si-mexico Chapter 1162 The Rear Area
Chapter 1162 The Rear Area
Somewhere on the grassland
To adapt to the needs of the war, Chief of Staff Cui began ordering the construction of our rear base on the grasslands. Although the Chahar region was originally considered safe, with Japan's continuous troop increases and changes in the international situation, it was quite normal to establish one or two secure bases in the rear.
After refueling twice, Li Shaoyi's plane arrived at the base on the grassland for the first time. Li Shaoyi had originally thought this place would be very desolate, but he didn't expect that the surrounding area was almost like a city.
"Chief of Staff, you're really a master at urban development. I remember this only started last year, and it's only been a short time, yet it's already the size of a small city. You didn't just bring all these people here by force, did you?"
As the chief of staff accompanied Li Shaoyi on a tour of the military base, Li Shaoyi jokingly remarked, though his words carried a hint of inquiry: "If we're going to recruit people everywhere for the sake of a false sense of prosperity, then we won't do that. We, the people of the 72nd Group Army, must do everything with integrity and honesty."
“I knew you’d ask this question. Let me do the math for you. We have about 24000 regular troops stationed here, and about 12000 security personnel, which adds up to more than 3 people. In addition, there are nearly 2 family members, making a total of nearly 6 people. Do you think I need to go around recruiting people? The logistics department started as a small shop in the area, but then it turned into a department store. People from the surrounding area came here to buy things, and over time they started selling things around the department store first, and then bought things when they had money. It’s like a chamber of commerce.”
Chief of Staff Cui pointed to the department store in the distance and said that, just as he had said, a trading market had already formed around it. Moreover, judging from the clothes worn by the people there, some were Han Chinese, some were Xiongnu, and others were people of other ethnicities. Everyone here had prospered and developed.
"This development model is quite good, but this is an extremely important military base in our rear. If someone were to infiltrate, wouldn't it pose a threat to our military base?"
Li Sibei raised her question: everyone in Hankou had been evacuated, including the staff from the office. This time, the evacuation was complete. After returning to the grasslands, Li Sibei first became Li Shaoyi's personal assistant, with further arrangements to be made later.
"Assistant Li's point is very good. We were also worried about this at first, but later we implemented a strict separation system. You can't see it clearly from this position, but if you go up one more floor, you can see the fence in the middle. In addition to this fence, we have also set up two checkpoints. People coming from that side to this side must be strictly checked and registered indefinitely. It is impossible for outsiders to pass through both places."
Following Chief of Staff Cui's words, everyone went up another floor and, sure enough, saw the trade center surrounded by a fence. "Do whatever you want inside," they said. "After all, it's a market-driven place; it wouldn't be strange to see a European or American here."
However, besides the trade center, the surrounding area is a military base, and no one is allowed to take an extra step into the trade center. All goods must be inspected again and again, including cattle and sheep brought by some people.
"General, don't underestimate this trade center. The tax revenue generated here in a single day is almost equivalent to the daily wages of tens of thousands of people. Our tax revenue is really not high, only 1/10."
Hu Dezhu picked up an account book from the side. This guy had always been the chief steward of the 72nd Group Army. Actually, it was quite a challenge for him, as he was originally just a junior accountant with no knowledge in this area. As the 72nd Group Army continued to expand, his skills had to rise accordingly. There were some things he couldn't handle on his own, so he worked late into the night, learning from professionals to ensure the safety of the 72nd Army's accounts and finances.
Li Shaoyi had considered hiring a group of professionals, but could he really trust them? An army group had hundreds of thousands of men, plus security forces in various locations—the number was even greater. The daily expenses for food, drink, and shelter were astronomical. If he encountered an untrustworthy individual who could easily rip him off, he might even break his back.
Don't assume such situations won't happen. Looking at major military groups across the country, there are plenty of cases where accountants have absconded with money; they just don't talk about it because they're ashamed. If these things were laid bare, most people would probably be too embarrassed to speak up.
So, even if Hu Dezhu's abilities are slightly lacking when it comes to money, he is hardworking and, most importantly, he has the support of the elders who started with him. Back in the patrol police team, they were already in charge of procurement. If he wanted to betray us, there would probably have been countless opportunities along the way.
"I've really fallen out with the Nationalist government this time. You and your people over there keep an eye on things. We still have a lot of business in the Nationalist-controlled areas. If you have any intentions, immediately give orders to these people to evacuate as soon as possible. Destroy everything that can be destroyed, and leave the rest to them."
Li Shaoyi was too soft-hearted. If things really turned sour, how could he possibly leave these things to the National Army? But Li Shaoyi felt that now was a difficult time in the War of Resistance against Japan, and some of the things in the shop were also beneficial to the war. Rather than destroying them, it would be better to leave them to some useful troops, who might even be able to kill Japanese devils on the battlefield.
"Don't worry, Commander. When you left Hankou, I already gave orders to all the men below, instructing them to be ready to retreat at any time. We also have our own people at some of the surrounding airlines, so their retreat won't be delayed. Besides, the situation in Hankou is unclear right now, and I don't think they really want to break ties with us."
Hu Dezhu's words piqued everyone's interest. The Hankou side indeed dared not truly break off relations, given the overwhelming Japanese army pressing in. If they were to escalate the conflict with the 72nd Army, they would ultimately be the ones to suffer.
Li Shaoyi has been gone from Hankou for over 24 hours, but the news department there has yet to issue any statement…