Chapter 229: Chongqing, Home

"Principal," Stilwell sprang to his feet, his face showing a kind of excitement after being humiliated, "Please forgive my misconduct! Colonel Jiang Anguo's analysis is completely correct! Huashengdun has concealed the seriousness of the war situation from us, they have underestimated the Japanese Army's threat, and also underestimated the value of the Chinese battlefield!"

Stilwell also shifted all his dissatisfaction onto Huashengdun.

He turned to Jiang Anguo, his gaze complex, but mostly solemn: "Colonel Jiang, you have sounded the alarm for us. I apologize to you, and also apologize for the intelligence barrier my country has erected against you."

He then stood at attention and assured the Principal: "I will immediately send a dispatch to President Roosevelt! I will report Colonel Jiang's judgment and analysis unchanged! I will stress to him that China's war situation is far more critical than Huashengdun imagines! If we do not promptly provide sufficient weapons and equipment under the Lease Act, once the Japanese Army succeeds in Australia, the next target will be India! By then, China will be completely isolated!"

Stilwell's statement made the last stone in Jiang Anguo's heart finally settle.

He not only perfectly explained the source of his intelligence, but also leveraged it to win Stilwell's entire army, making him willingly fight for his own resources.

The Principal watched the scene, an inscrutable smile appearing on his face. He gave Jiang Anguo a deep look; the young man was not only audacious, but meticulous as a hair, and also knew how to use leverage, grasping every advantageous factor firmly in his hand.

"Very well." the Principal said slowly, his voice full of satisfaction. "If so, we shall wait and see. General Stilwell, we await your good news."

The Principal was very pleased with the arrogant old man's willingness to bow his head today.

In the past, they always left on bad terms.

The war has reached this stage; persisting any longer is already extremely difficult.

The Principal quickly looked at Jiang Anguo; once the order to bomb Wuhan Airport is issued, it could involve the entire Japanese Army in Central China.

But if it succeeds, it could greatly relieve pressure on the troops in the Hunan direction.

The ultimate concern is the rear; not worrying about Japanese bomber raids is the key.

"Principal, the pressure from the Ganzhou direction is great; if we could get air support, it would greatly help in holding the Zhejiang‑Ganzhou railway," Dai Anlan saw the Principal's hesitation, decided to aid Jiang Anguo, and stood up to say.

The Zhejiang‑Ganzhou front is now fierce, but the Huaxia Army is suffering successive defeats; the Principal has even sent his beloved 74th Army there.

The Principal paced back and forth, finally making up his mind.

"Anguo, if you can truly bring in fighters and bombers, I will approve this operation."

That was exactly what Jiang Anguo wanted, because without the Principal's order, if Jiang Anguo carried out a bombing mission in Huaxia on his own, it would be an act of insubordination.

Even an uncle‑nephew relationship cannot be repeated over and over.

It is precisely because of this relationship that the Principal agreed; once the aircraft are in place, Wuhan Airport can be bombed.

The Principal does not lack knowledge of troops, but the cards he can play are few; if Wuhan Airport can be taken out, it would be good news for Xue Yue in Changsha.

It would greatly ease Xue Yue's pressure.

Jiang Anguo stood before the Principal, saluted and said, "Thank you, Principal!"

Within a day Jiang Anguo presented a plan, to fly to Changde tomorrow.

Dai Anlan and Jiang Anguo left the villa together; Stilwell stayed behind, as he still had matters to discuss with the Principal.

Coming out of the Principal's residence, the outside sky was gradually darkening. Chongqing's lights lit up among the hills one after another, like scattered diamonds on black velvet.

In the car, the atmosphere was no longer as tense as in the official residence. Dai Anlan leaned against the seatback, letting out a long sigh; he instinctively pressed his hand to the wound on his abdomen. The scar had healed, but on rainy days or when exhausted it still throbed faintly.

Myanmar did not take him away; he felt fortunate.

"Anguo," Dai Anlan turned his head, his voice gentle after the burden was lifted, "It's hard to get a chance to return home; come with me to see your sister."

Jiang Anguo nodded, his gaze drifting to the swiftly passing street scene outside the window.

The eldest sister Jiang Anwen, Dai Anlan's wife. He had no recollection of this identity; his mind was a blank. The original owner of this body left him scant information. Yet, as family and Dai Anlan's wife, he certainly had to meet her.

He recalled that this body had four sisters. Apart from the second sister who studied abroad early and now lives in the United States, the other three moved to Chongqing when the National Government relocated its capital.

"Alright, let's go see sister first," Jiang Anguo replied.

Although he verbally agreed, Jiang Anguo felt an inexplicable nervousness and resistance inside. He was utterly unfamiliar with these four so‑called "sisters." He feared their caring greetings, feared they would recall childhood memories, and feared he might inadvertently reveal a flaw.

But he was evidently mistaken.

When the car entered a quiet officers' family courtyard and stopped before a two‑story house, the moment the door opened, Jiang Anguo was completely surrounded by three figures.

"Anguo!"

"You finally came back!"

"You've gotten thin! You've gotten dark!"

The three women, each of a distinct style, encircled him, chattering, their voices full of unabashed concern and excitement.

Dai Anlan wore a wry smile, as if everyone had forgotten him.

At the forefront stood his eldest sister Jiang Anwen. She wore a plain‑colored qipao, her temperament gentle and serene, with a hint of scholarly air at the corners of her eyes and brows. She did not shout like the others; instead she reached out, gently stroking a shallow scar on Jiang Anguo's cheek, her eyes instantly reddening, her voice choked as she said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."

The household had four daughters and one son, showing how precious Jiang Anguo was to his parents while they were alive.

When news of the Myanmar withdrawal arrived, the sisters' hearts tightened; "withdrawal" sounded nice, but in reality it meant defeat.

Would their younger brother be in danger!

Now he's back, that's good!

"Sister!" Jiang Anguo called stiffly.

"You still know how to call sister!" a fiery voice interjected from beside him. It was his fourth sister Jiang Anqi.

She wore fashionable Western trousers, her hair in curls, looking vigorous.

Jiang Anqi reached out and squeezed Jiang Anguo's arm, the force making him grit his teeth. "In Myanmar were you risking your life every day? Not making a single phone call, not writing a single letter—do you know how worried we were!"

Jiang Anqi's tone sounded like a scolding, but her blood‑red eyes revealed her true feelings.

Dai Anlan, standing aside, finally spoke, "The battlefield is urgent; Anguo, where do you find time to write letters?"

The eldest sister Jiang Anwen glared at Dai Anlan; they didn't know that Dai Anlan had written a final letter during his time in Tonggu.