Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 2014, Laying a Solid Foundation
The British colonel was named Kane.

A very common British name.

Kane seems to be a rather simple and down-to-earth guy.

How should I put it? I'm not very good with words.

They speak quite directly.

He wanted to make a deal with Zhang Yong.

They wanted to obtain some heavy weapons from Zhang Yong.

Therefore, there was no beating around the bush.

The offered price is also very attractive.

It's a 105mm howitzer, equivalent to one hundred acres of private land.

If it's 155 millimeters, that's two hundred acres.

Note that this is private land.

It has permanent ownership. The governor signed and confirmed it. The king acknowledged it.

For just one 155mm howitzer, you could acquire private land of nearly one square kilometer. That's certainly tempting.

The problem is, Zhang Yong feels that this territory is still too small.

Even with three hundred 155mm howitzers, it would still cover less than three hundred square kilometers.

It's not even the size of a town in later times. Not worth it.

So, let's switch to another one.

“Mr. Kane, I have something better.”

"what?"

"The French's Fantasy-class destroyers."

"what?"

Kane was utterly shocked.

There was a long silence. I was sure I hadn't misheard.

The ship mentioned was indeed the French Fantasy-class destroyer. It was a naval warship.

It's not army artillery.

It's a naval destroyer!

I was instantly smitten.

The British needed warships more than artillery.

Ideally, the Germans could be kept at sea, thus eliminating any worry about a German landing.

"How is this possible?" Kane exclaimed incredulously.

“Nothing is impossible now,” Zhang Yong said slowly and deliberately.

Kane fell silent again.

Indeed. The situation in France is very chaotic right now.

It was so chaotic that no one could accurately describe it.

Given such a chaotic background, it is indeed possible to salvage some warships from it.

After being attacked by the British Royal Navy, the surviving French warships gathered in Toulon or North African ports, and were not under the command of each other.

French Admiral Darlan was the nominal commander-in-chief, but his actual control was very limited.

To put it bluntly, morale has collapsed, and the team is difficult to lead.

The French are already divided.

The French Navy was no exception.

How many ships do you have? When can you deliver them?

Five ships.

"Where are you located now?"

"Just passed the Cape of Good Hope. We're on our way at full speed."

"what……"

Kane was thinking quickly.

He found the news truly unbelievable.

Reason told him that it was almost impossible.

How could a Chinese person possibly acquire five Fantasy-class destroyers?

However, his emotions told him: What if it's true? What if the other side really does have five destroyers?
It must be understood that at this very moment, the British Admiralty was frantically trying to find ways to increase naval power, even at a heavy cost.

In order to obtain fifty destroyers from the United States, they were willing to hand over many important islands.

Although it's nominally a loan, it's basically a free loan.

Trading islands for destroyers.

Moreover, the locations of those islands are all very important.

They are all located in key positions in the Atlantic Ocean.

The British would never have given up unless it was a truly critical moment.

"I want to see them as soon as possible."

"of course."

"Now, you can name your terms."

"You speak first."

"I need to go back and report to His Excellency the Governor."

"it is good."

Zhang Yong nodded.

Delaying the process would naturally be the best option.

During this period, the British will certainly have a very good attitude towards the National Revolutionary Army.

Given the possibility of destroyers, if the Nationalist army clashes with other Commonwealth forces, the British will certainly side with the Nationalist army.

This is the so-called "official" attitude.

On this land, the British are the so-called "officials," possessing the final say.

That's no problem.

As long as the British don't cause trouble in their official stance, they have absolutely nothing to fear in private conflicts.

"please."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Zhang Yong saw the man off.

Then stretch. Feels good.

Unexpectedly, this trip abroad has yielded such a rewarding experience.

There is a port...

There is the Indian Ocean...

In an instant, I felt the world was vast.

Everything in the system is now working.

Although I don't have enough manpower to build a navy yet, I can gradually work on it in the future.

Oh, right, we need to bring a few French people over.

At that time, a fleet will be established under the joint name of the French and the Chinese.

If only Chinese people were used, the British would probably obstruct it again. But with French involvement, it's a different story.

One very important figure in this is Washington.

Washington is currently absolutely supporting the French, but not the Vichy government.

That lame president certainly didn't want the French to fall completely, and then for the British to become the sole superpower.

There are too many grudges involved. It's too complicated to discuss.

However, you only need to remember one sentence—

The true founding father of the United States was not Washington, but Louis XVI.

The French played a significant role in enabling the United States to gain independence.

In the end, Louis XVI even gave up his own head.

Can you guess why the treaty recognizing the independence of the United States is called the Treaty of Paris?
Take back your thoughts.

I feel great.

"Little sister, you sit at the bow of the boat..."

"My brother is walking on the shore..."

Humming a little tune.

Wang Yaowu looked at him curiously.

Strange, is the Commissioner in such a good mood?
What exactly did the British say just now?
"report!"

Suddenly, an officer arrived.

It is said that locals sent a large amount of vegetables and fruits.

Everything is very fresh.

It should have been transported directly from the market.

"For us?"

"Yes. They said it was arranged by the lord's manor."

"The lord's manor?"

Wang Yaowu said he couldn't understand it at all.

The British system of governors and lords is completely different from that of China.

"Let them in. Take it all."

"Yes."

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

It was probably Kane's arrangement.

Everything was done for the sake of the five destroyers.

In fact, the system can currently only provide three Fantasy-class destroyers.

However, Zhang Yong deliberately said five ships.

It's okay to exaggerate a little. It might actually increase after a while.

It doesn't matter if it doesn't exist. Just make up an excuse.

Using them to whet the appetite of the British would be ideal. At the same time, it would also bring the most benefits to the National Revolutionary Army.

Sure enough, fresh vegetables and fruits were delivered right away. The Nationalist army didn't have to pay for it themselves.

"Old Wang, let's go take a look."

"it is good."

The two arrived outside the military camp.

Sure enough, I saw a large number of wheelbarrows. A local specialty.

There were also many women wrapped in colorful robes, carrying baskets of fruit on their heads, waiting in line.

Zhang Yong glanced at it and found that the variety of fruits was indeed very rich.

The most abundant fruit was mango. Then came watermelon. Then jackfruit. All tropical fruits. "Excuse me!"

"Give way!"

Then a large number of vendors arrived, bringing truckloads of bananas.

During the Republican era in China, Zhang Yong rarely saw bananas, especially in the Central Plains region.

Even in the Fourth War Zone, bananas were scarce.

But here, there are so many bananas that they seem to cover the entire Oak Leaf Airport.

I couldn't name many of the vegetables. But one of them was probably chickpeas. And there was also a lot of fish.

Fish meat...

Ruined.

Please don't catch it from the Ganges!
If it's caught from the Ganges, I absolutely cannot accept it. I'm worried it will kill me if I eat it.

"Consort Xiao!"

"I'm coming!"

Zhang Yong summoned Xiao Yafei and asked her to communicate with the locals.

It was indeed learned that the document was sent by order of the Lord's Palace in Calcutta.

This lord's residence is one level below the governor's residence. It is responsible for managing the port of Calcutta and the surrounding area.

Thirty years ago, the British Governor's Office was in Calcutta; it was only moved to Delhi in 1911.

Therefore, Kolkata's urban area is very bustling. It's even more bustling than the newly built Delhi.

So he happily accepted it.

Various kinds of fruit were distributed to the troops, who cut them up and ate them on the spot.

Watermelon and jackfruit are the most popular.

In such sweltering heat, watermelon is simply a lifesaver.

"Mr. Commissioner."

“Mr. Bill”.

The lord's manor also sent a clerk.

My specific role is to liaise with Oakleaf Airport and determine what supplies they require.

Rice, flour, salt, and sugar are not needed.

Zhang Yong can handle it himself.

All you need are fresh vegetables and fruits.

Of course, if there were pork... oh, that's rare. There are almost no pigs raised locally.

It's all beef or lamb, or maybe fish.

Fish is very cheap.

Because fishing operations are very developed along the coast.

If you buy it in pounds, one pound can buy more than 200 pounds of fish.

Note that it's fish fillets, not the whole fish. It's fish fillets, with the bones, head, and tail removed. Just individual slices of fresh fish meat.

"The prices here are really cheap!" Wang Yaowu exclaimed.

"The region is rich in natural resources." Zhang Yong nodded.

Indeed, tropical regions are incredibly rich in all kinds of produce.

Just look at those bananas; it's like they're free.

It is said that there is no need to plant them at all; they are all gifts from nature.

Even rice can be harvested three times a year. In some areas, it can even be harvested nine times in two years. It's simply terrifying.

However, these exceptionally favorable conditions have fostered a very lazy local population.

So they held a feast and had a big meal.

Subsequent transport planes arrived one after another, bringing in large numbers of Nationalist troops.

The Nationalist soldiers who arrived later were in for a treat. They were served a sumptuous meal as soon as they got off the plane.

Not only did the meals include fish, meat, and Xuanwei ham, but there was also plenty of fruit.

Compared to domestic holidays, it's even more elaborate than a festival.

"too delicious!"

"too delicious!"

They couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The only unpleasant thing is that it's too hot.

I was sweating profusely. My uniform was always soaked. It never dried.

2000...

3000...

More and more Nationalist troops arrived.

Gradually, the airport began to fill up. It could no longer accommodate any more Nationalist troops.

We need to expand the camp area. We need a new base.

Just then, Kane returned, accompanied by an English gentleman with a cane.

Kane introduced the man with great seriousness, saying he was Lord Edward from the British mainland and had served in the British Army.

Because of his injury, he was sent to Calcutta to help with some work.

The main task is to raise various resources.

Upon hearing that Zhang Yong possessed five Fantasy-class destroyers, he immediately rushed over.

“Mr. Commissioner…”

"Your Excellency, do you know Catherine?"

"Of course I do."

"It's the cargo ship I sold to her."

"is it?"

Baron Edward immediately swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

He knew about this. Because ultimately, those cargo ships were all under his control.

Many of the cargo ships that Catherine sent arrived directly at the port of Calcutta, loaded various resources, and then sent them back to the British Isles.

However, Catherine consistently cited secrecy as the reason for not mentioning the origin of the cargo ship.

Unexpectedly, it came from the person in front of me.

"of course."

"It seems we can start discussing the price directly."

"I also have a large cargo ship with a displacement of 12000 tons, Your Excellency. Are you interested?"

"How many?"

"Thirty ships."

"Oh my god, am I supposed to give you a whole kingdom?"

"It's not a bad idea."

Zhang Yong remained calm, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

In fact, this is exactly what he needs. Small-scale tinkering is meaningless.

If we're going to do it, let's do it on a big scale.

One state probably wouldn't be enough. But several thousand square kilometers should be no problem.

It was roughly the size of a county in later times.

Perhaps some smaller states, with an area of ​​only a few thousand square kilometers, are just right.

Adding to the private land Catherine had given him in the Lambgar area, it seems he can now be a large landowner here.

Of course, it doesn't matter.

the most important is……

Lay a solid foundation now, and you can rely on it from ancient times onward...

what!
Just thinking about it makes me excited.

"Commissioner, we really need to have a serious discussion."

"Start now?"

"it is good."

Baron Edward couldn't wait.

Their attitude was very sincere. There was no time for pretense.

Because what Zhang Yong possesses is exactly what they need most. Playing games with him would only waste precious time.

"map."

"coming."

The attendant presented the map.

Baron Edward picked up a pencil, ready to draw a circle.

Zhang Yong took the pencil and drew a circle directly on the map. An oval shape.

"how?"

"All right!"

Baron Edward readily agreed.

And so, the deal was settled happily.

The area circled by Zhang Yong is actually not very large, approximately 1,300 square kilometers. It is quite far from the city center.

But that doesn't matter. What he needs now is area, not distance.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Baron Edward took his leave.

He needs to go back and confirm with other people before signing the documents.

"Commissioners, can they be trusted?"

"Now?"

"What if they change their minds..."

Wang Yaowu had no goodwill toward the British people's credibility.

I always feel like the British are ripping people off everywhere.

"Not yet."

Zhang Yong was full of confidence. He nodded with a self-assured air.

Now is the time when the British are in a real bind. They're willing to pay any price.

At least until the United States intervened, the British were in dire need of assistance, especially in terms of ships.

I absolutely won't back out now. But who knows what the future holds.

However, those are all things for the future. There will be a way to deal with the future.

just now……

arrangement!

[To be continued]

(End of this chapter)