Early in the morning of 17 April, Lee was supposed to continue his northward journey along the coast into British India to inspect Chittagong, but he received an urgent telegram from Stilwell, asking him to immediately go to Mula, the new station of the Indo-Burma Theater Command, to discuss important military information. In desperation, he had no choice but to return urgently.

At noon on the 18th, they rushed to Mula, 100 kilometers north of Tonggu. Stilwell's service work was very good, and a military camp had already been put in order and handed over to Li Junhao's troops to station.

After taking a shower and eating, Li Junhao, who had just come back, didn't take a break, so Stilwell came to the door and said very seriously that he wanted to talk to him!

The two sat in the study room that Xiaoyu had just arranged for Li Junhao, drank Indian black tea, and talked about a very serious topic!

"Ogy, I think you're more suitable for the position of commander of the Indo-Burma theater." Stilwell said with a somewhat serious expression.

"Huh? What do you mean? Li Junhao frowned and said, what's the matter, is Stilwell dissatisfied with his previous actions?

"Shi, Og, I don't mean to be dissatisfied." Stilwell clearly guessed what he was thinking, "What I said is true. You see, my current position was recommended by you; Although I have worked in China for a long time, I obviously know much more about the situation in the Far East, China, India, Burma, and the Pacific theater than I do, as can be seen from your previous series of analysis reports......

"Oh, and for the record, I didn't overstep my authority to view those advanced files, but the contents of a few reports that I know of are enough! Your understanding of the Far East and your response to it are far beyond my expectations. In this respect, you are more suitable than me for the post of commander of the Indo-Burma theater......"

Li Junhao didn't know what he knew about the content of the report, and it didn't matter, what mattered was why Stilwell had such thoughts, "Joseph, is my performance overstepping my authority and causing you discomfort?" If that's the case, then I'm ......"

“NO，NO！” Stilwell shook his head and said, "Augur, absolutely not!" What I said is true, I think you are really better suited than me to deal with the Far East, especially the Indo-Burma battlefield related to China, and I am inferior to you in this regard!

"You know, during this period of time, I really have no way to deal with the Chinese Chairman Chiang and the British Sir Wavell, they each insist on their own things, and no one will give in, and I, the chief of staff of the Chinese theater and the commander of the Indo-Burma theater, cannot convince anyone!

"I'm worried that if I continue like this, my work will be unfavorable and cause a major defeat in the Indo-Burmese war, and it will be too late by then!"

Hearing him say this, Li Junhao couldn't say anything, it was like this in his previous life, Stilwell couldn't solve these two problems, and the biggest reason for the failure of the first Burma campaign was this. So he stopped talking, but patiently listened to the other party's explanation.

"The day before yesterday, I received a telegram from General Marshall, in which he briefly stated your vision for the future of the war in Burma, and asked for my opinion......" Stilwell said, "You know, Ogy, at that moment, I felt a huge gap between myself and you, and while I was still thinking about a victory in a local battlefield, you had already begun to look at the pattern of South Asia in the next few years!" This gap makes me a little disheartened! ”

"Joseph, I'm just an idea, or an opinion, and it's not actually verified!" Li Junhao said, "You should know, I don't actually have the experience of leading the army on the front line, let alone commanding a large army to fight, if you don't do it, I won't be able to pick your stall at all." ”

Stilwell smiled and said, "Og, how do you think the commander works?" Is it better to go to the battlefield in person and carry out a surprise attack? In a large-scale battlefield environment with limited conditions, it's important to think strategically, and you have that now.

"The second point is more important, that is, as the supreme commander of the campaign, you must have the ability to implement your own strategic thinking and eliminate all possible interference! I can't do this, and you can!

"As for the specific battlefield command and combat command, as long as you have people available under your command. I think, you don't lack this!

"These three points add up, Ogy, you are definitely more suitable for this position than I am."

Li Junhao was speechless, Stilwell was iron-hearted, he could only ask, "Okay, Joseph, what are you going to do?" ”

"It's not what I'm going to do, it's what I've done." Stilwell smiled with a smug look, "I have already reported my idea to Washington, and I have already received ......approval," he said, he took out a document and handed it to Li Junhao, "This is what I just received this morning, and the country sent a special plane to send it, and the president, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the War Department all agreed to my suggestion." ”

Li Junhao took the document and looked at it, and said with a wry smile: "Joseph, you are putting me on the fire!" ”

"Hah! Og, you came up with the strategy, and now the power of execution is also in your hands, which should be a good thing! Stilwell laughed.

"Alright! I admit it! Li Junhao said, "What about you?" Leave here, where to go? ”

"I applied to go to North Africa." Stilwell said, "General Marshall asked me to go back to China and talk to him after I have relinquished my duties......

"Okay!" Li Junhao could only say, "I sincerely hope that your future will be better, otherwise, I will feel guilty!" ”

"Don't worry!" Stilwell said, "I admit that the Far East is inferior to you, but not necessarily in North Africa, but I am confident that I will have a good fight with the Germans and Italians there!" ”

Li Junhao got up, walked to the wine cabinet on the side, took out a bottle of red wine, opened it, poured a glass for each of them, and gave Stilwell a glass, and said, "Joseph, the words have come to this point, and I can only wish you a smooth future...... When you get there, pay attention to protect yourself, the desert area is no better than other places, safety first. ”

“OK！ I remembered. Stilwell laughed, clinking glasses with him and drinking......

——

At night, Li Junhao had insomnia, and after thinking about it, he somewhat understood Stilwell's feelings - he reached the peak of his career as the commander of the Allied Indo-Burma Theater, but someone else won it for him, which already hurt him a little;

After entering the job, he found that he was not well adapted to the job, and was embarrassed by his two allies but unable to do anything, which made him doubt his abilities.

So, instead of wasting time here, it's better to start anew!

(End of chapter)