Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

The highest military conference room in Yunxiu Tower.

Seated around the long conference table were important figures who could determine the fate of the current China theater.

Chang Ruiyuan sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn.

On the left are military bigwigs such as He Yingqin, Chen Cixiu, and Bai Jiansheng, while on the right is Zhou Zhirou, director of the Aviation Commission.

At the other end of the long table.

These are two typical Western figures: Allied Chief of Staff for the China Theater, Stilwell, and Commander of the 14th Air Force, Chennault.

On the table was a document from the Haikou Forward Headquarters, personally drafted by Chu Yunfei, entitled "Request for Instructions on Large-Scale Psychological Warfare Against Japan and the Distribution of Leaflets on the Mainland."

"Everyone."

Chang Ruiyuan put down the documents in his hand and tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Yunfei's 'paper bullet' offensive is ingeniously conceived and prioritizes winning hearts and minds."

"Use the letters and accusations from Japanese prisoners of war to undermine the morale and spirit of the Japanese people."

“I think this method is feasible. We have carried out similar bombing operations before, and Darling also called it a ‘humanitarian expedition’.”

The Humanitarian Expedition refers to Operation Paper Bombing, a psychological warfare air raid launched by the Republic of China Air Force against the Japanese mainland in 1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

The operation was led by Xu Huansheng, then captain of the 14th Squadron of the 2nd Air Group (who was also the captain of Chiang Kai-shek's special plane), and Tong Yanbo, deputy captain of the 19th Squadron of the 8th Air Group. It was launched on the night of May 19, 1938, and the plane flew over Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan, dropping millions of anti-war leaflets in the early morning of the next day.

PS: This operation marks the first time that Japan's airspace has been attacked by foreign military aircraft, even predating the Doolittle Raids carried out by the US military.

He Yingqin adjusted his glasses and nodded in agreement: "Chairman Chiang is wise."

"Now that the Qiongzhou victory has been achieved, the morale of the Japanese army is low."

"If this news of victory, along with the tearful complaints of the Japanese prisoners, could be spread across the three islands of Japan, it would surely cause panic within the country and even exacerbate its internal conflicts."

Aviation Commission Director Zhou Zhirou also spoke up: "Chairman, there are no technical problems."

"Our B-25 bomber fleet, and even the new bombers that the U.S. military is about to transfer, are fully capable of transoceanic deployment."

"But this escort..."

"The escort issue can be handled by the 14th Air Force."

Chennault, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, and the interpreter quickly translated his words.

He stood up, walked to the huge battle map, and slammed his baton down on a red circle in the center of the map—Wuhan (Hankou).

"Your Excellency Chairman, I personally support Commander Chu's psychological warfare plan."

"But I think simply throwing away scraps of paper is not enough."

Chennault's voice rose eight octaves, his eyes gleaming with a hawk-like light: "War is decided by steel and fire, not by tears."

“I have a bolder proposal to make during this meeting.”

Chang Ruiyuan frowned slightly: "General Chennault, please speak."

Chen Cixiu and the others could tell from Chang Ruiyuan’s slightly furrowed brows that Chennault must not have consulted with Chang Ruiyuan beforehand.

Otherwise, Chang Ruiyuan would not have this attitude.

"We must destroy the Japanese army's logistics hub in Central China!"

Chennault slammed his pointer down hard on the location of Wuhan: "Hankou!"

"The Japanese army stockpiled a large amount of supplies there, and the docks, warehouses and transfer stations were densely packed."

"The U.S. Army Air Forces has just developed a new type of incendiary bomb (referring to napalm), which is extremely powerful."

"I request that, while carrying out the leaflet distribution mission, or at the same time, a separate operation be organized to carry out a large-scale 'fire attack' on the Japanese-occupied areas of Hankou!"

"We must burn the Japanese industrial base in Hankou to ashes and completely paralyze the Japanese military's operational capabilities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River!"

The moment those words were spoken, the meeting room fell into a deathly silence.

He Yingqin, Bai Jiansheng, and the others' expressions changed instantly.

Chang Ruiyuan's face, which had been slightly smiling, instantly darkened: "What did you say?"

Chang Ruiyuan's voice was terrifyingly low: "You want to burn down Wuhan?"

“Yes, Chairman.” Chennault, seemingly oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, continued excitedly, “According to our calculations, this new type of incendiary bomb is very suitable for attacking densely wooded urban areas like Hankou. A single large-scale air raid can accurately test the effects of bombing the Japanese mainland, providing us with the best sample data for our subsequent bombing of Japan.”

"enough!"

Chang Ruiyuan slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and slammed his cane heavily on the floor.

"Chennault!"

"Do you know what you are talking about?!"

"That's Wuhan! It was once the thoroughfare connecting nine provinces during the Republic of China!"

"Those living there are all my compatriots, citizens of the Republic of China,"

Chang Ruiyuan was trembling with rage. Pointing at Chennault, he shouted, "The Japanese occupied it. We want to restore it, not destroy it!"

"When you drop incendiary bombs there, are you burning Japanese people or hundreds of thousands of my unarmed citizens to death?!"

"It's utterly absurd! Cruel!"

He Yingqin also stood up quickly, his tone stern: "General Chennault, if we were to indiscriminately burn cities like the Japanese invaders, how would we be any different from beasts?"

"This proposal is absolutely unacceptable!"

Chennault was stunned. From a purely military perspective, he believed this was the most efficient method, but he overlooked the special political environment of the Chinese battlefield.

Stilwell sat to the side, watching Chennault's discomfiture, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

But he knew he had to step in and smooth things over: "Ahem."

Stilwell cleared his throat and stood up: "Your Excellency Chairman, please calm down."

"Claire (Chennault) also wanted to end the war as soon as possible. His so-called bombing was not bombing civilian areas, but bombing the industrial bases occupied by the Japanese. But as you just said, this could very likely cause a lot of humanitarian disasters. He did not think things through."

"Since you strongly oppose the plan to attack Wuhan by fire, we can temporarily shelve it."

Stilwell changed the subject, pulling another document from his briefcase: "However, we have another backup plan regarding retaliatory operations."

"According to intelligence, the Japanese army violated international conventions and used chemical weapons on multiple occasions during the battles of Xuzhou, eastern Henan, Yichang, Changsha, and western Hubei."

"Washington has authorized me to propose to your country that if the Japanese army uses chemical weapons again, we will carry out a retaliatory strike against the Japanese front-line troops and chemical weapons storage sites in a manner that is equal and devastating."

"We cannot rule out using our newly produced chemical munitions in retaliation."

"In order to carry out a reciprocal retaliatory action, we have produced a large amount of chemical munitions, which are ready to be deployed to the battlefield at any time."

Chang Ruiyuan sat back down in his chair, his chest still heaving. He listened to the translation and remained silent for a moment.

Gas warfare was a painful lesson for the Nationalist army.

Countless positional battles.

The Nationalist soldiers were not defeated in bayonet fighting, but by the Japanese army's despicable poison gas attack.

"Of course it's okay."

Chang Ruiyuan took a deep breath and softened his tone slightly: "The Japanese invaders' atrocities in violation of international law must be severely punished. I agree in principle to the US's retaliatory war plan."

But he immediately added, his eyes sharp: "But the scope must be strictly limited!"

"First, it is limited to chemical warfare units and facilities of the Japanese army."

"Second, the use of poison gas should be limited to retaliatory measures and must never escalate into indiscriminate burning and bombing of cities!"

"We are here to fight the Japanese invaders, not to make the people destroy their homes and relieve their suffering!"

"Third, our front-line combat troops need to be equipped with a large number of gas masks and other related combat equipment, and our production capacity is far from sufficient. We need assistance from our allies in this regard."

Stilwell nodded: "As you wish, Chairman."

"We will include this in the memo: retaliatory actions will be limited to reciprocal responses against chemical warfare."

The tone of the meeting was finally brought back on track.

The "paper bullet" plan was ultimately unanimously approved.

"As for this task of distributing leaflets..."

Chang Ruiyuan's gaze swept over Zhou Zhirou: "Since this is a psychological warfare tactic, an indictment of the Japanese by us Chinese, then let our own air force carry it out!"

"Let the 14th Air Force take charge of escort and air cover." "The bomber formations must be made by our young men from the Chinese Air Force!"

"Yes! Promise to complete the mission!"

Zhou Zhirou stood up and saluted, her eyes filled with excitement.

This is a chance for the Chinese Air Force to finally hold its head high!
They have to do it beautifully enough!

……

After the meeting ended, everyone gradually dispersed.

But Stilwell stayed.

"Your Excellency Chairman, President Roosevelt is very pleased with the victory on Qiongzhou Island."

Stilwell abandoned his usual arrogance and put on a rare smile.

He took out a thick list from his briefcase and handed it to Chang Ruiyuan with both hands: "This is the list of the new round of aid to China, personally approved by the President."

Chang Ruiyuan took the list with some doubt, turned to the first page, and his hand trembled involuntarily.

This is not a list.

This is practically a gold mine!
"150 P-51 Mustang fighters and 80 B-25 bombers."

“M4A3谢尔曼坦克200辆，M3半履带装甲车300辆.”

"120 105mm howitzers."

"Complete seamless steel pipe production line, high-octane oil refining equipment, and radio communication equipment factory."

Chang Ruiyuan was increasingly alarmed, yet also increasingly overjoyed, as he looked at the document.

The quantity and quality of this batch of supplies far exceed any previous batch of aid.

The technical assistance that followed far exceeded the total amount of aid previously provided by the Soviet Union, the United States, and other countries.

"This"

Chang Ruiyuan looked up at Stilwell in disbelief: "The US government is being so generous this time?"

"Because you have proven your worth."

Stilwell shrugged and said bluntly, "Your performance on Qiongzhou Island has convinced the Pentagon that the Chinese military is capable of taking on greater responsibilities in the Asian theater."

"We hope to help your country establish a relatively complete defense industry system as soon as possible, so that it can better assume the role of the world's policeman after the war."

He was very clear about the idea of ​​the 'four policemen'.

However, with France now actively seeking to improve relations, Chang Ruiyuan harbors a grand ambition to join forces with France to contain Britain and the Soviet Union.

He closed the list, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"However, Your Excellency Chairman."

Stilwell suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat subtle and serious: "This aid also comes with conditions."

Chang Ruiyuan's heart skipped a beat: "What are the conditions?"

"Political conditions."

Stilwell's smile faded, and he said seriously, "We have noticed that North China has recently been having a bit too close contact with the Soviet Union."

“Especially that so-called ‘Friendship’ series of trucks project, and the trade route in the Northwest.”

Stilwell stared into Chang Ruiyuan's eyes: "Washington is concerned about this."

"We want to see a strong China, but we don't want to see American technology and money end up in the pockets of the Soviets or help the Soviets expand their influence in Asia."

"Therefore, Mr. President hopes that the National Government can take measures to limit this 'overly deep' cooperation."

"Especially in the fields of industrial and military technology."

Upon hearing this, Chang Ruiyuan's face showed a look of sudden realization mixed with a slightly solemn expression. He nodded heavily and said, "General Stilwell, please pass on this to President Roosevelt."

Chang Ruiyuan, with an upright and righteous expression, declared, "The National Government's stance is firm!"

"We have always stood with the democratic camp, and I personally abhor the infiltration of communism more than anyone else!"

"I will personally oversee and impose restrictions on cooperation between North China and the Soviet Union."

"We will never allow the interests of our allies to be harmed!"

Stilwell nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, then this batch of supplies will arrive at Yangon Port in batches within two months."

"Please convey to President Roosevelt that, on behalf of the Nationalist government and the Chinese people, I will forever remember their kindness."

After seeing Stilwell off, Chang Ruiyuan paced back and forth in his office with the list in his hand, but his expression was not entirely relaxed and smug.

He walked to the window, looked at the scenery outside, and a shrewd and complex glint flashed in his eyes.

To restrict Chu Yunfei's cooperation with the Soviet Union?

He wants to, but why actually restrict it?

Chang Ruiyuan knew very well that while the Huangpu clique members were loyal, their abilities were questionable.

On the contrary, Chu Yunfei, although he is too powerful to be controlled, is truly capable.

If the connection between North China and the Soviet Union were truly and completely severed.

While the development momentum in North China will certainly be curbed, if this tiger loses its teeth, who will guard the nation's borders?
Who will help him check and balance the fragmented forces within his organization?

not to mention.

If North China really falls out with the Soviets, wouldn't he have no choice but to completely side with the Americans?
By the time.

Wouldn't his voice as chairman be even more firmly held by Stilwell and his group of Americans?
"Hmph, trying to use me as a pawn?"

Chang Ruiyuan sneered: "The Americans are shrewd, but I, Chang, am no fool either."

He rang the doorbell on the table.

"Summon Cixiu!"

A short while later, Chen Cixiu rushed over.

“Ci Xiu, huh?”

Chang Ruiyuan handed the aid list to Chen Cixiu for a glance, then lowered his voice and said, "You heard what the Americans were saying just now. They don't want to see Yunfei getting too close to the Soviets."

Chen Cixiu looked at the numbers on the list, gasped, and then frowned, saying, "Chairman, what do you mean?"

"It's necessary to maintain appearances."

Chang Ruiyuan smiled meaningfully: "Go and draft a telegram and send it to Yunfei."

"In the name of the General Staff and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, use strong language to tell him that, given the international situation, he should be mindful of his actions and suspend some sensitive cooperation projects with the Soviet Union, such as that truck factory and the Friendship brand cars."

"but."

Chang Ruiyuan changed the subject, his eyes becoming deep: "After the telegram is sent, he can send a secret telegram in my name. How it is carried out is his business. If he has any difficulties, or if the Soviets have any 'workaround' methods, we don't need to investigate further."

Chen Cixiu was taken aback: "Chairman, is it necessary to be so blunt?"

“He’s a soldier; complicated things don’t suit him.”

"Yes."

Overt restrictions, covert indulgence.

This both appeased the Americans and secured aid.
But it won't really push North China to the brink.

In addition, it could also be used to maintain a subtle connection with the Soviets through Chu Yunfei, while simultaneously making the Whampoa clique feel a sense of crisis.

"Chairman Chiang is brilliant!"

Chen Cixiu sincerely praised, "In this way, in order to survive and develop, North China will inevitably have to continue to maneuver between the United States and the Soviet Union. This kind of maneuvering is exactly what we need most, so that the contradictions between the two sides will no longer be so sharp."

Chang Ruiyuan waved his hand and sat back down in his chair: "Yes, we do need a good lubricant between us and North China. Cixiu, go and get it done."

"Yes, Chairman, I will do my utmost."

Chen Cixiu turned and left.

Chang Ruiyuan picked up the list on the table again and murmured, "This game is getting more and more interesting." (End of Chapter)