Chapter 442: Roosevelt: Containing the Japanese Army in Asia

The mountain city of Chongqing, now being retaken by Mandalay, is wrapped in the euphoria of the 18th Regiment's annihilation, cheers rise and fall through streets and alleys, yet a corner of the airport presents a different scene.

The women of the Jiang family are orderly boarding the plane bound for Lashu, and the surrounding bustle seems separated from them by a layer.

Earlier, Jiang Anguo had specifically asked Lin Yi to repeatedly remind the sisters that everything—clothing, food, shelter—in Myanmar had been arranged, so they need not bring excessive items.

But at this moment, at the cabin door, suitcases of all sizes are still piled to the brim; counting them reveals more than twenty, some leather cases holding clothes and jewelry, some wooden boxes containing hometown specialties.

There are also miscellaneous items carried by the servants, causing Lin Yi, who is accompanying them, to show a troubled expression yet dare not say more.

Eldest sister Jiang Anwei, dressed in a plain elegant qipao, one hand supporting a suitcase, the other lightly touching the corner of her forehead, her tone full of doubt, looks at her third sister Jiang Anling and asks softly: "Anling, what do you think Jiang Anguo, that kid, is really thinking? He makes us leave a perfectly fine Chongqing to go to a place like Myanmar, where a war is still raging—how unsafe."

Third sister Jiang Anling, gentle by nature, upon hearing this lightly pats her elder sister's hand back, soothingly says: "Elder sister, don't worry so much. Anguo has always been measured; since he sent us, he must have made thorough preparations and won't let us suffer. Moreover, second sister is far in the United States; it's nice that we sisters can gather and go there to relax."

Beside them, fourth sister Jiang Anqi, in a crisp qipao, impatiently kicks the suitcase at her feet, her fiery temper flaring: "Sisters, you're overthinking! What's wrong with a war? With Anguo around, what are we afraid of? Besides, Chongqing is a place where we're constantly on edge fearing bombings; better to go to Myanmar, clean and free, as if on a leisurely trip!"

Jiang Anwei still feels uneasy, sighing: "But with so many things, it'll be a hassle on the way. Lin Yi had relayed Anguo's words to bring less, yet you all refused."

Jiang Anqi purses her lips and, nonchalantly, says: "What's wrong with bringing a few things? No matter how good Myanmar is, we can't use home items conveniently. Besides, we don't have to move them ourselves, so why rush?"

Lin Yi quickly steps forward to mediate: "Ladies, stop arguing. I've already arranged for the items to be loaded onto the cabin, and they'll be looked after carefully en route. The division commander specifically instructed that all the young ladies arrive safely at Lashu; transport and lodging there are prepared, and none of you will suffer any grievance."

Lin Yi wipes a bead of sweat; these women are truly troublesome.

Jiang Anling smiles and adds: "Elder sister, see how Lin Yi has everything arranged; we can relax. Perhaps Anguo wants us to stay away from Chongqing's warfire and enjoy some peace."

Jiang Anwei looks at the busy servants, then at her determined sisters, and finally nods: "Fine, fine, since everything's ready, let's go, and not keep Anguo waiting."

A few people board the plane one after another; Jiang Anqi, as soon as she sits, leans on the window looking out, muttering: "Can't wait to get to Myanmar and see what Anguo is up to over there."

Jiang Anling shakes her head helplessly, while Jiang Anwei leans lightly against her seat, still hoping for a safe and smooth journey.

Jiang Anguo's purpose in bringing his family to Mandalay is actually simple: someday something might happen, so it's better for his family to stay by his side.

He still worries that after retaking Mandalay, the British might have thoughts that could cause friction with the st Division, possibly leading to armed conflict.

Of course, he also tasked Song Yu and Yan Xing, these two staff officers, to contact the families of the st Division, and they will gradually be sent to Lashu.

Fortunately, this plane is privately owned by Jiang Anguo.

Earlier he had just donated a batch of fighter aircraft to Chongqing; the Air Force commander Zhou Zhirou specifically opened a convenient passage, making the route smooth and unimpeded, and no one dared to speak out.

In the end, your convenience is everyone's convenience; no one wants to offend Jiang Anguo, the boy who sends money.

There's no way around it; he really gives too much.

Across the great ocean in the United States, inside the oval office of the White House in Huashengdun, the warm yellow light cannot dispel the heaviness in the air.

On the desk, a report freshly received from the Far‑East battlefield is spread out; this telegram is from Stilwell, who fought with the 200th Division, and after achieving the counter‑offensive victory at Mandalay, he immediately sent this victory telegram to Huashengdun.

Telegram content: The Huaxia Expeditionary Force's 200th Division and st Division successfully counter‑attacked Mandalay, recapturing in one stroke this major Myanmar stronghold occupied by the Japanese Army.

When the news arrived, the core members of the Roosevelt administration all showed astonishment, full of disbelief.

President Roosevelt sat in a spacious leather chair, a yet‑unlit cigar between his fingers, his brows slightly furrowed yet still unable to hide his surprise.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the cabinet members and senior military officers present, and in a tone tinged with both sentiment and certainty said: "Gentlemen, I think we should reassess Huaxia as an ally. Until now many have doubted their combat ability, believing they could not stand toe‑to‑toe with the Japanese Army on a front, but now the facts are before us."

Roosevelt reached out and tapped the report on the table, his voice suddenly rising a few degrees, carrying undeniable force: "The Expeditionary Force, with only the main forces of two divisions, successfully counter‑attacked Mandalay and shattered the Japanese Army's elite; this is more than just a battle victory."

The Expeditionary Force's victory made Roosevelt see that Japan is not unbeatable.

But for a powerful United States, a three‑front war not only requires troops, it also needs time.

The destruction of the Pacific Fleet also requires time to rebuild aircraft carriers.

"More importantly, they have tied down a large number of Japanese troops on the Far‑East front, allowing us to concentrate on the Combined Fleet in the Pacific. Undoubtedly, Huaxia is our true ally, the most reliable partner we have on the Far‑East battlefield."

Army Chief of Staff Marshall immediately stood, his expression solemn as he nodded in agreement, his tone bearing some praise: "Yes, Mr. President. You are right; we indeed underestimated the Huaxia Expeditionary Force's strength. Mandalay's terrain is treacherous, and the British gave it up so easily before."

"If it weren't for the British, perhaps we wouldn't have needed such effort to organize a counter‑offensive. Yet the Expeditionary Force managed to win despite being outnumbered, proving their combat power and will. Even more remarkable is that, despite scarce supplies and relatively outdated equipment, they held their positions and launched a proactive counter‑attack; this courage and determination merit our admiration."

Marshall also noted that the Huaxia troops were equipped with Zhongzheng rifles, yet the Expeditionary Force—especially the 200th Division and st Division—had long been armed to the teeth.

Aside from having one infantry division fewer than the Japanese, their firepower had already surpassed that of the Japanese.

"It is also worth noting that the core of this Mandalay counter‑offensive has always revolved around the names of two Huaxia generals," Marshall added, holding a supplemental report, "Division commander Dai Anlan of the 200th Division, who leads from the front and commands wisely, achieving numerous battlefield feats; and a young man named Jiang Anguo, who is said to have devised most of the strategic plans for this counter‑offensive, and also commands a highly combat‑effective unit, the key to the victory."

Roosevelt, hearing this, saw a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, a long‑absent smile on his face, and half‑jokingly said: "Oh? Two Huaxia generals? It seems Huaxia truly hides dragons and crouches tigers. If the chance arises, I'll definitely meet those two generals and thank them personally. To launch such a splendid counter‑offensive under such harsh conditions, they are indeed rare military talents."