, the army commander is not the army commander, the general is not the general, He Zhengdao is really not rare. For him, as long as he can be the commander of an independent column, what if he is a major general? His troops are there, no less!

Looking at He Zhengdao's eyes, Zhou Enlai also understood and said: "Minister He, about this matter, I need to ask a central and Eighth Route Army headquarters. However, we welcome the chairman's commendation.

However, there is one point that I must reiterate, and it is indeed unreasonable for the government to give the establishment number but not pay the military salary. Since the Anti-Japanese War, except for a little military salary when we were reorganized, you have been in arrears and not paid.

I am aware of the government's difficulties, but I hope you will understand our difficulties. If you don't give us any military pay, what's the use of giving us numbers? You are killing the enemy on the front line, why don't we? ”

Faced with Zhou Enlai's mention of the arrears of military salaries again, He Yingqin finally showed a wry smile and said: "Director Zhou, about the situation of the Battle of Xuzhou, I believe you have also seen it. On the side of the national government, there is really no money! ”

'Minister He, since you mentioned the Battle of Xuzhou. Then you should know that in the early stage of the war, the 117th Division of our Eighth Route Army also cooperated in several blocking battles on the Jilu battlefield, delaying the supply and transportation lines of the Japanese army to the battlefield.

Your troops are fighting the Japanese on the front line, so why shouldn't our officers and soldiers? You have the weapons and ammunition supply allocated by the government, and our troops are in the rear, so we can only play against the Japanese invaders with our flesh and blood.

You are all soldiers, and we can understand your difficulties. But shouldn't you also be considerate of our difficulties? We can't always use difficulties as an excuse, but let our officers and soldiers engage in white-knuckle combat with little devils at every turn, right? ’

As the chief of staff of the Eighth Route Army, Zuo Quan also beat the side drum at the right time. Even if the 117th Division carried out a sabotage attack in the Jilu region to block the attack, it was not as miserable as he said. But who wouldn't say what he complained?

Looking at the eyes of the three representatives of the Eighth Route Army, He Yingqin could only say in the end: "Regarding the matter of military salaries, I will ask the chairman for instructions." However, in the end, whether the chairman of the committee can apply for approval or not still needs to wait for his reply. ”

With this sentence, Zhou Enlai felt that there would always be a little. With that foundation, he felt that the negotiations could continue. But He Zhengdao said directly: "It's better to ask a little more about this matter!" ”

On such grounds, the application was made for a temporary suspension of negotiations. The principle of striking while the iron is hot, how can he not know the right way? The most important thing is that for the promotion and number of the number, they also need to ask the central government and the headquarters for instructions! (To be continued.) )