Chapter 257: Do You Have That Much Money?
The seemingly polite smile on Su Yaoyang’s face carried a barely perceptible edge to Chen Shijie’s ears. That sentence, “You’re not thinking of getting something for nothing, are you?”, a blunt remark, immediately cornered Chen Shijie, leaving him unable to respond for the moment.
Faced with Su Yaoyang’s straightforward words, the smile on Chen Shijie’s face stiffened for an instant.
For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
In fact, the Military and Political Department, or rather Minister He Yingqin behind him, had been eyeing Su Yaoyang for more than a day or two.
Especially as the “Flying Squadron” of the Shanxi Militia rose to fame, achieving remarkable feats one after another, while the highly anticipated National Government Central Air Force, with its planes nearly depleted and pilots in short supply, had fallen into the embarrassing situation of having no aircraft available.
In this contrast of decline and rise, the big shots in the Military and Political Department naturally turned their gaze to Su Yaoyang’s “private air force,” which was not under central control.
Initially, someone proposed directly nationalizing the Shanxi Militia’s Flying Squadron in the name of national righteousness, to be uniformly commanded by the Aviation Commission. This simple and crude proposal seemed righteous on the surface.
But it immediately faced fierce opposition from more knowledgeable people.
The air force is different from other branches; you can’t just seize the planes and use them.
Where would the spare parts for those high-performance fighters come from later?
Who would handle the daily maintenance and repairs?
Without Su Yaoyang’s mysterious logistics channel for support, even if the planes were forcibly nationalized, those precious assets would soon become useless empty shells.
Moreover, the current Su Yaoyang was no longer the small militia commander under Nanjing who had to look up to others’ noses.
He was renowned, commanding tens of thousands of well-equipped troops, a tough character who dared to confront Japanese elite divisions head-on.
If he were truly angered and turned hostile, starting infighting at this critical juncture of the War of Resistance, wouldn’t that make a huge joke for the entire nation and the international community?
Thus, after intense arguments and weighing options, a more “decent” plan was proposed.
Citing national financial difficulties, under the guise of “commercial borrowing” or “loan,” they asked Su Yaoyang to “help” the Central Air Force purchase a batch of planes. As for when the loan’s tail payment would be made and how it would be delivered… that was a matter for later.
In plain terms, it was just issuing a blank check to get something for nothing.
This led to Chen Shijie’s trip to Yichang. He was sent to carry out this “glorious and arduous” task.
These thoughts flashed through Chen Shijie’s mind, and he quickly adjusted his expression, coughed dryly twice, and piled an enthusiastic smile back on his face.
“Hehe, Brother Su is as straightforward as ever, just like back in Nanjing—a real forthright man!”
Chen Shijie laughed it off, trying to ease the atmosphere, then turned to Li Zongren, then back to Su Yaoyang, and said gravely:
“To be honest with you two, Chen was sent here on orders from the Chairman and Minister He, regarding a matter of national importance that I wish to discuss with you both.”
He deliberately emphasized the four words “matter of national importance,” and seeing he had successfully drawn their attention, he sighed with heartfelt pain.
“Commander Su’s Flying Squadron struck hard at the Japanese invaders at Pumpkin Shop, shaking all of China; even the Chairman in Chongqing praises it endlessly! In contrast, our Central Air Force… alas…”
Chen Shijie sighed heavily, his face full of concern for the country and people. “The fighters are completely worn out; now we’re in a dire situation with no planes available.
We’ve lost air superiority, and the brothers on the ground are fighting too hard! So, the Chairman and Minister He specially sent me to ask Commander Su if he could… could, for the sake of the party-state’s greater good and the millions of soldiers shedding blood on the front lines, lend a hand to his brothers?”
“Hiss…”
Hearing Chen Shijie’s impassioned, emotionally charged “request,” Li Zongren on the side couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath inwardly.
He had still underestimated this Commissioner Chen sent from Chongqing.
This guy could make the shameless act of getting something for nothing sound so elegant and refined, even pulling out the unbearable big hat of national righteousness to pressure people.
These words were tantamount to putting Su Yaoyang on the spot over a fire.
This put Mingxi in a tough spot now.
Li Zongren knew full well this wasn’t just a hundred or so broken rifles; these were the Shanxi Militia’s prized possessions, the world’s latest fighter planes! Each one, including ammo and logistics, cost at least $100,000.
If he really gave them, wouldn’t Su Yaoyang lose even his underwear?
But if he didn’t give, the big hat of “hoarding troops and disregarding national righteousness” would crush him. It would put him in a hugely passive position in public opinion and politics.
However, to both Li Zongren and Chen Shijie’s utter surprise, facing this carefully designed, nearly insoluble overt scheme, Su Yaoyang’s face showed not the slightest difficulty or hesitation.
He didn’t even bother with polite refusals.
“I refuse.”
Su Yaoyang’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was exceptionally clear and firm. Just these three simple words were like three basins of ice water poured straight onto Chen Shijie’s “concerned for country and people” face.
The air in the command post froze instantly.
The expression on Chen Shijie’s face seemed frozen, changing from “grim” to “stunned” to “incredulous” in a flash, a spectacular shift.
He opened his mouth, all the prepared follow-up arguments—”installment payments,” “postwar repayment,” “the Chairman’s expectations”—stuck in his throat, not a word coming out.
He had anticipated Su Yaoyang would haggle, cry poor, delay, but he never dreamed the other would refuse so cleanly, so thoroughly, leaving no room for maneuver!
Su Yaoyang seemed not to see Chen Shijie’s face turn the color of pig liver. He picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on the floating tea leaves, then slowly lifted his eyelids, looking calmly at the other man.
“Commissioner Chen, what you said earlier was very good, very moving.”
Su Yaoyang’s tone was as flat as discussing the weather. “But there are a few questions I’d like to ask.”
“First, money. Does the Military and Political Department have money? Does Minister He have money? My planes didn’t come from the wind. Buying planes costs money, maintenance costs money, fuel costs money, ammo costs even more.
Can Chongqing afford it? Or are you planning to give me another IOU that won’t be honored until who knows when?”
“Second, people. Even if I give you the planes, who will fly them? Who will repair them? My pilots and ground crew are all trained by me personally, with perfect coordination. If I give them to you, my Flying Squadron falls apart.
Without my people, just the planes—can those officials in your Aviation Commission, who can’t even handle old Hawk planes, manage new fighters?”
“Third, and most importantly.”
Su Yaoyang set down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, his gaze suddenly sharpening, piercing straight into Chen Shijie’s heart. “My Flying Squadron is up in the sky fighting the Japanese right now, shedding blood and sacrificing for this country.
Forcibly dismantling a unit that’s fighting efficiently and racking up merits to fill a proven inefficient, corrupt hole—Commissioner Chen, tell me, is this contributing to national righteousness or making a joke of the war effort?”
A series of counter-questions landed like resounding slaps on Chen Shijie’s face.
Every question from Su Yaoyang hit the vital points, leaving no room for rebuttal.
He not only refused but turned around and slapped Chen Shijie with a “sabotaging the war” big hat!
Li Zongren watched dumbfounded from the side, then felt secretly delighted inside.
Brilliant! Truly brilliant!
He had thought Su Yaoyang would be in a dilemma, but this kid neatly kicked the ball back with a few words, leaving the other side covered in dirt. What kind of wrist, what boldness—not like a twenty-something young man at all!
At this moment, Chen Shijie’s face was ashen, fine cold sweat beading on his forehead. Standing there, he could neither agree nor oppose, utterly embarrassed.
Seeing Chen Shijie’s face turn from green to white in a spectacular display, Li Zongren chuckled inwardly, but on the surface, he had to step in to smooth things over.
He slammed the table heavily, put on a stern face, and sternly scolded Su Yaoyang: “Mingxi… what kind of talk is this! Commissioner Chen, no matter what, represents the Military and Political Department. How can you say that? Where does this leave Minister He? Where does this leave the war effort?”
These words sounded like a scolding but actually gave both sides a way out.
Su Yaoyang got the hint and immediately played along, cupping his fists to Li Zongren with just the right amount of grievance and indignation in his tone.
“Commander Li, it’s not that I’m disrespectful, but some people are really going too far!”
Su Yaoyang’s voice even carried a slight tremor. “We’re fighting tooth and nail with the Japanese on the front lines, shedding blood and sacrificing, finally achieving some results, but there’s always someone in the rear who can’t stand to see us succeed and wants to tear us down! Who can I tell my grievances to?”
These half-true, half-false words were extremely infectious. They were for Chen Shijie to hear, and also for Li Zongren.
With that, he abruptly turned his head, staring fixedly at Chen Shijie, and said resolutely: “Commissioner Chen, please tell Minister He that planes are available for purchase, but with real gold and silver! US dollars or gold are fine! If he’s still thinking of getting something for nothing, then please leave!”
The resolute attitude and sharp words completely dashed Chen Shijie’s last shred of hope.
Chen Shijie knew the plane matter was thoroughly hopeless. This kid Su Yaoyang was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and had even turned the tables on him. This mission was half a failure.
But he was, after all, a seasoned official who had rolled in the bureaucracy for years; he couldn’t bear to slink back empty-handed. No planes? What about something else?
Besides planes, there was one thing the entire Chinese army coveted from the Shanxi Militia: their godlike artillery!
Chen Shijie’s mind raced, the embarrassment fading from his face, replaced by a businesslike merchant expression. Since emotional and righteous appeals didn’t work, let’s just talk business!
He cleared his throat, as if the humiliated one earlier wasn’t him, and probed: “Since… since Commander Su has difficulties with the planes, we won’t press you.”
He changed tack, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
“However, I’ve heard your artillery has also achieved brilliant feats. Especially those 155mm ‘Long Tom’ howitzers and the 105mm M2 howitzers—tremendous power, true national treasures…”
Chen Shijie rubbed his hands, a fawning smile on his face, and asked: “I wonder… Commander Su, how much for these two types of big guns?”
“Hiss…”
This time it was Su Yaoyang drawing in a sharp breath, looking at Chen Shijie’s face-changing prowess, he could only say: “Serves you right to be this commissioner.”
Clearly just getting brutally rebuffed, yet able to flash a fawning smile the next moment— if such a person couldn’t succeed, who could?
Though surprised inwardly, since the man asked, he had to answer: “155mm howitzer $50,000 each, 105mm howitzer $20,000 each; as for shells…”
He thought for a moment: “155mm shells $100 each, 105mm shells $50 each.”
Then added: “This is already cost price, can’t go lower. Smoke or illumination shells are even more expensive, at least double. How many do you want to buy, Commissioner Chen?”
Chen Shijie didn’t refute this; he knew Su Yaoyang was telling the truth—in fact, they were practically selling at a loss.
Note that previously, Germany sold 150mm howitzers（ mainly sFH 18 type） to the National Government, as important heavy fire support for the Chinese army at the time, at 70,000 Reichsmarks per gun, shells 250 marks each.
Take note… this was 1930s pricing; if converted to now, prices would multiply several times. Thus, Su Yaoyang’s quote was absolutely fair.
Chen Shijie pondered long, then gritted his teeth: “Damn it, no more hesitation. On behalf of the Military and Political Department, I want to procure thirty-six 155mm howitzers and sixty 105mm howitzers, each gun with 200 high-explosive shells.”
Now not only Su Yaoyang, but even Li Zongren was startled.
Su Yaoyang stared at him for a good while before asking: “Wait… Old Minister… are things that desperate for you? This isn’t a small sum!”
No wonder Su Yaoyang asked; if true, just the guns would cost three million dollars, and with shells, over ten million. Did the National Government have that much money now?
Facing Su Yaoyang’s skeptical gaze, Chen Shijie smiled bitterly: “No choice; lately the front lines are urgently demanding heavy artillery more and more insistently. The Chairman hasn’t slept well for days. Even if we’re broke, we have to get some, or the front really can’t hold.”
Hearing this, Su Yaoyang and Li Zongren both fell silent…
