Chapter 201 He doesn’t want to take action, so let’s take the initiative! (Third update!) Imphal, Stilwell looked at the new army in front of him with high spirits, which had just completed its preliminary reorganization.  Originally, the reorganization plan would last about a year, but the advantages gained by the Sichuan Army were too great.  So he shortened the reorganization plan, and with the restoration of the China-Myanmar Highway, personnel and materials could be quickly transported to Imphal.  The reorganization was completed very smoothly.  According to the plan, the New First Army has two divisions and more than 30,000 people. It is no longer weaker than the German weapon master at the beginning of the war.  Even stronger in terms of firepower.  In addition to heavy artillery, it is also equipped with tanks. In other words, apart from having your own plane, you have everything you need.

Just when he was about to order the new army to attack Mandalay.  As a result, we received news that the Japanese troops had escaped. Yes!  It means running away.  The Japanese army abandoned Mandalay directly and turned westward to join Mutaguchi Renya's troops. At this moment, Stilwell was immediately confused.  Why haven’t you fought yet? Just ran away? How can this make you look powerful?  Suddenly, Stilwell felt depressed.  Originally, I wanted to let the Japanese army in Mandalay try out their power. Who knew that this would be the case. At this time, not only was he confused, but even the new army that had just completed its assembly didn't know what to do.  Should we continue the attack or do something else. Stilwell, who recovered his senses, had no choice but to put the new army on standby temporarily.  Because the Japanese army had fled, he had no reason to send troops.  After all, this territory is still a British colony in name only.  Before, he fought in the name of driving away the Japanese army, but now his righteousness is gone.  If he sends troops again, he will lose his excuse.

Just when Stilwell was depressed, Cun Yunsheng came to Imphal by plane. Seeing Cun Yunsheng again, Stilwell forced a smile. “Cun, you did a good job. I believe it won’t be long before Siam surrenders and the power of the Axis powers will be weakened again.” Stilwell congratulated. Seeing that Stilwell was not very interested, Cun Yunsheng did not ask any other questions. He also didn’t expect that the guy Shozo by the river would be willing to give up everything and go west to join Mutaguchi Renya.  This was indeed beyond his expectation.  Originally, I thought that the Japanese army would be attacked from the north and the south and eventually the entire army would be annihilated. I didn’t expect that the other party would be so decisive, abandoning Mandalay and heading west with all the supplies. Unless Stilwell is willing to let the newly formed New Army march westward to pursue the Japanese army, otherwise, the Japanese army will fish into the sea in Tianzhu.  At that time, it will be absolutely impossible for the British army to destroy these tens of thousands of Japanese troops. "General Stilwell, this is not the problem at the moment, but the Vichy French army has joined the war. They sent Khmer troops to attack Jingdong." Cun Yunsheng was interrupted by Stilwell before he could finish his words.  He looked at the other person with an expression of disbelief. "How is this possible? The French army cannot send troops."  Cun Yunsheng asked him to allocate ten transport planes to replenish supplies for the Sichuan Army. Stilwell didn’t think much about it at the time, thinking he was transporting supplies to the indigenous resistance forces in Yangon. Who knew that it was actually used to attack the French army, which made him a little confused. “I’m sorry, General Stilwell, it’s true. After our **** battle, we defeated the French invasion and killed thousands of French soldiers.” “At the same time, our troops have already invaded Khmer and are currently advancing at full speed. It is expected that they will arrive in Hanoi soon.” After Cun Yunsheng finished speaking confidently, he looked at Stilwell. “Not long ago, the French army sent a telegram, hoping to negotiate peace with us.” "I feel that only you can decide on the matter of peace negotiation, so I flew to Imphal to report this matter to you alone."  After listening to Cun Yunsheng's words, Stilwell felt as if he was in a dream. First the Japanese army ran away directly, and now the French army came to negotiate a peace. All right!  Can there be anything more nonsense than this? Of course, this is not too ridiculous.   After all, this is an old tradition of the French army. "Cun, you did a good job. It is really not your turn to come forward in this kind of negotiation. I know Governor Degu well. He is an arrogant and stubborn old man." Stilwell said with appreciation. As everyone knows, when he said this, Cun Yunsheng felt grumpy in his heart.

Aren’t you a grumpy old man yourself?   How embarrassed to talk to others? However, naturally I dare not say this to my face.  You still have to give others some face. “General Stilwell, do you mean that you also agree with the peace negotiation?” Cun Yunsheng asked with a confused look on his face. "Peace? No, if such a stubborn old man proposes peace and agrees immediately, he may think we are showing weakness." Stilwell shook his head and said. "  “You can talk while fighting.” "Oh? Why?" Cun Yunsheng looked at Stilwell in surprise.  I didn’t expect that this little old man could have such an understanding?  “What is our purpose?” Stilwell asked rhetorically. “Of course we will force the Japanese army to surrender.” Cun Yunsheng said without thinking.  Hearing this, Stilwell's expression obviously froze, and he couldn't say that what he said was wrong.  That is the purpose after all. "This is the ultimate goal. At present, we still force the Vichy French Army to side with the Free French Army. In this case, our strength will be enhanced." Stilwell affirmed for a while, and then said again. “The peace negotiation will only require some compensation at most. However, the Allies do not lack this compensation. What we need is to weaken the strength of the Axis powers.” “So it’s best to fight and talk at the same time. Only in this way can we force Governor Degu to make a choice and join us.” “With their joining, the entire Indo-China Peninsula will be ours, and then I can carry out leapfrog tactics and attack the important islands of the Japanese army.” I have to say that Stilwell saw things very clearly.  But there is one thing here, that is, the interests of the Sichuan Army were not taken into consideration at all.  This is the most outrageous thing.  Because there is no mention of what the Sichuan Army will gain from beginning to end.  Meaning that the Sichuan Legion will be kicked out soon? It's normal. After all, in the eyes of the Western powers, they are just chess pieces. They have to be kicked out after they have been used for enough. What's more, with the Indo-China Peninsula in hand, the next battle will definitely go very smoothly, as long as Luzon Island is captured.  The Japanese troops on the front line may collapse.  The war will end early by then. Perhaps this is what Stilwell really thinks?  For a moment, Cun Yunsheng's eyes flashed with a cold light.

Forcing the French army to surrender? Join the Allies? The idea is indeed a good one!  But the interests of the Sichuan Army were not considered at all. terribly sorry!  In this case, the battle can be fought. "You are right, but the French army is not easy to fight, and the natives of Annan are not easy to deal with. Until now, they have not been completely conquered." Cun Yunsheng wanted to change the subject. The land of Annan has rebelled countless times since ancient times and has become a white-eyed wolf countless times. As long as you read a little bit of ancient books, you will know that it is impossible for them to surrender. Even if they surrender, it will only be temporary. Even if the French army occupied this place for decades, they were still dragged down by rebellion.  In the end, this place was lost directly.  Even the later US military suffered a disastrous defeat here. The only way is to completely eliminate these indigenous people.  But that’s impossible.   After all, that would cause a huge shock. I'm afraid even Stilwell would have a hard time controlling it. "This is indeed a problem, so we only need the French army to surrender, and we don't need to worry about anything else." Stilwell nodded.  He also has a certain understanding of Annan's situation.  So there is no doubt about what Cun Yunsheng said. "What do you mean, do you want me to go back and fight the French army?" Cun Yunsheng asked. "Let's continue fighting. As for the peace negotiation, I will handle it. I can contact Degu directly. This guy has always been a loser." Stilwell looked disdainful. “Only by completely defeating the opponent on the battlefield can we persuade them to surrender.” “Once the Vichy French Army joins us, the next battle will be very easy, and the Sichuan Army’s task will also be greatly reduced.” Stilwell patted Cun Yunsheng on the shoulder and said with a smile. Seeing this, Cun Yunsheng could only nod his head and said nothing more, and then made some equipment requirements.  For example, a tank.  At present, the Sichuan Army's advance in Siam is not going smoothly. Especially after the Japanese army reinforced the Fourth Division to Bangkok, the Sichuan Army temporarily stopped its offensive.  Therefore, forcing Siam to surrender is temporarily impossible.  In addition to discussing the French military peace talks this time, I just want more tanks. That number of tanks is simply not enough.

Stilwell was stunned when he heard it was the Fourth Division. He didn't know the strange history of the Fourth Division. After all, the Japanese army is not a fool. How can it possibly promote the glorious history of the Fourth Division to the outside world?  So, Stilwell subconsciously thought that the Fourth Division was a truly elite division.  After being silent for a while, I felt that with the current strength of the Sichuan Army, it should not be able to defeat the Fourth Division.  After all, if he is ranked so high, he must be the best among the best.  Finally, it was decided to give thirty more tanks, including 20 M3 tanks and ten M4 tanks.  Stingy! Cun Yunsheng’s first reaction was to be stingy. It seems like this guy really wants to restrict the development of the Sichuan Army?  It seems that the Vichy French army's peace talks have made this old man a little swollen.  I have to find another way. Either way, this is not a good sign.  Next, the pace of development of the Sichuan Legion must be accelerated.  The other thing is to cause something to happen and give Stilwell a headache. Let him know that without the Sichuan Army, he can't do anything.  Otherwise, once the French army really surrenders.  At that time, there will be tens of thousands of Vichy French troops, plus more than 30,000 troops stationed in India. The few people I have in hand are indeed not enough. This is all my fault, I played too fast.  It made the old man swell up. 　　People say that raising bandits requires self-respect. Why don’t you fully realize this? After Cun Yunsheng left, Stilwell had someone call Governor Degu who was far away in Hanoi. "Governor De Gu, peace negotiation is not possible. As long as you immediately declare your separation from Vichy France and join Free France, the Sichuan Army can stop attacking." As soon as the call was connected, Stilwell said mercilessly.  There is no small talk, the main thing is to be direct.  Hearing this, Governor Degu went crazy. "General Stilwell, you know what you are talking about? Vichy France has not lost yet, and I still have tens of thousands of troops to continue fighting." “Are you going to be buried with that old guy Pétain?” Stilwell sneered directly. They are all old acquaintances, there is nothing to hide.

"Huh, General Stilwell, this is absolutely impossible unless you can defeat me." Governor Degu was furious and shouted immediately.  “You have no sincerity in peace talks at all.” "Peace talks? I don't think there is any meaning in peace talks. All the Japanese troops in Burma have been annihilated. The main force of the Allied forces will soon fully occupy Burma. The next target is Siam. When they are captured, I would like to ask Governor Degu. How should I handle myself?" Stilwell said without mercy.  If the advantage is not obvious, he will definitely not have this attitude.  But now that the Allies have the upper hand, their attitude will naturally be a little more arrogant. As expected, Governor Degu was dumbfounded when he heard the news.

 I hope they can use their strength to attack the Sichuan Army from behind, so that the Sichuan Army on the front line will definitely withdraw their troops.  At that time, the French army can take the opportunity to pursue them. The results of it?  The Japanese army is gone. How to fight this?  For a time, Governor Degu fell silent. “Governor Degoud, think clearly. There is not much time left for you. Surrender now. There is still hope. For the sake of free France, we can preserve your dignity.” Stilwell said again. Stilwell has gradually felt that the Sichuan Army is too big to lose, so he has allocated some resources to the New Army. But this is far from enough, so wooing the Vichy French army is the best strategy. As long as the Vichy French army surrenders, he will have more troops under his control. "Let me think about it again." This time, Governor Degu lost his previous arrogance and softened his attitude a lot. "Okay, I will give you three days at most. If there is no news after three days, I will let the Sichuan Army continue the attack." Stilwell said calmly. “Hmm.” Governor Degu didn’t say a word and just made the call. Stilwell was not surprised by this. His mood, which was still a bit depressed, now became better.  At this moment, his phone rang again. Just when he thought it was Governor Degu who had agreed, he heard the angry voice of Admiral Wavell opposite. “General Stilwell, why did the Japanese 55th Division advance westward? Isn’t this your fault?”  The first question was a question, which made Stilwell furious.  If it had been before, he would have endured it. 　　Do you still need to endure it now? You have people with guns and a steady stream of supplies, so why bother looking at the British army's face?

 So, Stilwell said directly sarcastically. “General Wavell, can’t the British army still defeat a mere division? This is not the strength of the British Empire.”  Hearing this, Admiral Wavell went crazy. At first I was a little skeptical, but now I am completely convinced that this was definitely Stilwell's deliberate decision to let the Japanese army advance westward. “General Stilwell, do you know what the consequences of all this will be?” Admiral Wavell said threateningly. "Consequences? No, I only know that my responsibility is to drive away the Japanese troops in the Southeast Asian theater." Stilwell said to Maimang with a needle. "I hope you can remember this sentence." After saying that, Admiral Wavell hung up the phone directly.  Cun Yunsheng, who returned to Lashio, looked very indifferent. "Tuanzuo, what's wrong? What happened?" Meng Fan took one look and saw that Cun Yunsheng's face was a little ugly, so he asked quickly. “Hmph, this old boy Stilwell is going to kill his donkey.” Cun Yunsheng said coldly.  “What? So fast?” Meng Fanlao was dumbfounded, how could it be so fast? "It's not that we have to kill the donkey now, but with this idea, he asked me to continue attacking Annan and force the French army to surrender. Not only that, I asked him to add a batch of tanks, and he gave me thirty tanks. If I remember correctly, there are hundreds of tanks in Imphal. Is this just for begging?" Cun Yunsheng continued. "Originally, I was planning to propose some plans to dismember the French colonies. Now it seems that I was simply overthinking it. The only thing Stilwell was interested in was the direct British colonies. As for the French colonies, Stilwell had no idea at all. The intention, in his eyes, was to acquiesce in France's continued control of these colonies." “Since he is unwilling to do it, we have to do it ourselves.” It’s the third update!

 (End of this chapter)