Chapter 513: Crisis at the Meeting (Combined)

After Minister He held talks with Chen Cheng and Xue Yue, he told his Adjutant to go and see if Principal Chang had finished talking with Chen Jiageng!

After the Adjutant went out to busy himself for a while, he came back to report that Mr. Chen Jiageng had already finished talking with Principal Chang.

"Adjutant Li, go and have a word with Mr. Chen Jiageng."

"After lunch... I would like to have a talk with him."

"Yes!" Adjutant Li nodded.

At lunchtime, Mr. Chen Jiageng arrived at Minister He's reception hall on time!

And just at this moment, a voice suddenly came from the meeting hall: "The Principal has arrived!"

"I, old Wang, am no fool!"

Some Regimental Commanders did not obey orders and did not head to the designated locations to intercept the Japanese Army.

However, Long Yun could not get away in Yunnan Province and did not head to the front lines, nor did he send anyone to command the troops.

The Northeast Army generals gathered in one cluster, and the generals of the three Chuan armies gathered together.

Even for the salaries of General Officers, this was a forty percent cut.

And to comprehensively summarize the successes and failures of both the Chinese and Japanese sides in the two years since the war began, providing a reference for the overall situation of the War of Resistance to come.

The economy of the National Government had actually become this difficult!

This truly moved him somewhat.

Upon hearing this!

Always liked to steal the leftovers from the table and then take them away.

Their income was far inferior to that of the real-power generals leading troops on the front lines!

The Military and Political Department's canteen cooked for these Staff Officers, and they could eat for free.

Seeing the two of them express their positions one after another, Sun Zhen also felt much more at ease in his heart.

Of course, Wu Hao, Ye Yiwei, and others were also attending this meeting!

The main purpose of this meeting was not to review the Wuhan Battle, but to comprehensively sort out the combat situation ahead.

"After I go back, I will find a way to get some for the National Government!"

This meeting would very likely weaken the local forces in the Southwest region, so he let the two of them have less contact with the people from the Central Army.

"Next, we will begin the first agenda item."

Even the New Third Army, after arriving at the battlefield, refused to execute the orders of the Nanjing Command.

"Even some Major General officers of the National Government cannot even support their own families on their salaries alone."

Because his salary was truly not enough to support his family!

Subsequently, Minister He took the stage and began to speak.

If he were forbidden from taking leftovers back, his wife and children would have no choice but to go out onto the streets to beg.

This was clearly weakening the strength of the Yunnan Army.

Wang Lingji and Yang Sen knew which side to stand on.

"It seems I thought wrong!" Lu Han fretted inwardly.

"Mr. Chen, we are in urgent need of arms and ammunition now; I wonder if you could help us get some."

Moreover, the entire army cut off its radio contact with the outside world, and at the same time, it did not conduct radio contact with the other two armies of the Yunnan Army.

Yang Sen, who was to the side, also nodded: "Old Sun, don't you worry."

"What kind of life Tang Shizun is living now, and what kind of life I am living now, I understand."

After Lu Han analyzed it deeply, he felt that the Chuan Army had the strongest momentum!

According to Principal Chang's personality, he would definitely take action against the Chuan Army; his own Yunnan Army probably would not have any major problems.

Chen Jiageng pondered for a moment: "Regarding arms and ammunition, I can only do my best!"

This led to the First Group Army being left without a leader, the troops falling into chaos, and the army, division, brigade, and regiment units each acting on their own!

Some Regimental Commanders claimed they had not received orders and would not go to the front lines;

The current difficulty of the Republic of China Government!!

"Mr. Chen!" Minister He continued: "You have raised funds for the National Government in Nanyang and donated to the country."

Everyone was also talking among themselves, and the Central Army generals gathered in a cluster.

There were also the Division Commanders, Brigade Commanders, and others of the New Third Army who were executed by firing squad directly outside the meeting room.

"Dealing with the Yunnan Army issue still requires Long Yun to state his position!"

"This is improper command by the leadership!"

"He even regrets a little now that he didn't stand on our side."

Now everyone is living very comfortably; life is good, and they have money when they need money and troops when they need troops.

Regarding this, Minister He had no choice but to continue: "Since that is the case, I will report here."

Once accustomed to a good life, anyone with a normal brain knows how to choose when it comes to living a hard life again!!

Wang Lingji assured Sun Zhen: "Brother Sun, don't you worry, I have a plan in mind."

"For this meeting, we have several agenda items that need to be discussed emphatically."

Once the Army Commander, Division Commanders, and Brigade Commanders of the New Third Army were all executed by firing squad.

"Coupled with the impact of the war, the National Government's finances are almost bankrupt, and prices are soaring today."

He was afraid that Principal Chang would adopt forceful measures and directly order the Military Police to drag Zhang Chong away;

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Yunnan Army, Long Yun, is a member of the Military Affairs Commission and also a Committee Member of the Nanjing Command."

"Although I have been promoted to Commander of the 27th Group Army, the National Government still issues me supplies according to the scale of one army."

"The war has been going on for two years; regarding our fighting against the Japanese Army, please speak freely about any shortcomings or areas worthy of reflection."

Without comparison, there is no harm; now that the Sichuan Army is so wealthy, who would be willing to get mixed up with the National Government!

Minister He pondered for a moment and continued, "First, during the Wuhan Battle, the discipline of the Yunnan Army was lax."

Once the New Third Army is seized by Principal Chang, it will greatly weaken the strength of the Yunnan Army.

In the time that followed!

Principal Chang presided over the supreme military conference at Hengshan in Hunan Province.

Because Principal Chang, Xu Yongchang, Minister He, Bai Zhuge, and others had not yet arrived.

To jointly resist the National Government's plan of division and disintegration!

Nowadays, the various warlords within Sichuan Province, ever since the last time they were frank with each other and obtained what they each wanted.

"During the Xuzhou Battle, I was in the south and had brief contact with Tang Shizun."

"Hello, Mr. Chen!"

"At present, I really have no way to obtain military supplies."

Previously, he had heard of the Hengshan military conference, and that Principal Chang was very likely to take action against the armed forces in the Southwest region.

The Nanjing Command reactivated the designation of the First Group Army and granted it to the 30th Army Corps of the Yunnan Army, under the jurisdiction of the 9th War Zone.

"According to the latest order from the Military Affairs Commission, in view of the performance of the Yunnan Army on the Wuhan Battlefield, the following decision is made."

Lu Han decided to resist to the end, but he was also somewhat afraid in his heart.

The Nanjing Command revoked the designation of the First Group Army two or three months after the Wuhan Battle began.

Numerous officers stood at attention!

After Principal Chang entered the conference room, he came to his seat and sat down.

In an instant, everyone in the conference hall also kept their mouths shut, with no one taking the initiative to speak.

Principal Chang reached out his hand, signaling everyone to sit down.

The New Third Army, which Long Yun had spent a vast amount of money and grain to build, would be making wedding clothes for someone else.

When the term "Yunnan Army" was mentioned, Minister He's gaze also fell upon Lu Han.

At the beginning of the meeting!

Two War Zone Commanders entered the venue, and various Group Army Commanders, Army Commanders, Division Commanders, and others immediately entered the venue and took their seats.

Then, according to the typical behavior of the Nanjing Command;

The positions of this batch of executed officers would certainly be filled by officers from Whampoa.

Lu Han, standing to the side, felt his heart tremble every time Minister He spoke a point.

The Sichuan Army group chatted with each other, and Sun Zhen also leaked information to Wang Lingji and Yang Sen.

With a formidable enemy at the gates, the Nanjing Command immediately telegraphed Long Yun, ordering him to go to the front line to command the troops immediately.

"It seems this meeting really is a Hongmen Banquet!"

He then asked the generals present to discuss the Wuhan Battle.

Chen Jiageng also greeted Minister He very enthusiastically.

Several Group Army Commanders of the Sichuan Army looked at each other.

Sun Zhen whispered in Yu Hua's ear: "Brother Yu, it seems you were right."

The First Group Army designation originally belonged to the Northwest Army, Song Zheyuan's troops;

However, after the North China region was occupied by the Japanese Army, Song Zheyuan lost a vast area;

Yu Hua waved his hand and whispered: "Brother Sun, it's not that bad!"

"Not executing orders, evading responsibility, reporting false military intelligence, etc.!"

"The military errors I mentioned refer to the issue of the Yunnan Army!"

The conference room, which had been whispering, now quieted down.

Now that Lu Han was on the side, Sun Zhen felt embarrassed to speak.

Upon hearing this, Lu Han's heart turned cold.

A Major General stealing leftovers at the Military and Political Department—this indeed happened.

After this matter was discovered, the cafeteria staff began to prohibit that officer from taking leftovers away!

This Staff Officer of the Military and Political Department became so anxious he began to cry.

"From the July 7th Incident to the fall of Wuhan, in this stage of the War of Resistance, first in the Songhu Region!"

After the two sat down, an orderly served them tea.

As everyone knows!

One must know that the Yunnan Army only dispatched three armies to leave Yunnan to resist the war, and did not have much manpower.

The Yunnan Army and the Sichuan Army were both Southwest warlords; Lu Han greeted Sun Zhen first.

However, as time went on, the cafeteria staff discovered an officer who, after finishing his meal;

Plus, after the Xuzhou Battle ended, the strength of the First Group Army was greatly reduced.

"These problems are quite serious within the Yunnan Army!"

Originally, Sun Zhen intended to tell Fan Shaozeng about the fact that Principal Chang was going to take action against the Southwest region at this meeting.

Then, comparing it to the unit of Tang Shizun that slipped from the Sichuan Army to the National Government;

Lu Han felt like he was sitting on pins and needles at this moment!

In the later stages of the Wuhan Battle, the Japanese Army occupied Wuhan and once advanced toward Chongyang, at the junction of Hunan Province, E Province, and Gan Province!

"Commander-in-Chief Sun, long time no see!"

Sun Zhen nodded: "Long time no see!"

Principal Chang's gaze swept across the room, and when he looked at Lu Han, he paused for two extra seconds.

"Regarding the Wuhan Battle, is there any General who wishes to speak? You may take the stage voluntarily."

"Why hasn't old Fan arrived yet?" Sun Zhen complained: "Is he stuck in a woman's lap?"

When the Japanese Army marched toward Chongyang, Lu Han went to Changsha for medical treatment due to illness;

Minister He knew that the Mr. Chen before him liked to be direct and did not like others to beat around the bush with him.

"Forgive me, Lu Han, I cannot accept this, unless I receive an order from Marshal Long Yun."

Along with Principal Chang came Minister He, Xu Yongchang, Bai Zhuge, Deng Xihou, Chen Diaoyuan, and others.

Minister He grasped Chen Jiageng's hand: "Thank you very much, Mr. Chen!"

"Our Sichuan Army currently has a good reputation, good troops, and the province is wealthy!"

Since the July 7th Incident, a National Crisis Salary at a 40% discount can still support a family.

Speaking of this, Minister He paused for a moment, "The Commander-in-Chief admitted his mistake first."

"Nowadays... with the loss of Pingjin and Shanghai, the National Government's tariff revenue has plummeted."

Lu Han hurriedly said: "Regarding the Military Affairs Commission's approach, I feel it is somewhat inappropriate."

"First, at the short meeting of the Military Affairs Commission, Principal Chang was the first to admit the Commander-in-Chief's mistake."

"Just now, the Military Affairs Commission held a short meeting."

"Because the Japanese Army is powerful and has good Weaponry, when facing the Japanese Army's offensive, we can only rely on geographical advantages."

"The Yunnan Army is in a miserable state now!"

Once the National Government has any enticement plan, it must be revealed so that everyone can discuss it together.

"First, execute the New Third Army Army Commander Zhang Chong, as well as all Division and Brigade level commanders."

Sun Zhen indicated that they should wait and see; if the Military Affairs Commission makes trouble for the Sichuan Army, the Sichuan Army must resist and cannot let others slaughter them.

"Then, next, let us talk about the mistakes within our military."

After talking with Chen Jiageng, Minister He's mood was slightly better.

The meeting hall was quiet for two minutes, and still, no one volunteered to speak!

The people who came to attend the Hengshan military conference had arrived one after another.

Minister He's gaze tightened as he looked at Lu Han.

A National Crisis Salary at a 40% discount can no longer support a family!

General Officers are like this, let alone the middle and lower-level officers below the rank of General Officer; their lives are even harder to endure!!

When Mr. Chen Jiageng finished listening to Minister He's introduction, he truly felt it.

"Our Sichuan Army performed well in this Wuhan Battle, and the Nanjing Command could not find an excuse."

However, after the July 7th Incident, following the fall of coastal economic port cities, the National Government faced financial difficulties.

Ever since the September 18 Incident, Principal Chang has implemented the National Crisis Salary nationwide!

Just as they were talking about Fan Shaozeng, Fan Ha'er arrived at the meeting hall.

"58th Army Army Commander Sun Du, dismissed from office and investigated!"

"The Nanjing Command intends to strengthen its control over the Southwest Hinterland."

This phenomenon has never happened since the start of the Anti-Japanese War following the July 7th Incident!

"Lu Han!"

The two war zones south of the Yangtze River, Gu Zhutong's Third War Zone and Chen Cheng's 9th War Zone, and the Group Army Commanders within them.

Old Fan's round eyeballs rolled, and then he saw several generals of the Sichuan Army.

The Yunnan Army 1st Group Army was ordered to intercept the Japanese Army.

When Minister He saw Mr. Chen Jiageng, he took the initiative to greet him.

November 25, 28th year of the Republic of China.

"I am very grateful to you, and also grateful to our compatriots overseas."

"Sit down!"

"Fight while retreating, trading space for time."

Army Commanders and Division Commanders also attended this meeting.

Sichuan Army 30th Group Army Wang Lingji, 27th Group Army Yang Sen, 22nd Group Army Sun Zhen.

Still living a bitter life now.

"Major General officers even steal leftovers in the Military and Political Department's canteen to feed their families."

Prices across the country are skyrocketing, and coupled with the Japanese Army's economic erosion, the National Government's Legal Tender has devalued severely.

The Major General Staff Officers at the Military and Political Department usually draw maps and summarize some data.

Fan Shaozeng is the general who has married the most wives in the Sichuan Army.

"Who is good and who is bad, I have a scale in my heart!"

He arrived at the side of Sun Zhen and the others!

Coming with Fan Shaozeng was Lu Han.

"Moreover, the commander of my Yunnan Army, Marshal Long Yun, has not yet agreed to this directive."

Chen Jiageng's heart was shocked beyond measure.

The 1st Group Army was expanded from the 30th Army!

The 1st Group Army had jurisdiction over the Yunnan Army 58th Army and 60th Army, and later, the New Third Army was also incorporated into it.

Seeing this scene, Minister He encouraged them again, but still, there was no speaking.

"One should not have increased troops incrementally, which led to the emptiness of the Hangzhou Bay area, the Japanese Army's landing, and caused the fall of Jinling."

"The remaining supplies were all supplemented by our Chuan-Kang Pacification Office."

"Our finances are already in a very difficult state now."

Therefore, Minister He also got straight to the point: "Mr. Chen."

The Army Commander of the New Third Army, Zhang Chong, felt at this moment that his forehead was covered in beads of sweat.

A chill rose from the soles of his feet, shooting straight into his internal organs.

(End of this chapter)