The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 439 Advice from Old Friend Stevenson

The siege was lifted, the artillery was loaded onto trucks, and the tanks returned to the camp, but after being spread by curious onlookers and reporters who ran around quickly, the whole city of Myitkyina was talking about this incident.

The Anmin Army forcibly "reclaimed" three White Eagle soldiers who had committed crimes from the White Eagle.

For a time, people were talking about it.

In the office, Zhang Chi didn't move at all, just looked at the map on the wall quietly without saying a word.

Liu Shengnan pushed the door open and came in, saying softly, "The Security Command called to report that the mission is complete. The three prisoners have been taken to the military prison for custody."

Zhang Chi nodded and said calmly, "Tell them to treat them well and continue to check their backgrounds to see if they have any criminal records or other bad deeds."

"Okay." Liu Shengnan nodded, closed the door and left to make a phone call.

Zhang Chi looked at Zhang Guangsong who was sitting across the desk from him and asked, "Isn't it strange that I made such a big deal out of this little thing?"

Zhang Guangsong swallowed his saliva. In fact, many people in the company now have a feeling of worship towards Bai Ying, and they want to be courteous and give in whenever there is a conflict.

He took the opportunity to ask the question most people had:

"Do you have any special intention in doing this?"

Zhang Chi opened his mouth with only three words: "Set a precedent."

-----

Two days later, a C-47 transport plane painted with the American flag landed at a military airport outside Myitkyina.

The person who walked down the gangway was General Stevenson, the commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in South Asia. Under the bright sun, he wore sunglasses, his face was full of fatigue and displeasure, but he still maintained the restrained demeanor of a soldier.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Chi met with this old friend in the reception room.

"General Zhang." Stevenson took off his sunglasses and gave Zhang Chi a warm hug. "We need to talk. The matter of those three soldiers...has attracted a lot of unnecessary attention."

Zhang Chi smiled and nodded. This was the conversation he had been waiting for.

During the war, it was natural for the Allies to station troops on the territory of the Allied countries, but what about after the war?

If the White Eagle soldiers were to remain stationed on their own country's territory, would this new country still be an independent country?

This "arrest incident" is the first card Zhang Chi is preparing to create, which may play a miraculous role in future negotiations.

"Of course, General Stevenson, you've come all this way and it's been hard work. Please take a seat."

After sitting down, Zhang Chi poured tea himself, being as polite as ever. After all, Stevenson was a good superior and a good friend both in public and in private. Even though there was a conflict between their positions now, their friendship was genuine.

After the greetings, the two quickly got down to business.

Stevenson frowned:

"First of all, I must express my regret on behalf of the United States troops stationed in Myitkyina. Those three soldiers did violate discipline. They were drunk, lost control of their emotions and injured someone.

But they are just young people, good guys, they have been in a foreign country for too long, and their emotions...sometimes they are hard to control.

In fact, this kind of situation happens frequently in the United Kingdom and in Gaul. I have to say, Zhang, you've gone too far this time."

Zhang Chi put down his teacup, his tone steady but firm:

"As a soldier, I understand the pressure soldiers face, and I know they are young. But as a soldier, observing discipline is not only a virtue, it is also a necessity.

What's more, many of the police officers here are veterans and have families.

Three White Eagle soldiers injured police officers and attempted to molest civilians. This is not only a disciplinary issue, but also a criminal case.

Dear Stevenson, if a group of soldiers on duty injured a county or federal police officer within the United States, wouldn't that be a crime? Wouldn't there be a price to pay?

Zhang Chi's question was not loud and his tone was not aggressive, which made it even more difficult for Stevenson, who was already in the wrong, to refute.

He had no choice but to avoid the main point and say:

"Nevertheless, they are active-duty soldiers of the United States, subject to military law, and should be tried by our military courts. Instead of sending military police to surround our base, my God, you almost started a war."

Zhang Chi smiled and said, "We are neither a colony nor a vassal. White Eagle is not a suzerain state. Our relationship is one of equal cooperation, not subordination."

After Zhang Chi said this, Stevenson was speechless, because he knew very well that Commander Luo was planning to establish the United Nations at this time to further attack John and Gaul's global colonial system.

Regardless of the actual situation, the idea that all countries participating in the UN are equal in name only, regardless of high or low status, is the biggest ZZZQ at this time.

Of course he couldn't refute it, otherwise he would be undermining Commander Luo.

Zhang Chi paused and continued:

"Diplomatic personnel and special missions of the United States naturally enjoy diplomatic immunity. This is international practice and also what we have agreed upon. However, ordinary soldiers stationed in your country, especially those convicted of criminal offenses, do not enjoy extraterritoriality.

Since they broke the law on our land, they must abide by our local laws and be tried by our courts."

Stevenson was silent for a few seconds:

"As a friend, I have to warn you that you're playing with fire. The people above you won't compromise with you forever. If the situation changes, you'll be in great danger."

These words were spoken with sincerity, and Stevenson could understand Zhang Chi's thoughts, but the reason why imperialism is imperialism is that it is fundamentally unreasonable.

Now the United States needs to relax and needs a people's security army, so it is natural to compromise temporarily.

However, what should we do if the overall environment changes in the future?

Zhang Chi accepted his old friend's kindness in his heart, but his tone remained calm:

"No, I'm just upholding our own laws and our national dignity. We need the people of this land to accept and understand one principle: no matter how powerful a friend is, they can't do whatever they want."

The atmosphere froze briefly.

The two looked into each other's eyes.

Zhang Chi saw fatigue, apology, and confusion in the wrinkled eyes of the four-star general...

Stevenson saw ambition, strength, and desire in the young man's piercing eyes...

After a moment, Zhang Chi softened his tone and tapped the table lightly:

"Of course, I don't want to put you in a difficult position. I promise you, we will handle the case according to the law. We will not torture or use forced confessions, and we will not set up a private court.

Although these three individuals attempted indecent assault and attacked a patrol officer, the consequences were not serious and they did not use weapons, so according to the new temporary criminal law, the most they could be sentenced to is a fine and hard labor."

"Is there no danger to life?"

Zhang Chi smiled and said, "We are not barbaric devils. Don't worry, their lives will not be in danger. As long as they sincerely repent through labor, I believe they will be released in a few years without any harm."

Stevenson looked at Zhang Chi and didn't speak for a long time.

The sunlight outside the window was dazzling and the cicadas were chirping incessantly, as if even the air in this hot land of Myitkyina was making a dry and dry sound.

He knew that this was the greatest kindness Zhang Chi could show.

As for the White Eagle soldiers being captured and tried on the land of an ally, which would eventually lead to international public opinion and a change in the United States' attitude towards aiding the People's Security Army, he believed that Zhang Chi was ready to deal with it.

So he nodded slowly.

"Okay, General Zhang. On behalf of the South Asian theater, I accept your judicial arrangements. But I will require our personnel to be present to observe the entire trial process."

Zhang Chi stood up and shook hands with him again, his expression unchanged: "Of course."