People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

The intelligence group, led by Doiyuu and specifically targeting Lin Yi, was urgently established after Lin Yi escaped from the Northwest.

There are two very clear tasks.

First, thoroughly investigate all of Lin Yi's businesses and their operations.

Second, win him over.

Doi-man, who previously served as the head of the Fengtian Special Service Agency, made a special trip back to Japan to receive instructions from the military's top brass when he accepted his appointment.

According to the military high command, Lin Yi's relationship with the economic faction in Nanjing was strained.

Given the influence he demonstrated over several local power factions during this Northwest incident, it is entirely possible that he could use economic means to forge an alliance between these factions and the Nanjing National Government.

A military standoff based on an economic alliance.

If the relationship between the Empire and Lin Yi can be improved, by supporting him, then gradually gaining control over him.

Then, through economic means, one can influence or even control the local power factions in China.

This will greatly benefit the empire's long-term military plans against China.

Despite being a military man, Doiyuu, who is even more adept at politics, strongly agrees with this view of the military.

So he gladly accepted the order.

He felt no dissatisfaction whatsoever that he, as a major general of the Empire, was specifically targeting a Chinese businessman.

In addition, intelligence gathering has been going very smoothly during this period.

The more he learned about Lin Yi, the more he felt that the military's strategy was incredibly brilliant.

Mining, steel, chemicals, rubber, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, machinery and equipment, textiles, finance... the industrial layout spans several major industries, although some are still very weak.

It's only just beginning to emerge.

This clearly shows that Lin Yi is an ambitious person.

If left unchecked, it will inevitably have a profound impact on China's economy in the future.

Such a person is of immense value.

So much so that as long as he could be won over to goodwill with the empire, all previous unpleasantness could be put aside.

Hearing Muto's huffy words, Doiyuu shook his head with a smile.

"Mr. Muto, don't look at a specific thing with a military mindset."

"Politically speaking, there are no permanent enemies or friends. Among all relationships, only interests are eternal."

"As long as we can bring him benefits, the empire is his friend."

"As long as he can bring benefits to the empire, he is the empire's best friend."

Seeing Muto glaring at him, ready to retort, Tu Feiyuan didn't give him a chance to speak: "I know what you want to say."

"But people's stances can change."

"Especially a businessman."

"He will welcome us when the benefits are enough to entice him."

Muto's eye twitched: "Mr. Tsuchi-Fei-Yuan, there is an old Chinese saying: 'Those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts.'"

"But there is also an old Chinese saying: 'Those who understand the times are heroes.'"

The smile on Tu Feiyuan's face remained unchanged.

"With the support of the empire, Lin Yi's pace in business expansion will be greatly accelerated."

"But if he rejects the Empire's goodwill and continues to maintain a hostile stance, he will surely understand that the Empire's wrath is something no businessman can withstand."

With that, Doi-Yuan chuckled and said, "Mr. Muto, so you don't need to worry about this at all."

"Everything is under our control."

Muto stared at him for a while, then shook his head and said, "Then let's wait and see."

……

I never imagined that the Japanese would plan to win me over.

Lin Yi, who had received the signal while shaking hands with He Jingzhi's secretary, led the convoy around the hospital.

When they returned to St. Mary's, they found He Jingzhi's secretary already waiting at the entrance of the hall.

After exchanging a few polite words, he was led to the third floor.

They successfully met He Jingzhi, who was already sitting on the sofa.

Hemorrhoids are a sensitive topic to discuss.

So Lin Yi, who had already found out the specific details of the illness, simply said a few flattering words, mentioning that Chief He was working hard for the country.

Then we got down to business.

"I am taking the liberty of requesting an audience with the Chief of Staff today because there is a business matter I would like to ask for your guidance on."

"Hehe, Mr. Lin is joking."

"I am a soldier, and I believe I have some insights into military matters."

"As for business, I'm definitely not as good as Mr. Lin."

He Jingzhi chuckled, feeling that Lin Yi didn't seem like a difficult person to get along with.

They are good at flattery, and their posture and demeanor are respectful.

This shows that he is adept at interpersonal relationships.

I just don't understand how Kong Yongzhi managed to make our relationship so irreconcilable.

"To be honest, Chief of Staff, although this matter is commercial, it is also closely related to the military."

"is it?"

He Jingzhi said with great interest, "Please tell me more about it, Mr. Lin."

"I set up an arms factory, and the preparations are going smoothly so far. However, we don't quite agree on the product range layout."

"I thought that no matter what kind of product it is, it must be market-oriented."

"We will produce whatever the market needs."

"However, this is my first time venturing into the military industry, and I really don't understand the specific market demand."

"After much thought, I'm afraid that in the entire country of China, only you, Chief of Staff, truly understand this point."

"That's why I'm taking the liberty of requesting an audience, hoping to trouble the Chief of Staff to offer me some guidance."

The words were humble, and He Jingzhi understood their meaning.

An arsenal, well, it produces nothing but guns and cannons.

Lin Yi knew perfectly well what the army needed, not to mention people like Chen Bonan and Li Delin whom he knew.

You could find any junior officer or colonel and they could all talk about it fluently.

So, this guy isn't here to ask about market demand.

He clearly wanted to sell the weapons and equipment he produced to the Nationalist government through his own efforts!

This surprised him.

They were surprised by the sheer size of Lin Yi's arsenal. With readily available buyers like Chen Bonan, he still wanted to tap into the Nationalist army's market!

After a few thoughts swirling in his mind, He Jingzhi chuckled and said, "If that's the case, I can indeed help."

"I wonder about the size of Mr. Lin's arsenal and what types of weapons it can produce?"

"We can produce guns and cannons. The factory's engineers are already researching Krupp's 105 caliber howitzer."

"If all goes well, we should be able to replicate it."

Lin Yi made it up on the spot.

He had looked into it.

The few domestic arms factories can currently only copy the 75mm mountain gun.

The fact that they can replicate the 105mm howitzer is enough to prove that the arsenal is very powerful.

"As for production capacity, once the project is completed, it will produce 1,000 rifles per day, and we also plan to produce some light and heavy machine guns."

"The process is a bit complicated. We can produce about fifty or sixty units a day."

Upon hearing the numbers Lin Yi revealed, He Jingzhi's hand, resting on his knee, twitched rapidly a few times.

Good guy.

With this daily production capacity, wouldn't it mean that it would only take ten days or so to meet the basic equipment needs of a German-equipped division?

Furthermore, if we could replicate howitzers with a caliber of over 100mm, the German-equipped divisions would basically no longer need to purchase weapons and equipment from Germany!

There's no need to even call them German-equipped divisions anymore!