Hearing his father's instructions, Jiang Jingguo took the initiative to stretch out his hand and said to Wu Ming with a smile: "General Wu, this time to observe the exercise, Jianfeng has benefited a lot."

Although Wu Ming had already judged the identity of the young man in front of him in his heart, he was still a little unfamiliar with the title of "Jianfeng", and he stretched out his right hand to meet him, while looking at Chiang Kai-shek suspiciously.

Chiang Kai-shek had a smile on his face and introduced Wu Ming: "He is my eldest son, who has just returned from studying in Russia."

"Oh, it turned out to be Brother Jingguo"

Wu Ming suddenly realized, his left hand was also closed, and he shook hands with Jiang Jingguo warmly. His hands were very strong, conveying a sense of importance to Chiang Ching-kuo.

From Chen Cheng, Wu Mingzhi told some things about Chiang Ching-kuo.

In the 14th year of the Republic of China, Chiang Ching-kuo was inspired by Wu Zhihui to study at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow, the Soviet Union. Two years later, on April 12, Chiang Kai-shek staged the April 12 coup d'état, which later established the Nationalist Government in Nanjing, and arrested and killed the Communists.

After more than a year of hard work in the ice and snow, Chiang Ching-kuo returned to Moscow, gave a speech at a rally at Sun Yat-sen University, publicly condemned Chiang Kai-shek's betrayal of the revolution, and issued a public statement on TASS a few days later to sever the father-son relationship with Chiang Kai-shek. After that, Chiang Ching-kuo studied at St. Petersburg University in Moscow and the Tormachev Military and Political Academy in Leningrad, graduating first in his class with "honors" in every subject.

Since the 21st year of the Republic of China, Chiang Ching-kuo has been an ordinary worker to the deputy director of the Ural Heavy Machinery Factory and the editor-in-chief of the factory newspaper "Heavy Industry Daily". During this period, Chiang Ching-kuo met with Stalin several times and published articles in Pravda, the organ of the CPSU, in which he publicly criticized Chiang Kai-shek three times, and officially became a full member of the Communist Party of China at the end of last year.

At the beginning of this year, the tide of the Soviet Union's nationwide rebellion began to sweep the Ural region, and the Communist Party Committee of the Ural Heavy Machinery Factory decided to "expel Chiang Ching-kuo from the party and factory." Chiang Ching-kuo was exposed as a Japanese spy and pointed out to be a Trotskyist, and was severely persecuted until he was sent back to China by the Central Committee of the CPSU in March.

Wu Ming knew that in the special environment of the Soviet Union, in order to protect himself, Chiang Ching-kuo had to say a lot of things against his will, and he must have suffered a lot, so he didn't say anything, just held Chiang Ching-kuo's hand tightly: "Brother Jingguo suffered in the Soviet Union, it's good to come back, it's good to come back."

Hearing Wu Ming say this, Chiang Kai-shek's expression was gloomy, Chiang Ching-kuo's eyes were also red, he looked away slightly, but soon turned around again, and his face regained calm: "Suffering, for a person's life, is actually more of a grinding"

Wu Ming looked intently at Jiang Jingguo's deep eyes, and found that under the calm and humble appearance of this twenty-seven-year-old young man, there was a restrained light.

Wu Ming couldn't help but smile and said: "Brother Jingguo is very right, suffering is indeed a kind of tempering. ”

Jiang Jingguo nodded, and did not dwell on the topic about himself anymore: "I have studied military affairs before, and I have learned a lot through this exercise, especially when I see Division Commander Wu defeating the weak and using the strong like a god, do you feel very cordial and enjoyable?" My graduation thesis at the military academy was an exploration of guerrilla warfare, which coincided with many of Commander Wu's ideas. ”

"Where do you dare to say anything about using soldiers like gods"

Wu Ming hurriedly waved his hand and said modestly: "Brother Jingguo, it's really too reputational, I'm actually a blind cat who meets a dead mouse, I don't deserve to be so praised by Brother Jingguo."

"Not True"

Jiang Jingguo shook his head slightly, did not agree with Wu Ming's statement, organized the language slightly in his heart, and said

"Since ancient times, there are three basic conditions for a general: boldness, change, and calmness. A first-class commander must possess first-class courage, superhuman mobility, and unparalleled composure—as strong as a lion, as swift as a leopard, and as cunning as a fox. In my opinion, although Master Wu is a long way away, he also has the qualifications of a famous general. ”

This evaluation is too high, Wu Ming smiled: "Brother Jingguo put Wu Ming among the famous generals, it's too much, too much"

People love to listen to flattery, since ancient times, there is still a lot of market for whiskers and horses, and Wu Ming is no exception. Just now, he tried his best to coax Chairman Chiang very happily, but he didn't expect that Chiang Ching-kuo would return it in a blink of an eye.

After Wu Ming laughed, he knew that his level was not worthy of the praise of Jiang Dagongzi at all, so he took Chiang Ching-kuo's hand at the moment, turned to Chiang Kai-shek and asked knowingly: "Chairman, there should be almost no difference in age between me and Brother Jingguo, right?" ”

Chiang Kai-shek thought for a while: "I have read your information, you are born in the 31st year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty, and Jingguo was born in the second year of Xuantong in the Qing Dynasty, that is, in the first year of Xinhai, and you are five years older than Jingguo. ”

Wu Ming nodded, and solemnly proposed: "Chairman of the committee, if you don't think Wu Ming is high-climbing, how about me and Jianfeng as brothers?" ”

"It's-"

Chiang Kai-shek was stunned.

"No, Jianfeng doesn't dare to climb high"

Chiang Ching-kuo hurriedly stood up and excused himself, at this time he had just returned from the Soviet Union for two months, and although he was the son of Chiang Kai-shek, he was still white. Moreover, Chiang Ching-kuo did not know in his heart what his father Chiang Kai-shek would think of his statements in the Soviet Union, and he was very confused about his future.

The corners of Wu Ming's mouth twitched, and he looked depressed: "It seems that Jianfeng wants to keep a distance from me, I know that my reputation in the Central Army is not very good, I used to stay in the bandit den for a period of time before joining the army, and after joining the army, I also caused a lot of criticism because of my unruly personality, and I also had a stiff relationship with the people around the chairman...... It's good to save Jianfeng from dragging it down."

"Slow, since Brother Wu Ming doesn't dislike it, then Jianfeng has no choice but to be disrespectful."

Jiang Jingguo grabbed Wu Ming's hand, his eyes were full of eagerness: "In the future, my brother can call me Jingguo or Jianfeng, I just want to ask you some military things......

"Brother Jianfeng"

Wu Ming held Chiang Ching-kuo's hand tightly, and said with a smile in Chiang Kai-shek's attention: "If there is anything that needs help in the future, although you are right, Brother Xian, you just said that you also observed this exercise?" ”

"Yes, I just happened to see my brother show his might and defeat his opponent with less than one-third of the strength of the red side," Chiang Ching-kuo said with a smile.

Wu Ming asked again: "When the virtuous brother was in the Soviet Union, he systematically studied military affairs, and he must have been very accomplished, right?"

Jiang Jingguo shook his head and said: "It's just that I've learned a little skin, I can't talk about any attainments, it's just a layman's excitement and a little experience."

Wu Ming smiled: "Just now the virtuous brother also said that I am humble, I see, the virtuous brother is much better than my brother, I haven't even gone to a regular military academy" Wu Ming turned his head and asked Chiang Kai-shek on the side: "I don't know what errand the chairman of the Lu Dao Committee assigned to Jianfeng?" ”

In his opinion, Chiang Ching-kuo, who had returned from the Soviet Union, had no foundation in the army, and if he could befriend Wu Ming, a fierce general, it would be beneficial to him in the future. At this time, when Wu Ming asked, Chiang Kai-shek said: "Jingguo was poisoned by the communist ideology in the Soviet Union, and he is currently reviewing traditional Chinese Confucianism and the former premier's Three People's Doctrine at home, and I have not arranged anything for him to do."

Wu Ming slapped his head heavily, called out "oops", and said to the Jiang father and son in a longing tone:

"Chairman, the new Second Division is currently being reorganized to meet the needs of the readjustment division, and all departments directly under the division headquarters are being upgraded to division-level units in accordance with regulations...... I don't think it's better to do this, how about letting Jianfeng come to my new second division as a colonel, deputy director of the General Staff Office and chief of the Judge Advocate General's Office? First, I can ⊥ my virtuous brother to experience in the army, and secondly, although the Subu Party is contrary to the former premier's Three People's Principles in terms of ideology, its military achievements are also commendable, and I can just learn from Jianfeng and discuss one or two."

"This ...... Jianfeng didn't make an inch, and he suddenly ascended to the high position of colonel and deputy director of the General Staff Office, isn't it right? Chiang Ching-kuo hesitated a little.

Wu Ming said solemnly: "What's this, there has always been a tradition of promoting outstanding talents in the army, Jianfeng has received professional military training in the Soviet Union, and he also has a certain understanding of Soviet political propaganda, so he can just go to my new second division to show his strengths." Besides, in the army, Brother Jianfeng can still learn Confucianism and the Three People's Principles, isn't it better to learn and apply it? Unless it's Brother Jianfeng who doesn't want to help me."

Wu Ming's words had a strong atmosphere of soldierhood, and even a little bit of strong words, at this time, Jiang Jingguo's thick black cultivation was not deep, and he said: "But I do ......"

Wu Ming put his arm around Chiang Ching-kuo, turned his head to look at Chiang Kai-shek, and asked, "Chairman, you can let Jianfeng come to our new second division to give you some guidance."

"Okay, since you insist on doing so, I can't refuse your request as the winner of the exercise, this time your new second division has performed very well, I heard that you also have certain attainments in local economic construction, Jianfeng's post in the new second division can just be systematically studied, theory is linked to practice, and it is not without benefit to his future growth

Chiang Kai-shek was very satisfied with Wu Ming's request, and he should know that although Chiang Ching-kuo was his son, as a leader, he could not be too obvious, and forcibly promoted a person with no qualifications in the party or the army to a high position, so how could he convince the public?

In Chiang Kai-shek's view, Chiang Ching-kuo's arrangement in the New Second Division could not have been better.

When the time comes, Chiang Ching-kuo can completely sit back and reap his credits, and wait until the new Second Division is two or three years old, and Chiang Ching-kuo has enough experience in the state-owned assets, and then he will be transferred out of the army system to engage in politics, so no one will have anything to say. In addition, Mrs. Song Meiling said to the eldest son that it was impossible to have no mustard in his heart, and leaving Jiang Jingguo in western Zhejiang could also avoid the embarrassment of everyone being together.

Wu Ming's request for Chiang Ching-kuo to serve in the new Second Division was not a whim, but also had his own considerations.

The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is about to break out, and if we continue to choose to confront the central government, we will inevitably restrain our own energy in internal friction and shackle the development of the new Second Division.

On the contrary, inviting Chiang Ching-kuo to the New Second Division and allowing Chiang Ching-kuo to participate in most of the military affairs of the New Second Division would immediately dispel all Chiang Kai-shek's misgivings and enjoy the same or even better treatment as other Central Army's descendants.

Wu Ming and Chiang Ching-kuo hit it off at first sight and had a very happy conversation. Chiang Kai-shek left halfway, and in the evening he had to hold a banquet at the Yushan County Government to entertain the generals and colonels of the New 2nd, 45th, and 63rd Divisions attending the exercise.

After five o'clock in the afternoon, before the dinner began, the courtyard of Yushan County Mansion was crowded with people, beaming with joy, Wu Ming walked out of the backyard accompanied by Jiang Jingguo and came to the front hall.

Along the way, when he met familiar generals, Wu Ming stopped to greet and send out a lot of high hats, and the generals and colonels of the Chairman's Guard and the Central Military Committee directly under the guard regiment and the special service group were disgraced, most of them shrank up and licked their wounds, silently reviewing the gains and losses, only Feng Shengfa attended as a representative, and he took the initiative to find Wu Ming and said with emotion:

"I am completely convinced this time, it turns out that the special service company of your division has truly mastered the essence of special operations...... Feng is convinced, brother, you have to give me advice in the future."

Dai Minquan, the commander of the 45th Division, inquired about Jiang Jingguo's identity, and saw that Jiang Dagongzi was very affectionate to Wu Ming, so he also took the initiative to come forward to make fun of it, and praised Wu Ming: "It is said that the back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, which is really true at all. Master Wu, you really do what I can do to obey you......"

Wu Ming returned the salute, worked hard to bring the generals closer, and tried his best to resolve the contradictions that arose during the exercise.

Of course, there are exceptions to everything, for example, Li Bojiao, who was standing next to Tang Shengzhi and Chen Guangzhong, the commander of the 63rd Division, was not happy.

Li Bojiao is a fierce general of the Hunan army, advocating fierce and powerful attacks on the battlefield, and is very dissatisfied with Wu Ming's attack tactics of stealing chickens and dogs, at this time, hearing Wu Ming and the generals praising each other, Li Bojiao couldn't hold back anymore, walked straight to Wu Ming's side, and asked:

"Senior Commander Wu, if you really have the ability, everyone is really swordsmen and guns, what's the matter with only black guns and sneak attacks like this?"

This sudden questioning suddenly made the atmosphere of the scene embarrassing, and everyone's faces were not very good-looking, especially Dai Minquan, the commander of the 45th Division, if Wu Ming really only shot coldly, then what happened to the rout of the 45th Division?

However, Dai Minquan did not refute Li Bojiao's words, after all, he knew that Li Bojiao was a first-class rough man in the Hunan army, and no one wanted to clash with him head-on.

Wu Ming smiled faintly, didn't care too much about Li Bojiao's attitude, coughed lightly, and said to Li Bojiao: "If Brigade Commander Li thinks that I will only attack and disturb the war, then have you had an in-depth understanding of my troops?" Isn't it arbitrary to draw such a conclusion based on a little impression of the exercise? ”

Li Bojiao shook the horizontal flesh on his face, his eyes widened angrily, and he stared straight at Wu Ming, his appearance was as daunting as an angry lion:

"Commander Wu, if you have the guts, we will pull our respective troops out of the army and set up a new battle, whoever loses will be the turtle king bastard."

Wu Ming shook his head and smiled: "What if I say no?" ”

Li Bojiao took out his gun, his hair stood on end, and he yelled: "If you are a man, we will go out to duel now, whoever is killed deserves it."