50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 658 Persuading Xu Yimin

Sun Zhiwei wanted to ask about manpower. Although the meeting was held at the end of May, it must have been leaked in advance, and Xu Yimin couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

Now that Xu Yimin has suddenly changed the subject, it means there's something he doesn't know.

Therefore, Sun Zhiwei could only suppress his emotions and point out the location of Subi Island to Xu Yimin.

Xu Yimin carefully examined the area around Subi Island before speaking:

"Your island is in a great location, it controls the throat of Malacca. Are the people in Java stupid? They would sell you an island in such a good location?"

"I also took advantage of a loophole, taking advantage of their fierce fighting to get things done."

"The matter you just asked about has indeed been discussed in advance, but there are both supporters and opponents. I'm not sure if it will ultimately be accomplished."

"So, if you ask me for people, I don't even know how many I can give you."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhiwei realized that he had acted too hastily.

The information he knew was all information he had summarized many years later.

In fact, at this point in time, even those directly involved may not be able to understand the full picture of the whole affair.

The problem has always existed, just like the ratio of officers to soldiers: America's ratio is 1:5.2, Russia's is 1:4.65, and France's is even lower at 1:17.

And how many are we?
1: 2.45.

In other words, out of the total 400 million troops, 116 million were officers, many of whom were not even regular officers.

For example, it contains a large number of nominal positions such as "battalion-level typist" and "regiment-level security officer".

Sun Zhiwei traced the cause back to the effect, and then thought about what the leader had said: "This is a matter that will offend people, so I'll be the one to offend them." "If the boss can't get through to you, then change the boss!" What determination that was!

Many people still can't see the big picture and think that this thing might not work out, such as Xu Yimin.

Sun Zhiwei wasn't interested in persuading Xu Yimin to agree with his point of view; he simply left an opening. In any case, everything would become clear in time.

"Boss, let's assume this matter succeeds. Could you please resolve my manpower issue?"

"From what you've said about the 'Pinkerton Detectives,' they're all elites."

“The elites in our unit are sought after everywhere, and everyone is vying for them. I can’t make that promise to you.”

"Sir, you've misunderstood me. I don't need the most elite personnel."

"To put it simply, our soldiers, even the most ordinary ones, are hundreds of times stronger than the average person."

"They are young, excellent workers, with the resilience and discipline honed in the military."

"They can directly fill talent gaps in various industries, which will undoubtedly accelerate the pace of economic and social development."

"However, with over a million people leaving, it's impossible for all of them to get into good units. Many rural soldiers will likely go straight home to farm after laying down their guns."

"What a huge waste of resources! You can just give me some of these people."

"you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm here to ease the burden on the country, not to take advantage of it."

"Just give me all the soldiers whose hometowns are in remote, impoverished, or border areas, and those with many brothers in their families. It's easy for me to absorb tens of thousands of them." "No, no, that's too many. What do you need so many people for?"

"Sir, you probably don't understand the fighting capabilities of our soldiers."

“If they are not properly resettled, they will all become killing machines once they are left to wander outside.”

"You've heard of the Big Circle Gang's reputation. Why is this happening? The economy is developing, and people want to make money."

"What did they eat in the army, and what did they eat when they returned to civilian life? There's no harm in comparison."

"If they haven't seen it, they won't overthink it. They can just go back home and farm peacefully."

"But once you've seen the world, your restless heart becomes wild, and it's not something that can be easily calmed down."

"My path is not as peaceful and safe as staying at home, but it allows me to go abroad, offers higher salaries, and is challenging, which suits the tastes of young people."

"Putting everything else aside, just looking at the salary, an ordinary soldier earns $22,000 a year, which, at the current official exchange rate of 1:3, is 66000 yuan, averaging 5500 yuan a month."

He specifically emphasized the word "exchange rate," of course, to let Xu Yimin know that the exchange rate on the black market was now close to 1:7.

Xu Yimin rolled his eyes at him, clearly annoyed. He knew the black market exchange rate, and if it were really that rate, then the salary offered by Sun Zhiwei would be terrifyingly high.

This year, the average wage in China is less than 100 yuan. Intellectuals earn a little more, but still no more than 150 yuan. Ordinary farmers can earn 30 yuan a month, and that's considered a good village secretary.

This salary is attractive to everyone, and this path was pioneered by Sun Zhiwei, rather than directly joining the arms of foreign capitalists.

Even though Xu Yimin thought about it this way, many times, people just need a piece of cloth like this, otherwise the work can't be done.

"Isn't it said that we should cross the river by feeling for the stones? You can treat my place as a stone that we can lend a hand to, and help us build a better future."

"Moreover, I have an organization there; it's not like I just let them out and then ignore them."

"It would be even better if the family could send a group of soldiers with political work experience to take charge of them again."

Sun Zhiwei rattled off a long list of things: high salaries, an organized company, and even the bargaining chip of political work management.

His purpose was to make Xu Yimin take this path to heart so that he would feel comfortable putting people in his service in the future.

He was actually aware of the benefits of simplification, but humans are emotional beings, so how could he possibly approach everything with such rationality?

To put it irrationally, Xu Yimin even hoped that all his comrades could stay in the army and serve until they died.

Unfortunately, this wish is destined to remain just a wish, as the modernization and replacement of the military is an irreversible trend.

Once this task is completed, it will make the military structure more streamlined, command more flexible, and response faster, thereby comprehensively enhancing combat effectiveness.

At the same time, the problem of bloated government agencies has been fundamentally resolved, the ratio of officers to soldiers has been optimized, and efficiency has been significantly improved.

The leadership team has become younger, more knowledgeable, and more professional, with the average age dropping from 64.9 to 56.7 years old, and 60% of them holding a college degree or above, injecting new vitality into the military.

At the same time, new-era combat forces such as special forces and electronic warfare forces have been greatly strengthened.

Sun Zhiwei knew that his abilities were limited, and if he could help solve the resettlement problem for 1% of his family members, he would be doing a great favor.

(End of this chapter)