sjar Chapter 1060 Two Schools of Thought
Chapter 1060 Two Schools of Thought
The Pujiang War Zone Command had been relatively harmonious during this period, but after Li Shaoyi said those words, the entire command split into two factions.
Chief of Staff Zhang and other patriotic officers had tried their best to prevent this from happening, but due to the underhanded actions of certain people in Nanjing, Li Shaoyi was ultimately forced to say those words.
The battlefield of Pujiang was a gathering place for the Central Army and the troops of various local warlords. In the most difficult times, everyone could share hardships. But now that the situation has just improved, some people who want to seize power have forgotten what happened before and how badly the Japanese beat them.
"What are you talking about? We are all under the same military flag, resisting the Japanese invaders together. Talking about such things is too far-fetched. Sending a telegram to Nanjing is just a formality."
Chief of Staff Zhang gestured to the staff officers who had stopped to resume their work, saying that the quiet atmosphere here was very unpleasant.
“Old Zhang, you don’t need to play the good guy. I know exactly what the situation is. Since Jinling has given me a suggestion, I won’t use the Central Army or the armies of the local warlords. I won’t make things difficult for them. But you should also pass on my request. I want to recruit six regiments of soldiers on the Pujiang battlefield, all of them from the defeated armies.”
Li Shaoyi had figured it out: relying on these bureaucrats to fight the Japanese was useless. The soldiers were shedding blood and tears on the front lines, and most of them disregarded their own lives. But as soon as these bureaucrats saw that the situation was improving, they immediately changed their tune.
Li Shaoyi can take up the banner of resistance against Japan on his own, but you shouldn't think about staying out of it either.
It is impossible for the 72nd Army to fight on the battlefield in Pujiang alone, so Li Shaoyi needs to expand his army in Pujiang.
Of course, this is also a long-standing tradition of the 72nd Army. No matter where the 72nd Army develops, as long as it wants to expand its army, a large number of troops can immediately join. This time, Li Shaoyi is just testing the waters, so he only plans to expand the strength of six regiments.
These people were all defeated on the Pujiang battlefield. They should have no problem with basic military knowledge as veterans. According to the information Li Shaoyi obtained, there are at least 50,000 to 60,000 people on the entire Pujiang battlefield who are not clear about their affiliation.
Most of these people were displaced because their positions were no longer in service, or because their superiors had died in battle, leaving them crammed into certain places where no one cared about them.
If a unit is short of new recruits, some of them will be selected to fill the gaps.
Her maternal grandmother didn't care for her, her uncle didn't love her, and she even had trouble finding food.
If the 72nd Army were to select six regiments from among its troops, many would probably be eager to try, given the 72nd Army's generous benefits and the possibility of becoming a hero.
A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. Who doesn't want to accomplish something while they're alive? When will they ever get ahead by following those local warlords?
But it's different with the 72nd Army. Now, not to mention the battlefield of Pujiang, even among ordinary people all over the country, when they hear about the 72nd Army, everyone gives them a thumbs up. If you go back to your hometown one day and hear that you once served in the 72nd Army, everyone in the surrounding villages will regard you as a hero.
Of course, most importantly, the 72nd Army never delayed paying its soldiers, even during the most intense periods of war. Even after you died, you didn't have to worry about your family's livelihood; the 72nd Army would take good care of you. As Commander Li said, "As long as you die for your country, I'll make sure you have enough to eat and never let your family suffer."
Which of the army commanders could say that?
Some people may have this idea, but their strength is simply not up to par, so if they want to join the army, they should go to the 72nd Army.
"Your change is too drastic. I can't agree to anything you want. I have to report everything to Jinling. You know that as the chief of staff, I only have so much power. Apart from coordinating the various troops stationed in Pujiang for you, I really have no power over conscription."
Chief of Staff Zhang said with a wry smile that it wasn't that he was shirking responsibility, but that the recruitment process had touched upon the core interests of certain individuals.
Pujiang and the entire Jiangnan region have always been the main source of recruits for the Central Army, and the Commander-in-Chief trusts these Jiangnan soldiers the most.
If Li Shaoyi were to recruit soldiers here, it would be tantamount to him competing with the principal for manpower.
"It's alright. How you report is your right, and how I handle things is also my right. Starting at noon today, I will set up conscription offices in various parts of Pujiang. If Jinling is unwilling, he can remove me from my position as commander-in-chief. In addition, all the troops of my 72nd Army will immediately return to the north when I am removed, and I will establish myself as king in the north in the future."
Li Shaoyi's words made the people in the General Staff break out in a cold sweat.
The 72nd Army has always been a main force on the battlefield. If the various forces of the 72nd Army were to retreat, the Japanese army would occupy Huangpu River within two months.
Although the National Revolutionary Army units now have a certain ability to resist, they would be no match for the Japanese army without the assistance of the 72nd Army's artillery and air force.
This is a consensus reached by everyone.
"Don't joke around. We have a formidable enemy at hand, and we both hold important positions. A careless word could cause a disaster on the entire battlefield. We shouldn't do anything that would hurt our friends and please our enemies. These Japanese would love for us to start fighting amongst ourselves."
It took Chief of Staff Zhang a full minute to come to his senses.
Sweat was practically dripping from Li Shaoyi's forehead as he listened to what he had just said; this was the first time Li Shaoyi had ever made such remarks.
Even when he was somewhat dissatisfied with Jinling's decisions, Li Shaoyi was usually able to tolerate it.
As far as they knew, Li Shaoyi had always been trying to avoid civil war, and even if his own interests were to suffer some losses, he would never allow a civil war to break out at this time, so that the Japanese could benefit from it.
But today's remarks are completely contrary to the style that Li Shaoyi has always shown.
“I’m not talking nonsense. I can repeat every word I said to you, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Someone is recording what we both say. I won’t change a single word. I’ll just hurry up and send a telegram to Jinling.”
After Li Shaoyi finished speaking, he went to rest in the room next door.
Before the army reached Huangpu River, I didn't dare to turn against you. Now that the army has reached Huangpu River, I still don't dare to turn against you.
The entire Huangpu River is now under my control. As long as my army is still in Huangpu River, whatever I say goes!