Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

While Craig's strategic vision might not quite match Franklin's, his emotional intelligence was definitely on point. After adjusting his posture, he tentatively said:

"Since the Chinese people haven't given up, the civilized world should provide them with all the assistance it can. I heard that Mrs. Chang's speech in Congress was very impressive and touched the hearts of many people. The government should expedite the implementation of the aid program."

Franklin smiled again; Craig's reaction was acceptable, deserving of a normal retirement.

"General Craig, this is far from enough. The Chang government is too inefficient and too autocratic, and cannot bear the heavy responsibility of resisting the Japanese in the Far East."

Craig understood Franklin's riddle and said, quite puzzled:

"Your Excellency, if I may be so blunt, General Zhao's guerrilla detachment has only two or three thousand men left, trapped deep within the encirclement of hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops. Whether they can escape Nanjing alive is still uncertain. Can he truly live up to the expectations of the United States?"

Franklin's smile remained enigmatic; there were many things he couldn't reveal too much. Who would believe that Zhao Yunwen had played a part in his ascension to the Eagle Palace?

He had already found out that the real power behind the incredibly wealthy Zhao family was Zhao Yunwen. How could a young man who could build a vast business empire without the US noticing possibly be trapped by the Japanese on his own turf?

"General Craig, General Zhao has just been promoted to lieutenant general and division commander. He is the eldest son and heir of the Zhao Group and has a lot of resources at his disposal."

Most importantly, the Zhao Group is based in the United States, and they have a strong affinity for the American system, making them the best candidates to counter Japanese expansion in the Far East.

We need allies like this. Now is precisely when he needs the US most. Offering help in times of need is always better than adding to someone's already good fortune.

Craig finally understood Franklin's idea and immediately said:

"Sir, how do you intend for me to help General Zhao?"

Franklin smiled slightly and said:

"It's not about helping, it's about cooperating! You can send Brigadier General Marshall to China, find General Zhao, and ask him what he needs. As long as it's about fighting against the evil alliance, we can cooperate on anything. The friendship of the United States comes without any conditions, it's free."

Craig was taken aback for a moment, then he and Franklin exchanged a knowing smile, looking just like two old foxes.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world; the more free something is, the more expensive it is.

Franklin then turned his gaze to Europe, the true center of the world, and the conversation naturally turned to the little mustache who was jumping the most enthusiastically.

"General, the old rules were set by Europeans and must be broken. They have been on the throne for too long. Only a global war can change the rules. Without destruction, there can be no construction."

The future world center is in North America, new rules will be set by the United States, Europe and China can become allies, the Japanese should be kept on their island, the Red Empire should be weakened without limit, this is the political structure of the future, and the US must become the leader of the civilized world…”

Japan's islands, the Demon Palace

Yu Ren's roar even made Mount Fuji tremble; anyone who didn't know better would think it was an earthquake.

"A disgrace to the empire!"

"You have completely disgraced me!"

"The Führer even began to doubt the Imperial Army's combat capabilities, which has affected the signing of the alliance. Those foreign newspapers made sarcastic remarks about the Imperial Army, and the Empire's face was completely lost."

"Konoe-kun, are you really incapable of handling such a small guerrilla unit?"

Faced with Yujin's probing questions, Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"Nakajima Kesago was too careless this time and Zhao Yunwen took advantage of him. This man is very cunning and is an extreme nationalist!"

Zhao Yunwen was like a cunning mouse, who liked to hide in dark corners and ambush the Imperial Army, but this time he was careless and completely exposed his whereabouts.

With only two or three thousand men, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of Imperial Army soldiers, they had no chance of escape!

Yu Ren's expression softened slightly, and he let out a cold snort:

"Tell the Imperial Uncle that we must not be careless. Zhao Yunwen is the Empire's number one enemy and we must eliminate him! We must find him alive or dead. The battle in Jinling cannot be left unresolved; we must wipe out the remaining enemy forces as soon as possible."

The great powers are all watching; the fate of the empire and my own reputation are now in the hands of my Imperial Uncle!

Konoe Fumimaro chuckled and turned to leave. The matter of the regimental flag was thus put behind them. Disbanding a regiment was nothing to worry about.

If needed, it wouldn't be difficult to bestow dozens more imperial gifts. In his view, the most urgent task was to eliminate Zhao Yunwen and suppress public opinion, which was no big deal for the hundreds of thousands of troops in the Central China Front Army.

In Jinling City, at Xiaguan, Zhao Yunwen was surprised to find himself promoted again. This time, the Military Commission was very generous, not only granting him the establishment of four regiments, but also allowing him to finalize the corresponding personnel positions, which he only needed to report to the Military Commission for record.

Since he had already formed eight groups, making adjustments would be too troublesome, so he could only wait until after breaking through.

Old Chang was kind enough to only let me guard for three days, and after that I could figure out what to do myself.

As for his slogan of vowing to live and die with Nanjing, few people believed it. Chiang Kai-shek was also reluctant to see the guerrilla column wiped out, so he gave Zhao Yunwen a way out.

These three days will be difficult to defend. His telegram was tantamount to slapping the Japanese in the face in front of the whole world, and Prince Asaka Kyuhiko will not let it go easily. The general offensive has not yet been launched simply because preparations are not yet complete.

Xie Polu came over with a gloomy face to report:

"Commander, the Japanese have suddenly intensified their offensive in the southern part of the city. Their opponent is none other than the 6th Division that massacred Quancheng!"

Upon hearing the name of the Sixth Division, Zhao Yunwen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, radiating murderous intent. His face turned cold as he said:

"Reply to Deputy Commander Zhou Zhenqiang and tell him to turn every street and every house in the southern part of the city into a tomb, either to bury the Japanese devils or to lie in it ourselves."

Xie Polu had never seen Zhao Yunwen issue such a ruthless order, not only to the enemy, but also to himself.

"What are you waiting for? Execute it immediately!"

"yes!"

Xie Polu finally snapped out of his daze. Without uttering any unnecessary words, he turned and left decisively, his back view exceptionally resolute.

In the southern part of the city, the sound of cannons boomed and bullets rained down. Bustling streets were reduced to ruins, and shops and houses were reduced to rubble. The ancient city, with its thousand-year history, stood stubbornly against the fierce cold wind.

Sergeant Zhu Dacai leaned against the broken wall, letting the shells whistle past his head, his eyes showing no emotion.

He was previously a sergeant squad leader in the 58th Division of the 74th Army. He retreated from Shanghai to the defense line, and then to the outskirts and inner city of Jinan. His comrades-in-arms changed wave after wave.

Over the past few months, he has witnessed too many life-and-death situations and is now numb to them.

He didn't understand any grand principles. When retreating into Nanjing, Commander Yu had boasted to everyone that he would live and die with Nanjing, but he ran away faster than a rabbit, leaving them all behind in the city.

The same goes for Zhao Yunwen now. He made them fight the Japanese to the death. None of these officers who came from Whampoa Military Academy are good people.

"You son of a bitch Zhao Yunwen, I curse you to have sons without an anus!"

Zhu Dacai spat out a mouthful of saliva, half of which was filled with dust.

The shells kept exploding, and Zhu Dacai could only vent his anger by cursing Zhao Yunwen. Fortunately, Zhao had some conscience; he provided enough food, and everyone even had a can of meat.

The gunfire finally stopped, and now it was time to risk his life. So he pulled out his only can of luncheon meat and ate it with gusto, determined to die a full meal, even if it meant dying a terrible death.

Private Liang Xiong also took it out, smelled it, and then stuffed it back into his pocket. He still couldn't bear to part with it; he had to leave himself something to remember it by, as it was like eating his last meal before his execution, which was considered unlucky.

Zhu Dacai had only seven soldiers by his side, who came from the Training Corps, the 74th Army, the 87th Division, and the Second Army Corps.

As expected of a veteran, Zhu Dacai's judgment was extremely accurate. The Japanese soldiers were coming, a huge, swarming mass. As the squad leader, he gave a cold shout:

"Prepare for battle!"