sbdcsierra Chapter 492 Zhang Chi: You can only take what I give you. If I don’t give it to you, you can’t take
Chapter 492 Zhang Chi: You can only take what I give you. If I don’t give it to you, you can’t take
Luan Phibun took a deep breath and decided to get to the point.
He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and a glimmer of his former ambition flashed in his eyes:
"Your Excellency, Siam has now been integrated into the Nanyang community, seeking peace and development under a new order. However, Siam's living space has always been restricted by its surroundings...especially the barren mountainous areas to the west and northeast."
He spread out his palms, then slowly clenched them. “The Tonle Sap plains of Cambodia, the valleys along the Mekong River in Laos… these fertile lands have historically been inextricably linked to Siam and serve as natural granaries.
If...if these arable lands can be brought back into Siam's territory, it will not only provide a wider living space for the Siamese people, but also provide a solid guarantee for food security for the entire Southeast Asia."
Luan Phibun stared at Zhang Chi closely, observing his reaction.
This was a test he made after careful consideration, and it was also the last bit of "achievement" and bargaining chip he tried to gain for Siam and himself.
Zhang Chi's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the recliner, making a regular, light sound.
His mind was as clear as a mirror.
Siam's military and police systems had long been infiltrated and reorganized by the People's Security Army, and a large number of young Chinese pro-People's Security Army members had been installed in parliament. As for the economic lifeline, it was firmly controlled by Chinese business capital.
Using Siam's vast Chinese community as a base was the key to Zhang Chi's ability to control the region more efficiently than the Japanese. It could be said that Siam was already within Zhang Chi's grasp.
As for the economic lifeline, it is firmly controlled by Chinese capital.
Give it some sweet treats to stabilize this "little brother", divert its internal conflicts, and at the same time consume its energy to tackle the tough problems?
Zhang Chi's mind was working rapidly.
Allowing Siam to "recover" some of the disputed plains between the two neighboring countries can not only satisfy the vanity of Phibun and some Siamese nationalists, giving them something to do and creating an illusory sense of pride in "expanding territory", but also use Siam's power to integrate those areas, suppress possible resistance, and reduce the cost and hostility of direct intervention by the People's Army of the People.
The best part is that these lands are ultimately still within the Nanyang system.
It seems like a two-birds-with-one-stone option.
As for the real big cake - Gallic Annam, it is not only rich in resources, but also home to nearly two million Chinese people of the same origin.
This is the fat meat that Zhang Chi is determined to get, but now is not the time.
Thinking of this, combined with the careful consideration he had given over the previous few months, Zhang Chi already had a plan in mind.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister's ideas... have a certain strategic vision." Zhang Chi spoke slowly, his tone unrecognizable as emotion. "Siam's prosperity and stability are in line with the overall interests of Southeast Asia. We... understand the historical ties and current needs of the surrounding lands."
Luan Phibun's heart skipped a beat and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.
"But..." Zhang Chi changed the subject, his eyes flashing, "This matter requires long-term planning and careful deployment.
"The primary objective in Southeast Asia right now is the oil fields of Sumatra and Borneo. They are the lifeblood of industry and the lifeblood of future development. Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, should understand the importance of concentrating our efforts on major tasks."
He picked up the teacup, blew away the foam gently, and his tone became profound:
"As for the three Gallic colonies, that's a much bigger chess game. Even though the Gallic rooster may be in decline, it's still alive and kicking. The Guangxi clique, the Yunnan clique, and the guy from Shancheng—they're all eyeing the fat piece of meat that is Annan."
Zhang Chi put down his teacup, looked at Luan Phibun, and said meaningfully:
"Let the bullets fly for a while. What Siam needs to do now is to cooperate with the People's Security Army, stabilize the internal situation, develop the economy, and accumulate strength. When the time is right, the land that is yours will naturally come. Acting too hastily will only backfire, and even... bring disaster upon yourself."
The excitement on Luan Phibun's face froze instantly, and he understood Zhang Chi's subtext.
Siam can expand, but it must be under the framework led by the People's Army, at the time set by Zhang Chi, to take the land that Zhang Chi allows you to take.
Zhang Chi had long regarded the big cake of Annan as his forbidden delicacy. It was just that the time had not yet come, and it required all parties to consume and pull each other in front of the stage. He would calmly make plans behind the scenes, and finally reap the benefits, along with the more than two million Chinese population, into his pocket.
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While Zhang Chi and Luan Pibun were happily discussing the future of this land in the presidential suite of a luxurious hotel, more defeated Japanese soldiers were still struggling between life and death.
With the successive victories of the Anmin Army, the main force of the once invincible Japanese Southern Army had long been wiped out.
However, the end of war is not always clean.
Deep in the vast and dangerous tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, and among the rugged and steep plateau mountains, there are still countless defeated and forgotten small groups of Japanese troops scattered around.
They are like grasshoppers that have been thrown into a pot of boiling oil and have managed to jump out. Although they did not die immediately, they are trapped in a desperate hell that is more tormenting than death.
Deep in an unnamed tropical rainforest on the Bago-Siam border.
Towering ancient trees block out the sun, and dense vines entwine and hang down like giant pythons.
The air was hot and humid like a steamer, filled with rotten leaves and mold.
The "bomber swarm" composed of mosquitoes launched attacks tirelessly, making a buzzing sound that made the Japanese's scalps tingle.
In a shack made of banana leaves and rotten wood, a dozen haggard and ragged "humanoid creatures" were huddled together.
They were once soldiers of the 2nd Guards Division, the most elite unit of the Southern Army, but now they were in worse shape than wild monkeys in the jungle.
Their Japanese military uniforms were already in tatters, stained with mud, blood and unknown excrement, and barely hung on their emaciated bodies.
The eye sockets are sunken, the cheekbones are high, and the exposed skin is covered with redness and swelling from mosquito bites, festering sores, and dark spots caused by malnutrition.
Their eyes were mostly empty and numb, and only when they occasionally flashed a hint of extreme desire for food did they show a bit of vitality.
"Hey... Hey. Yamada. Wake up, it's your turn... It's your turn to go to the river and see if there are any fish..."
A voice so weak that it was barely more than a breath was heard. It was Private Kobayashi.
He pushed Yamada, who was curled up in a ball next to him and could hardly breathe.
Yamada didn't respond.
An equally thin old soldier next to him stretched out his dry, branch-like fingers, tremblingly checked Yamada's breath, and touched his cold forehead.
A trace of sadness flashed in the cloudy eyes of Corporal Okazaki, who was once as strong as an ox, and he announced hoarsely: "Yamada-san...died in disgrace."
There was deathly silence in the shack.
There was no crying, no wailing, only deeper despair spreading.
Hunger and disease had long since drained these poor creatures of all emotion.
Yamada is not the first, nor will he be the last, companion to die silently in this tropical rainforest.