Volume 1 Entering the War of Resistance Chapter 61: The Airport Construction Corruption Case

  Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, also gradually developed after the National Government moved to Chongqing. The Aviation Committee still set up its office here after being reorganized into the Air Force Command in June.

  He Juncai arrived from Chongqing today and handed a thick file to Air Force Commander-in-Chief Zhou Zhijou along with Huang Guangrui. It turned out that after He Juncai returned from Nanchong, he immediately used his intelligence resources - the Intelligence Division of the Air Force Staff Department to investigate the airport construction corruption case.

  The Intelligence Bureau originally had three groups. The first group was responsible for collecting external intelligence related to the Air Force, and spies lurking in enemy-occupied areas belonged to them. The second group was responsible for detecting spies within the enemy's internal. The third group was the telecommunications group, also known as the "Chinese Crypt", which was responsible for deciphering the telecommunications collected from various listening stations. He Juncai concurrently served as Deputy Chief of Staff and was in charge of the Intelligence Bureau, so he directly ordered the second group to take charge of this matter.

  The second group originally responsible for investigating internal espionage was not professional in doing this thing, but He Juncai did not want this matter to be linked with the Central Committee and the Military Committee, but hoped to rely on the power of the air force to independently investigate the matter. Fortunately, the corruption within the Kuomintang is now very serious, and bribery and corruption are done very openly, without any concealment. So in just a few days, the situation was basically clarified.

  After receiving the report, He Juncai first reported to his superior, Huang Guangrui, the Minister of Equipment Department. As He Juncai also served as the Deputy Minister of Equipment Department, this matter was also considered a dereliction of duty on his part. Although Huang Guangrui knew that his subordinates were not reliable, especially since the Equipment Department was responsible for procurement and construction of equipment and weapons, giving them more power, he had not expected them to be so arrogant. He was extremely angry, and the two decided to report the matter to the Commander-in-Chief before making a decision.

  Zhou Zhiyu finished reading the entire document without saying a word, then looked up at the two officers sitting across from him and said: "I've read the materials. How does the Equipment Department view this matter?"

  "The construction of the airport affects the overall situation of the War of Resistance, and its speed and quality will have a direct impact on our air force. In the early stage, we invested a large amount of funds to build war-prepared airports throughout Sichuan Province, but I did not expect such a situation to occur. I want to deal with it strictly," said Huang Guangrui.

  "This matter is not only related to the internal affairs of the Air Force, but also involves local officials. To avoid such incidents from happening again, I suggest that we strictly deal with those involved within the Air Force and recommend to the National Government to severely punish the local officials." He Juncai added.

  After investigation, He Juncai uncovered a complete chain of corruption and bribery, which shocked him deeply. The special funds allocated by the Equipment Department were first embezzled by half when they reached the Construction Department under different names, with most of the money going into the pockets of the department head and his relatives.

  When these funds were then allocated to the Sichuan Provincial Government, another half was again misappropriated. By the time it reached Nan Chong County, only a quarter of the original amount remained, with most of the remaining funds being used as "hardship allowances" for government officials, resulting in not only no compensation for land requisition but also greatly reduced labor costs.

  "Alas, our air force has been established for a short time, yet such serious corruption has already appeared. This matter must be dealt with severely. However, it is difficult for the National Government to punish them, as all officials from top to bottom are aware of these situations and their interests are linked together. I fear it will affect our relationship with the local government." Zhou Zhi Rou sighed and said that compared to other warlords and governments, the air force was much cleaner, and he had not expected such a big case this time.

  "Embezzlement and corruption must be strictly dealt with, otherwise we will lose the support of the people." He Juncai insisted on this, knowing that in the middle and late stages of the war against Japan, the corruption of the National Government had affected its relationship with the people, which largely determined the final defeat.

  "The local government is not under our jurisdiction, and it's hard to coordinate, that's the fact. I think we should handle the internal affairs of the air force first, and then talk about it later," said Zhou Zhi Rou.

  "Commander, as the Minister of Equipment Department, I have an inescapable responsibility for this incident. I request punishment!" Huang Guangrui stood up and said, "I think the responsibilities of the Equipment Department are too heavy now. As the air force's assets grow thicker, the equipment purchased and produced by the department increases, and the funds handled also increase. Moreover, the Equipment Department has many enterprises under its jurisdiction for production, making it difficult to effectively avoid corruption. I think there should be effective supervision, and some responsibilities should be stripped away from the Equipment Department." Huang Guangrui was a very responsible air force general, who put the overall development of the air force first, even if it meant reducing his own power.

  "It makes sense, now the Equipment Department is not only responsible for procurement, production and R&D of equipment, but also for the construction and production tasks of several overseas bases. It's indeed too big, and as it gets bigger, efficiency will slowly decrease. Moreover, internally, due to unclear supervision and inadequate restraint, corruption will occur." Zhou Zhi Rou nodded in agreement.

  "I suggest separating the functions of research and production from the Equipment Department, and establishing a special Air Force Economic Management Bureau to be in charge. Similarly, several overseas bases along with secret assets abroad should also be allocated there." Huang Guangrui was well-prepared for this and immediately put forward his own suggestions.

  "Oh, in that case, who can take on this responsibility?" asked Zhou Zhi Rou.

  "There is one in front of us. He Jun has an overseas background and has a deep understanding of the technical equipment of the air force, I think he is the most suitable person to take charge of this matter." After a period of contact, Huang Guangrui confirmed He Juncai's character and felt that he could bear such important responsibility.

  "What? I. No way, no way, I'm afraid it's hard to bear this heavy responsibility." He Juncai hurriedly pushed and refused, actually he thought it was too troublesome, not as straightforward as fighting.

  "I think so. Let's have the Logistics Department come up with an opinion on this matter, and I'll go consult with the Director-General." Zhou Zhi Rou also hoped that the air force's economic lifeline would be controlled by the Director-General's own faction.

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  Although Zhou Zhi Rou did not want to ruin the relationship with the local government because of this matter, He Jun Cai could not forget the sincere eyes of his hometown elders. He decided to speak alone to Chiang Kai-shek and handle the matter to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. After contacting Chen Bulei, the secretary-general of the Chamber of Attendants, he quickly received a notification that the Chairman would meet with him. After all, He Jun Cai was now a hot figure beside the Chairman, if it were other government or military personnel, waiting for a month was a common thing.

  "Attention!" He Juncai walked into the Chairman's office and gave a military salute to Chiang Kai-shek, who was smiling on the sofa. Several months of military career had partially changed the temperament of this former floating airbase administrator.

  "Not bad, He Shaozhang. The Air Force has indeed given the National Government a boost in recent months. A few days ago, the British government sent a telegram to express their gratitude for the help of our aviation team in Britain, and it is said that our boys have already shot down 60 German planes?" Chairman He said with delight, he had never seen the British government being so polite before, even Prime Minister Churchill personally called him once, letting him enjoy the thrill of being a great leader.

  "The first batch of air forces aiding Britain has shot down 66 German planes, among which 30 are bombers." He Juncai first reported the latest situation to him, "This is because the British planes have good performance and can basically compete with German planes, so our pilots can play their greatest role."

  "When will China be able to produce its own fighter planes? Then we won't have to fear the enemy's attacks anymore." The chairman sighed.

  "It won't be long. We have already purchased the production and modification licenses for the British Greyback liquid-cooled engine, and are negotiating to purchase the production line. The airframe part is also being designed. It is expected that a prototype can be produced by early next year, and as soon as the engine arrives, flight testing can begin immediately." He Juncai replied.

  "That's really great, the Air Force has achieved a great merit." Chiang Kai-shek said with joy.

  "Director, I want to report something that happened when I went back home for a family visit," He Juncai reported to Chiang Kai-shek in detail about what he saw and heard at the airport.

  "How can this be, Niu Xi Pi? This matter must be severely punished." Chiang Kai-shek scolded Niu in his thick Fenghua accent. "This matter, Fei Lei (Chen Bulei's courtesy name), you will handle it immediately."

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  The airport construction corruption case was quickly handled within a week. The Air Force arrested a series of people involved in the case, including the head of the Construction Department. The Economic Management Bureau was formally established and took over the original Technical Department, Aviation Research Institute, and production factories for engines, aircraft, and other auxiliary equipment, as well as secretly taking over bases distributed in Burma, India, the Americas, and Europe. He Juncai took on the role of the first bureau chief with great fanfare, handing over his position in the Equipment Department while retaining his position as commander of the 4th Flying Brigade, a crack team that needed to be kept under his control. The power and authority of the Intelligence Department were further strengthened, with the Second Group not only responsible for investigating internal espionage but also supervising various departments within the Air Force.

  The government's handling of the matter left He Juncai very dissatisfied. Although Chiang Kai-shek made a good show of being strict, only a few low-ranking officials were dealt with, and not even all the funds were returned. As soon as the trail led to high-ranking Nationalist Party members, it was cut off, and various departments simultaneously stopped pursuing the matter. He Juncai inquired extensively and learned that this affair had a great deal to do with the Chen family among the "Chiang-Soong-Kung-Chen" clique. Chen Lifu and Chen Guofu controlled the "CC Clique", whose members were wildly accumulating wealth under its banner, while the Chen family was Chiang Kai-shek's benefactor, and Chen Lifu and Chen Guofu were nephews of Chen Qimei, who in turn was Chiang Kai-shek's revolutionary mentor. Moreover, when Chiang Kai-shek was down on his luck in Shanghai, it was the "Green Gang" controlled by the Chen family that helped him rise to power, and the April 12 Incident was launched with the help of Green Gang thugs. Therefore, even though He Juncai personally called Chiang Kai-shek several times, Chiang remained nonchalant about the matter.

  "We are fighting for our lives at the front, while you are making a fortune from the country's misfortune in the rear!" He Juncai slammed down the phone and finally understood Chiang Kai-shek's attitude of turning a blind eye to corruption among his subordinates. After all, Chiang's regime was built with their help, and he didn't dare touch their fundamental interests. The Japanese were not the main threat; Chiang valued his own power more. This incident created the first crack in the relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and He Juncai.

  "I will remember you!" He Junci decided to develop the Economic Management Bureau well, cultivate his own strength, and only grasp military power with one hand and economic lifeline with the other, can realize his ideal.

  Relying on the recovered funds, He Juncai's first move after taking office was to take over the construction of airports in various parts of Sichuan, no longer through local governments, but directly by the air force. Local governments had some opinions on this, but in the face of evidence of corruption and corruption presented by He Juncai, local governments could not hold their heads up, and the matter was pushed forward strongly.

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