Chapter 454: A Historic Meeting

Taunggyi Command Center.

"Regiment Commander Song, does the Commander mean that we should send Mr. Chen Jiageng to Mandalay?" said Bombardment Squadron Commander Song Yunfei.

Song Mengqin nodded and said, "Yes, this is the order the Commander just transmitted."

"Very well, I will personally escort Mr. Chen Jiageng to Mandalay." Song Yunfei knew Chen Jiageng's importance.

Because of the mission of Shanben Shiba and the other two, only a few people knew; Song Yunfei and Song Mengqin were two of them.

"Very well, Captain Song, you go prepare first, and have the Quinary Fighter Squadron also escort Mr. Chen Jiageng to Mandalay," said Song Mengqin.

"Yes!"

Taunggyi not only has Song Yunfei's bomber formation, but also three P-38 Lightning fighter formations transferred from Lashu, used to protect Taunggyi airfield's safety.

It is evident that, to protect and escort Chen Jiageng, Taunggyi is being very grand.

Song Mengqin first went to Chen Jiageng's residence and knocked on the door.

A voice came from inside, "Please come in!"

Song Mengqin looked and saw everyone assembled; the people Chen Jiageng had brought were also gathered, apparently discussing matters.

"Regiment Commander Song, is there something?" Chen Jiageng asked.

Song Mengqin nodded, "Mr. Chen, you also know we have retaken Mandalay; our senior officers would like to invite you to gather in Mandalay!"

"Oh, is there something?" Chen Jiageng said, a bit puzzled.

"Mr. Chen, I don't know the specifics either, but surely our senior officers' reason for speaking with you is also one of the reasons for inviting you this time," Song Mengqin said, not knowing Jiang Anguo's plan.

In fact, only Jiang Anguo knows this plan; everyone else is merely cooperating with it.

Chen Jiageng nodded; having arrived at Taunggyi two days ago, these past days he has used the radio to contact some friends, informing them that he is safe, reassuring everyone.

"Very well, Regiment Commander Song, I will go with you," Chen Jiageng said.

"Mr. Chen, the aircraft is ready for you; tidy up here, and you can depart at any time," Song Mengqin said as he left Chen Jiageng's residence.

"Mingli, Boquan, Yinglin, you all come with me to Mandalay!"

The C-47 transport plane sliced through the clouds.

"Look, Mr. Chen, there are other planes in the sky!" Guo Yinglin said excitedly.

Chen Jiageng looked toward the window frame and indeed saw several fighter planes trailing behind; Chen recognized the model as the P-38 Lightning, which he had once tried to purchase from the United States, but they wouldn't sell.

He counted with his hand; just the ones behind numbered six, and in the second rear echelon there were another six.

This is also to prevent enemy aircraft from appearing in the sky; the six rear fighters can buy time.

After flying for about an hour, the aircraft reached the airspace over Mandalay; the transport plane contacted the Mandalay airport tower, and the plane began to descend.

The fighter escort formation behind returned the same way.

The repair work at Mandalay airport had begun to show results; the leveled runway still bore faint cement marks.

Several sappers were bent over clearing debris from the corners, and the hangars in the distance were being hurriedly repaired, occasional crisp clinks of tools echoing.

Afternoon sunlight pierced the clouds, spilling onto the airport's open ground.

It dispelled the days of rain and dampness, and gave this land, just revived from the war, a touch of warmth.

Dai Anlan, dressed in a crisp uniform, stood beside the airport apron, his gaze fixed on the distant sky, his face full of puzzlement.

Next to him, Jiang Anguo, also in military attire, stood tall, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, his demeanor calm and resolute.

After a moment of silence, Dai Anlan could no longer restrain his curiosity, turned to Jiang Anguo, and said with a hint of incomprehension, "Anguo, how did you manage to invite Mr. Chen here? I recall he has been moving around Southeast Asia, leading Chinese to support the anti-Japanese effort, in a very dangerous situation; how did he suddenly come to Mandalay?"

Dai Anlan was full of astonishment; Chen Jiageng is the leader of the Nanyang Chinese, having spent years abroad rallying resources and contacts for the domestic anti-Japanese war, his fame immense and deeply revered by Chinese.

The material supply in Southeast Asia also relied entirely on the maneuvering of Southeast Asian Chinese.

But now the war in Southeast Asia rages, the Japanese Army is hunting Chinese leaders everywhere; Chen Jiageng remaining unharmed is already rare, and Jiang Anguo managing to bring him to Mandalay truly exceeded his expectations.

Jiang Anguo, hearing this, turned his head, gave Dai Anlan a mysterious smile, his tone a little sly, and shook his head lightly, "It's a secret. Once Mr. Chen arrives, you'll know naturally."

He gave no further explanation, his gaze again turned to the sky, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Chen Jiageng's arrival will surely bring a different strength to the Yunnan–Burma front, no, it should be said, to the future of the whole Southeast Asia.

The very name Chen Jiageng, as long as it exists, can better connect the Nanyang Chinese and rally a tremendous force against the Japanese Army.

It's not just anti-Japanese; the key is cohesion.

Dai Anlan, seeing Jiang Anguo unwilling to elaborate and not pressing further, merely shook his head helplessly, his inner doubt deepening, yet also gaining a bit of anticipation.

At that moment, in the distant sky, a plane's silhouette appeared, its fuselage gradually becoming clear as it slowly approached the airport, the engine's roar growing nearer.

A flash of light crossed Jiang Anguo's eyes; he raised his hand and pointed to the sky, his tone light, "Looks like it's about to land, let's go up and greet Mr. Chen."

Having said that, he stepped forward first, walking toward the direction of the landing plane, his stride steady and strong.

Dai Anlan hurriedly followed, tidied his uniform, and his expression became solemn.

Chen Jiageng, as a Chinese leader and a hero of the anti-Japanese war, should receive the most grand reception upon arriving in Mandalay.

The sappers and soldiers at the airport also stopped their tasks, eyes fixed on the incoming plane, faces full of reverence and anticipation.

The engine's roar grew louder, the aircraft gradually lowered its altitude, landing smoothly on the repaired runway, then after taxiing a distance, it came to rest in the center of the apron.

The hatch opened slowly, and a slightly gaunt yet still upright figure emerged first at the doorway—it was Chen Jiageng.

He wore a plain long robe, the cuffs already worn, his hair silvered and neatly combed, his face etched with the marks of time and hardship, yet still vigorous, his gaze sharp and steadfast, though his brows could not hide the fatigue of his long journey.

Jiang Anguo's gaze fixed on Chen Jiageng, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes, thinking silently, "Mr. Chen's journey has truly been arduous."

From Java to Taunggyi, then from Taunggyi to Mandalay, the route was riddled with Japanese Army blockades, fraught with danger.

This party endured wind‑baked meals and sleepless nights, losing fifteen pounds each; though Mr. Chen was gaunt, his leader's bearing remained unmistakable, a resilience truly worthy of admiration.