Chapter 57 Lushan Conference

  Chiang Kai-shek: "Hello? Luo Zhuoying? Hurry up and come to the Shanghai Military Intelligence Bureau, bring your staff!"

  "Yes! General Chiang"

  Half an hour later, Luo Zhuoying arrived at the Shanghai Military Bureau, and when he saw Sun Xiang, he was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. The 40-year-old man tightly grasped Sun Xiang's hand: "Mr. Sun!!! It's great that you've come! The sky of China is now being protected." He even used honorific language while speaking.

  Sun Xiang's face was moved, Luo Zhuo Ying is now the main force of the army, Major General rank, and actually so enthusiastic to people, Sun Xiang suddenly had a good impression on this anti-war military commander.

  Sun Xiang: "General Luo, Sun Mou has been defeated and killed. This title of 'Heavenly Guardian' is no longer worthy to be claimed."

  "Who in the world doesn't know your great name, Steve Sun? The record of shooting down 57 planes is not a lie. With such an air combat ace in the sky, the hearts of my ground soldiers can be at ease."

  Chiang Kai-shek, with a smile on his face, watched as his beloved and Sun Xiang drew closer. After the two sides had exchanged pleasantries, Chiang's smile disappeared: "General Luo, hurry up and assemble your troops, we're heading to Beiping."

  Lu Zhuoying was taken aback and asked tentatively: "What does Mr. Chiang mean?"

  Old Chiang waved his hand: "Be vigilant of the Japanese at all times, they have wolf-like ambitions!!"

  Luo Zhuoying gave Chiang Kai-shek a military salute: "Yes! Please rest assured, Mr. Chiang! We will definitely not let the Japanese set foot in Beiping!"

  Sun Xiang burst out laughing, Jiang and Luo's faces instantly turned ugly, Luo Zhuoying coldly said: "What are you laughing at?"

  Sun Xiang ignored them and said, "The Japanese army is mobilizing the entire country to launch a full-scale war of resistance. Commander Luo's 18th Army is quite capable, but currently, there are 17 Japanese divisions in China, equivalent to our 17 armies. You know that their divisions have more than 30,000 people when fully staffed. Commander Luo, you tell me, considering the combat effectiveness of the 18th Army, which has four divisions under its command - the 11th, 14th, 67th, and 94th - with a full strength of 55,000 people, equivalent to only one and a half Japanese divisions. Honestly, how long can you hold out against the Japanese? And how many more 18th Armies does the National Revolutionary Army have?"

  Sun Xiang's words made Old Jiang and Luo Zhuoying flush with anger, but they couldn't afford to lose their temper.

  Chiang Kai-shek said: "Then what do you suggest we do? If I were to make a large-scale troop movement here, how would the Japanese react?"

  Sun Xiang replied, "The 18th Army secretly heads north to North China, and all troops along the Yangtze River are mobilized! Prepare for battle at any time! Also, we must immediately reach an agreement with Yan'an."

  Lu Zhuoying stared at Sun Xiang like a madman: "You mean to say that we can't withstand the Japanese attack at all, and will be driven back to the Yangtze River line soon?"

  Sun Xiang coldly snorted: "Commander Luo, wake up! You need to see where the gap is between us and the Japanese. They have fully-equipped divisions, with complete military equipment. Now Japan wants to launch a large-scale, comprehensive invasion of China, not just small-scale local conflicts." He paused for a moment, glanced at Chiang Kai-shek, and continued: "Japan has taken over the Northeast, now their appetite is open, they are thinking about the whole of China!!! So, put aside your narrow-mindedness, think carefully about how to withstand Japan's initial crazy attack!"

  After Sun Xiang finished speaking, Chiang Kai-shek seemed not to have heard the sarcasm in his tone and only let out a long sigh: "Mr. Sun has made up my mind for me."

  On June 5, 1937, both the Nationalist and Communist parties issued a statement that they would hold talks in Lushan on June 8.

  As soon as the news was released, it caused a stir throughout the country. People with insight have expressed their views, believing that this is a precursor to a unified front.

  The 18th Corps stationed in Zhejiang was fully equipped with American equipment and secretly marched north to counter the initial surprise attack and rapid advance of the Japanese.

  After Sun Xiang received the news, he let out a long sigh of relief. It seems that history has changed from this moment on, and the Japanese will not be like they were in history. Now what needs to be done well is this meeting between the KMT and the Communist Party. The anti-Japanese united front must be finalized now and cannot wait until the war breaks out to make preparations.

  During this time, Sun Xiang directly took Sherry and Rita to a villa in Nanjing, which was the temporary base designated by Sun Xiang. Drake arranged everything, while Eric, Andy, and Richie accompanied Chen Nade on an inspection of the current state of the Chinese Air Force, temporarily parting ways with Sun Xiang. Drake set off again for Sichuan to continue overseeing the construction of the Chongqing Aviation Base.

  On June 6, **representing Zhou Enlai brought the "Draft Outline of National United Front for Resisting Humiliation and Saving China" and 13 specific issues to Lushan with Qin Bangxian and Lin Boqu. At that time, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling lived in Meilu Villa. This European-style garden building was hidden among the green trees of Donggu Valley, revealing a beautiful, elegant, harmonious and solemn atmosphere. The Nationalist-Communist cooperation talks in Lushan started here.

  Although the host and guest are negotiating opponents today, 10 years ago at Huangpu Military School, one was the principal and the other was the director of the political department. Therefore, their meeting can be said to be an old friend's reunion, and under the fierce competition between the two sides, there is also a warm feeling.

  Zhou Enlai and two others crossed the babbling brook of Mei Ling Bridge, where Chiang Kai-shek was waiting at the gate of Mei Lu Villa. He politely came forward to shake hands and said: "Oh, Enlai, you've arrived, good, good." Zhou Enlai also smiled in greeting.

  "Soong Mei-ling said with joy: 'At the time of the "Double Twelfth", Mr. Zhou and Mr. Qin rushed to Xi'an, discussing solutions with us. Mr. Zhou prioritized the overall situation, which I admire greatly, and I am also very grateful for Mr. Zhou's help.'"

  Zhou Enlai smiled and said: "The 'Xi'an Incident' was able to be resolved peacefully, mainly because of Mr. Chiang's promise to resist Japan. Since we can achieve the goal of unified resistance against Japan, some things will be easier to handle."

  Soong Mei-ling brought out a plate of sliced watermelon and walked into the living room, saying: "Come on, come on, try some of Jiangxi's Fuzhou watermelon. Look, it's sandy, juicy, and sweet as honey." As she spoke, she handed each of the three guests a slice of watermelon.

  Zhou Enlai took over the watermelon and said meaningfully: "I'd rather hope that our two parties are like these connected melon pulp, Mr. Chairman, what do you think?"

  Chiang Kai-shek smiled and nodded: "That's right."

  "Soong Mei-ling asked with great enthusiasm: 'Mr. Zhou, how is Mrs. Zhou's health lately? Lushan is cool and pleasant, why didn't you bring your wife here to Lushan too? I'd like to have a good chat with her.'"

  Zhou Enlai elegantly wiped his hands with a napkin and replied politely, "I will certainly bring Mrs. Chiang's greetings to him. I think you will have the opportunity to meet and talk..."

  Chiang Kai-shek smiled: "Enlai, let me introduce someone to you."

  Zhou Enlai's face showed surprise: "Mr. Sun???"

  Chiang Kai-shek nodded with some satisfaction: "He is now my military adviser."

  Zhou Enlai replied: "It should be so. How could such talent be buried? Only under Mr. Chiang can Mr. Sun's abilities be brought into play."

  Chiang Kai-shek spoke, Sun Xiang walked out from behind the screen, Zhou Enlai looked at him with a burst of admiration, the real person was more handsome than the newspaper photo, with a military demeanor between dragon and tiger steps, he could be praised as a good young man.

  Xun Xiang smiled and shook hands with Zhou Enlai: "I've long heard of Mr. Zhou's great name, today I see that it's indeed extraordinary."

  Zhou Enlai grasped Sun Xiang's hand tightly and said, "Mr. Sun's great name is now known throughout the world, everyone knows that there is a Chinese who is the world's number one air combat ace, you have greatly enhanced our nation's prestige!"

  Xun Xiang humbly bowed a few times, then turned to the two leaders present and said: "Today I have spoken out, my words are still the same as before. We are now facing the crisis of national subjugation, do not think that I am speaking alarmist words. According to the information I obtained in the United States and from Japanese spies, several months ago Japan had already begun full-scale preparations for war. Since Japan has openly prepared for a comprehensive invasion of China, the two parties should unite and cooperate. As an outsider, or as a Chinese with a patriotic heart, I see very clearly that there are great political differences between the two parties, but no matter how big they are, they cannot be bigger than the shared ancestry and kind, nor can they be bigger than the crisis of national subjugation!"

  Sun Xiangzheng was speaking when Dai Li knocked on the door and walked in, lowering his head to prepare for a conversation. He was pushed away by Chiang Kai-shek: "Speak directly, there's nothing here that can't be known."

  Tai De loudly replied: "The Japanese side has already begun day and night exercises with the goal of attacking Lugou Bridge and capturing Wanping City."

  This sentence made everyone in the room sit up straight!