Yes, Prime Minister of Japan

Chapter 984: Türkiye, the European Beggar, and 3600 Type 99A Tanks (4800 words)

The red flag is raised again.

Coal from Russia was fed into the combustion furnace of the Petrovsky Steel Plant, iron ore from the Krivorog iron mine was added to the blast furnace, and molten iron was poured into ingots in molds under the direction of Ukrainian female workers.

The newly revived CCCP Group, amidst the restarting of its steel furnaces and countless immigrant flights, fell silent.

People in Europe can't help but ask:

"Any more intense and brutal moves?"

The execution of Ukraine's richest man, whose net worth was $52 billion, certainly caused a huge uproar, but it seems to lack flavor in the journey of the new CCP Group.

Major online gambling platforms in Europe have launched various betting options:

"Live broadcast of Zaluzhny's execution!"

"Live broadcast of Zelensky's execution!"

"Bombard Kyiv."

"The Nazi concentration camp that massacred Lviv."

"Attack the EU."

It's worth noting that European online betting platforms offered odds of 7.5 to 1 for an "attack on the EU," indicating they believed such an event was unlikely. The odds weren't particularly high because a low-probability event actually occurred that year, resulting in a 7-1 victory for Germany over Brazil, causing the betting platforms to lose a lot of money.

In reality, the European Command is conducting an internal capital investigation.

The General Staff is using Hailiang Specialized, Precise Calculation's internal audit system. The statistics department is reporting:

"The Priva Group and System Capital Management Group left us a chemical group with an annual refining capacity of 100 million tons of oil and 75 tons of urea, four large steel and alloy plants, an air transport group, two investment management groups, two large machine manufacturing plants... and so on. In total, it consists of assets of about US$220 billion. In general, it is the remnant of Ukraine's former state-owned assets, which have been strengthened by the West. However, such industries are severely lacking in supporting facilities, so most of them are not operating well."

When it came to the industrial issues that would cause headaches for other countries, the top brass of the coalition forces breathed a sigh of relief:

"Supporting facilities? We're not afraid of lacking supporting facilities."

There are plenty of supporting facilities available domestically.

What does it take to rebuild a great Ukraine?

The former director of the Black Sea Shipyard, and the builder of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, Makarov, once said with immense sorrow:

"To complete the Varyag, the Soviet Union, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Planning Commission, the Military-Industrial Commission, nine defense industry ministries, 600 related specialties, and 8000 supporting manufacturers were required. In short, it required a great nation to complete it."

For all of the above, China has alternative products.

Therefore, one point that everyone agrees on is:

"Fortunately, we truly have a great motherland, unlike Makarov who could only watch the Varyag sail to China."

Hu Zhantian emphasized:

"Bring all these departments together into one planned economy sector. We need tractors and fertilizers, as well as road and rail maintenance. In addition, we need artillery shells, machine parts, large-scale main battle tank manufacturing, fighter jets suitable for a surprise attack on Europe, artillery, drones, and endless war resources to form a heavily armed military group that will terrify Europe!"

The coalition forces now control four regions: Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk. Preparations for spring planting in March are underway, given the visibly soaring grain prices this year. Completing large-scale spring planting is crucial to alleviate pressure on other Ukrainian forces and prevent them from disrupting production.

In achieving the goal of 'building a powerful military bloc,' the Soviet-style planned economy seems to be more effective for Ukraine. After all, history has proven that this system is indeed useful in wartime.

But all of this is contingent on Türkiye, that scoundrel, not blocking the Bosphorus Strait and constantly causing trouble for the coalition forces.

When it comes to Türkiye, everyone is confused.

Because the Turkish media were going on and on about it:

"Li Xinghe destroyed Türkiye!"

Even Hu Zhantian had to ask:

"Where did this inexplicable hatred come from?"

Fortunately, there are economic observers within the coalition forces.

It's complicated because the global economy is a long and unstable chain. Under Erdogan's "killer economy," Turkey's economy is essentially operating on two legs: repeatedly devaluing its currency to ensure people are always eager to spend their money, preventing foreign capital from leaving; and because Turkey is a basic industrialized country, industrial production and consumption are in sync, barely keeping the private economy from major problems. The cost is that there is virtually no savings; residents spend everything they have and are always strapped for cash.

More importantly, Turkey relies on remittances in euros from its German and Turkish communities to ensure its ability to settle international transactions. This is a key factor in Erdogan's ability to avoid falling from power.

Therefore, the economic observation department replied:

"Our actions in driving up natural gas prices have caused a sharp drop in remittances from Turkish expatriates in Europe to Erdogan. Without foreign exchange, his economy is in a mess, and his balance of payments is in a terrible state. The Turkish lira is plummeting."

Everyone was speechless.

"How can he still be president?"

"The important thing is that Erdogan has a group of Sabiana peasant voters. Although they are so poor that they have to sell their pants, they are willing to continue to go hungry for Erdogan."

Turkey's urban residents, bureaucrats, and bourgeoisie cannot win votes against the farmers in the central region, so they can only keep fleeing abroad. After fleeing to Europe to work, they send remittances back to their hometowns. Erdogan uses these remittances to stabilize his foreign exchange accounts and further refine and consolidate his base, thus creating a foolish country whose "ideology is worthy of suffering."

Of course, the descendants of farmers who have moved to the city and become citizens, officials, workers, and petty bourgeoisie will also be hostile to Erdogan. Therefore, in recent years, Erdogan's position has become increasingly unstable, his family members have been falling from power one after another, and party elections have not been as good as before.

Therefore, Türkiye's unreasonable demands are actually based on just one request:

"Give me some foreign exchange."

In other words, it was a beggar who wanted to get up and use his bowl to knock on Li Xinghe's knee.

The young officers in the staff headquarters became eager:

"Trying to extort us? Do they even deserve it? Go eat shit."

Given the current situation, many are suggesting that Türkiye is not suitable to remain in the present.

"How about letting Istanbul become independent? They're already in deep conflict with Erdogan's regime in Ankara anyway."

"By dividing Türkiye into European Türkiye and Asian Türkiye, our ships can safely pass through the Bosphorus Strait."

Some have also raised concerns from an economic perspective:

"Turkey is the primary supplier of wheat and various vegetables to Europe. Europe relies heavily on Turkish agriculture. Turkey is also the first barrier for Middle Eastern refugees fleeing to Europe. If Turkey doesn't descend into chaos, our goal of quickly achieving our European gold coin goals will be very difficult."

Hu Zhantian fell into deep thought.

In just a few words, the new CCP group, which had not even entered Kyiv, had already set its sights on a confrontation with Turkey, akin to Russia's long-standing enmity.

Kill the chicken.

……

Tokyo.

The chill of winter has not yet faded, but Tokyo is already sweltering again.

Tokyo residents have become accustomed to seeing various types of tanks, including the Type 90, Type 10, VT4, and T-72, as well as North Korean-made Cheonma infantry fighting vehicles and Type 16 wheeled assault vehicles, running through the streets. Various fighter jets constantly fly overhead, and the bay often features the spectacular sight of several aircraft carriers lined up in formation, making January a favorite month for military enthusiasts worldwide.

This scene is the New Year's military exercise organized by Li Xinghe:

"Large-scale military exercises in the Tokyo time zone."

It might not sound very valuable, since Tokyo's time zone is just UTC+9.

In reality, however, this was a show of force by the coalition forces following more than six months of internal military reforms.

In Tokyo Bay, six aircraft carriers were lined up, and the newly built large aircraft carriers 'Yamato' and 'Musashi' officially began their first sea trials.

"Yamato and Musashi have arrived!"

In addition to the new aircraft carrier, there are also new aircraft.

The second-generation Super Battle Water Sakura has officially made its debut.

"Mizusakura Super Battle Arrives!"

The Mizusakura fighter jet, as a scaled-down carrier-based version of the Ryusakura super fighter, is still a heavy air superiority fighter jet that pursues air dominance. With a full load capacity of 23 hardpoints, its air superiority defense capabilities are unparalleled, making it a fighter jet with very distinctive technical features.

"The First Task Force is on its way!"

As a model combat unit in this military reform, the First Combined Task Force, which was separated from the First Division, was stationed on the Kujukuri Beach southeast of Tokyo Prefecture.

Support units such as radar command vehicles, field support vehicles, transport vehicles, and medical emergency vehicles, which were modified from the Type 16 wheeled assault vehicle platform, lined up in a row, and there were even small vehicles like "field catering vehicles" loaded with food following behind.

Veteran weapons such as the Red Flag air defense system and the K9 self-propelled howitzer have also appeared in the team.

The entire combined arms task force is a collection of eight-wheeled infantry fighting vehicles.

In addition to the new configurations issued to the army, the missile forces have also received an update.

"New missile, G-2 medium-range ballistic missile test launch begins!"

"The ballistic missile test range was 3000 kilometers. It flew from Tokyo all the way to the Niger Islands at the western end of the Aleutian Islands."

So the daily routine at the Japan-North Korea Missile Technology Research Institute was pretty much the same: Li Xinghe would give them a project, the Japanese researchers would have advanced missile engines but not know how to set them up, and the North Korean researchers would have advanced missile design blueprints but not know how to use the Japanese missile engines.

Japanese technicians possess advanced knowledge but lack the skills to apply it. North Korean researchers, on the other hand, are limited by their existing knowledge and are still learning about more advanced technologies.

Therefore, the final research result was only one: ask the general for better products and replace them with Japanese engines.

General, I'm here to steal your missiles again!

The Unha-2 ballistic missile was developed by stealing the technology of the Hwasong-10B ballistic missile from the General's country. However, the engine and liquid fuel were significantly modified. It took North Korean technicians more than half a year to gradually master the use of the new engine and fuel, and finally produce the Unha-2 with a range of 2500-3500 kilometers.

Although the numbers are consecutive, G1 is a short-range ballistic missile and G2 is a medium-range ballistic missile, and the two have very different technological origins.

Li Xinghe personally pressed the button, and the G-2 missile was launched, heading towards Alaska.

Soon after, the observation station in the Nile Islands reported that the target had been accurately hit, which brought jubilation to the command center.

The military exercises in the Tokyo time zone were a lively affair, not only being heavily publicized within the Asia-Pacific Joint Command, but also featuring the collective appearance of 12 high-tech integrated task forces and the slogans of 12 heavy mechanized divisions.

Therefore, some reporters pressed Li Xinghe during the interview:

"It looks like the tank you're using is the VT-4 main battle tank. Aren't you considering domestically produced heavy tanks from Japan?"

Made in Japan?

What about the Type 90 and Type 10?

Li Xinghe's eyes darted around, and a wicked idea came to his mouth immediately:

"Japan's domestically produced main battle tanks have many problems in actual combat application. Therefore, we will consider importing tanks and tank production lines for heavy mechanized divisions and completing domestic manufacturing."

"Would you consider importing the M1 main battle tank?"

Li Xinghe waved his hand and began to play the accordion, his words displaying remarkable emotional intelligence:

"The M1 Abrams is fine, the Leopard is fine. Even the T90 and 99A are acceptable. As long as they are cost-effective and can be quickly deployed in actual combat, our bottom line is no taboos."

That is the art of language.

Li Xinghe said there were no taboos and anything was allowed, but the outside news media had already picked up on the implication.

That bastard! He spent a fortune using American equipment for his aircraft carriers, but he wants to switch to Chinese equipment for his tanks.

It's both Chinese and beautiful.

Li Xinghe definitely wouldn't buy an American tank. The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank now costs nearly $50 million, its unit price approaching that of a land-based fighter jet, and it's even more expensive than a silver tank of the same weight. Is that a tank with such a high cost-performance ratio that anyone can imagine?

More importantly, the United States no longer manufactures new M1 tanks; they can only modify existing chassis.

If Li Xinghe wants to buy new goods, he will most likely have to go to Egypt, which has an M1 production line.

Egypt was also willing to trade M1 tanks with Li Xinghe for wheat, which would then be used to distribute flatbread to the Egyptian people.

However, such a purchase of a tank production line naturally has political implications, and Li Xinghe wants tanks that offer good value for money. The M1 tank is simply too expensive and not what Li Xinghe desires.

Otherwise, why not just buy the South Korean K2 tank?

That thing was supposedly worth $1680 million, ridiculously expensive. Li Xinghe could just buy it and treat it like meat rotting in his own pot.

The Type 99A main battle tank is both inexpensive and suitable, and China is currently replacing its main battle tanks with new ones. The Type 99A is of good quality and will soon be relegated to a secondary role, making this the perfect time to purchase production capacity and a production line. After acquiring the production line, Li Xinghe will also consider making a copy and sending it to the new CCCP Group in Ukraine.

The Washington Post immediately pointed out:

"Li Xinghe bought the American Enterprise and now wants to place an order with China for 3600 main battle tanks. How big is his backside? Can it straddle several walls?"

The New York Times commented:

"I find it hard to imagine why an archipelago federation composed of island nations would build such a huge amphibious assault force and main battle tank force, to the point that the number of amphibious assault ships and main battle tanks they possess would both exceed the number possessed by the United States."

Rumors began circulating that Li Xinghe would equip his 12 heavy mechanized divisions with Chinese Type 99A main battle tanks. Based on the structure of Li Xinghe's 12 heavy mechanized divisions, each division would require 300 Type 99A tanks, totaling 3600 tanks for 12 divisions.

If we assume the VT4 main battle tank's export price is approximately 25 million RMB, and multiply that by 3600 tanks, then discount it by 20% for the sake of large quantities, that's 72 billion RMB, which is only 2 trillion yen in procurement costs. That's half the price of reorganizing 12 combined arms task forces. [The rest of the text appears to be nonsensical and unrelated to the initial statement.]

If Li Xinghe were to purchase M1 Abrams tanks based on this figure, he would need to spend a staggering 18 trillion yen to meet the army's needs. That's a nine-fold price difference! Enough for Li Xinghe to build a new combined arms force.

Chinese netizens are all quietly speculating about when Li Xinghe's order will arrive at the China Industrial Group's office.

Meanwhile, the stock prices, market capitalization, and profit forecasts of major tank manufacturers, bearing manufacturers, artillery manufacturers, and numerous military industrial sectors surged instantly. Everyone praised Li Xinghe for running such a successful business. The stock market had a great start in 2032, and Li Xinghe's single sentence had stirred up the market.