Anti-Japanese War: When I get promoted, the system will explode with soldiers

"Minister Chen, this isn't necessary, is it?"

Li Shaoyi took two steps inside. In the lobby of the Navy Ministry building, headed by Minister Chen, almost all the people with some official positions were waiting here. It could really be said to be a grand occasion. If the old man came to inspect the Navy Ministry, it would probably be this scene.

"You still hold the title of Deputy Chief of the Navy General Staff. Coming to this building is like returning home. Although this is your first time here, I have reserved my office for you after receiving the order from above. Let's go to your office to discuss this."

Minister Chen really liked Li Shaoyi, one reason being the righteousness of his junior, and the other being that he revitalized the Navy of the Republic of China. Without Li Shaoyi, the Navy Department would have gradually lost influence within the Party and the country.

Nowadays, Minister Chen speaks a little louder in high-level military meetings. The fundamental reason is that Li Shaoyi's navy has risen. Although we are still a small fry compared with the great powers, but if compared with the original navy, it can be described as changing with each passing day.

Take Pujiang for example. In the past, the Navy Department had no say in Pujiang at all. Not to mention the major Western powers, even those small countries might not take us seriously. But now our fleet is stationed there. Whenever there is something happening in the two major concessions, officials from the Navy Department must be invited to participate. Although they may not respect all of our opinions, at least we have a say.

All of this was caused by Li Shaoyi, so when Li Shaoyi was about to come to the Navy Department to discuss something, Minister Chen called everyone down to let Li Shaoyi feel the Navy Department's attention to this incident.

Minister Chen was even happier when talking about this matter. He had hinted about it openly and secretly when he went to the island city last time. He didn't expect that Li Shaoyi really took it seriously. When he held his wedding in Pujiang, he also met with Chairman Chen. The telegram he sent to himself this time was about discussing various matters related to the fleet's southward movement. This was a major event to enhance our country's prestige.

Ever since the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, all naval personnel have been dreaming of making their warships famous overseas. However, this is easier said than done.

If someone else told Minister Chen about this, he would definitely just laugh it off and would not believe it was true. But it was different with Li Shaoyi. Based on what Li Shaoyi had done, Minister Chen also believed that there was something true in Li Shaoyi's words.

The two of them talked and laughed all the way to the office on the third floor, the office of the Deputy Chief of General Staff, which was naturally very nice. Apart from the purchase of warships, the Navy Department's funding for other areas was quite good. After all, compared with the cost of purchasing warships, the funding for other areas was a fraction.

After the two chatted for a while, Li Shaoyi also brought up this topic. When talking about establishing a naval base in Southeast Asia, Minister Chen's expression was similar to Dong Yueyan's.

"Are you...are you serious? I mean, are you going to touch upon the Western nations without mobilizing troops, or are you going to establish this naval base even if you do?"

Minister Chen tried hard to calm himself down. As the Minister of the Navy of the National Government, he had seen a lot of the world, but after hearing Li Shaoyi's plan, he was still very excited. It was really impossible to find any possibility in Li Shaoyi's idea.

"If we're going to do it, we have to work hard. If we only touch on it, the chance of success won't exceed 5%. My bottom line is that if we don't suffer major losses and no more than half of the Southeast Asian countries oppose it, we can risk going to war with the Windmill Country and take a bite out of the territory."

Li Shaoyi knew very well in his mind that since all the Southeast Asian powers were opposed, there would be no hope for our naval base, so he had to hurry back.

But if only the Windmill Country opposed it, or if one or two other powers joined in, and their opposition was not so fierce, Li Shaoyi would give them benefits in other aspects to disintegrate such an alliance.

"The Windmill Country is nothing to be feared. Its national strength has declined significantly in recent years, and it's a small country in Europe. When these countries came, we didn't know them well enough and even treated them like a major power. Now, if other powers hadn't intervened, your idea might actually succeed."

Although Minister Chen said this, it was obvious that he did not have much confidence. He was well aware of the naval power in Li Shaoyi's hands, and he was also aware of the warships that could sail south this time. They were nothing more than one or two cruisers and three to four destroyers. This force was enough for the Windmill Country, but it could not crush it, let alone other stocks.

Originally, there were only so many resources in the pool, and everyone took a bite, and life went on like this. But if someone with great ambitions suddenly came, the powers that were living here would inevitably be dissatisfied.

However, Li Shaoyi had another opportunity, that is, his army was also fighting the Russians in the north, and perhaps the Western countries would show leniency.

"I know what Minister Chen is concerned about. I have several other questions..."

When Li Shaoyi was about to speak, he stopped immediately because there were two young men beside Minister Chen. Except for him and Li Sibei, everyone else on Li Shaoyi's side had gone out.

Minister Chen sent one of the young men away, and the other stayed.

"I always promote talented people regardless of their relationship. This is my grandson, Zhu Ping. He has his own insights into the navy. You can contact him directly for future naval communications. Also, I hope he can accompany you on your trip to Southeast Asia this time."

Minister Chen has never used his privileges for his grandson. This should be the first time. Of course, Minister Chen is also familiar with Li Shaoyi's way of doing things. If his grandson did not have this ability, he would never say this.

"Commander Li."

Zhu Ping stood by and didn't say anything else. He just saluted Li Shaoyi, then opened his notebook and continued to record.

"That's no problem. Since you're one of us, I'll just tell you straight away. I've also ordered two heavy cruisers from a certain country, each with a full load displacement of 17,000 tons. When I arrive in Southeast Asia, these two warships will arrive at the same time. My request to the Navy Department is that they lend me all the people they can, so that these two heavy cruisers can at least be used for maritime patrols that day..."

Li Shaoyi's words completely frightened the grandfather and grandson, and they even dropped their pens to the ground...