Chapter 225: America's 'Generosity

In fact, Jiang Anguo had also thought about updating the equipment.

The weapons and gear Jiang Anguo plans to exchange in the next phase are configured according to the American Equipment Division's standards: M1 Garand rifles, Browning automatic rifles, Bazooka rocket launchers… You have a German arms family obtain these through "private channels"? Isn't that tantamount to telling the whole world that my lie was fabricated?

That's basically digging a huge trouble for himself. How will he explain it later? Say that Dr. Lei Ao changed professions and started meddling with American weapons?

In fact, in firepower it's still far stronger than a German army infantry division, and the later German‑American engagements also proved this.

However, Jiang Anguo's subsequent actions, or the outward‑facing weapons and equipment, will certainly be dominated by the Americans.

Stilwell.

He had been listening silently, but now cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

He looked at the Principal, glanced at Dai Anlan beside him, and finally fixed his gaze on Jiang Anguo, his eyes carrying a complicated "I'll get you out of this" meaning.

"Respected Principal," Stilwell said in his not‑fluent but clear Chinese, evidently to ensure everyone present could understand, "Regarding the weapons and equipment issue, perhaps I have better news."

The atmosphere in the living room froze instantly. Everyone's eyes shifted from Jiang Anguo to this American general.

Stilwell leaned forward, hands crossed on the table, and said gravely: "Just before we flew to Chongqing, I received a telegram from Washington. President Roosevelt has been closely monitoring the Burma situation, especially the brutal fighting at Tonggu. The President has expressed the highest respect for your troops' heroic spirit."

He paused, then delivered a bombshell: "To support China's continued resistance and to tie down the main Japanese army, the United States has decided to launch an emergency military aid program. The first batch—complete American equipment for ten divisions—has already been loaded onto ships in Australia, ready to be dispatched to India or the Yunnan‑Burma border to help you form ten newly raised divisions, fully preparing for the upcoming massive Burma counter‑offensive!"

"What?!"

This time, even the usually composed Dai Anlan shouted in disbelief, his eyes flashing with incredulous light. Ten divisions! Full sets of American gear! For any Chinese commander, that's a number no one dares to dream of.

The Principal's eyes lit up instantly; he sprang up from his chair, paced two steps in excitement, then stopped and stared intently at Stilwell: "General Stilwell, is that for real?"

"Absolutely certain, Principal," Stilwell affirmed, "It's the President's promise. As for how to get the equipment into your hands, we're working on it. Currently there's only the India route, but whether by air or land, short‑term capacity is limited—and that's far from enough. The Americans must keep your army continuously containing the Japanese; that's the key to our victory in the Pacific Theater."

He held up two fingers: "At present we've considered two main assembly points. The first is Yingpar, where the British are stationed in India; we can use its airport to ship the weapons to the Yunnan‑Burma border, or to Kunming. The second is Lido north of India, the planned starting point for the future China‑India highway."

Jiang Anguo sat on the sofa, feeling that when Stilwell mentioned providing the American Equipment Division, he truly breathed a sigh of relief—no longer needing to explain it himself.

Jiang Anguo also knew clearly that Stilwell, and even President Roosevelt, wanted the Chinese army to hold back the Japanese advance, giving them breathing room and allowing the American war machine to get moving.

Future discussions could revolve around the American equipment.

But those Americans aren't that benevolent.

In the aid bill, less than a tenth goes to Huaxia.

Yet they're expected to hold back over two million Little Devils for the Americans, while the Pacific's Little Devils number only about five hundred thousand.

One can imagine how great Huaxia's pressure is.

Why were the Little Devils so quiet in 1942? First, the front was too long; each time they launched a battle, they needed time to prepare weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

They also had to pull troops from different theaters to concentrate on a single target.

Obviously, the Huaxia army was extremely passive, even on its own soil, its own battlefield, with the timing of war apparently decided by the Little Devils.

But there was no choice; the disparity was too great. A single division's strength couldn't possibly match a Little Devil division‑corps.

Even a regiment might not prevail; the firepower gap is evident.

The second, and most crucial point, is that the Little Devils' ambitions are huge; they covet Southeast Asian resources, the Pacific, and even the American mainland.

It's like a group of gamblers trying to win a big watermelon with a single seed.

Stilwell's news was a perfect way to get him out of the jam. With this official, massive American equipment aid channel, his "German doctor" lie could be shelved indefinitely, even gradually softened into a "small‑scale private friendly aid."

And he himself could, by right of course, become the first and most important beneficiary of this batch of American gear.

After a brief surge of excitement, the Principal quickly calmed down. He sat back, his fingers drumming rapidly on the table as his mind raced.

Yingpar? That's a British‑controlled zone; he can't trust those arrogant, repeatedly defeated British. Lido? The terrain there is complex, close to China, and the difficulty of building a road is obvious.

"Lido…" the Principal murmured, "The plan is difficult, but the initiative is in our hands. I'm inclined toward Lido."

For the Principal, he already despised the British; he sent troops to Burma mainly to hold the Yunnan‑Burma line, yet the British kept obstructing and repeatedly abandoned their own forces.

Thus, the Principal's opinion of the British is extremely strong.

He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping the crowd once more, finally like a sharp sword, pinpointing Jiang Anguo.

"Anguo."

"At once!" Jiang Anguo sprang to his feet.

It's not only an official suppression but also a familial one; Jiang Anguo's whole family is under the Principal's care.

"Your Independent Regiment, in Tonggu, displayed great vigor, proving the power of superior artillery," the Principal's voice rang with undeniable authority. "Now, I order you: your Independent Regiment will become the first 'demonstration unit' to receive a full set of American‑modified equipment!"

The Principal didn't arrange this arbitrarily; he was quite pleased with his nephew, as when they met at Lashu, the nephew had supplied the Principal with intelligence, at least letting him know how many divisions his opponents had in Burma.

"General Stilwell, wherever this equipment comes from, I want you to guarantee that Jiang Anguo's Independent Regiment gets it first!"

"Of course," Stilwell said with a smile.

Stilwell valued this young commander highly; although they hadn't spent much time together, he felt the commander would make a good partner.

Jiang Anguo's brain buzzed.

He had only intended to get out of a jam, but didn't expect the Principal to give him such a massive surprise.

Demonstration unit! The first fully American‑modified unit!

However, he seemed not to need it much; his troops' Mauser rifles use 7.92 mm ammunition, while the American Garand uses 7.62 mm; if he brings in the American rifles, then the logistics would really—

It must be admitted that the Garand's firepower is strong, but Jiang Anguo's units are squad‑based; a squad already has an MG42 machine gun, surpassing the firepower of an American squad.

If it's cheap, you still have to take it.