Chapter 1371: Strategic guidance

Slow military development, weak military strength, and low military quality are common problems in some war-torn small countries.

The economic strength between countries is vastly different, and the military strength gap is even more astonishing.

Hamid himself was not from a real military academy, and he was in a relatively backward and chaotic environment, so he had no strategic mind.

The strategy he could think of was to live as long as possible.

The reason he wasn't annihilated in the siege two days ago was also because of the government army's intelligence error, thinking that the village was just a small stronghold, but not expecting it to be Hamid's base camp. Moreover, Hamid's base was easy to defend and hard to attack, which was why they failed.

However, easy to defend and hard to attack didn't mean it couldn't be taken.

The first time was because the other side underestimated him, but if the other side made full preparations and came back, and Hamid didn't put his heart into building defenses, he would most likely be surrounded.

Although Ye Chen had a shallow friendship with Hamid, he didn't want to hear the news of him being killed one day.

Furthermore, Su Shoudao was about to be sent over. If he died at the hands of Hamid's opponents instead of his own hands just after arriving in Syria, that would be more or less awkward.

After all, Ye Chen still wanted to keep Su Shoudao as a backup.

If Su Zhiyu didn't have the ability to inherit the Su family, then he could let Su Shoudao return.

As for what conditions Su Shoudao would have to pay at that time, all the initiative would be in Ye Chen's hands.

So in other words, Su Shoudao's 100 million US dollars was also used to strengthen his personal safety to a large extent.

But Su Shoudao's 100 million US dollars had exchanged a huge favor for Ye Chen.

Because this 100 million US dollars, as well as this series of strategic guidance Ye Chen gave Hamid, were of extraordinary significance to Hamid.

Thus, while moved, Hamid also very humbly asked Ye Chen, "Brother Ye, I understand the importance of infrastructure, but according to what you said, how should I implement it specifically? Is there a relatively detailed plan?"

Having said that, Hamid said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry, most of the soldiers under my command haven't read many books, let alone let them offer advice."

Ye Chen smiled, "This situation is understandable."

Having said that, he explained further, "When I went to your place, I roughly observed the terrain features there. Except for a relatively narrow road into the mountains in the north and south, almost everything else is surrounded by mountain peaks. There must be at least seven or eight mountains, right?"

"Yes!" Hamid hurriedly said, "There are eight mountains in total. The two mountains on the east and west sides are the highest, and the others are relatively short, but they are all relatively steep. Heavy equipment and armored vehicles definitely can't run up there."

Ye Chen smiled, "That's even better. According to your situation, divide the infrastructure project into three stages. The first stage is to build eight front-line defensive fortifications and eight reverse-slope defensive fortifications on these eight mountains. To put it plainly, it's one front and one reverse defensive fortification on each mountain. Then, increase two front-line defensive fortifications on the mountainsides on both sides of the north and south entrances separately."

"The fortifications must be as sturdy as possible. Rely on the rock mountain structure and use reinforced concrete to build permanent fortifications to ensure that ordinary artillery fire cannot destroy them."

Hamid hurriedly asked, "Brother, what about the second and third stages?"

Ye Chen said, "The second stage must at least double the fortifications. Ensure that at least half of your soldiers can hide directly in the permanent fortifications. In this way, even if the enemy's artillery fire is fierce and dense, your soldiers can still be preserved in the permanent fortifications."

"As for the third stage, you must ensure that all soldiers can survive in the permanent fortifications for a long time. The permanent fortifications must be built more and larger. Finally, the fortifications on each mountain can be interconnected internally. The permanent fortifications can not only defend and live, but also be used to store strategic materials. Once you achieve this, you can sleep soundly!"

Hamid said without hesitation, "Okay! Let's do it according to Brother's method!"

After saying this, he hurriedly asked again, "Brother, do you have any other suggestions and instructions?"

Ye Chen said, "Besides this, you must immediately purchase a large amount of food and medicine and store them in a dry and safe environment. For the first reserve, you must store enough food for at least three years!"

Hamid exclaimed, "Three years?! So much?! An adult needs at least two hundred kilograms of grain a year. For two thousand people, that's four hundred tons. Three years is twelve hundred tons!"

Ye Chen asked back, "Then let me ask you, how much does twelve hundred tons of grain cost?"

Hamid thought for a while and said, "At the current market price, wheat is about 300 US dollars a ton. Twelve hundred tons, including transportation costs, would be 400,000 dollars. The money isn't much, but the key is how to store so much grain? And grain doesn't taste good if it's stored for too long."

Ye Chen said helplessly, "I'm asking you to make strategic reserves, not asking you to eat fresh grain every day!"

"Think about it: you first store three years of rations in your hands, and then purchase and replenish them every year according to the actual consumption of that year."

"In this way, you will always have three years of surplus rations in your hands!"

"And as long as the grain is stored properly, it won't spoil for three years. The climate in the Middle East is relatively dry, making it easier to preserve. In this way, you can replace the oldest batch of grain with a new batch every year."

"Using this method, you can ensure that the grain stored in your hands won't be older than three years."

"Once the other side can't take you down, prepares to surround you, and starve you to death, even if you can't transport a single grain in, you can still hold out for three years."

Having said that, Ye Chen summarized, "The same principle applies to weapons, ammunition, and medicine. Store more, and make plans for periodic replacement. You must have strategic reserves in your hands and be prepared to prevent others from fighting a protracted war with you."

Hamid suddenly realized and exclaimed, "Brother, I understand! This move is too brilliant!"

Ye Chen said helplessly, "What's brilliant about it? In our China, anyone who has finished primary school basically knows this principle. It's a pity you studied in China; why didn't you study Chinese history well?"

Hamid said awkwardly and shamefully, "Sigh, I mainly wanted to go to China to gild myself and practice my Chinese, but I truly neglected other aspects..."

After saying this, he immediately added, "Brother, I understand your meaning. The main thing is to use that 100 million US dollars to strengthen defenses by all means. Not only must defensive fortifications be strengthened, but defensive materials must also be prepared sufficiently. Don't worry, I will arrange for people to purchase grain, ammunition, and medicine, and also purchase some infrastructure equipment and building materials."

Ye Chen gave a hum and said, "In this way, the problems of defense and materials can basically be solved. However, there is one more problem that you need to address immediately!"