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

The night is getting darker.

Outside the suite of Persian Princess Ashraf on the top floor of the hotel.

The female officials and maids, dressed in traditional attire, stood with their heads bowed and solemn expressions, as if the princess were resting peacefully indoors and not to be disturbed by anyone.

Only a very few close confidants knew that the suite was empty.

A secret passage hidden behind the mural leads to another undiscovered luxury suite.

Inside the suite behind the secret passage.

The lighting was dim, with only a single, yellowish wall lamp on.

A hint of lust permeated the air.

Zhang Chi leaned against the large bed, his fingers unconsciously tracing the body in the crook of his arm.

Princess Ashraf's skin was the typical Aryan white, with an ivory-like sheen in dim light, so delicate it was almost unbelievable.

His thoughts, however, were not entirely immersed in the gentle embrace of love.

The smooth, slippery sensation from his fingertips strangely intertwined with the strategic map in his mind.

Persia…

If we can acquire a few air bases within Persia suitable for B-29 takeoffs and landings...

His gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, reaching the vast lands to the north.

Therefore, in the short term, the seemingly large but actually weakly defended lower abdomen of the Russian bear—especially the several Central Asian republics and the crucial Baku oil field—will be completely exposed to the strategic strike radius of the Yugoslav Air Force.

This card is in my hand.

In addition, there is the nuclear force that has already been demonstrated.

He believed this would be enough to make the steely old man in the Kremlin, and his future successors, calm down and carefully consider all issues concerning Southeast Asia.

After all, those guys in the north have endless ways of infiltrating, supporting proxies, and stirring up trouble within the country. They buzz around like flies, which is really annoying.

It's time to let them know that Southeast Asia not only has the strength to swat flies, but also the ability to overturn tables.

A soft, boneless arm, warm to the touch, wrapped itself around his neck.

Princess Ashraf, like a languid Persian cat, pressed her soft body closer to his firm chest, her long hair cascading over his shoulders.

She tilted her head back, her deep eyes gleaming in the darkness, revealing a mixture of infatuation, calculation, and a resolute determination to go all out.

She was not entirely acting on a political mission.

This man, who built a powerful force from scratch in just a few years, deeply attracted her with his masculine spirit that blended Eastern wisdom with an iron will.

She devoted herself to him out of the country's needs, and also for the sake of her own conquered heart.

As for his existing wife?

In her culture, it is perfectly normal for powerful men to have multiple wives and concubines.

This did not prevent her from gaining his favor and securing crucial allies and support for Persia.

The most important thing is to be on good terms with Southeast Asia and use their strength to develop Persia, so that her motherland can truly become independent and strong in the gap between Britain and the Soviet Union.

In this process, being able to possess a part of this man, whether emotionally or physically, is already a blessing from fate for her.

She whispered softly in his ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe, speaking in Mandarin with an exotic accent: "What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought..."

Zhang Chi pulled his wandering thoughts back and looked down at the stunning woman in his arms, a woman who embodied power, beauty, and exotic charm.

He smiled, not answering the strategic question, but responding to her enthusiasm with a more direct action.

He rolled over, casting her shadow over him.

Outside the window, the faint sound of the Irrawaddy River flowing could be heard, mingling with the sounds of breathing inside.

-----

The next morning, the two sat facing each other on the balcony of the suite.

As dawn broke, a thin mist still hung over the surface of the Irrawaddy River in the distance.

On the exquisitely carved wrought iron table, a fine breakfast and black tea are laid out.

Zhang Chi, dressed in a comfortable bathrobe, was cutting up a fried egg on a plate.

Princess Ashraf, sitting opposite him, wore a silk blouse, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her eyes held a hint of languor and contentment.

“Ashrapnel.” Zhang Chi put down his knife and fork, his gaze frank and assertive, and cut straight to the point, “This world war is about to end, and the world order will be overturned overnight. Persia’s opportunity has arrived.”

He leaned forward slightly, exuding an invisible pressure: "I need you to persuade your brother within two weeks to open the air bases in Abbas and Mashhad to me. The eagle of the South Seas will protect Persia and defend against any threat from the north."

Ashlaf smiled radiantly, like a blooming rose.

She gracefully picked up her silver fork, pierced a sausage, gently took it into her pink lips, slowly chewed and swallowed it, before responding unhurriedly:

“My dear, my country and my heart and soul are open to you.” Her voice was slightly hoarse and magnetic. “But my brother needs to see a more concrete commitment.”

More economic aid, more weapons and equipment, and... a publicly released "Southeast Asia-Persia Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation."

She picked up her black tea, took a sip, and her eyes sharpened: "Of course, a defense alliance treaty would be better."

She is well aware of the current situation in her country.

The elder brother, King Pahlavi, appeared to be the ruler of the country, but in reality, his decrees rarely left Tehran.

In the vast northern lands, power was divided among chiefs and tribal leaders who held private armies and had ruled for generations.

Persia was less a modern state and more a hybrid monster cobbled together from tribes, feudal lords, and constitutional monarchies.

“For those chiefs, empty promises are meaningless. They only care about tangible benefits: money, weapons, and the power to control their territory,” she added. “And for my brother, the best way to secure his throne and achieve something is to first leverage external forces to firmly grasp the loyal capital and surrounding areas and develop them.”

Zhang Chi smiled, a smile that exuded a sense of complete control.

He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth: "These will all be available."

He made specific promises:

"The first batch of aid, including a complete set of hospital equipment and three sets of medium-sized oil drilling equipment that you urgently need, will arrive in Bandar Abbas next month."

We will establish a Nanyang Friendship Hospital in Tehran and help you assemble your own oil exploration team.

As for the treaty…

He stared intently at the Persian cat before him: "The day the base agreement is officially signed will be the day the 'South Seas-Persia Mutual Defense Treaty' is announced to the world."

Persia's location is very important, and in the near future, the Persian Gulf will have a pivotal position in the world.

Zhang Chi is not stingy with making promises.

Hearing her lover's promise, a glint of light flashed in Ashraf's eyes.

A defensive treaty—this was the talisman she and her brother had always dreamed of.

She stretched out her fair hand and gently placed it on the back of Zhang Chi's hand: "I will let my brother see what kind of powerful support his sister has brought to Persia."