It¡¯s Chinese New Year, and it¡¯s rare to see the capital Chongqing brightly lit.
Firecrackers, gongs and drums were heard to celebrate the series of victories achieved in the winter counterattacks such as the "Wujin Victory" and the "Kunlun Pass Victory". The jubilant people, regardless of gender, and forgetting their identities, rushed to the streets together, reveling and celebrating as hard as they could, shouting in unison: "Down with Japanese imperialism, destroy the Japanese aggressors, and return our country"
However, Chen Cheng had no time to celebrate, let alone go back to spend the New Year with his family. He had just finished checking the air defense measures of the security headquarters, and then drove through the streets and alleys in a speeding car, suddenly stopping in front of the gate of the "old thatched house" .
The attendant officer who had been waiting for a long time quickly opened the door of the car, stood aside and said respectfully: "Sir, sir, the commissioner is waiting for you at the official residence."
Looking at the majestic gate and listening to the sound of firecrackers and cheers at the bottom of the mountain, Chen Cheng was a little worried, fearing that the idiot security commander would make a mistake and not only fail to achieve the purpose of boosting morale, but would be self-defeating and ruin the city that was scarred by bombings. Adding insult to injury.
He took a deep breath, straightened his appearance habitually, and then followed the attendant officer into the door.
Chairman Chiang was wearing pajamas and facing the wall, meditating alone. The soft light in the living room shrouded his hairless head. Chen Cheng stepped into the threshold, involuntarily brought his legs together and raised his right hand in a military salute.
"Commissioner, it's so late and you haven't rested yet?"
"can not fall asleep!"
Chairman Chiang turned around, motioned for him to sit down, and said solemnly: "The war situation in Europe is unfavorable, and the Japanese side is taking advantage of it and constantly putting pressure on the French and Vietnamese authorities. Zi Lianggang sent a telegram saying that the Yunnan-Vietnam railway transportation is possible at any time If it is interrupted, minerals and raw silk cannot be exported, and urgently needed arms cannot be transported in. It is very worrying to think about it. "
The problem is more serious than imagined. Chen Cheng thought for a moment and then comforted him: "Isn't there still the Burma Highway? Commissioner, we have persisted for three years, and there will always be a way."
¡°It¡¯s a drop in the bucket!¡±
The Chairman sighed lightly and pointed to the telegram on the coffee table, "This is an urgent telegram sent by Liang Yugao as entrusted by Chen Jizu. As a bystander, he just walked from Kunming to Xiaguan and discovered a series of problems in southwest transportation. ¡±
The military committee's attitude towards Young Master Chen was very high-minded. He never expected him to do anything earth-shattering again. Chen Cheng was doubly surprised and quickly grabbed the message and read it under the light.
"Because vehicles from all over the country invariably crowded onto the Burma Highway, it not only formed a situation of 'all heroes coming together', but also a state of 'all heroes separatist rule'. Numerous democratic movement, military movement, international transportation and other organizations of all kinds are doing their own thing, and no one is in charge. No one can do it, resulting in an extremely chaotic situation.¡±
After Chen Cheng read this paragraph, he put down the message and said bitterly: "He has only been in office for a few days! He really dares to speak out."
"Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers," Chairman Chiang said expressionlessly: "What's more, he is still the honorary chairman of the Federation of Malayan Societies. He is qualified based on his future anti-war donation of five million yuan per month. make such an opinion."
¡°Federation of Malayan Societies?¡±
"The relief organization just launched by the five major surname companies in Penang, almost all gangs and societies in Malaysia with some history and strength have participated. It is mandatory to make monthly donations of three yuan per person per month. According to the report of the Nanyang Special Party Committee, within a short time after its establishment, In just two days, the amount of donations raised reached more than 3.8 million. Over time, it will surely surpass the 'Southern Overseas Chinese Association' and become the most powerful relief organization in Nanyang."
There are nearly two million Malay overseas Chinese. Each person has three yuan per month, which means that nearly 70 million donations can be raised every year. Chen Cheng was stunned by this figure and couldn't help but ask: "What about the money? Will they transfer it to the Ministry of Finance like the Nanqiao Association?"
Chairman Chiang became angry when he mentioned this, but who had the final say in whose hands the money was, so he had no choice but to say: "Three-quarters will be transferred to the Ministry of Finance, and the other quarter will be used as military expenses for the 28th Supplementary Training Division." , used solely by Chen Jizu."
A quarter is nearly 10 million!
Chen Cheng was completely dumbfounded. After being stunned for a while, he said cautiously: "Commissioner, his supplementary training department only has more than 2,000 people. Does it need so much funding?"
¡°Despite repeated persuasion from the Special Party Department and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council, the Federation of Societies still insisted on sending people back to China to participate in the war. Twenty thousand people came out as soon as they opened their mouths. It¡¯s really a poison to quench their thirst!¡±
On the issue of overseas Chinese returning to the country to join the war, the National Government's policy was similar to that of students. It believed that the country had a large population and there was no need to immediately recruit them to join the war. He also believes that the method of seeking medical treatment for sudden pulses and emergencies will only harm people, harm the country, and damage the lifeblood of the nation, and emphasizes the need to focus on the future.
Therefore, from the full outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War to the present, except forExcept for some urgently needed pilots, drivers and mechanics, there are few overseas Chinese in the country.
Preventing overseas Chinese from donating money and dying is a consideration, allowing them to stay abroad to provide blood transfusions for the Anti-Japanese War is also a consideration, but mostly it is because it is difficult to manage. After all, they have seen the world and their vision is higher than that of ordinary soldiers. They always dislike this and criticize that, and it is difficult for them to integrate into this relatively unfamiliar environment in the country. As a result, many young overseas Chinese went directly to the Eighth Army offices set up by the GCD in various places, and then transferred to Yan'an.
Chen Cheng realized that this matter was beyond Chairman Chiang's control, and said thoughtfully: "Commissioner, since they are determined to come, let them do the trouble, not to mention that it is not that easy to transport 20,000 people." , even if 20,000 people return to China, it will still be him, the King of Yunnan, who has a headache."
Chairman Chiang had a love-hate relationship with Mr. Chen and the "Federation of Malayan Societies" behind him. He loved him so much that he "picked up the slack" and used his powerful strength to enforce monthly donations. The extra year Tens of millions of donations for the Anti-Japanese War can greatly alleviate financial pressure; I hate that a quarter of the donations were lost to Master Chen, and even claimed that the weapons, equipment, military uniforms and uniforms of the 28th Supplementary Training Division were raised by themselves. In this way, What's the difference between him and the Caotou King who listens to the tune but not the propaganda?
Looking at that uncertain face, how could Chen Cheng not know what he was thinking, and then said: "Commissioner, although this is against the rules, they are still fundamentally different from the Yunnan Army and the Gui Army. At least they are fighting the war sincerely. , and they have no political appeal. When they return to Nanyang on the day of victory in the Anti-Japanese War, it is better to let them form an army generously than to separate millions of overseas Chinese. "
¡°As of now, that¡¯s all it can do.¡±
Chairman Jiang nodded slightly, and then changed the subject, "We can no longer ignore the question raised by the Political Participation Committee on the Southwest Transportation Department. You can arrange a time for Chen Jizu to come to Chongqing to deal with it, so as to relieve the external pressure on Ziliang. He concentrated on relocating hundreds of thousands of tons of supplies stranded in Haiphong."
"Yes, I will make arrangements when I get back."
"In addition, 300 graduates from the 16th batch of students from each branch will be transferred as soon as possible to enrich the 28th supplementary training office."
This matter is very important. Even if the committee members don't explain it, Chen Cheng will make the same suggestion. After thinking about it carefully, he asked: "As for the political training cadres, are they also drawn from each branch?"
"No need, the political training is still arranged by Guofu. After all, the Central Party Headquarters has a special branch in Nanyang. It is more convenient for him to handle it."
At the same time, Mr. Chen was at the Xiaguan Station of the Southwest Transportation Department to express his condolences to the repair shop, warehouse, and oil depot workers as well as the drivers of the Pioneer Group who stopped here to rest.
It was the Spring Festival, and he, the famous anti-war hero, came to this barren mountain to live and eat with him. The staff, officers and soldiers were so excited that they rushed to take photos with him.
"Brothers, I heard before I came here that when driving on the Burma Highway, you have to go through four hellish gates: miasma, muddy rain, dangerous roads, and Japanese bombings. There is a saying from ancient times that 'if you want to go to Mangshi Dam, you must first The theory of marrying off one's wife. Especially the falciparum malaria, which is known as "simmering one's head", causes nine out of ten people to die.
But you, every day, run on this road built by hundreds of thousands of hard-working Yunnan people with their sweat and even their lives, overcoming difficulties one after another, sending truckloads of much-needed weapons and ammunition to the front line, and making your contribution to the War of Resistance. huge contribution. You are all heroes, real heroes, no different from the soldiers who fought bloody battles with the Japanese at the front! "
Young Master Chen¡¯s words were sonorous and powerful, making everyone¡¯s blood boil with excitement.
A driver who was also from Penang squeezed next to him, held his hand tightly and said, "General Chen, we haven't done enough, and you are the real hero!"
"Yes, yes, General Chen, tell us how you killed Itagaki Seishiro."
"I disappoint you all." Young Master Chen said with a smile: "When Itagaki was killed, I was leading three battalions of nearly 2,000 people, cooperating with the officers and soldiers of the Jiangnan Guerrilla Zone of the Third War Zone to encircle and annihilate the main force of Gaoqiao. I don't have personal experience, so I can't just talk about it. But I I can tell you that the officers and soldiers of the Chen battalion, search team and artillery battalion who ambushed the Itagaki train are on their way here. You will have many opportunities to deal with them in the future, so you might as well ask them then. "
A driver asked in Penang dialect: "Is this Battalion Commander Chen Changlu?"
"You know him?"
A slightly childish face appeared in front of him and said timidly: "You and I are from the same hometown, and we are also from Penang. Battalion Commander Chen is my neighbor and has watched me grow up since childhood."
Young Master Chen was surprised. He stared at him for a while and suddenly asked, "What's your name?"
"Reportreportreport to General Chen, my name is LiLiLi Yueming."
As a man, growing upHe was too delicate, even his words were so girly. Seeing him deliberately avoiding his eyes, Master Chen smiled knowingly, "Little brother, I'm afraid the last person you want to see is Battalion Commander Chen, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the young driver from the vanguard brigade blushed and hid behind others. Zhang Yanyuan didn't know why, and asked sideways: "Why did you say this?"
To everyone¡¯s surprise, Young Master Chen actually sighed with emotion: ¡°In ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army for her father, and today, Li Yueming disguises herself as a man and returns to the country to fight the war. She is really a woman who cannot be outdone by men!¡±
"real?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes were focused on Li Yueming. Seeing her embarrassed look, Master Chen stepped forward, looked around the crowd, and said decisively: "Brothers, Although we have lost several battles, and we may lose again in the future, with passionate men like you and heroines like Miss Yueming, I firmly believe that we can win this war in the end!"