Wei Lihuang thought," We have to defend Shenyang for a long time! The Americans were determined to oppose the Soviet Union and the anti-Party. As a strategic town in Northeast China, they would not sit idly by. Now, the northeast was a problem that the interests of the Soviet Union, the United States, and other countries were fighting for. The Third World War was on the verge of breaking out. As long as we preserve our strength and occupy our territory, we can do it.”Wei Lihuang believed that the reason why he could defend Shengyang for a long time was:
First, all the generals agreed with Wei's proposal. They all believed that Shenyang was a strategic location in the northeast and everyone had the determination to defend it.
Second, the Guomindang army had sufficient garrison strength. They could rely on solid fortifications and adopt in-depth equipment to wait for fatigue. They could fight steadily and be confident in holding on to Mukden.
Third, if the 'Gong Jun' came to attack, there would be many casualties, and it would be easy to dampen morale. Sun Tzu's Art of War said,"If you attack the enemy, the weak will be strong." In the siege of Siping Street, the "Gong Jun" suffered a great loss, which was an example.
Wei Lihuang had once said with emotion," Chen Xixiu's failure in the northeast was due to a mistake in the command, but he pushed the responsibility to the generals for not obeying orders. This is not right, but the morale of the army is united, and the soldiers use their lives. Our commanders should pay special attention!”
Wei Lihuang insisted on holding fast to Mukden, but Jiang Jie had always advocated that Mukden's main force retreat from Liaoxi to Jinzhou. Wei Lihuang firmly objected. "The Generalissimo has his reasons for wanting us to give up Mukden," said Wei indignantly. First of all, when he took over the northeast, he had transferred all his elite troops to the northeast. Now, in order to consolidate his position and preserve half of the country, he tried to gradually withdraw his troops from the northeast. Only then did he give up the northeast to protect Nanjing. Secondly, the Generalissimo had revealed that he had already discussed with the American consultant team that as long as Jinzhou was preserved, the United States would be able to provide a large amount of assistance. Third, the chairman's style was always to put the blame on others. He was concerned about the international influence and domestic political pressure, and even more concerned about his personal dignity. He always hoped that others would take the blame for him.”Wei Lihuang also had his own concerns and said,"Once the main force is withdrawn, Changchun and Shengyang will fall together. My personal reputation will be affected, but who will bear the responsibility of losing the northeast?”
From the first day Wei Lihuang arrived in the northeast, he had a conflict with Jiang Jieshi.
Wei Lihuang was in charge of the northeast, and his first priority was to seize military power. He actively recruited his old subordinates, won over the hearts of the people, replenished the soldiers and equipment, and stepped up the training of the troops.
Wei Lihuang recommended Chen Tie, the former commander of the 14th Division, who was the closest to him, to be the deputy commander of the Northeast Suppression Division. He also recommended Peng Jieru, the former commander of the 14th Division, to be the deputy chief of staff and deputy commander of the 1st Division. He wanted Chen Tie and Peng Jieru to each lead a division. He even brought back his wife, Han Quanhua's niece, Wang Dezhao, from France to be his deputy secretary general and chief of staff.
Chen Tie asked Wei Lihuang," The situation in Northeast China is like playing Go. Changchun is already a dead chess piece. Jinzhou has Huludao as its eye, but it's not reliable. Since the main force was in Shengyang, why not set up a lookout in Yingkou?”
Wei Lihuang said,"It'll be easy to deal with it when all the strongholds around Shen Yang are cleared."”He added,"The most difficult thing now is not having a reliable army. I originally thought that Zhang Xueliang's old subordinate, Zhou Fucheng, was different from those people from Nanking. I transferred him to Shenyang, but Zhou Fucheng has already been dragged away by Chen Cheng. Do you think you can get the 14th division here?”
"The 14th division has left me for a few years. Ever since it became an organized division, it has been divided up by Chen Cheng and Hu Zongnan.”
Wei Lihuang said,"Hurry up and find two people to be commanders. You can form a new regiment, and things will be easier." Now I can't even control the guards in the extermination headquarters. It's dangerous even if I move.”
Wei Lihuang believed that he would not reject those who had old relationships with him. He would place them in the army and try his best to win over some of the current generals who had old relationships with him. For example, he recommended Shen Xiangkui as the new commander of the 8th division and gave special treatment to Zheng Tingji, the commander of the 49th division. When Wei talked to the generals, he would always say,"We're all old friends. Let's work together!”
Wei Lihuang said to Chen and Peng," I don't want to be a commander without any troops. I must capture all the troops and divisions. Otherwise, they won't even need to use their lives. They will have different intentions. Things will be difficult." I hope the two of you can put in more effort in this area for me!”"I'm in the northeast. As long as I have the strength, I can do anything. If we really have no choice, can't we still fight as guerillas? Moreover, our guerrilla warfare conditions are thousands of times better than when the 'commie army' was in Kiangsi!”
Wei Lihuang paid attention to uniting with the local elders, hoping to get the support of the northeast forces. Wei Lihuang treated Zhang Zuoxiang, Wan Fulin, Ma Zhanshan, Su Bingwen, Zou Zuohua, and the others as guests of honor. He often invited them to dinner and asked for their opinions. He even asked Wang Dezhao to attend Ma Zhanshan's all-lamb banquet. In fact, these upper-class figures did not have a mass foundation and could not play any role.
Wei Lihuang dealt with all aspects of human relations. He changed Chen Cheng's style of eliminating dissidents and his arrogant attitude of being headstrong and condescending. He paid attention to making use of him. Du Yuming and Chen Cheng's original team in the northeast, he retained all of them. For example, he had always trusted Zhao Jiaxiang, the Chief of Staff, so he was willing to work for him.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。