mesbooks Chapter 216: Star City? Must be taken!
Chapter 216: Star City? Must be taken!
Zhang Chi felt a tightness in his heart when Mr. Chen raised the question about the future of Star City.
Although Mr. Chen mentioned not only Star City but also other large cities dominated by the Nanyang Qian people on the Malay Peninsula, Zhang Chi knew very well that as a native of Star City, Mr. Chen was undoubtedly most concerned about the fate of that land.
Star City, a strategic location located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and adjacent to the Strait of Malacca, is crucial to shipping in the entire South China Sea and even the world.
As long as you control Star City, you will control the golden waterway connecting the East and the West.
However, precisely because of this, the value of this city has made it coveted by various forces.
The United Kingdom of John, the United States of White Eagle, and even the Russian bear in the north are all eyeing it covetously, thinking about how to get a piece of this strategic treasure land.
In the original time and space, the John people only reluctantly granted Star City autonomy in 59, 14 years after the Japanese surrendered and the end of World War II. It was not until 63 that they allowed Malays, including Star City, to become independent.
Zhang Chi had already made plans for the future of a city as vital as Star City.
Although Mr. Chen's question was broad, it was undoubtedly a test of his stance on Star City.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Zhang Chi's voice became steady and firm:
"As the commander of the People's Security Army, the word 'An' encompasses not only our own land, but also the hearts of all the Chinese in Southeast Asia. Xingcheng is still under the iron hoof of the Japanese invaders. It is my duty to liberate it."
After Mr. Chen heard that Zhang Chi agreed to liberate Pegu and continue to use foreign military force, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, as if the stone that had been hanging in his heart had finally fallen to the ground.
Zhang Chi's reply made him feel relieved:
"With Commander Zhang's assurance, the people of my hometown finally see hope of relief. On behalf of the 80 people of Xingcheng, I would like to thank Commander Zhang in advance."
As he spoke, he saluted Zhang Chi again, with a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.
Zhang Chi just smiled slightly and waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to thank him.
Zhang Chi naturally understood Mr. Chen's feelings about the Japanese atrocities in Xingcheng.
In this land, overseas Chinese have long suffered from massacres and oppression. The sooner the Anmin Army liberates this city, the fewer innocent people will die.
"But what happens after we drive away the devils?" Mr. Chen's tone changed, and his eyes became sharper, as if he couldn't help but want to find out what Zhang Chi was thinking.
Zhang Chi did not rush to answer. He raised his hand and squeezed the teacup, looking at Mr. Chen with deep eyes. After a moment, he slowly spoke:
"The affairs of Star City should be decided by the people of Star City themselves. Whether it's the devils, the Johns, or other outsiders, the future of Star City can only be controlled by the people of Star City themselves."
When he said this, his tone was firm, as if all foreign oppressors were not worth mentioning in his eyes.
Mr. Chen nodded slightly, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.
He knew very well that Zhang Chi's words represented the wishes of the people of Xingcheng.
Since 1931, before the war, the annual number of native births in Xingcheng has exceeded the annual number of immigrants. The Qian people, in particular, have taken root in this land and developed a strong sense of belonging and home.
However, the problem is that the geographical location of Star City is too critical. Although the Qian people have a sense of belonging, they lack sufficient military force to protect themselves.
Despite the strong reputation and strong foundation of the local Qian people within Star City, the major families were still unable to compete with these foreign colonial forces. Without military force, their long-cherished goal of self-governance became an empty promise.
But now, the appearance of Zhang Chi has given them new hope.
With his powerful military force, Zhang Chi became a key figure in the war in Southeast Asia.
What the people of Xingcheng, represented by Mr. Chen, most hope for is to repeat the story of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Free City of Hamburg, with Xingcheng paying money to buy Zhangchi's military force to protect themselves, which is a protection fee model.
However, after Mr. Chen arrived and saw with his own eyes how elegant Zhang Chi was and how much he had achieved at such a young age, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart - could Zhang Chi also have ambitions?
Can he truly let the Qian people of Star City control their own future, or is his arrival just to replace the rule of the John people and gain more power for himself?
After driving away the emperors like John, we welcome Marshal Zhang?
Mr. Chen didn't express this doubt explicitly, but the temptation in his heart was quietly conveyed in the exchange of glances.
Zhang Chi smiled without saying anything, with a meaningful smile on his lips.
The moment he met Mr. Chen's gaze, he knew clearly that in the eyes of this Star City leader, he might be both a hope and a threat.
He must go to Star City.
But this time he didn't plan to act in a domineering manner. After all, on the one hand, NATO and the Warsaw Pact were watching from the outside after the war. On the other hand, the locals in Star City already had a certain amount of power and might not welcome him as an outsider. If he forced his way in, he would easily lose both his money and his life.
"As for the future of Star City..." Zhang Chi finally spoke in a calm tone, "Can Mr. Chen accept the federation model?"
Mr. Chen was slightly stunned, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. The meaning of his eyes was very clear - aren't you jealous of the local wealth?
"I am a builder, not a plunderer." Zhang Chi pointed to the radio he produced.
"Initially, we'll unite everyone in the form of a confederation. As for achieving complete unity, I think it will be easier to implement the Kingly Way from an economic perspective."
Zhang Chi spread his hands and expressed his thoughts frankly:
"Everyone goes to Southeast Asia to pursue a more comfortable life. As long as I can provide better living conditions, I can gradually win the support of the local people. As long as we can give them a better life, Xingcheng will naturally accept us."
Zhang Chi is prepared to implement this method for island cities such as Old Port, Semarang, Batavia, and New Village, which are mainly inhabited by Qian people but are far away from the Southeast Asian continental shelf.
After all, it is too unrealistic to fully capture large islands such as Kalimantan, Luzon, and Sumatra. Instead, it is more feasible to use the local Qian people's cities as a basis, control these enclaves in the form of a federation, and at the same time project one's own power and radiate one's influence locally.
Mr. Chen originally thought that Zhang Chi would take more drastic measures, but he did not expect that he would choose this gentle and long-term strategy.
Although it was just talk, this answer dispelled a lot of Mr. Chen's doubts.
He nodded and whispered:
"Commander Zhang, if that's the case, we naturally have to cooperate. After all, the development of Star City and all the Qian people in Nanyang cannot do without your strength."
That’s right, Mr. Chen knew very well that the current White Party was not reliable at all, and the only person the Nanyang Qian people could rely on after the war was Zhang Chi.
Zhang Chi smiled and took Mr. Chen's outstretched hand, and the two of them shook hands tightly.
After the meeting, Mr. Chen left Zhang Chi's office.
No one knows what kind of promises the two exchanged during this secret conversation.
All we know is that after leaving Pegu, Mr. Chen began to use his influence to mobilize resources from all sides to fully support the cause of the People's Army.