Chapter 490

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

"I'm late!"

Before Lv Muzhi could answer Song Zhiwen, Fan Jing, Prime Minister of Zhongnan State, hurried over and unintentionally interrupted their conversation.

Having agreed to meet the United States delegation, this Prime Minister actually arrived ten minutes late.

Lv Muzhi looked at Fan Jing, somewhat dissatisfied: "Prime Minister Fan, I went to great lengths to get this opportunity for the United States delegation to visit Zhongnan State, so you must take it seriously!"

Prime Minister Fan wiped his sweat: "Yes, yes, yes! There really was an emergency—the Thais are making a comeback!"

They have attacked our Zhongnan State's border again!"

Hearing this news, Lv Muzhi frowned.

The Thais are so restless; they are asking for death!

Song Zhiwen was quite surprised; logically speaking, Lv Muzhi was merely a guest, yet he showed no respect to Zhongnan State's head of state Fan Jing.

The relationship here is worth pondering!

"The delegation's plane has landed on the runway and is beginning to taxi," Sun Liren jogged over to remind Lv Muzhi.

Afterwards, everyone came to the side of the runway to welcome this rare delegation.

The head of the delegation was none other than Sam, whom Lv Muzhi knew well.

Under the welcome formation of two lines of Youth Army honor guards, more than ten Americans disembarked, observing everything around them.

Only to see several combat-ready BF109 Fighters parked at the airport, and in the distance, P40 Fighters belonging to the Flying Tigers.

The Youth Army honor guards carried rifles and performed bluff maneuvers, looking quite the part.

Prime Minister Fan Jing watched the American delegation approaching slowly in the distance, then looked at this solemn welcome ceremony, thinking that Lv Muzhi had indeed arranged things properly without losing Zhongnan State's dignity.

When delegation head Sam walked up close, Lv Muzhi shook hands with him warmly.

Song Zhiwen and Fan Jing both hurried over, striving to quickly become familiar faces.

Lv Muzhi introduced proactively: "This is the Prime Minister of Zhongnan State, Fan Jing, whom I mentioned in my letter. Believe me, Zhongnan State is of great strategic value to you."

Sam nodded without expressing a stance, merely greeting Fan Jing and shaking his hand.

When Sam turned to Song Zhiwen, Song Zhiwen hurriedly introduced himself: "I am Song Zhiwen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Xia Guo."

Sam smiled: "I've seen you; you were still in the United States two weeks ago."

Song Zhiwen immediately put on a dejected appearance, releasing emotions he had been brewing for a long time: "Sigh~ yes, for my country to join the Lend-Lease Act, I suffered all sorts of cold shoulders in the United States..."

"Do you know? Mr. Sam..." Song Zhiwen looked up, ready to pour out his grievances, only to find that the only person standing before him was Sun Liren.

And Lv Muzhi, leading the American delegation, had already walked toward the motorcade in the distance!

Sun Liren was commanding the honor guard:

"The honor guard can stand down! It's so hot... go back and rest well!"

Looking back, he happened to meet Song Zhiwen's eyes.

Sun Liren gave an embarrassed smile: "Minister Song, Lu Commander has taken the delegation to visit."

Song Zhiwen took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, quickly turned and left, hurrying toward the motorcade—if he was late, there would be no good seats!

The motorcade carried the American delegation on visits throughout Northern Vietnam.

Lv Muzhi led the delegation on visits everywhere, spending two days.

Everyone visited well-organized rubber plantations, textile factories in production, and farmers living and working in peace...

Everything they saw indicated that this newly established country was gradually getting on the right track.

Lv Muzhi dared not say the people of Zhongnan State lived prosperous lives, but it was absolutely much better than under French colonial rule!

At least for now, if no external force overthrew Zhongnan State, then Zhongnan State would remain stable for a long time and would not be overturned overnight due to internal chaos.

Sam watched the farmers working in the fields and asked: "I heard you divided the landlords' fields among the farmers?"

Lv Muzhi nodded, pointing to the vast fields before them: "We had to divide them; otherwise the landlords would successively launch loyalist movements."

Sam had some doubts: "General Lu, Mr. Roosevelt is very interested in Zhongnan State, but your large-scale struggle against landlords makes us deeply concerned..."

Lv Muzhi explained: "All the landlords who were struggled against had historical crimes; each has an independent file. According to the newly promulgated Temporary Constitution, these people must have their property confiscated."

"The state distributes these criminals' property to the farmers; there is nothing wrong with that."

Sam shook his head: "I mean, do you think that as long as someone is identified as a landlord, they should be unconditionally overthrown?"

Lv Muzhi understood Sam's doubts and said: "That's not the case. The Unity Party recognizes and protects private ownership and has no intention of eliminating private ownership."

"Land reform follows a moderate land reform route. For landlords we determine to be without crimes, we purchase their land at a price."

"That is very civilized and humane!"

"Oh~" Sam nodded: "If that's really the case, then we can accept Zhongnan State."

Regarding its attitude toward Zhongnan State, the United States wanted to grant recognition.

Most of the fertile land in Southeast Asia had long been dominated by old powers like Britain and France, and Americans could not get a foothold.

Now that Britain and France were fighting fiercely with Hans, in Far Eastern affairs, the Americans could finally find a gap to intervene.

The establishment of Zhongnan State kicked the French out of Southeast Asia, and the United States was delighted to see it happen.

"So, does Zhongnan State plan to hand over Haiphong Port to American enterprises for operation?" Sam asked; this was the idea Lv Muzhi had mentioned in his letter.

Prime Minister Fan Jing looked at Lv Muzhi; the operating rights of Haiphong Port were now in Lv Muzhi's hands.

Lv Muzhi nodded: "That's right. It's also a matter of no choice. Japanese warships often patrol outside the port and intercept our ships."

"I think if the United States is willing to operate that port, presumably the trouble will decrease a lot."

"That way, Zhongnan State's rubber and minerals can be exported directly to the United States, and even Xia Guo's minerals can be exported directly through that port."

Sam thought for a moment: "Sounds good, but I'm afraid it will anger the Japanese Army."

Lv Muzhi advised: "The Japanese Army's ambitions are great, a fact we all see; if not curbed in advance, I fear they will swallow all of Southeast Asia."

"If the United States is willing to exert influence in Zhongnan State, it will make the Japanese Army feel some misgivings to a certain extent."

"The United States doesn't want to see Japan expanding wildly like this, right?"

The representatives of the United States delegation discussed among themselves; everyone already knew about Japan's military movements in Southeast Asia.

The Fifth Division entered Saigon in Zhongnan State without permission by force; they were not here to be tourists.

Sam said indignantly: "These Japanese, our country has already cut off steel supplies to them, yet they remain unrepentant."

"The issue of imposing economic sanctions on Japan has already begun discussion; for Japan's reckless acts of aggression without any misgivings, we must curb them!"

Zhongnan State Prime Minister Fan Jing nodded in agreement: "Yes, please let the international community do justice for Zhongnan State."

Lv Muzhi asked: "Can your country recognize Zhongnan State and launch economic cooperation? This is beneficial to you."

Sam smiled: "As for this issue, there has long been an answer."

"Mr. Roosevelt has already given me instructions: provided that Zhongnan State's situation is stable and there is no danger of being overthrown at any time, we can recognize Zhongnan State."

"In view of our series of inspections today, we believe the people of Zhongnan State have been well protected, and the current situation is the best."

"Therefore, regarding the founding of Zhongnan State, we are delighted to see it succeed!"

Upon hearing this news, Fan Jing was overjoyed; it had been more than four months since the founding of the state, and this was the first time a great power was willing to recognize his country.