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

Ashraf remained silent in the face of her lover's question.

"The John people will be the first to jump up in anger. They will impose sanctions, blockades, and covertly support the rebellion."

Then, your oil won't sell, and national revenue will plummet.

The tactics Zhang Chi described later became the most common strategy.

From the Middle East to North Africa and then to South Asia and the Americas, this approach has proven consistently effective.

After saying that, Zhang Chi smiled and said, "Guess who will go hungry first?"

"……civilian."

"Yes. Your food self-sufficiency rate is insufficient, and you need to import large quantities. Once the common people go hungry, they will riot. Then... as long as someone with ulterior motives instigates it..."

He didn't need to finish speaking.

Ashraf shivered.

“So Mossate was wrong?” she murmured.

Before meeting Zhang Chi, she and her brother genuinely believed that the congressman's radical reform strategy would be a good way to enrich the country and strengthen its military.

Now, after Zhang Chi explained to her who the royal family's enemies and their core supporters were, she was filled with despair.

She realized she had been too naive.

“Not entirely.” Zhang Chi kissed the beauty in his arms affectionately. “He saw the problem—the Johns took too much.”

"But he prescribed the wrong medicine. Nationalization is a shock therapy, and Persia's current state of health can't withstand it."

He lifted her face and made her turn to look at him.

“Listen, Ashraf,” he looked her straight in the eye, “the world will be divided into two camps for the next few decades, the red and the blue.”

The Russian bear and the American eagle will vie for global dominance. And Persia…”

He curled the corners of his mouth into a smile:

"Persia, due to its geographical location and oil, was bound to become a bridgehead in the Middle East that both sides were vying for."

The White Eagles will try to sideline John and the Bear, but if your brother agrees to the radical nationalization of oil like Mossate…

He leaned closer, his nose almost touching hers:

"It will still offend the White Eagle. Because the White Eagle's oil companies are also watching this place. Of course..."

He smiled:

"It will also offend Southeast Asia. Don't forget, we also have a stake in the oil fields in Persia."

Ashrawl's eyes widened; she understood the unspoken meaning.

"So..." she said softly, "you want me to dissuade my brother? At least... to preserve some of your interests?"

“At least.” Zhang Chi’s hand slid to the back of her neck and gently massaged it. “My dear little kitty, you need to understand.”

"Cooperation between countries is not a dinner party, it's about dividing the cake. If you try to take the whole cake away, everyone at the table will flip the table."

But if you feign pitifulness and say, "Let's share this cake, could you please give me a little more?"

He lowered his head and kissed her shoulder:

"Most people will sit down and talk."

The water suddenly shook violently.

Ashraf turned around and faced him again.

She cupped his face in her hands, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

Gratitude, calculation, dependence, and a hint of resentment.

“Then what should I do?” she asked. “Mosate is very powerful in Parliament. My brother… he’s often indecisive.”

Zhang Chi put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

“Darling,” he said, “learn more Chinese and read more about the history of Bahia.”

Ashrawl was puzzled.

"What is your brother, or rather your family, lacking?" Zhang Chi asked himself and answered, "It's the constitutional monarchists in parliament. It's the kind of political force that genuinely believes in the constitutional monarchy and is willing to be loyal to the king."

He paused:

“You are too weak right now. Those who depend on you are either mercenaries who do things for money or opportunists who are after the royal name. Once the storm comes, these people will run away faster than anyone else.”

Ashrawl pursed her lips.

She knew it was the truth.

"Throughout the history of the Great Xia Dynasty, there have been countless dynasties with weak and incompetent rulers," Zhang Chi continued, his voice like that of a storyteller. "...Those wise emperors all did one thing..."

He stared into her eyes:

"Endure hardship and bide your time, secretly cultivating the power of loyalty."

“For example?” Ashraf’s breathing quickened.

“Emperor Wu of Han established the ‘Imperial Guard’, selecting loyal young men from humble backgrounds and personally training them to eventually become weapons against the powerful relatives of the empress.” Zhang Chi gave an example: “Emperor Chengzu of Ming established the ‘Eastern Depot’, ostensibly to monitor officials, but in reality, it bypassed the civil service group and established his own eyes and ears and henchmen.”

He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her up slightly:

"What your brother needs is not to argue with Mossate for a moment, but to quietly do three things..."

"First, establish a 'King's Youth Corps' that belongs only to him."

They selected impoverished children aged 15 to 25 from across the country, provided them with food, clothing, and education, and instilled in them the ideas of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.

Five years later, these people will be junior military officers and low-ranking officials.

The Persian princess had given herself to him, so Zhang Chi naturally wouldn't just take advantage of her and forget about her; instead, he began to teach her step by step.

"Second, establish a 'Royal Special Fund'."

Instead of using national funds, the royal family's private assets were used to invest in factories, roads, and schools.

Let the people directly feel that 'the king has given us benefits.' Popular support isn't won through slogans; it's cultivated through consistent, practical action.

"Third, establish the 'Royal Security Intelligence Service'."

The most loyal and intelligent members of the Youth League were selected.

The task was simple: monitor the members of parliament, monitor the tribal chiefs, and monitor foreign agents.

Intelligence is power.

Your brother is like a blind man now; people are doing things right under his nose and he doesn't even know it. How can this be allowed?

Ashraf held her breath as she listened.

These suggestions are so specific and actionable.

Unlike those Western advisors who talk nonsense all day long.

This is the culmination of thousands of years of Eastern wisdom on power and strategy.

“These…all of this requires money,” she murmured. “A lot of money.”

"Where does the money come from?" Zhang Chi smiled. "Oil."

But it's not nationalization. It's renegotiation.

Nanyang can be the first to step forward and sign a ten-year procurement contract at a price 5% higher than the market price. Of course, the White Eagle will also contact you proactively.

He leaned closer, forehead to forehead:

"With money, people, and intelligence... in three to five years at most, your brother will be able to gain initial control of this country."

Ashlav closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"So, darling, what will you get in return?"

Zhang Chi smiled: "I can transport 50,000 rifles, 350 mortars, 100 artillery pieces, and 100 tanks for you. There will also be a 500-person military advisory group, and a team of several dozen intelligence instructors and advisors..."

Ashraf opened her eyes, her gaze filled with disbelief.

Zhang Chi's large hands started to get restless:

"I've given so much, what do you think I'll get in return?"

At that moment, she naturally understood everything.

-----

The night was dark.

Zhang Chi, however, was still awake.

He stared at the ceiling, planning his next move.

Persia was merely the first piece on his Middle Eastern chessboard.

The oil here is too important for the White Eagle to let go.

He didn't intend to confront the White Eagle head-on in Persia. He just wanted to strike first, ensure that he could maintain a certain level of power in Persia, and ensure that Persia would not change its allegiance.

On the contrary, Shah, where oil is currently completely unknown, presents a good opportunity to make early investments.