An angry voice sounded in the office of Zeng Jiayan's official residence in Chongqing.
"Commissioner, this telegram from Roosevelt is clearly giving us an ultimatum."
Chen Cheng, then deputy minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, said worriedly: "It seems that we still underestimated Roosevelt's appetite. We didn't expect that he actually wanted to get involved in the command of our army."
"He is dreaming!" The Chairman's eyes flashed with anger, "China's army can only be commanded by Chinese people. When will it be the Americans' turn to dictate?
If I really agree to Roosevelt's request, how can I see the former Prime Minister after my death, and how can I see the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives over the years?"
After that, the chairman sternly said: "Go, you call Roosevelt immediately in my name. If the United States insists on taking over the command of the Chinese army, then the Chinese government can only cancel the plan to open the Yunnan-Burma Highway and withdraw all the expeditionary forces.
country, and consider withdrawing from the Allied Powers."
"ah!"
Chen Cheng was shocked and hesitated: "Commissioner, is this too hasty and too tough? What if the Americans fall out with us?"
"You don't understand rhetoric...just draft it according to my ideas." The chairman waved his hand, "Remember to have a tougher tone and don't be timid.
You have to remember that before the Americans came to our aid, China had already resisted the Japanese aggression for five years. Even if the United States stopped aiding China, the Chinese people would still have the confidence to resist the Japanese aggression, no matter how heavy the price was.
No matter what."
"Understood, the staff department will take care of it immediately!" Chen Cheng didn't waste any words and agreed simply.
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washington white house
"Harry, this is a telegram from China. Take a look at it." Roosevelt handed a telegram to his most valued senior staff member, Harry Hopkins.
Harry received the telegram and read it. He was shocked and asked quickly: "Mr. President, what is going on? Why did Chairman Chiang suddenly withdraw from our alliance?"
"Isn't it because of Joseph's suggestion?"
Roosevelt smiled bitterly and said: "As you know, since Joseph became the chief of staff of the China Theater, he has sent me several reports suggesting that the U.S. government should take over the command of the Chinese army.
His reason was that the efficiency of the Chinese government was too slow, the generals of the Chinese army had low command levels, were rife with corruption, and were afraid of fighting. He even discovered that the aid supplies we had just delivered to them yesterday appeared on the black market the next day.
.
He concluded from this that if we do not fundamentally solve the problem of command authority of the Chinese army, we will never be able to defeat the Japanese in Asia.
For this reason, he suggested that we send an officer corps composed entirely of Americans to fully take over the Chinese army, so that we can defeat the Japanese.
I admit that I was tempted after reading Joseph's telegram, so I tried to send a telegram to Chiang a few days ago, asking whether American generals could command their troops. I didn't expect that his reaction would be so violent.
But I swear, I have spoken to him in the gentlest tone. I even promised that this command authority is not permanent and that we will return it to the Chinese government as soon as the war is over.
It's just that I didn't expect Chiang's reaction to be so violent, and he was even willing to withdraw from the Allies in response."
Seeing Roosevelt's puzzled look, Harry was helpless and a little bit dumbfounded.
"Mr. President, it seems that your understanding of Eastern thoughts and customs is still too shallow."
Harry Hopkins explains: “The fundamental Western and Eastern understanding of power and office is that we believe that power and office are temporary.
For example, the president of our country can only be re-elected for a maximum of two terms. Of course, this is a special period and can be treated specially, so you can seek to be re-elected for three terms.
But the East is different. Their pursuit and desire for power are incomparable to ours. For them, it is normal to implement life-long tenure.
Power is even more important than life to them. All the power of Mr. Chiang comes from the army that supports him.
But you want to deprive him of his right to live as soon as you open your mouth. This is no less than you condemning him to death. How could he not react strongly? "
"Oh... God, it seems I did do something stupid." Roosevelt patted his head.
As one of the most astute politicians of this era, it goes without saying that Roosevelt was smart.
The reason why he made such a low-level mistake was mainly to view Eastern things with Western thinking, which completely angered the Chairman.
Now that he realized the mistake, his first reaction was how to make up for it. He pondered for a moment and said decisively.
"Harry, please immediately draft a telegram in my name to express my apology to him in the most sincere tone and retract my last unreasonable request.
You tell him again that China is an indispensable and important part of the Allies. China's departure is unacceptable to us. In order to make up for the mistakes I made, I am willing to increase military assistance to China and increase the amount of aid supplies. Double, if the Chinese government has any other demands, as long as they are reasonable, the U.S. government will consider them carefully."
"Okay, Mr. President."
Chairman Chiang's call back arrived on Roosevelt's desk two days later.
In this telegram, Chairman Chiang accepted Roosevelt's apology, but he also made a request, that is, he hoped that the U.S. government would send someone to replace Stilwell and recall him to the country.
This was also the first time that Chairman Chiang expressed his strong dissatisfaction with Stilwell in public.
And Roosevelt's answer was...yes.
Gao Hongming, who was far away in Myanmar, probably didn't know that due to his arrival, Stilwell, who was supposed to be recalled to China two years later, ended his work in China two years early.
At this time, Gao Hongming was looking at the list of supplies Luo Zhuoying handed him and felt a headache.
"Sir Luo, I can understand that you want guns, ammunition, medicine and even food, but is it too much to ask for even planes and tanks?
Do you think that as long as you open your mouth, I will satisfy all your requests?
In other words, do you think that the Americans will support you with so many heavy weapons?"
Looking at the displeased Gao Hongming, Luo Zhuoying blushed and said with some embarrassment: "Brother Gao, I'm really sorry. This list was made by someone below. I haven't had time to check it yet."
Gao Hongming said meaningfully: "Then please check carefully before sending it over. Time is urgent and I don't want to waste my precious time on this."