The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 486: Just admit defeat?

"Ah?!" The smile on Duke San's face froze.

He thought he had misheard: "Sir... Sir, what did you say? We have all the necessary paperwork. Look at this pass, it's stamped with the Myitkyina Defense Command."

He quickly took out the pass, which he regarded as a "talisman", from his pocket and handed it over respectfully with both hands. At the same time, his other hand quietly reached into his pocket, ready to take out a handful of shiny silver dollars that he had prepared long ago and stuff them over.

The lieutenant didn't even look at the silver coins. He took the pass, unfolded it, and pointed at the words on it. His voice was loud and clear, as if he wanted the whole team and the drivers behind to hear:

"Manager Du, right? Look carefully! What does it say? 'To alleviate the suffering of the people in the rear areas of the Republic of China, special approval is given for the transportation of civilian supplies through customs.' Civilian supplies, understand?"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at the goods that had been searched and exposed in broad daylight, his tone filled with undisguised sarcasm and severity:

"Look at what you're transporting."

"Mead Johnson's bottled milk powder? Nestle's coffee beans? Don't tell me this stuff is for the hungry people in the rear."

"Steinway piano? Nylon stockings? Arden perfume? And these cigars, foreign liquor, and high-end fabrics."

The lieutenant's voice suddenly rose, like thunder:

"Uncle of the Emperor? Minister Kong? Humph, using a note to help the people while transporting these pleasure-seeking gadgets. I tell you, this is a dead end."

Take these 'treasures' of yours and return to where you came from. If you dare to block the checkpoints and interfere with military affairs again, they will all be confiscated according to wartime regulations."

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Duke San's head, completely confusing him.

His face was pale and his lips were trembling. Looking at the cold muzzles of the soldiers' guns and the dark barrels of the tanks around him, his last bit of hope disappeared.

Breaking through the level right in front of the tank? Even if he had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to do that.

"Yes... yes... sir, please calm down... we'll leave now... we'll leave now." Duke nodded three times and ran back to the car dejectedly like a lost dog.

As soon as he got on the bus, he angrily yelled at the driver: "Turn around and go back to Myitkyina, quickly."

In dead silence and under the watchful eyes of border guards, the huge convoy turned around with difficulty, kicked up a cloud of dust, and returned in a mess along the way they came.

The soldiers at the Kuomintang checkpoint opposite looked over with curiosity, wondering what was going on.

-----

In the telegraph room of the Kongji Trading Company in Myitkyina, the telegraph machines were so busy that they were almost smoking.

Soon, countless telegrams were sent to the Republic of China.

One after another, convoys flying the flags of Kong and Song, or hanging the signs of trading companies closely related to them, except for convoys transporting rice, flour, cotton cloth and other emergency supplies for the people, were ruthlessly intercepted, strictly inspected and turned away at various border ports controlled by the Anmin Army.

The reasons were surprisingly consistent: the goods were suspected of smuggling luxury goods and making money from national disaster.

Minister Kong was in his luxurious official residence in the mountain city, his fingers trembling as he looked at the list of losses presented by the butler.

He was so angry that he had just smashed a beloved Song Dynasty official kiln brush washer.

"Three days, just one day. The losses from the cargo stuck on the road, the penalties for breach of contract, and the 'samples' damaged by the Anmin Army alone amounted to over fifty thousand silver dollars."

The butler reported in a trembling voice.

The prince's uncle did not respond immediately. He leaned back in the expensive leather sofa. The cigar between his fingers had burned into a long piece of ash, but he had forgotten to flick it out.

His face was equally gloomy, and the turmoil in his heart was far greater than Kong Xiangxi's roar.

With the opening of the Stevenson Highway, the Port of Yangon once again became the lifeline of the Republic of China connecting with the outside world. This was a golden age for these comprador families to return to their old businesses and make a fortune.

They went to great lengths, used countless connections, and even squeezed out precious military supply transport quotas to import this batch of extremely popular Western goods from overseas - the latest perfumes, stockings, whiskey, watches, canned goods, and even a few cars.

These things are absolute hard currency in the circles of dignitaries and wealthy ladies. They are symbols of identity and status. They are never difficult to sell and the profits are shockingly high.

After all, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the dignitaries and wealthy ladies in the rear still have to live.

Although they needed to rely on their good relationship with Zhang Chi and the port of Yangon controlled by the An Min Army to make money, this still made several major comprador families prosperous again.

But now?

Millions of dollars worth of goods were stuck like a pile of garbage across the border controlled by the People's Security Army. They couldn't get in or out.

Every day, the storage fees, the expenses of the escort personnel, and the possible deterioration and loss of those delicate goods alone amount to an astronomical figure.

How is this a warning?

This clearly showed Zhang Chi strangling them in the most brutal and direct way, making them feel the true meaning of being at the mercy of others.

"You little bastard Zhang Chi, you're going too far!" Minister Kong was so angry that his fat body was shaking.

"You see?! This is the 'potential stock' you were optimistic about. Now it's grown strong and dares to ride on our heads and shit on us.

This is a slap in our faces, and it's speaking up for that old coffin-filling bastard surnamed Chen!"

Minister Kong picked up the teacup and pretended to throw it, but then he put it down again, remembering that it was from the official kiln of the Song Dynasty.

"Call my little sister. Isn't Zhang Chi in Chuncheng? He also has a garrison in Shancheng. Does he also transport refugees and immigrants?"

"What a little bastard! Let's shut down his business and see who can win!"

The heart of the king's uncle was also bleeding. Only then did he truly feel how direct and cruel the anger and methods of the young King of Nanyang were.

Recalling the last conversation between the two in Chuncheng, he was still the condescending benefactor at that time, and the transaction between the two parties was still an investment in this young man he was optimistic about.

He never imagined that in such a short period of time, this "potential stock" in his eyes would have grown into a behemoth that occupied Southeast Asia, commanded hundreds of thousands of fierce troops, and controlled the international channels in the southwest.

Now, the trade volume between the two sides is getting bigger and bigger, which actually puts pressure on the lifeline of these comprador families.

The losses from just a few days of suspension of operations were so severe, if this "tightening curse" lasted for a few more days... he simply couldn't imagine it!

Hearing Minister Kong's shouting again, the uncle's face instantly fell:

"Are you crazy? If we really fall out, all the supplies and weapons from Eagle Aid, all the goods we purchased, and even the fuel Zhang Chi provided us cheaply, will be gone if you act recklessly!"

"Then that young Nanyang King will find a random excuse to shut down the Stevenson Highway for a dozen days. Henan Province has just lost face, the front lines are struggling, and now the rear is running out of food and medicine. Won't that guy be furious?"

Minister Kong was so angry: "Will White Eagle allow him to act so recklessly?"

The uncle smiled bitterly: "They had hundreds of thousands of strong troops at their disposal, and they beat the devils back step by step. Not only did they kill hundreds of thousands of devils, they also captured tens of thousands of prisoners.

White Eagle officials had to speak softly to him when communicating. Should they suspend the fleet "suspected of smuggling" for a few days?

In the eyes of the White Eagles, is this a problem? It's called "maintaining order in the war zone and cracking down on illegal trade." They might even praise him for doing the right thing.

The more the king's uncle thought about it, the more upset he felt. Comparing people will make you die, and comparing goods will make you throw them away.

"What about us? We have been defeated for a thousand miles, lost our troops and territory. How can we compare with them?

If we can also achieve excellent results, White Eagle will certainly come forward to please us.

The King of Nanyang has the capital to overturn the table, and we? We can only beg him not to overturn the table."

Minister Kong spread his hands and looked at the uncle: "What should we do then? Just admit defeat to this little bastard?"

The uncle grinned bitterly:

"What else? Just admit defeat. The King of Nanyang is trying to intimidate us.

In my opinion, I still need to call my younger sister and ask her to talk to me. Boss Chen is such a scoundrel, just pretend you didn't hear or see it, let it go, and don't cause any more trouble."

Seeing Minister Kong's painful expression, the uncle added, with a hint of helplessness, like spending money to avoid disaster:

"Also, pick out a few of your most treasured possessions from your treasure trove. Real things, not fakes.

I'll also collect a few items here, add two and one to make five, and find a reliable person to deliver them to the King of Nanyang.

Be humble and say... the people below were ignorant and offended before. It's just a token of our appreciation. Please forgive me. Everyone... harmony brings wealth."

"Harmony brings wealth?" Minister Kong chewed over these four words, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.

The Anmin Army has an entire armored division stationed on the border, so isn't it just about making peace and making money?