Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Pengcheng, the North China Joint Front Command.

Brigadier General Stephenson, the U.S. military attaché in China, strode to the long conference table, clutching a document stamped "Top Secret."

His expression looked extremely strange, even carrying a hint of undisguised embarrassment and absurdity.

Stephenson gently pushed the document in front of Chu Yunfei and lowered his voice: "Sir, this is a request for joint investigation and support that was just officially sent to you from London headquarters through Lord Mountbatten's Southeast Asia Command."

Chu Yunfei didn't put down the hot teacup. He merely glanced at the Royal Insignia of the British Empire on the document out of the corner of his eye and said in a flat tone, "Oh?"

"Is Lord Mountbatten getting too bored at the Viceroy's residence in India and wants to ask us in North China for a few cases of Shanxi Fenjiu to try?"

When Chief of Staff Lin Wei and Fang Ligong heard this clearly mocking remark, the corners of their mouths both turned up slightly.

Stephenson gave a wry smile and shook his head: "General, this is not a joke, although it sounds even crazier than a joke."

Stephenson took a deep breath and clearly repeated the core content of the document: "The 150,000-strong British Fourteenth Army has officially launched an amphibious expedition toward Sumatra and Java."

"Lord Mountbatten made a 'sincere' request in the telegram."

Stephenson's face became extremely excited: "I request that the Republic of China Navy's 'First Coastal Fleet' immediately head south, passing through the Bashi Channel and the South China Sea."

"Proceed to Indonesian waters to provide perimeter surveillance and naval fire support for the British landing forces!"

Clang!

Chu Yunfei tapped the lid of his teacup against the rim of the celadon cup, making a very crisp sound.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Fang Ligong took off his glasses and stared at the document on the table as if he were a madman: "A request for our 'First Coastal Fleet' to provide support to Indonesia?"

Chu Yunfei slammed the teacup down on the table, the astonishment in his eyes instantly transforming into extreme coldness in a fraction of a second.

He turned his head and exchanged a very subtle glance with Fang Ligong.

It was just a glance.

These two longtime comrades instantly saw through the sinister political calculations hidden behind the British's almost absurd request.

The so-called "First Fleet of the Near Sea" was just a batch of warships that the United States had previously provided as aid for the operation on Qiongzhou Island.

In reality, only the flagship model is barely decent.

One main cruiser, three destroyers, and fifty PT-109 torpedo boats.

Torpedo boats naturally cannot sail out to sea.

Moreover, this is the first batch of new sparks at sea that the Chinese Navy had painstakingly gathered after the complete annihilation of the Jiangyin naval force!

The fleet's core mission at present is to cooperate with Zhang Fakui's forces in the Fourth War Zone to blockade the Pearl River Estuary, cut off the Japanese army's sea retreat, and provide corresponding ground support along the South China coast.

"General Stephenson, the British are so cunning that their schemes can be heard throughout North China."

Fang Ligong's voice carried a hint of disdainful sneer: "If we refuse, they will spread the word at the high-level meetings of the allies, saying that the Far East Theater is selfish and refuses to fulfill its cooperative obligations."

"If we pretend to be rich and agree..."

Fang Ligong put his glasses back on, a glint of light flashing behind the lenses: "Having traveled across the ocean to Indonesia, without the cover of land-based aircraft, our precious fleet is a sitting duck for the Japanese army."

"Lord Mountbatten is trying to use the Japanese to deal with us."

Stephenson awkwardly spread his hands. As the US military attaché, he was well aware of the arrogant behavior of the British aristocracy.

This is why he found the document utterly absurd when he received it.

"Sir, I fully understand your anger."

Stephenson shrugged: "But it is, after all, a formal Allied coordination document."

"Procedurally, you must give London an official response."

Chu Yunfei leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the mahogany table.

"Tap. Tap. Tap."

A very amiable smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Of course we should respond."

Chu Yunfei stood up and strode to the Asian strategic nautical chart on the wall: "They sent 150,000 troops to test the Japanese army's jungle defenses for us."

"As allies, how can we offer no help at all?"

Chu Yunfei turned to Fang Ligong: "Brother Ligong."

"Your Excellency."

"Didn't our Expeditionary Force's staff use the lives of tens of thousands of brothers to summarize a thick 'Tropical Rainforest Anti-Infantry Infiltration and Survival Tactics Manual'?"

"Yes, this is a summary of our experience in countering Japanese infantry tactics based on the latest findings from the New Guinea battlefield."

A knowing glint flashed in Fang Ligong's eyes.

He knew Chu Yunfei too well. This wasn't a well-intentioned support; it was clearly a death knell tailor-made for those British gentlemen.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Fang Ligong immediately replied in a serious tone: "Not only do we have tactical manuals, but the Expeditionary Force Headquarters has also compiled a detailed medical and epidemic prevention outline specifically for dealing with the Japanese army's 'treetop sniping tactics,' 'suicide cluster grenade assaults,' and 'prevention of rainforest malaria and leeches.'"

"very good."

Chu Yunfei placed his hands on the map table, looked at Stephenson, and said in an extremely sincere tone: "General Stephenson, please personally relay my telegram to Lord Mountbatten and General Slim."

"For example, given that the First Fleet of China's coastal waters is currently shouldering the absolute responsibility of coordinating with the Fourth War Zone to recover the South China coast and cover the main army operations, it is simply unable to spare any attention."

Chu Yunfei emphasized the words "absolutely important task": "But as the most steadfast ally."

"We present this invaluable 'Complete Guide to Tropical Rainforest Warfare,' which represents the highest level of combat experience in the Far East and was won with blood, to the Fourteenth Army of the British Empire free of charge!"

At this point, Chu Yunfei deliberately emphasized his words, using an extremely direct "reverse provocation" tone: "However, please also 'subtly' remind General Slim in your telegram."

Chu Yunfei's eyes turned slightly cold: "The primeval jungles of Asia are not the flat beaches of Sicily in Europe, much less the London squares where you can leisurely enjoy afternoon tea."

"If their noble European minds cannot comprehend the cruelty of the Asian jungle."

"Then we must make sure they fight according to the manuals we Chinese use!"

"Otherwise, those 100,000 Japanese beasts in Indonesia would tear them to shreds, leaving not even bone fragments!"

Fang Ligong listened from the side, almost unable to suppress a smile.

Absolutely.

That's absolutely amazing!
What do the British care about most?
It's about the face of their old, self-proclaimed superior empire!

The more Chu Yunfei uses this didactic, even condescending tone to remind and teach them how to fight, the more the proud British generals like Mountbatten and Slim will feel deeply insulted!
The most likely outcome is that this tactical manual, which could truly save their lives, will be treated like scrap paper and thrown straight into the trash!

In the boundless rainforest, teeming with poisonous insects and miasma, they would absolutely be slaughtered by the 100,000 Japanese troops scattered in small groups, turning the area into a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood!
Even if we assume they used it against their will and won, that's a different story.

That victory was achieved thanks to the experience shared by the Chinese army!

After the war, those who had contributed to the victory were rewarded.

China still holds a firm grip on the strategic high ground over the British!
Either way, we're going to win!
What should have been a win-win situation turned into a win for China twice.

Stephenson looked at the two Chinese generals who were so in sync that they seemed to understand each other to the core, and couldn't help but shudder.

He was a seasoned veteran, and naturally he recognized the series of traps in Chu Yunfei's words.

"Commander Chu"

Stephenson swallowed hard. "If your words get back to London, Prime Minister Churchill will probably be so angry he'll flip the table."

"That's not something I should worry about."

Chu Yunfei shrugged, casually pulled up a chair and sat down, then turned the conversation back to the Americans: "Actually, General Stephenson, compared to those dry manuals, what can really help the British is your country's heavy bombers."

Chu Yunfei interlaced his fingers and looked intently at the US military attaché: "Mountbatten has a considerable force this time, but he still lacks too much in terms of fleet support and air power."

"The U.S. Fourteenth Air Force, along with a large formation of B-29 heavy bombers based in the Pacific, could easily create an opening for the British to land from the air."

Chu Yunfei asked with a half-smile, "Why doesn't Washington give a push to this kind of good thing that can both gain military merit and intimidate the British?"

Upon hearing this suggestion, Stephenson's expression instantly turned extremely serious, even showing a hint of helplessness.

He sighed, shook his head, and decisively rejected the suggestion.

"It's not that we don't want to help, but we really can't spare a single heavy bomber to support Southeast Asia right now."

Lin Wei and Fang Ligong exchanged a glance, both frowning.

The United States has amassed such a massive air force in Asia that it is impossible that it cannot spare a fleet of aircraft to support a single battle.
Stephenson lowered his voice and revealed a top-secret Allied strategy.

"Just ten days ago, the Supreme Allied Command officially launched a top-secret operation called 'Operation Transportation' in the European theater!"

Stilwell's baton crossed the Asian map and pointed directly at the distant border between France and Germany.

"In preparation for the large-scale amphibious landing that will be launched in a few months."

"The strategic bomber forces of the United States and Britain must completely paralyze all railway hubs, road bridges, and German logistics networks in northern France and Western Europe in the shortest possible time!"

Stephenson took a deep breath, his tone revealing an extremely terrifying level of war expenditure: "This is an unprecedented bombing!"

"Most of our heavy bomber crews in the Pacific and Asian theaters have been urgently redeployed to field airfields in Europe with the highest priority."

"In Asia today, the strategic bomber force we have left can barely maintain sporadic harassment of supply lines to the Japanese mainland."

"To go to Indonesia to support the British in their interdiction bombing campaign?"

Stephenson spread his hands: "We are sorry, but we Americans can't help you. They can only rely on the Royal Navy's pitiful carrier-based aircraft to gnaw on the bones themselves."

Chu Yunfei did not appear disappointed upon hearing this top-secret information.

In his dark eyes, a ball of extremely intense fire instantly ignited.

Since heavy bomber resources have now become the most scarce "weapon of mass destruction" in the world...

The remaining precious fighter jets absolutely cannot be wasted in the jungle or on meaningless mudflats.

They must be used on key battlefields where a decisive victory can be achieved and the overall situation on land and sea.

"General Stephenson."

Chu Yunfei suddenly stood up, his hands on the table, and an extremely strong sense of pressure came over him: "Since bomber resources are so precious..."

"Let's do something big then!"

"According to our joint command intelligence, the Japanese Combined Fleet has now completely retreated into hiding."

"The majority of their so-called 'First Mobile Fleet' is currently anchored in coastal berths and home naval ports, remaining closed to the elements."

"They wanted to hide in the naval port, accumulate strength, and wait for a final, desperate battle with the U.S. Pacific Fleet."

"If that's the case, why should we risk being attacked by torpedoes and kamikaze attacks in a fleet battle on the vast Pacific Ocean?!"

"Sir, what do you mean?"

"My meaning is very simple!"

Chu Yunfei's fist slammed heavily onto the Pacific Ocean, on the waters that represented the Japanese home port.

"Assemble the Chinese Air Force and all remaining US bomber forces in China!"

"No bombing of factories, no air raids on cities!"

"Drop all the incendiary bombs and bombs while their new and old warships are still anchored in port, before they launch their so-called decisive battle!"

"At their berths, in their docks!"

"Blow that Japanese combined fleet into a pile of scrap metal sunk to the bottom of the sea!!!"

The air in the entire operations room seemed to have been completely sucked out at that moment.

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Stephenson stared intently with his blue eyes, his mouth agape.

A full half minute passed.

An uncontrollable surge of ecstasy and excitement erupted from the chest of the U.S. brigadier general like a volcano.

Stephenson trembled with excitement: "God, if the intelligence is true..."

If the main force of the Japanese Navy could be sunk in port in advance, the Pacific Fleet would sweep through the First Island Chain at a very low cost!

What an immortal feat that would be!

"Sir."

Stephenson abruptly stood up straight, saluted, his eyes filled with unprecedented fervor: "I will immediately send a coded telegram to Washington and the Pentagon, and report to General Stilwell."

"If those old men in the Pacific Fleet and the Navy Department heard about this plan, they would jump out of their chairs with joy!"

Stephenson said urgently, "Please have the Chinese side immediately draft the relevant tactical flight paths and joint strike details!"

"As long as the plan is feasible, even if it involves robbing Peter to pay Paul, this strategic operation will have ample reserves of manpower." (End of Chapter)