The War of Resistance: From Overseas Chinese Mechanics to King of Nanyang

"A big move?" Upon hearing this word, Cun Xinghui's heart skipped a beat, especially with the recent news that the Japanese army had landed in Yangon and the British army on the front line had collapsed at the first contact. He was increasingly convinced of what Huang Zurong had said before: the British army could not hold Burma, and even if the expeditionary force entered Burma, it would most likely return empty-handed. Therefore, the Cun family should make plans and be prepared for the possibility that Tengchong could not be held.

He knew perfectly well what would happen to the Cun family if Tengchong really couldn't be defended. So during this period, he did ask the Cun family to cooperate with the other side in recruiting soldiers, and even persuaded some of the Cun family members to give it a try.

After all, one of the things these powerful and gentry people like to do most is not to put all their eggs in one basket.

Moreover, the Cun family members who sought refuge there were mainly from collateral branches.

It was purely an unintentional investment. It would be great if there was a return, but it wouldn't matter if there wasn't. As long as the other side was genuinely fighting the Japanese, these cun family members wouldn't desert their posts.

If this gets out, it will definitely be punished according to clan rules.

The Cun family has been able to establish itself in Tengchong for hundreds of years precisely because of its strict clan rules.

"Yes, the Japanese army is transferring elite troops from the mainland southward. They want to swallow up Southeast Asia in one fell swoop." Huang Zurong thought for a moment and then revealed some more information. As for whether the other party would verify it?

It doesn't matter at all. Given the other party's information channels, by the time they find out, it will be too late.

And everything he said was true, so he had nothing to worry about, and it sounded very natural to him.

As expected, upon hearing this, Cun Xinghui's expression changed slightly. If that were the case, it would indeed be a major move. However, in this way, wouldn't the situation on the front lines be able to ease up?

Indeed, the Japanese army's transfer of a large number of elite troops from the mainland did ease the tension on the front lines. Otherwise, how could the mountain city have transferred so many Central Army troops to form an expeditionary force?

It's precisely because the pressure on the front lines has lessened that they've become somewhat more relaxed. Otherwise, it would be the same as before. Do you think the mountain city would dare to mobilize so many elite troops?

Unfortunately, they didn't know that the Burmese battlefield awaited them was even more treacherous, almost wiping out their entire elite force in one fell swoop.

Huang Zurong could only keep this to himself. Even if he spoke out, would anyone believe him?

After all, the people in the mountain town believed that with the help of the British army, they would surely be able to drive the Japanese army into the sea.

"Uncle Cun, how's the expansion of the guard team going?" Seeing that the other person's expression wasn't very good, Huang Zurong asked about the guard team's situation again.

He repeatedly emphasized that the situation was very serious and they needed to make plans early. Unfortunately, the other party remained indifferent, which left Huang Zurong feeling helpless.

"We've already added several hundred people, but as you know, adding several hundred more people puts a lot of pressure on us." Although the Cun family is quite wealthy, having several hundred more people working full-time means that the daily expenses are considerable.

Other gentry and powerful families also donated money and goods, but the current situation is that supplies are scarce, and the little they donated will not last long. As for buying supplies with silver dollars, they can't buy much either.

Because of the shortage of supplies, prices are rising daily, and everyone is scrambling to buy supplies. The price of basic necessities in Tengchong has not risen much, which is because Huang Zurong intervened.

"There's no other way. When the country is in crisis, the gentry and powerful must be prepared to sacrifice their wealth to help the country. Otherwise, if the Japanese invade, they will either be used as blood bags for the Japanese army or become traitors. But wars always end eventually, and they will be purged then. Rather than let the Japanese army benefit them, it's better to spend all their wealth to fight the Japanese army. At least they won't lose their reputation," Huang Zurong said meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Cun Xinghui remained silent. Clearly, the other party's words struck a chord with him. He had been hesitating for some time about whether to give away all his wealth, but he had not yet made a decision. The main reason was that it was the result of hundreds of years of accumulation, and it was something that most people could not do.

"Commander Huang is right. I didn't think things through properly. My Cun family has a blood feud with the Japanese army. It's impossible for us to surrender and become traitors. I'll go back and sell our family property and clan assets to expand our army and prepare for war." Cun Xinghui nodded, clearly having made up his mind.

Upon hearing this, Huang Zurong nodded, believing that Tengchong, with its enhanced strength, should be able to withstand the Japanese army's attack.

After all, the Japanese army had traveled a long distance and could not carry many supplies. As long as they adopted a scorched-earth policy, they would be unable to obtain supplies and would retreat on their own.

Huang Zurong was still discussing some details of the subsequent cooperation with Cun Xinghui.

Meanwhile, at the British headquarters in Yangon, Lieutenant General Thomas Hutton was frowning with worry. Not long ago, Siam announced an alliance treaty with the Japanese army, but had not yet declared war on the Allied powers. However, according to Lieutenant General Thomas Hutton's understanding, the declaration of war should be in the next day or two.

Moreover, the reconnaissance troops at the front reported that Japanese troops had appeared on the border, but they had not yet attacked because they were resting and waiting for supplies to arrive.

After all, it's an expedition, so a lot of supplies will be needed.

This means that war is not far off.

However, as the commander of the British forces in Burma, he was well aware of the nature of the garrison. They could bully the local indigenous people without much trouble, but if they were to face the vicious Japanese army, their chances of success would be slim.

However, he couldn't just do nothing and watch the Japanese army attack, so he prepared to deploy defenses along the Xidang River to prepare for a head-on attack on the Japanese army.

When the plan was proposed, the British officers present remained silent. They exchanged glances, but no one spoke, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"Commander, while the Sittang River is a good place, it's unlikely to stop the Japanese attack. Our troops aren't very motivated, and as far as I know, many locals may be secretly colluding with the Japanese. I'm afraid we'll be in grave danger." Someone raised an objection, arguing that it would be better to concentrate our forces and hold Rangoon rather than deploy defenses along the Sittang River. They also had some gunboats, so the chances of holding Rangoon were probably quite high.

In open battle with the Japanese army in the Xidang River area, the chances of a crushing defeat would likely be even greater.

Of course, such remarks displeased Lieutenant General Hutton. He was aware of the true situation of the troops, but this blatant mention made him feel that his face had been hurt.

"In terms of weaponry, especially artillery, we completely overwhelm the Japanese army." On paper, that is indeed the case, but the real battlefield is not based on paper strength. All aspects must be considered. Clearly, his subordinate's words made Lieutenant General Hutton feel challenged, so he was somewhat annoyed.