1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 3648

After the mercenary commander Du Lu briefly explained the functions of this armed force, Dong Shangyi soon realized that the role of the mercenary group is not just to do odd jobs for the regular army. In the special environment of Southeast Asia, this semi-official armed organization can undertake military missions that the regular army is not convenient to perform, which is a very effective tool for Xingdao.

Today's mercenary group has three fully equipped army battalions, each of which is equipped with advanced arms such as artillery, cavalry, and communications. Although its strength is not as good as that of the regular army, it has the ability to carry out low-intensity combat missions independently.

In addition, the mercenary group also owns more than 20 combat ships, including some retired warships from the South China Sea Fleet.

Dong Shangyi silently estimated that if the mercenary group was organized according to the Hai Han Army, it would have at least 2,000 to 3,000 people. Although the number of troops might not seem large, in Southeast Asia, where there were not many major military powers, it was indeed an armed force that could not be underestimated.

There are quite a number of small countries surrounding the Xingdao region. If Hai Han’s regular army is frequently used to deal with regional affairs, it will not only be costly, but will also cause the regional situation to become tense, which will be detrimental to Hai Han’s international image.

The mercenary group's methods and scope of action are much more flexible, and the diplomatic impact it causes is relatively small, making it very suitable for carrying out small-scale military missions to safeguard Hai Han's commercial interests outside the region, such as escorting merchant ships, guarding mines, and guarding overseas institutions.

In addition, this mercenary group will accept some military missions assigned by other countries, which also opened Dong Shangyi's eyes.

According to Trudeau, in the armed conflicts between Southeast Asian countries in the past decade or so, the Xingdao Foreign Mercenaries Group participated in at least one-third of the wars. Moreover, in the wars in which the mercenaries participated, it was common for the employers to be weak, and some small countries relied on the help of the mercenaries to preserve their national destiny.

As for which side the mercenary group will fight for, that depends on who offers a higher price and better conditions.

The price and conditions not only refer to the amount of commission, but also to the closeness of the relationship with Hai Han and Xing Dao, as well as what practical benefits the mercenary group's real owner can bring after assisting in the war.

Thanks to the frequent attacks of the mercenary group, the Xingdao region has obtained the right to develop many mineral deposits in Southeast Asian countries in just over 20 years. Many small countries also regard Xingdao as their patron saint, and when the regime changes and the throne changes, they will specifically ask Xingdao for canonization and recognition.

Hearing this, Dong Shangyi could not help but ask: "Master Du, if both sides of the conflict offer very generous conditions and invite the mercenary group to fight, how should we choose?"

Truro replied, "That's easy. Just take over both sides. We can't let go of a business that comes to our doorstep easily."

Dong Shangyi asked curiously, "How do we do that? Can we help both sides of the conflict at the same time?"

Tru said: "Our mercenary group's mission objectives are also divided into levels. We just need to set them to the lowest level and keep our employer undefeated... After all, the ultimate goal of our employer hiring us is to end the conflict. If the two sides can no longer fight, then that goal has been achieved. When the war breaks out, we will naturally notify both sides, calm the conflict, and enter the negotiation stage in advance."

Dong Shangyi was shocked and said, "If the employer knew that the mercenary group also accepted the other party's employment, would they still pay the bill honestly?"

Du Lu grinned and said, "Of course you can tear up the agreement and refuse to pay the bill, but you will have to bear the consequences yourself. Maybe in a few days, you can only see us on the enemy's position." Dong Shangyi understood. This kind of business of eating both ends is probably something the mercenary group has done many times before. They are already familiar with how to make employers accept the results obediently.

If they accept it, at least they can keep peace and the money is not completely wasted. But if they refuse to admit it, the mercenary group will probably change their stance and help the opponent beat them.

Although Dong Shangyi did not necessarily agree with this approach, he could only sigh in his heart, "It's cruel enough." After all, the mercenary group has the support of Xingdao behind it. Even if the surrounding small countries dare to offend the mercenary group, they cannot afford to offend Xingdao.

Of course, the best part is that even if the neighboring small countries know that the mercenary group may take advantage of both sides and the price is quite high, they still dare not give up this support. It is not difficult to save the money, but if the opponent bites the bullet and pays for the mercenary group, it will be a big trouble.

Hiring the Xingdao Mercenaries would at least ensure that they were invincible. If they were not hired just to save money, it would likely lead to a disastrous defeat on the battlefield, and the loss would likely be far greater than the cost of hiring the mercenaries.

Therefore, the question of whether to hire the Xingdao Mercenary Group has gradually developed into a disguised arms race. Any country in this region that is preparing for war must consider hiring this armed force. This special weapon can be placed in the formation without use, but it must not be absent.

And Sing Tao is also constantly exerting influence on regional countries through this special tool. To put it nicely, it is mediating conflicts between countries. To put it bluntly, it is adjusting and balancing the forces of various parties in the region according to its own interests.

Of course, mercenary groups are limited by their nature, and the tasks they can accomplish are also limited. For example, when Xingdao wants to expand its actual control area and establish long-term colonies, it cannot send out mercenary groups, and still needs to dispatch Haihan regular troops that can represent national power.

Xingdao's expansion into the Indian Ocean and the New World in the South all followed this principle.

Of course, with the current expansion trend of Star Island, the scale of both the regular army and the mercenary group has lagged far behind the actual demand, so Qian Tiandun led the special operations division south to Star Island, and the two sides jointly marched westward to the Indian Ocean.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

After waiting for many days on Xingdao Island, Dong Shangyi finally waited for the ship that was left on Anbuna Island for repairs, so he said goodbye to Roger Tan and prepared to go to the next destination.

Although the sea route from Fujian to Xingdao had been opened up and the predetermined goal had been achieved, Dong Shangyi still did not want to stop there. He hoped to go to the border of Xingdao to see if there was a chance to extend Fujian's reach to further places.

The Southern New World is still under military control, and given the special relationship between Fujian and Luzon, Sing Tao will definitely not provide him with the opportunity to visit the New World.

The only direction left is the Indian Ocean. Dong Shangyi really wants to see what the special operations division that is fighting alone in the Indian Ocean is like now.

Although the frontline Hambantota Port is more than 5,000 miles away from Sing Tao Island, if one can meet the legendary figure Qian Tiandun and establish some friendship for Fujian, then this long journey will be worth it.