Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

"Commander-in-Chief." Lieutenant Colonel Zota stepped forward, his expression solemn: "Do we really want to contact the Chinese? After all, they are our enemies."

Aung San waved his hand and looked towards the dark rain forest outside the tent: “Zota, this is a different time.

The "independence" promised by the Japanese now seems to be nothing more than an empty promise.

We have witnessed with our own eyes the might of the expeditionary force.

If we continue to be stubborn and become accomplices to the evil, the 3,000 soldiers of the Burmese Independence Army may all die here. What will be the future of Myanmar?"

He picked up Zhou Weiguo's letter and rubbed it repeatedly between his fingers: "Zhou Weiguo is well-known, and his reconnaissance team is even more elusive, and their combat effectiveness is far beyond our reach.

Since he has taken the initiative to extend the olive branch, we have no choice but to respond.

At least, we need to find out their true intentions.”

Aung San made up his mind and instructed Lieutenant Colonel Zotha and another trusted confidant, Major Maung Win: "You two, select a few of the most alert and reliable brothers, take my handwritten reply, and make sure to find a way to directly contact General Zhou Weiguo of the Chinese Expeditionary Force Reconnaissance Battalion. Tell him that I, Aung San, am willing to have a frank meeting with him on the future of Burma."

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief!"

Zota and Maung Win accepted the order.

They knew that the journey was dangerous, but Aung San had given the order and they could only obey.

The two envoys selected elite guides and guards, disguised themselves as hunters in the mountains, carried Aung San's letter, and carefully embarked on a search for the secrets of Zhou Weiguo's tribe.

However, the day did not fulfill everyone's wish.

Once the rainy season in northern Myanmar comes, it is like a wild horse running out of control.

On the third day after Zota and Maung Win set out, they encountered heavy rain for several consecutive days.

The streams in the mountains and forests suddenly surged and turned into roaring floods and mudslides.

Many secret trails were washed away, bridges broke, and the familiar mountain and forest landscape was completely changed by floods and landslides.

"Lieutenant Colonel, the road ahead has been completely cut off by a mountain torrent!" A soaked guide reported in despair, "According to the mountain people who escaped, the entire valley over there has been flooded. The water is several feet deep. Not to mention humans, even monkeys can't get through! I'm afraid we won't be able to reach the area where the reconnaissance team may be active on time."

Zota and Mao Wen stood on a high ground, looking at the turbid mountain torrents in the distance and the rugged mountain roads blocked by the floods, both with solemn expressions.

They tried several times to take a detour or find other routes, but were blocked by flooding.

The food they carried was becoming increasingly scarce, and non-combat casualties began to occur in the team.

A few days later, after paying the tragic price of two guards being swept away by the flood while trying to cross the stream, Zotha and Maung Win had to return to Aung San's headquarters in a panic with the remaining troops.

"Commander-in-Chief" Zuota knelt on one knee and said in a hoarse voice: "I am incompetent! Due to a sudden mountain flood, the road was cut off and I was unable to deliver your letter to General Zhou Weiguo.

We have tried several times but have failed, and we have lost two brothers."

After listening to the report, Aung San sighed deeply as he looked at Zota and others who were exhausted and covered in mud.

He waved his hand, signaling them to stand up.

"Forget it, it's God's will, not our fault." A trace of disappointment appeared on Aung San's face, but it was soon replaced by a determination: "Since the road to contact Zhou Weiguo directly has been blocked by the mountain torrents, we can't wait any longer!"

He knew that the longer the time went on, the more variables there would be.

If we miss the best opportunity to engage with the Chinese Expeditionary Force, we may lose the opportunity forever.

"Zota, Maung Win." Aung San said in a deep voice: "Change your luggage immediately and set off again! This time, don't limit yourself to looking for Zhou Weiguo's reconnaissance team.

Your mission is to try every possible means to contact the highest commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force on the front line, no matter who he is!
Present my letter to them and make sure they know the sincerity and new decision of the Burmese Independence Army!

In this matter, only success is allowed, failure is not allowed! "

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief!" Zota and Mao Wen accepted the order again, their eyes filled with determination to fight to the death.

This time, they learned their lesson and no longer went deep into the remote mountains and forests. Instead, they chose to infiltrate carefully in areas closer to the main defense line of the expeditionary force.

Finally, after several days of hardships, they revealed their identities and purpose through a pre-set and extremely secretive method of shouting, hoping to have a conversation with the "highest leader of the expeditionary force."

The news was reported up the chain of command and soon reached a place not far from the front line.

The temporary command center of Du Yuming, acting commander-in-chief of the First Army of the Expeditionary Force.

However, what surprised and made Zota and Maung Win feel a little uneasy again was that

They still failed to meet the officer Chu Yunfei who was famous on the battlefield in Burma and feared by the Japanese army.

Du Yuming received these two special "guests" in his heavily guarded command center.

Under the dim lantern, this Confucian general who came from the Fifth Army and is now the acting commander-in-chief of the army group looked calm and sharp.

"You two." Du Yuming came straight to the point in a steady voice, "Captain Chu is not currently on the front line in Burma.

Ten days ago, he received urgent orders from the National Government's Military Commission and Commander Yan of the Second War Zone and returned to Shanxi on a special plane to personally command the Second War Zone's long-prepared second phase of the anti-Japanese counterattack.

This battle is related to the war situation in North China. General Chu has a heavy responsibility and may not be able to return to Burma in the short term. "

Zota and Mao Wen looked at each other and saw disappointment and a hint of panic in each other's eyes.

Their biggest hope on this trip is to have a direct conversation with Chu Yunfei, the actual soul of the expeditionary force.

"What about General Stilwell?" Zota asked hurriedly, "We also know that General Stilwell is also the core figure of your joint command."

Du Yuming shook his head slightly: "General Stilwell is not in Burma at the moment.

He flew to the mountain city of Chongqing a few days ago and is conducting emergency consultations at the highest level with our Chairman on a new round of large-scale US aid plans and the subsequent overall strategy for the China-Burma-India theater.

This is related to the military equipment and food supplies of millions of soldiers, as well as the national policy of the war of resistance in the next few years, and it cannot be resolved in the short term. "

The hearts of the two Burmese Independence Army envoys sank to the bottom in an instant.

Chu Yunfei was not there, and Stilwell was not there either. Wouldn't their trip be in vain? Would General Aung San's earnest expectations be in vain?

Then, won’t their independent army have to face attacks and blows from the reconnaissance team in the rainforest next?
Seeing the anxiety on their faces, Du Yuming changed the subject and spoke in a slightly slower tone: "However, before leaving Burma, General Chu and General Stilwell had made corresponding strategic considerations and instructions for the local armed forces, including your army. I, Du, am honored to be the acting commander-in-chief of the First Army of the Expeditionary Force, responsible for the full command of the frontal theater.

General Aung San is sincere, so you can speak freely. If it is a serious matter, I can convey it on your behalf, or discuss it with you two first within my authority.

Zuota and Mao Wen felt a little relieved after hearing this.

Although the General Du Yuming in front of him is not Chu Yunfei, his status and position also make him an important figure in the expeditionary force.

Since Du Yuming has made such a promise, being able to have a dialogue with him is at least the first step.

After Du Yuming briefly listened to the staff's briefing on Chu Yunfei's previous strategic thinking of "winning over local forces in Burma, dividing and disintegrating the Japanese alliance, and taking the fight against the Japanese invaders as the highest principle, and handling it with a flexible and pragmatic attitude", he already had a general idea in his mind.

He knew that Chu Yunfei had always adopted a policy of "listening to what he said, watching what he did, and both taking advantage of and guarding against" the capricious local forces like Aung San Suu Kyi.

Du Yuming immediately said, "You two can present General Aung San's letter now."

Zota quickly took out the handwritten letter from Aung San wrapped in oilcloth from his arms and handed it over respectfully with both hands.

Du Yuming unfolded the letter and read it carefully.

In the letter, Aung San Suu Kyi first described the true situation of Myanmar after its "liberation" by Japan, accused the Japanese army of plundering Myanmar's resources and oppressing the Myanmar people, and expressed disappointment and indignation at the hypocritical nature of Japan's "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."

Then, he changed his tone and implicitly expressed his regret for currently joining the Japanese army and fighting against the Chinese army, and revealed his desire to "put aside past grudges, discuss the future of Burma, and work together to expel the Japanese invaders" with the Chinese Expeditionary Force.

At the end of the letter, Aung San Suu Kyi requested a secret meeting with Officer Chu Yunfei or his authorized senior representative to discuss the possibility of "cooperation in the anti-Japanese war".

Du Yuming finished reading the letter, his face remained calm. He gently folded the letter, placed it on the table, and looked at the two Burmese Independence Army envoys again.

"I have read General Aung San's letter."

"I also sensed their determination to draw a clear line with the Japanese invaders and jointly fight against Japan." Du Yuming said slowly: "It's just that this matter is serious. The Burmese Independence Army had previously cooperated closely with the Japanese invaders and caused considerable losses to our expeditionary force.

If we want to change our ways now, I am afraid that a letter will not be enough to resolve the past grudges, and it is not something that Du alone can decide on his own."

He pondered for a moment and continued, "How about this. I can report General Aung San's wishes to General Stilwell in Shancheng and Officer Chu Yunfei in Shanxi via confidential telegram.

During this period, in order to show sincerity and create a good atmosphere for subsequent contacts between the two sides, I hope that General Aung San can restrain his troops and immediately stop all hostile actions against our expeditionary force, and provide some valuable intelligence on the deployment, strength, and logistical supplies of the Japanese troops in front of us, so as to see the effect later. "

Zuota and Maung Win nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, General Du is right.

When we return, we will convey your message to Commander-in-Chief Aung San word for word."

Du Yuming nodded slightly: "That's great. You two have come from afar, I have asked someone to prepare a meal and a place for you to rest.

We will discuss further after receiving calls from Chongqing and Shanxi."

In the absence of almost all the top command in the China-Burma-India theater, preliminary secret negotiations between the First Route Army and the Burma Independence Army, chaired by Du Yuming, acting commander-in-chief of the First Route Army, began in a cautious and pragmatic manner.

however!
Just as Du Yuming and Aung San's envoy were having highly confidential initial contact in the temporary command center in Pyay.

Pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness have already taken it all in.

An ordinary soldier in charge of guarding the perimeter of the headquarters. He is usually taciturn and inconspicuous.

No one expected it.

It turned out that he was a "dead chess piece" laid long ago by the Japanese Special High Section, a long-lurking Japanese spy code-named "Gecko".

This person's original mission.

He monitored the high-level movements of the Expeditionary Force for a long time, and cooperated with the Japanese army at critical moments. He even sacrificed himself to execute the "die with honor" order and assassinated Chinese officers such as Chu Yunfei and Du Yuming.

When he observed that two suspicious "mountain people" were secretly brought into Du Yuming's core command center and stayed there for a considerable period of time, his strictly trained spy intuition immediately told him that this matter was of no trivial importance.

"Gecko" took advantage of his position and familiarity with the headquarters' surroundings and quietly approached at great risk. Although he failed to eavesdrop on specific conversations, he was able to observe the expressions of people entering and leaving, the length of their stay, and the subsequent abnormal increase in radio activity within the headquarters.

He keenly judged that the top leaders of the Chinese Expeditionary Force were secretly in contact with a local force in Myanmar, and that it was very likely that they were involved in "inciting rebellion" or "peacemaking"!
As for the local force, it seems that the only independent force is Aung San's independent army.

As for the Siamese government forces, there is absolutely no way they would be able to send secret envoys to contact the expeditionary force.

If we continue along this line of thought.

"Gecko" is quite clear.

Once local tyrants like the Burmese Independence Army turn against us and join forces with the Chinese Expeditionary Force.

That would be disastrous for the Japanese army's strategic battlefield in the entire Southeast Asia!

He did not dare to delay for even a second, and that night he used the secret contact method he had prepared long ago to quickly pass on this important information.

Several radio waves, like ghosts in the night, penetrated through numerous blockades and finally converged on the Japanese Burma Front Command in Siam.

When this information marked "Urgent and Top Secret" was placed on the desk of the Southern Army Commander-in-Chief Terauchi Hisaichi.

"Bagya Road!"

Terauchi Juichi slammed the information on the table, his wrinkled face twisted with anger: "Aung San is an ungrateful wolf!

The Empire gave him the name of 'independence' and supported him in forming an army, but at this moment, he secretly communicated with China and attempted to betray us!"

Although the intelligence did not mention the specific content of the talks between Aung San's envoy and Du Yuming.

But words such as "secret contact", "unclear intentions", and "possibly involving betrayal" were enough for Terauchi Hisaichi to make the worst judgment.

He stood up suddenly and paced back and forth in the office, his eyes as fierce as a wolf.

"If Aung San rebels, the flank of our Burmese Front Army will be completely exposed! His troops are familiar with the terrain. If they cooperate with the Chinese Army, the threat to our logistics supply lines and various strongholds will increase exponentially! We must not leave this man behind!"

Countless thoughts of getting rid of Aung San flashed through Terauchi Juichi's mind.

He knew that the most direct and effective way to deal with this fickle fence-sitter was to make it disappear from this world completely!

"Pass on my order!" Terauchi Juichi suddenly stopped and gave an unquestionable order to the operations staff and intelligence director beside him: "Immediately launch the 'elimination plan' against Aung San and his core command!
Order the "Chrysanthemum Agency" personnel lurking inside the Burmese Independence Army, as well as the action team directly under the front army, to eliminate Aung San and his main confidants in the shortest possible time at all costs! "(End of this chapter)