Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 257 Do we have that much money?
Su Yaoyang's seemingly polite smile carried a subtle sharpness in Chen Shijie's ears. His blunt question, "You guys aren't trying to get something for nothing, are you?" immediately put Chen Shijie in a difficult position, leaving him speechless.

Faced with Su Yaoyang's blunt words, Chen Shijie's smile froze for a moment.

He was speechless for a moment.

In fact, the Ministry of Military Affairs, or rather, Minister He Yingqin behind him, had been eyeing Su Yaoyang for quite some time.

Especially as the Shanxi militia's "flying squadron" rose to prominence and repeatedly achieved remarkable feats, the Nationalist government's Central Air Force, which was expected to play a crucial role, found itself in an embarrassing situation of having no aircraft available due to the near depletion of its aircraft and a lack of qualified pilots.

With this shift in power, the bigwigs in the Ministry of Military Affairs naturally turned their attention to Su Yaoyang's "private air force," which was not under the control of the central government.

Initially, some proposed that, in the name of national righteousness, the Shanxi militia's flight squadrons be forcibly nationalized and placed under the unified command of the Aviation Commission. This simple and crude proposal sounded quite reasonable.

But this immediately met with fierce opposition from those who knew more about the subject.

The air force is different from other branches of the military; you can't just seize planes and use them.

Where do the spare parts for those high-performance fighter jets come from?
Who is responsible for routine maintenance and repairs?
Without Su Yaoyang's mysterious logistical support, even if the aircraft were forcibly nationalized, those precious assets would soon become a pile of useless empty shells.

Moreover, Su Yaoyang is no longer the lowly militia leader who had to rely on others when he was under the walls of Nanjing.

He was renowned and commanded tens of thousands of well-equipped troops, a formidable figure who dared to confront even elite Japanese divisions head-on.

If we really anger him, he might turn his back on us and cause internal strife at this critical juncture of the War of Resistance. Wouldn't that make us a laughingstock to the people of the whole country and the international community?
So, after a heated argument and weighing of options, a more "respectable" solution was proposed.

Using the pretext of national financial difficulties, they asked Su Yaoyang for "help" to purchase a batch of aircraft for the Central Air Force under the guise of "borrowing" or "loans." As for when and how the final payment for this loan would be made... that was a matter for later.

To put it bluntly, they just want to make a hollow promise and get something for nothing.

This led to Chen Shijie's trip to Yichang. He was sent to carry out this "glorious and arduous" mission.

These thoughts flashed through Chen Shijie's mind. He quickly adjusted his expression, coughed twice, and put on a warm smile again.

"Hehe, Brother Su is quick-witted and straightforward, just like back in Nanjing!"

Chen Shijie chuckled, trying to ease the tension, then turned to Li Zongren, then to Su Yaoyang, and said with a serious expression:

"To be honest, I have come here on the orders of the Chairman and Minister He. There is a matter of great importance to the country that I would like to discuss with you."

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "major national affairs," and only after successfully attracting their attention did he sigh with deep regret.

"Commander Su's flight squadron dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese invaders at Nanguadian, shaking the entire nation with its might. Even Chairman Chiang Kai-shek praised it highly in Chongqing! In contrast, our Central Air Force... sigh..."

Chen Shijie sighed heavily, his face full of concern for the country and its people. "Our fighter jets have been almost completely destroyed, and we are now in a predicament where we have no aircraft left to use."

With air superiority lost, our brothers on the ground are suffering terribly! Therefore, Chairman Chiang and Minister He specifically sent me here to ask Commander Su if… if, for the sake of the Party and the nation, and for the sake of the countless soldiers fighting valiantly on the front lines, you could lend a hand to our brothers?”

"hiss……"

Upon hearing Chen Shijie's impassioned and emotionally charged "request," Li Zongren, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but gasp inwardly.

He underestimated the Commissioner Chen sent by Chongqing.

This guy can actually make such a shameless act as "getting something for nothing" sound so elegant and refined, and he even uses the big label of national righteousness, which no one can resist, to pressure people.

These words put Su Yaoyang in a very difficult position.

Now, Mingxi is in a difficult position.

Li Zongren knew exactly what was going on. This wasn't just a hundred or so old guns; these were the precious treasures of the Shanxi militia—the world's newest fighter jets! Each one, including ammunition and logistics, would cost at least $100,000.

If he really gave it to Su Yaoyang, wouldn't he be so badly cheated that he'd have to pawn his underwear?

But if they don't give it to him, he'll be labeled as "using his military power for personal gain and disregarding national interests," which would be enough to crush him. He'll be in a very passive position both in terms of public opinion and politics.

However, to the utter surprise of Li Zongren and Chen Shijie, Su Yaoyang showed not a trace of difficulty or hesitation in the face of this meticulously designed and almost unsolvable scheme.

He didn't even bother with polite excuses.

"I reject."

Su Yaoyang's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear and firm. Those three simple words were like three buckets of ice water, poured over Chen Shijie's "patriotic and concerned" face.

The air in the command center froze instantly.

Chen Shijie's expression seemed frozen, changing rapidly from "grief" to "astonishment" and then to "disbelief," a truly remarkable transformation.

He opened his mouth, but all the prepared follow-up remarks—such as "installment payments," "post-war repayment," and "Chairman Chiang's expectations"—stuck in his throat, unable to utter a single word.

He had anticipated that Su Yaoyang would haggle, plead poverty, and make excuses, but he never dreamed that the other party would refuse so decisively and thoroughly, leaving no room for negotiation!
Su Yaoyang seemed not to see Chen Shijie's face, which had turned a deep purplish-red. He picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on the floating tea leaves, and then slowly raised his eyelids, looking calmly at the other person.

"Commissioner Chen, what you just said was very well said and very pleasing to the ear."

Su Yaoyang's tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather, "However, I have a few questions I'd like to ask."

"First, money. Does the Ministry of Military Affairs have money? Does Minister He have money? These planes of mine didn't come from thin air. Buying planes costs money, maintenance costs money, fuel costs money, and ammunition costs even more. Can Chongqing afford it? Or are they just going to give me another IOU that may never be honored?"

"Secondly, the personnel. Even if I give you the planes, who will fly them? Who will maintain them? I trained all my pilots and ground crew myself, and they work together seamlessly. If I give them to you, my flight squadron will fall apart."

"If you give me only airplanes and not my personnel, how can those bureaucrats at the Aviation Commission, who can't even operate an old Hawker, possibly operate a modern fighter jet?"

"The third and most important point."

Su Yaoyang put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and his gaze suddenly sharpened, piercing Chen Shijie's heart. "My flight squadron is fighting the Japanese in the sky right now, shedding blood and sacrificing for this country."

To forcibly dismantle a highly effective and meritorious army to fill a hole that has long been proven inefficient and corrupt. Commissioner Chen, tell me, is this truly contributing to the greater national cause, or is it playing a joke on the overall situation of the War of Resistance?

A series of rhetorical questions struck Chen Shijie's face like a series of resounding slaps.

Every question Su Yaoyang asked hit the nail on the head, leaving no room for argument.

Not only did he refuse, he also accused Chen Shijie of "sabotaging the War of Resistance"!
Li Zongren watched in stunned silence, then secretly rejoiced.

high! It’s really high!

He had thought Su Yaoyang would be in a dilemma, but to his surprise, this kid had neatly and decisively passed the buck back to him with just a few words, leaving the other party utterly humiliated. Such skill and boldness—he certainly didn't seem like a young man in his early twenties!
At this moment, Chen Shijie's face was deathly pale, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He stood there, unable to agree or disagree, and was extremely embarrassed.

Seeing Chen Shijie's face turn pale and then flushed in a variety of ways, Li Zongren chuckled inwardly, but on the surface, he had to step in and smooth things over.

He slammed his hand on the table, his face hardening, and reprimanded Su Yaoyang in a stern voice: "Mingxi... what are you saying! Commissioner Chen is representing the Ministry of Military Affairs, no matter what. How can you put Minister He in this position? How can you put the great cause of the War of Resistance against Japan in this position?"

These words sound like a reprimand, but they are actually giving both sides a way out.

Su Yaoyang understood immediately and followed suit. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Zongren, his tone filled with just the right amount of grievance and resentment.

"Commander Li, it's not that we don't respect the hierarchy among officers, it's just that some people have gone too far!"

Su Yaoyang's voice trembled slightly, "We fought the Japanese to the death on the front lines, shedding blood and sacrificing our lives. We finally achieved some results, but there are always people in the rear who can't stand to see us doing well and are eager to sabotage us! Who can we tell about the grievances we feel?"

These words, half true and half false, were extremely persuasive. They were addressed to both Chen Shijie and Li Zongren.

After saying that, he turned his head sharply, staring intently at Chen Shijie, and said decisively, "Commissioner Chen, please tell Minister He that he can have an airplane, but he must pay for it with real money! US dollars or gold are both acceptable! If he is still thinking of getting something for nothing, then you should leave!"

Their resolute attitude and sharp words completely shattered Chen Shijie's last shred of hope.

Chen Shijie knew that the matter of the plane was completely hopeless. Su Yaoyang was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and had even turned the tables on him. This mission was essentially a disaster.

But he was, after all, a seasoned veteran of the political arena, and he was unwilling to return so disgracefully. If the Air Force wouldn't come, what other options were there?
Besides airplanes, the Shanxi militia had something else that the entire Chinese army coveted: their incredible artillery!
Chen Shijie's mind raced, and the embarrassment and awkwardness on his face quickly faded, replaced by a businesslike expression. Since neither emotional appeals nor moral appeals worked, he might as well just talk business!

He cleared his throat, as if he weren't the one who had just lost face, and tentatively asked, "Since... since Commander Su has difficulties with the aircraft, then we won't force him to do anything against his will."

He abruptly changed the subject, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"However, I've heard that your artillery has also achieved remarkable feats. In particular, the 155mm 'Longlegs Tom' howitzers and the 105mm M2 howitzers are incredibly powerful and truly national treasures..."

Chen Shijie rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile spreading across his face, and asked, "I wonder... how much for these two types of cannons, Commander Su?"

"hiss……"

This time it was Su Yaoyang's turn to gasp. Looking at Chen Shijie's face-changing skills, he could only say one thing: "You deserve to be this specialist."

One moment they're being relentlessly attacked by their opponent, and the next they're flashing a fawning smile. If someone like that can't succeed, who can?

Although he was surprised, since they had asked, he had to answer: "A 155mm howitzer costs $50,000, and a 105mm howitzer costs $20,000. As for the shells..."

He thought for a moment: "A 155mm shell costs $100, and a 105mm shell costs $50."

He then added, "This is already the cost price; we can't lower it any further. If it's smoke grenades or flares, the price will be much higher, at least double or triple. Commissioner Chen, how many would you like to buy?"

Chen Shijie did not refute this point. He knew that Su Yaoyang was telling the truth, and that they were even selling to them at a loss.

It should be noted that Germany had previously sold 150mm howitzers (mainly the sFH 18 model) to the Nationalist government as important heavy firepower support equipment for the Chinese army at the time. Each howitzer cost 7 Reichsmarks, and each shell cost 250 Reichsmarks.

Please note... this is the price from 1930. If it were today, the price would be several times higher. Therefore, it is clear that Su Yaoyang's offer is absolutely a fair price.

After pondering for a long time, Chen Shijie finally gritted his teeth and stomped his foot: "Damn it, I'm done for. On behalf of the Ministry of Military Affairs, I would like to purchase thirty-six 155mm howitzers and sixty 105mm howitzers from you, with each howitzer equipped with 200 rounds of high-explosive shells."

This startled not only Su Yaoyang, but also Li Zongren.

Su Yaoyang stared at him for a while before asking, "No... old minister... are you all going to stop living like this? This is no small sum!"

It's no wonder Su Yaoyang asked that question. If it were true, the purchase of artillery alone would cost three million US dollars. If you add the shells, it would cost tens of millions of US dollars. Does the current Nationalist government have that much money?
Seeing the suspicious look in Su Yaoyang's eyes, Chen Shijie said with a wry smile, "There's no other way. The calls for heavy artillery from the front lines are getting more and more urgent every day. The Chairman has been so anxious that he hasn't slept well for several days. Even if we're poor, we have to get a batch of them, otherwise the front lines really can't hold on."

Upon hearing this, both Su Yaoyang and Li Zongren fell silent...

(End of this chapter)