Chapter 506: Nanko Finance Ministry

Regarding the Finance Ministry, this is something we need to focus on discussing; we have now set a rough direction.

Chen Jiageng is in Nanyang, and also roughly oversees the National Government's overseas donation finances, so he has some understanding of this area.

"Jiang Anguo, in a moment I'll have Huang Bai Quan come over to discuss as well; he has more authority than I do on financial matters," Chen Jiageng said.

Huang Bai Quan is a friend of Chen Jiageng and directly manages bank finances.

Jiang Anguo nodded, "Fine, the finance matters should be settled as early as possible."

Chen Jiageng smiled and continued, "The second department, the Foreign Ministry. Nanko is a newly established regime; to stand on the international stage and gain external recognition, diplomacy is indispensable."

"The function of the Foreign Ministry is to represent Nanko in establishing contacts with various countries, including the Chongqing National Government, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others, conveying Nanko's positions and demands.

It also handles Nanko's diplomatic affairs with neighboring countries and regions, resolves conflicts, seeks international support and aid—such as material assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom—and maintains good communication and cooperation with the Chongqing side to jointly resist the Japanese Army."

Additionally, it must protect the rights of overseas Chinese from Nanko, liaise with Nanyang overseas Chinese, and win their support.

For Nanko, the Foreign Ministry is the "window to the outside"; only by doing good diplomatic work can it break isolation, gain international recognition, and create a favorable external environment for Nanko's development."

Clearly Chen Jiageng had done a lot of homework, Jiang Anguo said, "It seems the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs must be filled by someone with great prestige."

"Indeed, it requires careful consideration," Chen Jiageng said.

In fact, Jiang Anguo already has a candidate, the one whose name appears later on the list.

Gu Weijun!

It seems he is currently serving as a diplomat in the United Kingdom, which is truly a heavy burden for him.

One can imagine that Gu Weijun is now being bombarded in succession by London aristocrats.

"The third department, the Defense Ministry."

Chen Jiageng's tone grew serious, "At present the situation in Myanmar is not yet fully stable; remnants of the Japanese Army still occupy Yangon, Ren'ankiang, the British and the Dutch are watching keenly, and Thai forces are stirring at the border. Nanko's security faces a huge threat.

The core function of the Defense Ministry is to coordinate and manage all of Nanko's armed forces, including Dongzhi's Nanko First Infantry Regiment, the South China Freedom Army, and the locally formed security forces to be established later.

It formulates military training plans and enhances the army's combat effectiveness.

It is responsible for border defense, repelling external invasions, eradicating remaining Japanese Army forces; it also manages military equipment and supplies to meet the army's operational needs.

Its role is Nanko's 'protective umbrella'; only a sufficiently strong Defense Ministry can safeguard Nanko's territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of the people, and ensure safe passage for Nanko's development.

Jiang Anguo, who deeply understands this, added, "The Defense Ministry must be built up quickly; I will arrange capable personnel to cooperate, prioritize eliminating the Japanese Army remnants in Myanmar, strengthen border defenses, and ensure Nanko does not fall into war as soon as it is founded."

"Moreover, the President indicated that the external propaganda of the Nanko First Infantry Regiment and the Freedom Army is still a bit stingy, as is the Nanko First Division and the South China Freedom Brigade," Jiang Anguo said.

"Fine, regarding unit organization and equipment, we will still need Jiang Anguo's assistance," Chen Jiageng, who does not know much about the troops and is not a military man, said.

Jiang Anguo did not tell Chen Jiageng that the Freedom Army is composed of Japanese POWs; of course, the personnel numbers had been disclosed to Chen Jiageng.

Jiang Anguo keeps a tight grip on the troops, holding the military authority, which represents speaking power, "No problem, I will keep an eye on it."

Compared with a country that occupies such a vast territory, even a single ten‑thousand‑person unit cannot be assembled; in total, they number less than six thousand.

The task is heavy and the road long.

Chen Jiageng nodded and continued, "The fourth department, the Ministry of Justice. For Nanko to stabilize public sentiment and achieve lasting peace, it must have a fair and impartial legal system."

"The function of the Ministry of Justice is to draft laws suited to Nanko's national conditions, regulate citizens' behavior, maintain social order; to establish courts that handle various cases and severely punish illegal crimes, especially the colonial remnants and criminals oppressing Chinese; it also conducts legal education so that citizens understand, obey, and respect the authority of the law.

Its role is like Nanko's 'balance scale', capable of upholding social fairness and justice, resolving disputes, and giving citizens a sense of security, uniting public sentiment, and making Nanko a law‑governed, orderly nation."

"The fifth department, the Ministry of Transportation," Chen Jiageng's tone softened a bit, "Nanko's territories are scattered; connections between Mandalay, Lashu, Jingdong and other regions depend on convenient transportation.

The Ministry of Transportation's function is to coordinate the planning of Nanko's transport infrastructure, repair war‑damaged roads and bridges, especially maintain the Dian‑Mian Highway, ensure smooth material transport and personnel movement; to manage domestic transport industry, regulate order, reduce costs; and also to secure transport hubs against the Japanese Army or criminals.

For Nanko, the Ministry of Transportation is the 'bloodline'; only with smooth transport can coordinated development across regions be achieved, ensuring smooth material supply and troop movements, making Nanko truly a unified whole.

Jiang Anguo interjected, "The Dian‑Mian Highway is of paramount importance; the Ministry of Transportation must focus on its maintenance without any obstruction, as this concerns not only Nanko's material transport but also the supply for the domestic anti‑war effort."

On this point, both agreed that the Dian‑Mian Highway should be prioritized for maintenance to ensure supplies can be delivered inland to support the anti‑war effort.

"The sixth department, the Ministry of Agriculture," Chen Jiageng said, "Most Nanko citizens make a living from farming, especially the plains of Myanmar where the soil is fertile and suitable for cultivation."

"The Ministry of Agriculture's function is to guide citizens in agricultural production, introduce superior crop varieties, improve farming techniques, and increase grain yields; to coordinate agricultural resources, allocate land reasonably, help impoverished citizens solve farming difficulties; to establish a grain reserve system to address shortages and ensure people's basic sustenance."

"Its role is Nanko's 'granary'; people regard food as heaven, and only when agriculture thrives and grain is abundant can public sentiment be stabilized, providing a solid material foundation for the army and government, allowing Nanko to achieve self‑sufficiency without relying on external food aid."

Myanmar has vast fertile fields; if planted promptly, three rice harvests can be achieved in a year.

One can imagine how staggering the rice yield would be.

Especially west of Mandalay, along the Irrawaddy River basin, there are extensive fertile lands—a natural granary stretching for miles.

Southern Myanmar also consists of vast plains suitable for cultivation.

However, Jiang Anguo is no longer satisfied with Myanmar; after a clash with Thai forces, he has turned his attention to agriculture, noting Thailand's huge potential.

Especially the plains around Manggu, the Chao Phraya River plain, with fertile, well‑irrigated soil; even a hundred million people could be sustained.