Chapter Thirty-One Shanxi

  The grand hall of the Taiyuan Pacification Office, Yan Laixi warmly introduced the high-ranking generals of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army to Falkenhausen: Deputy Commander and Commander of the Guard Brigade Yang Aiyuan, Commander of the 19th Army and 70th Division Wang Jingguo, Commander of the 33rd Army and 101st Division Sun Chu, Commander of the 34th Army and 66th Division Yang Xiaozhou, Commander of the 35th Army and 73rd Division Fu Zuoyi, Cavalry Commander Zhao Chengshou, Artillery Commander Zhou Dai and others. Watching them formally greet each other, I had already sat down with Yun Yan on one side to rest. It's great to come out with Yun Yan, haha! There won't be any smoke or crowds, only beautiful women and delicious food!

  "Mr. and Mrs. Zi'an! Hello! I am Zhao Daiwen."

  I looked up and exclaimed, "Ah!" Hurriedly pulling Yunyan to stand up and pay respects, "Mr. Cilang, junior has manners!"

  "Haha, I'm not worthy of being an elder!"

  "Mr. Chao is the first literary figure in modern Shanxi, ranked as the top of the first class. He then gave up his official career to pursue learning, and further led a revolution in Shanxi, establishing the National Teachers' College. If Mr. Chao does not deserve the title 'Mr.', who else in the world deserves it?"

  "Zi An Tai is so powerful! Haha haha haha!"

  Yunyan hastily went forward to support Zhao Daiwen and sat down.

  "I have been studying Japan for over 20 years, and it is clear that its national strength far surpasses China's. If the two countries were to engage in an all-out war, China would inevitably suffer a disastrous defeat. Moreover... A few days ago, I observed the deployment of troops by the Japanese army, haha, they are using rigid defensive tactics, arranging their troops like a long snake, unable to support each other from head to tail. When attacked at the head, the tail cannot move; when attacked at the tail, the head cannot move; or simply curl up and wait for the enemy to attack. Occasionally, they would kick out with their feet, but their hands are used to cover their heads, unable to assist each other. As a result, they provide the enemy with opportunities to break through one by one, causing the entire line to waver, turning defense into death. They do not think of ways to fight back, but instead hope that the tiger will not bare its teeth. If I were Japan, I would first throw a punch at China's head, and then kick it in the waist..."

  I'm shocked to hear this! Not only is the content shocking, but it's basically about the initial stages of the Shanxi war situation. What's even more shocking is that Zhao Daiwen spoke so bluntly and directly to me, a Zhongyang system person he just met for the first time!

  I sincerely admire you, "Sir, your words are profound! I am really inferior to you!"

  "Child, don't be modest, old man is still waiting for your answers to dispel doubts! — A weak country clearly knows it's no match for a strong one, how should it respond?"

  Facing this respectable revolutionary veteran and the accomplished master of Shanxi modern education, I replied seriously: "A few years ago when I traveled to Europe, every time I passed through a small country, I asked many locals the same question: 'When facing strong enemies, how can weak countries with sparse populations defend their homes and safeguard their nations?' Summing up the useful answers, there was only one sentence: although we are weak and small, we must make it clear to the invaders that the cost of eliminating us far outweighs any benefits they might gain."

  "Hmm, that makes sense! However, China is vast and rich in resources, just like a child holding a large sum of money walking through a bustling city, unaware of the crime."

  "What the old gentleman said is right, but fortunately, as far as the world is concerned, nowadays Ri Ben is just a small child carrying a big knife walking in the bustling city, and may not be able to exert 'the power of overturning a country'."

  Zhao Daiwen smiled slightly, "I heard that this afternoon at the Arsenal, General Falkenhausen has already mentioned 1914? Are we going to take advantage of the great powers' war and reap benefits from it? Are we betting on the country's fate, pressing our bets?"

  "It's easy to place a bet, but first we need to have the time to place the bet, and then we also need to have the capital to drag it to victory in order to collect the profit. Otherwise, the scene after the last big war will be replayed, that's the difficult point!"

  "I'm old and my days are numbered, I'm afraid I won't be able to see this scene, but as long as Zhongyang has a son like An, I can rest assured!" Zhao Daiwen waved his hand to stop me from speaking, "This is specific to Shanxi province, can An make some arrangements?"

  I won't be polite either, "As stated in the plan issued by the Military Commission to the Taiyuan Garrison Command, the North China Anti-Japanese War will take defending Shanxi as its core, and unfold its defense in two directions: Jin Dongbei and Jin Dong; The third point is in Suiyuan, mainly using cavalry to repeatedly harass and raid. At the beginning of the war, Song Zheyuan's place will be attacked first, and Suiyuan should be a secondary battlefield; Later, the Northwest Army will retreat southward, and it is also possible that some will retreat westward, after all, the 29th Army under Song Xingyuan cannot be fully controlled. During this period, the Central Plains will send 3-5 armies to go north and participate in the defense of Jin Dongbei and Jin Dong mountainous areas with the Jin Sui army, and one cavalry army will participate in the battle in Suiyuan. From then on, it mainly depends on the Jin Sui army itself!"

  "Is this all Central can offer?"

  "I'm afraid it's true for now, but after several months when the southwestern troops march north to join the battle, Shanxi will have new reinforcements."

  "So, does 'zhōngyāng' mean the main battlefield is in the Yangtze River basin?"

  "Sir, some things are not to be spread around!" I could only vaguely point this out.

  "Alright, I'll never mention this again."

  At this time, Falkenhausen stormed over in a rage, "Song, you come and tell them that they actually refused to let me go to Shanxi Northeast for inspection! They even said it was due to security considerations, but now there's no war? Moreover, Shanxi Northeast is hundreds of miles away from the Japanese army, this is simply nonsense!"

  Huh? If Fa Keenhausen goes, he will definitely be able to see many places where the defense is insufficient, and thus increase the allocation of funds and materials for Shanxi's defense construction project, increasing Shanxi's defense. Why did Yan Laowei and others refuse instead? What? I don't remember any high-ranking officials in the Jin-Sui Army being Hanjian (traitors) at all! How could this be?

  "Zi An, my younger brother, although there is no war in Jin's northeast now, it is still in the midst of a harsh winter. The weather is terrible and the mountain roads are rugged. I really don't feel at ease letting General and Mr. and Mrs. go there!" Yang Aiyuan said to him.

  I smiled and said, "As for Shanxi's northeast region, my wife and I can skip it. General, having been through many battles, shouldn't you be used to that kind of harsh weather?"

  "Of course," said Falkenhausen proudly. "Since Song and Madame Song are not going, my deputy officer and I are military men, a little bad weather is nothing."

  So, under Falkenhausen's insistence, we decided to go our separate ways: Falkenhausen accompanied by Yang Aiyuan went to Xinzhou, Dai County, Yingxian, Datong, Tianzhen, and then Zhangjiakou to Beiping; I and Yun Yan, at my request, were accompanied by Fu Zuoyi to inspect Jin Dong, passed through Niangzi Pass to Hebei, and then turned back to Beiping via Shimen to meet up with Falkenhausen.

  Fakenhausen was satisfied and went to shake hands with the high-ranking generals of the Shanxi Army; I, however, had a hard time secretly sneaking away to see Old Yan again.

  "Director Yan, Sanjie and Dagee asked me to thank you for your support. This humble gift is not enough to express our respect."

  "Little brother is being polite! Bai Chuan also wants to thank Ziwu for his help and your reminder, some local specialties, sorry about that!"

  After some small talk, in order to avoid affecting sleep, I got straight to the point: "Today was an eye-opener at the munitions factory!"

  "The results of several decades of construction are still passable. Can't compare to what my younger brother achieved in a few months at Xiangshan." Yan Laoxi continued to beat around the bush.

  I don't have time to go around in circles, "I'm just throwing money at it now. Director Yan, Zhongyāng estimates that by the end of this year or early next year, Japan may launch a partial invasion against China again, with the Pingjin area being the focus. Once Song Mingxuan runs away, the Japanese army will inevitably attack Shanxi while advancing south into Hebei; Director Yan needs to make preparations early."

  Seeing me being straightforward, Yan Xishan couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. "Zhongyang has expressed similar sentiments many times before, but what about Baili, Geng Guang and your younger brother?"

  "We're all just speculating too."

  "If so, Shanxi is in danger!"

  "Moreover, the initial support from Zhongyāng was limited. I'll give you a rough estimate: about 3-5 armies in Shanxi and one cavalry army in Suiyuan; the second batch of reinforcements would only arrive after the southwestern troops came."

  "Is that all?"

  "So, Taiyuan may fall! I hope Director Yan believes that in the next battle, I predict that the Japanese army will attack Shanxi around September. If my prediction is accurate, please ask Director Yan to move all the factories in Taiyuan that can be moved to the rear, so as not to let them be used by the enemy."

  "Brother Xian said it's come to this point, Bai Chuan An has no reason not to promise! Thank you!"

  "Storm and snow are coming, please prepare as soon as possible, Director Yan."

  Next, we drove east in the wind and snow. "Indeed, it's not a good day to go out!" I said with a smile to Fu Zuoyi who was sitting in the front seat.

  "Shanxi is already quite good here, Suiyuan is really miserable! This kind of snowy weather is a common occurrence."

  "Is this driver someone you brought from Suiyuan? It's really great that he can drive so steadily in such weather."

  "Ah!" Fu Zuoyi paused for a moment, "Thank you, sir."

  "You're welcome." Everyone smiled knowingly!

  "May I address you as Brother Yi Sheng?"

  "My foolish brother won't be polite anymore!"

  Yunyan also smiled and said: "Then brother and sister have been polite here!"

  "Hahaha!"

  Yunyan continued: "I heard that Fu Dage just won a victory in Suiyuan, killing many Japanese devils?"

  "Don't listen to their boasts, Han Jian killed quite a few, but the devils only killed twenty or thirty."

  "Shuozhou's terrain is vast and flat, suitable for cavalry battles. Brother Yi, with infantry as the main force, might find it difficult to display his skills?"

  "It's okay for now, since we're dealing with the puppet army and have the support of 100 cars from Shanxi, so the situation can still be maintained; if we engage in a long-term battle with the Japanese army, it's likely to be unavoidable..."

  "Little brother thinks Suiyuan is suitable for cavalry warfare. Can the Shanxi cavalry be commanded by Brother Yisheng?"

  "Now two cavalry divisions of Shanxi are in Suiyuan, what will happen later is unknown?"

  "Little brother will join Mr. Bai and others to suggest to the Chairman that the main force of the cavalry be deployed in Suiyuan, with Brother Yi commanding it. I wonder if Brother Yi is willing?" This was obviously a move to undermine Old Yan's position, seeing Fu Zuoyi hesitate, "Last year Li Shumin's family died so miserably!"

  Fu Zuoyi remained silent, I continued to press on: "Ci Chen and Qi Yu left Shanxi one after another, Ge Fuxing abandoned his troops to practice military training, Li Shengda died miserably, and the old commander of the Jin-Sui army was only Yi Sheng's brother!"

  "Shouldn't the meaning of the virtuous younger brother and the chairman be made clear? Can we discuss it later?"

  "Alright then, how about half a year later?"

  "Good!"