Chapter 62 Leaving for Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere

  Japan commented on the Sun Xiang provocation incident, and a Japanese diplomat stated that Sun Xiang's actions violated the stability and development of Greater East Asia. He protested to the United States, believing it was an Asian matter, and as Sun Xiang is a US military officer, he should return to the US and no longer participate in East Asian affairs.

  After the Japanese beheaded him, both the KMT and CPC issued statements. The Nationalist side said that Sun was a military advisor to China, and this was an unreasonable demand from Japan, which they would not heed.

  The Communist Party resolutely opposes Japan, and all the military movements of the Japanese army have shown the wolfish ambition of the Japanese side. The Sun Xiang action has greatly boosted morale, and is a pillar of the state. It also advises the Japanese side not to take any rash actions.

  The Japanese, seeing the ineffectiveness of the telegraph, even responded that Sun Xiang was participating in his personal capacity and that the US had no right to interfere. The Japanese then devoted themselves to preparing for war, with the Japanese army and the 29th Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army constantly rubbing against each other around Beiping, and the situation suddenly became tense.

  On June 21, Japan established a temporary combat department, which has made the Chinese side feel uneasy. However, Song Zheyuan, the commander of the 29th Army, who was facing the Japanese army, did not think so. He still believed that the Japanese army would not dare to launch a full-scale war, and he had great confidence in his own troops. There were only 30,000 to 40,000 Japanese soldiers around Beiping, while his 29th Army had nearly 100,000 men, so they wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

  On June 22, the Japanese side once again issued a note, stating that China and Japan should establish a great East Asian prosperity, and the friendship between the two countries will last forever. Song Zheyuan, the commander of the 29th Army, said in an interview: "China and Japan are major powers in the Far East, and they should take joint responsibility for the events in the Far East. Otherwise, others will benefit while China and Japan both suffer disadvantages. He hopes that the responsible leaders of the two countries can understand their respective positions, work hard to eliminate existing difficulties, and on the basis of equality, promote the prosperity and peace of both sides."

  The Japanese put on a smiling face, but the olive branch thrown out by the Japanese was completely an illusion. All aspects were well prepared and only waited for the order to launch a crazy attack.

  On June 23, Sun Xiang accepted an interview with Ta Kung Pao and Central Daily News.

  "First of all, congratulations to Mr. Sun on his promotion to Major General and taking command of the national air force."

  Xun Xiang smiled and accepted the congratulations of several people: "Being able to make our country strong on Chinese soil is my dream. What I want to say is that the days when we are bullied by others will soon be over."

  "Central Daily News reporter: 'Mr. Sun, what would you like to say about Mr. Song's speech?'"

  Sun Xiang took a sip of tea: "General Song Zheyuan has been confronting the Japanese in the north for two years, and by rights I shouldn't be qualified to comment on such a figure. However, this time I have to say that he's wrong - the Japanese won't extend an olive branch to us. If they want peaceful coexistence, then please ask them to get out of Chinese territory. Also, please give my regards to the officers and soldiers of the 29th Army."

  The eyes of the Ta Kung Pao reporter flashed with a gleam: "Mr. Sun, you have been back in China from America for almost a month now, and except for your brief appearance at the previous Peiping aerial incident, you haven't appeared before the public; why is that?"

  Sun Xiang smiled: "I came back to do what, you know better than me, so I won't do anything unnecessary. Resisting invaders is something I must do, as long as the Japanese dare to come, I'll make sure they have no return."

  Two journalists and a photographer looked at him with admiration, and the reporter from Central Daily News immediately asked: "Mr. Sun, what do you think of Japan's concept of Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere?"

  Sun Xiang glanced at him sideways and coldly snorted: "Go to hell with your Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."

  Two reporters gasped. Sun Xiang continued, "Write it just like that, don't change a single word. Can the Japanese still turn things around? If he dares to turn things around, I'll dare to knock him down."

  Four people in a row secretly admired Sun Xiang's strong and unyielding spirit, this kind of anti-war hero is what people need, if this article were to be published, Sun Xiang would definitely become a thorn in the eyes of the Japanese.

  On the other hand, Chen Nade ended his half-month investigation and now has a general understanding of China's situation. He found that currently only students from the Nanchang Aviation School are qualified pilots, while most pilots from other places are not qualified.

  There are only about 100 aircraft that can take off nationwide. With the current strength to fight against Japan, the planes will be shot down soon. Chen Nade sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek, including F4U, with a total of 191 aircraft that can take off and meet the enemy. The actual strength is far different from the data of 305 fighter jets on paper. If no more planes are introduced, once the war starts, it will have a great impact.

  Chiang Kai-shek deliberated for a long time and, in the name of the Republic of China, sought aid from the Soviet Union. Chiang ordered his ambassador to the Soviet Union, Jiang Tingfu, to quickly contact the Soviet government and urgently purchase 200 fighter planes and 100 bombers. Stalin readily accepted Chiang's request, and after emergency consultations with Ambassador Jiang, both sides formally signed the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact the next day, marking the beginning of Soviet aid to China's anti-Japanese war effort.

  The Soviet aircraft supporting China flew from Xinjiang to Lanzhou and then transferred to various major war zones. The headquarters of the Soviet air force supporting our country was located in Lanzhou. At that time, the Soviet Air Force Volunteer Corps supporting China consisted of two parts: one was the Aviation Support Combat Team (mainly fighter jets) and the other was the Aviation Volunteer Transport Team (mainly transport planes).

  The first batch of aircraft were 9 DB-3 twin-engine medium bombers, which could carry a maximum of 2500kg bombs and had three crew members. The top speed was 439km/h and the range was up to 3800km, meaning it could handle most long-range bombing missions.

  Sun Xiang was thrilled to hear that the Soviet Union would support this, which meant that if such planes could be produced on a large scale, and with F4U squadrons escorting DB-3s on missions, it would be a very exciting thing. The enemy's cities would become ruins when these 2500kg bomb-carrying planes swarmed in like locusts. Upon hearing the news of the bombers, Sun Xiang couldn't help but think of his own little plan. As the ultimate air power B-29 bomber, it was the best bomber in Sun Xiang's mind. He chuckled and found a piece of paper and a pen.

  At the end of June, the Japanese army suddenly fell silent. Sun Xiang sneered, "Are you ready? Little Japan?"

  On the 29th, Sun Xiang arrived in Shanghai, a commercial port that was now packed to the brim with ten ships docked along the shore. Sun Xiang found H.S Company's person-in-charge, Noah Deakrite. This guy was Hughes' shadow, almost all business strategies had to go through his hands, and he was Hughes' de facto chief executive.

  Noah: "Steve, these goods were brought over by the boss's men. He told you to rest assured that he'll take care of everything in America and if there's anything you need, just let him know."

  "Temporarily no need, but this you must bring to Hughes immediately, I think he will be interested." Sun Xiang said with a smile, handing Noah 2 pieces of paper.

  Noah looked at the result paper and suddenly widened his eyes: "This is...?"

  "I want to be like those guys on the boat."

  "Noah exclaimed excitedly: "Is a paper airplane made better than an F4U?"

  "Hey buddy, this is a bomber, F4U is a fighter."

  Noah awkwardly brushed off his clothes: "Alright, I'll bring it to the boss."

  Xun Xiang said seriously: "This is a secret, keep it close to your body, it can bring us dollars and victory!"

  Noah nodded: "This time on the ship, in addition to the plane, there are also students from the Polynesian Air Force Base. Colonel Ralph can be said to have made a big sacrifice. Half of the base's pilots applied to come to China to support you. You really have a lot of popularity."

  Sun Xiang was dumbfounded.