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

Chapter 494: Founding a country?

The clamor on the other side of the ocean has settled.

President Rowe, the giant in a wheelchair, defeated his rival John Dewey with 53% of the popular vote and won the White Eagle presidency for a historic fourth time.

His 'loyal' running mate, Truman, also became vice president.

The result of this election gave many people peace of mind.

Almost simultaneously with the news of President Luo's re-election, a strong political whirlwind swept in from Southeast Asia.

Zhang Chi, the commander of the People's Security Army entrenched in Southeast Asia, officially released the news after completing a journey that started from Myitkyina, went south to inspect Mandalay and Yangon, the core areas of Pegu, intimidated the local tyrants, appeased the Siamese royal family and dignitaries, and finally took over the golden scepter of "Grand Marshal of the Siamese Army, Navy and Air Force" in Bangkok.

Nanyang is about to become an independent country.

This is not groundless.

Zhang Chi's high-profile inspection was not only a strong move to demonstrate military power and stabilize the rear, but also a hint to pave the way for the founding of the country.

The local forces in Bago, especially in core cities such as Mandalay and Yangon, temporarily ceased their activities under the threat of the People's Army's guns and Zhang Chi's promises of benefits.

The "Oriental land compensation" promised to Siam also made Siam temporarily submissive.

The core Chinese base in Southeast Asia has been eagerly waiting for Zhang Chi to "ascend the throne" so that they can gain the "merit of following the dragon" and occupy a place in the new dynasty.

Now everything is ready, and the only things left to worry about are the flag, political system, new constitution and other details.

When the news reached the Republic of China, it was like a huge rock thrown into an already turbulent pond, causing completely different ripples.

For local powerful factions such as Li and Bai of the Guangxi clique and Long and Lu of the Yunnan clique, Zhang Chi's establishment of an independent country meant a big deal.

This "King of Nanyang," commanding a large army and renowned for his military exploits, completely withdrew from the power dynamics of the Republic of China. No longer a potential competitor or disruptor, he became a stable, powerful foreign ally, one with whom he had close personal connections.

This undoubtedly gave them a crucial escape route. The more resourceful ones had already begun quietly transferring some of their assets to places controlled by the Nanyang government, such as Myitkyina, Rangoon, Bangkok, and Singapore. Some, even worse, had begun arranging for their children and nephews to move south to "spread out their branches," seeking employment or engaging in business within the People's Security Army system, a cunning strategy of spreading their influence across three burrows.

In this way, if they fail in the competition for the Central Plains in the future, they can at least flee to Southeast Asia and become wealthy expatriates by relying on their "relationship" with Zhang Chi.

However, in the smoke-filled, heavily guarded secret meeting room of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Shancheng, the atmosphere was much more solemn.

Director Dai Chunfeng, Deputy Director Zheng Tingbing, and Director of General Affairs Shen Shuyi, the three giants of the Military Control Commission were sitting together, with several top-secret intelligence reports about the establishment of a nation in Southeast Asia spread out on the table.

"The latest news..." Shen Shuyi spoke first, his tone tinged with confusion and teasing, "I heard that the King of Nanyang is planning to follow the example of White Eagle and establish a federal system, with the tentative name of the country being 'United States of Nanyang'.

Hey, if you ask me, why be so secretive? Just calling it the 'South China Republic' would be much more open and legitimate."

Dai Chunfeng did not respond immediately. His eyes fell on the huge world map on the wall, and his fingers tapped the table unconsciously.

This White Party intelligence giant has an extremely meticulous mind and naturally will not just look at the surface of things.

"Shuyi, you can't just look at the surface of things." Dai Chunfeng spoke slowly in a low voice, "Calculate the population account in Zhang Chi's hands.

He relied on the Chinese to start his People's Army. When he went south to liberate Malaya and Singapore, he absorbed Chinese immigrants. Together with the local Chinese in Pegu and Siam, the total number of Chinese was less than 10 million at most.

Even if we include those mixed-bloods like Baba Nyonya, the maximum is 13 or 14 million."

"But look at the map." He pointed heavily at Pegu, Siam, and the Malay Peninsula. "In these three places alone, there are over 20 million natives. That's twice the size of his Chinese base."

He raised his head and glanced at Shen Shuyi and Zheng Tingbing sharply:

"His People's Security Army is indeed a capable fighter, sweeping across Southeast Asia unrivaled. But governing a country is not about fighting. If he really dares to establish a country under the name of the 'South China Republic',

That is to blatantly write "Chinese supremacy" on their faces, and directly push all the local tyrants and even the local people who are potentially watching to the sidelines to the opposite side.

This is sowing the seeds of endless rebellion for oneself. How shrewd is Zhang Chi? Would he do such a stupid thing?

Zheng Tingbing pushed his gold-rimmed glasses, and his eyes behind the lenses flashed with a strange light.

This elite second-in-command who studied abroad in Russia and possessed extensive experience in espionage had recently received word that someone had reported Dai Chunfeng to his superiors, saying that he was too close to the White Eagles and the Anmin Army, and that there was a risk of relying on foreign powers to gain power.

This made him, who had been firmly suppressed by Director Dai as the second-in-command, become more active.

However, at the moment, he remained calm and said, "That's a good idea, Mr.

The "United States" is a false pretense, but it's definitely a lie. Imitating the White Eagle federal system? I think it's all just a formality. Federalism sounds decentralized and loose, which gives Zhang Chi the most room to maneuver.

He established the country in the name of "voluntary union of states", first stabilizing the indigenous people who made up the majority of the population, diluting the Chinese-dominated color, and reducing the violent backlash in the early days of the country.

But think about it: who holds military power? Who controls the core of the political power? The backbone of the People's Security Army, key administrative positions at all levels, and the economic lifeline—which one of them isn't firmly in the hands of Zhang Chi and his group of Chinese confidants who helped him succeed?

How much real power can a so-called "state" have in the early stages? It's just a facade to appease the people."

He sneered and continued his analysis:

“I dare to assert that once his rule in Southeast Asia is completely solidified, military and political power is highly centralized, and the economy and people’s livelihood are back on track, he will inevitably step by step reduce the power of the feudal lords.

From finance, justice to personnel appointments, it gradually gathered together and eventually established a highly centralized state apparatus.

Federalism? That's just a temporary fix for the transitional period, a clever disguise to lull the natives into submission and reduce international resistance. Colleagues, please don't be fooled by his youth."

After saying this, he glanced at Shen Shuyi vaguely.

The two giant Buddhas above his head were about to fight each other, so what could Shen Shuyi do?

I could only nod repeatedly, pretending to suddenly understand:

"I see. The Director and Deputy Director Zheng really see things clearly. As long as they have the guns and the money, it really makes no difference to Zhang Chi whether it's called the 'United States' or the 'Empire'."

It's nothing more than a way to make those native chiefs and the White Eagles look good and have fun."