Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 142: Attention from across the ocean (three chapters today, 1 words)

Yue Qianli still underestimated the influence of the complete annihilation of the 7th Regiment, not to mention that the regiment flag was seized. The attendant's office immediately sent someone to retrieve the regiment flag. The person who came was Dai Yunong, the director of the Operations Department of the Blue Shirts Society. He was really bold, as this was a war zone.

Yue Qianli expressed his admiration for his boldness, but Dai Yunong said indifferently:
"Brother Yue, you flatter me! You are being too polite. You and I are both from the same sixth term, and we both work for the principal. It doesn't matter if you are a director or not. Just call me Yunong."

This is also the tradition of the Republic of China. Even Chu Yunfei and Li Yunlong, the country bumpkins, call each other brothers. Yue Qianli and Dai Yunong were classmates in the sixth term of the Whampoa Military Academy. It is not excessive for them to call each other brothers in private.

Calling the closest brother, stabbing the hardest knife, the high-ranking officials of the National Government are all like this. In the chaos in the Central Plains, those who fight to the death are all sworn brothers;

What the leader does, the subordinates will follow. If you take it seriously, you will lose.

Since Boss Dai wanted to talk about old times, Yue Qianli naturally would not be shy and immediately said warmly:
"Brother Yunong is someone who moves around the principal. He is three levels higher than the official. He is very different from people like us who practice martial arts. I will have to rely on my old classmates to take care of me in the future."

Dai Yunong waved his hand and said:

"Brother Yue, please forgive me for making fun of you. The 88th Division is the principal's first-class direct line of troops. We are all family members. It is only natural that we should support each other."

The two of them chatted about all sorts of nonsense, but they had a great time. The Operations Department also treated people differently based on their status. Although they had privileges, they would still be courteous to powerful figures in the military. They were all direct descendants and not someone that the Operations Department could manipulate at will.

Handing over the Seventh Regiment's flag was not a complicated matter in itself, and it was a good opportunity to build friendship;
Although the sensitivity of the Intelligence Department meant that Dai Yunong could only serve as a lone minister, it was not taboo for alumni of the same period to reminisce about the past.

After they had established good relations, they began to talk about serious matters, but they were brief and concise, trying to flatter each other.
Yue Qianli mentioned, intentionally or unintentionally, that the Japanese Tenth Army might land in Hangzhou Bay a few days ago, which instantly aroused Dai Yunong's vigilance;

Because they also obtained some information in this regard, but without concrete evidence, the national government did not take it too seriously.

Dai Yunong put away his smile and said solemnly:
"Brother Yue, this is a serious matter, it concerns the safety of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the front line. Do you have any evidence?"

"Brother Yunong, you are an intelligence expert, you should know how it is possible for the Japanese army to leave behind such a serious matter.

We only got some clues after we seized some confidential telegrams from the 7th Regiment Headquarters. It just so happens that Brother Yunong is here as a gift to us."

Brother Yunong was instantly moved after hearing this. The confidential documents of the Seventh Regiment were too precious to them.

Even a layman like Yue Qianli could find some valuable information. If it were people like them who made a living in this field, they would definitely be able to dig out more important information. They immediately thanked him:
"Brother Yue, thank you so much. This is exactly what we need. I won't be so formal with you as we are brothers. If you need my help in the future, please speak to me as soon as possible."

Yue Qianli naturally would not take Dai Yunong's words seriously. These people change their attitude faster than turning the pages of a book, but it is okay to exchange interests occasionally. So he readily handed over all the confidential information seized from the Seventh Regiment Headquarters to Old Dai. They were all in Japanese, and of course there were a few "private goods" that he had stuffed in.

Dai Yunong was delighted after just a quick look, as if he had found a treasure. These were all hard goods, and even the latest code book of the Japanese army. The intelligence value was extremely high. This was definitely a valuable gift!
"Brother Qianli, I am grateful for your kindness. I will take all these away and will definitely reward you handsomely in the future."

"Brother Yunong, you are being polite. You often walk in front of the palace. Just say a few good words for me when it's appropriate."

It is said that no one should receive favors without merit. Dai Yunong hates owing favors the most. Now that Yue Qianli needs it, it will be easy to handle.
He still had a say in front of the palace, which was what the generals in the army lacked the most. He could use it to repay the favor. He was comfortable with such interactions, so he nodded and said:
"Okay, military matters are urgent, so I won't stay any longer. See you later."

From Brother Yue to Brother Qianli, the relationship between Dai Yunong and Yue Qianli seems to have become closer on paper, but if it is taken seriously, they will lose. Only interests can last long.

After sending away the hot potato of the 527th Regiment Flag, Yue Qianli breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he stayed in the th Regiment, the th Division and even Matsui Iwane's East China Expeditionary Force would come to fight him desperately. He understood the principle of "a gentleman is innocent, but he is guilty of hiding a wall".

Now that it has been handed over to the National Government, he has not only made a contribution, but also gotten rid of the burden, and also done Dai Yunong a favor. It is a win-win situation. Yue Qianli was in such a good mood that he whistled.

As soon as the National Government got the league flag, the propaganda machine went into full gear. The Central News Agency and local news media spared no effort to report the Zhabei victory, and soon the news spread all over the country, inside and outside the Great Wall.

Even some mainstream media abroad are reprinting the news, and they are all watching the joke of daily life with a gloating mentality. They also don't want to see the Japanese swallow up China alone.

On the other side of the ocean, Roosevelt's office was filled with smoke, sparks were happily jumping on the cigarette butts, and on his desk was a copy of the New York Times. The headline of the international edition actually contained a piece of news from the East. A familiar name came into his sight.

Sitting opposite him was Army Chief of Staff General Marlin Craig, who was Pershing's favorite and took over when MacArthur's term expired. He was a conventional man and was not Roosevelt's choice.
His term of office would end in October 39, and Roosevelt would have to tolerate him for another two years, when his preferred candidate for Army Chief of Staff, George Marshall, would be able to take office. "General Craig, what do you think of the war in Shanghai?"

Franklin asked without thinking, which obviously embarrassed Admiral Craig. He had never paid much attention to it. Seeing the President asking, he could only shrug and say:
“Sir, the East is a desert in world politics. Although Japan is one of the new powers, the war between them and China is nothing special and has little impact on world politics.
The Japanese also made it clear that their occupation of Shanghai would not harm the interests of the civilized world in China.”

Roosevelt could tolerate Admiral Craig's inherent arrogance, but what he could not tolerate most was his short-sightedness. The Chief of Staff of the United States Army could not just stare at his own shoes all day long.
If the Eagle Sauce only wants to defend the status quo, Craig is still qualified, but if he wants to replace the United Kingdom and become the new world hegemon, he still has to pin his hopes on George Marshall, now General Craig's assistant.

But he still had to let General Craig retire normally, so he tried to give him some opportunities, so he said:

"My general, the interests of the Eagle Sauce do not need charity from others. Letting the Japanese swallow up China alone is not in the interests of the civilized world. They are just a group of barbarians!

Just five years ago, a young man from China left a deep impression on me. Among the top ten West Point graduates of that year, five were from China.
The young man who won the first place is the young man in the newspaper. He is now the colonel commander of China's most elite troops. "

Craig had not expected such a connection. He seemed to have sensed something and followed Roosevelt's words and said:
“It seems that Colonel Yue learned a lot at West Point, which was the key to his annihilation of a main Japanese regiment.

China has to thank the United States!"

Roosevelt looked at General Craig as if he were an idiot. Such a political novice was not worthy of sitting in the position of Army Chief of Staff.
If it weren't for General Pershing, he really didn't intend to let Craig retire as Chief of Staff. It would be like talking to a cow.

Fortunately, Roosevelt had enough self-control and continued patiently:

“General Craig, West Point’s recruitment of Eastern students is more of a political necessity, and the same is true for China;

The East is not a real political desert. A big empire like China can also be included in the civilized world!

The United States needs to have enough influence in China, and young people like Colonel Yue who have studied abroad at West Point are the most suitable candidates.

The Japanese have a navy of the same tonnage as the United States. What they lack most are resources, population, land, and food, all of which China has.

The Japanese have always been ambitious. Once they annex China and fill in its shortcomings, do you think they will be willing to share their interests in China with the civilized world?
Besides, the Pacific Ocean is so small that it can’t accommodate two powerful navies!”

Craig's expression finally turned serious. Someone who could become the Army Chief of Staff couldn't be that stupid.
He is just an old soldier whose thinking is gradually failing to keep up with the times. Roosevelt has made it so clear. If he still cannot react, it is not unfair that he cannot retire in office.

"Mr. President, isolationism is prevalent in the country now. The old guys in Congress will not agree to the United States intervening in the war in the East. They even sold scrap steel and oil to the Japanese for some petty profits. The money they earned was all stained with the blood of the Chinese people."

Roosevelt saw that Admiral Craig had finally said something that fit his status, and his expression improved. He then said:
"Since we can't intervene openly, let's do it covertly. If the military is not in a position to intervene, let the private businessmen do it.

Colonel Yue is a graduate of West Point and a friend of the Eagle Sauce. We Eagle Sauces are very generous to our friends!
War relies heavily on supplies. Now is the time when Colonel Yue needs help from his friends the most. We should take the initiative to approach him and meet all his needs. Every dollar spent now will be returned tenfold or even a hundredfold in the future.

Remember, helping someone when they need it is always better than adding icing on the cake! "

Admiral Craig stood up and bowed deeply to Roosevelt.

"Mr. President, you are right. I know what to do. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It is time to cause some trouble for the Japanese."

After Roosevelt watched Craig leave, his eyes became deep again. A person's political vision cannot be taught. Craig's subsequent performance can only be considered passing. If there is no war, he can be guaranteed to retire normally as chief of staff.

What the Eagle Sauce wants is not to cause trouble for the Japanese, but to use the war to break the Versailles system established by Britain and France and establish a new system dominated by the Eagle Sauce.

The British Empire has been the hegemon for too long. It's time for someone else to take the throne...

(End of this chapter)