In late September 1944, Emei Mountain. In the turquoise woods of the mountains, there is a European-style building. Here is Chiang Kai-shek's villa in Mount Emei. In the elegantly decorated parlor, Chiang Kai-shek was sitting precariously, squinting his eyes, listening to He Yingqin's report.
He Yingqin solemnly reported: "The Japanese army's 'One' battle plan is fierce. He Yingqin's "No. 1" operational plan for the Japanese army was formulated by the Japanese in April 1944 to launch an attack on the area south of the Yellow River in China and between the Beijing-Han Railway, which was the first stage of the offensive against China.
Chiang Kai-shek calmed his face and asked coldly, "How is the situation in Henan?" He Yingqin sighed and whispered back, "The news is not good." All four of our armies withdrew from Henan. "
Chiang Kai-shek "snorted" and said sharply: "What withdrew!" It's defeat! Escape! "
When He Yingqin saw Chiang Kai-shek's light and fire, he lowered his head in fright, and the atmosphere did not dare to take a breath. Chiang Kai-shek closed his eyes, calmed his emotions on the couch on his headrest, and said to himself: "Tang Enbo's command of the war is good." "
Originally, the four Kuomintang Central Armies defending Henan were under the command of Tang Enbo. He Yingqin pondered Chiang Kai-shek's mentality for a moment and quickly made a judgment: Chiang Kai-shek had no ill will toward Tang Enbo. He replied, "What the chairman of the committee said is true." But this time..."
Without waiting for He Yingqin to finish speaking, Chiang Kai-shek scolded in a flashy voice: "Niang Xipi! When He Yingqin saw that he had misjudged Chiang Kai-shek, he was suddenly frightened into a cold sweat and hurriedly changed his mouth: "However, this time, Tang Enbo has lost the high hopes of the chairman of the committee." "
Chiang Kai-shek shook his hand, "Alas" and said, "You have misunderstood!" I'm not scolding Tombaugh, I'm cursing Stilwell! He Yingqin breathed a sigh of relief and said "Oh" twice.
Chiang Kai-shek got up from the sofa and paced in the living room while angrily saying: "Henan has fallen, and the responsibility is not Tang Enbo, but Stilwell!" "
He Yingqin was confused for a moment and thought to himself: "Stilwell commanded the Indian army stationed in northern Burma to fight against the Japanese Kou, how did the chairman of the committee contact him with the situation in Henan?" But did not dare to make a sound.
Chiang Kai-shek continued: "Stilwell has transferred all our elite troops to western Yunnan, and the situation in Henan will not be frustrated!" And the Battle of Myitkyina, which almost ran out of all of China's reserves of weapons and equipment, and almost cut off the supply of other chinese armies. Capture Myitkyina, but lose the entire Eastern Battlefield in China, this responsibility he can Stilwell escape?! "
He Yingqin suddenly realized, and quickly nodded his head and said, "Chairman Mingjian." He pondered for a moment and then said slowly: "After Tang Enbo's army withdrew from Henan, the Eighth Route Army took advantage of the void to enter. However, Stilwell believed that this move by the Communists was also an important measure to thwart the Japanese army's "Operation No. 1" plan. "
Listening to He Yingqin's words, Chiang Kai-shek was like being stung by a scorpion, and he felt uncomfortable. His eyes could not help but remember the confrontation that Stilwell had with him a few days earlier. That clash was caused by the attack on Bamo. Chiang Kai-shek sternly demanded that the Chinese indian troops in Myitkyina must launch an attack on the Japanese forces in Ba mo within a week. Stilwell believed that after the Indian army captured Myitkyina, the troops suffered serious casualties, the soldiers were extremely tired, and they needed to rest for a month to recover and continue fighting. He unceremoniously refused Chiang Kai-shek's request. Chiang Kai-shek was greatly annoyed and warned Stilwell that if the Indian troops did not attack Ba mo, he would withdraw the expeditionary force to defend Kunming. Stilwell pointed out to Chiang Kai-shek solemnly that the war situation in Kunming was far from being so dangerous, and if it was really so dangerous, Hu Zongnan's troops surrounding the Communist Party in northern Shaanxi could be transferred to reinforcements. Thinking of this, Chiang Kai-shek's face turned blue and he angrily said to He Yingqin: "Stilwell is about to wear a pair of pants with the Communist Party!" "
He Yingqin nodded yes and reported: "A few days ago, Stilwell met with two Communist Party minds in Chongqing. Saying that our Kuomintang is corrupt, exorbitant in its taxes and miscellaneous taxes, and that words and deeds are inconsistent; on the contrary, it is said that the Communist Party cut taxes, reduces rents, reduces interest rates, and fulfills its promises..."
"Niang Xipi!" Before He Yingqin could finish speaking, Chiang Kai-shek jumped up, "If Stilwell joins hands with the Communists, it will be much more terrifying than the Japanese's 'Operation No. 1' plan!" "
He Yingqin was a little shaken and nodded yes. Chiang Kai-shek stopped, and his angry face turned sinister again: "Stilwell can't stay in China!" Not for an extra day! A few days later, Chongqing Stilwell resided.
Under the dark velvet night, a lamp shines like a tiny diamond. Under the lights, Stilwell was talking to John Sheath of the U.S. Military Observation Group.
Stilwell's expression was angry and heavy: "John, I am going to tell you an unpleasant news. "
John Sheath stood up and asked in amazement, "Are you saying that something unpleasant has happened in the war situation in northern Burma?" "
Stilwell shook his head, leaned back in his chair, sighed helplessly deeply, and said, "An hour ago, I received a call from Marshal George Marshall. He informed me that President Roosevelt had called Chiang Kai-shek and agreed to Chiang Kai-shek's request to recall me from China! "
John Schweitz was shocked and blurted out, "God, why is that?!" Stilwell's emaciated face twitched violently: "'Peanut Rice' (Stilwell's derogatory term for Chiang Kai-shek) lists more than a dozen of my crimes. President Roosevelt was confused by the 'peanut rice'! "
John Shevice shook his chin, pondered, and said slowly, "General, there is a word that I have to say. "
Stilwell said bluntly: "I'm not a 'peanut rice', I just like to listen to obedience. John Sheveth nodded and said, "I was about to say this." Your character is fierce, and you are definitely at odds with Chiang Kai-shek, so how can he tolerate you? "
Stilwell shook his head and said, "No, no. 'Peanut Rice' is not that I have a bad temper, but that I am afraid that I will get close to the Communist Party. "
John Hsieh nodded his head a few times, and then asked incomprehensibly: "General, do you really think that the Communist Party is really resisting Japan?" Stilwell said firmly: "When I first came to China, I didn't think so, but now my opinion has changed, and I am unwavering." After a pause, Stilwell became emotional and said in a loud voice: "The Communist Party is a great patriot and a fighting anti-Japanese force." Providing assistance to the Communist-commanded Eighth Route Army was in the common interest of China and the Allies in their victory over Japan. "
John Schweitz didn't make a sound, silently savoring Stilwell's words. Stilwell sat back in his chair, took a sip of his espresso, and solemnly said to John Sherwick, "Before I leave office, I will order you to return to the United States at once." Truthfully report to President Roosevelt on the situation in Yan'an and persuade Congress to establish contact with the Communists and the Eighth Route Army under their command. "
John Sherwick gave Stilwell a solemn military salute. The night was already very deep. Stilwell was lying on the bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Irritably, he sat up from the bed, turned on the light, got dressed again, and got off the ground. He paced to the window and looked out. Outside the window, a few bright stars hung in the sleeping sky, and everything was silent. The courtyard is pale green and white. Stilwell was touched by the scene, he thought that after the Chinese army in India conquered Myitkyina, the war situation in northern Myanmar had become like those bright stars in the sky, bringing dawn to his "Annajim" plan; He thought that at this critical moment, Chiang Kai-shek asked Roosevelt to recall him to China, which shows that Chiang Kai-shek is not concerned with the anti-Japanese resistance, but with his rule. These annoy him and make him hateful; His view of Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang government became like the night in the courtyard, pale blue and white. Stilwell could no longer suppress the anger in his heart, went to his desk and sat down, took out his diary, and angrily wrote the following page of diary: "Chiang Kai-shek is confronted with an idea, and this concept has defeated him. He was bewildered by the spread of communist influence, and he did not see the Chinese masses welcoming communists as the only visible hope. They demand freedom from heavy taxes, the army's doing as it pleases, Dai Kasa's Gestapo, greed, corruption, cronyism, worthless money, terrible waste of life, and disregard for human rights. "
Myitkyina West Airport, October 24, 1944. Zheng Dongguo, Botner, Sun Liren, Liao Yaoxiang... The senior generals of the Chinese army in India dressed up and stood respectfully and solemnly, waiting for Stilwell's arrival.
At this time, the organization of the Chinese army in India was reorganized. The commander-in-chief was replaced by Stilden and the general command was established, with Zheng Dongguo as the deputy commander-in-chief. The General Headquarters has two corps: the newly organized First Army, with Sun Liren, under the jurisdiction of the New Thirty-eighth Division and the New Thirty Division; The newly formed Sixth Army, commander Liao Yaoxiang, had jurisdiction over the new 22nd Division, 50th Division, and 14th Division.
At about 3 p.m., Stilwell's plane landed at Myitkyina West Airport. The cabin opened, and Stilwell, dressed in a neat general's uniform and holding a gangway, carefully stepped down, looking old.
Zheng Dongguo was the first to greet him, first gave Stilwell a solemn military salute, and then stretched out his hand to hold Stilwell's hand that was as thin as a chicken's claw and said, "Welcome to the commander-in-chief to visit Myitkyina!" "
Stilwell smiled bitterly and replied, both bluntly and humorously: "Wrong, wrong." You have a saying in China called 'not in his position, not seeking his own government'. I am no longer in his place, and I dare to come here to inspect. In addition, it is not welcome, it should be a farewell. Today I am returning to the United States through Myitkyina. "
Listening to Stilwell's words, Zheng Dongguo, Sun Liren, Liao Yaoxiang, Botner and others present could not say what it was like. Each of them understood in their hearts why Stilwell was transferred, and could only "at this time silence is better than sound", one by one, they first gave Stilwell a solemn military salute, and then shook hands silently, the atmosphere was not warm, but solemn.
Sun Liren and Stilwell had a strong affection, and after Stilwell and the crowd greeted each other, he took the initiative to move forward and said, "General, I have arranged your residence, please!" To hint at his own affection for Stilwell.
Stilwell said to Sun Li, "Thank you! Then, with emotion, he said, "Don't call me General, I like people calling me 'Uncle Joe'!" After a little thought, he said, "Don't go back to your residence first, go and see the battlefield in the past." "
Accompanied by Zheng Dongguo, Sun Liren, Liao Yaoxiang and Botna, Stilwell trekked to the city of Myitkyina. Out of the West Airport, not far away is a jungle. Suddenly, Stilwell remembered something, and he waved to Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang and stopped. Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang walked quickly to his side. Stilwell asked affectionately, "Remember this place?" "
Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang looked at each other for a moment and nodded in unison.
The sunken eyes behind Stilwell's silver wire glasses shone with excitement: "Half a year ago, the three of us studied the battle plan for attacking the city of Myitkyina here. At this point, Stilwell pointed his finger in front of him and said, "At that time, my jeep was parked here, and the combat map was on the bonnet." He turned to look at Sun Liren, "At that time, General Sun was standing on my right side, wearing a coffee-colored fur vest. "
Sun Liren was touched by Stilwell's deep affection for others, tears poured into his eyes, and he quickly blinked his eyelids a few times to squeeze the tears dry.
Stilwell turned to look at Liao Yaoxiang again and said, "At that time, General Liao was standing on my left side, with a telescope on his waist. "
Looking at Stilwell's nostalgic excitement, Liao Yaoxiang also felt very sour in his heart. Sun Liren suddenly remembered something, and asked Stilwell with concern: "At that time, the general was suffering from stomach pain, is it okay now?" Stilwell smiled lightly and said, "Your Li Shangyin has a famous poem called 'The sunset is infinitely good, but it's near dusk', let nature take its course." "
Zheng Dongguo stepped forward and comforted Stilwell: "Zhu Ziqing once slightly changed this poem of Li Shangyin, writing 'But the sunset is infinitely good, why should I be sad about the dusk'. The general's future career is still ambitious, and he hopes to take care of his body. "
Stilwell was surprised and said busily: "This is the first time I have heard of this poem, please repeat it to General Zheng." Zheng Dongguo repeated again: "But the sunset is infinitely good, why worry about the dusk." Stilwell recited it several times, feeling familiar with it, before he said with emotion: "The Chinese nation is really a great nation." "
Stilwell continued to walk forward, and from time to time said the past to Zheng Dongguo, Sun Li and Liao Yaoxiang beside him: We have taken pictures here; I have sat here and wiped my Tom gun; I've had lunch here... When he came to a hill and saw that the slopes were densely lined with loess mounds, his heart was heavy. He took off his military hat, lowered his head, and held a few minutes of silence in the Loess Mound, saying solemnly: "In order to capture Myitkyina and open the Sino-Indian highway, more than 2,000 Chinese soldiers sacrificed their young lives." I have witnessed Chinese soldiers fighting, they are brave, hard-working, and hard-working! "
Zheng Dongguo said modestly: "The general commands the battle well. Stilwell shook his head slightly and said nothing more.
This night, Stilwell was sleepless again. In the early hours of the morning, Botner suddenly knocked on his door. Botner told him: "John Hsieh weisi called to say that the Communist Eighth Route Army had fought a great victory in Henan and thwarted the arrogance of the Japanese army. "
Stilwell was excited and said in a loud voice, "I have long said that the Communist forces are great patriots and a fighting anti-Japanese force!" After a pause, he suddenly remembered something and said to Botner, "Tomorrow I'm going to get out of here and go to Ramga." Before leaving, I would like to ask you to send a farewell telegram to Yan'an on my behalf. "
Botner nodded and said, "Please draft a telegram." "
Stilwell sat down at his desk, pondered for a long time, and took up a pen and wrote the following telegram: "General Judd: I am deeply disappointed that I cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with you and your growing and outstanding troops. "
On November 2, 1944, Stilwell returned to the United States. On October 12, 1946, he died of stomach cancer at the age of sixty-three.
Judd sent a telegram of condolence: "The death of General Stilwell has not only deprived the United States of a great general, but also deprived the Chinese of a great friend." Chinese will always remember his contribution to China's War of Resistance Against Japan and his struggle to establish a just U.S. policy toward China, and believe that his wish will eventually come true."
Zhou Enlai's telegram pointed out: "In the minds of the Chinese people, he is the best warrior... Chinese min will always remember General Stilwell's name in their hearts."