Attack of the Rising Sun: Unstable Foundations
"If when I die, I am still a dictator, I will certainly go down into the oblivion of all dictators. If, on the other hand, I succeed in establishing a truly stable foundation for a democratic government, I will live forever in every home in China."
Chiang Kai Shek
Before examining the fallout from the failed offensive, the political situation which arose from the formation of the United Front must be examined. In many ways, the republican institutions of the Republic of China, which had become seriously atrophied by years of Chiang’s ruthless extermination campaigns against the Communists. Now, with Chiang and many of his military supporters present at the front, the civilian leaders of the Guomindang could begin to exert more than their normal nominal control over the government. Even President Lin Sen, previously an obscure figurehead, began to take a more active role in government. Of course, this newfound influence was circumscribed by the pressures of war. Japanese armies had come perilously close to capturing the capital, a fact which no politician forgot. In organising relief measures, providing aid and maintaining roads and other day to day business, the Guomindang civilians forgot their silence, and contributed to good government. Corruption, previously the norm rather than the exception appeared to disappear (although it must be said that this was only a passing change, that would reemerge as soon the Japanese threat to Nanjing faded from memory).
One important measure was in organising coal supplies for the coming winter. Lin Sen arranged for coal supplies to be transported on Portuguese ships to enter Macao. Japan had yet to blockade Portuguese ships, and tens of thousands of refugees would benefit.
Portugal agrees to provide coal
Not only in the government, but in parliament too new voices were heard. The Popular Assembly had previously been mostly a rubber stamp for Chiang’s policies. Now the Communists were allowed to send delegates for the first time, as did the warlords. Debates were often fiery, and few topics were taboo. Coalitions and cliques were formed, destroyed and reformed with dizzying speed. Admittedly given its diverse membership it proved exceedingly difficult to actually get anything done, but the debates meant that politics and indeed society became much more open. The Parliament had gone from being a tame rubber stamp to a fiery hot air generator. In the short term at least, the formation of the United Front meant that the Republic of China became something resembling a democracy, even if a flawed one circumscribed by the circumstances of war.
OOC: In the game, the United Front Event turned us from a paternal autocrat dictatorship to a social conservative government. But for some reason I could still declare war
Cooperation between the various factions and sponsors was initially good. Soviet aid flowed through Xinjiang. A very limited amount took the form of mechanised agricultural equipment. Although first used in the North west in regions controlled by the Ma clans or Sheng Shicai, these improvements would eventually spread to Nationalist controlled regions, slowly boosting agricultural production.
Autumn Wind Resumed
The failure of Autumn Wind led to a few changes in the Guomindang armies would operate, at least in the short term. Previously, Chiang and Von Falkenhausen had favoured a very loose command structure, to allow lower ranking commanders to gain experience in command. This command structure had allowed the Guomindang commanders to gain battle experience, but the cost was a less effective command. In future the best commanders would gain much more direct control, which in practice meant that Von Falkenhausen and Chiang assumed much more direct command.
China’s economic strategy remained much the same despite the failure. More supplies, more equipment and more merchants. Von Falkenhausen’s recommendation of retraining and reequipping existing forces was largely accepted by the big 3 war ministers (Chiang, Li Zongren and Bai Chonxi).
Domestic Production Sliders
For nearly 3 weeks following the failure of Autumn Wind, United Front forces in Beiping and Tianjin rested and reequipped in preparation for a new offensive. Other forces reoccupied Kalgan, in greater numbers. This time Kalgan would remain under United Front control, as far greater numbers were sent to hold the war ravaged city. A far larger build up of supplies was made this time. Many units gathered a month's extra supplies for the offensive.
On October 16th, United front forces again marched north against Japanese positions. This time the offensive could not fail.
Autumn Wind recommences.
Too bad Autumn Wind was a costly failure but you're doing magnificently overall.
