On the last day of October, the Luoyang branch of the Central Military Academy was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and the whole city of Luoyang was carefully decorated with officials at all levels and groups from all walks of life, and was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Chiang Kai-shek attended a birthday luncheon with nearly a hundred generals including Yan Xishan, Xu Yongchang, Fu Zuoyi, Zhang Xueliang, Liu Zhi, Shang Zhen, etc. who rushed to Luoyang. They were so moved that they issued a "Fiftieth Birthday Speech", in which "Serve the country with loyalty and revive the country."
The self-encouragement of "the nation is still alive and our ambition will be unremitting" has triggered speculation and heated discussions from all walks of life across the country.
National newspapers and broadcasts have been building momentum for Chiang Kai-shek's birthday for a long time. Various domestic groups, national capitalists and overseas Chinese have launched a vigorous "aircraft donation" campaign. As of Chiang Kai-shek's birthday, the Central Aviation Commission has received 70 donated aircraft.
frame, and received nearly 5 million yuan in donated funds.
Halfway through the luncheon, the attendant reported to Chiang Kai-shek, "General An Yi has arrived."
Chiang Kai-shek was very surprised, with a hint of excitement on his face. He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth, stood up slowly, and informed Yan Xishan, Zhang Xueliang and others at the same table with a smile:
"This An Yi, I told him not to come but he did come. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if I meet you. Sit down and I'll come as soon as I can."
Seeing Chiang Kai-shek nodding apologetically and walking towards the door of the banquet hall, how could anyone dare to sit still? Yan Xishan was the first to stand up and follow Chiang Kai-shek out, and the others followed immediately and did not dare to fall behind.
Chiang Kai-shek personally went out to greet his favorite disciple An Yi, which was enough for everyone to see the mystery. Looking at the entire army in the country, there are only a handful of people who can be so highly regarded by Chiang Kai-shek.
An Yi, who strode from the parking lot, stopped two meters in front of Chiang Kai-shek, put his legs together strongly, and saluted respectfully:
"On behalf of the 250,000 soldiers of the Second Route Army and the 20 million people of the Xufu Appeasement District, the students wish the principal good health and longevity!"
"Okay, okay, just come."
Chiang Kai-shek looked at his students with a smile, feeling extremely proud and comforted.
Zhang Xueliang saw Shen Fengdao standing neatly next to An Yi and Lin Yaodong holding a large square box covered with red silk. Knowing that it was An Yi's birthday gift to Chiang Kai-shek, he smiled at Chiang Kai-shek out of curiosity:
"General An's gifts are always generous. Will you open it with your own hands and let me and you all have a good look at it?"
All the civil and military officials immediately agreed cheerfully. Chiang Kai-shek had already paid attention to what Shen Fengdao and Lin Yaodong were holding, and also wanted to know what gifts An Yi would give him. At the request of Zhang Xueliang, Yan Xishan and others, he nodded happily and went up.
The first two steps were to uncover the red silk covering the box in Shen Fengdao's hand. A delicate crystal glass box emitted a soft luster and sat quietly on a sandalwood base. Through the crystal clear crystal box, a silver-white an5 transport aircraft could be seen.
The model is displayed in front of everyone.
Chiang Kai-shek stepped forward and leaned over to take a closer look. When he saw the three characters "Meiling Hao" imitating his own font on the fuselage, he was immediately excited. The smart An Yi was so considerate that he named her after Chiang Kai-shek's beloved wife Soong Meiling.
How could the name of the special plane given to Chiang Kai-shek not make Chiang Kai-shek, who had been holding on to this hope for many years, excited and gratified?
Chiang Kai-shek looked at it again and again, and after a long time he straightened up and gave An Yi a knowing smile.
Many generals around Chiang Kai-shek did not understand the preciousness of this gift. Zhang Xueliang and Yan Xishan praised it in unison, admiring An Yi's methods in their hearts.
Nowadays, Yan Xishan and Zhang Xueliang are using this type of special aircraft. They understand that the advanced technology, flight speed, safety and comfort of the AN5 aircraft are far superior to similar transport models in the world. Even Germany and the United States have requested Syrian aircraft.
The manufacturer has placed a purchase order, and domestic users, even if they are the richest in the world, will have to wait until next year for their turn. So far, only An Yi, Yan Xishan, Zhang Xueliang and Zhu Peide have this kind of special plane in China, let alone others.
, it is an incomparable honor to be able to ride it once.
After calming down, Chiang Kai-shek walked up to Lin Yaodong, looked kindly at the respectful graduates of the Central Military Academy's general class in front of him, and asked with a smile: "Yaodong, what surprise do you bring me?"
It was the first time that Lin Yaodong heard Chiang Kai-shek address him so affectionately. He was so excited that he stuttered: "Principal, this is... I respectfully ask the principal to take a closer look. The students can't tell."
Chiang Kai-shek gave a rare grin, nodded and stretched out his hand to slowly uncover the red silk. A twin-engine fighter plane with smooth lines and novel style came into view. The smile on Chiang Kai-shek's face was instantly replaced by surprise and excitement, and he took the crystal.
I looked at the box again and again and couldn't put it down.
The generals around Chiang Kai-shek hurriedly gathered around, gazing at the iron-gray twin-engine fighter that looked like a dolphin, and exclaimed. The blue sky and white sun emblem sprayed on the exquisite fuselage, the lifelike twin-gun barrels on the lower part of the nose, and the wings on the wings.
The hanging bomb model, the "A26" logo on the fuselage, and the Central Air Force flag pattern on the tail made the generals immediately realize that this unprecedentedly powerful fighter aircraft would be equipped with the Central Air Force. But
For a while, the generals were confused about which country's aircraft this beautiful model with flapping wings represented, and which country was willing to sell such an advanced aircraft to poor and backward China?
"Okay! Okay! This is the best and most precious gift I have ever received!"
Chiang Kai-shek carefully handed the box to Lin Yaodong, and ordered everyone to go in and continue eating and talking. He walked to An Yi and patted An Yi on the shoulder and said, "Sit with me." Then he entered the banquet hall surrounded by the generals.
More than two hundred generals and officials from various central ministries had already stood up. When they saw Chiang Kai-shek and An Yi coming in hand in hand, they immediately gave them warm applause. Shen Fengdao, Lin Yaodong, Jiang Xiaoxian, Chen Buili and others walking behind showed knowing smiles.
After An Yi drank a toast to Chiang Kai-shek, under the joint attack of all the generals, he could only drink three glasses for being late. Just as he sat down to take a breath, Fu Zuoyi handed another large glass of wine to An Yi. An Yi had no choice but to
He had no choice but to stand up, take the glass, and drink it down with a single touch, earning a burst of cheers from everyone.
The Huangpu generals at the other tables were all eager to come and feed An Yi. When they saw Chiang Kai-shek waving his hand kindly, he then personally gave An Yi a dish with chopsticks, and immediately sat down knowingly and waited for the opportunity.
An Yi ate several big bites of vegetables and drank a bowl of delicious old soup under the cheerful gaze of the generals. Then he picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth gently, nodded to everyone with a bright smile, and then looked at Chiang Kai-shek.
Many civil and military officials had long wanted to ask An Yi about the aircraft model. Seeing An Yi like this, they knew that Chiang Kai-shek knew about it very well, so they all looked at Chiang Kai-shek and waited for the birthday man's explanation.
Chiang Kai-shek looked around and said happily: "Everyone, the great significance of the gift An Yi brought me today makes me extremely gratified and touched. The fighter model you see is manufactured by our Xufu aircraft
Thousands of Chinese and foreign aircraft experts and engineers, tens of thousands of technical workers and heroic soldiers of the Southwest Air Force in the factory achieved this fruitful result after more than four years of unremitting efforts, countless sweat and even lives.
"This type of fighter aircraft, A26, integrates attack, reconnaissance, and bombing functions. Its top speed has exceeded 500 kilometers per hour, its combat radius has reached 900 kilometers, and its ceiling has exceeded 11,000 meters. A prototype was produced and tested last year.
It took a year and several major improvements, and the most advanced high-horsepower engine in the world was installed, and finally it was officially finalized and put into production at the beginning of this year."
All the generals and commanders exclaimed in amazement, finally understanding the weight of this gift.
Chiang Kai-shek, who was in a happy mood, finally announced the secret air force plan that had been implemented for more than a year: "Here, I can proudly tell you a secret. The fifth regiment secretly formed by the Southwest Air Force has been equipped with two groups of A26 fighters and is stationed in Xufu.
The Air Force One Regiment and the Air Force Three Regiment stationed in western Hunan are being secretly equipped. Two batches of pilots from the Central Air Force, totaling 270 people, are currently undergoing intense training at the Southern Yunnan Air Force Base. What these two batches of pilots are learning is this new type of air force.
Fighters, as well as new bombers converted from AN5 transport aircraft.
"After these two batches of pilots graduate, our Central Air Force will add two air combat groups with the world's most advanced fighters. Everyone, this is the birthday gift An Yi gave me today, and it is also the 20 million yuan that An Yi and the Xufu Appeasement District
The army and the people, what a generous gift to the party and the country!"
The generals were filled with emotion and sent congratulations to Chiang Kai-shek one after another.
Fu Zuoyi, who has received strong support from An Yi for more than half a year, and Shang Zhen, whose headquarters is receiving new equipment for a division under An Yi's care, An Yi's old commander Liu Zhi stood up and toasted to An Yi. An Yi was very happy.
He stood up, clinked glasses with everyone, and drank politely, thanking everyone politely. There was no trace of pride or pride on his face. He still had his usual calm and humble smile, which made Yan Xishan, Xu Yongchang and other old foxes secretly sigh with admiration.
Zhang Xueliang, who was full of melancholy, put aside his worries temporarily and sighed to Chiang Kai-shek and the generals. He was full of praise for the new products produced by An Yi's military industrial enterprise and the technicians sent to the Northeast Army to maintain the equipment. Finally, he looked at An Yi and said sincerely.
He said: "Thank you Brother An for your support to Brother Yu and the Northeastern Army. With the approval of the Chairman of the Standing Committee, our Northeastern Army Headquarters has made a decision to transfer 5,000 outstanding officers and soldiers from the army next spring to form a mechanized brigade.
To meet the needs of modern warfare, specific plans will be sent to the Military Commission in the near future. I sincerely ask Mr. An to enlighten me and give me your full support."
"What a good thing! I will definitely support you fully."
An Yi immediately expressed his stance, but felt very confused in his heart. After thinking about it carefully, he felt relieved. The current young marshal had not gone to extremes. Chairman Chiang had agreed three days ago that a cavalry division of the Northeast Army should go to Suiyuan to assist Fu Zuoyi and the puppet Mongolian traitors.
Armed warfare gave Zhang Xueliang, who was eager to resist Japan, great comfort and gave rise to greater hope.
The generals congratulated Zhang Xueliang again, and Fu Zuoyi raised his glass again and stood up:
"Brother An, thanks to Brother An's strong support over the past year, it has not only relieved the worries of our 30,000 soldiers, but also received the equipment support of a brigade from Brother An. I am very grateful! Come on, brother Yu, give Brother An another drink.
When Brother Zhongan inspects our department next month, let’s have a good drink together!”
"Thank you, Brother Fu, for your kindness. I'd like to thank you for your kindness!"
Yan Xishan looked at An Yi and Fu Zuoyi with a smile, but bursts of pain filled his heart.
Due to their different attitudes towards Japan, the gap between Fu Zuoyi and Yan Xishan, a veteran subordinate who was determined to resist Japan, became deeper and deeper. Especially after receiving financial support from Chiang Kai-shek and receiving a large number of weapons, ammunition and food supplies from the Anjia Army, Fu Zuoyi and Yan Xishan
The more than 30,000 officers and soldiers of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army who were determined to resist the Japanese under their command had already separated from Yan Xishan.