Comrade, your ingredients are too complicated.

People feel refreshed when they are happy. After learning that a huge and profitable no-cost deal had been concluded in the border area, Huang He suddenly felt that his sleepiness had dissipated a little.

That’s the Yumen Oilfield.

In the past, when the whole country was in a state of disrepair, the oil field took the initiative to undertake the historical mission of "three major and four outputs". While stably producing crude oil, it also sent tens of thousands of technical backbones to the country.

As the saying goes, the Russians have Baku and the Turks have Yumen. Wherever there is oil, there are people from Yumen.

The value of this cradle of industry is self-evident as it has earned such a reputation that will last through the ages.

"I was so busy teasing Dai Ying and Guo Sui that I almost forgot to tell you something important. The tripartite agreement I mentioned earlier actually contains a restrictive clause."

"The border region can indeed continue to build railways and roads westward, but the control of this route is not entirely in our hands."

"Once the road is open, the Eighth War Zone will share the right to use it with us. If the situation is tight at the front, the headquarters will even have to allocate some transport vehicles to supply fuel to the frontline combat troops."

"But generally speaking, we didn't lose money on this deal. Of course, the premise of all this is that we can continue to control the Yumen Oilfield. Otherwise, we would be making wedding clothes for others."

Just as Huang He was silently calculating in his mind how many civilian factories the new oil field could save him, the Army restructuring expert once again dropped a bombshell.

But come to think of it, you can say that Baldy's military talent is only slightly higher than Marshal Mai, but he still has some experience in doing business.

As for the true thoughts of the preserved fruits, it is not difficult to guess.

He is simply eyeing TG's advanced oil extraction equipment and wants to take it for himself in three years, and at the same time get a railway or highway leading directly to the depths of the Northwest for free.

It's a good idea, but it's too naive.

The tripartite agreement will end in the second half of 1945, and by then the preserved fruits will surely be the first to fall out.

At that time, if you want to steal something, it will depend on how powerful the iron wall of the Holy Land is.

"I see. I didn't expect there are so many tricks involved."

"To be honest, our Weapons Experimental Research Bureau originally had no plans to continue developing new tanks. After all, with the current performance of the Cicada tank, it is definitely enough to take on the entire field."

"But the situation is different when operating in the Northwest. Considering the local road conditions and the maximum range of the Cicada, the armored forces must be equipped with a light and fast tank."

To be honest, judging from the current intensity of the Asian battlefield, TG basically does not need to form a special medium tank or even heavy tank unit.

Whether it is to deal with the exhausted Japanese army or to prepare for the decisive battle a few years later, various modified versions of the Cicada and wheeled combat vehicles are sufficient to serve as the main armored force.

If someone asks, what about the future Cold War period?
If we don’t develop tanks now to accumulate design experience, how will we withstand the torrent of steel when the time comes?

In this regard, Mr. Huang just wants to say, do you look down on the awakening brave tiger system, or do you look down on TG's impressive ability to explode troops. Iron torrent? Do you mean those 59 modified modifications?

Because there is no pressure on the army, Huang He decided to use the next stage of the decision tree to unlock navy-related equipment.

After all, it was already the second half of 1942, and we didn't even have a decent naval dock.

What kind of nonsense is this? It's simply a slap in the face of the Yellow River.

However, plans cannot keep up with changes. The northwest region to be developed next in the border area is a special case.

If the Cicada tank fights there, the defects in its range and off-road performance will be infinitely magnified.

If the troops want to resolve the battle quickly, or even annihilate the enemy without accepting surrender, they will need a sharper spear.

After a brainstorming session, Huang He first looked at the topographic map around the Yumen Oilfield, and then decisively opened the decision tree for awakening the Yonghu system.

"Prepare for armored forces: Tanks are undoubtedly the spearhead of modern warfare. In order to improve the national defense industrial system and successfully liberate the northwest, we should redevelop a light tank.

Unlock time: 60 days.

Effect 1: Add four military factories outside the map.

Effect 2: Obtain 175 old light tanks T-26.

效果3：系统中军用工厂立即解锁T-26SM1942、喷火坦克OT134、SU-5-2自行火炮和SU-6自行防空车的生产权，并且在现实提供与之对应的全套生产线。」

The specific content of the latest decision made Huang He smile with satisfaction.

For a decision that only takes 60 days to unlock, the four military vehicles and 175 T-26s alone are a steal, not to mention the full range of T-26 modifications.

175 light tanks. As long as we add a certain number of wheeled combat vehicles and various types of auxiliary vehicles, we can train an armored division on the spot.

Those modified drawings can also serve as a reference to help the comrades of the Weapon Experimental Research Bureau to further improve the existing equipment system. After hearing the two key words "light" and "fast", a hint of excitement flashed across General Nie's face.

As an army commander, he naturally has a great passion for armored forces.

"Is it finally the BT series' turn? Is it the BT-7?"

"When I was studying in the north, I saw a prototype car that rushed onto a diving platform at full speed and then flew 30 meters into the air before landing."

“With its Christie suspension and unmatched off-road speed, it’s the perfect weapon for the Northwest.”

"Maybe in my lifetime, I'll have the chance to see the famous scene of sabers chopping down tanks."

Facing the expectant gaze of the army reorganization expert, Huang He nodded subconsciously.

Although this time the decision only includes the T-26 family bucket, based on the previous performance of the Awakening the Brave Tiger system, the next stage will definitely be the BT system tanks.

Most of the war was spent waiting. Only four months was not too long to perfect the light tank system.

"Yes, it is the BT series."

"In addition to the Northwest, it can also shine in the Northeast. There are many virgin forests there, and a smaller light tank can maintain high mobility."

"Mr. Nie, just wait. After the prototype is built, I will definitely find someone to take you for a ride as soon as possible so that you can experience the feeling of being the fastest car in Siberia."

"Haha, great! I believe in the strength of your Weapons Experimental Research Bureau!"

······
After finishing the conversation, the Army Reorganization Expert couldn't help but yawn. The excitement brought by the good news faded, and a feeling of sleepiness naturally came over him.

Seeing this, Huang He quickly ended the topic, helped his colleague up and prepared to go back to his room to sleep.

Just as the two of them left Weiyouxuan and headed straight for the inner house, the army reorganization expert first confirmed that there was no one around, and then asked a slightly sensitive question.

"Before Philip was here, I was too embarrassed to say it. Now that there are no outsiders, I won't be polite to you."

"If I remember correctly, isn't the French High Seas Fleet now under the noses of the Germans? Can our allies really persuade the Vichy Navy to surrender and lead them out of the Mediterranean safely?"

"And Darlan, will his presence affect our plan?"

After hearing the question raised by Mr. Nie, Huang He subconsciously slowed down his pace.

He had only had a brief chat with Old Dai and Philip about the French High Seas Fleet, and the other party did not reveal too many specific arrangements.

But! Key politics is what Huang is best at.

If you can be stumped by questions of this magnitude, then what qualifications do you have to "give advice to others"?

"Although Darlan is the commander-in-chief of the Vichy Armed Forces, he cannot directly command the entire High Seas Fleet. The actual commander of that fleet is Admiral Jean Laborde."

"The main reason why this man pledged his loyalty to Vichy was because he did not want to be disgusted by his old rival. In addition, this man had a personal and professional feud with Darlan, so I believe that Darlan had already successfully won him over."

"After all, the slogan secretly promoted by Free France is to independently counterattack the homeland. I'm afraid no old Frenchman can refuse the value of these eight words."

As it turned out, Huang He’s guesses were almost all correct.

After contacting Old Dai, the officers and sailors of the French High Seas Fleet decisively destroyed the oil gauge and forged reports, and secretly obtained enough fuel to reach North Africa.

Once the time is right, these surface ships will be able to head straight to North Africa and eventually fall into the arms of Free France.

As for the excuse to go to sea?

Of course, it was an attack under orders. The mustache often encouraged Jean Laborde to take the initiative to repel any possible offensive launched by the Allies near Toulon.

By then, with the tiger skin on their backs and the military situation being extremely urgent, who would dare to stop the High Seas Fleet from leaving the port?

After hearing his colleague's interpretation, the Army reorganization expert fell into deep thought, but he soon figured out the twists and turns.

As an old comrade, General Nie's strengths are not only in construction. His political and diplomatic abilities are also not bad. He just lacked intelligence before.

"Yes, I understand. It seems that our allies have quietly made a lot of preparations in the first half of this year."

"I am looking forward to their success." (End of this chapter)