Since the outbreak of the full-scale war of resistance in China, the US government has been influenced by "isolationism", and due to the huge interests of Japan-US trade, it has always been indulging and waiting-and-see attitude towards the Japanese invasion of China.

Until Roosevelt read the "Letter to the All-China Military and Civilians for the Retreat of Wuhan" published by Chairman Chiang on October 30, and sent a telegram on November 10: "I deeply admire and sympathize with the Chinese people for their brave war of resistance and their sufferings."

Roosevelt also said: If China can clarify the strategic purpose of the retreat between Guangzhou and Wuhan and the will to resist the war in the future, he will be happy to approve loans from China.

Therefore, during the period when Roosevelt wanted to see Chairman Chiang's attitude, Chairman Chiang was also willing to show his determination to fight against the United Kingdom and the United States.

Therefore, Chairman Jiang made up his mind to burn the ancient city with a fire when the Japanese army reached Changsha, just as he had planned to flood the Japanese army before the dam at Huayuankou.

However, Chairman Jiang and the specific executors who burned Changsha both chose the wrong day. In fact, the Sino-Japanese War in Changsha began on September 14, 1939, more than 10 months after the "Wenxi Fire" on November 13!

The main reason is that Chairman Chiang made a wrong judgment on the strength and trends of the Japanese army after the capture of Wuhan.

Chairman Jiang believes that after Japan occupied Guangzhou and Wuhan, it will be eager to open up the Guangdong-Hanzhou railway line and will soon launch an attack on Wuhan.

The actual situation is that Chairman Chiang estimated the strength of the Japanese army too high and misjudged the direction of the Japanese army's attack.

Although Chairman Mao made a correct judgment on the situation after the fall of Wuhan long before the Battle of Wuhan, the Chairman pointed out in his May 1938 report:

In terms of Japan's entire national strength, it is necessary to defend the Soviet Union in the north, the United States in the east, and the people in the south. Japan only has so many forces. The stalemate stage has arrived!

The situation after the Japanese occupied Wuhan was completely consistent with Chairman Mao's foresight. Although the commander of the 11th Army, Okamura Yasuji, pushed the troops to Yueyang at the north gate of Changsha on November 9, the Japanese army did not advance to Changsha for more than ten months thereafter.

However, Chairman Jiang did not judge the situation based on Chairman Mao's judgment.

Chairman Jiang held the supreme military meeting on October 29, 1938 at the Rongyuan Mansion of He Jian, former Chairman of Hunan Province, Changsha. Participants were Feng Yuxiang, Vice Chairman of Military Committee, He Yingqin, Chief of General Staff, Zhang Zhizhong, Chairman of Hunan Province, Tang Zhisheng, former Commander of Nanjing Garrison, and Chen Cheng, Commander of the Ninth War Zone.

At the meeting, after listening to Chen Cheng's military situation analysis and defense plan, Chairman Jiang suddenly began to speak and asked the provincial government chairman Zhang Zhizhong: "Wen Bai, the Japanese are here, what are you going to do in Changsha?"

The problem came very suddenly, and Zhang Zhizhong couldn't help but be stunned. He figured that Chairman Jiang was probably considering how he was trying to block the Japanese attack on Changsha!

After sorting out his ideas, Zhang Zhizhong replied: "I infer that the Japanese army may invade from the two fronts of northern Hunan and eastern Hunan, and we can rely on fortifications to resist tenaciously."

Chairman Jiang asked in an aggressive tone: "Do you think these fortifications can resist the Japanese army's invasion? Do you think the provincial government can hold on for a long time?"

Zhang Zhizhong replied with a firm expression: "Yes, council! As the chairman of Hunan Province and the commander of security, I will never evade responsibility and never fear hardships. I am willing to live and die with the 30 million people in Hunan, share hardships and difficulties, and swear to defend Hunan to the death!"

At this time, Tang Shengzhi, a fellow villager in Hunan, felt that Zhang Zhizhong's words were equally inspiring as his oath in Nanjing at that time, so he immediately continued:

"Brother Wen Bai is our parents' official in Hunan. He expressed his determination to defend Hunan. The 30 million people must be very excited when they hear it and are willing to defend their hometown to the death."

Seeing that the civil and military officials did not understand his meaning, Chairman Jiang said in an inspiring tone: "Wenbai's determination is very good, but things are not that simple. What do you have any other opinions?"

Feng Yuxiang, who came to Guilin for a meeting, not only did not understand the intention of his elder brother, but instead said that he would not open the pot of the pot:

"In addition to the preparations for Hunan, the central government should also provide strong support, such as the urgent need for food and clothing issues of the troops, which will help us to stick to the war of resistance for a long time!"

Chairman Jiang said impatiently: "Hunan is a hometown of fish and rice, and the resources are abundant. Grain and military clothing can be raised on site, which is not difficult to solve. The urgent problem at present is that the Japanese invaders are coming. What should we do in Changsha?"

At this time, Zhang Zhizhong suddenly realized: Chairman Jiang did not care about how the army fought, he was concerned about how to deal with the provincial capital of Changsha.

Zhang Zhizhong immediately said: "What Chairman Jiang said is that Changsha has stockpiled a large amount of strategic materials, and even the locomotives and car swaddles on Guangdong-Han Road have almost arrived in Changsha!

These materials must not fall into the hands of the enemy, so we must find a way to deal with them as soon as possible. Should we transport them to the southwest as soon as possible?"

Seeing that Zhang Zhizhong finally talked about the main topic, Chairman Jiang followed suit and said:

"If the empty cars just fill the railway. Should the Southwest Railway be passable? The solution is very simple, that is, to strengthen the walls and clear the fields, pour kerosene and burn it directly!"

Zhang Zhi suddenly burst into the center and asked carefully: "What about Changsha?"

Chairman Jiang emphasized and said, "What else can I think about? I burn it with fire! Since Changsha cannot be kept, it cannot be left for Japan! I burn it with fire!"

"ah?"

"What?"

"this!"

Chairman Jiang's speech shocked everyone, and everyone was deeply surprised. The theme of the meeting was how to resist the Japanese attack on Changsha. It has not been mentioned that he gave up Changsha yet, but Chairman Jiang wanted to set fire to Changsha directly?

Chairman Jiang continued: "After the July 7 Incident, we made up our minds to never be slaves of the country even if we fight scorched earth!

The Japanese pirates are pressing step by step. They will not give up until they open the Guangdong-Han line! The Japanese invaders cannot destroy China, and they will not give up!"

Bai Chongxi once made suggestions at the Wuhan Military Conference to "strengthen the walls and clear the fields", "scorched earth resistance", "develop guerrilla warfare and cooperate with regular warfare", "accumulating small victories into big victories, and exchanging space for time" and so on.

Scorched earth combat is a military strategy that involves destroying anything that may be useful to the enemy when the enemy enters or withdraws somewhere. It was called Jianbi Qingye in ancient times.

Scorched earth means burning crops to destroy the enemy's food sources, and can also include destroying shelters, transportation, communications and industrial resources.
Chapter completed!