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

After saying that, Zhang Chi suddenly looked up and asked, "By the way, how many people are there in our controlled area now?"

Zhang Chi, who has advanced and successful experience, naturally took the path of "surrounding the cities from the countryside". His tentacles have now controlled a large number of villages in the entire Kazakh state north of Pegu.

Zhang Guangsong flipped through the documents in his hand and quickly replied:

"We currently have direct control over 37 villages, and 213 have been affected. The entire state of Kazakhstan has a population of approximately 17, of which fewer than 10 are Qian people. Our independent group can influence virtually all of them."

"And due to the persecution by the Japanese, many Qian refugees are fleeing into Kekan State, and the number of Qian people in Kekan State is skyrocketing. However, most of them do not want to stay in Kekan State for long, and instead want to cross the border into Yunnan Province and Sindhu State for refuge."

"As you requested, we have primarily resettled these refugees in the Qian people villages under our direct control. However, due to the sheer number of refugees, some village chiefs have complained that the surge in refugees has squeezed their supplies."

Hearing this, Zhang Chi's face darkened. He put on his military cap, stood up, and sneered:

"Have complaints? Humph, I think they're complaining about their power being squeezed out by our Independent Regiment. Without our Independent Regiment's protection, they would have been completely wiped out by the Fuso people long ago. Notify the elders to hold a meeting in the reception room. I'm going to meet these ungrateful old guys."

------

Dozens of elderly village elders were sitting in the newly built meeting hall, sipping tea and whispering while waiting.

Although they seemed calm on the surface, they were actually nervous inside. After all, the reputation of the Independent Regiment had spread to many Qian villages in the territory of Kejian State within the past month.

Meng Xingfa, the village chief of Meng Village, slammed his teacup on the table and said angrily:

"This independent regiment has been so arrogant lately! First, they forced us to reduce our land tax to less than 50%, and then they forced us to take in refugees fleeing north. Do these scoundrels really think they can rule the world just by holding a few fire sticks?"

As soon as he said this, several old men around him looked at him in astonishment and quickly sat further away from him.

They were all secretly muttering in their hearts - this independent regiment doesn't have only two fire sticks, they have everything they need, including armored vehicles, large-caliber heavy artillery, and airplanes. They made the surrounding Pegu people who surrendered to the Japanese and their Fuso backers cry for their parents. Didn't you really see it?

You old man are talking angrily here now, and you are not afraid of death. But we are afraid that the independent regiment will use you to attack us and splash us with blood.

But Meng Xingfa ignored him and was furious: "We have cultivated this land for generations. Why can he reduce the rent just because he wants to? Isn't that Zhang guy too overbearing? He even asked us to vacate our house to accommodate those refugees. This is really too much!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several old men came up and echoed in a low voice, starting to complain about Zhang Chi's arrangements.

This group of people only saw the immediate damage to their interests and completely forgot that if it weren't for Zhang Chi's independent regiment sweeping around, they would have been swallowed up by the Japanese along with their people and land. They can still sit here calmly drinking tea and talking trash.

Just as they were complaining together, suddenly, a loud "bang" interrupted their discussion.

Everyone was startled and quickly turned to look at the door.

At the gate, Zhang Chi walked in with a ruthless gait. There was no expression on his face, and a team of soldiers armed with live ammunition followed closely behind him.

Zhang Chi was in charge of a team of thousands of people, and a single decision could determine the life and death of tens of thousands of people. He already had an inexplicable aura about him, so with his entry, the atmosphere in the entire conference hall became solemn.

Those village heads who usually acted high and mighty held their breath at this moment, fearing that they would attract Zhang Chi's attention.

"I heard that some people are dissatisfied with my arrangements recently?" Zhang Chi's voice was not loud, but every word fell clearly into everyone's ears, carrying an irresistible pressure. "Why? Some old people are living like dogs at their age? They want to refuse a toast and drink a penalty?"

When everyone heard these rude words, they hurriedly moved their chairs back and sat further away from Meng Xingfa and his small group.

Zhang Chi glanced around coldly, his eyes passing through everyone like a knife, and finally stopped at the few old men who were isolated.

Seeing them all glaring at him, Zhang Chi almost laughed out of anger.

He really didn't know where these people got the courage to go against him. Was it Liang Xru who gave it to them?

Zhang Chi and Meng Xingfa exchanged glances, then smiled at each other. Zhang Chi waved his hand, and the soldiers behind him pounced on him like wolves and tigers.

Immediately afterwards, the several old men surrounding Meng Xingfa were subdued in an instant, without even a chance to resist.

"Take it away." Zhang Chi said lightly, as if it was just an order to move a few stones.

When the gate closed again and the heavy footsteps faded away, Zhang Chi turned and looked at the remaining village chiefs. He snorted coldly, his voice tinged with anger:

"At this critical moment of the Japanese invasion and life-or-death struggle, some people are not united, but are instead obsessed with their own petty gains. In the name of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces' Pegu Theater, I arrest these people who are undermining unity. Does anyone have any objections?"

Although Zhang Chi is currently only a colonel, he is the true supreme commander in the Qian people circle of Kejian State - protecting the nearly 10 Qian immigrants here.

When everyone heard his question, they all trembled like quails. The hall was dead silent, and no one dared to answer.

Meng Xingfa clasped his fists and saluted, saying loudly:

"Commander Zhang fought against the Japanese pirates for us old men, protecting our land and homes from the attacks of the natives and the pirates. He is our protector. Those old scoundrels are ignorant of what is good for them and are trying to undermine the overall situation of the War of Resistance. Commander Zhang, let alone arresting them, even if he executes them, we will applaud him."

Everyone looked at Meng Xingfa, who had just acted like he was mortal enemies with Zhang Chi, and saw how he was behaving now. They knew that the people who were captured had fallen into the trap.

All the complaints I just made were nothing but a trick by this young man Zhang Chi to make those who opposed him show up!

While they were secretly surprised at Zhang Chi's sophistication and ruthlessness, they responded, fearing that they would be mistaken for opponents.

"Yes, yes, Commander Zhang is wise. Well done for catching him."

"Commander Zhang is eliminating harm for the people."

"Captain Zhang did a good job. Killing them saved us all from harm."

These old men all felt that the young leader in front of them was much more terrifying than they had imagined.

Zhang Chi glanced at the village heads and elders who were responding obediently, and knew in his heart that these people were only forced to submit temporarily under the guns of the independent regiment.

However, he had no time to waste any more words with them.

After all, time is running out - it is now 42 years, and it will be at most three years before the Japanese are completely defeated and the John people return to Southeast Asia.

In this short period of time, he must unite the Qian people in Southeast Asia as quickly as possible and work together to resist the impending foreign forces.

So he decided to cut the Gordian knot and tie these people to his chariot completely.