Chapter 87: The Agreement
The reeds by the river rustled in the morning glow, with the withered yellow leaves undulating in the wind, like a turbulent golden ocean.
Xu Shixiang squatted by the campfire, holding an aluminum lunchbox as he blew on and sipped the steaming millet porridge, the misty steam blurring his vision behind his glasses.
He casually glanced at Chen Shijie squatting opposite him; this major from the military and political department now had grease stains on the collar of his military uniform, squatting on the ground and devouring a steamed bun made of two parts flour and one part cornmeal.
Xu Shixiang seemingly casually said to Su Yaoyang, “Commander Su, your unit is really wealthy; even American canned meat can be obtained. This food is even better than that of the central army.”
Su Yaoyang smiled. “Station Chief Xu is a man who has seen the world. It’s just some canned luncheon meat; is that worth your surprise?”
Xu Shixiang smiled without speaking. Everyone was a sensible person; if it were just a few officers eating, let alone this bit of luncheon meat, even a full banquet wouldn’t surprise him.
But the problem was that this level of food was for the entire security regiment of several thousand men to eat together, which was quite remarkable.
Looking at China’s over one million troops today, no army had such luxurious food.
It wasn’t about reluctance; the national finances simply couldn’t afford it. Where had a student like Su Yaoyang, who fled from Rehe, gotten it from?
The food aside, along the way they had seen the American rifles held by the soldiers, which startled even these two men who prided themselves on their broad knowledge.
In their view, these American equipment certainly didn’t fall from the sky. The only explanation was that behind Su Yaoyang stood some immensely powerful big shot, or he had received support from the U.S. government.
Su Yaoyang ignored what Xu Shixiang and Chen Shijie were thinking, finished his porridge in a few gulps, then plopped down on the damp ground.
He took out cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to the people nearby.
Chen Shijie took the cigarette and glanced at it. “Yo… American goods. Today I’ll taste some foreign flavor too.”
After finishing the last bite of the steamed bun, Chen Shijie took out matches to light the cigarette, took a deep drag, then tentatively said, “Commander Su… Previously, our department failed to recognize a great man and offended you many times. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
Su Yaoyang just lightly waved his hand without speaking.
“Commander Su, the two of us came this time not only to deliver the telegram from Chongqing but also because we have something we’re puzzled about and would like your guidance.”
“You’re talking about the origin of those American weapons in my troops, right?” Su Yaoyang said preemptively before Chen Shijie could ask.
Chen Shijie was stunned, then awkwardly said, “Commander Su sees clearly.”
“No seeing clearly or not.” Su Yaoyang exhaled a smoke ring, which was then scattered by the cold wind blowing from the reed thicket.
“My family had a branch that moved to America dozens of years ago. After rooting there, they also got to know some people in the military.
After my parents were killed by the Japanese pioneer group in Rehe this time, I decided to form my own team.
So I contacted my uncles there, asked them to get a batch of equipment and stockpile it in Nanjing. This time I came to Nanjing to transport the arms back to my hometown, but unexpectedly encountered the Japanese attack on Nanjing, leading to the story of this period. It can only be said to be fate’s trick.”
Listening to Su Yaoyang’s explanation, Xu Shixiang and Chen Shijie looked at each other.
On the surface, Su Yaoyang’s words seemed fine, but everyone knew they wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny.
What kind of place is Nanjing?
That’s the capital of the Republic of China. For a powerless nobody to quietly bring in a batch of American arms enough to equip several thousand men—do you think the military intelligence and central statistics are just idling?
And those special ammunition, which all countries in the world have explicitly banned from export—these big killers—you just got them and stockpiled them in a national capital. To say there’s no support from some country’s government behind it, is that possible?
Really taking us two for fools to fool?
But although they knew the other was talking nonsense, they just couldn’t question him, which made them feel extremely frustrated inside.
“Commander Su… This is too much…” Xu Shixiang smiled helplessly, the words on the tip of his tongue swallowed back down.
Su Yaoyang burst out laughing, stood up, patted the dust off his butt, and said meaningfully, “I think Zheng Banqiao said it well… Rare confusion.
As long as you grasp the meaning of this phrase, it’s good for everyone. What do you two think?”
Looking at Su Yaoyang’s smiling expression, Xu Shixiang and Chen Shijie felt a chill in their hearts; their faces slightly changed as if they had thought of something.
They suddenly thought of a possibility: if these arms and special ammunition weren’t obtained by Su Yaoyang’s family, then who got them?
The answer was only one: the man in front of them was a front man put forward openly by some big shot in the national government. If they kept prying, they might be in big trouble someday.
Thinking of this, the two suddenly felt waves of coldness on their backs.
They knew too well the darkness of the national government; once you angered some big shot or interest group, making small fries like them disappear was a matter of minutes.
The two exchanged a glance and no longer mentioned the weapons.
But Chen Shijie then said, “Commander Su, there’s one more thing I want to inform you of.”
“Speak!” Su Yaoyang’s reply was concise.
“Last night, we also received instructions from Chongqing saying that you released special ammunition in Nanjing this time, causing great losses to the military and civilians of Nanjing. The Japanese government wants our government to give them an explanation.”
“Oh… explanation… what explanation do they want.” Su Yaoyang looked at him with a half-smile.
“This…” Chen Shijie’s old face reddened. The Japanese government had indeed sent a harsh diplomatic note to the Chongqing government, not only sternly condemning Su Yaoyang for releasing special ammunition in Nanjing, causing major losses to the Japanese army.
It not only demanded that the Chongqing government guarantee no more chemical warfare against the Japanese army in the future, but also demanded that Su Yaoyang be handed over.
Old Jiang wasn’t confused; such demands were of course rebuffed by him.
“Of course, our government will not agree to such unreasonable demands.”
Seeing Su Yaoyang’s unfriendly expression, Chen Shijie hurriedly explained.
“However, our government has already reached an agreement with the Japanese government that from now on, the armies of both countries shall not engage in such inhumane chemical warfare, and violators will face severe punishment and sanctions.
The superiors hope you will also abide by this agreement.”
After speaking, Chen Shijie stared closely at Su Yaoyang, afraid this guy would say something like “none of your business.”
Su Yaoyang pondered for a long time, finally slowly nodding.
“Since the superiors have ordered it, I naturally must comply. But I also hope the Japanese side will honor their promise. If I find the Japanese tearing up the agreement, then don’t blame me for not being polite!”
“That’s natural… that’s natural…”
