However, a week later, Zhuang Jihua held a press conference in Xuzhou to present weapons to the New Fourth Army.

"Although the Kuomintang and the Communist Party cooperate to fight against Japan, the New Fourth Army was not a unit in the Fifth War Zone, in the spirit of cooperation in fighting against Japan and unity, the military committee decided to allocate a batch of weapons and equipment to the New Fourth Army, with a total of 3,000 rifles, 160 machine guns, 80 mortars, and countless bullets. Dear reporters, the government's move fully proves the sincerity of our party in cooperating with the Communist Party to fight against Japan."

Various weapons were placed neatly at the scene, with dark muzzles flashing with blue blue lights. The reporters were busy taking photos. Huang Mingcheng was both excited and confused when he looked at these weapons. He didn't know what Zhuang Jihua was selling. Could he be not worried about Chiang Kai-shek's reaction at all?

Li Zongren didn't understand what Zhuang Jihua wanted to do, so he asked in private. Zhuang Jihua told him indifferently that the cooperation between the two parties should naturally treat each other wholeheartedly. If the New Fourth Army lacks weapons and ammunition, then we will give him the right to do anything in the future.

Similarly, Zhuang Jihua also mentioned in the telegram sent to Chiang Kai-shek that Chiang Kai-shek would send back the telegram without any pain, telling him that such things should be reported first in the future. There are actually many such things now. Wei Lihuang also gave the Eighth Route Army a batch of weapons in Shanxi. Yan Xishan cooperated with the Communist Party to form the Sacrifice Alliance, but they all came secretly, unlike Zhuang Jihua who made a big fuss and made a storm in the city. For just that one million, Zhuang Jihua did not dare to make a big fuss, and asked Huang Mingcheng to go to Chongqing to find Mei Yuntian.

"This money is a donation from overseas Chinese, and I am in charge of it. I have used this money over the years. The Southwest Development, the Great Wall Anti-Japanese War, and the German and military masters are all this money. Now there is not much left, so I can only give you one million." Zhuang Jihua was a little sorry. After spending money like water in recent years, he really didn't have enough money to give Chiang Kai-shek 500 million US dollars.

But Zhuang Jihua was not worried. After waiting for another two years, Hitler moved and his arsenal in the United States was a minting machine, and a large number of dollars would come over like flowing water.

"So that's the case. I'll just say that with your salary, you won't be able to save so much money in your next life." Huang Mingcheng said with a smile.

Wu Ziniu almost laughed out loud, but Zhuang Jihua nodded: "That's right, so much money is definitely not good if you rely on salary. In fact, you can also start some companies to make money. There are many talented people in the party, so there are naturally many talents in business."

"This is a good idea. When I go back, I will tell you." Huang Mingcheng said with a smile. In fact, the central government has made such a decision. Several people set up companies in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chongqing to make money for the party.

By the end of April, Sun Zhen also rushed to the east of Xuzhou and then added new recruits. However, Bai Chongxi returned from Jinan and seemed to have achieved good results. Han Fu vowed to stay in Jinan for a week, but he still refused the rest of the troops to go to the front line of Tai'an, Jinan.

The 21st Army also drove to the vicinity of Bengbu. After hesitation, Li Zongren discussed with Jiang Baili and Bai Chongxi again. He decided to take the strategy of retreating with the least risk and annihilation of the enemy.

The main factor that prompted Li Zongren to adopt this strategy was Han Fu and Han Fudi's uncertainty, which made Li Zongren dare not take risks. If he forcibly sent troops north of Tai'an, he would face two problems. Han Fudi's reaction and the army was willing to go. Both of these problems were Li Zongren's unwilling to touch the ground at this critical moment.

When Li Zongren solicited opinions everywhere, Zhuang Jihua was supervising the army to train troops. The arrival of a large number of new recruits made Zhuang Jihua very worried that the army's combat effectiveness would decline. So he went to various troops to inspect the work and urged them to hurry up and train troops.

In Nanjing, Shanghai, he also discussed the lessons of the lessons he received with blood and was sorted into a tactical manual and distributed to each cadre at the platoon level or above. In addition to the three armies affected by Zhuang Jihua, he also discussed with Li Zongren. This booklet was distributed to the 21st Army and the 11th Army.

The rest are like Yu Xuezhong, Han Deloitte's troops. The station is far away from Xuzhou. Zhuang Jihua sent three or five copies to each of their troops and asked them to print them themselves.

It is impossible to win a booklet. To apply it to specific battles, a lot of energy is required to train. Therefore, Zhuang Jihua took out the original guards and checked them at any time. Yang Sen and the others also followed suit. The fierce battle in Nanjing in Songhu also taught them a profound lesson. The War of Resistance Against Japan is different from the civil war. It is ten times more bloody, and only hard training can win.

In early May, Chiang Kai-shek visited Xuzhou again. At this time, the enemy situation was basically clear. The Japanese North China Expeditionary Army added five new divisions, The Fifth Division of Itagaki Seishiro, The 10th Division of Isotani Ryosuke, Shimoto Kumaya 108th Division, Yamaoka 109th Division, Washizu Matsuhei 21st Division. The Central China Front Army added three new divisions, Sanmu Chongming 110th Division, Matsuura Junroro 106th Division, and Tobashi 12th Division.

The command system of the Japanese Central China Front Army also changed. Matsui Ishione and Yanagawa Heisuke were responsible for the failure of the Nanjing operation due to poor command. The combat sequences of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army and the 10th Army were cancelled and all were included in the Central China Expeditionary Army. Matsui Ishione and Yanagawa Heisuke were transferred to the reserve service and were activated again five years later. General Toshiki served as commander of the Central China Expeditionary Army, and Major General Kawabian Masao served as chief of staff.

Chiang Kai-shek brought the new enemy situation to Xuzhou to inspect. He was in a happy mood. The impact of the Nanjing victory was great. The 71st Army and other troops who suffered serious losses were resting in the two lakes. A large number of young people flocked to the barracks. The entire division provided by Chongqing quickly equipped the troops. The only thing he regretted was that these equipment was not enough and could only give some.

Prepare.

During this period, Chiang Kai-shek decided on the Jinpu Road combat policy, implemented a retreat and decisive battle, abandoned the Jiaodong Peninsula, lured the enemy into the depths, gathered and annihilated it.

Looking at Zhuang Jihua pointing beside Chiang Kai-shek, Deng Wenyi was both envious and quiet. Zhuang Jihua was at that position, and when he walked there, he was surrounded by stars and could cause storms. But now, he was alone and almost no one was willing to pay attention to him.

From a distance, he saw Dai Li talking to Zhuang Jihua and introduced a man in military uniform around him to Zhuang Jihua. He knew that person and came from a member of his investigation department. It seemed that he had a very fast return to his new master.

"Senior, this is Lieutenant Colonel Han Feng, the intelligence officer sent to the Fifth War Zone by our Military Commission. He is also the stationmaster of Xuzhou station." Dai Li's expression remained respectful. Recently, he has been busy all over the place and set up intelligence stations everywhere. However, this time he accompanied Chiang Kai-shek to Xuzhou, which was of no use.

"Oh," Zhuang Jihua looked at the middle-aged man in front of him, and Dai Li continued: "He is also a Huangpu classmate, sixth class, and a manager department."

Zhuang Jihua didn't say anything, but Han Feng was very flattering: "I admire my seniors' literary talent and martial arts in the military academy. I feel very honored to be able to start the war under the guidance of my seniors today."

"Accept, don't say anything complimented," Zhuang Jihua said lightly: "I have to go there to wait for the principal. I have to pay special attention to Han Fu's movements recently. This is a big trouble."

"I understand, please rest assured by the Deputy Commander." Han Feng answered unambiguously.

Zhuang Jihua nodded at him, and then said to Dai Li: "Let's go, the principal is still waiting, and I will turn around and have someone call me again."

"Senior, go first. It's usually not my turn to such a scene." Dai Li showed a smile on his face. He knew very well that he was playing the role he played by Chiang Kai-shek. In this case, Chiang Kai-shek would not call him.

After Zhuang Jihua left, he said to Han Feng: "Remember my words, be careful with Deputy Commander Zhuang, don't take any action easily, report any situation if there is any situation. Without my order, you must not take any action. Do you understand?"

Han Feng didn't agree with it. The boss was very bold in other matters, but he was very cautious about Zhuang Jihua. He really didn't understand what Zhuang Jihua had. People like them seemed to be in a high position, but they were actually very close to danger. They just fell down. Isn't this the case with He Zhonghan and Deng Wenyi? But he was still very respectful in front of him: "Yes, Director, I understand."

Dai Li glanced at him, regardless of whether he listened or not, this kid was also a secret agent. In the past two years, several cases of the Communist Party and the third party were cracked in Hunan, Jiangxi. He was a general under Deng Wenyi. After the Blue-Clothing Society was disbanded, it was incorporated into the secret service office. He was the few lieutenant colonels in the Military Control Commission. He asked this kid to make trouble and let him bear it. Anyway, there were fences everywhere.

Before leaving Xuzhou, Chiang Kai-shek looked for Zhuang Jihua again. The two of them first discussed the enemy situation and deployment currently facing the Fifth War Zone, and then said: "Cultural Revolution, you should pay more attention to the Fifth War Zone, which will be of great use in the future."

Zhuang Jihua understood that this was Chiang Kai-shek's secret promise to him that Li Zongren would be transferred in the future and that the fifth war zone would be handed over to him for leadership. Of course, Zhuang Jihua would not refuse such a promise. He believed that as long as he was given half a year, he could adjust the fifth war zone into China's most combat-effective war zone.

"Don't worry, principal, I will definitely work hard and I will never slackew on it."

The Battle of Nanjing has proved that Zhuang Jihua has the ability to command a war zone. To be honest, it is good to be able to tie the situation in Nanjing, but Zhuang Jihua has an unexpected result. What is more important than annihilation of 100,000 enemies is to restore the confidence of the Zhong** team. Since the Lugou Bridge Incident, the Zhong** team has lost consecutive battles and the morale of the army has been extremely low, but the victory in Nanjing has made them all understand that they can defeat the Japanese.

"The Cultural Revolution, the war has begun, and the National Government has moved to Chongqing. The work of the Southwest Development Team can be directly guided by the central government." Chiang Kai-shek said and stared at Zhuang Jihua's expression.

Zhuang Jihua thought for a while. Chiang Kai-shek's move was beyond his expectations, but it was justified. He used the name of the Southwest Development Team to hide his eyes and hear people's ears. Now it is no longer necessary. Moreover, from an administrative perspective, the National Government moved to Chongqing and inserted a Southwest Development Team in the middle, which not only added administrative links, but also made the administrative structure bloated.

However, abolishing the Southwest Development Team and incorporating it into the government administrative system means that Zhuang Jihua is likely to lose control of Chongqing, which he will never want to under this current situation.

"Principal, the Southwest Development Team still has several important projects that have not been completed, including Yunnan Steel Plant, Panzhihua Steel Base, Automobile Plant expansion, tank and aircraft manufacturing plants, Sichuan Highway, these projects are handed over to the government. How to invest this fund? Or through Yuntian's bank? There are free education funds from the sixteen counties in Chongqing. Can the central government still do it?"

Zhuang Jihua raised these questions and made Chiang Kai-shek feel embarrassed. If the Southwest Development was dissolved, then these funds would naturally be provided by the government, but the government did not have such money.

"Secondly, to be honest, Principal, I don't trust those government officials, like red-eyed people. There are so many projects that require astronomical funds, so how many can be implemented. To be honest, Principal, I have been controlling the development of the Southwest in recent years. I don't know how many people I have offended, all of them are high-ranking officials or their relatives."

This is another heart-wrenching problem for Chiang Kai-shek. The officialdom has been greedy and has been repeatedly banned. Half of these funds can be put into the project

Wrong.

"Isn't it enough to transfer the people in the Southwest Development Team to the corresponding position? You won't be greedy in the Southwest Development Team and become corrupt officials when you get to the government?" Chiang Kai-shek said.

"The important thing is not below, but above. As the saying goes, the upper beam is not straight and the lower beam is crooked, and the upper beam is straight, and the lower beam will naturally be straight." Zhuang Jihua said: "The most important thing is to formulate appropriate rules and regulations and ensure that these rules and regulations are implemented."

Chiang Kai-shek nodded silently. If he had to be someone else, he would definitely be angry. Could it be that the officials of the National Government were all corrupt officials? But Zhuang Jihua was not angry when he said it, and he didn't even want to refute it. He knew that Zhuang Jihua had offended many senior officials who wanted to get a share of the pie. The Southwest Development Team had already reported it to him.

"Principal, it is inevitable to cancel the Southwest Development Team. In Chongqing, the Southwest Development Team is indeed not necessary." Zhuang Jihua changed his tone and admitted that Chiang Kai-shek was right: "But don't cancel it all at once. Take it slowly and gradually adjust it. For example, party affairs agencies at all levels can be transferred to the Party headquarters. However, in order to ensure the continuity of the policy, it is best to use the people from the Southwest Development Team to make those rules and regulations customized. In this way, gradually, after three or five years, the Southwest Development Team will be cancelled and the political situation can be maintained."

Speaking of this, Zhuang Jihua smiled and grimaced again: "In this way, I can save some money."

Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help but burst into laughter. He asked Song Ziwen to calculate that the southwest development and factory and mines, Zhuang Jihua's investment in funds has reached nearly 2 billion US dollars. With the recent 500 million US dollars, when the Panzhihua and Yunnan projects are completed, his property will probably be almost the same.

"Okay, let's do it your way." Chiang Kai-shek made up his mind. He had made a decision to completely cancel the Southwest Development Team within three years.

"In the Cultural Revolution, it is best not to do anything like giving weapons in the future, and not bring personal feelings into the work of the same work." Chiang Kai-shek cursed his smile and looked at Zhuang Jihua seriously.

Zhuang Jihua shook his head calmly and said, "Principal, you were wrong. I did it on purpose this time."

Chiang Kai-shek showed a strange look, and Zhuang Jihua continued to explain: "I don't know if you have noticed that the recent report on these newspapers by Ta Kung Pao, although the articles are obscure, it can be seen that they are accusing the central government of unfair treatment of the Communist Party of China and other non-Central Army units, believing that this is the main reason for the defeat of the Chinese team. Moreover, the Communist Party of China is also secretly accusing that our party is working with them, which is only temporary, and in the end they will return to the old path of the **. What I do is to tell the world that the government is working sincerely and refute those remarks that accusing the government with practical actions."

Chiang Kai-shek sighed in his heart. Zhuang Jihua was still a little naive in politics. He shook his head: "You, Cultural Revolution, what did you ask me to say about you? Childish and naive. Do you think you gave them weapons and ammunition, and they would not blame them? No, they would still blame them. If they do not do so, they cannot maintain their superiority. The local governments of the army must be handed over to the central government. This is something they will never want to, so they will try their best to slander the central government, slander our party, elevate themselves, and dress themselves up as the most resolute anti-Japanese war. All this has nothing to do with whether you give them weapons."

When he said this, Chiang Kai-shek snorted contemptuously from his nostrils: "In Shanxi, Yan Xishan cooperated with them, gave them weapons, and also set up a new army together, forming a sacrifice alliance. However, in their propaganda, they still said that Yan Xishan pretended to fight against Japan and made a real compromise, and encouraged the people to oppose Yan Xishan. I think Yan Xishan will eventually suffer a big loss before he will be awake."

"The Communist Party's troops are never enough weapons and equipment. You don't know. In less than a year, the three divisions, with a total force of only 30,000, and the combat area is in the Second World War Zone. But now they report to expand three divisions, with a total force of 100,000. This is probably open data. The combat area has been expanded to Chahar, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, who asked them to go there? The original agreement was clearly written. The combat area was in the Second World War Zone, but they easily broke through the original agreement. Let's talk about the New Fourth Army, and the number of people they reported was their own, 16,000, but what about it recently? Without a battle, the number of people has expanded to 27,000. You are in the Fifth World War Zone, and the fourth detachment of their territory is active in the Dabie Mountains. If you have the opportunity to deal with them, you will know that. Your actions will be attributed to you personally, just like Wei Lihuang in Shanxi, and will not be given to the government."

Chiang Kai-shek's face was gloomy. The strength of the Communist Party expanded too quickly, which was completely beyond his expectations. The Japanese failed to consume the strength of the Communist Party. On the contrary, they occupied the blank area of ​​the Japanese and the National Government and developed there.

This is a lesson, a profound lesson. This situation will no longer occur in East China and South China. The places like Mengshan and Dabieshan cannot be left to the Communist Party of China.

Zhuang Jihua showed a teaching expression, and Chiang Kai-shek patted his shoulder and sighed.

Looking at the train where Chiang Kai-shek left, Zhuang Jihua turned around and left. When he was about to get on the train, he saw Deng Wenyi wandering outside the station. He thought about it for a moment and walked towards him.
Chapter completed!