Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Luxi, on the outskirts of Jinan, a temporary field airfield.

The massive propellers kicked up clouds of yellow dust as a C-47 transport plane, escorted by several P-51 Mustang fighters, landed heavily but smoothly on the newly repaired runway.

The hatch opened, and Joseph Stilwell's lean yet rugged figure came into view.

He was still wearing his signature wide-brimmed military cap, with a pipe dangling from his mouth.

This time, however, his eyes held less of the usual anxiety and more of the anticipation of reuniting with an old friend.

"Chu!"

Stilwell strode down the gangway and, without even waiting for Chu Yunfei to salute, extended his calloused hands, firmly grasped Chu Yunfei's hand, and shook it vigorously.

"Good job!"

"In the Battle of Quancheng, you sent those arrogant Japanese samurai back to the Stone Age."

Stilwell took off his pipe and smiled sincerely: "When I returned to Washington to report on my work, I saw the battle reports. Even President Roosevelt praised your combined arms tactics."

"At the Quebec conference, Chief of Staff Marshall was of great help to your negotiations; he was very pleased with your efficiency."

Chu Yunfei responded with a smile, his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "Without the material support of the Allied forces, we would have had difficulty achieving victory."

"Come on, take me to see your lads."

Stilwell ignored Qian Dajun, who was standing to the side with a big smile on his face and was about to come up and exchange pleasantries.

Instead, he pulled Chu Yunfei and headed straight for the tank unit that was undergoing maintenance next to the helipad.

Looking at the Sherman tanks riddled with bullet holes and severely worn tracks, and the Chinese soldiers covered in oil and working frantically to repair them, Stilwell was filled with mixed emotions.

He did not show any disgust.

Instead, he crouched down, picked up a broken track pin, examined it carefully for a moment, and a hint of respect appeared in his eyes: "Look at these wounds."

Stilwell stood up, pointed at the tank, and said to the American advisors behind him, "Only the bravest warriors would drive a tank to this extent."

"Unlike some old-fashioned soldiers in the mountain city who locked their equipment in warehouses to rust, they let it burn its life on the battlefield."

As he spoke, he patted the shoulder of a young tank commander who was wiping the gun barrel and said in broken Chinese, "You've worked hard, good soldier!"

The young soldier was flattered and hurriedly stood at attention and saluted.

After returning the greeting, Stilwell turned to look at Chu Yunfei, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Chu, as a friend, I am proud of you, but as the Allied Chief of Staff, I must tell you some bad news."

"I received a report from Lieutenant Arthur Gallagher that these tanks are completely overloaded."

Stilwell pointed to the tanks behind him: "At your current rate of advance and attrition, before you even finish the war in North China, the armored brigade will become an infantry brigade."

Upon hearing this, Qian Dajun, who had been following behind, felt a chill run down his spine and quickly interjected, "General Stilwell, we will request spare parts for repairs as soon as possible."

"repair?"

Stilwell glanced at Qian Dajun, a faint sneer playing on his lips: "General Qian, the battlefield waits for no one. Repairing old clothes won't solve the problem, and besides, you don't have enough spare parts."

After saying that, Stilwell took out a thick document from his briefcase and solemnly handed it to Chu Yunfei.

"So, I've brought a gift, or rather, a new agreement."

Chu Yunfei took the document, turned to the first page, and his pupils contracted slightly: "Twelve hundred vehicles?"

A truly substantial and ambitious undertaking.

Even though Chu Yunfei was somewhat prepared, he was still taken aback.

He spent a lot of diplomacy points applying for this aid in the diplomacy submodule, but he never expected that the Americans would send thousands of Sherman tanks at once.

Chu Yunfei raised his head and looked intently at Stilwell: "Mr. Stilwell, this is no small sum."

"Yes, 1,200 of the latest M4A3 Sherman tanks, including some long-barreled models equipped with 76mm high-velocity guns."

Stilwell's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated in everyone's ears: "In addition, there are five hundred half-track armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and the complete set of hardware and software equipment needed to build a modern armored academy."

Qian Dajun, who was listening nearby, was breathing rapidly.

1,200 of the most advanced combat tanks available today are enough to sweep across the entire Asia.

"But, Chu."

Stilwell changed the subject, his expression becoming extremely serious, even earnest: "You know, I argued with those bureaucrats in Washington for three days and three nights over this batch of equipment."

"They don't trust Chongqing, and they don't trust the corrupt officials who resell US aid supplies on the black market."

"I have vouched for this with my reputation, guaranteeing that this equipment will be delivered to people who are truly capable of fighting."

"Let's talk somewhere else. I need to take a good look at these documents."

Airport, in a temporary meeting room.

Stilwell looked at Chu Yunfei and said frankly, "So, in order to reassure the Pentagon and to ensure the combat effectiveness of this force, I need you to agree to a few conditions."

Chu Yunfei closed the document, his expression calm: "General, please speak. Since it is a cooperation, there should naturally be give and take."

“First,” Stilwell held up one finger, “this proposed armored academy, and this soon-to-be-formed armored army group, must be subject to the full supervision of the U.S. military advisory group.”

"From training and assessment to logistical support, we have to check where every gallon of gasoline goes."

"I don't want to see these tanks being dismantled and sold as parts on the black market before they even reach the battlefield."

Chu Yunfei nodded without hesitation: "No problem, the North China Inspectorate will fully cooperate. We hate corruption even more than your side."

“Second,” Stilwell’s eyes sharpened, “the issue of command.”

"I hope this unit can have an independent command structure."

"To put it bluntly, I want it to only obey the orders of the frontline command."

"Instead of being disturbed by those people thousands of kilometers away who are giving orders based on maps."

"On this point, I need to have a veto."

“If I believe that a move is driven by political struggle rather than military necessity, I have the right to refuse to provide fuel and ammunition support.”

Qian Dajun, who was listening nearby, broke out in a cold sweat.

This is a new type of force that is openly controlled by the mountain city authorities. Although its combat effectiveness is guaranteed, is Chang Ruiyuan really willing to do it?

Qian Dajun even had doubts.

The United States is openly supporting North China, and North China is indeed capable of competing with Chongqing at this moment.

"third."

Stilwell paused for a moment: "Strategic objective."

"The sole purpose of this unit is to attack Manchuria and sever the connection between the Japanese mainland and the mainland. I need your promise that once it is formed, this sword must be pointed at Manchuria, not used for, you know, any form of civil war."

Done.

Stilwell looked at Chu Yunfei quietly, waiting for his reply.

He wasn't arrogant; instead, he laid his cards on the table.

This is the honesty of one professional soldier to another, and also an almost demanding trust.

Chu Yunfei remained silent for a moment.

He understood Stilwell's predicament; this "jealous Joe" general, though ill-tempered, was always thinking about vying for power and profit.

But their support for China's resistance against Japan was genuine.

After all, part of his power comes from this damned war.

The conditions he proposed, though somewhat jarring from a sovereignty perspective, were nonetheless problematic.

From a practical standpoint, however, it was to protect this unit from being consumed by the corruption within the Kuomintang.

"General Stilwell."

Chu Yunfei spoke slowly, his tone firm and sincere: "I completely understand your concerns. I wholeheartedly support both the supervision of logistics and the focus on the war against Japan."

"However, there is the veto power regarding command."

Chu Yunfei shook his head: "This is not legally permissible."

"I am a soldier of China, and this unit is China's national defense force."

"If we give foreign allies veto power, not only will I be unable to answer to my own people, but it will also create political risks for our cooperation."

Stilwell frowned, about to speak, when Chu Yunfei raised his hand to interrupt him: "However, we can do it another way."

"We can sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Operations and Training between the United States and China."

"The memorandum clearly stipulates that the armored group belongs to the 'strategic reserve' sequence, and its combat mission is jointly formulated by the Allied China Theater Command (actually jointly responsible by Stilwell and Chiang Kai-shek, but the actual commander in North China is the War General) and the North China Joint Command."

"This is to ensure that troops are not moved around at will."

"As for the strategic direction..."

Chu Yunfei smiled slightly, "I can make a military pledge to you: the day this army is formed will be the day our army marches out of the pass! If I do not attack Manchuria, you can cut off all aid at any time!"

"Let's let our battle results speak for themselves, instead of being bound by treaties, how about that?"

Stilwell stared at Chu Yunfei for a long while before his furrowed brows finally relaxed.

He took a deep drag on his pipe and laughed loudly, "Ha ha, Chu, you cunning fox! You always manage to find that balance."

"Okay, I agree to your proposal."

"But I'll keep a close eye on your logistics, and I'll be there if I find even the slightest thing wrong."

Chu Yunfei smiled calmly: "As long as the evidence is irrefutable, regardless of his rank, seniority, or status, I will kill him with my own hands."

"make a deal!"

Stilwell extended his large hand and shook hands firmly with Chu Yunfei.

……

After sending someone to take Stilwell to rest.

Qian Dajun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, plopped down in a chair, and said with lingering fear, "Yunfei, you were walking a tightrope."

"If Stilwell's words reach the Chairman's ears, it will be a big problem."

Chu Yunfei poured Qian Dajun a glass of water, his expression calm: "Director Qian, you know how Americans are, they're straightforward. Let's just listen and let it go. The key is that these 1,200 tanks need to be secured."

"But."

Qian Dajun looked worried: "This unit is so well-equipped. If we put them all in North China, even if Chiang Kai-shek doesn't say it, he'll definitely be suspicious. Besides, Stilwell's words just now clearly indicated that he was wary of Chiang Kai-shek interfering. North China is incredibly powerful now."

The people from the Central Committee basically had a pretty good grasp of how to communicate with Chu Yunfei.

Express your views directly and straightforwardly, with fewer metaphors.

Only in this way can it be the most efficient.

Chu Yunfei sat down opposite Qian Dajun, lowered his voice, and a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes: "So, Director Qian, we have to share the burden for the Chairman."

"I have an idea, can you give me your opinion?"

Qian Dajun was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"We can't keep all 1,200 tanks."

Qian Dajun: "Oh?"

"We can report to the Chairman in this way."

Chu Yunfei held up two fingers: "First, this Armored Forces Academy is nominally affiliated with the Central Military Academy as a 'Higher Armored Forces Academy.' The president should be Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, and I will only serve as the nominal vice-principal."

"In this way, the students who come out of this unit will all be 'disciples of the emperor,' the direct descendants of Chiang Kai-shek, which will also dispel the concerns of Stilwell and the other Americans."

Qian Dajun's eyes lit up: "That's right, it's perfectly legitimate!"

"second."

Chu Yunfei continued, "I will allocate 200 tanks from these 1,200 tanks, along with a full set of logistics and maintenance vehicles, ammunition supplies, and the first batch of trained instructors, and transport them all to the mountain city."

"Send it to the mountain town?"

Qian Dajun stood up in shock: "You're really willing to do this?"

"What's there to be reluctant about?"

Chu Yunfei smiled faintly: "It is called 'Establishing the Armored Corps Training Corps,' but in reality, it is a 'reassurance' for the Chairman and a 'royal guard' to support the Central Committee."

"Just think about it, if the Chairman had two hundred brand-new Sherman tanks in his hands, how could he not suppress those old foxes in Sichuan?"

"Doesn't this also mean..."

"The North China Joint Command did not hoard troops or act selfishly; it had the leader and the Central Committee in its heart!"

"and"

Chu Yunfei said meaningfully, "With these two hundred tanks backing us up, the Chairman will be able to turn a blind eye to our big moves in North China."

"I'll explain to Stilwell that it's for 'strategic defense' purposes, and he won't turn against me over such a small amount."

"By the way, this tank can even be deployed in the Toungoo region. Brother Yu'an is an old hand at commanding armored forces, and he can definitely form a new mechanized force under his command."

Qian Dajun, his face flushed with excitement, slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "We've taken the lion's share from the Americans, silenced the criticisms at home, and now the Chairman can rest easy!"

"I will draft this telegram myself!"

"You must write it with great emotion and fully convey your 'good intentions' and 'loyalty' to the Chairman!"

loyalty?

maybe.

A thousand Sherman tanks could form at least four armored divisions.

Using it against the Japanese would be a complete waste of its potential; it could even have been used against six Soviet armored corps (due to organizational issues, the Soviet army had a smaller number of tanks).
But in Chu Yunfei's mind, this was more like a necessary transaction.

Trading two hundred tanks for a stable rear area and the central government's full support for the war in North China was a worthwhile deal.

More importantly, as long as this industrial and training system takes root in North China, even if two hundred or two thousand vehicles are sent out, they can be continuously produced in the future!
"Then I'll leave it to Director Qian."

After seeing off Stilwell, who was satisfied with his inspection of the "American machinery model," he made arrangements for Qian Dajun, whose mind was full of "how to write a report to curry favor."

The command post was finally quiet again.

Chu Yunfei loosened his collar and walked to the map. His expression did not lighten at all because of the "huge gains" he had just made; on the contrary, it became even more solemn.

"Brother Ligong."

Chu Yunfei called out without turning his head.

Fang Ligong, who had been waiting in the side hall, immediately pushed open the door and entered, carrying two cups of freshly brewed hot tea.

He glanced at Chu Yunfei's back and keenly sensed the subtle change in his superior's emotions.

Fang Ligong put down his teacup and tentatively asked, "Sir, has General Stilwell left?"

"gone."

"Let's talk about it back at headquarters."

"it is good."

Inside a Cadillac.

Chu Yunfei didn't beat around the bush: "We've reached an agreement with the Americans."

"The Americans will supply us with 1,200 Sherman tanks in batches."

“Puff—cough cough!”

Fang Ligong stared wide-eyed at Chu Yunfei, his voice trembling: "How much?!"

"Twelve hundred vehicles?!"

"Your Excellency, you're not joking, are you?"

In this era when even a few old T-26s are treated like precious treasures.

1,200 fully tracked medium tanks? That's simply a pipe dream.

"I'm not kidding, it's all in black and white, the agreement has been signed."

Chu Yunfei sat down opposite Fang Ligong, his expression calm: "Moreover, this batch of tanks will be mainly used to form a new armored assault army group. Even if it is compared with the American organization, I estimate that it can form four tank divisions."

Fang Ligong took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his wildly beating heart: "Your Excellency, this is aid that could potentially influence the normal course of a war!"

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly, and then revealed his entire plan.

Fang Ligong pushed up his glasses, his eyes darting around as his mind raced: "But this piece of meat is too big. Our family probably can't finish it, and we dare not take it all for ourselves."

"This humble servant suggests that, in addition to the 'Training Corps' you mentioned earlier that should be given to the Chairman, shouldn't some of the profits also be shared with the South China region?"

Fang Ligong counted on his fingers and said, "Commander Xue Boling's side, the Ninth War Zone has always wanted to form a mechanized force, and South China will definitely try to win some over."

"In any case, we must ensure that everyone receives equal treatment to silence public opinion and maintain our North China's position in the public discourse."

"no!"

Without a second thought, Chu Yunfei resolutely refused, his voice cold and unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation: "Brother Ligong, this is a muddled argument!"

"1,200 vehicles may seem like a lot, but if they are scattered like pepper across all the war zones in the country, it will be a drop in the ocean and will not form any kind of offensive force."

"The Northeast Plain is much larger than the North China Plain. If the troops are dispersed, they will not be enough. Moreover, the Japanese have been operating in the Northeast for so many years, and there are countless fortresses. They will not be easy to deal with."

"And think about it, what kind of terrain is the south?"

"A dense network of waterways, crisscrossing rice paddies, and rolling hills!"

"In places like that, a Sherman tank weighing tens of tons would be a sitting duck!"

"If we get stuck in the paddy fields, we're just handing over our spoils to the Japanese!"

"Giving them tanks might help them secure some light tanks..."

Chu Yunfei chuckled at this point: "Brother Ligong, what do you think?"

"Your Excellency, good steel should be used where it's needed most. Tanks are the spearhead of the attack, and we must concentrate our efforts on them. From a military perspective, this is indeed correct. However, we need to consider more than just how to win this battle."

"We've got all the benefits."

Fang Ligong's meaning is self-evident; North China is simply too strong.

Chu Yunfei insisted: "On this vast North China Plain and Northeast Plain, only well-organized armored formations can completely crush the Kwantung Army's defense system in a deep strike!"

Chu Yunfei insisted, and Fang Ligong naturally stopped trying to persuade him.

Fang Ligong then reminded him, "Sir, even if we want to keep all one thousand tanks, there is still a big problem."

You mean logistics?

Fang Ligong smiled wryly and said, "Yes."

"A thousand tanks moving together are like a thousand giant mouths that swallow gold."

"The trucks we have on hand are simply not enough to supply their ammunition and fuel consumption."

"Moreover, tanks need supporting maintenance vehicles, tractor vehicles, and infantry transport vehicles to move around."

"If we let the infantry chase tanks on foot, they will be exhausted before they even see the enemy. This is the biggest lesson we learned on the western Shandong battlefield."

Chu Yunfei nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "You've hit the nail on the head."

“That’s what I’m going to say next.”

Chu Yunfei walked to his desk and picked up a draft plan that he had already prepared: "Tanks alone are not enough."

“I have made a request to Stilwell that, in addition to tanks, ten-wheeled trucks and M3 half-tracks must be provided in a ratio of 1:2 or even 1:3.”

"But it's not enough."

"The 'civilian machinery factory' in Changzhi must be expanded immediately. We must thoroughly understand the Soviet truck technology, even if it means copying it, and rapidly increase production capacity."

"The truck problem can always be solved as long as you have money and time."

"But there is one problem that if it cannot be solved, these thousand tanks will become a thousand iron coffins."

Fang Ligong's heart skipped a beat: "You mean..."

Chu Yunfei uttered a single word: "Oil!" (End of Chapter)