Chapter 500: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 510 The Old Man: This Is My Money

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The commanders of the various military regions sat below the stage and could only follow along with applause.

The "Youth Army-Unity Party Cooperation" plan had already fermented among the public through major newspapers several months prior, with even students taking to the streets to promote it.

Initially, such voices only appeared when the Youth Army carried out land reform.

Some scholars within Zhongnan State believed that at the founding of the country, facing various imperialist threats and a very poor international environment, relying solely on its own strength it could not protect itself at all, and the nation was on the brink of danger.

It had to rely on external forces to protect and strengthen itself as soon as possible, and the Youth Army, possessing powerful strength, was excellent external support.

The Youth Army's actions in dividing land won the support of a large number of young students.

Students took to the streets one after another, promoting all-round cooperation between the Youth Army and the Unity Party.

Some pointed out that the commanders of the various military regions had too much power, and according to Xia Guo's experience, there was a risk of separatism.

Under pressure from various public opinions, plus the material support claimed by the Youth Army, the Youth Army-Unity Party Cooperation plan was passed, with few openly opposing it.

The commanders of the various military regions also wanted the equipment level of their own troops to match that of the Party Army; from a pragmatic perspective, the Youth Army plan had many benefits.

A series of reforms by the Unity Party and Zhongnan State made Britain and France the most anxious; they were more anxious than the Japanese.

The establishment and growth of Zhongnan State shook colonialism the most.

Especially Britain; in Southeast Asia, he had Burma and Malaya colonies, and in South Asia, he had India colonies......

Zhongnan State was entirely setting an example for these colonies, telling them they could also become independent and found a country.

On this point, even the Japanese were happy to see the British in a panic, so they could take advantage of the situation.

Of course, the Japanese were not supporting Zhongnan State; what they wanted most was to swallow all of Southeast Asia.

Regarding Zhongnan State's continuous growth, Britain and France sent many diplomatic notes to Xia Guo, condemning the Youth Army's help to Zhongnan State's rebel regime.

The news reached Hankou, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Song Zhiwen reported to the Old Man.

The Old Man threw down the British telegram: "Zhongnan State is France's colony; what business is it of that Briton? Does he not know I am busy?"

"Furthermore, why do the British think I can still command the Youth Army now?"

Song Zhiwen nodded, then took out two documents from his briefcase: "That's true; there are also protests from Free France and Vichy France here......"

The Old Man didn't even look: "Can exiled Free France sit at the table? As for Vichy France, that's a puppet government; I don't owe either of them money, so it's fine not to look!"

"What is the United States' attitude toward this matter?"

Song Zhiwen said: "After comprehensively gathering information from all aspects, the United States has not spoken out on this, neither supporting nor opposing."

"Oh right, the Lend-Lease Materials will be unloaded at Haiphong Port in a few days!"

The Old Man stood up: "Hah, that is the United States' attitude toward this matter!"

"I can now obtain American supplies via Zhongnan State's transportation lines, so I no longer have to look at the British's faces honestly."

"The Americans also want to dig into the British's corner, only they are too embarrassed to do it themselves; with Lv Wei Yue, that fellow, rushing to the front, they are exactly what they wished for."

"We can't control this matter either; as long as Lv Wei Yue doesn't come to bother me, I would also be glad."

Song Zhiwen smiled: "Yes, Lv Muzhi has made enough trouble outside; we will be more stable domestically. It's best not to let him come back."

The Old Man pondered for a while and said: "That's not exactly it. You set off for Zhongnan State immediately and bring back the portion of Lend-Lease Materials belonging to the Central Government."

"Yes!"

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Zhongnan State, Haiphong Port.

Freighters flying the Stars and Stripes came and went.

"The Americans passed the Lend-Lease Act, preparing to provide military supplies worth 26 million US dollars to Xia Guo this year, but I heard this figure has now risen to 60 million US dollars?" Inside the Port Authority Building office, Song Zhiwen asked with a face of surprise and joy.

"Mm." Lv Muzhi, sitting opposite Song Zhiwen, responded faintly.

Song Zhiwen, having received an affirmative answer, held out five fingers: "You see...... how about a fifty-fifty split?"

Lv Muzhi smiled: "Why bother? You even came here personally. Leave the things with me; I'll keep them safe for now, and distribute them slowly later."

Song Zhiwen became vigilant: "Wei Yue, you wouldn't want to swallow it all yourself, would you?!"

Lv Muzhi glared: "What do you mean by swallow it all? That's too harsh. The Americans sent supplies; I must first store them properly, register them, and then separate the portion belonging to the Central Government. It can't be done that quickly!"

Song Zhiwen was somewhat speechless: "Wei Yue, I beg you not to cause trouble for me and the Old Man. How much of this do you actually want?"

Lv Muzhi said: "Originally, the Americans planned to provide supplies worth 26 million US dollars to Xia Guo this year; now it has increased to 60 million. The additional 34 million is not for the Central Government; do you understand?"

Song Zhiwen slapped his head: "You mean you want 34 million of it, and the Central Government gets 26 million? Wei Yue, you're too black-hearted!"

Facing Song Zhiwen's accusation, Lv Muzhi shook his head: "Wrong. The additional 34 million is special support exclusively for the Youth Army; only 26 million is for Xia Guo's War of Resistance. Of those 26 million US dollars, the Youth Army domestically under me wants half!"

Song Zhiwen almost couldn't catch his breath: "The Central Government gets 13 million US dollars, and you get 47 million US dollars?"

Seeing Song Zhiwen's excited appearance, Lv Muzhi held his hand and said: "I know Minister Song is very excited. Okay, okay, this is all what I should do."

"To solve the Old Man's troubles, I spared no effort to urge the supplies to arrive early."

Song Zhiwen broke free from Lv Muzhi's hand: "This isn't right. These supplies are nominally Lend-Lease Materials for Xia Guo; how can the Central Government get so little!"

Lv Muzhi stood up: "What do you mean? Am I not a person of Xia Guo? Isn't my army also the army of Xia Guo? Am I not allowed to take a share?"

Actually, of the 60 million US dollars' worth of supplies from the Americans, 34 million was funding for Lv Muzhi to act as a thug in Southeast Asia: first to restrain the Japanese Army's development, second to protect Zhongnan State, and dig into the British's colonial corner.

The genuine War of Resistance supplies given to Xia Guo were indeed worth only 26 million US dollars; the domestic Youth Army only took half of that. The Old Man should be grateful to Lv Muzhi.

Song Zhiwen could not accept it, stood up to take his leave: "I will send a telegram to the Old Man to explain. The Central Government and I do not accept this result; I demand the American side intervene to explain."

Lv Muzhi extended a hand: "Please."

The Old Man in Hankou received the telegram Song Zhiwen sent from Zhongnan State, was furious, and tore the telegram to pieces in one grab.

"This is Central Government money! Lv Muzhi took forty-seven million, I took thirteen million, and I'm supposed to thank him?!"