Chapter 7: The Anti-Japanese War, Nanjin Pass and Kuwait Oil Fields
"Chief of Staff, the main personnel in charge of the front-line construction are the 41st Engineering Regiment of the Theater Command, as well as more than 20,000 local people recruited from around Yichang. As of yesterday, the construction area has completed a total of 450,000 cubic meters of earthwork, opened four tunnels for soldiers and artillery, 13 permanent and semi-permanent fortifications, a tunnel field hospital, and 12 material storage points, basically completing 27% of the total design. According to the current progress, the remaining projects are expected to be completed by March next year at the latest."
Tang Shiqiu, chief engineer of the construction of the Nanjin Pass Fortress, gave a brief and concise report to Lieutenant General Shou Ming, chief of staff of the Hunan-Hubei-Bashu War Zone, wearing the rank of colonel.
"However, due to the harsh terrain and the rush to meet deadlines, the 41st Regiment has already lost 21 officers and soldiers, and there have been 100 to 200 casualties among the civilian population."
Shou Ming only had a brief experience as a military commander, so he was somewhat sensitive to the casualty figures: "This sacrifice is unavoidable. Remember, we must provide more compensation to the civilians who were injured or killed. After the construction is completed, we will erect a monument to commemorate the names of all the dead."
The people around him nodded in agreement, so Shou Ming asked again: "Are the troops in place?"
Bo Mingfang, the major general fortress commander who graduated from the first class of the Northwest Army School, responded immediately: "In terms of artillery, we have already deployed a 105 field artillery battalion and a 12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. In terms of infantry, it is a little short. The 124th Division of the 51st Army has not yet arrived. The main players now are the newly incorporated Western Hubei Security Corps and the Northwest Hunan Militia, and their combat power is very insufficient. However, Nanjin Pass has sufficient guns and ammunition, and we have our old sergeants in the northwest as the backbone. As long as the Japanese army does not attack Yichang immediately, even if the 124th Division cannot be deployed for a while, I am confident that I can reorganize a capable team within three months."
Shou Ming looked at the other party's confident face and suddenly laughed: "Your courage is commendable, but you can't fight the war alone. Otherwise, why would you try so hard to bring those miscellaneous brands over? You should use your brain. The war of resistance is a major event of national liberation. We should stick together and overcome difficulties together."
Shou Ming knew that many people within the Northwest Army were disdainful of the various miscellaneous forces, but the Japanese army was powerful and the Nanjin Pass line was the gateway to Sichuan. It was not easy for a Northeast Army division of tens of thousands of people and five or six thousand newly incorporated weak troops to hold on. Therefore, he wanted to sound a warning to the other side.
"Besides, will the Japanese army give you three months? No!"
Shou Ming pointed at the river surface and spoke in a serious tone.
"Yesterday, just yesterday, a vanguard of about 800 Japanese troops arrived in Jiangling, and the accompanying gunboats bombarded Jingzhou. Qingsheng, do you still think you have three months?"
"chief of staff!"
Bo Mingfang was shocked, but before he could say anything, Tang Shiqiu on the side was already anxious.
"I ask the war zone to give me another two and a half months, otherwise I will not be able to complete the Nanjinguan Fortress project. Moreover, once they know that the Japanese army is coming, the civilian workers will definitely disperse. At that time, the 41st Regiment alone will not be able to complete the project on time."
"The theater has clearly ordered the 124th Division to speed up. In addition, the theater has also asked the 17th Corps to dispatch effective troops to the Shimen line to threaten the Japanese flank. But you also know that both the south and the north are full of mountains and the roads are rugged, so distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. For the time being, you have to rely on yourselves."
Bo Mingfang gritted his teeth. The main forces in the war zone had all been pushed to the southern frontier to confront Chiang Kai-shek's army on the border between Yunnan, Guizhou, Kang and Sichuan. At this time, only the several thousand weak troops in his hands were available.
"Please rest assured, Chief of Staff. I will lead my troops to the Yidu line immediately to defend against the enemy. Even if we kill all of them, we will definitely give Chief Engineer Tang some time to work."
"Don't you want a three-month training period at this time?"
Shou Ming was rude, but his eyes were filled with satisfaction.
"Commander Zhang transferred you to Nanjin Pass because he believes in your ability, but we cannot waste manpower in vain."
At this time, Shou Ming revealed a trump card.
"Don't worry, the war zone has decided to deploy the Chuanjiang Fleet to join the battle."
"Wasn't the Chuanjiang Fleet completely lost in Nanjing?"
Bo Mingfang asked doubtfully.
"The original Chuanjiang Fleet was indeed almost completely lost in Nanjing, so this time we specially transferred new members from the Qinghai training base."
Shou Ming explained that future battles would still depend on the cooperation of the fortress, so he did not hide anything.
"Of course, they are still a little short of the mark in a head-on fight with the Japanese gunboats, and your Excellency is reluctant to do so, but they can still release mines."
Bo Mingfang and the others showed joy on their faces. That's right, due to the mountains and hills on both sides of the river, the Japanese army would inevitably attack upstream. Therefore, as long as the river was blocked, it would be a very easy task to delay the Japanese army for ten days or half a month.
"Don't be happy too soon. The fortress will also send elite soldiers to help stop the enemy. In addition, the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Liaison Department will also send people to assist."
At this point, Shouming's tone turned serious.
"Your Excellency's instructions: The construction of river defense batteries and fortresses must be completed on time with guaranteed quality and quantity, and the Japanese army must be kept out of the Three Gorges."
"The judgment is now pronounced: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has violated the plaintiff's rights and privately surveyed and exploited the oil on Burgan Island. The defendant Kuwait Petroleum Corporation shall immediately compensate the plaintiff for the relevant losses and interest totaling 1,352,254 pounds 27 pence, and immediately stop the infringing actions and apologize in the newspaper..."
On January 31, 1939, as the first judgment of the British Privy Council after New Year's Day 1939, the Burgan oil theft case caused a sensation due to its huge compensation amount and the mysterious identity of the plaintiff. However, what really attracted international capital was the world's largest and best light oil field. In the face of the huge power of these international capitals, the identity of the plaintiff was no longer the vagueness in the eyes of some people.
"General, on behalf of the Royal Government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, I would like to make a proposal to you. I hope you can transfer the oil exploration and mining rights of Burgan Island and the Neutral Zone (between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. For this, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is willing to pay you a transfer fee of 30 million pounds."
"Are you joking, Mr. Consul?"
Dai Jiliang looked at the British Consul General in Xi'an, Masafin, with a smile.
"Kuwait Petroleum Corporation paid more than one million pounds in compensation after only six months of illegal mining. According to their report, this oil field can be mined for more than a hundred years. Only 30 million pounds, doesn't it seem a bit too cheap?"
"General, please forgive me for being blunt. You only spent tens of thousands of dollars to purchase the relevant rights and interests, and you never invested a penny in exploration and mining. It is already amazing to get such a return. If the Kuwaiti sheikh regrets it now, the general will not get a penny."
Masafin threatened.
"Also, the value of Northwest notes seems to be extremely unstable at the moment. If you have these 30 million pounds, I think you will actually get far more than the value of this cash."
"Please respect yourself, sir. I am never afraid of threats."
Dai Jiliang responded calmly.
"If my personal rights are damaged in Kuwait, then I can tell you clearly that your country's rights in China will be completely damaged."
Masafin was furious, but before he could retort, Dai Jiliang continued.
"And when I signed the peace treaty with the Sheikh of Kuwait, I had it notarized by the British Commissioner. This is one of the reasons why I was able to win the Privy Council in your country. If the Sheikh of Kuwait tears up this contract, I think the loss on the British side will be greater than mine, right?"
Masafin was speechless. That's right. Although everyone knew that the Kuwaiti Emir was just a puppet of the British, shaking the kingdom's laws and the British government's international image for a little economic benefit would definitely cause an immeasurable uproar within Congress, and he who participated in this crisis would inevitably become one of the scapegoats.
From this, Masafin knew that he had just been caught by Dai Jiliang because of his rashness. However, he was an old man in the British Foreign Office after all. He rolled his eyes and tried to push the question to Dai Jiliang : "So, the general is unwilling to sell the oil exploration rights in Kuwait and its surrounding areas?"
"No, as the Consul said, I am short of money. With such abundant resources, I am willing to turn them into wealth."
"So, how much do you want to sell it for?"
Masafin went downhill.
"I can also tell the Anglo-Persian Company."
"First, I am only selling 65 percent of the shares."
Dai Jiliang told the other party his bottom price clearly.
"Second, I can accept the other party to pay in installments, but the price of 30 million is absolutely impossible. Please ask the British and Polish side to send someone to discuss the specific amount. Otherwise, it means they are not sincere."
Masafin nodded. He had actually been asking for an exorbitant price just now, so it was normal for the other party to pay back the money on the spot. If there were no other conditions, the deal would basically be half successful, and he could go back and report on his achievement to the Yingbo side.
Of course, this was just his wishful thinking. Dai Jiliang continued, "Third, I hope the Royal Government can extend the term of the 20 million loan we borrowed before for another ten to twelve years. Fourth, I hope the Anglo-Persian Company can provide a guarantee so that the Royal Government can provide us with another 30 million pounds of interest-free or low-interest loans."
Masafin frowned and said, "General, I hope you can understand that the Anglo-Persian Company is the Anglo-Persian Company, and the Royal Government is the Royal Government. If the opposition knew that the Royal Government paid for private enterprises, the crisis would be unimaginable. Besides, why can't you negotiate everything on the transfer price?"
“Has the Royal Government never provided convenience to private enterprises?”
Dai Jiliang's question left Masafen speechless.
"As for why you didn't agree on the transfer price, the reason is very simple. Although it is just transferring money from the left pocket to the right pocket, the rights and interests in Kuwait belong to me personally. How can I mix them with public accounts?"
"Understood!"
Masafin stood up.
"I will immediately convey your request to His Excellency the Minister."
Dai Jiliang also stood up.
"Thank you, but we still need to hurry up."
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency!"
After saying the diplomatic words, Masafin took the initiative to say goodbye. Just as he was about to leave Dai Jiliang's office, he unexpectedly saw his American colleague through the crack in the side door, and his heart moved.
"Your Excellency, the American Consul?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what Consul Conn's purpose is."
Dai Jiliang pretended to cover up and made a slight gesture.
"goodbye."
Ma Safen cursed inwardly and had no choice but to shake hands with Dai Jiliang and say goodbye. However, as soon as he left the house, he immediately ordered the driver, "Hurry, hurry, go back to the consulate immediately!"
