After visiting various European and American countries, due to the sudden escalation of the war between the two countries, after signing a long-term loan agreement of 10 million pounds with the Goda Arms Factory in the Czech Republic, he rushed to Germany to take a flight from Berlin to Syria, and then transferred back to Vice President of the Executive Yuan Kong Xiangxi in Nanjing.
, visited Chiang Kai-shek with his wife and two daughters.
Miss Kong Lingyi and Miss Kong Lingjun were entangled with Soong Meiling as soon as they entered Qilu. Kong Lingyi had a gentle, virtuous, and generous personality, and had a bit of aloofness, but Kong Lingjun had been wild since he was a child, and he liked to challenge the most in school.
Start a fight with classmates
He learned to shoot when he was in his early tenth year, and could drive at the age of thirteen. He also disliked women's clothing. He had a slicked back hair, wore suits and leather shoes, wore a top hat crookedly, or dressed like a businessman, holding a folding fan, which made it difficult to distinguish between male and female. Many people
Secretly, he calls her "the witch in troubled times".
"Godmother, look, this is the 'really cool' shirt that daddy specially brought back for me from the United States. It feels so cool when you wear it!" Kong Lingjun stood in front of Soong Meiling, twisting his body back and forth, attracting the attention of his mother Soong Ailing and
Wu Yifang, Yu Qingtang, Lei Jieqiong and other female celebrities praised her.
Seeing Kong Lingjun showing off among a group of women from a distance, Chiang Kai-shek turned to ask Kong Xiangxi: "Yongzhi, is this a newly invented cloth by the Americans?"
Kong Xiangxi nodded: "Yes, it is said to be a brand new fabric. It is smooth and smooth, durable and easy to dry. It does not need to be ironed. The color is bright and does not fade. Especially the color produced by printing and dyeing is bright. Once it was launched in the United States, its sales volume increased.
It’s amazingly good. It’s said that this is a new product launched by a Chinese consortium in California, but I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
Chiang Kai-shek just asked casually, his mind at the moment was entirely focused on whether the results achieved by Kong Xiangxi's visit to Europe and the United States could be realized:
"Of course, now that the two countries are at full-scale war, are the loan contracts you signed really shelved? I remember that you reached a US$25 million loan agreement with Morgan Bank in the United States in May, and again in the UK in June.
A loan project of 20 million pounds was reached with the British to build the railway. In early July, a financial agreement was signed with a group of French banks to guarantee a loan of 400 million French currency with tariffs... The country is now in a difficult situation and money is needed everywhere.
Once you have the money, can you think of another way?"
"well!"
Kong Xiangxi let out a long sigh: "Those Westerners are very naughty. Seeing us going to war with the enemy, they are worried that the loans they provide us will not be guaranteed, and they suddenly become procrastinating and hesitant in doing things. In the past month or so,
I keep traveling between England, France, and the United States. My legs are getting thinner and I still have no facial features. Things are very difficult!"
"Niang Xipi, these imperialists... are hateful and annoying!"
Chiang Kai-shek was very angry. This was his habit. When he was angry, he liked to denounce Britain, the United States and other countries as imperialists. After a while, Chiang Kai-shek calmed down and continued to ask:
"Since they know that fighting is not good and will delay doing business and making money, why don't they come forward to stop the enemy? Don't they understand that if the two countries fight, their interests will be seriously damaged?"
Kong Xiangxi took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a sip of the fragrant tea given by the guard on the coffee table, and replied: "The reason is not complicated, it is just the word profit."
Speaking of this, Kong Xiangxi sighed with emotion:
"Who would have imagined that the United States looks glorious on the surface, but in fact it is full of crises internally. I also went deep into the streets of New York and Washington, observing silently, and discovered something unusual. Up to now, the United States has still not fully recovered from the 1929 crisis.
It has emerged from the shadow of the Great Depression. Since President Roosevelt took office, two consecutive New Deals have greatly stimulated the development of the American economy, which directly led to President Roosevelt's re-election last year.
"On January 20 this year, Roosevelt was sworn in again at the same place four years ago. In his inaugural speech, he said, 'I know that one-third of the country's people are still living in shabby housing, wearing rags and suffering from malnutrition.
.I describe this scene to everyone, not because I am discouraged, but because the whole country has seen it and realizes that it is unjust, and wants to eliminate it.' From this, it can be seen that the economic situation of the United States is not good.
good.
"At the end of April, problems arose in the operation of the U.S. economy. Although on the surface, the United States was successfully recovering under the guidance of the 'New Deal,' the overall economy was in rapid decline, and industrial activity declined at the worst rate in U.S. history.
In early June, the New York Times' industrial and commercial index plummeted from 110 to 85, wiping out all the gains made in the past three to five years. In just over a month, U.S. steel production dropped from 110 to 85.
80% of production capacity was reduced to 19%. The selling wave began to hit the U.S. stock market. On Friday, June 4th, Black Friday was staged. More than 7 million shares changed hands, and the stock trading logger tape
Far from keeping up with demand, the Dow suddenly plummeted, nightclubs in Manhattan closed, new cars were being piled up in showrooms, and gold began to show signs of leaking out.
"From June to July, about two million people in the United States lost their jobs. By the middle of this month, the U.S. business index continued to decline, and many Americans were once again on the verge of hunger and cold." Nazi Germany's "Attack", in
An editorial was published on the 13th of this month, gloatingly pointing out that the Cleveland-like suffering in the United States provides another example of the weakness of the democratic system. As the number of unemployed people soared, journalists acted like they once wrote about Hoover and the hard years.
, began to write "Roosevelt Depression".
"Under such circumstances, the war that broke out between the two countries was nothing less than a shot in the arm for the U.S. economy. Due to the increased demand from the enemy, the major steel plants, military enterprises, and communication industries in the United States are now
The chemical industry is working overtime for production, involving more than 20 related industries. With the
With the outbreak of the naval war, the U.S. industrial and commercial index and the Dow Jones index began to rise rapidly. Under such circumstances, even if President Roosevelt and U.S. bankers knew that the enemy's aggressive war was unjust and evil, they would not step in to stop the war.
Because there are so many interests involved!”
Chiang Kai-shek's eyes widened. He did not expect that the fundamental reason for the ambiguous attitude of the U.S. government was this. Since even the United States, the leader of capitalist countries, has fallen into the predicament of continued economic recession, it is conceivable that the United Kingdom, France and other old capitalist countries
Life is not easy either. No wonder Britain and the United States don't take the initiative to stop the enemy!
"Jie Gong, good news!"
Just when Chiang Kai-shek was deep in thought, Wang Jingwei hurriedly walked into the Qilu living room with a telegram. He was slightly startled when he saw Kong Xiangxi present, and then showed a friendly smile: "Yongzhi, are you back from Europe?"
Chiang Kai-shek and Kong Xiangxi quickly stood up to greet him. Kong Xiangxi respectfully said to Wang Jingwei: "Hello, Mr. Jingwei! I just came back not long ago and came to see Jieshi to discuss some matters."
Chiang Kai-shek asked with a smile: "Brother Zhaoming, is there any good news?"
Wang Jingwei looked solemn: "An hour ago, I received an urgent report from North China, saying that the enemy troops began to withdraw in large numbers, and slowly retreated to the Shanhaiguan line via the Beining Railway and the Jingtang Highway. I still expressed doubts about this and quickly instructed the Military Commission to investigate
The Bureau of Statistics helped determine this matter. As a result, after feedback from the reconnaissance aircraft taking off from Baoding Airport, it was indeed found that the enemy troops were showing signs of retreat. The mighty convoy almost covered the north.
The highways from Ping to Shanhaiguan were all jammed. Then, I immediately contacted my friends from the enemy country. The friends from the enemy country said that the enemy base camp had witnessed heavy casualties in the war in China, but the Soviet Far East was extremely empty of troops, so Ishihara
The idea of Wan Er and other generals to go north has been taken seriously again, and it is expected that within the next half month, the enemy will most likely invade the Far East of the Soviet Union with millions of troops."
Chiang Kai-shek was surprised and delighted: "Why don't I know such important information?"
"this--"
Wang Jingwei was slightly proud and said with a smile: "I have some old friends in North China and enemy countries. It was only with their help that I was able to learn about it in advance this time. However, I believe that as the investigation deepens, the Bureau of Statistics will definitely have a detailed investigation report.
Submit."
"Will the international situation change as a result, and the Soviets will also be involved in the war?"
The good news came so fast that Chiang Kai-shek could hardly believe his ears. He paced back and forth. It was not until Chen Lifu arrived at Qilu that he stopped and asked in a face-to-face manner: "Zu Yan, is this true?
Really? Did the enemy really withdraw their troops from Pingjin?"
Chen Lifu did not dare to neglect, and said quickly: "After repeated investigations and reviews by the Military Command Bureau, and the activation of North China's intelligence department for multiple confirmations, it has been confirmed that the enemy troops have indeed retreated in a large scale. Currently, the enemy troops have two divisions stationed in Tianjin.
Two divisions have been stationed in Peiping, and the remaining thirteen divisions have all been transferred to the Northeast. It is expected that a large-scale war will most likely break out in the Northeast! This is a detailed investigation report."
Chiang Kai-shek took the message and read it carefully.
Kong Xiangxi's face on the side was full of surprise: "It seems that a piece of news I heard in Europe and the United States may be true. Marshal Blyucher, the military leader of the Soviet Far East, could not bear Stalin's dictatorship and rose up to resist.
It is said that not only the NKVD and Cheka personnel were expelled, but also the Soviet
Russia's largest concentration camp in Siberia was destroyed and millions of prisoners were released. Stalin was mobilizing troops to try to suppress the rebellion. The two sides were stationed on the shores of Lake Baikal, and the war was about to break out. Could it be that the enemy saw an opportunity to take advantage of it, so the strategy took place?
A major change in history?”
After reading the telegram, Chiang Kai-shek looked solemn. He returned to the sofa and sat down, closing his eyes and meditating.
In fact, he had been notified of the civil strife in the Soviet Union through the Fourth Hall, but in his opinion at the time, it was just a dispute of tempers. After all, with the cohesion of the Soviet Bolshevik Party, how could such a serious confrontation happen? Far East
The region is under Stalin's iron fist, and it is only a matter of time before it succumbs. But everything now shows that things are not as simple as one imagined. Has the opportunity for an armistice between the two countries already come?
"Report! Latest information!"
Zhao Rui, the lieutenant general and director of the fourth hall, appeared at the door of the living room. Chiang Kai-shek opened his eyes, looked up at Zhao Rui who walked quickly to him, and asked: "What's the matter?"
"Reporting to the Chairman of the Standing Committee, the enemy country held a rally of tens of thousands of people at the Hibiya Park Conference Center in its capital at 9 o'clock this morning. At the meeting, the prime minister of the enemy country delivered a speech on "Carrying the Holy War in Greater East Asia to the End." Through the radio, nearly 100 million enemy countries
The citizens have carried out war agitation. After research by the Fourth Department, they all agreed that the enemy country is very likely to expand the war in China." After saying that, Zhao Rui handed over the message with both hands.
The two completely different telegrams surprised Chiang Kai-shek. He casually took the telegram and read it, then handed Chen Lifu's telegram to Zhao Rui: "Take a look at this information!"
Zhao Rui took it respectfully and looked calm after reading it: "Commissioner, according to the investigation of the Fourth Department, an extremely serious rebellion has occurred in the Northeast. The enemy is mobilizing troops to go to the Northeast to quell the rebellion, rather than to deal with something.
War begins in the Far East. After these troops have countered the rebellion, they can return to North China at any time, or even be transported by ship to any location on our southeastern coast for landing. Therefore, I think the credibility of the Chairman's message is not high...
"
Chen Lifu's face became increasingly ugly. Seeing Chiang Kai-shek's thoughtful look, a surge of anger rushed to his forehead, and he retorted loudly: "General Zhao, everyone has their own intelligence channels, how can you do it because of the general's one-sided remarks?
Will it deny the fruits of the hard work of thousands of people? The political turmoil in the Soviet Union has led to a lack of military strength in the Far East. This is an irrefutable fact, and I still have
The exact news is that the enemy's war agitation meeting is just a way to confuse Soviet Russia, making it think that the enemy is going south in a big way and let go of its hands to fight at Lake Baikal. Once a war breaks out in Soviet Russia, the Far East Military Region will
A large number of troops will be deployed to support the war situation, and the border will be empty, so a large-scale invasion by the enemy is not impossible. General Zhao, what do you think?"
Zhao Rui thought for a moment, nodded and said: "I don't rule out the possibility of this, but..."
Wang Jingwei interrupted Zhao Rui: "Since this is possible, why don't we try to wait and see the enemy's reaction? I think that from now on, we should control the scale of the war and wait for the great changes in the Far East
, this is the best way out for our country to get out of the war at present. If you insist on fighting bravely, you will destroy the party and the country!"
"That's what the teacher taught, but Zhao Rui reserves his opinion!" Zhao Rui said respectfully.
Chiang Kai-shek thought about it again and again, but still could not make up his mind. At this time, the German Ambassador Todemann asked to see Chairman Chiang Kai-shek. Zhao Rui originally wanted to leave, but Chiang Kai-shek stayed to listen to what the German Ambassador had to say.
"Chairman of the Generalissimo, gentlemen, the head of state of our country has always attached great importance to the friendly relations between Germany and China, and very much does not want the war between the two fraternal states to be exploited by others." After sitting down, Taudeman said straightforwardly.
Taudmann is a China expert. He has served as ambassador to China for six years. He is familiar with Asian politics and is Germany's chief diplomat in Asia.
Chiang Kai-shek thought: "What is the opinion of the German government?"
"The head of state sent me to tell the Chairman that Germany is willing to come forward to persuade enemy countries to stop attacking China and restore friendship between the two countries in order to deal with the common enemy - Soviet Russia and communism."
Originally, he had given up all hope of halting the train. When Chiang Kai-shek heard that Germany had actually offered to mediate, he was once again surprised by the intervention of this new factor.
Because there were too many surprises today, Chiang Kai-shek did not express his position immediately, but said vaguely: "The Chinese government and people will never succumb to armed aggression, but we are more willing to strive for peace. War is not good for either country.
After Chiang Kai-shek reiterated his diplomatic principles, he still did not forget to express his gratitude to the head of state: "Mr. Ambassador, please tell the head of state of your country that the Chinese people will never forget the great friendship of the friendly German people."
After sending Todman away, Chiang Kai-shek summoned his confidant generals and staff to discuss matters. Even though it was reported that Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station was bombed by enemy fighter planes, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, the meeting was still not terminated and the discussion was continued until just before dinner.
The decision was made: The Chinese army in Shanghai should immediately stop attacking the Japanese concession and stabilize the current front. If the enemy forces launch a counterattack, they will resolutely repel it.
At the same time, in North China, in view of the fact that the enemy troops had taken the initiative to withdraw their troops, in order to reduce hostility, Song Zheyuan's 29th Group Army diverted to Shanxi and withdrew south to the border of Hebei and Henan for reorganization; the Shang earthquake department, which had been seriously reduced in number, was transferred back to Shijiazhuang and newly formed
Formed the 20th Group Army, which consisted of the 32nd Army, the 17th Division, the 47th Division, and the 10th Cavalry Division.
and Hebei Security Brigade; Wei Lihuang's 14th Group Army was also transferred to Shijiazhuang for reorganization. In addition to the 14th Army originally under its jurisdiction, the 3rd Army, 14th Army, 27th Division, 8th Division
The 15th Division, the 94th Division, the 177th Division, the Independent 5th Brigade, and the 46th Independent Brigade were also assigned to the command of the 14th Group Army.
At this point, the Cangbao Line defense fortifications built by the Anjia Army with great effort were only held by the Second Group Army and Wan Fulin's Third Army, whose strength was rapidly reduced after the split. The war in North China had entered a period of relative calm.