The Iron and Steel Frenzy of the Republic of China

"It seems that we have to review it carefully!"

Roosevelt's fiery temper was well known to everyone, and it was expected that he would lose his temper for half an hour, but unexpectedly, after only a few minutes, he unexpectedly regained his composure and said something that surprised everyone.

Finding that the eyes looking at him were full of doubts, Roosevelt said calmly: "Why? I feel a little incredible? Gentlemen, only when people constantly adjust their strategies according to the actual situation can they go further. , I am also very good at it! Put away your expressions, cheer up, and do something meaningful!"

"Oh well!"

"Understood! Mr. President!"

The staff, consultants, assistants and staff officers in the office came to their senses one after another, agreed, and then concentrated on listening to Roosevelt's arrangement.

After struggling to adjust the angle of his legs, Roosevelt tapped the armrest of the wheelchair with his knuckles, and said in a hoarse voice: "Today, we must admit the fact that there are many shortcomings in the previous judgment of the strength of the Chinese. Even if we got the intelligence information provided by the Japanese, we don't really believe much, which has led to the current shameful failure! For this, the Navy must take due responsibility, and we must also actively Introspect and find out the problem. Now, please share your views on the real gap between us and the Chinese."

Admitting to inadequacies?Looking for a gap?It doesn't sound like a happy thing!All the important officials of the United States looked at me and looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing how to handle this properly.To put it lightly, it is useless to talk, but to say it seriously, God knows if he will be labeled as disturbing the morale of the army!

Roosevelt seemed to see through their psychology.Two sharp eyes glanced at them coldly through the glasses, and said lightly: "You don't want to talk about it? Well, let me talk about it!"

Regardless of everyone's seemingly ashamed expressions, Mr. President talked eloquently: "First of all, the intelligence department is too self-righteous about the Chinese people's firm attitude and preparations for the war. That Zhu Bin's popular support and potential for war resources are all beyond estimation. Yes, even in the face of an all-round siege situation, there was no large-scale division within them, and no one with strength took the initiative to seek compromise and support with us, which made the initial plan to defeat them from within futile! From now on, we must assume that the other party is a group with great centripetal force and unity, a powerful opponent! True equal treatment! What objections do you have to this?"

"No! Mr. President sees it very clearly!"

The staff and assistants all shook their heads, and Mr. Hopkins made a footnote: "From the current performance, the Chinese are qualified to be valued by us! Just look at their war mobilization, weapon manufacturing and material supply. , is by no means the embarrassment expected before. It must be reassessed and prepared for a long-term confrontation with them and an all-out war."

Secretary of State Hull sighed: "Yes! Who would have thought that in less than ten years, the Chinese would quickly complete the comprehensive upgrade of industrialization and come up with so much military equipment! Previously, the British swore a guarantee. Once the supply of resources to China is stopped, their industry will quickly collapse. It turns out that that is too optimistic! I have a data file here that has not been confirmed before, from their Minister Kong Xiangxi. Now, it must be assumed that it is Believable."

As expected of a veteran politician.In Mr. Secretary of State's tape, there are really rich and diverse materials for various occasions, and he immediately took them out of the briefcase and circulated them to the important ministers.

It was an important document that was originally planned to be used at the plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the National Government this year.Among them, there are a series of detailed and relatively accurate statistics on China's mineral resources, industrial construction, infrastructure construction, production capacity, etc., as of this spring, as of the spring of this year.

What Hull took out was just a statistical table of the most important indicators and parameters, and other explanatory documents, just a few of them, could not finish reading them for a few days and nights, which required a lot of professionals to carefully and carefully The audit will do.

Originally, such top-secret information was not allowed to be leaked out. The problem was fully prepared before the fall of Chiang Kai-shek. Kong Xiangxi even made a backup, and it ended up in the hands of the Americans smoothly.It's just that the numbers in it are too scary, and Americans feel that the exaggeration is too serious and they don't take it seriously.

Now, Hull took it out on a whim, just in time for the occasion.

Roosevelt was the first to read it. With an exaggerated "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhss The enemy, their strength is far beyond our imagination!"

Is there such a thing?The staff and consultants are all generalists. They are familiar with the intelligence data of major countries in the world. They don’t believe that there is anything they don’t know.

In the table, several indicators that directly represent the strength of the country are too amazing!

In the item of iron and steel, it is impressively written that there are as many as five large-scale iron ore mines with proven reserves of one billion tons!There are also several other iron mines that exceed 5000 million tons, and the annual mining volume can reach 50.00 to [-] million tons. The ore abundance of several large iron mines exceeds [-]%, including Anshan, Benxi, Shilu, Panzhihua, Qian'an and Baiyun Obo, etc. It is relatively easy to mine, and it is extremely easy to increase under war conditions.

This article alone completely negates what the British said that Chinese steel mills all need the iron ore they provide, and if the supply is stopped now, they will all run out of food and stop working.

Then there is the item of steel production. Preliminary statistics show that China’s steel production exceeds 3000 million tons, far exceeding the previous estimated total of 500-800 million tons. It surpasses the United Kingdom, Soviet Russia, and even Germany, ranking second in the world!

The reason why this data is so different is entirely because the big powers have access to only a few steel mills along the Shanghai route, and not much else, such as the [-] million-ton steel mill in the City of Light.They are not very clear about the hidden cave production base, etc., and even the real output of the Chongqing Heavy Industry Base and the Yangtze River Steel Corridor.

Of course, there is another aspect, because the great powers really can't imagine it.How can the Chinese produce so much steel, and what can it be used for? They never imagined that in a few large steel factories that are completely impenetrable, the converters are seven or eight times larger than theirs!

Next is oil production.There are a few more embarrassing abstract figures. The form shows that China does not have no oil fields, but has many!The Jianghan Pingyuan Oilfield that has been developed, and the Zhongyuan Oilfield at the junction of Shandong and Henan, have exploration reserves of more than 100 million tons, and the reserves of oil and gas fields.Including the areas around Chongqing, northern Shaanxi, etc., it actually exceeds one trillion cubic meters!Not to mention, on the continental shelf of the Bohai Sea, the South China Sea more than [-] kilometers from the mouth of the Pearl River, and even the East China Sea, huge subsea oil and gas fields have been found with amazing reserves!

That's all.The total amount of oil and natural gas converted into oil in China in one year exceeds 2000 million tons!Neither refinery.It is more than enough for petrochemical, downstream chemical industry, and even the production of explosives and fertilizers.

This data made the finance minister Henry Morgenthau and others feel hot and painful!

They have all proudly declared before that the Chinese cars, planes and tanks can run.Thanks to American oil, without the continuous support of the United States, all petrochemical industries in China would be limited to a standstill.

And, they also believe that the petrochemical base of the Chinese.There are two in Shanghai and Chongqing. I never expected that there are at least three or four along the Yangtze River, and at least three in the Shandong Peninsula. In Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and even in the Northwest, there are large Large and small distribution of related industrial bases!

Compared with the United States, 2000 million tons is really nothing.But don't forget that nine years ago, China had nothing, but now the number may exceed most of the great powers, or it may not be comparable to Soviet Russia, which is also in the top three.Don't forget, China also has a natural gas industry with unique technology!No one knows how much output and potential that thing has!

The officials who looked at the form with a completely different attitude began to sweat on their foreheads, and they felt more and more bad in their hearts.

Looking further down, China's coal production can actually reach more than 1.5 million tons!As for the reserves, it is a figure of one trillion tons... It seems dizzying!It is equivalent to a small half of China sitting on a sea of ​​coal!

With this thing, a large amount of coking can be made, and steelmaking can be supported. Moreover, China also has a powerful coal chemical industry imported from Germany and developed by itself.

Another power generation figure representing the benchmark of industrial countries almost blinded everyone's eyes!They wiped their eyes again and again in disbelief, and finally realized that it was true!On the form, it clearly stated that it was 2100 billion kwh!

What is this concept? !It is equal to more than six times that of the United Kingdom and Japan, almost catching up with the United States!

The United States, that is the pioneer of the electric age, the leader, the brightest place on earth, the largest industrial country, a huge territory, a large population and an industrial system, it consumes so much electricity, the Chinese...how did they do it? Come out, where did you go?

Well, if they know that there are actually huge tidal power generation, wind power generation, geothermal power generation and spaceship fusion reactors on the coast of the Shandong Peninsula that are not counted, I wonder if the Americans will go crazy.

Then there is the output of various explosives and gunpowder. The Chinese have exceeded 100 million tons!This can also explain why Zhu Bin played intensive shell bombing from the very beginning, even when dealing with the Japanese army No. [-], he used tens of thousands of shells to wash the ground, blowing up countless places in the Northeast without even a blade of grass. The whole mountain is covered with layers of scorched earth, Nima can't use it up at all!

Later, the key food, meat and other basic necessities of life, the unit output of the Chinese people is three times that of the United States!The total grain output of the country is more than five times that of nine years ago!Not only did it meet the needs of nearly [-] million people in the country, but it was even exported to the Far East of Soviet Russia!So much so that for several years in a row, the national basic price has not increased at all, and it has dropped!

Food is the most critical condition for social stability in a country!In the past, China was definitely a food importing country, and even in recent years, it has been importing a lot.Now I know, you use imported grain to make feed, raise pigs, chickens, and livestock. As a result, the supply of meat and eggs has increased by a factor of [-] or [-] compared to previous years. Even elementary and middle school students across the country are given one for free every morning. They have done things like eggs and a bowl of milk!

See here.White House officials can't help but think, are you the United States, or are we the United States!How do you feel like you've lost yourself!

There are more behind.The output of various machinery, the comprehensive production capacity of motor vehicles exceeds 50 units per year, various geep vehicles, trucks, pickups, and heavy construction machinery are exported in large quantities, and the calculation of agricultural vehicles is calculated at [-] units.Quickly pushed to landowners and farmers across the country.Family cars and motorcycles are also increasing sharply, and military vehicles are out of the question.Just look at how many mechanized units the Chinaman has in his million-strong army in the Northeast, and you will know the meaning.

The more eye-catching figures include the annual production of [-] tanks and almost the same number of armored vehicles, various military engineering vehicles, and so on.Thinking of the power of those terrible steel monsters in China, the generals of the army couldn't help but swallow their saliva again and again.

The monkey version of the light tank and the infantry fighting vehicle they secretly obtained from the Central Army, the U.S. Army has done a private comparison, not to mention their m3 tank, it is the m4 tank that is still in the sample stage.All vulnerable!If it's really going to be on the battlefield, the opponent's stuff is overwhelming, that's a good crush!

Not to mention, the "Cheetah" series equipped by Zhu Jiajun himself is even better!

Aircraft manufacturing capacity, thanks to the blessings of several major companies in the United States, they have been rapidly upgraded, and now they have the ability to produce [-] propeller fighter jets per year.There are several bombers, and some special models unique to Zhu's army are not listed at all!Like heavy bombers.Attack aircraft, aerial gunships and early warning aircraft, unconventional special fighters, etc., sorry, confidential.

The ship manufacturing capacity has reached 350 million tons per year!No wonder the Chinese navy is so fast.Co-author dozens of large and medium-sized shipyards all over the country, all of which can manufacture warships!Every steel factory can make steel plates for ships!Two strokes and one make do, coupled with the thousands of miles of super-assembly lines built in sections along the mighty Yangtze River, almost every day there is a terrifying speed of launching a ship!

That is to say, the accumulation of the Chinese navy is too poor. Before that, there were only [-] people.Still uneven!In the past eight years, Zhu Bin has been frantically opening naval schools everywhere, but he is far behind the speed of warship manufacturing, so that the four major fleets on the surface, the total number of warships and the number of navies together cannot catch up with the United States. of a Pacific Fleet.

But what about combat power?Both Americans and Japanese have personal experience.

Needless to say about the various numbers behind, the most critical ones are already in front of us. If you read too much, it will hurt your heart.

Roosevelt saw everyone's expressions and reactions in his eyes. After they had almost slipped around, their emotions changed a little. He tapped the smooth and slippery ground with his cane, greeted everyone's eyes, and said with a half-smile: " Now that you’ve finished watching, let’s talk about your views!”

Most people looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing what to say for a while.

It was Henry Morgenthau, the Minister of Finance who broke the deadlock with a cough, and said: "First of all, we have to admit that we seriously underestimated the strength of the Chinese before! They can guarantee that the currency will not depreciate and there will be no inflation in the country during the period of all-out war; gold reserves and silver When the hard currency is abundant, it means that its overall economy is healthy, with great self-satisfaction and recycling ability! For such an opponent, simply blocking the embargo will not help. At least in terms of war preparations, I think it must Get rid of this one."

Roosevelt clapped his hands: "Well said. I will suggest that gentlemen adopt your opinion. What else?"

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox said: "In the war with the Chinese, all chances must be abandoned. There is almost no possibility of a surprise attack. Then we must consider giving full play to our numerical advantages and try to open up their weapon technology advantages from the front. Take advantage of their small number of warships and naval personnel, and wage long-term battles on a larger battlefield. Instead of drilling into their offshore home ground to face a full-scale siege."

Fletcher's mixed fleet was injured too hard this time, it can be described as unforgettable.He himself concluded that this was a wrong battle at the wrong time, at the wrong place, against the wrong enemy.

Those people who drew up the battle plan at the beginning must be punished. The loss of four new battleships is a bit painful for the United States, who is as rich and powerful as the United States. Such a tragedy must never happen again in the future!

Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, made a serious statement: "We should consider opening up a second battlefield to turn the threat and feigned attack in southern China into a real and powerful advance. Compared with the Zhu Bin Army in the north, the southwestern region has complex terrain and is relatively backward. The armed forces of the warlords are much weaker. Or, we can use the geographical advantage there to tear a hole, thereby slowing down the pace of war in the whole of China, allowing us to calmly prepare for a larger-scale attack and gain time."

Roosevelt agreed with this very much: "Very good! Our British friends can't just talk and do nothing. The South Asian subcontinent is their territory. If you want to defend it, you must put in enough effort. I hope that the Army will come up with ideals as soon as possible. Adequate plan. I don't want to see domestic opposition to war being amplified again!"

Marshall was overjoyed, and quickly agreed.Thanks to the Army's lack of preparation, they didn't come forward first, otherwise the tragedy might have happened to them first, not the Navy.It is better to start with South Asia first than to face Zhu Bin's terrifying power in the north.

The train of thought slowly opened up, and all the senior officials and high-level counselors expressed their unique opinions one after another, truly valued the existence of China's power from the root, prepared for a complete revenge, and dispelled the soaring opinions of the domestic opposition as soon as possible.

Roosevelt seldom interrupted, listening, nodding and smiling from time to time, until the end, he said conclusively: "Okay! Let's draw up a new battle plan according to the opinions of the gentlemen. I hope to be able to I saw it before the festival, a completely different picture of the war situation!" (To be continued...)