In the original timeline, the People’s Liberation Army’s air and naval forces were weak, and with the US stirring up trouble on the side, Chiang Kai-shek was able to settle down on the island.
But in this timeline, with Xiao Yun as a variable, things wouldn’t develop along the original trajectory.
With the help of the “Congratulations and Get Rich” system, he might be able to assemble a powerful air and naval force for China ahead of time.
Even without the system, he could leverage his foresight from the future and his position and influence to push China to do certain things.
He could accumulate fundamental technological knowledge decades in advance and trigger a massive military industrial boom.
After all, the future he came from had surpassed the US in terms of military technology.
If it weren’t for the US’s massive nuclear arsenal, for fear that they’d drag everyone down with them in a desperate act of self-destruction,
They would have already wiped them out!
..........................
Therefore, facing the nearly direct recruitment offer from the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army’s Colonel, Xiao Yun didn’t beat around the bush, hoping to get more sponsorships.
This was a clear matter of principle!
Even if Yan Xishan offered him the position of his commander, there was no chance, let alone for these paltry offerings.
Immediately, Xiao Yun coldly rejected the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army Colonel and directly sent him and the accompanying Shanxi-Suiyuan Army officers out.
If they hadn’t also brought gifts, he would have made them pay the price!
................................
“This Xiao Yun, truly ungrateful, what a waste of the 100,000 yuan and weapons I sent!”
At the Second War Zone Command Headquarters, Yan Xishan was furious after learning that Xiao Yun had rejected his recruitment offer and with a cold attitude.
This was a full-fledged army commander position, even some veterans who had been with him for many years hadn’t received such a good treatment.
If not for Xiao Yun’s ability to fight the Japanese, how could he lower his face as the former king of Shanxi Province and be so eager for talent?
He dreamt of driving out the Japanese and regaining Shanxi Province, becoming its king once again.
“Sir, calm down. To my knowledge, the Chairman in Chongqing has also recruited Xiao Yun multiple times, even offering the position of commander of a German-equipped elite division, but still failed to obtain his services.
It shows that Xiao Yun is a man of strong will, not easily swayed by external factors.
It is understandable that he refused our olive branch!”
One of Yan Xishan’s trusted aides comforted him.
Yan Xishan was speechless and said no more.
In terms of status, Chiang Kai-shek was the principal of the Whampoa Military Academy, while Xiao Yun was a graduate of the third term of the academy, formally making them teacher and student.
In terms of personal connection, Xiao Yun had saved Chiang Kai-shek’s life during the Northern Expedition.
In terms of the terms offered, Chiang Kai-shek offered the position of commander of an elite German-equipped division, a position even higher than some army commanders under the Central Army, and only required Xiao Yun to go alone.
While he could only offer an army commander position in the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, and also required Xiao Yun to bring his entire 399th Brigade with him.
Even a fool would know which side to choose, but despite such generous conditions, Xiao Yun didn’t even bother to look at it!
It was clear that recruiting Xiao Yun was like dreaming, which was why Chiang Kai-shek only offered such a meagre reward after Xiao Yun won a victory.
Giving more wouldn’t earn him any gratitude, it would simply be aiding the enemy.
He had been delusional, thinking that such a small bribe could buy Xiao Yun’s loyalty.
Whatever, those weapons and equipment could be considered wasted on a dog, at least Xiao Yun and the 399th Brigade, like a vicious hound, could help him bite the Japanese hard.
If these things fell into the hands of his bunch of good-for-nothing subordinates, they would be lucky not to sell them off, even if they had a conscience.
After so many battles against the Japanese, losing cities and territories one after another.
Yan Xishan had a clear understanding of his Shanxi-Suiyuan Army’s true nature, he dared not have too much hope.
To be able to preserve their strength, rely on these Shanxi-Suiyuan troops to hold onto the last few counties in their hands, and avoid being driven into the mountains by the Japanese would be a blessing.
................................
On the other side, at the 399th Brigade’s headquarters, after Liu Zhengyang and his artillerymen were settled down with the arrangements of Xiao Yun’s bodyguard, Liu Cheng, they started clamouring for Xiao Yun to assign them work.
The best scenario would be to see the 399th Brigade’s artillery, get their hands on them, and it would be easier for them to get started in the future.
Unconsciously, they thought they were still in the headquarters, where they could only rely on a few cannons for training and learning.
They hoped that in the future, once they captured cannons, they could be combat-ready immediately.