Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 149 Building Our Own Air Force

"Do we need to expand?"

Upon hearing the term, the officers' eyes lit up with excitement.

For soldiers, expansion means promotion and an increase in the number of men under their command, which is something any soldier would welcome.

The impatient Hou Tianyou quickly asked Su Yaoyang, "Commander... how many battalions do we need to expand?"

Su Yaoyang just smiled slightly and didn't say anything, but Pi Ruoyu scolded him: "Battalion Commander Hou, I have to remind you that Commander Su was appointed as the Chief of the Militia of SX Province by the Military Commission more than two months ago."

"We've been busy traveling and fighting these past few days, so we haven't had time to hold a meeting to announce this appointment. Now that we finally have time to formally announce it, everyone should start addressing each other differently."

Hou Tianyou scratched the back of his head, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Chief of Staff, what does this militia commander-in-chief manage? How is he different from the former security commander?"

Pi Ruoyu smiled faintly: "Still in charge of the militia."

"what……"

Hou Tianyou was somewhat displeased. "Aren't those officials just playing us for fools? They were security chiefs before, and they're still militia chiefs now. Isn't it all the same?"

“Old Hou, you’re wrong. This is different.” Li Gaoyuan explained from the side, “Before, the regimental commander was at most just a security regiment commander. Now he’s the head of the militia.”

In other words, nominally, all the local militias within Shanxi are under our command. How can that be the same thing?

"Oh... I see now." Hou Tianyou suddenly realized, "Isn't that still the head of the militia?"

"Hahaha……"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Pi Ruoyu, who was drinking tea, even spat out the tea in his mouth.

Su Yaoyang couldn't help but chuckle and said, "What Battalion Commander Hou said is not wrong. I am indeed a militia leader."

However, since the Ministry of Military Affairs has given us this title, we cannot let them down.

Starting today, our security force is officially renamed the Shanxi militia.

Moreover, our troops will be expanded from one regiment to three infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one air defense regiment, one supply battalion, one armored battalion, one motor transport battalion, and one communications company.

These units are expected to be completed in three months, so everyone, our task is arduous and has a long way to go!

"hiss……"

Upon hearing Su Yaoyang's words, everyone present gasped in shock.

If they really expand their army according to Su Yaoyang's plan, their troop strength will increase several times over, which is equivalent to the size of a Class A division. But does Su Yaoyang really have the ability to support so many troops?
Seeing the puzzled looks on everyone's faces, Su Yaoyang said calmly, "I know what you're all worried about. Whether I can support so many people is my business. What you need to do is take this opportunity to recruit and train the army. We must expand our forces before the Japanese realize what's happening."

Alright, now let the Chief of Staff announce the new commanders for each expanded unit.

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits immediately lifted, and they all sat up straight, staring intently at Pi Ruoyu.

Pi Ruoyu picked up a document from the folder and read aloud: "At the suggestion of Officer Su Yaoyang, the chief of the Shanxi militia, and with the approval of the Ministry of Military Affairs, the list of personnel to be reorganized in the Shanxi militia is as follows."

"Li Gaoyuan was appointed commander of the First Regiment of the Shanxi Militia, Huang Guantao was appointed commander of the Second Regiment, Lu Shaobin was appointed commander of the Third Regiment, Zhang Zhihao was appointed commander of the First Artillery Regiment, Xiong Junfeng was appointed commander of the Second Artillery Regiment, John was appointed commander of the Tank Battalion, Wei Danian was appointed commander of the Air Defense Regiment, Xu Dapeng was appointed commander of the Guard Battalion..." One by one, the names were read out, and everyone whose name was read smiled. After all, who doesn't like to be promoted?

Seeing everyone's beaming faces, Su Yaoyang also smiled. "Everyone, don't get too excited yet. Your task ahead is very important."

Since time is of the essence and the Japanese could attack at any moment, I demanded that the recruitment work be completed within half a month, and that intensive training begin after half a month. I expect to see results in three months.

If anyone dares to slack off, be irresponsible, or fail to complete their mission, then don't blame me, Su, for being ruthless. If a company commander fails to complete his training mission, I will remove him from his position; if a battalion commander fails to complete his mission, I will remove him from his position; and if a regimental commander fails to complete his mission, I will remove him from his position as regimental commander as well.

I'm making this clear upfront: anyone who feels they can't complete the task or are incompetent should submit their resignation now, and I'll approve it immediately!

Su Yaoyang's voice was calm and not loud, but everyone could tell that their boss was serious. It seemed that they would have to prepare to lose ten pounds in the next few months.

After the meeting, everyone scattered like birds and beasts, but Su Yaoyang called John aside and stopped him alone.

"Boss... did you call me for something?" John looked at Su Yaoyang curiously.

Of all the officers in the militia, only John would call Su Yaoyang that. This was also how John addressed Su Yaoyang when they broke out of Nanjing. After Su Yaoyang corrected him several times, he saw that John still did things his own way, so he just let him be.

"Yes."

Su Yaoyang pointed to the stool, "Sit."

After John sat down, he personally poured him a cup of coffee.

"John, I heard that you still have quite a few comrades-in-arms in the United States who fought alongside you in World War I. Is that true?"

“Yes, boss.” John nodded, then asked curiously.

"Boss, do you want to recruit them? But it's been twenty years since the end of World War I. All the young men from back then have become middle-aged men like me. So, if I may be so bold, there's no point in you recruiting them now."

"No, no, no...you misunderstood. I wanted to ask if you know any air force officers, or outstanding pilots and flight instructors? I want to recruit some pilots to serve me. What do you think?"

"Oh my God... Boss, you're going to build an air force?"

John immediately saw through Su Yaoyang's idea; his boss wanted to build an air force.

"Yes."

Su Yaoyang made no attempt to hide his ambition.

"I've had enough of Japanese planes hovering over my head every day, and I can't let the lives of all the people in Wutai County and my own life be threatened by Japanese planes."

The best way to deal with an air force is to build your own.

"But boss, if I may be frank, your idea of ​​building an air force is good, but the air force is not the same as the infantry. This thing is not only extremely expensive, but also very time-consuming. It will take at least one or two years to build up even the most basic air force."

"So my idea is to first hire a group of Americans to fly my planes, and then gradually train my own pilots. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)