"Let Baili take this position?"

Hearing Yan Shao say this, Jiang Baili hadn't said anything, and Feng Guozhang on the side had already asked in some surprise.

Everyone else also looked at Yan Shao, wanting to hear what Yan Shao had to say.

In fact, although it is difficult to choose the candidate for the secretary of the Air Force, there are more or less one or two candidates in the hands of those here, so that it will not really be announced. It's just that Yan Shao was a little surprised by this.

"It's very simple..."After thinking about it and organizing the language, Yan Shao looked at the crowd and explained. At present, the Air Force has just been established, and there is an urgent need for someone who not only knows a better understanding of the Air Force, but also has a certain prestige to control the situation. ”

"To be honest, if you just know more about the Air Force, there are still quite a lot of such candidates, at least you can jump out a lot of them casually, but if you have considerable qualifications and prestige, and can control the situation in the case of the newly established Air Force, then at least in my understanding, I am afraid there is nothing more suitable than Baili."

Saying this, Yan Shao looked at Jiang Baili. "I remember that after the end of the Korean War, you seem to have written a book about the Air Force yourself, and it seems that you were once very popular with the Army Aviation..."

Hearing Yan Shao say this, Jiang Baili hesitated for a moment and nodded slightly.

"Yes, there was such a thing."

Jiang Baili was talking about after the end of the Korean War, because the army aviation unit of the Wehrmacht at that time had dispatched bomber groups to bombard Korean cities occupied by the Japanese army at that time. The bombed city was in flames. By the time the bombing was over, the city had not been completely turned into a sea of fire, but it was probably about the same.

In particular, the Japanese officers and soldiers who were burned to death in the fire and the ordinary people in the city. The quantity needs to be calculated in tens of thousands.

Although this incident was condemned by international public opinion to a certain extent, the aviation unit, a new branch of the armed forces, was once again affirmed by the military circles of various countries because of this performance. Even Jiang Baili himself did not expect that the army aviation at that time would be able to create such a record, and because of this, he had many inspirations, and then based on the combination of these inspirations and practical theories, he wrote a book about the "Strategic Air Force".

In this book. Jiang Baili believed that in modern warfare, it is easy for war to fall into a stalemate. Just like the shape shì that happened in Europe, you will be caught in a flesh mill composed of positional warfare.

Even now there are tanks or other armored vehicles. However, due to the popularity of anti-tank weapons and the low reliability of armored vehicles, it is still difficult to break through this stalemate even with a considerable number of armored forces. What's more, for the armored arms, geographical conditions are also a difficult problem to solve.

Therefore, the best way is to seize air supremacy and then destroy the part of the enemy that is vital to life. Including the enemy's source of supply and the people's will to resist. At the same time, even if the enemy wants to hold out, he will surrender on his knees due to the destruction of the industrial potential.

Therefore, the aviation unit should not only be used on the battlefield as a tactical unit, but should also be used in the overall strategy.

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This book was born a little earlier than the book written by Du Hei. Of course, Jiang Baili did not deny that many of the ideas in this book originated from Duhei in Italy.

In fact, as early as 1912, when he was assistant to the commander of Italy's first aviation battalion, Duire had already begun to create something related to the Air Force. In the last months of the year. After a great deal of meticulous investigation and study, he submitted to the War Department a number of research reports on the aviation force. Often referred to as the 'Duhey Report', he discussed in detail the need for an air force and the organizational structure of the air force, the number of aircraft and personnel, and so on. Almost all the conclusions of this report were later accepted by the War Office and became the basic framework for the construction of the Italian Air Force.

When Italy entered the First World War in May 1915, Duhey was the chief of staff of the division. On several occasions, Duhey organized an air force of 500 bombers to participate in the war and bomb the rear of the Austrian army in order to win the victory, but was rejected by the highest military authorities.

Duhey is increasingly dissatisfied with the military authorities' inability to properly use air power, and his criticism is becoming more and more acute. Finally, he submitted a written report to the highest authorities, in which he severely criticized the commander of the Italian army for his incompetence in command and unpreparedness for war, which prevented Italy from achieving victory. This report infuriated the highest authorities. On 16 September 1916, he was relieved of his duties and brought before a military tribunal. Later, a military court found him guilty of leaking military intelligence and sentenced him to one year's imprisonment and a fine.

But maybe it can be regarded as a blessing in disguise, Du Hei just sorted out his own thinking in prison and perfected his strategic bombing theory.

At that time, it happened to be the period when Jiang Baili was in Europe, and in Europe, when Jiang Baili was commanding the expeditionary force to fight on the Western Front, he also heard officers from Italy talk about Du Hei.

Of course, the status of the air force in the army at that time was relatively low, so the Italians did not talk much about Duhei as a person. However, even these few words still have a great inspiration for Jiang Baili to sort out the "Strategic Air Force" in the future. Finally, at the end of the Korean War, after Jiang Baili thoroughly saw the power of the air force, he officially created this book.

There is no doubt that the theories in this book are not much different from Yan Shao's requirements for the Air Force.

And unlike the book that Du Hei wrote later, perhaps because he was originally a ground officer, Jiang Baili knew very well the resilience and perseverance of a country. At least Du Hei's claim that you only need bombing to win the war is absolutely false.

However, it is precisely because of Jiang Baili's frankness that this book is more popular―――――― naturally, it is also because Jiang Baili is from the army, and his feelings for the Air Force are not particularly deep. Naturally, he would not feel that the war only needed the air force like Du Hei.

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"Baili should be the best candidate for this position...", Yan Shao looked at Jiang Baili and smiled at him. After all, Baili also knows very well how the Air Force should develop. It's not like ordinary army commanders who don't know anything, so they won't mess up the Air Force. Secondly, compared with those generals of the Air Force, Baili's prestige is high enough to suppress the situation lightly, and to control the entire situation lightly..."

This is why Yan Shao is inclined to Jiang Baili, after all, among the current senior generals, Jiang Baili is the one who knows the Air Force best. And it's different from Cai Yi. Jiang Baili is also the kind of military strategist who is biased towards theory, as evidenced by the book he wrote not long ago.

If Jiang Baili is allowed to go, it is definitely more suitable than Cai Yi to go.

plus what Yan Shao once said earlier. Now there are very few people in the army who can hold it down, but Jiang Baili, one of the military gods in the army, is absolutely suitable...

Other than that, of course. There are other reasons that must never be spoken...

After listening to Yan Shao's reasoning. Everyone present also felt that Jiang Baili was indeed a more suitable candidate. At least it is more suitable than the candidates they have selected, after all, with Jiang Baili's prestige, there are still few people in the army who dare to disobey.

But there is another reason for this, that is, Jiang Baili is a field marshal and has a deep prestige in the army. Now let him run to the newly established Air Force, will the Army be willing? What's more, what Jiang Baili will think, if Jiang Baili is not willing to go. You can't force Jiang Baili, right?

Even Yan Shao may not be able to force Jiang Baili to do something against his will―――――― use his own rights to force it out.

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I heard that Yan Shao recommended himself to the post of Minister of the Air Force. Jiang Baili was also slightly surprised, because he hadn't told him about this before, so he was somewhat caught off guard―――――― in the past, Jiang Baili had always been Yan Shao's military adviser. Of course, if he encounters a tricky war, he will also fight as the commander in China second only to Cai Yi.

It's just that as China's national power continues to rise, such a possibility is getting smaller and smaller.

At least with Cai Ye and Wu Peifu, most of the war can already be resolved. And if it is just some local skirmishes, then Yin Changheng and others can easily solve them.

After all, there are very few countries in China's periphery that can compete with China. The only people who can threaten China are the same behemoths as Britain or the United States, but even they are unlikely to pose any fundamental threat to China.

And over time, with its own advantages, it is only a matter of time before China surpasses these two countries.

Maybe it's because Yan Shao's mention came a little too suddenly, and Jiang Baili didn't know what to do for a while. In fact, Jiang Baili also feels that he is indeed very suitable for the work of the Air Force, the problem is that he has been working in the Army since he joined the Army, and he has a deep affection for the Army.

And most importantly, what is Yan Shao's purpose in doing this? This is the first thing that needs to be clarified, at least Jiang Baili won't feel that Yan Shao suddenly came like this and was completely aimless...

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"Purpose?" Sitting on the sofa, looking at Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui opposite him, Yan Shao explained with a smile. "It's very simple, because Baili is indeed a very suitable candidate, at least for now, there is no more suitable person than him, isn't it?"

"This..."Hearing Yan Shao's answer, Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui hesitated slightly.

Although they also felt that Yan Shao was very reasonable, they didn't think that things were really that simple.

Seeing that Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui looked a little disbelieving, Yan Shao scratched his head helplessly. However, at the moment, in addition to Yan Shao, there are only two people in the room, Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui, so Yan Shao doesn't mind being open and honest.

"In all fairness, Baili is indeed the most suitable candidate, which is the main reason why I mentioned him as the Minister of the Air Force. But there is another reason..."Saying this, Yan Shao looked at Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang. "I believe you also know how General Feng's health is now. I believe that it won't be long before General Feng will have to retire from his current position and recuperate. ”

"But when Old General Feng steps back from his current position, who will be more suitable to replace him? There are not many suitable candidates in the army, one in Songpo, one in Ziyu, and one in Xiuming and a few others. But the most suitable of them is definitely Songpa. After all, Songpa will definitely have his own ideas about how the army should develop next. ”

"And if Songpa retreats, then the current post of Chief of the General Staff of the General Staff. The one who will take over must be Baili..."

Speaking of this, Yan Shao glanced at Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang, and his expression was slightly strict. "I'm not suspicious of the two of them, maybe sometimes I don't get them to agree. But I'm sure the two of them will never betray me―――――― of course. The premise is that I haven't done anything that makes people feel angry/"

Saying this, Yan Shao himself grinned. In fact, he also knows very well that he often does things that are out of line or unacceptable. It's just that these things either can't be changed, or they can't be changed at all. Just like Katarina's position as the director of the Special Affairs Bureau, at least in the eyes of many people, Yan Shao's decision to let Caterina be the director of this special affairs bureau is definitely a wrong decision. It's just because of Yan Shao's relationship with Katarina, so few people dare to mention this matter directly in front of Yan Shao.

After all, it is clear to everyone. Whether this matter succeeds or fails, Yan Shao will not be grateful to the other party in the end.

"Only. How good the friendship between Baili and Songpa is, many people know that if one is the Minister of the Army, and the other is the Chief of the General Staff..."Saying this, Yan Shao's expression has become a little ugly. "That's not a very good thing..."

At this time, in addition to Yan Shao, there were Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui in the room, so Yan Shao was not afraid of anything.

How to put it, everyone will always have their own cronies. And Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui are Yan Shao's cronies, and they are Yan Shao's trusted cronies―――――― which is especially true after Yuan Shikai has died.

After all, as an old minister of Beiyang in the past, if he wants to ensure his rights in the new government, then the only way is to lean on Yan Shao.

In fact, they did this, and Yan Shao chose to accept them.

The reason is also very simple, because for Yan Shao, sometimes Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui may be better than Jiang Baili.

The reason is that Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui, although they are nationalists, are also down-and-out pragmatists and bureaucrats. Therefore, in order to keep their rights, they will be willing to serve Yan Shao, and they will not disobey Yan Shao's orders for the sake of their own little idealism―――――― at least without violating their conscience.

But Jiang Baili is different, at least when things go against their principles, even if they don't disobey Yan Shao's orders, at least they will definitely not obey, and they are not as easy to use as Duan Qirui.

Therefore, many times Yan Shao actually trusts Duan Qirui and other bureaucrats more, although they are stupid and incompetent, but they are easy to use, this is the biggest reason. What's more, people like Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang at least have the ability, but their bodies and bones are slightly decayed...

In fact, not only Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui, but Wu Peifu, who has not yet returned to Beijing, is also Yan Shao's confidant. Because although Wu Peifu's ability is amazing, it is not much different from Xu Shichang in essence, and he has a strong desire for power.

As long as you have this, then it's easy to do.

Since he likes power, then Yan Shao will give him it.

After the end of the Beiyang government, there were many Beiyang generals in the Beiyang Army at that time whose status was higher than Wu Peifu. But why is it that only Wu Peifu can go all the way from a small colonel to a general in seven years?!

On the one hand, it is naturally because of Wu Peifu's ability, there is no doubt that Wu Peifu is definitely a capable person. But on the other hand, it was also because Yan Shao exchanged what Wu Peifu wanted most for his loyalty...

Naturally, Yan Shaozhi is not worried that Wu Peifu will lose control at all, on the one hand, because the current situation has been much more restricted. Historically, Wu Peifu will expand into that way. It can be said that it has a lot to do with the chaotic situation at that time.

After all, in that era, not everyone was as unwilling to become a 'warlord' as Sa Zhenbing.

But in this era, both the state and the government have a solid political system. or the stable political situation in China, which has limited Wu Peifu's desire for power. Maybe Wu Peifu still has a strong desire, but at least compared with the original history, he is not as high and so far as he is.

And for Yan Shao, he also has a lot of loyalty...

This is also the biggest reason why Yan Shao likes to use Wu Peifu and others, maybe their ability is slightly worse than Jiang Baili's. But after there is no superfluous idealism, they are easier to use than Jiang Baili and others...

For Yan Shaolai, this is very 'cost-effective'.

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Of course. It is also because of this relationship that many times Yan Shao dares to say some of his heartfelt words in front of them.

And after listening to Yan Shao's words, Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang quickly understood.

"Just. The Air Force is now smaller than the Army. But no matter what, it is also a branch of the army that can be on an equal footing with the army and the navy, if Jiang Baili is so rashly let go to the air force, if it really makes trouble, will it..."

Duan Qirui said with some concern.

From a certain point of view, in fact, the chief of the general staff is the key position, after all, many times things like the secretary of the army manage more of the planning of the entire service. When it comes to commanding operations, it is seldom the head of the army who is personally in charge, but the chief of staff is mostly in charge.

It's just that today's Wehrmacht is a little different. On the one hand, the famous generals who can be used are mainly Cai Yi, Jiang Baili and Wu Peifu. Therefore, these people may be dispatched no matter what position they are in. This is true even if they are defense ministers. But on the other hand, it is difficult for China to face a state of war today, after all, the current enemy has basically been solved, the possibility of war is very small, and there are already some swords and guns in storage, and the meaning of the horse is Nanshan~

So even if Jiang Baili and them are allowed to serve as ministers, it doesn't matter what, anyway, it will be difficult for them to have a chance to go to the battlefield for a long time in the future. In this case, it is better to let them plan the development blueprint of their respective arms.

On the other hand, although the chief of the general staff is really responsible for command, the post of secretary of the air force or the secretary of the army also has great influence and power.

Although it seems that the power of Cai Ye and Jiang Baili to step down from the current positions of chief of staff and deputy chief of staff has weakened them, after being transferred to the positions of minister of war and minister of air force, it does not seem to be much worse.

If this is the case, wouldn't that mean that Yan Shao's goal of weakening them has not been achieved at all?

"I'm not just doing this to weaken them, but because it's a good fit for a hundred miles to do..."

Naturally, there is another reason, but Yan Shao did not say it clearly.

That is, Yan Shao also hopes to take this opportunity to see if there can be a little estrangement between Cai Ye and Jiang Baili.

It's hard not to have conflicts between different classes at any given time. It's as if the Air Force always treats the Army as a mud leg, born with pride. When the Army looks at the Air Force, it is not without corresponding feelings.

That's right, the relationship between Cai Ye and Jiang Baili is indeed good now, but if Jiang Baili arrives in the Air Force, then for the sake of the Air Force, he will inevitably have to fight with the Army. And the Minister of War is now Cai Yi, maybe it was nothing at first, but what about waiting for a long time?

Sometimes a lot of things are actually out of your own hands, and the same is true for things right now.

Whether Cai Yi or Jiang Baili is willing or not, but an indisputable fact is that when they are involved, even if they want to, I am afraid it will be difficult to get out of it.

Naturally, Yan Shao also knew that it was a bit despicable for him to do this, but two people who can be called 'military gods' have such a good personal relationship with each other. I'm afraid that any person in a position of authority can't help but be slightly worried. What's more, Yan Shao is not wrong, the main reason why Yan Shao recommended Jiang Baili is because he thinks Jiang Baili is the most suitable, and the others are just incidental. (To be continued......)