Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 216 The big counterattack!
Melbourne Airport, Australia.

The luxurious private plane slowly landed and Zheng Yi walked out of it. Immediately, the entire airport erupted in thunderous cheers.

The camera was clicking so fast that it was a bit dazzling.

The crowd warmly welcomed him, and some even threw women's underwear to him.

You can tell at first glance that it was just taken off.

"Mr. Zheng, welcome to Australia."

Zheng Yi quickly shook hands with him: "Hello, General Thomas Bremen, I've heard a lot about you."

This person has really heard of his name for a long time, and Zheng Yi has always wanted to meet him.

It’s not because he was good at fighting, but mainly because when Japan surrendered in history, he refused to accept prisoners and killed 20 Japanese prisoners.

Zheng Yi couldn't do this by himself. There were so many Japanese expatriates in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and he planned to take over Japan's post-war legacy in the future.

So what he has been thinking about most recently is how to make the Japanese surrender to General Thomas instead of surrendering to the Americans.

Not even the University of Tokyo.

"Hahaha, Brother Zheng, I finally see you again. I'm so happy to see you, hahahahaha."

On the side, Marshal Mai, who spoke not very standard Chinese, suddenly laughed and started chatting with him.

Of course, that's all he knows.

"Master Mai, you seem to be in much better shape than the last time we met."

"Hahahaha, you guys won such a big victory over there, and my life has become much better as well. I eat well and sleep well. Look at my belly, it's full, hahahahaha."

After saying that, Mack took his arm with one hand and Thomas's arm with the other, and they walked with their heads held high like three good brothers, showing a charming smile that they thought was handsome to the reporters and media friends.

Zheng Yi and Lao Mai now have a very good relationship, and it has become a true comradeship. The reason why Lao Mai has been able to hold the Bataan Peninsula for more than half a year is all thanks to Zheng Yi's support in Penang.

And as he himself said, the battle has become easier and easier recently.

Zheng Yi not only sent him necessary supplies, but also people. At first, he only replaced the US troops and allowed them to rest in Penang or Alor Setar. Later, with the increase in transportation capacity, and now that sea transportation from Penang to the Philippines was available, Zheng Yi directly sent troops to participate in the war.

The Chinese in Penang all have guns and can use rocket launchers. At the command of a single command, there are more than 200,000 Chinese who are willing to volunteer to go to the Philippines to fight. More than 50,000 people were selected from the best and sent to General MacArthur. Now the battle is getting better and better.

What's more, the Philippine Island of Luzon is now full of guerrillas. The indigenous Malays and Chinese in the Philippines have been mobilized, and Zheng Yi and Penang are providing help behind the scenes.

If this isn’t a comrade-in-arms, then what is?

The reason why Zheng Yi flew to Australia in person this time was to discuss with them how to counterattack.

After lying dormant for more than half a year, the Americans are finally about to launch a counterattack, much faster than in history.

Of course, the battle situation was indeed completely different from what happened in history, especially the defeat of the 25th Army. Zheng Yi was a little too prominent.

The three of them can now be regarded as the Big Three of the Pacific battlefield.

No British.

Now even Americans are very disappointed with the British.

After the destruction of the 25th Army, Zheng Yi's international prestige soared again. In addition to the titles of scientist, entrepreneur, politician, and strategic expert, he was also called a military expert.

In addition, he is still so young and has truly started from scratch. He doesn't even have a country, but he can accomplish such a big thing as a non-state actor. For Americans who already admire strong men and the rise of grassroots, Zheng Yi is simply a new-age superhuman.

A true superstar.

The only reason he didn't grow up in the United States is that he has American citizenship. Otherwise, he might be able to run for the top boss in the United States.

Right now, the Allied counterattack is imminent, and Americans like to show off everything they do. If they don't publicize their work well, it will be a loss. So they deliberately made it so high-profile, calling almost all the world-famous reporters and taking photos and videos of them.

All that was missing was a loud speaker shouting into the Japanese ears: "We are going to counterattack~"

This naturally made the Japanese army nervous and extremely stressed.

The destruction of the 25th Army was like a signal, like a domino being pushed down, immediately triggering countless chain reactions.

After taking the photos, the three of them drove to the meeting place. A group of American generals, Australian generals, and even several British generals had already arrived. They all stood up and greeted the three of them.

Marshal Mai naturally took the main seat. No one here was more powerful than him today. Even if he returned to his country, he would still be second only to the emperor.

To be honest, history has changed beyond recognition now. Marshal Ai's status in the United States is now far inferior to that of Marshal Mac. Who knows who will be the boss of the United States in the future.

The United States also has disputes between land and sea. Historically, most of the counterattacks were based on sea. Although the army was unwilling to be left out and did a lot of things, it was mainly based on cooperation.

In this time and space, thanks to Zheng Yi's destruction of the 25th Army, the matter was concluded: the army is the main force.

If the counter-attack is mainly based on the navy, it would be like the historical Pacific naval battle, breaking through the first island chain and the second island chain, and finally landing directly on the Japanese mainland.

If the army is the main force, especially now that the Bataan Peninsula has not been lost, it will naturally be centered on Penang and the Bataan Peninsula, first liberating Malaya and the Philippines, liberating the Dutch East Indies, and then moving northward from the land to liberate the entire French East Indies.

Then go and liberate the Korean Peninsula.

Japan itself is a small country with few resources. Since the war broke out, domestic production has been in decline and the national economy has collapsed.

Such steady and cautious advances are like a rope that gradually and completely locks Japan down.

When the war really reaches the Japanese mainland, even if the Japanese want to shout about 100 million people dying in battle, I'm afraid they will really only be able to use bamboo spears.

This is exactly what the Imperial Way faction's idiots want. Didn't they say that the Imperial Way faction's warriors could conquer the world with just 300,000 bamboo spears?

It's a good opportunity for them to open the eyes of the people of the world.

Of course, another advantage of choosing the army as the main force for attack is that it can grab land. The entire South Seas were colonies of Britain and France, but now they have been occupied by Japan.

We must hurry up and drive the Japanese away. At this critical juncture, Britain probably does not have enough strength to return.

As for what to do with so much undeveloped land at that time, that is a matter of discussion.

Second only to Coach Mai, sitting in the second position among all the big guys, and the leader is Zheng Yi.

To be honest, there is indeed a feeling of dividing up Asia.

"Zheng, the whole world has heard about your destruction of the 25th Army. I heard that thing you used is called 'Rage'? Why don't you give me some? With this thing, I can also send that bastard Honma Masaharu to hell."

Almost as soon as he sat down, Marshal Mai said with a half-greeting, half-serious smile.

Honestly, Zheng Yi hadn't thought this could be kept secret. It was the hottest commodity on the global intelligence black market. Even the parameters, regardless of how it was made, were worth a fortune. It was impossible to keep this secret.

He also spoke frankly, saying:
"That thing isn't as magical as the rumors say. It fires too fast, and the shells are too difficult to make. To be honest, I've been preparing it for over a month, and I've only been able to fire for half a minute."

"Because this weapon was used for the first time, the Japanese had never seen it before and were unprepared. Moreover, they were stunned after the first round of fire. Coupled with the air superiority we had in Penang, this led to this great victory. However, it is extremely difficult to repeat it."

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but nod as if they suddenly understood.

In fact, this is correct. Penang is a tiny place, and the entire SAARC is not that big either. The industrial base is weak, and the system is not sound. Since the weapons produced are so powerful, they must have fatal flaws.

"Is this weapon difficult to produce? Can the technology be shared with the United States so that we can produce it in our American factories?"

"Ah this..."

Zheng Yi was really in a dilemma for a moment.

To be fair, he really had no reason to refuse.

We are all allies. The aid and support that the Americans have provided to Penang over the past year has been real money and has never been ambiguous.

The SAARC Air Force has grown from nothing to a mere few hundred second-rate or even World War I aircraft. Today, it can basically seize air superiority from the Japanese. The combined number of aircraft in Penang and Rangoon exceeds two thousand.

It all depends on fleecing the Americans.

Besides, did he come to Australia in person to discuss how to counterattack?

Actually, there is nothing to discuss. Just fight however the Americans say. The big and small kings must be clearly distinguished.

Zheng Yi actually came here to take advantage of the situation.

Penang’s population is too large now, and many people have been unemployed for a long time. Since the counterattack is about to begin, we must try to gradually relax the wartime controls.

It is certainly not easy to relax the US wartime controls. Objectively speaking, during the period when the US was in power, it did not really look like a capitalist country and was not Keynesian at all.

In this situation, there are actually many companies that are not very useful to the war and are suffering from the wartime system.

Now is the time to come and join your most important ally, the lovely Big Beautiful Card!
For example, in the medical and biopharmaceutical fields, isn’t it uncomfortable to produce penicillin antibiotics at full capacity every day?
It is neither moral nor logical to say that these weapons should be hidden from US allies.

But this thing is a bit sensitive after all. Historically, it was used to fight against the US military.

It was not right to refuse, nor was it right not to refuse, so he could only say: "General Mai, given the relationship between me and your army, how can there be any confidentiality?
Besides, you know me. I'm not even a country, I'm just a business tycoon. I had to develop weapons to resist the Japanese and protect myself. Logically speaking, there is no reason to keep such military technology secret."

Mai Shuai was stunned and asked, "Why? Is there anything inconvenient?"

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "It's a little inconvenient, because this technology isn't actually mine, it's from the Soviet Union. The main design came from the Soviet Central Bureau II. When I first exchanged technology with them, I promised the Soviets that I wouldn't pass this technology on to other countries."

"But I think, since we are allies now, whether we can or not, why not have your country negotiate with the Soviet Union? I think they should agree, right?
You know, I'm a businessman and I value integrity. Besides, harmony brings wealth. I certainly don't want to offend such a big country unless it's absolutely necessary. I hope you, General Mac, can understand this."

Mai Shuai: "Oh~, so that's how it is."

That makes sense.

After all, although Zheng Yi is a scientist, he is not a weapons researcher.

Although he was more or less unhappy, what Zheng Yi said made sense. Since the technology belonged to the Soviet Union, how could he, as a friend and ally, force others to do something against their will?

Marshal Mai quickly turned over the question and got straight to business:

Zheng Yi: "Okay, I accept."

Although Zheng Yi is not a military man and he really doesn't know how to fight, to be honest, a commander doesn't necessarily have to know how to fight.

If a general reaches a certain level, he will need politics rather than military power.

To be honest, even if it is Marshal Mai himself, does he really have any military capabilities?

If he doesn't become the commander, someone else will become the commander and lead him.

That would be a bit uncomfortable.

In order to avoid being led by others, he had to reluctantly become the leader.

"How many combat-ready troops can the Southern Alliance provide?"

Zheng Yi: "About 200,000. We can add more if needed later. Any more will seriously affect the social operation and production development of the Southern Association for Regional Cooperation."

"Ah."

Marshal Mai nodded and said, "I once led a very good young man named Patton, who was an expert in tanks. Although the soldiers of the Southern Alliance are brave, I see that you are generally light infantry. You may be able to fight in the jungles of Malaya, but if we launch a counterattack on the plains, I'm afraid you will suffer."

"I'll have Patton bring his First Armored Army to assist you and serve as your deputy."

Zheng Yi was stunned at first. My goodness, the only armored corps in the United States was loaned to him?

Then he quickly smiled and nodded, saying, "Great, that's great. I've heard that General Patton became famous at a young age and is very much like General MacArthur in the military. Having him here to help me is something I couldn't ask for more."

Marshal Mai: "The Fourth Front Army is the Indian Front Army. According to preliminary discussions, Governor-General Weiweier will be in charge, and you two, Mackay and Berryman, will assist you."

Hearing this, Zheng Yi couldn't help but frown slightly.
The British are the head coaches, and the Australians are the assistants...

I just... don't know why it doesn't feel very good.

It was really because Britain's unreliability in recent times had left a deep impression on him.

To be honest, with the current British Empire in such a state, with not much military power in Asia and being so unreliable, if Zheng Yi were to make the arrangements, he would definitely let an Australian be the commander and a British person as his assistant.

But he just frowned and didn't say anything.

The British Empire? I guess Marshal Mai is just giving them face. Since Marshal Mai is giving them face, how can I object?

There is no need to make enemies.

Marshal Mai: "All four armies will land from Penang, using Penang as a logistics production base and Alor Setar as a base for repairs and garrisoning. We will split up here. Zheng, is this all right?"

Zheng Yi: "Of course, I'm more than happy to. I can't wait to beat the crap out of those Japs during the counterattack."

　Eat something bad
　　Diarrhea and loose stools

　　Only four thousand.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)