January 1936,
Provincial Government Building
Urumchi, Sinkiang Province, China.
"The necessity of Soviet aid is impeccable. Reliance on the central government will undoubtably lead to the collapse of the provincial economy. Our five year loan with the Soviet Union will keep our economy running, however, the need for industrial expansion is absolutely necessary if we are to secure ourselves economically long term." General Sheng Shi-Tsai stood at the head of a long wooden conference table, surrounded by the various key domestic and military figure heads that made the cabinet of the provincial government of Sinkiang.
"What I have I done, with the approval of ambassador Apresoff..." The General quickly acknowlodging the presence of the Soviet ambassador.
"Is requested the loan of various civil and industrial engineers to help assist in the construction and expansion of the provincial infrastructure and the industrial capacity of our economic centers, such as Korla, Ha-Mi and here in Urumchi, in the hopes that it may boost our somewhat agriarian based economy into a modern industrial one. Also the loan of geologists to prospect for valuable mineral ores. Any questions?"
The General paused and watched intently at his audiance. Tu Chung-Yuan, the Minister of domestic affairs and childhood friend of the General rose from his chair.
"If we receive approval from Moscow, when do we begin construction? And when it begins, where will we receive the necessary materials to carry out the proposed improvements from?"
"Good question". Sheng resumed. "With the industrial improvments will come the construction of oil rigs and refineries, we will then give oil concessions to repay the costs of building materials and the use of Soviet advisors."
"Ambassador Apresoff has been in contact with the Soviet Ministry of Economic Development, and they are awaiting the decision of the Politburo. If all goes according to plan, we will begin construction in early March. When we do, I want you and the staff of the Provincial Ministry of Domestic Affairs to plan and coordinate with the Soviet Advisors. Any other questions Tu?" The General exclaimed.
"No that is all, thank you" replied Tu who returned to his chair. Sheng waited for further questions, then looked down at the file in front of him briefly before continuing.
"Now, we must move on to Military affairs. General Chang Hsi-Liang will give a briefing on the situation, General." Sheng sat down as General Chang rose and opened a folder placing various peices of paper in order.
"Gentlemen, at the moment our armed forces comprise of one regular infantry division, the 35th National Revolutionary Army comprised of trained Kuomintang troops and weaponry and two irregular infantry regiments, both detached from the Imperial Russian 89th Infantry Division. All three units lack modern equipment and support weaponry, such as medium to long range atillary, mortars, anti-tank weapons, machine guns and armored vehicles. With me today is Lt. General Yuan Ling-Yun, commander of the 35th, and Lt. Colonel Mikhail Grunkov, commander of Russian forces. They will give a more accurate account of the current military situation, Gentleman". Chang returned to his seat as General Yuan stood up.
"Gentleman, at the moment the 35th Division has 10,000 regular troops with 1,200 officers. With 5 machine gun detahcments and 4 short range atillary detachments. We are lacking adequate supplies of small arms, many of our weapons are outdated and require constant service to keep them running. I request additional supplies to help with the re-fitiing and re-supply of our forces. Colonel.." General Yuan sat down, Colonel Grunkov stood up.
"Hello" His Mandarin just good enough to get the point across.
"The 89th regiments are in good shape. However, many soldiers lack adequate weapons, many using older weapons from civil war. We need machine guns and atillary. But in good news, I have been in contact with Colonel Borya Rezukhin, commander of the remaining 12th Asiatic Cavalry Division. He and his men require money and country to stay. They have been hiding in north of Kansu province, but they are 5,000 men strong. I ask official acceptance to have them come to Sinkiang. Thank you." The Colonel returend to his seat, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"We do require more armed forces to help with the quelling muslim insurgency in Kashgar, sudden reinforcments will allow us more time and security until we finish training of new officers. It's my recommendation that we recruit Colonel Rezukhin and his men." said General Chang, a firm tone of voice enforcing his point.
"Very well" Said Sheng, "Colonel Grunkov, I'll leave it in your hands".
"Yes sir" Grunkov replied. The room had now come quiet as the various ministers and military officials took notes.
Ambassador Apresoff began staring distastfully at Colonel Grunkov, any remnants of Imperial Russia disgusted him. A long time communist, Apresoff had little time for such people.
"General Sheng, I must protest, these soldiers and their commanders are wanted criminals and counter revolutionaries. It is the policy of my nation to assist in the capture and prosecution of such people! I insist on refusing the "Colonels" so called proposal!"
"Ambassador... please, it has been a long day. Let us review the proposal and we shall get back to you." Interrupted Sheng, his voice lacking interest.
"Very well" Replied Apresoff, who then stood up and left with his aid.
"Damn Soviets are always so demanding." Sheng thought to himself. "Military strength always brings arrogance, arrogance which will bring them their downfall..."
(Hey people, hope your engrossed so far haha. This is pretty much my first actual AAR, based on the warlord province of Sinkiang under General Sheng Shih-Tsai. Hopefully all goes well. I'll be posting it in a story kind of format, so if you like a good story, here ya go! Excuse my story writing abilities, unfortunatly I am not that creative haha. Enjoy! Will post soon)
Provincial Government Building
Urumchi, Sinkiang Province, China.
"The necessity of Soviet aid is impeccable. Reliance on the central government will undoubtably lead to the collapse of the provincial economy. Our five year loan with the Soviet Union will keep our economy running, however, the need for industrial expansion is absolutely necessary if we are to secure ourselves economically long term." General Sheng Shi-Tsai stood at the head of a long wooden conference table, surrounded by the various key domestic and military figure heads that made the cabinet of the provincial government of Sinkiang.
"What I have I done, with the approval of ambassador Apresoff..." The General quickly acknowlodging the presence of the Soviet ambassador.
"Is requested the loan of various civil and industrial engineers to help assist in the construction and expansion of the provincial infrastructure and the industrial capacity of our economic centers, such as Korla, Ha-Mi and here in Urumchi, in the hopes that it may boost our somewhat agriarian based economy into a modern industrial one. Also the loan of geologists to prospect for valuable mineral ores. Any questions?"
The General paused and watched intently at his audiance. Tu Chung-Yuan, the Minister of domestic affairs and childhood friend of the General rose from his chair.
"If we receive approval from Moscow, when do we begin construction? And when it begins, where will we receive the necessary materials to carry out the proposed improvements from?"
"Good question". Sheng resumed. "With the industrial improvments will come the construction of oil rigs and refineries, we will then give oil concessions to repay the costs of building materials and the use of Soviet advisors."
"Ambassador Apresoff has been in contact with the Soviet Ministry of Economic Development, and they are awaiting the decision of the Politburo. If all goes according to plan, we will begin construction in early March. When we do, I want you and the staff of the Provincial Ministry of Domestic Affairs to plan and coordinate with the Soviet Advisors. Any other questions Tu?" The General exclaimed.
"No that is all, thank you" replied Tu who returned to his chair. Sheng waited for further questions, then looked down at the file in front of him briefly before continuing.
"Now, we must move on to Military affairs. General Chang Hsi-Liang will give a briefing on the situation, General." Sheng sat down as General Chang rose and opened a folder placing various peices of paper in order.
"Gentlemen, at the moment our armed forces comprise of one regular infantry division, the 35th National Revolutionary Army comprised of trained Kuomintang troops and weaponry and two irregular infantry regiments, both detached from the Imperial Russian 89th Infantry Division. All three units lack modern equipment and support weaponry, such as medium to long range atillary, mortars, anti-tank weapons, machine guns and armored vehicles. With me today is Lt. General Yuan Ling-Yun, commander of the 35th, and Lt. Colonel Mikhail Grunkov, commander of Russian forces. They will give a more accurate account of the current military situation, Gentleman". Chang returned to his seat as General Yuan stood up.
"Gentleman, at the moment the 35th Division has 10,000 regular troops with 1,200 officers. With 5 machine gun detahcments and 4 short range atillary detachments. We are lacking adequate supplies of small arms, many of our weapons are outdated and require constant service to keep them running. I request additional supplies to help with the re-fitiing and re-supply of our forces. Colonel.." General Yuan sat down, Colonel Grunkov stood up.
"Hello" His Mandarin just good enough to get the point across.
"The 89th regiments are in good shape. However, many soldiers lack adequate weapons, many using older weapons from civil war. We need machine guns and atillary. But in good news, I have been in contact with Colonel Borya Rezukhin, commander of the remaining 12th Asiatic Cavalry Division. He and his men require money and country to stay. They have been hiding in north of Kansu province, but they are 5,000 men strong. I ask official acceptance to have them come to Sinkiang. Thank you." The Colonel returend to his seat, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"We do require more armed forces to help with the quelling muslim insurgency in Kashgar, sudden reinforcments will allow us more time and security until we finish training of new officers. It's my recommendation that we recruit Colonel Rezukhin and his men." said General Chang, a firm tone of voice enforcing his point.
"Very well" Said Sheng, "Colonel Grunkov, I'll leave it in your hands".
"Yes sir" Grunkov replied. The room had now come quiet as the various ministers and military officials took notes.
Ambassador Apresoff began staring distastfully at Colonel Grunkov, any remnants of Imperial Russia disgusted him. A long time communist, Apresoff had little time for such people.
"General Sheng, I must protest, these soldiers and their commanders are wanted criminals and counter revolutionaries. It is the policy of my nation to assist in the capture and prosecution of such people! I insist on refusing the "Colonels" so called proposal!"
"Ambassador... please, it has been a long day. Let us review the proposal and we shall get back to you." Interrupted Sheng, his voice lacking interest.
"Very well" Replied Apresoff, who then stood up and left with his aid.
"Damn Soviets are always so demanding." Sheng thought to himself. "Military strength always brings arrogance, arrogance which will bring them their downfall..."
(Hey people, hope your engrossed so far haha. This is pretty much my first actual AAR, based on the warlord province of Sinkiang under General Sheng Shih-Tsai. Hopefully all goes well. I'll be posting it in a story kind of format, so if you like a good story, here ya go! Excuse my story writing abilities, unfortunatly I am not that creative haha. Enjoy! Will post soon)