Blood-Red Front

General Staff Headquarters.

Several military officers from the Ministry of Military Affairs, who were in charge of constructing the Kyoto defense line, first reported on the progress of the line's construction.

After the report, Chang Zhongshi said, "With the help of the Wu Fu line and the blocking in Guangde and Yixing, the two defense lines inside and outside Kyoto have been basically completed. The defense lines are sufficient to support our army in a decisive battle with the Chu Sheng Army."

"I suggest that we recreate the Battle of Hama-nishi in Kyoto. The result this time will definitely not be the same as Hama-nishi."

Upon hearing Chang Zhongshi's statement, Chen Zaizhi neither agreed nor disagreed, but instead looked at Ren Huasheng.

"Huasheng, what's your opinion?"

Looking at the map, Ren Huasheng said, "I still have the same idea: we won't fight them here."

"Cities along the Yangtze River, such as Huaining, Madang Fortress, Hukou of Poyang Lake, and Dehua, have built complete defensive positions, and the Yangtze River has also completed the deployment of mines and concrete piles."

"With a well-established defense along the Yangtze River and the deployment of elite troops, the eastern gateway to the Jingchu region is basically secure. As long as we hold Xinyang, we can create a stalemate with the Chusheng Army."

"Kyoto is the political center of our country. If it falls, the foundation of the nation will be unstable," Chang Chung-shih emphasized.

Ren Huasheng said, "Kyoto is indeed the center of power in the Xia Kingdom, but that doesn't mean it's more important than the lives of soldiers."

"In the Battle of Binxi, our main force suffered heavy casualties and consumed a lot of ammunition, which could not be replenished in a short period of time."

"If the decisive battle takes place in Kyoto, both sides will inevitably deploy large-scale troops, and the new recruits will not be able to withstand such a high-pressure, large-scale decisive battle."

"Moreover, the plains are more conducive to the operation of the newly promoted mechanized forces. If we retreat along the river, the Yangtze River and Jiuhua Mountain will limit the deployment of the newly promoted army to a maximum of one division at a time. We can complete the defensive mission with a small number of elite troops."

"Retreating to the mountainous area will not only contain the enemy's mechanized forces, but also create more opportunities for our army to fight."

"Ambassador Rossia is currently communicating with our country regarding equipment exports, and the Yusa Federation has also recently expressed interest in engaging in arms trade with our country." Chang Zhongshi stood up.

"If we lose Kyoto now, what will they think of us? Will we still be able to import their tanks, artillery, and planes?"

"Placing our hopes on other countries will have unimaginable consequences if the passage is cut off," Ren Huasheng shook his head repeatedly.

Ren Huasheng always insisted on self-reliance, which clashed with Chang Zhongshi's view that it was better to buy than to build with stone.

"Cut it off? How do you cut it off?" Chang Zhongshi laughed, as if he had heard something funny.

"The Kingdom of Rossiya borders our northwest, and the Yusa Federation can connect with Guizhou and Yunnan through the South Seas. I can't imagine how the Rising Kingdom could cut off our supply channels."

Chang Zhongshi looked confident, and many people around him echoed his sentiments. They also did not believe that the Kingdom of Rossiya and the Yusa Federation would listen to the newly risen people, as these were both established powers.

However, even though the vast majority of people believed that the great powers should be used to fight against the newly rising nation, Chen Zaizhi ultimately did not make a decision.

Even after the meeting adjourned, Chen Zaizhi summoned Chang Zhongshi privately at the Presidential Palace.

"President."

"Zhongshi, sit down."

"Zhongshi, do you know why I didn't agree to your proposal at the meeting?"

"Please give your instructions, President."

Chang Zhongshi didn't quite understand. The decisive battle in Kyoto was another matter, but his proposal to vigorously purchase weapons to improve combat effectiveness, which would benefit the Xia Kingdom, was also not approved.

"Of course I know that advanced equipment enhances combat effectiveness, but Xia is poor." Sitting on the sofa, Chen Zaizhi sighed.

"With our current finances, maintaining production in the rear is already at its limit, and we simply don't have the funds to purchase Western weapons."

"Mr. President, if you ask me, there is no need to maintain those outdated production capacities any longer," Chang Chung-shih said.

"The copycat mountain guns and field guns produced by the arsenal are weapons from more than 30 years ago. They are far inferior to the artillery of the newly formed army and were completely suppressed on the battlefield."

"We could save that money and buy advanced artillery directly. Besides, it would take a long time to produce it ourselves, while buying it directly would allow us to get it ready in a short time."

"We'll discuss this later. Even if we were to do it that way, we wouldn't be able to generate any money in a short time," Chen Zaizhi interrupted Chang Zhongshi's long-winded explanation.

"However, I agree to the purchase of weapons, but it requires you to do one thing."

Chang Zhongshi's spirits lifted. "Zhongshi will resolutely carry it out!"

"Xia Kingdom is currently short of funds, and the only solution is to take out a loan," Chen Zai said.

"Since the Kingdom of Rossia and the Yusa Federation want to engage in arms trade, then we should talk to them and start arms trade with whichever party is willing to provide a loan."

Loans between countries are usually just a matter of numerical change, and the loan funds can only be used to purchase products from the country of origin.

Chang Zhongshi stood up and said, "I estimate that Rossia is more likely. They would prefer that our country fight to the death with the Rising Nation."

Chen Zaizhi nodded. "Time is of the essence. Zhongshi, it's up to you. Steel, medicine, weapons and ammunition—these are the supplies we urgently need."

"I immediately began talks with them."

After saying that, Chang Zhongshi strode out of the office.

The office door was closed, but the door to the break room inside was open.

Chen Zaizhi did not turn around. "Painting, it's a rainy autumn."

At this time, Xia was surrounded by powerful foreign nations and plagued by parasites that sucked its blood. Chen Zai felt as if he was walking on thin ice with every step he took.

With the support of landlords and financial magnates, as well as the help of foreign powers, the conservatives grew increasingly powerful, while the lives of ordinary people became increasingly difficult.

Chen Zaizhi knew this wouldn't work, but he had no choice but to compromise for a simple reason: he had no money.

"The sun will always shine again," Ren Huasheng said.

"The main contradiction in Xia Kingdom right now is the rising power. The conservatives are a secondary contradiction for now. We'll figure out how to deal with them after the war ends."

"The battles in North China and Binxi this time have produced a large number of outstanding young officers, who will be an important force in the revolution."

Chen Zaizhi nodded: "The thinking of young and middle-aged officers is more advanced. Replacing the conservative officers with outdated ideas with them can achieve a relatively smooth transition."

"I will try my best to hold out for a few more years until the young and middle-aged officers take power, but I estimate that I will not live to see the revolution succeed."

"Huasheng, you still need to keep working hard."

Ren Huasheng nodded, and he thought back to 10 years ago.

During the Northern Expedition, Ren Huasheng visited Binxi, the largest city in Asia, known as the "Paris of the East," for the first time.

The misty rain of Jiangnan in March should be full of poetic charm.

However, as soon as the first rays of sunlight shone in the morning, some people were already carrying loads on shoulder poles to the streets to sell their children.

In the afternoon, the well-dressed gentlemen began to take the arms of the girls in Western-style dresses out for afternoon tea.

The laughter of the girl in the Western-style dress when she saw the beggars hopping around like puppies grabbing spoiled food on the roadside still echoed in Ren Huasheng's ears.

……