Stilwell replied: "Compared to the full war of resistance two years ago, the size of the Eighth Route Army has expanded by more than ten times. Now, the Eighth Route Army in the entire north has all added up. I estimate that its united armed forces have exceeded 400,000!"

Stilwell's military vision is indeed not bad, but it is not easy for an outsider to draw this conclusion.

The Eighth Route Army's military strength grew through a complicated process. When the Red Army was reorganized into the "Eighth Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army" in 1937, the 115th Division had 15,500 people, the 120th Division had more than 14,000 people, the 129th Division had more than 13,000 people, and the headquarters' secret service regiment and other direct troops had a total of more than 45,000 people.

When the main force crossed the Yellow River east, the 770th Regiment of the 129th Division was left behind, and it was assigned to the command of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Left-behind Corps.

In fact, the number of 45,000 people is not comprehensive. The left-behind corps led by Xiao Jinguang also has six regiments without regular numbers (1st to 6th regiments) and a group of security forces.

Due to various reasons, the Eighth Route Army was not officially incorporated into the combat sequence, but it was still a team led by the Eighth Route Army. Therefore, the initial force of the Eighth Route Army should be around 50,000.

By the end of 1937, the Eighth Route Army, which had basically gained a foothold in Shanxi, had grown to more than 80,000 people, which was equivalent to doubled its strength.

From 1938 to 1940, the Eighth Route Army fully launched behind enemy lines in North China, entering the first period of great development: by the end of 1938, the total strength of 1567,000 people, and by the end of 1939, the main force was about 270,000 people, and if other armed organizations were added, it would have exceeded 400,000 people.

"What?"

Miao Dadong showed extremely surprised eyes and exclaimed: "In just two years, the Eighth Route Army has expanded to 400,000? This is nearly twice ours!"

In fact, the Chinese Tiger Army currently has 10 full infantry divisions with 200,000 infantrymen. In addition, the special combat division, tank armored brigade, air force, naval force, heavy artillery brigade, intelligence department, military police brigade and other military units, the total number is 250,000!

"There may be differences in the data, but it will definitely not be much different!"

Stilwell nodded and then emphasized: "The Eighth Route Army not only expanded ten times the number of people, but the most important thing is that they are disciplined and have integrity in their work, and are full of unity and cohesion from top to bottom. This is what I value them!"

"Same, I can see that the same is true for your army. They are strict in discipline and united in their own hearts. Their mental outlook alone is several times better than the national army!"

Stilwell seized the opportunity to express "verbal praise" to Yang Fan, and then said in a deep voice:

"But the current situation of the Eighth Route Army is not optimistic, because the Japanese army has transferred large numbers of troops from the front line back to North China and is carrying out a cruel sweep of the bases they founded.

Before I left Shanxi, several bases of the Eighth Route Army had already suffered severe damage."

After entering the strategic stalemate stage, the Japanese army forced the stop large-scale frontal battlefield offensives due to financial resources. At this time, the Eighth Route Army guerrillas had become a prairie fire, and the Japanese government's strategy of using war to support war was completely shattered.

The Japanese, who were angry and embarrassed, turned their strategic focus into consolidating the occupied areas, sweeping away the anti-Japanese armed forces behind enemy lines, and implementing key clearances on the Eighth Route Army's anti-Japanese base areas in North China.

Yang Fan nodded and said, "I am very impressed about this. It is not something that anyone can do to launch a struggle behind enemy lines in the occupied areas and continue to grow and grow!"

Yang Fan said all the psychological words, he started from scratch by surrounding the enemy from all sides, and always had to beware of the Japanese's sweeping and siege. Just thinking about it makes me feel a headache!

"But I believe they will definitely survive the difficulties and they will become stronger in the future!"

Stilwell was very confident and then said:

"This time I will report the inspection results to the White House and the Pentagon truthfully. I believe that the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff will definitely consider whether to aid the CCP!"

In original history, after the outbreak of the Pacific War, the US government actively supported Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang government economically, politically and military, so that it could continue to resist the war and strengthen its control over the Kuomintang government.

However, due to the rapid development of the Chinese people's revolutionary forces during the War of Resistance, the military, political and economic crises in the Kuomintang-ruled areas became increasingly serious, which made the US government very worried.

On January 29, 1942, at Chiang Kai-shek's request, the United States appointed Lieutenant General Stilwell to China as Chief of Staff of the Chinese Theater Command.

Chiang Kai-shek and Stilwell had serious differences and conflicts in how to view the Communist Party and its military issues and fight for military command.

This conflict is mainly manifested in politics, military strategy and related aspects of whether it is equipped with the Chinese Communist army and the control of materials in the concession, which has led to the continuous intensification of conflicts between Chiang and Shi.

In October 1944, US President Roosevelt transferred Stilwell to his country.

"This may be very difficult!"

?Hearing this, Yang Fan kept shaking his head.

Because he knew that there was an irreconcilable fundamental contradiction between the CCP and the United States, and this fundamental contradiction was that the CCP did not recognize all the unequal treaties signed with Western powers since the Opium War!

Even during the Beiyang period, the CCP refused to recognize the loans that Beiyang warlords used tariffs and salt taxes as collateral, but this was never allowed by the United States.

After chatting for a few more words, Stilwell suddenly changed the subject and said, "General Yang, although the situation here is very good, no matter how good the situation is, it is finally close to the sea.

Japan has the third most powerful navy in the world and the number one in Asia. Although Japan has not launched a devastating blow to you at present, it is not enough for others to snore on the side of the bed.

I don't think such a stable situation lasts for a long time. General Yang, you are a smart person, you should understand what I mean, right?"

"Thank you for your friendly reminder. I have always been preparing for this day."

Yang Fan smiled calmly, as stable as an old dog.

If the Japanese devils came to destroy themselves at all costs a year ago, they would really suffer a catastrophe. Even if they fought all their money, they would eventually be doomed.

But now, Yang Fan is really not afraid of the Japanese concentrating their forces to cause trouble. Now there are as many as 230,000 elite regular troops armed to the teeth.

With the bonus of defensive combat power, even if the Japanese have an army of 400,000, they will not be able to get a bargain.

What's more, there are still a large number of reserves, police forces and other military forces at all levels. The population of the defense zone has exceeded 10 million, and there are all weapons, equipment and various materials. Even if it is high-intensity, it can be completely consumed for one or two years.

On the other hand, the Japanese devils could not play a war of attrition with themselves at such high intensity. Their biggest advantage lies in the navy. Nowadays, heavy artillery batteries on the coastal defense line are one after another. The Japanese fleets do not want to use naval guns to bomb coastal cities, let alone forcibly land and break through the coastline.
Chapter completed!