Chapter 550: The Benevolent Boy, Jiang Anguo

In fact, not only the people who came from the North received this first startup fund.

The 1.1 million civilians under Jiang Anguo also received this money.

Including Myanmar civilians, of course on the condition that they did not cause trouble, but there were far fewer Myanmar civilians; each person only got 3 Nanko yuan.

To provide this first free fund to the civilians, the Nanko government spent a total of nearly 16 million.

However, the money was recovered quickly; in just the first three days, the Nanko yuan in the civilians' hands were spent in Nanko state‑owned stores by nearly three million.

At the same time, it also meant that Jiang Anguo exchanged a large amount of daily necessities.

"How nice, this money goes round and round, ending up in one's own pocket," Jiang Anguo muttered to himself.

In reality it doesn't really go into his own pocket; the money is printed by Nanko and has nothing to do with him, but the items bought with this money are indeed his.

But the money ultimately belongs to the Nanko government.

Of course, to make it more proper, Jiang Anguo also arranged a few agents to cooperate with the Nanko government.

Jiang Anguo, dressed in a crisp military uniform, with guard Xiao Si at his side, was preparing to go to Yangon Airport for inspection, to check the airport's repair progress and defensive deployment.

Just a short distance out, a raucous burst of laughter and cheers came from afar; looking toward the sound, the soldiers of the 200th Division were gathered together, forming a large circle, and the lively atmosphere could be felt from a distance.

Jiang Anguo stopped, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Although the crowd was noisy, one could clearly see that every soldier wore a radiant smile, their eyes full of joy, lacking the battlefield fatigue and tension, and showing a rare relaxation.

"Let's go over and see what our brothers of the 200th Division are up to," Jiang Anguo said to Xiao Si, then.

Getting closer, he discovered that the soldiers of the 200th Division were gathered around several large iron pots, with vigorous fire beneath them, bubbling steam rising, and the rich meat aroma drifting on the wind, refreshing the senses.

The soldier on guard instantly recognized Jiang Anguo, quickly straightened his back, and whispered to his comrade, "Yes, Division Commander Jiang! Yes, the st Division's Jiang Anguo!"

As soon as the words finished, the previously raucous crowd fell silent instantly; all the soldiers set down their bowls and chopsticks, stood up in unison, saluted Jiang Anguo with a standard military salute, and shouted in a loud, orderly voice: "Good day, Division Commander Jiang!"

Jiang Anguo smiled, raised his hand in return, waved and said, "Sit down, no need for formalities, you continue, I'm just here to look around."

Only then did the soldiers sit down, but their eyes still looked at Jiang Anguo with respect, their smiles still radiant.

Jiang Anguo walked to the big pot, glanced down; the Red-braised Pork in the pot was bright and fresh, with a mix of fat and lean, the broth thick and continuously bubbling, the aroma growing richer.

"Wow, today's meal is so good!" Jiang Anguo said with a smile, his tone full of satisfaction.

"This Red-braised Pork looks fragrant just by looking at it."

"Hehe, Division Commander Jiang, our commander is treating us, specially inviting us to eat Red-braised Pork to celebrate our capture of Yangon, and thank Division Commander Jiang for paying us wages!"

"Oh? Division Commander Dai is treating?" Jiang Anguo raised an eyebrow, scanned the crowd, soon spotted Dai Anlan standing aside, and walked over with a smile.

"Division Commander Dai, that's fine, you're willing to spend money to treat the brothers to meat." In front of outsiders, Jiang Anguo would not address the other as brother‑in‑law.

Dai Anlan quickly stepped forward, smiled and saluted, his tone sincere: "Anguo, that's expected. The brothers fought to the death in the Yangon campaign, each earned merit; having a good meal is what they deserve. Moreover, the money isn't mine; thanks to your help, I paid wages to all Expeditionary Forces within our Nanko territory, so I can treat the brothers to a snack."

"Indeed, Division Commander Jiang, thanks to you for paying us wages!"

"In the past, not even wages—just being able to eat a full meal was good enough!"

"Now it's better; we get wages every month, can even eat Red-braised Pork, following Division Commander Jiang, following Nanko, there's a future!"

As long as the Expeditionary Force remains in Nanko, Nanko will pay the Expeditionary Force's expenses.

However, everyone spent money quickly; the first soldiers who received the money had already begun spending it.

Because when they took the money back they didn't know what to buy, but here it's different; the most popular item is still watches, a Nanko watch costs 8 Nanko yuan.

The ordinary soldier's wage is 18 Nanko yuan, Squad Leader 22, Platoon Leader 28, Company Commander 38, Battalion Commander 48, Regiment Commander 58, Division Commander 208.

During wartime, the base wage is increased by 50%, and all Expeditionary Force pay is handled by the st Division, disbursed item by item into the hands of the Expeditionary Force soldiers.

It will not pass through a second person's hands.

Jiang Anguo smiled and nodded, his tone gentle: "Brothers, you've worked hard; winning the Yangon campaign couldn't have happened without each of your contributions. Paying wages, ensuring you eat and dress well, are what Nanko should do."

He paused, then looked at Dai Anlan, "I recall the wage for you is 208 Nanko yuan, right? At current Nanko state supermarket prices, that's not a small amount."

Dai Anlan laughed, scratched his head, and said somewhat embarrassed, "Not to hide from Anguo, it's indeed a lot, but my 200th Division is almost overstrength; the brothers are all hearty men who can eat and drink. Even a single Red-braised Pork meal makes everyone happy."

Jiang Anguo did a quick mental calculation; Dai Anlan spent all that money, and Nanko state supermarket pork is only 0.2 Nanko yuan per jin, the price is indeed very cheap.

But that amount could only buy a thousand jin of pork; that thousand jin, divided among over ten thousand brothers, gives each only a small bite—not enough to satisfy cravings.

Along this route, the 200th Division followed the st Division in battle, and the food wasn't lacking, but during wartime everyone ate canned food, including the st Division under Jiang Anguo, which also ate canned food.

Jiang Anguo listened, couldn't help laughing, patted Dai Anlan's shoulder: "Division Commander Dai, you're still too modest. The brothers follow you into life and death; a single Red-braised Pork meal can't satisfy them fully."

Jiang Anguo also saw that Dai Anlan cared for his own soldiers, but felt embarrassed to speak up.

He turned to the Xiao Si beside him and instructed, "Xiao Si, go immediately contact logistics, transfer four thousand jin of pork here, deliver it, enough for the brothers of the 200th Division!"

Xiao Si's eyes lit up, instantly saluted: "Yes! Commander, I'm on it!"

Having said that, he turned and hurried out.

"Division Commander Jiang, that won't do! Four thousand jin of pork costs a lot; how could you incur the expense? My money is insufficient, but I can add more; I shouldn't trouble you."

Jiang Anguo waved his hand, his tone firm: "Whether it's an expense or not, we're all Expeditionary Forces, all for Nanko, for the common folk; the brothers must eat well to have vigor, to better defend our territory."

He paused, then laughed, "Besides, pork alone isn't enough; the festivity must be complete. Xiao Si, also contact She Pigu's cooking company, have them all come over to help cook, give the brothers of the 200th Division a proper celebration, so everyone can eat heartily and have fun!"

Xiao Si replied from a distance, "Understood! Commander!"