latelenovela Chapter 594: Preparing for the Ryukyu Campaign, Visitors from Hyderabad
Chapter 594: Preparing for the Ryukyu Campaign, Visitors from Hyderabad
"As for talent," Zhang Chi continued to increase his investment after seeing little Giovanni's interest. "Don't worry. We have established dedicated 'expert communities' in both Bago and Yangon. They have beautiful environments and complete facilities, including bilingual kindergartens and primary schools, ensuring that the engineers' families have no worries. The sunshine and beaches here are no less beautiful than those in the Mediterranean. More importantly—"
"We have no shortage of food here." Zhang Chi threw out a very important bargaining chip: "In order to express respect for Fiat's technological heritage and sincerity in future cooperation, the United States of Southeast Asia will donate a whole ship (approximately 20,000 tons) of high-quality rice and corn to the Fiat Group free of charge as a greeting gift.
The ship is ready to sail for the Mediterranean."
What is Italy most in need of right now? Food! Nothing touches people's hearts and demonstrates sincerity more than sending a shipload of life-saving food to those on the brink of famine.
This shipload of grain was used to buy Fiat's technological spark and the Agnelli family's bet on their future.
Little Giovanni's mind raced as he realized that there were so many things that could be done with food in this chaotic period.
The Agnelli family and the Fiat Group can use technology and talent to exchange for a large amount of food from Southeast Asia, and then he and his family will become heroes when they return to their homeland with this food.
Did the Fiat Group ever have an affair with the fascists?
So what? As long as the Agnelli family can bring a steady supply of food from Southeast Asia to Italy, they will become guests of honor for the entire country!
Countless Italian families starving due to poverty and hunger will canonize the entire Agnelli family!
Zhang Chi's method of striking accurately when the opponent was at his most vulnerable moment, solving the immediate problem while laying the groundwork for the long term, made little Giovanni so excited that he made the sign of the cross on his chest repeatedly.
He stood up suddenly, his eyes even a little red.
The haze that has plagued the family and the group has been torn open by Zhang's relaxed food promises.
The other party took into consideration technology, market, environment, fallback plans, and even the most pressing food issue, and provided solutions and sincerity beyond imagination.
"Your Excellency, your vision and generosity have deeply moved me and my family! The Fiat Group is very willing and honored to engage in comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with the United States of Southeast Asia."
All eggs should not be put in one basket. In Giovanni's mind, Nanyang will be one of the most important "baskets" for the future of Fiat and his family.
"On behalf of my grandfather and family, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and commitment to cooperation!"
After saying that, he solemnly extended his hand to Zhang Chi.
Later, Zhang Chi met with several more representatives, which marked the beginning of Nanyang’s subsequent large-scale investment promotion.
Later, when the meeting finally ended and Zhang Chi left the venue surrounded by people and applause, he had a calm smile on his face, but deep down he was calm.
Iwo Jima…the gates of hell have opened.
He got into the special car and said solemnly to the adjutant who was already waiting in the car:
"Immediately notify General Tan Zhijie, the Chief of the General Staff, to come to my office. At the same time, order the Nanyang Expeditionary Force Command to expedite the formation, training, and equipment replacement of the troops heading north. All preparatory work shall be carried out with the highest priority."
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In the Battle of Ryukyu, White Eagle suffered 7.2 casualties, even far exceeding the 2.8 casualties in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
In this situation, Zhang Chi could not just do nothing and let the soldiers from Nanyang step into this meat grinder unprepared.
'Tunnels, reverse slopes, night attacks, snipers, kamikaze attacks...' Zhang Chi's mind quickly flashed through the tactical combination that the Japanese relied on to resist in Ryukyu.
They abandoned the foolish "banzai charge" of their early days and became extremely cunning and deadly. Against such an enemy, relying on traditional large-scale troop pushes and firepower coverage was inefficient and resulted in heavy casualties.
Therefore, Zhang Chi decided to send infantry divisions to participate in the expedition. The first thing to do was to ensure the flexibility and resilience of the troops in complex terrains such as mountains, tunnels, and towns.
Then, at the grassroots squad, platoon and company levels, they frantically increased the equipment rates of submachine guns, flamethrowers, recoilless guns and RPGs to improve their close combat killing efficiency, and conducted targeted drills on excavation blasting and small-team assault tactics.
And compared to tanks, armored vehicles, etc., Zhang Chi this time was creative and stuffed a large number of armored bulldozers and excavators into each division.
Don't you Japanese like digging holes? So, when you find a hole, first use grenades and flamethrowers. Then, use quick-drying concrete and bulldozers to seal each one.
Zhang Chi wanted to kill the rats hiding in the burrows, either by burning or blowing them up, or by trapping them or suffocating them.
Another thing is to deploy more air defense weapons and radars. During the entire Ryukyu Campaign, the number of Japanese aircraft participating in the Kamikaze attack reached an unprecedented 1900. To deal with these aircraft that only perform suicide dives, it is necessary to strengthen battlefield camouflage and evacuation drills to reduce the exposure time of large clusters of targets.
However, before Zhang Chi could go and personally inspect the training and preparation of each unit, an unexpected situation came to him.
"General, there is an urgent foreign emergency. The monarchs of Hyderabad and Junagadh have sent a joint delegation of envoys, led by Singh, the chief financial advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad. They request an urgent audience with you, stating that the matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed."
Zhang Chi raised his brows slightly. Hyderabad?
There were more than 500 princely states in Sindhu, and Hyderabad was almost the largest one, covering 21.3 square kilometers, as large as the Hunan Province in later times.
At this critical juncture, they sent a special envoy...things are definitely not simple.
"Arrange it at the State Guest House. I'll see you later."
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Zhang Chi soon met the special envoy, Singh.
He was a typical upper-class Sindhu elite, with fair skin, Aryan features, a carefully trimmed beard, an exquisite silk robe, and an exquisite small hat on his head that symbolized his status.
Behind him were several attendants who were also dressed in luxurious clothes but with browner and darker skin, as well as several servants carrying heavy gifts.
"Your Excellency Zhang Chi, the Supreme Commander of the United States of Nanyang." Singh bowed deeply, speaking fluent Johnese.
"On behalf of His Majesty the Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad and His Majesty the Nawab of Junagadh, I extend to you the highest regards and warmest greetings. May Allah bless you and your country with prosperity."
The servants immediately stepped forward and displayed the gifts they had brought one by one.
A colorful live peacock with a gorgeous tail feather is placed in an exquisite cage; a gem-encrusted sandalwood box reveals dazzling diamonds, rubies and emeralds; and there are also Persian-style pure wool carpets with intricate patterns and delicate touch...
The traditional Daxia peacock is green, and the blue peacock is from San Ge.
"This is just a small token of respect, representing your two Majesties' admiration for the strength and prosperity of Southeast Asia," Singh said with a smile.