Chongqing, General Staff of the Military Commission. Chief of Staff He Yingqin and Deputy Chief of Staff Bai Chongxi were chatting in their offices. The two of them, although one is a boss of the central military lineage and the other is a local warlord leader, their personal relationship is good.

After the "April 12 Incident", Chang Kaishen secretly ordered He Yingqin to disarm Bai Chongxi's department. But He Yingqin did not implement it, which caused the Gui family to quickly become bigger. Chang Kaishen was suspicious at the time, but he didn't have time to do it, but soon after he first ascended the throne, he was squeezed down by the Gui family and Chief He. However, after Chang Kaishen re-emerged from the mountain, the two were worried that they would commit the taboo of the chairman of the committee, so they had no contact in private.

Coincidentally, when the Anti-Japanese War broke out, He Yingqin became the chief of staff, and Bai Chongxi served as the deputy chief of staff. The two became comrades-in-arms under one roof again, only this time their common opponent was the Japanese.

Bai Chongxi raised the document in his hand and said with a smile: "This is the latest report of the expeditionary force, do you want to take a look?" ”

General General He Yingqin hurriedly asked with concern: "Gong Jian, what is the current progress of the Sixth Army?" It's three days and two ends! ”

In early 1942, after the Japanese invaded Malaysia, they began to invade Burma. According to the Sino-British Agreement on the Joint Defense of the Yunnan-Burma Road signed in Chongqing on December 23, 1941, the Nationalist Government immediately organized an expeditionary force to prepare to cooperate with the British army to resist the Japanese offensive on the front line in Burma and protect China's material routes.

But the cunning British, fearing that China would take the opportunity to regain suzerainty over Burma, deliberately obstructed and slowed down. Until mid-February 1942, only the 49th and 93rd divisions of the 6th Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force entered the Jingdong area of Burma. The rest of the ministries are still assembled on the Yunnan-Burma Highway.

Bai Chongxi replied with some resentment: "The British are still making things difficult everywhere, and the 6th Army can only be trapped in Jingdong for the time being. However, I expect that the British will soon ask for help from us. ”

"Oh?" Mr. He said curiously: "How do you say this? ”

Bai Chongxi said with a smile: "The Japanese offensive is very fierce, and the British are almost unable to hold on. ”

Chief He was surprised and said, "So fast? ”

Bai Chongxi nodded and said, "Yes, the Japanese army is simply in a no-man's land. The performance of the British army is quite inferior to that of our army, and I am really sorry for the reputation of the empire on which the sun never sets. Without our help, the British would not have wanted to hold Burma. ”

Chief He said anxiously: "Myanmar doesn't have anything, but it would be bad if our supply channel was cut off." ”

Bai Chongxi hesitated for a moment and said tentatively: "Jinggong, I heard that Zheng Huzi wrote a proposal to the Military Commission about the expedition to Burma?" ”

Chief He glanced at him lightly, waved his hand and said, "Jiansheng." You and I have been friends for a long time. Although they have been estranged in recent years, they are still old friends. If you have anything to say, you just say it, you don't need to go around in circles. ”

Bai Chongxi nodded awkwardly, and then said, "I'm also hearsay. It is reported. Zheng Huzi considered the British army extremely unreliable. Just want to borrow our forces to cover their retreat to India. It is suggested that we first consolidate the Nu River defense line, and then slowly advance southward step by step. He also sent a unit with the British army to India in order to receive military aid from the United States for future counteroffensives. ”

After a pause, he said: "Jing Gong, in my opinion, this plan is indeed the words of Lao Cheng to seek the country!" Even if the Military Commission does not adopt it, it should refer to one or two, otherwise it will send troops to the expedition with great painstaking efforts, and I am afraid that it will end up in a miserable end. ”

Chief He snorted coldly and said with a smile: "It's not so mysterious, I have also read that proposal, and the whole thing is defense, as if the Japanese are going to hit Yunnan." If you only defend Yunnan, what will happen to the Yunnan-Burma Highway? How can international aid materials come in? ”

He mocked again: "What's even more ridiculous is that Zheng Huzi actually asked us to focus on defending a place called Songshan. Ken Gong, have you heard of this place? ”

Bai Chongxi thought for a while and said: "There are many places called Songshan in the country, since it is Yunnan, I think it should be Songshan in Lameng Township, Longling County, on the west bank of the Nujiang River." The Yunnan-Burma Highway just went around in a big circle there, and it seems that there are indeed some famous halls. ”

President He was stunned for a moment, and said curtly: "Jian Gong is really well-read and strong, and he should be admired and admired." He asked curiously: "So, in the opinion of the public health, he also agrees with sending troops to guard this place?" ”

Bai Chongxi shook his head and said, "I haven't studied it carefully, so I don't dare to say anything." So he hurriedly ordered his subordinates to bring a few maps of Yunnan, and He Yingqin and others came to check them.

Although He Yingqin gradually became straw after the Northern Expedition, he was a graduate of the Japanese Lushi, and his basic skills were still quite solid. Not to mention Bai Chongxi, although he was a political mess, he was a rare strategist in China at that time.

At first, the two of them looked at it with cautious and suspicious eyes, but the more they looked at it, the more frightened they became. How can there be such a dangerous place on the Yunnan-Burma Highway, and I didn't even notice it before?

"Wonderful!" Bai Chongxi couldn't help but applaud: "What a stroke of genius!" He also sighed: "In the past, I always felt that this Zheng beard was easy to fight and go sideways, and winning was not enough to emulate." Today, I know that there is no vanity under the fame! ”

Chief He looked a little embarrassed, but still agreed: "This is indeed an excellent place to defend. If the Japanese army really advanced all the way to western Yunnan as Zheng Huzi said, wouldn't this place be the best blocking position? As long as this place can be held, the defensive pressure on the east bank of the Nu River will be greatly reduced, and the southwest rear will be safe! Alas, He lost his words before, lost his words! ”

Bai Chongxi said happily: "Defense alone is nothing, what is even more rare is that holding here reserves a counteroffensive base for the Chinese army on the west bank." Once the international situation improves, our Yunnan army will be able to cross the Nu River from the Huitong Bridge in a steady stream and go all the way south. Thinking of the scene at that time, Vice Chief Bai couldn't help but laugh.

Although Chairman Chang Kaishen was bent on letting the expeditionary force move south as soon as possible in order to secure the Yunnan-Burma Highway and the passage of international supplies, Chief He and Bai Chongxi were very bright in their hearts, and with the current momentum of the Japanese army, Burma would definitely not be able to keep it, and it would be good if it could keep Yunnan.

But after thinking about it again, Mr. He's face suddenly became gloomy.

Bai Chongxi said: "Respect the public." But what's wrong? ”

"Hmm!" Chief He said in a deep voice: "Gong Jian doesn't know, Zheng Huzi also highly recommends one person and one army in the proposal, thinking that only they can hold this so-called Oriental Gibraltar!" ”

Bai Chongxi agreed: "Yes, it's not enough to have dangerous places, you also have to have an army that is good at fighting and a general who is good at defending." He asked curiously: "I don't know which army and which general Zheng Huzi recommends?" As he spoke, his face changed slightly, thinking that it couldn't be our Gui family, right? That place is not easy to stay in, even if it is successful, the troops are afraid that they will be exhausted.

Chief He saw it in his eyes. Quipped up, "Don't worry." Jian Gong has nothing to do with the Gui family. He joked again: "If it was Jian Gong's subordinates, I wouldn't be so worried!" ”

Bai Chongxi suddenly realized and said with a smile: "Oh. I understand. It should be under the command of rhetoric, right? ”

He Yingqin is different from Bai Chongxi. As the largest faction of the Central Army, he has troops and generals. If Zheng Huzi recommended his subordinates, there was no need to be embarrassed at all. In this case, it must be his sworn enemy, Chen Cheng, the Minister of Military Orders.

Seeing through it at a glance by Bai Chongxi, He Yingqin didn't say anything, but said embarrassedly: "Gong Jian, you know me, how can I ever have a heart of contention, but he is aggressive, I have to protect myself!" ”

Although it is Ho's prevarication, it is also the truth. As the second-in-command of the Military Commission, He Yingqin has long had no desires. As for competing for the first place with Chang Kaishen, he did have this idea before, but over the years, He Yingqin has long understood that he is not Chang Kaishen's opponent at all in terms of power, so this thought has faded.

Chen Cheng is just the opposite, as the boss of the Central Military Lineage, he has been held down by He Yingqin. How does this make the "little chairman" willing. I'm afraid that no one in this world wants to be a "little three", let alone Minister Chen, who thinks highly of himself? And Chen Cheng is different from He Yingqin, his methods are more radical, either I am the enemy!

The same two major factions, He Yingqin's faction is much more moderate, and the internal relations are relatively loose. Chen Cheng's Tuben Department is different, because they are all separated from the 11th Division of the 18th Army, they are a very united collective. Therefore, although the potential of the Tuben system is far inferior to that of the Baoding system, it can also compete with each other, and even the shadow has the momentum to surpass the He system. In this case, even if General Manager He is calm, he has to take precautions.

Bai Chongxi was amused in his stomach, but he still persuaded: "Jinggong, this time you are afraid that you will go wrong." ”

He Yingqin hurriedly said: "Please also ask Jian Gong to guide the maze!" ”

Bai Chongxi hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Don't dare!" He also explained: "Jing Gong thinks that how the rhetorical faction can have today's momentum? ”

Mr. He pointed sourly at the top of the house, pouted, and said, "There is an old man to support you!" ”

Bai Chongxi said disapprenously: "Then you have to be able to help up!" In my opinion, it is nothing more than the seed army of the 18th Army. The more critical Matsuyama is, the more the Japanese army will want to get it as soon as possible, and then I am afraid that there will inevitably be a fierce battle. If there is no Eighteenth Army, is rhetoric still rhetoric? ”

In fact, if you want to talk about the essence, He Yingqin can see it thoroughly. Although He Yingqin is a soldier, he is biased towards a politician, so there are some things that need to be understood. Bai Chongxi is different, he is essentially a soldier or a warlord, the limitations of the military make him less sensitive to politics, and the nature of the warlord makes him too superstitious about force. Of course, his opinion is not entirely wrong, if Chen Cheng did not have the Eighteenth Army, the civil engineering department would have lost its fundamentals.

Some people may want to ask, why did Chen Cheng prosper after the 18th Army was destroyed in Huaihai, and even became the second-in-command in Wanwan? In fact, the reason is very simple, it is precisely because the civil engineering department has collapsed that Chen Cheng can go further, otherwise, how can the chairman of the committee rest assured?

Ahem, it's far away, back to business.

Chief He's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he smiled and said, "It's really a fan of the authorities, thank you Gong Jian." ”

Bai Chongxi waved his hand and smiled: "It's nothing, helping you is also helping me!" ”

Don't look at Bai Chongxi's usual politeness to Chen Cheng, and sometimes he and He Yingqin are tense, in fact, Vice Minister Bai and Minister Chen can't pee in a pot at all. In addition to personality reasons, the most fundamental difference lies in the attitude of the two towards miscellaneous. In the same way, he annexed miscellaneous troops, and General He mostly adopted the policy of co-opting and buying, and had a better relationship with relatively independent local warlords, such as the Gui family.

Chen Cheng is not, as mentioned earlier. His policy is to either me or the enemy. Otherwise, how could a mere 11th division develop into a behemoth of the soil system? I think that at the beginning, in order to expand the troops, Chen Cheng even did the thing of killing generals and seizing troops, so scared that the miscellaneous troops did not dare to get too close to him, for fear that if the troops accidentally became Chen Cheng's, his head would also become Chen Cheng's. Bai Chongxi, as a boss of the Gui family, was naturally deeply dissatisfied and vigilant about this.

After speaking, Bai Chongxi asked curiously: "Jinggong, you only talk about the army, and you haven't ordered a general yet?" ”

He Yingqin solved a matter on his mind. also yin Chen Cheng by the way. couldn't help but feel good, and said with a smile: "This general is just a nameless person, I'm afraid that Jian Gong has not heard of it." ”

"Oh?" Bai Chongxi suddenly became interested, and hurriedly asked, "Come and listen!" ”

Mr. He stretched out a finger. smiled: "This person is a rising star of the Tuben Department. It's called Hu Lian! ”

"Hu Lian?" Bai Chongxi thought for a moment. asked: "But the head of the Hu regiment who guarded the Luo shop in the 26th year of the Republic of China?" ”

Chief He said in surprise: "Jian Gong has also heard of this person? ”

Bai Chongxi said proudly: "Ha Luha, I know a little about it, I know a little about it." As Jing Gong said. This person is a rising star in the civil engineering department, and he is really a general's talent, which should not be underestimated. ”

He Yingqin smiled and quipped: "I remember that Jian Gong has always been blind, and this is the first time I have heard Jian Gong have such a high reputation for the younger generations in the army!" (Note: Bai Chongxi is indeed very proud, and it can even be said that there is no one in his eyes, which is probably a common problem of talented people)

Bai Chongxi smiled awkwardly, and said with a straight face: "Jing Gong, I am not lying. There are only two people who can be called great generals in the army, except for Zhang Luopan (referring to Zhang Gan, the fierce general of the Gui Army), it is this Hu Boyu. ”

He also explained: "The fierce battle in Luodian back then, presumably Jing Gong was already familiar with it, so I won't repeat it. In the 29th year of the Republic of China, the 11th Division guarded Dangyang and fought fiercely with the Japanese army. At a time of crisis, the position was almost broken, and Hu Boyu forced the Japanese army to withdraw in a hurry with only one regiment of troops. It can be seen that he is good at using soldiers. ”

He Yingqin has never paid much attention to these things, and said strangely: "Oh, then how did he do it?" ”

Bai Chongxi said with a smile: "The frontal bluff, and the troops were sent to outflank the Japanese flank through the path." The enemy general thought that our army was gathering reinforcements, and he was worried that he would be surrounded by our army, so he had to withdraw his troops in a hurry! ”

He Yingqin approvingly: "It's really rare! At a critical time, he can still judge and make decisions so calmly, which is quite a bit of Tang Taizong's demeanor of relieving the siege of Mayi. After speaking, I couldn't help but feel a little pantothenic acid in my heart, why did such a big faction feel like there was no successor?

Bai Chongxi smiled and said, "Is Jing Gong planning to kill?" ”

He Yingqin snorted and said disdainfully: "How can I be as knowledgeable as a junior." Besides, this Hu Boyu graduated from the fourth phase of Huangpu after all, so he can be regarded as my student. If he can achieve something, I, the teacher, will only be happy for him. However, he is now the commander of the Ninth Division, and he has been suddenly promoted to the commander of the 18th Army, and it is not appropriate to jump two levels in a row! ”

Bai Chongxi said with a smile: "Well, I know that your Central Army has many rules, unlike Zheng Huzi's grass platform team, who wants to go to whomever you want." ”

He Yingqin pretended not to hear Bai Chongxi's ridicule, and said directly: "Gong Jian, since this is the case, how about we report to the chairman according to this plan?" ”

Bai Chongxi hurriedly said: "This is only after Songshan, according to Zheng Huzi's suggestion, there are ......"

He Yingqin hurriedly waved his hand and said: "The chairman of the committee only wants to hold the material passage now, although the strategy of slowing down is good, the chairman will not agree." ”

When Bai Chongxi heard this, he couldn't help but look gloomy, and sighed: "If not, I'm afraid it will be another big defeat!" ”

He Yingqin hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, then let's analyze the proposal first, and then advise the commissioner?" ”

Bai Chongxi was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "This is the best!" ”

So He Yingqin hurriedly asked his subordinates to find Zheng Weiguo's proposal. Bai Chongxi couldn't wait to take it and take a look, and as soon as he opened the cover, he saw that it was written: This book must not fall into the hands of the enemy, otherwise the big thing will go, remember, remember!

"Cut,!" Bai Chongxi turned over the next side with some unhappiness, only to see that it was written about the military and political situation in Myanmar and surrounding countries, and he couldn't help but look at it with great taste, and he didn't even hear He Yingqin call him several times. Fortunately, He Yingqin has taken a break from life and recuperation over the years, and he has a bit of bearing, and he is called "Granny He", but he is not angry.

After He Yingqin finished tasting a cup of tea, Bai Chongxi hurriedly read it for the first time. Mr. He smiled and said, "Jiansheng, how is this article?" ”

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Bai Chongxi picked up the teacup and drank it all, shouting, "Happy! No, I'll have to watch it again! ”

He Yingqin looked at the teacup he had just refilled and was stunned, and couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head. It turned out that Bai Cichang was so relaxed and happy that he even took the wrong teacup.

I read it three times in a row, and finally read this suggestion thoroughly. Bai Chongxi stood up suddenly, stunned.

He Ying Qinqi said: "Jiansheng, who are you?" ”

"Alas!" Bai Chongxi sighed and said, "I can't imagine that after studying the art of war for thirty years, I can't compare to a reckless Zheng beard!" ”

He Yingqin smiled: "No, why do you need to be arrogant!" ”

Bai Chongxi suddenly pulled He Yingqin up, and said eagerly: "Jing Gong, go, let's go and show affection to the commission in person!" ”

He Yingqin was stunned for a moment, puzzled: "Why is it so hasty? ”

Bai Chongxi sighed: "If you don't see this booklet, it's fine." Now that he knows Zheng Gong's strategy, if he still loses the battle, he will not become a joke of the countrymen in the future. ”

He Yingqin said helplessly: "Okay, Jiansheng, if you can convince the old man, I have no opinion!" ”

So, the two hurriedly went to see Chang Kaishen together. As He Yingqin expected, the chairman of the NPC National Committee was most concerned about whether the Yunnan-Burma highway and material passage could be maintained, and he did not agree with the policy of slowing down at all. However, with the suggestion of Zheng Huzi, a "victorious general", and the strong recommendation of "Little Zhuge" Bai Chongxi, the chairman of the committee still partially adopted some of the suggestions. These included the construction of fortifications on the Songshan front line in advance, and the agreement to defend the rear of the army with a strong force, so that the army could retreat to Yunnan smoothly in times of danger. (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you very much for the monthly ticket voted by Repeat Zhan and jiangr, thank you very much for the reward of Little Fish 11!