Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 2022, Want to Eat Alone? Dream on.
In the middle of the night, Zhang Yong took off in his plane.

The P-38 fighter jets that had just arrived at Oak Leaf Airfield were quickly refueled.

The British ground support equipment is indeed very advanced.

Mechanized operation is already in place.

The car towed the fuel line over, and then the fuel was poured into the plane's fuel tank with a whooshing sound.

It took less than an hour to refuel more than a ton of fuel. Extremely efficient.

In addition, the wings are equipped with four auxiliary fuel tanks.

The P-38 is a very versatile design. Even without weapons, it can carry four external fuel tanks.

Each auxiliary fuel tank has a capacity of 180 liters. Four of them would have a total capacity of 720 liters, which would increase the range by approximately 1500 kilometers.

Cool.

The flight distance exceeds 5,000 kilometers.

It is almost comparable to the future behemoth B-29.

With the system having a 15% margin, and by saving a little, it might be able to fly over 6,000 kilometers.

So, speed it up!
accelerate!accelerate!
There's no need to be too fuel-efficient.

Soon, they approached the Fantasy-class destroyer.

The plane was incredibly fast. It easily caught up with the surface warship.

5C Communication Center Launched...

and many more.

Suddenly I noticed that the signage had changed.

The original 5C communication center has been transformed into the 5C (Global) Communication Center.

There's an extra set of parentheses. Inside the parentheses are the words "global." Does this mean that global communication will be possible in the future?
Great!

Cowhide!

From now on, you can use your left hand to call Buckingham Palace.

Then, with a phone call to the right, he dialed the Kremlin.

what!
Laugh to death.

Connected to the Fantasy-class destroyer.

"Hey……"

"I am Zhang Yong, and I am about to fly over you."

"Commissioner, are you out on patrol in your plane?"

"Yes."

Zhang Yong answered casually.

Then a fatal problem was discovered.

The only problem is that the Fantasy-class destroyers don't have radar. I wonder if it's possible to refit them?

Without radar, it's very difficult to detect a target first. It also makes one vulnerable to surprise attacks from enemy aircraft.

If it is within the range displayed on the command center map, you can of course remotely guide it.

But what if it goes beyond the area of ​​the air force command map?

For example, what if they could enter the Pacific Ocean to conduct operations via the Strait of Malacca?

Or perhaps they would pass the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and head to the Atlantic to fight?

Without radar, we're sitting ducks!
No, this needs to be addressed.

The question is, how do I solve this myself?

I'm incapable...

[Combat Lab Upgrade]

[Radar module under development]

[Research and development progress 10%...]

A system notification has been received.

Zhang Yong: ? ? ?
Expectantly.

We hope to complete the research and development immediately.

This allows us to seize the initiative.

Unfortunately, no. It's stuck at 10%.

Oh well. As long as there's hope, that's enough.

For the time being, large-scale naval warfare has not yet broken out, and most warships of various countries do not have radar.

As long as radar modules are installed on destroyers before 1942, it's not too late.

Farewell.

Continue flying south.

Gradually, dawn broke. The sky was azure.

They were getting closer and closer to the target submarine, but still no information was displayed.

Keep flying...

300km…

100km…

Reduce speed. Gradually approach the target.

Finally, we've entered the radar map display range. The submarine's detailed parameters are now available.

【France】

[Formidable Class]

【Demantose Garnet】

[Floating displacement: 1500 tons]

[Underwater displacement: 1800 tons]

Surprisingly...

It turned out to be a French submarine.

Really...

I thought it was German.

Since the Air Force Command map doesn't mark it in red, it definitely wasn't Japanese.

So, here comes the problem——

How could a French submarine be here?
What are they doing traveling so far for?
doubt.

Pushing the control stick lowers the altitude, bringing the aircraft closer to the submarine.

The target submarine was moving slowly on the surface of the water, completely unaware that an aircraft was approaching.

After all, Zhang Yong adopted a one-way visual operation.

It means that you can see the target submarine, but the target submarine cannot see you.

See clearly.

It was indeed a massive submarine.

However, no flags were hung. There were no special markings either.

It may have existed before, but it was deleted.

It is slowly sailing on the vast sea.

You can clearly see a large number of sailors emerging from inside to sunbathe.

Life as a submariner is extremely tough. They're cooped up inside the submarine all day. If they get a chance to bask in the sun, they absolutely won't miss it.

However, this must be done under the premise of ensuring safety. Once you enter a war zone, it's impossible to get out.

Clearly, the French did not consider this a war zone. They were not tense.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Yong decided to greet the other party.

With a push of the rudder, it quickly turned and flew straight toward the French submarine.

"airplane!"

"airplane!"

The French submarine immediately realized something was wrong.

damn it!
He was being watched by the plane.

The plane arrived so silently, like a ghost.

The French submariners, who had just come out to sunbathe, were in a hurry to go back inside.

But it's too late.

The hatch is very small. It can only allow one person to pass through at a time.

Those behind could only watch helplessly.

Since the hatch was not closed, the submarine could not submerge.

fortunately……

The plane did not fire.

The French people's anxiety finally subsided.

It seems the other party meant no harm.

Otherwise, now is the best opportunity to open fire.

A single burst of machine gun fire would be enough to severely damage the submarine's hull.

If it's a bombing, even a small 25-kilogram bomb can cause fatal damage to the submarine's hull.

Zhang Yong launches the 5C Communication Center...

No, it's the 5C (Global) Communications Center...

They attempted to access the target submarine.

And it actually connected.

Someone picked up the microphone, "Hello..."

"Are you French?" Zhang Yong asked, of course, in French.

System plugin.

Excellent.

The other party immediately fell silent.

Clearly, they realized this was abnormal communication.

"I am the plane flying overhead. Please identify yourself."

"..."

There was still silence on the other end.

It's likely that he's reporting to his superior.

We don't even know which part of the submarine the system is communicating with.

After a while, someone finally spoke up, "Who are you? We're just passing by in good spirits..."

"We received intelligence that it was a German submarine, so we came to investigate."

"We are French. We are going to the Far East."

"Going to French Indochina?"

"Yes."

"That area has already been occupied by the Japanese."

"what?"

The other party was clearly surprised.

She lost control of her emotions. She seems to be on the verge of a breakdown.

It's like an old man, clinging to the last glimmer of hope, embarking on a long and arduous journey, wanting to reach some destination.

Then he learned that the place no longer existed. Everything he had done was in vain.

Silence. Static can be heard from the microphone.

It looks like something has fallen to the ground.

It also sounds like someone is punching the table hard?

Someone must have lost control of their emotions. They were both feeling dissatisfied and irritable.

“But you can rendezvous with Captain Amanda,” Zhang Yong added, trying to reassure them.

"Who is Amanda?" The other person was clearly unfamiliar with the name.

"She's the captain of a Fantasy-class destroyer. Her husband is Maxim." "So it was her..."

"She's coming to hunt you down with a Fantasque-class destroyer. She thinks you're a German submarine."

"what?"

"Do you have your own internal communication codes? Perhaps we can get in touch with Amanda."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The other person became visibly agitated, as if a drowning person had grasped at a straw.

Then, more jumbled sounds came. It sounded like something else had fallen to the ground. They were probably searching for a codebook or something similar.

This matter is very important.

Otherwise, it would be disastrous if a misjudgment occurred.

It must be understood that the Fantasy-class destroyers have very strong anti-submarine capabilities. They definitely can't defeat them.

Zhang Yong vaguely sensed that there seemed to be another important figure over there.

It's not as simple as just being a submarine captain.

Their rank should be higher than the captain's, possibly much higher.

How should I put it? It was just my intuition during the call. It sounded like I heard someone asking for instructions.

Ignore for now.

Let's wait until they get in touch with Amanda.

Continue the call.

"You can keep heading north and then dock at Gold Rush Bay."

Is Gold Rush Bay a port?

"Yes. It's west of Calcutta. It's my private property."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Zhang Yong. I am a diplomatic envoy of the Chinese government. I was appointed to form the French Foreign Legion in a time of crisis."

"I see."

“You can meet up with Amanda and then return to Gold Rush Bay Port together.”

"That's great."

The other party was clearly delighted. They were barely able to contain themselves.

After a long period of disappointment, new hope has emerged.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Zhang Yong flew away.

There's no need to linger any longer.

The other party should be able to contact Amanda.

We'll discuss the specifics when they return to Gold Rush Bay.

Overall, it's a good thing.

Another group of French people arrived in Calcutta.

The more French people come, the greater their influence, and the more likely the United States will speak on their behalf.

There's definitely no problem with the foreign legion.

It may also grant the French some special powers.

The British were naturally unhappy, but they certainly wouldn't want to escalate the conflict. They had no choice but to endure it.

Fly north...

Gradually approaching the Fantasy-class destroyer.

She silently calculated the time. Amanda and the submarine should have made contact.

Activate the 5C (Global) Communications Center. Connect to the target destroyer.

“Amanda…”

"Commissioner, it's Vice Speaker Spencer who's here."

"Vice Speaker?"

"Yes. The submarine 'Desmodium' carries Vice Speaker Spencer."

"I see."

Zhang Yong seemed to be deep in thought. His judgment was correct.

There was indeed a very important person on board that demigod submarine. It turned out to be the vice-speaker.

However, positions like deputy speaker are often largely nominal. They don't seem to have much real power.

He doesn't seem to be considered a big shot...

"Vice Speaker Spencer is also the Governor of the Burgundy Region."

"is it?"

Zhang Yong suddenly realized.

It turns out the other party was the regional governor.

In France's local administrative structure, the highest level is the region.

The country was divided into more than twenty major regions. The governors of these regions were all powerful officials who controlled their respective territories.

But given the current situation in France, even regional governors seem to be of little use. I wonder what their plans are?

"Amanda, let's talk about this back at Gold Rush Bay port."

"clear."

Zhang Yong ended the call.

Then fly directly back to Oak Leaf Airport.

As soon as I got close, the radar map showed a familiar marker.

Who?
Commander Qian.

strangeness……

He actually came?
No one informed me beforehand!
Was this arranged by the bald guy again?
Is the bald guy worried again?
Grass……

I've already gone all the way to Kolkata, and you're still haunting me?

Very unhappy.

It descended slowly.

Exit the cabin.

Landing.

I saw Commander Qian.

The other person seemed somewhat embarrassed as well.

Clearly, he didn't want to come on this mission. But he had no choice.

Zhang Yong: ...

Forget it. There's no point in getting angry with them.

It must have been the bald guy's idea. Let's ask him what he wants to do first.

"Shaolong..."

"Commander Qian, what are the Chairman's instructions?"

"We hope to open the Yunnan-Burma Road as soon as possible so that aid supplies can be brought in from the outside."

"and then?"

"Then……"

Commander Qian remained silent.

It was obvious that they found it difficult to talk about.

"Go ahead."

"The Chairman wants to establish three new armies."

"what?"

"The Chairman wanted to use the troops airlifted to Calcutta as the core, supplemented with some new recruits, and then form three armies."

"Find me?"

"Um, please try to get our allies to provide weapons and ammunition..."

"Oh……"

Zhang Yong understood.

The bald guy is playing the game of getting something for nothing again.

The troops airlifted to Kolkata this time are all elite soldiers from various ace armies.

Using them as the backbone, supplementing new recruits, and forming a new army, the Whampoa Military Academy's core forces could gain three more armies. This deal was incredibly profitable.

The so-called request for allied support in weapons and ammunition was actually something Zhang Yong had to figure out himself.

Do they really think that aid from allies is free?
He blinked.

"I have no objection. But what about the Guangxi clique and the Yunnan army?"

"They don't need to be concerned for now."

“No. If we are to expand, the Guangxi Clique and the Yunnan Army must be treated equally. Otherwise, I will not be able to carry out my work.”

Zhang Yong stated his position directly.

Want to eat alone?
dream.

"The three armies must be divided into one Guangxi Army and one Yunnan Army."

"Shaolong, be careful..."

"This is my opinion. You should report it directly to the Chairman!"

"Ugh……"

Commander Qian had no choice but to remain silent.

I knew the other party wouldn't agree easily.

Now, even an idiot can see that Zhang Yong has become wary.

He no longer trusts Chiang Kai-shek as much. He's worried that Chiang might take adverse actions against him, so he's being very cautious.

Your Excellency wants to expand your own faction independently, but Zhang Yong will absolutely not agree.

The goal was to bring in the Yunnan Army and the Guangxi Clique as their strong backing.

Ugh……

It's unclear who started this.

Who exactly instigated Chiang Kai-shek to harbor suspicions about Zhang Yong, leading to the current situation?

Once the seeds of doubt are sown, they can never be eradicated.

You will grow when the time is right.

"Also, Commander Qian, you should lead the troops to Delhi to welcome Madam back!"

"I?"

"Yes. I don't have time right now. I'm here dealing with French matters."

"What does the French have to do with this?"

"The French Foreign Legion. I want to use its name to go global."

"you……"

Commander Qian hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Zhang Yong's meaning is to go global?
So, I might rarely go back to China in the future? Unless the Chairman summons me.

This seems like a good thing.

With Zhang Yong focused on overseas affairs, the Chairman no longer needed to harbor suspicions.

Chen Cheng, Dai Jitao, Zhang Qun, and others no longer needed to target Zhang Yong. This would greatly reduce internal friction.

"it is good."

Since it was a good thing, Commander Qian agreed.

Zhang Yong then transferred command of the various army units to Commander Qian, asking him to lead the troops to Delhi.

He continued busy in Gold Rush Bay, tending to his own little corner of the world.

Soon, the first batch of paratroopers from China arrived.

[To be continued]

(End of this chapter)