Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

In the blink of an eye, another half month has passed.

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

This was a high-level, confidential meeting on core economic strategies that was never to be disclosed to the public.

Seated around the mahogany round table were the highest-ranking officials who controlled the wartime economic lifeline of the Nationalist government.

Supreme Commander Chang Ruiyuan sat upright in the main seat, his cane resting horizontally on his lap.

To his left were Weng Wenhao (courtesy name Yongni), Chairman of the National Resources Commission; Wang Shijie (courtesy name Xueting), Minister of Economic Affairs and Vice Chairman of the National Resources Commission; and Song Ziwen, Minister of Finance. To his right was Sun Weimou, General Manager of the North China Construction Group, who had flown all the way from North China to Chongqing.

"Gentlemen."

Chang Ruiyuan had a serious expression on his face.

"Last autumn harvest was a bumper crop across the country, I won't go into details, you all know that."

"In military matters, the reorganization plan for the 60th Division with American equipment is also being implemented throughout the army."

"The soldiers on the front lines are launching an unprecedented counter-offensive, and they are bleeding and fighting desperately."

"Our economy and defense industry in the rear cannot always be a drag on."

Chang Ruiyuan's gaze swept over everyone present: "Yongni, how's the revision of the 'Three-Year Plan Outline for National Defense Industry' that your Resources Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs are working on?"

Weng Wenhao immediately sat up straight and opened the thick, top-secret memorandum in front of him: "Reporting to the Chairman."

Weng Wenhao cleared his throat, his voice steady: "After repeated deliberation and calculation, we have made comprehensive additions and revisions to the plan."

"This three-year plan covers seven core industries, including mining and metallurgy, machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles, food and electricity."

"The overall goal is to coordinate with the military counter-offensive, maximize self-sufficiency in raw materials for military production and daily necessities, and actively increase exports to earn foreign exchange!"

Chang Ruiyuan nodded slightly: "What are the specific targets? I want to hear something that can be actually produced."

Weng Wenhao glanced at Wang Shijie beside him, and Wang Shijie immediately took over the conversation.

"Chairman."

Wang Shijie adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the various data points: "According to the plan, the output of various industries will see a qualitative leap in the third year."

"Among them, gasoline production will increase by 120 times compared to 1941, and by 540 times compared to 1937."

"Steel production has increased tenfold compared to 1941."

"Acids are eight and a half times stronger, and machine tools are eight times stronger!"

"Electricity supply will increase by 2.6 times, and coal supply will increase by 3.4 times."

Wang Shijie's voice carried an undisguised excitement: "Based on current prices..."

"By the third year, the total output value of all industries will reach 47.3 billion yuan!"

Upon hearing this enormous number, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Chang Ruiyuan's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "This is quite a large operation. Where will the money come from?"

At the opportune moment, T.V. Soong spoke up, his tone revealing the Ministry of Finance's usual caution: "Chairman, in order to realize this grand plan, we need a massive investment of funds."

"Preliminary estimates indicate that the state-owned portion will require a total of over 2.816 billion yuan over three years, plus 55.55 million US dollars."

"For the private sector portion, in addition to private self-financing, the government is proposed to allocate more than RMB 342 million and more than USD 9.5 million."

"This is a huge expense."

"Given severe domestic inflation, this huge sum of US dollars in foreign exchange..."

Song Ziwen's gaze drifted, intentionally or unintentionally, toward Sun Weimou, who was sitting opposite him.

"I'm afraid that the vast majority of our efforts will still have to rely on the U.S. Lend-Lease Act."

Chang Ruiyuan keenly caught Song Ziwen's hint. He turned to Sun Weimou and said, "Weimou, you're here on behalf of North China for this meeting. I'm sure North China has its own plans."

"What is the attitude of your North China Construction Group towards this three-year plan?"

Sun Weimou met Chang Ruiyuan's gaze with neither arrogance nor servility.

"Chairman, the North China region firmly supports the overall national defense construction strategy of the General Headquarters."

Sun Weimou opened the document in front of him and said in a calm and unhurried voice: "However, just as Minister Song worried, although the American aid is huge, the conditions attached to it are also extremely harsh."

"The U.S. Lend-Lease Act focuses on the direct supply of military equipment."

Sun Weimou pointed out incisively: "The vast majority of products produced by our defense industry are used in military industry and military transportation."

"But persuading the Americans to prioritize our allocation of those precious foreign exchange reserves and machinery for basic 'industrial development' rather than directly purchasing their aircraft and artillery requires extremely skillful diplomatic maneuvering and exchanges of interests."

Upon hearing this, Weng Wenhao nodded repeatedly: "General Manager Sun is absolutely right."

Weng Wenhao said, "We are facing not only funding issues, but also a double blockade of technology and equipment."

"The factories overseas are already at full capacity with their own orders. The machines we order now often take months to arrive."

“If we wait until everything is ready before starting construction, this three-year plan will definitely fail.”

"Therefore, we need external intervention."

Weng Wenhao took a deep breath and made an extremely bold suggestion: "Chairman, I suggest that we take this opportunity to hire a large number of top technical experts from various countries and fields!"

"For example, in the machinery industry, we need the assistance of experts from our allies to achieve the localization of automobiles and even armored vehicles as soon as possible."

"The chemical industry, the metallurgical industry, and even the jet gasoline refining project at the Yumen oilfield in Gansu all require in-depth assistance from American experts."

"This is not only to improve efficiency, but also to deeply bind its own economic interests to the world!"

Chang Ruiyuan pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on his cane.

Introduce experts from other countries and tie them to economic interests.

This is indeed a risky move, but it could also be a brilliant one: "I agree to bring in specialists."

Chang Ruiyuan made the decision: "But there is one principle that must be upheld."

"These experts can only be technical advisors. The actual operation and construction of the defense industry must be firmly in our own hands!"

“Any unauthorized construction by any local government agency or enterprise must be reviewed and supervised by the central competent authority.”

"We cannot allow capital from other countries to infiltrate the lifeblood of the defense industry at this critical juncture!"

This statement was extremely harsh, and in essence, it was a warning to North China.

Previously, in order to secure US support and aid, Shanxi sold shares in many industrial and mining enterprises, and even offered to share profits with the Americans for twenty years.

Now in its third year, the American company saw a return on its investment for the first time, although it was only $1.5 million, but for them it was a wonderful start.

Sun Weimou, being extremely shrewd, immediately straightened his back and stated, "Please rest assured, Chairman."

"The layout of all production lines in the North China Ordnance Industrial Cluster is being promoted in accordance with the supreme directive of the General Headquarters on 'coordinating military, political and economic affairs'."

"In order to cooperate with this three-year plan."

Sun Weimou revealed the trump card that North China had been preparing for a long time: "We have not only doubled our production capacity in the fields of steel, acid and alkali chemicals and machinery manufacturing."

"In terms of talent reserves, we mobilized to the maximum extent in advance."

Sun Weimou produced a report on the training of technical personnel: "According to the estimates of the Resources Committee, to complete this three-year plan, we need at least 15,300 senior technical personnel and 200,000 skilled workers."

"This is just the most conservative estimate, not including manual laborers and managers."

Sun Weimou’s tone carried a hint of pride: “The ‘Youth Knowledge Serving the Country Movement’ we are promoting in North China has already sent nearly 30,000 science and engineering college students and vocational school students directly to the front line of military production.”

"This group of highly qualified personnel will be the most solid backbone of the entire defense industry's three-year plan!"

"Far exceeding the needs of our senior technical staff's plans."

Upon hearing this, both Weng Wenhao and Wang Shijie showed expressions of extreme shock and relief.

"Good! Great!"

Weng Wenhao said excitedly, "With this new force from North China, the output of our machinery and electrical industries will definitely achieve a multiple leap in this three-year plan!"

"Especially generators, motors, radios, and various telecommunications equipment."

"As long as the skilled workers are in place, we are even confident that we can achieve complete self-sufficiency in some important military equipment within the third year!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room gradually became lively.

But Chang Ruiyuan was not blinded by this optimism.

He astutely grasped the weakest and most critical link in the entire plan: "We have steel and machinery, but what about coal and oil?"

Chang Ruiyuan stared intently at Weng Wenhao: "Modern warfare is all about energy."

"Without enough liquid fuel, that massive armored group in the north is nothing but a pile of scrap metal!"

Weng Wenhao quickly turned to the chapter on mining, metallurgy and chemical industries: "Chairman, increasing energy production is the absolute core of this plan."

"Regarding coal, we plan to increase our annual output from 4.3 million tons to 18 million tons within three years by expanding the development of major coal mines in Sichuan, Hunan, Guizhou, and Gansu!"

"In particular, to supply steel mills in Dadukou, Yunnan, and North China, we will significantly increase our coking coal production capacity."

"As for oil."

Weng Wenhao swallowed hard: "We will continue to make every effort to develop the Yumen Oilfield in Gansu and the Shengli Oilfield in Dongying, North China."

"We will not only refine gasoline for automobiles, but also introduce equipment to refine aviation gasoline." "It is expected that by the third year, the total production of liquid fuels will reach more than 53.4 million gallons."

Chang Ruiyuan frowned slightly after hearing the string of numbers.

More than 53.4 million gallons?

It sounds like a huge number, but it still seems a bit inadequate compared to the mechanized corps and bomber groups that consume hundreds or thousands of tons of fuel at a time.
"It's still not enough."

Chang Ruiyuan sighed: "However, in the current difficult situation where we have just escaped the destruction of our country and the loss of our homes, it is already quite remarkable that we have been able to do this."

He stood up and walked to the window.

The fog outside the window was still thick, but faintly, one could see a glimmer of light that seemed to be breaking through the dawn.

"The General Headquarters has approved this outline in principle."

Chang Ruiyuan turned around and gave the final instruction to everyone present: "All resource allocation and factory exploration must be started immediately."

"In particular, we must seize the opportunity of the 60th Division's re-equipment and invest all the available equipment and foreign exchange into these industries that can truly generate money and manufacture guns and cannons."

"We should see one in three years."
-
The Dutch East Indies, Java, Batavia (Jakarta).

Japanese 16th Army Defense Command.

Lieutenant General Harada Kumakichi, commander of the Japanese 16th Army, was shirtless.

He was sitting at a large mahogany table, holding a white cloth soaked in gun oil, wiping his family heirloom samurai sword bit by bit.

The blade reflected a chilling aura in the dim light.

"boom!"

The heavy solid wood door was pushed open.

Chief of Staff Major General Takahashi strode into the room.

His uniform was completely soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his body: "Commander!"

Takahashi bowed sharply and handed over a top-secret telegram that had just been translated from the Tokyo headquarters: "Our intelligence agency's mole in the Bay of Bengal in India has sent back the final confirmation."

Takahashi's voice was hoarse with tension: "The massive fleet of the British Fourteenth Army had completely sailed away from the Chittagong breakwater eighteen days ago."

"Their course was extremely clear."

"It points directly to Sumatra and Java, where we are located!"

Harada Kumakichi abruptly stopped wiping the blade.

He slowly sheathed his katana, making a crisp, unsettling "click."

"It's finally here."

"It seems that the intelligence provided by General Okamura was correct, and the British military did indeed formulate a relevant landing operation plan."

Harada Kumakichi stood up, grabbed the military uniform from the back of the chair and draped it over his shoulders, then strode to the Nanyang defense map that occupied an entire wall.

"How many troops did the British deploy?"

"According to intelligence, there are eight fully equipped infantry divisions, plus attached artillery and supply units."

Takahashi quickly followed, drawing a thick attack line on the Andaman Sea on the map with a red pencil in his hand: "The total force should have exceeded 100,000!"

Who is commanding this army?

"It's William Slim."

Upon hearing this number, Harada Kumakichi did not show the slightest panic.

"William Slim? That Burmese army commander?"

"Yes."

A cruel and contemptuous sneer appeared on his face, which was tanned dark by the tropical sun: "A mediocre man commanding 150,000 men?"

Humph.

Harada Kumakichi snorted and tapped his rough fingers on the coastline of Java.

“Takahashi-kun, we are both very familiar with the composition of the British Empire’s military.”

"Of these 150,000 people, the vast majority are probably Indians with relatively low combat capabilities."

"A bunch of inferior cannon fodder who have no Bushido spirit, only know how to eat curry and collect military pay, actually think they can fight against our Imperial Japanese Army in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia?"

Takahashi adjusted his glasses, his expression remaining grave: "Commander, there's an old Chinese saying: 'Many ants can kill an elephant.'"

"Moreover, we are now facing the most critical problem."

"The Empire's combined fleet refuses to make unnecessary deployments; they are preparing for the final holy war."

Harada Kumakichi's facial muscles twitched violently a few times, and the veins on his forehead bulged like earthworms: "Those cowards in the Navy!"

"They treated their ships like statues in a shrine, making them their idols."

"Yet they abandoned our hundreds of thousands of soldiers, who have been expanding the empire's territory, on this desolate island like stray dogs!"

Takahashi lowered his head, avoiding Harada's almost murderous gaze: "Not only is there no fleet escort, but there's not even air cover."

"Rabaul's air force has long been exhausted. The skies above us will now be completely at the mercy of Allied carrier-based aircraft."

Harada Kumakichi closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

Abandoned by headquarters, abandoned by the navy.

This elite force, which had once swept through the British army in the Malayan campaign, is now a completely isolated army cut off from all supplies.

"Since the navy won't come to our rescue, we'll have to rely on ourselves!"

"Abandon the beachhead!"

Takahashi looked surprised: "Commander! Attacking them while they're crossing the river is our only firepower advantage!"

"What can we use to stop them?!"

Harada rudely interrupted Takahashi.

"Are we going to use our inadequate Type 92 infantry guns to engage the enemy fleet's main guns in a direct firefight?!"

Harada Kumakichi picked up a few small flags again and planted them firmly deep inland in the central part of Java.

"Transfer all heavy weapons, provisions, and medicines from the coast to the Bandung and Bogor mountain areas in the interior!"

He pointed to the dense contour lines on the map, marked in dark green.

"This is our main battlefield!"

"It's this primeval rainforest where even sunlight can't get in, and it's teeming with venomous snakes and blood-sucking leeches!"

Harada's eyes burned with a morbid fanaticism: "Pass on my orders!"

"The first line of coastal defense was left with only a small number of suicide squads to put up a symbolic resistance."

"Destroy all bridges along the way and lay landmines and booby traps on every road leading inland!"

"Poison all the wells in the villages along the way and requisition all their food."

Harada paused, then said coldly, "Including seed grains."

"Hay."

Takahashi took out his notebook and quickly jotted down this chilling order to scorch the earth.

"The main force has been broken up into smaller units and retreated into the underground tunnels and bunkers that we have been building in the rainforest for two years!"

Harada Kumakichi grabbed the ceremonial sword and leaned on the ground: "Do the British want to re-establish their rule in the Far East?"

"Then let them wade through the mud!"

"Our soldiers know every single tree here!"

"If there's no ammunition, we'll use sharpened bamboo spears."

"If there's no food, we'll eat rats and grass roots!"

"Tell all division commanders to tie all machine gunners and snipers to the treetops of the rainforest with barbed wire!"

"No one is allowed to retreat without orders!"

"Even if it means death, I will detonate the cluster grenade before I die, taking down any British soldiers who come near me!"

Takahashi's pen trembled slightly as he recorded the command, but he said nothing, only abruptly bringing his legs together.

"Hai!"

"Go and convey this message immediately!"

Harada Kumakichi gazed at the gloomy tropical sky outside the window, a hint of excitement on his face: "Mountbatten, Slim!"

"The Japanese army will use the 100,000 corpses of British soldiers as proof that the rainforests of Java will become the bloodiest and most unfathomable final grave of the British Empire's Far East hegemony." (End of Chapter)