Chapter 270: It Seems Like a Lot, But It’s Not Enough! (First Update!)

"Island? Which island?" Xia Wei didn't react for a moment and looked at the other party blankly.

The Sichuan Army is going to attack the island?

Isn't the speed of this strength development really too fast?
Are they all capable of landing on the island and fighting?
"Which other island could it be? Isn't it Hainan Island?" Zhang Fakui looked at the other person as if he were an idiot.

"Ah? Hainan Island?" Xia Wei was stunned.

"Where did he get the navy from? No, could it be that the Allied forces are attacking us?"

Although Xia Wei sounds very impressive, as the commander-in-chief of the 16th Army Group and a new famous general of the Guangxi clique, he actually has very few channels to obtain intelligence.

He didn't even know that the Sichuan Army had a navy.

In fact, not many people know about this.

After all, the Sichuan Army acted very covertly, and not many people knew that the Siamese navy was controlled by the Sichuan Army.

“Since the Sichuan Army dares to make such a proposal, it must be confident. Although the Sichuan Army rose very quickly, it grasped every step very cleverly. It used the Battle of Tonggu to severely damage a Japanese battalion, and then came into the sight of the Allied Command and became a direct unit. After that, it used the support of the US military to rise rapidly.” Zhang Fakui had carefully studied the history of the rise of the Sichuan Army during this period, so he could come up with it easily.

"Commander Zhang, there is still one question I don't understand until now, and that is why the Allied Forces want to classify the Sichuan Army Corps as a direct-affiliated unit, when the Expeditionary Force obviously has so many troops." Xia Wei said with a confused look on his face.

Hearing this, Zhang Fakui suddenly understood why Li Bai and the other man wanted the other party to stay in Guangxi Province, and they were not even worried that the other party had other intentions.

Just from these words, it can be seen that this guy has no political acumen at all.

"It's very simple. The expeditionary force is nominally under the command of the Allied Command, but in reality? It's still remotely controlled from the mountain city. Otherwise, what would have retreated to Imphal would not just be the New 38th Division and the remnants of the New 22nd Division that could not be withdrawn." Zhang Fakui sneered.

Although he looked down on the man from Shancheng, he did have some skills.

He was convinced of this.

"So no one could command the nominal Allied Command. It just so happened that the Sichuan Army, which was of ragtag origin, appeared in the enemy's sight. Anyone who was not a fool would definitely try to win them over. I didn't expect that the commander of the Sichuan Army grasped the opportunity so well, using the support of the US military to get to where he is today." Zhang Fakui's words were full of admiration.

It is rare for someone so young to have such a sophisticated grasp of timing.

He is worthy of being a descendant of a noble family.

If Cun Yun was born here, he would be so happy that he would be at a loss.

What was the point of seizing the opportunity? It was nothing more than thinking about finding a backer for the Sichuan Army at that time. Otherwise, when they returned to Nantianmen, they would be swallowed up or even become cannon fodder.

The example of Long Wenjian is right in front of us. No matter how well he fights, without any backing, he will always be cannon fodder.

Other people’s military salaries were in dollars, but they were paid in paper bills, and even their weapons were in tatters.

It was with this idea in mind that when Stilwell extended the olive branch, he immediately accepted it.

"Oh, what a pity! If we could also rely on the Americans and equip ourselves with American equipment, it would be really useful." Xia Wei couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Fakui looked at the other person deeply, not knowing whether the other person was really stupid or pretending to be stupid.

I made it so clear.

He didn't understand?

My current situation is very similar to that of Stilwell at that time.

Even though he has three army groups under his command, none of them is his own direct troops.

In other words, his direct troops were either betrayed or reorganized.

The only ones left are the guards around him.

"Xu Cang, do you want to become a famous general?" Zhang Fakui suddenly asked a soul-searching question.

Hearing this, Xia Wei was stunned. Isn't this question nonsense?

Who doesn’t want to be a famous general?
"I think we can cooperate with the Sichuan Army." Zhang Fakui said while looking at the map.

"At present, the combat area of ​​our Fourth War Zone is the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, and Hainan Island is also our combat area. If we can recapture Hainan Island, then you and I will become famous generals."

Hearing this, Xia Wei was stunned. This was indeed true.

The key issue is that without the navy, the so-called landing operation is just a joke.

and many more!

Since Zhang Fakui said this, does it mean that the Sichuan Army has warships?

Xia raised his head suddenly and stared at Zhang Fakui.

"Yes, it's just what you think. As far as I know, the Sichuan Army does have warships." Zhang Fakui admitted it directly when he saw the other party looking at him.

"How can a ragtag army like him have a navy?" Xia Wei said in disbelief.

You know, even the Guangxi clique doesn’t have a navy.

Among all the local miscellaneous armies, only the former Northeast Army had its own navy.

But it had already been swallowed up.

As for the Fujian Navy, they are a separate system and have nothing to do with the miscellaneous army.

It is really incredible that a navy that the Guangxi clique did not even have appeared in a ragtag army that had only risen for less than half a year.

"Have you ever seen a motley army of fully armed soldiers?"

"Have you ever seen a ragtag army with dozens of fighter planes?"

"Have you ever seen a ragtag army of dozens of warships?"

Three rhetorical questions in a row made Xia Wei completely withdrawn.

What he didn't expect was why Zhang Fakui knew so much?

Perhaps seeing his confusion, Zhang Fakui chuckled.

"You can even place people in my headquarters. Do you think it's strange that I know this?"

Hearing this, Xia Wei showed a trace of embarrassment on his face, and then asked in confusion.

"If the Sichuan Army knew that you deliberately arranged people..."

"Wait, what do you mean I arranged it on purpose? Don't slander me. It's just that some of my old subordinates were poached by the Sichuan Army Corps for some reason. They wrote to me some time ago, and I just found out about this." Zhang Fakui felt it necessary to clarify, otherwise, it would be difficult to explain himself.

Hearing this, Xia Wei understood instantly and had no intention of asking further questions.

Because, in the entire Fourth War Zone, Zhang Fakui has too many students and old friends.

Otherwise, he would not be able to command the other two armies.

"Do you mean to cooperate with the Sichuan Army?" Xia Wei continued to ask.

"We can try, otherwise it will be impossible for us to retake Hainan Island on our own." Zhang Fakui shook his head and said.

Xia Wei did not refute this statement. They could only defend passively now. It would be difficult for them to take the initiative to attack, repel the Japanese army, and completely recover the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.

The elite troops of the Gui army are all in the border area between Hubei, Henan and Anhui provinces.

The troops left behind in Guangxi Province are all second-line troops, and their combat effectiveness has seriously declined.

Even though the Guangxi clique leader Li Bai and his two brothers tried their best to get a lot of American weapons and equipment, the quantity was still too small. This is why he took the initiative to contact the other party after learning that the Sichuan Army had taken Hanoi.

"What about the other two army groups?" Xia Wei looked curious. Normally, he should discuss it with the commanders of the other two army groups.

Who knew that Zhang Fakui would sneer.

"Humph, do you want them to take away this credit? Use it as a qualification for promotion?"

"Or are you planning to let them share some of the credit?"

Naturally, Zhang Fakui would not show much favor to these two armies.

"Of course they are unwilling to share the credit for the landing operation, but if we don't share the profits from the rice business with them, it will be difficult to complete it smoothly. Although they have the mountain city behind them and the mountain city pays their salaries, paper money that is too hard to even wipe one's ass will not be as useful as dollars." Xia Wei had a thorough understanding of this point.

It’s mainly these ragtag troops. They may not have much vision in other areas, but when it comes to business, their sense of smell is definitely very sensitive.

"Captain Zhang, you are really a layman when it comes to doing business. If you don't bring them with you, I'm afraid this business cannot be completed. After all, no one dislikes having a lot of money." Xia Wei advised again.

Ok!

about this point!
Zhang Fakui also felt that what the other party said made sense.

Indeed, no one dislikes having too much money.

Thinking of this, Zhang Fakui nodded.

"I will discuss it with them, but for other areas, you need to write to Li Bai and the others. Without them, it will be difficult to open this road."

"No problem. I will write to Commanders Li and Bai personally. I believe they will agree. After all, no one will refuse rice, money, and weapons and equipment." Xia Wei also knew the ambitions of Commanders Li and Bai.

After the wars in the past few years, the strength of the Guangxi clique has been greatly weakened. Now that there is an opportunity to strengthen the strength of the Guangxi clique, it will naturally not be missed.

"Okay, leave the other two to me." Zhang Fakui nodded.

…………

"Sure enough, no one can resist the temptation of money, rice, and arms." Cun Yunsheng looked at the telegram in his hand and couldn't help but chuckle.

However, Meng Fanle next to him was not so optimistic.

"Commander, it shouldn't be that smooth, right?"

Hearing this, Cun Yunsheng glared at him unhappily. This guy has a bad mouth.

Don’t you know how to say a few nice words?

"Go away, go away. How can you talk like that? Don't you hope for better things?" Cun Yunsheng wanted to kick him.

"No, I mean this line is too long. It's too difficult to transport so many hungry people." Meng Fanle shook his head and explained.

"It is indeed very long, but as long as people see hope of survival, they can hold on no matter how long it takes. The only thing we are afraid of is not seeing hope, that would be really fatal." Cun Yunsheng also felt that this road was very long, but as long as we give those hungry people hope, he believed that they would be able to survive.

"So, we need to use huge profits to pave the way. Money, rice, and arms. I believe that the warlords along the way will definitely not refuse these three things. They are all hard currencies."

"But the price is too high. We have worked so hard to accumulate this little fortune." Meng Fanle said with some heartache.

"When money disperses, people gather; when money gathers, people scatter." Cun Yunsheng looked at it calmly. Although the cost was a bit high now, he believed that it would solve a lot of troubles in the future.

"Well, it has to be you, you are so magnanimous." Meng Fanle couldn't help but give a thumbs up. With this kind of magnanimity, his leader was definitely far superior to many people.

Hearing this, Cun Yunsheng couldn't help but burst into laughter, and then said with a smile.

"Okay, it looks like a lot, but it's actually not that much. Rice is harvested three times a year here, so the last thing we lack is rice. And so many natives were thrown to Stilwell. The extra food is enough to feed millions of starving people."

"As for weapons and equipment, the captured Japanese, British, and French equipment can all be sold, and the production capacity of military factories is constantly expanding. I believe that all our problems will be solved soon."

Seeing Cun Yunsheng's confident look, Meng Fanle also felt much more relaxed.

"Next, the military factory will be handed over to Fetig. I believe he will not let us down. What we have to do is to organize landing training and combat." Cun Yunsheng looked at the map, and his tone became much more serious.

"Commander, most of our soldiers are landlubbers. They have hardly ever been to a river, let alone the sea." Meng Fanle asked worriedly.

"I know, that's why we have to intensify island landing training and operations. Don't forget, we still have to land on Luzon Island." Cun Yunsheng also knew that island landing training was troublesome. Not only did they have to become familiar with the water, but they also had to strengthen coordination with the navy.

You can't let the navy's guns fire at their own people, right?

"Let the navy come as soon as possible and deliver a batch of rice. Let them sail along the coastline and not into the deep sea. Be careful of Japanese warships." Cun Yunsheng reminded.

He only had these few shabby warships, and he would be heartbroken if he lost one.

Therefore, every time when transporting rice and needing naval escort, they are asked to sail close to the coastline.

"Yes." Meng Fan nodded, then asked in confusion.

"Which troops do you plan to send to participate in the island landing combat training?"

The main force of the New 1st Regiment was stationed in Bangkok with the purpose of monitoring the Japanese troops in Borneo.

Once the follow-up troops arrive, a new offensive will be launched.

The original Sichuan Army consisted of only ten infantry battalions, a tank regiment, and a Krupp heavy artillery regiment.

As well as Lin Yi who stayed in Myitkyina, and three supplementary regiments.

That's right!

Lin Yi in Myitkyina did not stop during this period and was in charge of training the supplementary regiment.

These supplementary regiments are basically composed of new recruits.

There are more than 6,000 people, and they don't have many weapons and equipment, but they are enough to suppress the surrounding natives.

In the hands of Long Wenjian in Yangon, there is only one elite force, which is equipped with American weapons. It is composed entirely of Chinese people from Myanmar and has good combat effectiveness.

This is the current full strength of the Sichuan Army.

It seems like a lot, but in fact they are all scattered.

There is also an unstable factor, the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces, the 4th Division.

There are about 30,000 people, but they have no intention of fighting and are only interested in training the natives to earn training fees.

It is impossible to let them fight.

Even suppressing the indigenous peoples requires money.

If the price is too low, I won’t agree at all.

So it can be ignored.

It was precisely because of these considerations that Meng Fanle asked whether to re-organize a landing combat force or to transfer another force over.

"Let me think about it again." Cun Yunsheng rubbed his head. It seemed that there were a lot of troops, but in fact, they had to be used everywhere.

"Commander, there is one more point. We don't have any officers who can conduct landing operations." Meng Fanle asked another soul-stirring question.

Now Cun Yunsheng’s head became even more confused.

Landing operations are different from land combat and must be taught by professionals.

(End of this chapter)