Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 452 Rio Tinto, USA; New Year's Eve Dinner (Subscription Request)

Changzhi Headquarters.

Chief's office.

"Commander Chu, I'm sorry, I still can't get used to your Chinese tea."

Douglas, the deputy head of the advisory group, made a sudden visit.

Chu Yunfei guessed that this matter was actually related to the copper mines in the Zhongtiao Mountain area.

He smiled and signaled Zhao Pengcheng to replace it with coffee, and said, "I have some coffee imported from your country. I hope Colonel Douglas will like it."

After Zhao Pengcheng left, Douglas said directly: "Chu, I came here to tell you a piece of news, which is very important for your upcoming aid contract negotiations."

Chu Yunfei gestured: "Please speak."

"There are not many companies planning to compete this time, but Freeport-McMoRan is the most powerful and has the highest level of technology. However, it is difficult for them to offer a price that you can accept."
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After Bao Yongsheng returned from Chu Yunfei's superior headquarters, he started raising money.

Their headquarters is located in Changzhi.

It only took three days.

Bao Yongsheng had already sent someone to deliver the message.

obviously.

The Jindongnan Chamber of Commerce is very efficient.

This group of people also has a very keen political sense.

Bao Yongsheng merely informed them of the next plans of the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters.

They chose to invest without hesitation.

Firmly support Chu Yunfei's proposed development strategy.

The initial exploration costs will be raised in a very short time, and the Southeast Shanxi Chamber of Commerce will further provide the subsequent expenses.

This group of people are very smart, so smart that Chu Yunfei can't find any fault with them.

As long as the policy allows, they not only do it, but also work very hard.

The policy does not allow it, no matter how high the profit is, because of some previous lessons.

They didn't dare touch it at all.

But they will not just be fined or put in jail for a few years just because they violate certain established rules.

The gendarmerie would not give them such an opportunity.

This is wartime. If you dare to profit from the national crisis, you will be dead. There is no room for negotiation.

Since the money is in place.

Then there is nothing to hesitate about.

Chu Yunfei immediately expressed his ideas to Colonel Douglas, hoping that he could help contact the US government.

that's it.

A telegram was sent to the United States in the name of the American Advisory Group.

And because of the inside information provided by Colonel Douglas during his visit.

In just one week.

The corresponding technical assistance contract was finalized.

Rio Tinto only provides technical support and equipment sales.

They can share 5% of the production profits.

In fact, it all comes down to Rio Tinto's technical poverty alleviation, plus the assumption of some risks.

Chu Yunfei doesn't have much knowledge about the industrial and mining industries in the United States.

Last collaboration.

Not this Rio Tinto.

But it is the relatively well-known Newmont Mining.

Chu Yunfei remembered it clearly.

Although Newmont Mining was required by the US government's decree.

During the negotiation, he still made a huge demand, asking for 70% of the profits and 30 years of operating rights.

Chu Yunfei bargained down to twenty years and a 50% profit.

The contract was submitted to Yan Laoxi, and after further negotiation, Yan Laoxi extended the negotiation to fifteen years.

Newmont Mining is indeed strong.

Now, most of the medium and large coal and iron mines in the southeastern part of Shanxi are using their equipment.

Technical workers are basically provided and trained by Newmont Mining.

The American company Rio Tinto is smaller in size.

According to Colonel Douglas, Rio Tinto is also one of the companies cooperating with the US Department of Defense.

There is also a similar copper mining industry in South America.

Their purpose of mining mineral resources in those places is quite obvious, which is to transport them back to the United States to be manufactured into corresponding industrial products, such as bullets, wires, etc.

If Rio Tinto invests in Shanxi.

Naturally, it cannot be used for export and can only be sold domestically.

Profits relative to exports are basically cut in half.

Chu Yunfei is in the negotiation process.

That was the visit of Colonel Douglas.

While enhancing the "friendship" with Chu Yunfei, he also showed him "friendship".

According to Colonel Douglas.

According to rough calculations by the person in charge of this round of negotiations at Rio Tinto.

Just a 10% share of the production profit is enough for them to make a fortune from this project.

Investing is a sure win for them.

The production equipment was purchased by Shanxi, and the staff were also hired by them.

They merely provide technical and theoretical guidance, nothing more.

If the copper mine output in Zhongtiao Mountain is really abundant, even if the profit share is only 5%, it can at least provide Rio Tinto with a profit of about US$500,000 per year.

Even if it is just a small or medium-sized copper mine.

As long as the Shanxi region remains within the sphere of influence of the Republic of China.

They can also earn at least $130,000 in profit every year.

This number will further increase as the technological level of the smelting industry improves.

The most critical point is that they only need to dispatch some technicians to provide guidance.

No capital contribution is even required.

If we were not in a state of war, this could be called a business that is sure to make money.

Although large companies do not care about the amount of money, there are still many small and medium-sized American companies that want to get involved.

It was because of the help of Colonel Douglas.

Chu Yunfei's negotiations went very smoothly.

Although the estimated profit is much less than before.

But Rio Tinto's project manager Davis did not want to give up this piece of fat meat. In order to become a contractor, they paid a considerable price in the United States.

Even if the expected profit is only half of what it was before.

The internal development situation has just been sorted out.

Then he received the battle report from the former commander-in-chief.

The Japanese North China Front Army stopped its counterattack.

The 26th Division has also withdrawn to Zhangjiakou.

It was as if the previous proactive attack was just to support the retreat of friendly forces.

The two sides confronted each other along the Yinshan Mountains, Yanshan Mountains and Taihang Mountains.

The battle in northern Shanxi came to an end.

at the same time.

Chu Yunfei also received a notice from the 18th Group Army.

The Japanese Army's mopping-up operations in North China also became more peaceful and even stopped.

1940 October.

It is a common cold winter season for the entire North China.

The Japanese and puppet troops basically ended the two-month security crackdown and retreated to their strongholds. There was nothing they could do, it was too cold.

Most of the people in the family only have one cotton-padded jacket.

The rest can only huddle in bed to avoid the cold.

Some rural families can't even afford a real quilt.

The only filling for the quilt was reed fluff, which was not actually warm at all.

under these circumstances.

Ordinary people have also basically reduced their activities.

It's a rare period of calm.

On February 3rd, there are only about six days left until the Spring Festival.

Chu Yunfei refused Song Wenying's request to stay and also refused Yan Laoxi's invitation.

Set out to return to the front line.

Inside the car.

Zhao Pengcheng was puzzled: "Your Excellency, the Chinese New Year is just a few days away. I have finally finished my work. Why don't you wait until the end of the year before leaving?"

Chu Yunfei opened his eyes and said, "The soldiers on the front line are still squatting in the trenches. How can I celebrate the New Year alone in the back?"

Zhao Pengcheng thought that this kind of thing didn't matter, but he also felt that Chu Yunfei's words on the front line were also an encouragement to the soldiers on the front line: "But, you have been in the army for so many years and haven't gone back to have a good New Year. Don't you feel a little regretful?"

Chu Yunfei did not give a direct answer, but just asked: "Are you homesick?"

Zhao Pengcheng scratched his head and said, "It's okay. I was thinking that after the Chinese New Year, I would like to ask for some leave from you and go home to see my family. I haven't been back for almost four or five years since I joined the army."

Chu Yunfei smiled and said, "Sure. Next time you return to the headquarters from the front line, I'll give you fifteen days off."

February 6th.

Two days before New Year’s Eve.

Chu Yunfei appeared on the front battlefield to inspect the battle situation.

And they brought the soldiers comfort supplies transported from the rear.

He also went to the confrontation line of the Fifth Army and made a phone call with Wu Shimin, Zeng Wanzhong and others.

For a moment, the soldiers fighting on the front line were extremely surprised.

After all, it has been some time since Chu Yunfei returned to Changzhi headquarters.

As the fighting on the front line becomes stable.

Logically speaking, he should spend the New Year in the rear before coming back.

Many soldiers have heard that Chu Yunfei's wife is pregnant.

However, Chu Yunfei returned to the front line without hesitation.

Together with these warriors.

On February 7, Chu Yunfei ended his inspection of the front line and set out to return to the front-line headquarters that afternoon.

Regarding Chu Yunfei's arrival.

Fang Ligong and others had obviously received the news in advance and were prepared.

Battle reports, results, and recent casualties have been summarized.

Chu Yunfei sat in front of his own ammunition box, carefully watching the battle situation in the past month.

"The battle situation has basically stabilized recently. Only more than 40 soldiers were killed and 150 wounded on the entire northern Shanxi frontline yesterday."

Zhang Dayun also added: "Yes, since the Japanese 26th Division successfully escaped, the Japanese army has basically not made any moves. Yesterday and today were relatively quiet."

"We have received almost no calls from the front line."

Chu Yunfei sighed in his heart.

It's relatively quiet.

Although he really hoped that his commanders would not take the casualties and losses too seriously.

Everything is based on achieving the goal of the battle.

But nowadays, it is a long-term and high-intensity combat.

The senior commanders under his command have obviously become accustomed to it, or even numb to it.

Two hundred casualties a day.

These are just the casualties caused by probing, armed reconnaissance and artillery bombardment on both sides.

If this continues for a month, the number of casualties is likely to exceed 10,000.

Chu Yunfei put down the battle reports in his hand and said slowly: "It is meaningless to continue such a war of attrition. We have no way to take Tianzhen and the surrounding areas in one go."

"We are currently lacking effective offensive means. When we are short of ammunition, we should remain on the defensive or even maintain a standoff."

"Pass on my order, and strictly instruct all troops not to take the initiative to attack."

"Yes!"

Zhang Dayun turned around and made a phone call to give orders.

Chu Yunfei then announced: "The threat from Suiyuan has been basically eliminated. The cavalry units are unable to attack. We only need to hold the key points of the outer Great Wall. It does not require much manpower."

"The rotation training will start in March and April. The Huailai small comprehensive training ground is also being fenced off. It is estimated that it will be completed within two months. With the participation of the rotation troops, this time will be shortened a lot."

Fang Ligong thought for a moment and nodded slowly: "Okay, then I will arrange for the troops to be trained."

"Well, combat units that have been in combat for a long time and have suffered heavy casualties will be given priority."

"Yes!"

Chu Yunfei and others were chatting about what to do after returning.

Wu Dabing rushed into the command center in a hurry.

Chu Yunfei turned around and looked over: "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Wu boldly invited with a smile: "Commanders, the brothers of the guard company are waiting for you."

Luo Weiguo was a little puzzled: "What are you waiting for us for?"

"Today is New Year's Eve, and the brothers are waiting for the officers to have the New Year's Eve dinner!"

Luo Weiguo, Fang Ligong and others suddenly realized.

In the blink of an eye, it’s Chinese New Year again!

They were only thinking about compiling and organizing recent information, and never expected that Chu Yunfei would come back to spend the New Year with them.

He saw that everyone's eyes were on him.

Chu Yunfei shook his head and declined, "It doesn't matter where we eat. There are so many people in the headquarters. Can your guard company entertain them?"

You must know that the current front-line headquarters is different from the past.

Now they are no longer a small team of a dozen people.

Including personal security guards and service personnel.

Plus the relevant staff from the Operations Department, Communications Department, etc.

The number of people has approached nearly a hundred.

Although it is not as serious as the theater command, where there are hundreds of people.

But this is not a small number and it cannot be fooled by just eating for free.

The front-line headquarters also had a special cooking team.

More than twenty people.

Just for four meals a day.

There was no way around it, as both sides also fought a lot at night.

It is normal to eat something when you are hungry at night.

Wu Dabao said with a smile, obviously having made arrangements in advance: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we have allocated a company of soldiers to help with the preparations."

"In addition, during the garrison process."

"One soldier hunted a wild boar while patrolling in the mountains. It was fat and strong, and probably weighed at least 300 to 400 kilograms."

"A warrior who was a hunter said that he hadn't seen such a big wild boar in more than ten years."

Luo Weiguo smiled and it was clear from his expression that he was quite excited: "This is just the right thing to use to improve the New Year's Eve dinner. Let's stew it, right?"

Zhang Dayun hung up the phone at this time, turned around and suggested with a smile: "That's great, I haven't eaten this for a long time, why don't we go there together in the evening, there happens to be no fighting on the front line now."

Chu Yunfei was silent for a moment and then nodded slowly: "You can eat, but you can't drink."

"You guys go ahead. I'll stay here on duty."

"Let's go together. The situation on the front line has stabilized, and the Japanese army is further reducing its forces. It's a rare opportunity for us to get together."

(End of this chapter)