Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 3092 The Twin Heroes of the Han Dynasty Go to Southeast Asia

"We're not coming back."

Yang Xiaotao's affirmative words made both of them look up. Old Chen opened his mouth as if to ask why, but in the end he didn't ask.

Li Rong picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and then asked, "Why didn't you come back?"

Yang Xiaotao also picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then began to analyze.

"First of all, this incident cannot be viewed in isolation; it must be considered as a whole, a single, large ingrate."

"Their actions, both before and after, undoubtedly prove one fact: they covet our island."

"And that is their true nature."

At this point, Yang Xiaotao looked at Li Rong and said, "This essence is tacitly understood and doesn't need words."

"So no matter who kills the other or who unifies the country, they will do the same thing."

"Under such circumstances, do you think the other party would still consider the matter of 'paying back debts'?"

Li Rong shook her head. She had thought about this long ago, but she was still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

I treated people with sincerity, yet I was treated like this.

They're the most ungrateful of all.

Yang Xiaotao continued, "Secondly, you are also aware of the current international situation."

"There's no chance that someone might be trying to stir up trouble here."

"Now that someone in Bei'an is speaking up for them, do you think they might renege on their debt?"

"Definitely."

Old Chen nodded in agreement, "The alliance has already started, and I guess they're behind it."

"Third, and most importantly."

Yang Xiaotao said solemnly, "I remember at the very beginning, they wanted us to provide assistance free of charge."

"Correct."

Old Chen nodded.

"But later it became paid aid. Although the alliance was the one who got ripped off, they might not see it that way."

"Perhaps, in their eyes, we are just making money off them."

"After all, it's more painful to see others make money than to not make money yourself."

"So, the aid we give them will not only fail to elicit gratitude, but they might even curse us in their hearts."

As soon as Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, Li Rong's fingers twisted together, and her face turned pale with anger.

Behind them, Liu Lixue and Secretary Guo held their breath, their faces filled with anger.

Upon careful consideration of human nature, they can conclude that Yang Xiaotao's statement makes sense.

"There are three reasons why they might feel that the money we're giving them is something we owe them, and why should we pay it back?"

"So, if we try to ask for it back, they'll probably come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid paying."

After Yang Xiaotao finished his analysis, there was a moment of silence in the office.

Old Chen started coughing again. He had been sick with a cold before the Lunar New Year and had just recovered afterward. But hearing about this, he couldn't help but cough again.

This is over 20 billion yuan worth of material aid.

It was saved by the people of the country through frugality and tightening of their belts, and processed bit by bit by the workers of the country. How could he be willing to let it all go to waste like water?

"But it's not like there's no way!"

Yang Xiaotao suddenly spoke, his expression instantly relaxing. This sight prompted Old Chen to grab the glass on the table, gulp down the water, and then take a deep breath. "Speak!"

A single word encapsulates Mr. Chen's feelings.

Yang Xiaotao was certain that whatever solution he came up with now, Old Chen would agree to it.

Even Li Rong, who was standing to the side, showed an expectant look, not to mention Liu Lixue and Secretary Guo behind her.

"Leader, from this moment on, stop all aid under the pretext of preparing for war."

Not a single grain of food is allowed to pass.

Not a single bullet.

Li Rong had also considered this approach, but was afraid of making things too obvious, so she asked, "If we do this, won't the other party turn around and accuse us of having ulterior motives?"

Yang Xiaotao shrugged. "Let them think that way."

"If you want the money you lent out back, you either have to be humble and act pitiful."

"Either you have to be tough enough."

Li Rong listened without saying anything more, after all, they were just providing solutions, and how the higher-ups made their choices was up to them.

Old Chen's eyes flickered, then he said, "Continue."

Yang Xiaotao nodded, "As I said before, Nan'an, that ingrate, must have reached an agreement with the north, so let's test our attitude."

"Therefore we cannot hesitate; we must be resolute, decisive, and ruthless."

"Furthermore, I heard that when the United States left, it left them a number of second-hand ships, which greatly increased their naval strength and made them a little overlord in Southeast Asia."

Li Rong continued, "Yes, this matter started last year. The United States couldn't take so many ships with them, so they left them with Nan'an to give them more strength first."

"According to our investigation, they have a total of seven destroyers over 1,000 tons, six large frigates, four minesweepers, and hundreds of nuclear patrol boats and armed speedboats."

Li Rong gave a brief overview of the situation; although there was no specific information, it was enough.

Yang Xiaotao scoffed, "They're just chickens and dogs. Do they really think whoever has more boats wins?"

He then continued, "My method is simple: after we crush those guys in Nan'an, we'll make them pay compensation."

"We'll pay 20 billion in compensation."

"Two hundred billion?"

Li Rong exclaimed in surprise, and Yang Xiaotao nodded, "This is called equivalent transfer."

What if they refuse to give it to them?

Yang Xiaotao shrugged again, "Then beat him up."

"I might have some reservations about beating up the guys in the north, but what's there to be afraid of about those guys in the south?"

"If the alliance dares to jump out and interfere, what will the member countries think?"

"Even if the United States had finally managed to get out of this mess, it wouldn't want to wade into this muddy water again."

Yang Xiaotao smiled confidently, knowing that the country's military strength was rapidly increasing.

Airplanes, missiles, tanks, and the strongest green military uniform on earth with red shoulder patches.
If things really escalate, those people will probably just shout a few words, and it's impossible for them to actually get involved.

Of course, we must also prepare for the possible outcomes of the opponent's actions.

But don't worry, these days the barefoot aren't afraid of those wearing shoes, and besides, Lanju can also deliver packages.

This is a powerful weapon for high-altitude, high-speed penetration. If we were to risk it all, even the United States across the Pacific would have to think twice.

This is an unspoken understanding between them.

"As long as we fight resolutely, show our strength and prestige, these ingrates will have to cower in fear from now on."

"And those guys in Southeast Asia need to behave themselves too."

"Warn them that we can also raise our fists."

After Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, Old Chen and Li Rong looked at each other and then pondered in their hearts.

If we follow Yang Xiaotao's method, we can actually recover some money.

However, as I said before, whatever you do, you have to follow the guidelines from above.

If the higher-ups have set the tone, they must follow that tone.

After the three of them discussed the possible scenarios for a while longer, Yang Xiaotao left. In the car.

Liu Lixue looked worried.

"Mr. Yang, do you think it might really escalate to an uncontrollable point?"

Yang Xiaotao was resting with his eyes closed, thinking about how to deal with the situation ahead. If things really got out of hand, economic development would have to give way to military development.

At that time, we will need to increase our efforts in developing weapons and equipment.

At the very least, we need to develop carrier-based aircraft.

Hearing Liu Lixue say this, Yang Xiaotao opened his eyes and asked, "What do you consider to be an irreparable situation?"

Liu Lixue hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Yang Xiaotao suddenly laughed, "We're not the ones who should be worried right now."

"It is they who should consider whether things should escalate to an uncontrollable point."

Liu Lixue listened thoughtfully, then fell silent.

Upon returning to the Ninth Division, Yang Xiaotao immediately held a meeting with Li Hongfeng and Lao Hong.

First, the situation was explained, and both of them were furious upon hearing it.

Of the 20 billion in debt, one is a portion of the nine departments.

Especially the Mole Assault Vehicle, nine of these are still in production.

In addition, there's artillery reconnaissance radar, which the other party hasn't paid for in full either.

There are also some civilian equipment that are on credit.

"Don't spread this news yet. What we need to do now is to cancel the existing orders as soon as possible, and don't ship the products that have already been produced."

"By the way, we can send them to the troops stationed in the south."

Yang Xiaotao offered a reminder, and the two nodded in agreement.

Regardless of whether the money can be recovered, the first priority is to ensure that no more money is given.

As for the other departments, Yang Xiaotao will also give them a heads-up, and they'll postpone it.
After speaking with the two men, Li Hongfeng immediately went to find Wang Fa to explain the situation in detail.

Yang Xiaotao then called Huang Lao, Wang Lao, and others one by one.

Although no decision has been made yet, Yang Xiaotao has already told the others not to send supplies to Bei'an during this period.

When asked, I would say that industrial restructuring would require a postponement of material production.

They all understood Yang Xiaotao's meaning, and tacitly agreed with each other.

The next day, after Yang Xiaotao received the news from Old Chen, it once again proved the wisdom of the higher-ups.

Just as Yang Xiaotao had thought.

Shanghai.

On the guided-missile cruiser Wei Qing, President Zhou, Dean Qu, Zhang Wu, and Yang Youning, representing the Ninth Department, along with other high-ranking officials, stood on the dock to cut the ribbon for the launching ceremony of Wei Qing.

Zhang Kangzhan, the first captain of the Weiqing, held the flag with both hands, his face resolute.

As a veteran sailor, Zhang Kangzhan proved his ability with a series of combat achievements.

As captain of the gunboat HMS The Hague, he fought bravely against the enemy and directly captured a submarine chaser, which later became known as the Li Guang.

After becoming the captain of the missile cruiser Li Guang, he launched numerous sorties and achieved victories. He also participated in the defense of the Shanghai shipyard, achieving remarkable results.

As the first captain of the Weiqing, he naturally met the hardware requirements.

In other aspects, it's not bad either.

At the very least, the fact that the Weiqing satellite could be built meant that there were opinions from the investors.

I won't go into details here.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was about to end, and Zhang Kangzhan was about to take the Weiqing ship to carry out its first mission.

In the distance, on the sea, Zhang Shengli stood on the Huo Qubing, gazing at the massive hull of the Wei Qing with envy in his eyes.

He had nothing to say when his eldest son became the captain of the Weiqing.

After all, he was the captain of the Huo Qubing.

However, in comparison, Huo Qubing only weighed a little over a thousand tons, while Wei Qing weighed over six thousand tons. The difference is too great.

The sound of the first mate's footsteps came from behind him. Zhang Shengli quickly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, then turned around and asked, "Is the fleet ready?"

The first mate nodded. "Let's rendezvous with the Weiqing and then return to join the fleet."

"By the way, the north has also sent two destroyers and four gunboats this time, we're going together."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shengli bit his lip. "These guys are just here to steal the credit."

"With our two great heroes here, why would we need them?"

Zhang Shengli spoke with dissatisfaction, but the first mate behind him looked speechless.

What "Twin Heroes of the Han Dynasty"? This guy is really patting himself on the back.

The Wei Qing ship at least weighs 6,000 tons, while our Huo Qubing ship is just too cheap.

However, it does have some significance.

As the saying goes, "Though they are far away, they will be punished."

They used to be in the north, but now they've moved to the south.

They're all the same.

Seemingly noticing the first mate's embarrassment, Zhang Shengli didn't mind and simply waved his hand, "Have the fleet slow down, we'll wait for the Wei Qing to come aboard."

"Also, get those ships in the north to regroup as soon as possible, don't dawdle."

"Yes!"

The first mate left immediately.

Zhang Shengli, however, took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze and then remembered what his father had said to him and his brother in his office last night.

Uh, I must have heard what my cousin on the other end of the microphone said.

"My two cousins, don't hold back this time."

"For every ship you destroy, I'll give you double the funding to build ships."

"no sooner said than done."

A few simple words, yet they made the three men in the room feel excited.

Their cousin is no ordinary person; he's currently planning a fleet production program, which is basically funded by the Ninth Department.

However, since this part of the fleet will be divided equally, there won't be many slots left for their Shanghai fleet.

Now that he has his cousin's guarantee, doesn't that mean he can get double the return no matter how many ships he destroys?

Moreover, this matter does not violate orders from superiors.

This can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, Zhang Shengli looked at the Weiqing ship approaching from afar, then at the small boat beneath his feet, and made up his mind that he must achieve more victories and acquire a larger warship.

Woo woo

As the whistle of the Weiqing rose into the sky, the Huoqubing also began to change course, and then the two missile cruisers quickly sailed south.

Moments later, Zhang Kangzhan, as the commander of the fleet, issued the first order.

All fleets assembled and regrouped.

Before long, a fleet consisting of four small destroyers and more than ten gunboats, minesweepers, and other vessels was formed.

Meanwhile, beneath the surface ahead of the fleet, a submarine flotilla led by the Jiaolong was also slowly sailing, with four figures like assassins in the deep sea, advancing relentlessly towards their target.

At this moment, the eyes of the entire world began to focus on it.