You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

The representatives from the United States and England were just as shocked as the Germans.

Especially for White and Sir George, both of whom had memories of their previous visit to the city, the impact of their return was amplified a hundredfold.

The last time I came here, it was a dusty construction site. Workers carried soil with shoulder poles and pushed bricks with wheelbarrows. The whole city looked like an unpainted sketch.

Now, the sketches have been filled with color, and every stroke has exceeded their expectations.

The city has become a precisely operating industrial machine. From roads to streetlights, from construction machinery to drainage systems, every part is operating efficiently. And when these parts are put together, they create a city that does not belong to this era.

Further on, we encountered a patrol of militiamen.

The men were dressed in uniform coarse cloth military uniforms, carrying rifles in their hands, and instead of heavy flashlights, they had palm-sized plastic flashlights on their waists.

With a single press, a straight, bright beam of light shoots out; it's incredibly easy to use.

Lieutenant Colonel Mike paused, his eyes fixed on the flashlights.

The military flashlights issued by the Empire were large and heavy, with heavy metal casings that made them feel cumbersome. The batteries would go out after only a few hours, yet they were still reserved for front-line troops.

But here, even the local militiamen each have one of these tiny ones?

What alarmed him even more was that the militiaman at the front was holding a black box the size of a brick.

Take two steps and press the button, then speak a few words about the street situation into the box. As soon as you finish speaking, a clear reply comes from inside the box.

Mike's mind went blank.

Walkie-talkie?

wrong!

The US military's walkie-talkies have to carry a battery box weighing dozens of kilograms, requiring two people to lift them to use, and the communication range is pitifully short.

But this thing is only the size of a palm, so one person can carry it around and use it?

If this were deployed to the military, how much would it improve the communication capabilities of squads?

He subconsciously touched the notebook in his pocket; his palms were sweaty.

The supply and marketing cooperative on the street was still open, its glass windows sparkling clean. Little Morgan peeked inside and his breath caught in his throat.

He couldn't name half of the things displayed in the shop window.

Thin, translucent plastic basins, brightly colored enamel mugs, ultra-thin nylon stockings rolled into a tube, and neatly stacked cans of luncheon meat—the packaging was exquisitely printed and even more presentable than what was sold in the United States.

The people coming and going from the shop carried grain and oil in their hands, with peaceful smiles on their faces. They all stood up straight, with rosy complexions, showing no trace of the fear and malnutrition of people in war-torn areas.

White stood to the side, his mind in turmoil.

This wasn't his first time visiting Zhicheng.

Six months ago, when he first set foot here, the roads were all dirt tracks that would become unusable after rain. The locals were emaciated and would hide from strangers. The whole county was gloomy and there wasn't even a decent electric light to be found.

How long has it been?

The roads were repaired, the lights were turned on, and there wasn't a single beggar to be seen on the streets. The people's spirits and energy were completely transformed.

This isn't development; it's like a city appeared out of thin air.

Sir George, standing next to him, wasn't much better off.

He had assumed that the British Empire's urban management was among the best in the world, but after walking half a street, he didn't see a single piece of trash, didn't smell a trace of sewage, and even the public toilets were spotless and odorless. The sewage system was more organized than he had ever imagined.

This level of urban governance is more than a hundred times better than that of London's slums.

The group walked and looked around, growing more and more silent and uncertain with each passing moment.

The arrogance I had previously harbored has long been shattered by a series of details that defy my comprehension.

They originally thought that this Mr. Shen was just an arms dealer with some connections, who had a few advanced weapons in his hands, and at most, a nouveau riche with a bit more money.

But now we realize that it's not as simple as just selling a few pieces of equipment. It's about expanding the entire system, from infrastructure and industry to people's livelihoods and the military, and it's going further than any other country.

That night, none of the delegations from the four countries slept soundly.

Lying in bed, my mind was filled with the images I'd witnessed that night: streetlights as bright as day, incredibly powerful construction machinery, palm-sized communication devices, and people with rosy complexions...

Morgan Stanley has been torn between two options. He had previously considered using capital to drive down prices and buy at the bottom, but now he's feeling quite uneasy.

Given the city's rapid development, does it really need his investment?

Lieutenant Colonel Mike slumped over his desk, frantically taking notes under the lamplight, listing down the details of the equipment he had seen that night. The more he wrote, the more alarmed he became; that small communicator alone was enough to rewrite the tactics of an army squad.

Speer didn't sleep all night, sitting by the window repeatedly simulating how much the speed of fortification could be increased and how much logistical capacity could be boosted if German army units were equipped with such engineering machinery.

Everyone had lost the determination they had when they first arrived; all that remained in their hearts was a heavy curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

They originally came to "grace" an exhibition for an Eastern merchant, thinking they could pick out a few technologies and leave with a full load.

But now they realize that what will be opened tomorrow is not a shelf of goods, but a door to the future they have never seen before.

Before dawn, many people were already dressed and sitting in the living room waiting.

No one mentioned the empire's pride anymore, no one spoke of the "small Eastern country" anymore; everyone had only one thought—

It's getting light already!

They wanted to see just how many mind-blowing things this Mr. Shen could come up with.

……

at last.

Its daybreak.

The square in the center of the city was lit up with lights.

A sleek, gray-white building stands quietly in the center of the square, with large frosted glass windows embedded in the walls, casting a soft glow in the morning light.

Without any superfluous carvings or decorations, its clean lines are as sharp as if they were carved with a knife, making it stand out from the surrounding adobe houses, yet it possesses a calm and modern feel that instantly makes the whole street more orderly.

As the representatives from the four countries followed Shen Wang to the entrance of the pavilion, they all stopped in their tracks as soon as they stepped inside.

Beneath my feet were gleaming marble tiles, the cool touch of which traveled up through my leather shoes, and the floor was so shiny that it clearly reflected my shadow.

Rows of bright overhead lights hung overhead. There was no black smoke from gas lamps, nor the dim yellow of old-fashioned electric lights. The cool white light filled the entire venue, and even a speck of dust in the corner of the wall could be seen clearly.

The display cases on both sides are uniformly sealed with clear glass, and the built-in spotlights shine on the exhibits, making them look neat and tidy.

Not only were the British and German representatives dumbfounded, but even Morgan, who was used to the luxurious shopping malls on Fifth Avenue in New York, was stunned for a long time, feeling somewhat like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

Even New York's most prestigious convention center isn't this impressive.

It's not even as good as that!

Shen Wang stood at the front of the exhibition hall, looking at the different expressions on everyone's faces, and understood.

He can't bring over core dual-use military materials that are subject to system control, but he can transport as much civilian goods as he wants, such as building materials and engineering machinery.

This pavilion looks impressive, but it's only about a thousand square meters in size. It's the only exhibitor, and only representatives from four countries came. It's enough for them.

"Everyone, please."

Shen Wang raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, a smile on his face.

"There's not much stuff, let's take our time looking at it..."