"The main force of the Japanese army in the Australian battlefield is indeed the Southeast Asian retinue. In theory, the US military should be able to easily defeat the opponent. However, the fact is that the US-Australia coalition forces have suffered consecutive defeats. At present, even the Newcastle defense line, which was painstakingly built, has been broken. The Americans He is really anxious, otherwise he would not have appointed George as the ambassador to China. As everyone knows about George, the Americans once said that he is the spokesperson for the interests of our Xuebingjun. By appointing him as the ambassador to China, isn't it clear that he wants us to take advantage? , so it can be seen that the U.S. government really wants us to provide reinforcements."
"I know something about the Australian War. Australia is surrounded by the sea, and Australia's important cities are all along the coast. So the Australian War is said to be a land war, but it is actually a continuation of the naval war. The U.S. Pacific Fleet cannot defeat the Japanese Combined Fleet at all. Japan With the navy providing naval guns and air support, there is no suspense for the Southeast Asian natives to defeat the US-Australia coalition forces on land." Jiang Guangnai added after Ouyang Yun,
Chen Cheng frowned again and said: "However, we still have most of the country in the hands of the Japanese army. Even if we want to fight, we should do it after we have completely driven out the Japanese invaders. Otherwise, how can we explain to the people?"
"The time for a domestic counterattack is not ripe. First, the troops have not yet completed reorganization and their morale is not high. Second, the resettlement of refugees has not been completed. I think this is a problem that the government needs to focus on solving at the moment. At this time, more troops will be added." Although Australia will arouse criticism from the people, in fact it has at least two major benefits. First, it can consume the strength of the Japanese army through the Australian War, and it can even launch counterattacks in Australia to force the Japanese army to withdraw troops from the Chinese battlefield. When there is a war, there will be destruction. Since it can be used in Australia Why not fight on the soil of other countries? Secondly, the logistics supplies and payment of wages for troops going abroad to fight will be borne by the United States and Australia. This is good for us to get rid of the current economic predicament. Vice Minister Chen believes that we can take measures to reduce I don’t agree with paying people to get through the current difficulties. Yes, the war of resistance is a patriotic cause and a glorious act. In order to expel the Japanese invaders and restore the country, we will not hesitate to sacrifice our lives. However, our soldiers, they come They are not alone in this world. They have parents, younger siblings, and even grandparents. Among them, there are many pillars of the family. From the perspective of loyalty, filial piety and righteousness, they can ignore these difficulties and resolutely join the army, but the government must consider We will take care of you and take care of you, so your salary and pension cannot be reduced..."
Ouyang Yun is confident that he can complete the reorganization of the army. Advanced weapons and equipment, and a mature military system are certainly a major support, and generous remuneration is his trump card. Ordinary trainees also have a salary of five academic yuan a month. Five academic yuan is What is the concept? With Xueyuan’s current purchasing power, it is enough for a family of four to live in Guangzhou for two months. Although food prices in Chongqing are artificially high, they will definitely come down over time. In this way, a family of five or six people can live in Guangzhou for two months. As long as one person joins the army, the family can live a decent life.
In fact, fighting a war is an economic war. Chen Cheng naturally understands this truth, but knowing it is one thing, and wanting to do well in accordance with this law is another thing. Without it, the National Government is corrupt and incompetent, and the existence of the privileged class has The economic benefits were completely consumed, so when the country needed it, the economy had already languished.
Chen Cheng has been to Guangzhou and knows that Guangzhou is rich and prosperous. However, in his opinion, this is still not enough to support an army of more than three million people. The Xuebing Army formed a coalition government. The far-off Shanxi-Suiyuan clique and the Yunnan clique expressed support. , and politics has always been the product of compromise, Ouyang Yun returned the favor and agreed to allocate equipment and considerable salaries at the appropriate time. In this way, although the troops directly under the command of the headquarters are only about 2.5 million, in fact, it needs to be faced. The right one is an army of more than three million,
In fact, Ouyang Yun still has the biggest benefit that he has not yet explained. Although he gave an impromptu speech and disclosed it at the first large-scale meeting of the headquarters, Chen Cheng and Feng Yuxiang were not confidants after all. Ouyang Yun considered that once they had a super relationship with the Americans, Friendship would be leaked, which would arouse the vigilance of the United States and have a negative impact on the war. Therefore, he only discussed it with Jiang Guangnai, Tie Linfei and others. As for whether to talk about it today, he decided to discuss it according to the situation.
What is the biggest benefit? Naturally, it is the interests of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
There are many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Due to historical reasons, these islands were once completely occupied by the West, but now they have fallen into the hands of the Japanese army. China was originally not qualified to get involved in these islands, but now, while the United States and Europe are weak and the Japanese army is strong, As the sworn enemy of Japan, as the saying goes, what God does not take will be punished by God. The Xuebing Army responded to the request of the West to increase its troops in Australia, and it also had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of naval warfare. Naturally, it would not be a problem to take advantage of the situation and take these islands.
Ouyang Yun was completely considering the overall situation and planning for the future, so he decided to send troops. However, Chen Cheng saw through his other intentions and was worried that he would use this to weaken the Central Army. Of course, it is difficult to say this clearly. After all, the United States has provided so much assistance. , and the Central Army was the biggest beneficiary. Seeing that Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Deng Xihou and others remained silent, he knew that they would not speak out even if they objected, so he said: "I reserve my opinion."
The expeditionary force actually already exists, and there is no dispute over the choice of commander-in-chief. Chu Tiange will still be the commander-in-chief. So what additional troops will be sent? Ouyang Yun directly took out a list.
Feng Yuxiang and others have no objection. The Guangxi and Sichuan cliques currently dominate the theater, and their troops cannot escape from the front line at all. As the biggest beneficiary of US aid weapons and equipment, it is logical for the Central Army to assume the main force. Chen Cheng finished reading But he frowned and said, "Luo Zhuoying will be the commander-in-chief of the reinforcements."
"Vice Minister Chen has different opinions."
"Luo Zhuoying's qualifications and command level are not a problem, but after all, he has never fought abroad." Chen Cheng was worried that Luo Zhuoying was fake. In fact, he was dissatisfied that more than one-third of the largest Central Army units on the list were Department of Civil Engineering,
Of course Ouyang Yun understood this, and he responded sternly: "Don't worry about this. They will go to Karachi first, where they will have two months of adaptation training. During this period, the combat mission to assist Australia will be undertaken by Gu Lianyun's Marine Corps. , Vice Minister Chen is worried that Commander Luo will not agree, Gu Lianyun can go overseas as a daughter, and he is a big man, hehe, I will talk to him personally."
Chen Cheng raised his eyebrows and remained silent.
However, Li Zongren developed a strong interest in the Marine Corps and asked about the meaning of its name: Is it a force specializing in landing operations?
Ouyang Yun didn't want to have an open conflict with Chen Cheng on the issue of increasing troops, so he just gave up and started talking about the Marine Corps instead.