The Fourth Outstanding Person of Huangpu Military Academy

After graduating from the Intelligence School and before returning to China, He Zhonghan contacted Chen Tianheng again. Chen Tianheng stated that while he might not be able to join the Nanjing government's military, he might be able to work in other government departments. Since it was still unknown what department he could join, he decided to wait until he met with Chiang Kai-shek to discuss the details of his future plans.

So, He Zhonghan met Chiang Kai-shek and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, first as a runner for the diplomatic boss and then gradually moved up in the future.

If it rises further, where will it rise to? This is another unknown prospect. Of course, the role it can play is different in different positions.

Toulouse, a small city in southern France.

"Envoy Qi.

Qi Zhi, the Nanjing government's ambassador to France, was waiting for Zhang Qun and his entourage in Toulouse.

Qi Zhi was actually acting minister to France. The previous Chinese minister to France, Chen Lu, was dispatched by the Beiyang government and was loyal to the Beiyang Five-Colored Banner, disregarding the Sun and the Sun. After a year-long feud with the Nanjing government, Chen Lu was finally dismissed. However, it would take several months for a full-fledged minister to France to be dispatched from China, so Qi Zhi, the first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in France, was appointed acting minister.

"Director Zhang," Qi Zhi said, bowing as he saw Zhang Qun, "Have you encountered any obstructions or criticism from the French people in Paris and other parts of France these past few days?"

Zhang Qun: “I don’t think I’ve encountered that.

Qi Zhi: "That's good. There are quite a few left-wing people in France who have a favorable impression of the Guangzhou government. They may equate the Guangzhou government with the Paris Commune. If they knew you were diplomats from Nanjing, they might throw tomatoes at your car.

Zhang Qun: "No wonder the French government secretly invited the Communist Party in Guangzhou to come to France and even allowed them to secretly purchase arms."

"Director Zhang, how do you know this?

"Don't mention it. I ran into the two groups directly when I was inspecting Brandt Company," Zhang Qun waved his hand to indicate that he didn't want to mention it. "Minister Qi, Toulouse is where the French aviation industry and aircraft manufacturing companies are concentrated. The purchase of aircraft accounts for the largest proportion of the Republic of China's foreign purchases this time. I hope Minister Qi can help us place more orders for aircraft.

"The Ratkohl Company was a major aviation manufacturer during the European War, producing thousands of reconnaissance aircraft for the French Army. Their seaplanes were also very popular," Qi Zhi said. "But Ratkohl's aircraft are in short supply now. The aviation industries in Europe and the United States are developing so rapidly that they have a backlog of aircraft orders and can't keep up."

Zhang Qun: "If we want to get the plane quickly, do we have to pay more?

'That's generally true.

Zhang Qun: "That's great." After saying that, Zhang Qun took two steps closer and whispered into Qi Zhi's ear: "We'll have a detailed discussion with this Ratkel company then. There's room for maneuver."

Thank you

Toulouse in 1928 was like Paris. Due to the extremely prosperous financial industry, almost all industries flourished. The aviation industry was one of the most promising industries today. With a large amount of capital injected, various aircraft factories and aircraft parts production workshops continued to emerge in Toulouse. Engineers and technicians from all over France and even Central European countries were concentrating in Toulouse because it was easy to find jobs here and the salaries were high.

Qi Zhi: "The whole world is booming, and our country's industrial and commercial industries should also develop faster. Especially the aviation industry and aircraft manufacturing. If we can produce our own aircraft, then the development of industry will be a huge step forward for the country.

Zhang Qun: "Build it yourself, build it yourself. China is like that, what can it produce? It's better to buy it. If the Air Force waits for China's own aircraft, it will take forever."

Qi Zhi laughed, feeling somewhat helpless.

Zhang Qun: "Again... huh? What's going on?"

A violent quarrel broke out outside the restaurant where several people were sitting down to eat, followed by the sound of "crashing" and "banging". Someone was smashing the glass and the table.

Zhang Qun: "Ah, could it be those French left-wing people who are looking for trouble with the Chinese?

Qi Zhi listened carefully to the quarrel and shouting outside the door, and the translator was also listening. After listening for a while, the translator said: "It doesn't seem so. It's the left-wing French and the right-wing French who are fighting.

Zhang Qun shrank his neck: "Then we have to hide a little.

Qi Zhi: "Wait a minute, I understand everything. This isn't a fight between the left and the right; this is a conflict between French workers and German migrant workers."

Qi Zhi wanted to just sit and wait, but the conflict outside grew increasingly uncontrollable, and the restaurant door finally crashed open with a bang. Twenty or so French-speaking workers and staff swarmed in, and then a dozen or so German-speaking workers stormed into the restaurant lobby, chasing and beating the French.

A tall German-speaking worker, standing at 1 meters tall, with typical German looks, staggered and reeked of alcohol, clearly the top fighter among the German workers. He grabbed a French clerk, less than 7 meters tall, by the collar like an eagle catching a chick, lifted him up and tossed him. The clerk flew backwards, landing at the booth where Zhang Qun, Qi Zhi, and He Zhonghan were sitting, sending empty plates and glasses flying everywhere.

"Dirty Germans! Damn Germans!"

Georges-Jean Pompidou tried to stand up, but his waist seemed to be twisted and he could not move. He had to lie on his back on the dining table and cursed fiercely: "Otto! I will remember you! Otto Scholes! Don't let me get you in my hands again!"

"Envoy Qi, it seems that the conflict between Germany and France is quite deep.

After experiencing the terrifying moment in the restaurant, Zhang Qun said to Qi Zhi with lingering fear.

"Germany and France are sworn enemies," Qi Zhi said. "The French still remember the humiliation of having their Paris occupied by the Germans during the Franco-Prussian War. They also remember the pain of four years of bloodshed in the European War and the hatred of not being able to march into Berlin. And after the war, Britain's support for Germany and containment of France also made the French extremely unhappy. And Germany, after its defeat in the European War, lost a large amount of territory, paid huge war reparations, was suppressed internationally, and had its armaments severely restricted. The Germans' desire for revenge is now stronger than any other country.

He Zhonghan: "So when Marshal Foch heard the news of the final signing of the Treaty of Versailles, he said, 'This is not peace, this is a 20-year truce.' Another major war is inevitable in Europe, and it now appears likely to begin with German revenge. Just like the European war a decade ago, it will profoundly change the international situation."

Qi Zhi: "Zhonghan's prediction is very reasonable, but some people now believe that the next war will be between Europe and the Soviet Union... International diplomats and international political experts are currently divided on how the future will develop, and the debate continues.

He Zhonghan nodded, without stopping the work in his hands, and continued to write something in the small notebook he had just taken out.

Zhang Qun: "What is Zhonghan writing down?"

He Zhonghan: "Our delegation will visit France, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, and the United Kingdom—so many countries, it's a rare experience for anyone working in the diplomatic service. I plan to record my observations of high-level officials, grassroots life, and local customs and practices in these countries as a memoir."

Kharkov.

Chen Tianheng jumped out of the passenger seat of the truck and entered the Ukrainian Military District Headquarters in Kharkiv.

At the end of the Soviet Civil War, two military districts existed in Ukraine: the Kiev Military District and the Kharkiv Military District. In 1922, these two districts merged to form the Southwestern Military District, later renamed the Ukrainian Military District, with its headquarters in Kharkiv, responsible for managing all Soviet forces in Ukraine.

"Andrei Medvedev, a student in the Frunze Military Academy's Advanced Command Class, has arrived to report! I've been ordered to go to the Ukrainian Military District Command for internship!"

Chen Tianheng saluted the military district commander, Yona Yakir.

"Comrade Medvedev," Yakir looked at Chen Tianheng, "How old are you?

Chen Tianheng: “I am 22 years old this year.

"Wow. Chinese gays are all so young.

Chen Tianheng: "Comrade Commander, compared to your military rank, you were also very young when you served as the commander of the Kiev Military District.

"Oh, well," said Yakir, now 32 years old and actually a military district commander at the age of 25, "young comrade from the senior command class, I will now assign you to work at the Kyiv Military District General Staff.

The Chief of Staff of the Kiev Military District, General Pavlovich, was an old man. He was a major general in the Russian Empire. He was 56 years old this year, and his face was haggard from excessive drinking, which made him look older than his actual age.

"Comrade Medvedev," Pavlovich looked at Chen Tianheng, trying to connect this young, thin, and tall Asian face with the word "bear" (Medvedev), "for the next two months, you will be the Chief of the Operations Department of the General Staff.

"As commanded.

Pavlovich: “In fact, the military district operations department will not have any operational staff work for the next two months.

Chen Tianheng: "...Understood. The daily work of the Operations Department will be transferred to the military region's operational research and planning.

Pavlovich: “In fact, the military district staff has almost completed all the contingency plans for the operation.

Chen Tianheng wondered, could it be that Chief of Staff Pavlovich was looking for a drinking buddy?

Chen Tianheng: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I would like to conduct a theater-level combat simulation of Ukraine in the event of a powerful enemy attack on the Soviet Union.

"We've done a lot."

Chen Tianheng: "A simulation of the enemy advancing significantly in the early stages and occupying most of Ukraine."

"Yes.

Chen Tianheng: "Then, I will make a scenario where the enemy encircles Kiev, and Kiev's isolated army defends the city, trying to delay the entire territory of Ukraine being occupied by the enemy.

Chapter 13: Human Data from the Ukrainian Central Organization Department

Streets of Kharkiv.

The biggest emotion among people on the streets of the Soviet Union in 1928 was "relaxation".

Six or seven years had passed since the end of the Soviet Civil War, and Ukraine and much of the Soviet Union had been free of conflict for seven years. As the New Economic Policy neared its final stages, economic and industrial growth seemed somewhat lost. While this was a matter of concern for the upper echelons, for ordinary Kharkov workers, the greatest feeling was a comfortable life.

The Soviet army was now in a very relaxed state of mind. In 1928, the total strength of the Soviet Red Army was:

56.6 million people.

By the autumn of 1920, the Soviet Red Army had a strength of 550 million.

Although the Soviet Army still had 88 divisions on its roster in 1928, most of them were skeleton divisions with less than 3,000 men. The Soviet Union was now at peace.

This is also why when Chen Tianheng reported to Kharkiv, the Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Military District, Pavlovich, could not think of anything else that needed to be done by the Military District Staff.

Kharkiv is now the capital of the Ukrainian republic. Kyiv is not.

The reason why the capital was set in Kharkiv was that Kiev established the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1918, which was later destroyed. However, the city of Kiev is still close to the Soviet Central Committee. Only the loyal Kharkiv is the most suitable city for the capital of Ukraine in the revolution.

"Hello, this is the Operations Department of the Military District General Staff. I've been ordered to retrieve relevant industrial and transportation data from the Republic of Ukraine, as well as data on party members, mass organizations, and communities.

Chen Tianheng and two staff officers went to the Soviet Union government in Kharkov to do some business. The government receptionist took a look at Chen Tianheng's ID and the rank insignia on his uniform and let the three of them in.

"Hello, officer comrade. This is the Central Organization Department of Ukraine. How may I help you?"

Minister Nikita Khrushchev of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Ukraine said to Chen Tianheng with a smile.

Chen Tianheng also smiled and looked at Khrushchev for a while before saying, "I've been ordered to come to Ukraine to obtain data on the Party organizations and grassroots militias around Kiev and Kharkiv. I also need data on the maximum number of refugees Kharkiv can accommodate. This mainly involves the number of houses in Kharkiv and its surrounding areas, as well as the supply and storage of water and basic daily necessities. This data is related to a national defense mobilization plan and war preparation plan."

"There are 77 Party committees and 760 Party branches around Kharkiv, which control the main departments of Kharkiv city, Kharkiv's main factories and farms. The basic militia organizations are attached to the main factories and farms. In theory, we have established militia organizations in all factories and farms." Khrushchev did not read the information and reported the data orally.

Chen Tianheng: "Have you memorized all this data?"

Khrushchev said proudly: "Of course, this is the work of our Organization Department.

Chen Tianheng: "But I still want a written copy of the data, because many comrades in the General Staff will need it in their work.

Khrushchev asked the staff of the Organization Department to retrieve the files.

Chen Tianheng: "Comrade Khrushchev, you have an excellent memory.

Khrushchev: "Of course. When higher authorities conduct inspections and inquire, we must be able to answer these questions."

Chen Tianheng and Khrushchev continued to chat.

Khrushchev was also an extremely talkative person. In the office, the two of them talked about all sorts of things, and Khrushchev could always say a few words about any topic.

“I have another question that I’m not sure if I can get an answer to.

Chen Tianheng asked, "If a powerful foreign enemy invades and occupies a considerable portion of Ukrainian territory, will an organized anti-Soviet puppet army emerge among the residents of the enemy-occupied areas? If so, what scale would it be? What should we do to prevent or stop the formation of such a large-scale puppet army?"

Khrushchev: "Ah, this question is a bit beyond the line.

Chen Tianheng: "This is a topic that must be discussed clearly within the military region's general staff.

Khrushchev: "It depends on how bad the invaders are and how good our regime is.

"Although it's an answer without giving an answer, you said it very well." Chen Tianheng said.

Khrushchev: "What I just said actually crossed the line. It should be kept between you and me.

Chen Tianheng got the documents from the Organization Department, and the two staff officers also brought the government data requested by the General Staff Department. Chen Tianheng said goodbye and left He Tu's office.

The plan formulated by Chen Tianheng was actually similar to the combat plan for the Northeast region of the Anti-Soviet War planned by the General Staff in the 6s and 70s.

In the most severe simulation, after the Soviet army advanced from Outer Mongolia and occupied Beijing and Tianjin, the Northeast region and the interior were completely isolated. How should the Northeast play the greatest role in resistance at this time?

Ukraine is actually a little worse than Northeast China. Ukraine's border does not have the Greater Khingan Range...

But it’s not impossible to draft defense.

Ukraine's densely populated areas include the area around Kiev and the eastern region of Ukraine where Kharkiv is located. Assuming Kiev is about to be divided and surrounded by the enemy, allowing the area around Kiev to resist for as long as possible can delay the enemy's advance, that is, this area can be traded for the greatest possible time.

The plan was to first evacuate the non-combatant population of Kiev and its surrounding areas, temporarily to Kharkov and Kursk, Russia, and then to continue the withdrawal depending on the situation. Once the people were evacuated, Kiev's supplies would be evenly distributed among the regular army and the militia, at least providing enough food for a long time.

Then came the street fighting in Kiev. The satellite towns around Kiev, such as Makariv and Obukhiv, also needed to have the ability to rely on the town’s buildings and fight street fighting with the German army.

Whether these towns could independently engage in urban combat depended on the organizational and combat-ready capabilities of their regular military militias. These militias needed more than just rifles to train reserve troops; they also needed more powerful weapons. For example, in the 70s, 40mm rounds were ubiquitous among the militias in Northeast China and North China, and many militia divisions even had 85mm anti-tank guns.

Now let the militia units near Kyiv also train anti-tank gunners.

Yes, it’s always right to train.

If conditions permit, it would be best if these cities had a small arsenal that could produce its own bullets and grenades.

"Davarich, your plan is to turn Kiev and the 17 surrounding cities into fortresses during wartime?"

Pavlovich looked at Chen Tianheng's first version of the plan.

Chen Tianheng: "Yes, each city is an independent military stronghold that can be held for a long time. The enemy must incur certain casualties and time to capture this military stronghold. Specifically, if they want to capture this stronghold quickly, the enemy will suffer heavy casualties. If they want to capture this stronghold with minimal casualties, they will have to spend a lot of time, such as concentrating their most elite troops and sufficient heavy artillery in this small city."

Pavlovich: "If it can be implemented, this is certainly a good plan. When these military strongholds are besieged by the enemy and the enemy begins to struggle to attack the city, it is also the best opportunity for our troops outside the encirclement to launch a counterattack. Have you not considered this scenario of holding the city defenses, counterattacking from the outside, and then defeating the enemy?"

Chen Tianheng: "That's possible. But I still consider the worst case scenario, which is that our outer mobile forces are unable to launch a counterattack, or the outer mobile forces no longer exist.

"The mobile force no longer exists... then what's the point of continuing the war?

Chen Tianheng: "Yes. The mobile forces near Kiev no longer exist, but they still exist in places further away; or the mobile forces do not exist now, but given a certain amount of time, new mobile forces will emerge in the rear. All this Ukraine did was to buy time for the Soviet Union."

Pavlovich only asked a few questions, and after Chen Tianheng answered, he said nothing more. He only proposed a few minor changes to the first version of the plan, and the entire independent city defense strategy was basically implemented according to Chen Tianheng's plan.

"Commissioner Chen, a brief report on the domestic situation.

Chen Tianheng received a brief report on the situation in Kharkov, which was specially delivered to him by someone sent by the liaison office in Moscow.

The Nanjing government's showdown with the Soviet Union?

"Before October 10, China must take back the sovereignty of the Middle East Railway?

Chen Tianheng calculated the time. It was now August 1928, two months away from the deadline set by Chiang Kai-shek.