While Xu Rui was interrogating the Japanese prisoners of war, the annihilation of the 10th Division continued to be discussed internationally. However, the first to learn of the news were the military attachés and embassy personnel of Western countries stationed in China.
Stilwell just returned to the United States some time ago and just returned to Wuhan not long ago.
Stilwell returned to the United States this time to report to President Roosevelt systematically the details of the Sino-Japanese War.
Due to geographical relations, the strategic focus of the United States has always been in Europe. However, since the beginning of the 20th century, as the United States has become stronger and stronger, it has also begun to pay more and more attention to Asia. In addition to focusing on developing relations with Japan, it has also focused on China. has also become more and more important, especially investing heavily in education.
The U.S. government even dedicated more than 10 million U.S. dollars from the Boxer Indemnity to help China establish education. This has also become a major example of the U.S. helping China that many public elites will talk about in later generations. In fact, the reason why Americans do this is not It is out of so-called international friendship, and not because China has lost too much money that the US government is embarrassed to return it. In fact, the US government is trying to control China from the educational level!
James, the president of the University of Illinois in the United States, said in a memorandum to President Roosevelt that any country that can educate this generation of Chinese young people will be able to achieve success in this area because of its efforts. Spiritual and business impact to get the most bang for your buck.
It can be seen that the reason why the Americans returned the Boxer Indemnity to help China establish education is basically to cultivate Chinese elites to control China's development. In fact, the Americans have indeed done this. Due to the expenditure on culture and education, the United States has China's influence lasted for a hundred years. Until the 21st century before Xu Rui's time travel, there were still many public elites in China who worshiped the American model.
So the old saying is still true. There is no hatred for no reason in this world, and there is no love for no reason. There have always been only eternal interests between countries, and there has never been eternal friendship. The United States has indeed helped in history. China, but they all have their own agenda. We can be grateful, but we don’t have to bear the shackles of morality at all.
Closer to home, after returning to the United States to report to Roosevelt, Stilwell was sent back to China.
As a result, not long after returning to China, it happened to coincide with the Battle of Wuhan. The embassies or offices of Western countries in China would also follow the Nationalist Government and move to Chongqing, the capital.
When Cherev, the Soviet minister to China, walked into the U.S. office, Stilwell was packing his luggage.
Cherev stepped forward directly to stop Stilwell and said urgently: "Joseph, my friend, stop cleaning up! Something big happened on the battlefield in central Anhui. The Japanese 10th Division was completely wiped out by the Independent Regiment!"
Stilwell's hands, which were packing his luggage, immediately stopped.
After a long while, Stilwell said in disbelief: "Cherev, what did you just say?"
Cherev said: "Didn't you listen to the radio? The Japanese Tenth Division was completely wiped out by the Independent Regiment in Dameishan!"
"Oh, my God, oh, my God." Stilwell crossed himself twice on his chest and said repeatedly, "This is really unbelievable. Xu Rui, with just one regiment, actually annihilated the Japanese army." A division, and it was completely wiped out? This is really crazy, people can’t believe it is true.”
Cherev said: "I couldn't believe it when I first heard the broadcast. I thought Xu Rui was just bluffing, but the news from Nanjing that the 10th Division was wiped out was actually true! God, It’s really hard to believe that the Dameishan Independent Regiment actually wiped out the Japanese Tenth Division, which was a division!”
Although the Zhang Gufeng incident broke out not long ago between Japan and the Soviet Union, the situation was quickly calmed down by the Japanese army's concession, so the two countries did not really break up. The Soviet Union also sent observers in Nanjing to track the progress of the Japanese army. So it is easy to verify from the intelligence.
Stilwell had just returned to China and had not yet handed over all aspects of work, so he did not know.
At that moment, Stilwell stopped packing his luggage. The two found a cafe and began a secret conversation.
The annihilation of the 10th Division is not a trivial matter. This will inevitably trigger a series of chain reactions internationally. Therefore, Cherev and Stilwell have to sit down and blend. Even if the United Kingdom cannot join it, they must also ensure that the United States The Soviet Union and the Soviet Union remained consistent in their stances and exerted maximum pressure on the Japanese government.
Regarding the stance on the China incident, the United States and the Soviet Union were basically the same.
Stilwell said: "We, the U.S. government, have decided to intervene in the Chinese incident on a limited basis, provide certain assistance to the Nationalist government, and at the same time urge the Japanese government to stop frontal attacks."
Cherev sneered in his heart. The Japanese government was no longer able to maintain offensive operations and had to turn to political inducement to surrender. At this time, the U.S. government came forward to urge the Japanese government to stop the frontal offensive. It completely wanted to be a **** and build a tomb. Occupying the moral high ground, he made a fortune doing business with Japanese students.
At that moment, Cherev said: "My friend, if the U.S. government can only do this, please forgive me, the collapse of the National Government may be unavoidable. The Japanese government is currently in financial difficulties and has become unsustainable, but with Japan's With its industrial manufacturing strength, it will take at most two years to recover.”
"But the Nationalist Government has lost its coastal areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which has led to the depletion of tax sources. Coupled with the rampant rebellion, its finances will only become more difficult. Two years later, when the Japanese army launches another offensive from the frontal battlefield, the Nationalist Government will be completely defeated. , by that time, no one will be able to stop Japan from annexing China, not even our Soviet Union, and neither can you, the United States."
Stilwell was silent for a long time. If he had followed his original intention, the U.S. government should directly provide huge military aid to the Chinese Communist Party. It would not only help the Chinese Communist Party create industry in the northwest region, but also provide sufficient military aid to the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army on the battlefield behind enemy lines. weapons and equipment to help them defeat the Japanese army.
This time the independent regiment completely wiped out the Japanese Tenth Division, once again proving that the Chinese Communist Party was much more reliable than the Kuomintang.
After helping the Chinese Communist Party drive away the Japanese army, the U.S. government will also help the Chinese Communist Party win political power. This will win the firm friendship of the new Chinese government. With China as its base, the United States will have a solid fulcrum in Asia in the future. , it will be much easier to control Asia through China.
It's a pity that Stilwell was just a military attache stationed in China and was not enough to influence Washington's decision-making.
Influenced by isolationism, Roosevelt did not adopt Stilwell's advice.
Seeing that Stilwell remained silent, Cherev added: "Once China is merged into Japan's territory, with Japan's industrial strength, China's vast territory and massive resources, there will be countless sweat workers to exploit, and the new Japan will soon grow into a giant capable of threatening the entire world."
"At that time, it will not only be our Soviet Union that is threatened by Japan, but also your United States. Don't think that your United States will be fine if it is far away on the other side of the Pacific. By then, Japan will be able to build a superpower in a short period of time that will exceed the size of the United States and Britain combined. Navy, directly threatening the west coast of the United States."
Stilwell said: "I understand what you are saying, but you should know that there is inertia in a country's policies, and it takes time for our US government's strategic shift to change."
Cherev said: "But don't expect us, the Soviet Union, to do all the dirty work. We, the Soviet Union, have done enough to intervene in the Chinese incident. Next, it's up to you, the United States, to contribute. If you are really serious, We should make good use of the fact that the Japanese 10th Division was wiped out to make a big fuss."
"Okay." Stilwell finally nodded, "I will write a report to the country on this matter, and then fully elaborate on my views again, but whether this report can help the U.S. government completely get rid of isolationism, I I can’t guarantee that, our United States is not like your Soviet Union, the big guys in the Senate are too difficult to serve.”
Cherev knew that Stilwell could only do this, so he exposed it.
After talking about the business, the next topic became more relaxed. Cherev said: "In two months, I should return to China, but before returning to Moscow, I want to go to Meizhen. There is an old saying in China: It's better to meet than to be famous. I want to see with my own eyes Xu Rui, who has repeatedly created miracles on the battlefield. I wonder if you are interested in going with me?"
"Going to Plum Town?" Stilwell said, "That's great. I've actually wanted to go to Plum Town for a long time."
"Really?" Cherev said, "That's great, let's set off tomorrow."
Stilwell said: "I have an appointment to meet with Chairman Chiang Kai-shek tomorrow, but I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. How about leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Okay, let's leave the day after tomorrow." Cherev shrugged and added, "While there is still some time, we have to quickly prepare some greeting gifts. Chinese visitors have to bring gifts. We do as the Romans do, and we can't go empty-handed. , my friend, what do you think we should prepare as a meeting gift?"
Stilwell said: "The Dameishan Independent Regiment has fought so many victorious battles and must have captured a lot of Japanese weapons and equipment, so they will not be short of weapons and equipment. If possible, provide them with machinery from a small chemical plant or a small steel plant. I believe Xu Rui will like the equipment, but it’s a pity that we can’t provide it.”
Cherev said: "Aren't you talking nonsense?"
Stilwell said: "So, why not bring some medicines, and if possible, some doctors. I believe that the Dameishan Independent Group is in urgent need of medicines and doctors, and these are exactly what we need." What we can provide is, as the saying goes, free of charge, what do you think?"
Cherev said: "Then bring medicine and a doctor."
After a pause, Cherev rubbed his hands again and said, "I'm really looking forward to meeting Xu Rui this time." (To be continued.)