Chapter 491: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 501 What Do You Mean by You Assigning

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The US delegation settled in Hanoi, capital of Zhongnan State, with soldiers dispatched by the Youth Army personally protecting the delegation's safety.

Banners welcoming the US delegation to offer condolences hung all over the streets and alleys, and reporters roamed around various agencies, fearing they might miss any news.

Song Zhiwen had been staying in Lv Muzhi's military camp these past days over the matter of the Lend-Lease Act, not returning directly home.

"Wei Yue, regarding the Lend-Lease Act, shouldn't you step forward and persuade the US delegation? I've approached them several times, but they politely refused," Song Zhiwen asked.

Lv Muzhi looked at a letter he had just received, with a stack of photographs attached.

"If the Americans truly wanted to supply us with weapons, they would have agreed to your request back in the US."

"If they never intended to supply weapons in the first place, no matter how much we beg, we won't get any response."

Song Zhiwen sighed: "US policy is Europe first, Asia second, focusing on supporting Britain and France against Hans, turning a blind eye to Japan's aggression, and even continuing to supply oil to Japan..."

"If the US didn't export war materials to Japan, this war should have ended long ago!"

"But what can we do? We also need to buy war materials from the US, otherwise we'll be swallowed by Japan."

"These Americans are now addicted to making war profits; after the war ends, the US will become the only victorious nation in the world!"

Song Zhiwen rarely snapped at the Americans.

These past days, Song Zhiwen had several times put on a warm face only to receive a cold shoulder in front of the US delegation.

As Xia Guo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, it was truly suffocating.

As he spoke words criticizing the US, Song Zhiwen vented the resentment he had accumulated over the past few days.

Lv Muzhi said: "Minister Song, you and the Americans aren't dealing with each other for the first time; they won't do anything without profit."

Song Zhiwen had already given up his illusions about the US: "That is exactly our sorrow! What do we have in our hands that the Americans would value?"

Lv Muzhi had never seen Song Zhiwen so irritable in over ten years, and he laughed too.

"There wasn't before, but there is now."

"Zhongnan State now represents US interests, and the establishment of Zhongnan State serves as an excellent example for breaking the British and French colonial system."

"These two countries have the widest colonies in the world; the US has risen for decades, yet is still troubled by this huge colonial system."

"On one hand, the US wants to help Britain and France contain Hans's expansion; on the other hand, why wouldn't they want Britain and France's colonies to break free from control and become independent one after another?"

"Take... for example, you and the old man want me to block the Japanese Army on one hand, but on the other hand, why wouldn't they want my Youth Army to disband on its own after the war ends?"

Song Zhiwen felt a bit embarrassed: "Your last analogy isn't quite appropriate..."

"Of course, what you said before is still reasonable."

"Zhongnan State not only broke free from French colonial control but also gained US recognition and some economic cooperation; what would other colonized countries think?"

Lv Muzhi handed the stack of photographs in his hand to Song Zhiwen: "The Japanese are cooperating with the Thais, plotting to completely overthrow Zhongnan State."

"The Japanese are staying in Saigon with a clear conscience, flying the banner of helping Vichy France reclaim its colonies."

"But they didn't act directly; instead, they supplied weapons and equipment to Thailand to fight Zhongnan State."

"Using Thailand to probe my Youth Army, to see whether I will actually act according to the agreement to help Zhongnan State."

Song Zhiwen looked at the stack of photographs Lv Muzhi handed him; these photos were taken at a military port in Thailand Bay.

In the photos, Japanese warships were fully loaded with military supplies and transported to Thailand.

The Thai and Japanese armies unloaded cargo together at the wharf.

Among the cargo were light weapons such as rifles and machine guns, as well as Japanese tanks like Type 95 light tanks and Type 97 medium tanks.

These equipment could greatly enhance the military strength of the Thai army of fewer than sixty thousand men.

Lv Muzhi pointed at the photographs in Song Zhiwen's hand: "The Americans just recognized Zhongnan State; they are unwilling to see Zhongnan State immediately overthrown."

Song Zhiwen looked at Lv Muzhi: "You wouldn't want to see Zhongnan State overthrown either."

Lv Muzhi nodded: "Protecting Zhongnan State requires strong military power."

"Although the US wants to protect Zhongnan State, they won't send military forces to land in Southeast Asia; they don't want to directly go to war with the Japanese Army."

Song Zhiwen realized: "The Japanese are manipulating the Thais to attack Zhongnan State, and the Americans will find a proxy in Southeast Asia to protect Zhongnan State!"

"This proxy can only be the Youth Expeditionary Army."

Lv Muzhi took the photographs back from Song Zhiwen's hand: "Copies of the photos have already been sent to the US delegation, so you don't need to follow behind the Americans begging on your knees."

"Once they realize the Japanese are infringing on their own interests without restraint, they will naturally find enforcers to deal with the Japanese."

"As enforcers, isn't it not excessive for the Americans to give us some equipment through the Lend-Lease scheme?"

Two days later, Haiphong Port.

Lv Muzhi and the US delegation were visiting here, discussing handing over the operating rights of Haiphong Port for the next fifteen years to US enterprises.

Zhongnan State Prime Minister Fan Jing felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart, and said to Lv Muzhi: "Battle reports from the frontline say we lost the battle."

"The Thai army, relying on cannons and tanks supported by the Japanese, crossed the Mekong River and captured Vientiane City in one go; they are still advancing deeper."

"And me, I'm here selling the port to the Americans; I'm almost becoming a national traitor!"

Lv Muzhi said faintly: "If ten or twenty years later, Zhongnan State is still as weak as today, then you are undoubtedly a national traitor;"

"If twenty years later Zhongnan State's economy develops and the people live in prosperity, then no one will dare say you are a national traitor."

"Handing the port over to the Americans to operate can prevent Japanese warships from shelling your port; ships entering and leaving flying the US flag can also safely enter and leave with cargo."

"Xia Guo's tungsten sand will also be transported by railway to Haiphong Port and directly exported to the Americans."

"In this way, Zhongnan State's interests will be highly bound with those of the US."

Fan Jing listened to Lv Muzhi's words and could only sigh: he was making a deal with the devil!

The news that the Thai army had captured Vientiane reached the American delegation's ears the day before yesterday; after today, the delegation would be returning home.

Sam came before Lv Muzhi and said: "This Haifang Port is not bad. Shipping Xia Guo's tungsten ore from here to the West Coast of the United States is shorter and faster; it's much faster than transshipping through British Burma to the East Coast of the United States!"

Lv Muzhi nodded in agreement: "Of course, this is advantageous for you."

Seeing that Lv Muzhi had not mentioned the Lend-Lease Act from beginning to end, Sam could not help but speak up: "General Lu, you and the Japanese are truly fated enemies!

You support Zhongnan State, the Japanese Army supports Thailand, and the armies of both sides are now fighting on the border. It looks like you and Zhongnan State are at a disadvantage."

Lv Muzhi looked thoughtful: "This is only temporary. I signed the Common Defense Agreement, so Zhongnan State will be fine."

Sam could hardly contain himself, fearing that Lv Muzhi would act too slowly and Zhongnan State would be directly swept away by the Thai army.

"General Lu should pay more attention to the war situation and send troops in time. This Zhongnan State holds significant interests for both you and the United States."

"Mm, I know."

Seeing the situation, Sam simply said directly: "Regarding the Lend-Lease Act, I think the act will soon include Xia Guo within the scope of aid."

Hearing this news, Song Zhiwen's eyes lit up instantly: "Is that really true?"

Sam spread his hands: "Of course. How could such a thing be a joke?"

"I received a telegram from home. The United States can provide military aid to Xia Guo according to the Lend-Lease Act, and this aid will be free for the time being..."

"It's just hoped that the Youth Army will be more active and proactive in protecting Zhongnan State, and not engage in passive defense."

"Also, Xia Guo's Central Army should find a way to restrain the Japanese Army as much as possible, preventing the Japanese Army from allocating more forces to Southeast Asia."

Song Zhiwen was overjoyed. The supplies here were a huge fortune!

Sam looked at Song Zhiwen's appearance, pulled Lv Muzhi aside, and instructed: "Zhongnan State is a key link for the United States to break the old colonial system. Please, General Lu, must take this to heart. We will provide excellent equipment support to the Youth Army."

"Additionally, regarding the military aid given to Xia Guo's Central Army in the Lend-Lease Act, I am very concerned. Xia Guo's government bureaucratic system..."

Lv Muzhi spoke directly: "Ahem, no need to say more. Those who understand, understand!"

"Let's do this. Please have your country transport all Lend-Lease Materials to Haifang Port. My Youth Army will hand them over to Xia Guo on your behalf. I will personally deliver them into the hands of Xia Guo's troops."

Sam looked at Song Zhiwen in the distance, saw his happy expression, smiled and nodded at him: "I think that works. I will write your suggestion into the report. Simply transport all the supplies to Haifang Port, saving time. As for the remaining distribution process, please let the Youth Army handle it!"

After finishing the matters of the Lend-Lease Act, the American delegation left by plane.

Song Zhiwen followed behind Lv Muzhi and asked: "Wei Yue, did you reach an agreement with the Americans? We should also discuss how to divide these supplies..."

Lv Muzhi looked at Song Zhiwen and smiled: "Don't rush. I will distribute them slowly when the time comes."

Song Zhiwen was completely baffled: "What does that mean? What do you mean by you distributing them?"

"Sun Liren!" Lv Muzhi shouted.

"Present!"

"Go tell the Zhongnan State side that if they want to quickly repel the Thai army and retake Vientiane City, the Youth Army can provide necessary assistance."