"The Empire on which the Sun Never Sets has fallen. Watching the President of the United States and the Chinese generals happily exchanging views on the war situation in Southeast Asia and discussing the coordination of a unified war against Japan, the British Prime Minister can only smoke a cigar and become a foil. This makes I couldn't help but become more and more pessimistic about the future of the country. I had a hunch that in the Far East, the status of the empire would be replaced by China, oh, and maybe the United States. When I returned to the city, I looked at the Sphinx in front of the Pyramid of Khufu. Like, I can't help but think of the words of Marshal Napoleon, China is a sleeping lion. Once it wakes up, the whole world will tremble. From the Chinese general and his young subordinates, I can obviously see the lion's temperament. Shadow, and what I have to admit is that, at least in Southeast Asia, I have felt the tremor it caused." On the phone that day, Wavell recorded the scene of the Cairo meeting in a pessimistic tone,
For Churchill, this day was the darkest moment in his life. After returning to the British Embassy in Egypt, for the first time, he did not convene a meeting with his staff, but locked himself in a room without knowing what he was doing. , Churchill did not show up, and the rest of the British delegation were like headless flies. Failure hung in the hearts of each of them. They felt as never before that the empire on which the sun never sets is so weak.
The residence of the Xuebingjun delegation had a different scene at this time, "The Americans are so generous, fifty million dollars, tsk tsk, I'm sure those people in Chongqing would drool if they knew about it." Jiang Huangyong said, he himself He is a person who jumps out, and in his view, today's confrontation can be regarded as a major victory in the history of China's diplomacy, so he seemed particularly excited,
Chen Shichang acted calmly as always. He asked Ouyang Yun: "Commander-in-Chief, if the Americans ask to withdraw troops from the Philippines, how will we respond?"
Ouyang Yun was not worried about this problem. He asked: "I agree to their request, but have you thought about how to withdraw."
Chen Shichang came to his senses: "Yes, how to withdraw? Does the US Navy still have the strength?"
Gu Lianyun: "I guess they will ask us to dispatch the Pacific Fleet. It is possible to dispatch the Pacific Fleet, but it is quite risky for us."
"Sir, what do you think?" Jiang Huangyong asked,
Ouyang Yun's eyes seemed a little deep. In today's meeting, China and the United States seemed to be in harmony, but in fact there were still big differences on some things. Take the layout of the next stage of the Far East war situation, for example, the Americans were the most What they hoped to strengthen was Australia's defense, and they would not hesitate to abandon the Philippines and even the entire Southeast Asia for this purpose. However, the interests of the Xuebing Army were in the Philippines. Guo Kui's Second Expeditionary Army held on to the Philippines, which could not only contain a certain amount of Japanese troops, but also a crucial force. The function is to make the Japanese army feel wary and not dare to use troops unscrupulously against Taiwan.
"It's time for us to move out of the Pacific Ocean." Ouyang Yun's first sentence set the tone for his next words: "The training has been going on for a long time, and we should also test the training results through actual combat. The combined fleet is still there. East China Sea, Western Expedition Fleet, haha, I think we can take this opportunity to pinch it. Of course, we are not philanthropists. If the Americans want us to contribute, they must pay a sufficient price. We are not in a hurry on this matter, let the Americans do it first. The recruitment is ready."
Ouyang Yun was not in a hurry, but Stilwell was. During the meeting, he could take care of the overall situation and remain silent. However, after returning to the embassy, he immediately lost his temper. He went to Roosevelt and made no secret of his dissatisfaction with him. Said: "Mr. President, I think your decision today is too hasty. It will make us passive in the subsequent negotiations. I know the Chinese warlords too well. They are selfish and greedy. Next, Ouyang Yun will definitely become a lion." Open your mouth and demand higher.”
McIntyre was also quite dissatisfied with Roosevelt's sudden offer of US$50 million in aid to China today. It was not that he was reluctant to part with the money, but he felt that a verbal promise was not worth so much. He believed that based on diplomatic principles, when substantive issues were involved, Only when you pay more and more will you get value for money. He followed up: "I don't know General Ouyang Yun very well, but I heard that Chinese people are generally greedy. Mr. President, to use a Chinese saying to make an inappropriate metaphor, I think These 50 million are meat buns that will never come back."
Different from the anxious expressions of the two men, Roosevelt appeared very relaxed. He asked them: "You are done."
Stilwell and McIntyre looked at each other, the former shook his head sadly and indignantly, while the latter began to think about it carefully, wondering if there was any mystery in this.
Roosevelt turned his wheelchair so that he faced the window, and then said slowly: "As for this war, I have always insisted that it was imposed on the American people by the Germans and Japanese. So, as long as one less American boy is killed, No matter how much we pay, it is worth it. Life is priceless. If we want the Chinese to sacrifice for us, we must pay a corresponding price. Do you know General Ouyang Yun? Do you know his principles for dealing with people? I I have studied that in his heart, every student is his brother, and he cares about everyone, so if you want to impress him, the role of money is actually very weak. Now I only hope that he can truly have an overall vision, then we The money offensive will have its effect..."
The next day, the Cairo Conference finally made progress. After a morning of consultations, China, the United States, and Britain finally reached an agreement on their stance on Japan. The three parties agreed that without the consent of the other two countries, a third country could never make peace with Japan in private. The ultimate goal of the Three Kingdoms' war against Japan was to force Japan to surrender unconditionally.
Immediately, the meeting entered the next agenda, and the three parties began to discuss the issue of coordinated operations against Japan. Roosevelt first formally proposed on behalf of the US government to abandon the Philippines to ensure Australia's security. "Australia is rich in metal mines. If the Japanese army occupied Australia, they would be short of it." The strategic supplies will be replenished, and if you want to defeat it, you will have to pay a greater price, so Australia cannot afford to lose." Roosevelt explained the reason why the U.S. government strives to protect Australia,
"Does this mean that the Far East Allied Forces Command will be disbanded?" Ouyang Yun did not immediately express his opinion on Roosevelt's proposal, but asked a seemingly unnecessary question,
Roosevelt smiled and nodded: "The Far East Allied Forces Command was established to defend the Philippines. Since the Philippines is to be abandoned, it should naturally be disbanded."
"I don't think so. There is no need to disband. I don't know how long the war in the Far East will continue. It is still necessary for the Allied Commander of the Far East to exist. I suggest moving to Burma." Ouyang Yunsha said in a serious tone,
"No, it must be disbanded." When Churchill heard that his scalp exploded, he immediately objected: "The British army is ready to resist the Japanese army in Burma, and the mission of the Chinese Expeditionary Force has ended."
Ouyang Yun smiled when he heard this and asked: "Mr. Prime Minister, what you mean is that China no longer has the obligation to assist in the defense of Southeast Asia. This is a very good thing for us. However, in order to prevent the Japanese army from opening a western front against China through Myanmar, we must Station enough troops in northern Myanmar."