Songhu: Never Give Up

Shandong is very rich in natural resources. During the Kuomintang period, each region had its own national industry, and there were many factories of all sizes.

There were factories opened with both domestic and foreign capital. Before setting up military factories, the base first fully supported other factories in resuming production and provided them with the most preferential policies.

All factories in the base area that resumed production were exempted from all business taxes within one year, and reduced by half within three years. Stimulated by this policy, some factories that had been waiting and watching resumed production one after another, because they also needed to survive;

As for the war, they have confidence in the guerrilla column. Even if the Japanese come, they will at most collect taxes and will not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

After the factories of all sizes in the base area resumed production, supplies became much more abundant, and the Southwest Shandong Military Factory also began to operate secretly in the mountainous area of ​​Changling Town, Cao County;
With the raw materials for producing bullets, once the machine was started, 6.5mm bullets began to be mass-produced.

Grenades, mines and rockets were also mass-produced at the same time. Although the output was not high, it was a good start.

Production alone was not enough. Yue Qianli also used the power behind Monica to purchase a batch of Soviet weapons and ammunition from the northern Russia, and then transported them from the northwest by plane. These Soviet weapons and ammunition were mainly to meet the needs of the Third Detachment.

Monica was very dissatisfied with Yue Qianli's outrageous behavior and said in protest:
"Yue, the cost of purchasing equipment from Russia far exceeds that of the United States. If you need it, you can contact us.

Don't forget that we are your most trustworthy friends, the Red Empire cannot be trusted!"

Yue Qianli knew that these words were definitely not said by Monica, but by the American people behind her who were expressing their dissatisfaction with him and were worried that he would side with Russia. This was a political issue.

The development of the base still depends on the support of the Americans. Yue Qianli comforted Monica and said:
"Monica, you should know that the Third Squadron is used to Soviet weapons, and they are running out of bullets, so I asked you to buy some, just enough for them;

We are now conducting guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. Your equipment is too dependent on supplies and we cannot afford to consume it.

Just like your latest Garand semi-automatic rifle, I really like it. Do you dare to sell it to me? I want as many as you can get!

But you have to give me enough bullets. Forget about the Springfield rifles, as it is too difficult to replenish the ammunition. In the future, the main battle rifles will be the Type 38 rifles. Even if the ammunition production cannot keep up, we can still seize it."

Monica thought for a moment and said:
“I can’t sell you the Garand rifle yet. This will irritate the Japs and easily lead to a diplomatic dispute.

German and Japanese weapons are fine, we can get them on the black market."

Yue Qianli knew that he had to bleed a little this time, because it was also a kind of attitude, so he gave Monica another shopping list;
其中包括最新型的电台30部，81毫米法国造迫击炮300门，炮弹5万枚、春田步枪5千支，子弹300万发，白糖5吨、硝酸钾3吨、瞄准镜500个等物资。

Monica smiled and patted her chest and said:

"This batch of supplies will be delivered to you within three months, and the price will be increased by 3%. The Japanese blockade is now very strict--"

"Monica, the money issue can be discussed. Just talk to my brother."

Monica excitedly gave Yue Qianli a warm hug, then floated away like a butterfly.

Yue Qianli smiled bitterly and shook his head. Many of these purchases were unnecessary. For example, the military factory had already purchased two production lines for the Springfield rifles, but he couldn't start them now because the conditions did not allow it.

5 Springfield rifles are just a waste to him, but to the Americans, it is to help them clear their inventory. They are so expensive that one Springfield is enough to buy five Type 5 rifles.

But he has to make some money for the Americans, both for his political stance and to reassure them.

This is not only about business, but also politics. Fortunately, with the full recovery of the American economy, Yue Group has grown into a giant and successfully went public a year ago.

The market value of previous investments has increased more than a hundred times. Now the Yue Group has penetrated into every aspect of American industry, and no one knows their true strength.

Yue Baili's talent in business is unparalleled. With the old man at the helm and Yue Qianli giving him support, he has now become a legend in Melica and Wall Street, as well as a capital tycoon. Even Franklin has connections with him.

The core interests of the Robert family, Yue Qianli's old classmate, have been tied to the Yue Group, along with some other capital tycoons, forming an unbreakable network of interests;
Now even Franklin dare not easily attack them, because his core interests are also involved. This is why the Eagle Sauce wanted to find him after he purchased a batch of arms from Russia. They were worried that Yue Qianli would turn to Russia.

Yue Qianli responded to the Eagle Sauce with practical actions and appeased them that his position would not change.

On the other side of the ocean, in Eagle Palace, after receiving the shopping list sent by Monica, Franklin smiled. Even George could sense his good mood.
But George still felt that Mr. Franklin valued the young colonel too much.

Franklin seemed to see through George's thoughts and said ramblingly:
"War in Europe is inevitable. Although Chamberlain and Daladier handed over the Sudetenland to Adolf in Munich, it is clear that Mr. Führer did not appreciate it. It is only a matter of time before the whole of Czechoslovakia is annexed. It will not take long.

This is like cutting meat to feed the eagle. No matter how much meat there is, it cannot satisfy the eagle's appetite, so this will only speed up the outbreak of the European war.

Once the European war broke out, we no longer had the energy to keep an eye on the greedy monkeys in the Far East. After losing Wuhan, the Chinese government gradually degenerated into a local government.
They have now begun to flirt with the Japanese, so we cannot place all our hopes in Chongqing.

Yanzhou and even Colonel Yue are new choices. We must not let the damn monkeys occupy the entire China before the European war becomes clear, otherwise it will be a disaster for the civilized world!"

Although George agreed with Franklin's assessment of the European situation, he still expressed his confusion:
“Sir, has Colonel Yue really reached the same value as Yanzhou and Chongqing?
His strength is at most 3 people, and his sphere of influence is limited to some mountainous areas in Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui. He doesn't even dare to occupy a small city like Linyi. I still think he is still a potential stock."

Franklin was not unhappy with George's questioning. After all, not everyone has the same strategic vision as him. Differences bring a sense of accomplishment, so he patiently advised him:
“Since it is a potential stock, what you buy is the expectation. Have you ever seen a colonel with 4 people?

According to the intelligence we have, the land and population they actually control already exceeds that of a medium-sized country. As long as they can withstand the Japanese counterattack;

We can control all of Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, and a small part of Hebei. This is one of the most populous and economically concentrated areas in northern China. The population of tens of millions is enough to arm a million-strong army. It is possible to control the north in the future."

George thought for a moment and then said:
"The current political situation in the north is Yanzhou, Chongqing, Japan and Colonel Yue. Chongqing's focus is in the south. In the future, it will be a fight between Yanzhou, Japan and Yue.
Yue seemed to have close ties with Yanzhou, and many of his policies were exactly the same as those of the Eighth Route Army.

If the United States fully supports Yue, will the north of China be dyed red? "

Franklin admired George's concerns and said:
"Your concern shows that you have seriously considered the situation in China. The core contradiction in the current world is the struggle for dominance between evil countries and the civilized world.
Whether it is Yanzhou, Chongqing or even Moscow, they should all be part of the civilized world, and the goal of the United States is to become a leader.

Yanzhou is also one of the options of the United States. Yue's joining will inevitably lead to changes in Yanzhou. As long as they have not completely turned to the Russians, we must do our best to pull them over.
Ideology is not the deciding factor between countries, but interests are. Therefore, we cannot push China towards Russia before a contest even begins, let alone towards evil. That will surely become a disaster for the civilized world. "

Franklin's words were very profound, but George seemed to understand them, so he said:
“You are right. This war has the tendency to turn into a world war. War has always been a continuation of politics and will inevitably lead to a major reshuffle of the political landscape.

The Versailles system was created by war and can only be destroyed by war. The new system can only be led by the United States. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us.

To defeat evil, the United States should unite all the forces that can be united, and when the war is over, it will be time to establish a new order;

Now it seems that Yue's power is also very important. What can I do? "

Franklin finally showed a satisfied smile. He felt very accomplished to be able to convince George. His strategy was too extraordinary and could not get support from Congress at all. Congress was a group of short-sighted guys who were in high positions, just like Chamberlain.
Thinking of this, he took a deep puff of his cigarette, then put it out contentedly, and said calmly:
“Modern warfare is fought with steel and industrial systems. Yue was deeply influenced by the free world and naturally saw this;
It has just gained its foothold and is already restoring its previous industries, but its scale is too small to make it a dominant power in the North in the future.

The future industrialization of northern China will surely bring huge benefits, and the United States should also have a share;

The capital of the United States should also be involved in Shandong's industrialization process, allowing a small amount of capital to enter first, step by step, to help Yue build the factories he needs.

Once he completely controls Shandong, capital from the United States will be able to flow in in large quantities and make early arrangements. In the future, he will naturally become the dominant force and have the right to speak.”

Franklin's words were very obscure, but George understood them, so he said:

"I know what to do now, and I am full of infinite expectations for Yue's future." (End of this chapter)