Chapter 7, The War of Resistance, Nanjin Pass and the Kuwait Oil Field
The Kuwait Oil Company compensated over one million pounds after only six months of illegal extraction, while according to their report, this oil field could be exploited for over one hundred years. Thirty million pounds seems rather inexpensive, doesn't it
I request that the war zone grant me an additional two and a half months, otherwise I will be unable to complete the Nanjing Pass fortress project. Moreover, once it is known that the Japanese army is advancing, the laborers will inevitably scatter, and at that time, relying solely on the 41st Regiment will not suffice to complete the project on time
Major General Bo Mingfang, the fortress commander from the Northwest Military Academy's first phase, responded: "In terms of artillery, we currently have a 105mm howitzer battalion and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The infantry situation is slightly lacking; the 124th Division of the 51st Army has not yet arrived. The main forces at present are the recently incorporated Exi Security Regiment and the local militia from the northwestern region of Hunan, which are quite insufficient in combat capability. However, the supply of arms and ammunition at Nanjingu is adequate, and with the support of our seasoned soldiers from the Northwest, as long as the Japanese army does not immediately attack Yichang, even if the 124th Division cannot arrive in the short term, I am confident that I can organize a capable fighting force within three months."
If my personal rights are compromised in Kuwait, then I can clearly inform you that your country's interests in China will be comprehensively affected
Shou Ming was aware that many within the Northwest Army held a great deal of disdain for the various irregular forces. However, the Japanese army was formidable, and the Nanjin Pass was the gateway to Sichuan. Relying solely on a Northeast Army division of around ten thousand men and five to six thousand recently incorporated auxiliary troops to hold the line was, in fact, quite challenging. Therefore, he needed to sound a warning to the other side
Shou Ming looked at the confident face of the other person and suddenly laughed: "Courage is commendable, but a battle cannot be won by just one person. Otherwise, why would Jun Zuo still be working hard to bring in those peripheral and miscellaneous forces? You need to think critically; the War of Resistance is a matter of national liberation. We must work together and face difficulties as one."
Your Excellency the General, on behalf of the Kingdom's government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, I would like to present a proposal to you. We hope that you will consider transferring the oil exploration and extraction rights for Bougain Island and the neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. In return, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is willing to pay you a transfer fee of 30 million pounds
Shouming spoke without reservation, yet his eyes were filled with an uncontainable satisfaction
Understood
Your Excellency, the American Consul
Rest assured, Chief of Staff, I will immediately lead my troops to the Yidu line to confront the enemy. Even if we exhaust all our forces, I will ensure that Chief Engineer Tang has the time needed for construction.
Boming Fang inquired with a sense of confusion
Do not celebrate too early; the fortress must also dispatch elite troops to cooperate in resisting the enemy. Additionally, the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Liaison Office will send personnel to assist.
Rest assured, the war zone has already decided to mobilize the Chuanjiang Fleet for combat
In that case, how much would Your Excellency be willing to sell for?
Dai Jiliang clearly communicated his bottom line to the other party
Did the Chuajiang Fleet not suffer almost complete loss in Nanjing
Boming Fang and others displayed expressions of joy, indeed, due to the mountainous and hilly terrain on both sides of the strait, the Japanese army's attack would inevitably proceed upstream along the river. Therefore, as long as the river surface is blocked, it would be a very easy task to delay the Japanese army for ten days or half a month.
Dai Jiliang responded leisurely.
Isn't it time to forgo the three-month training period?
At this moment, Shouming's tone became serious
Of course, they still lack a bit when it comes to directly confronting the Japanese warships, and Junz座 is also reluctant to do so; however, they are still capable of deploying mines.
From this, Masafen realized that he had just been caught off guard by Dai Jiliang's words. However, being a veteran of the British Foreign Office, he quickly thought of a way to shift the question onto Dai Jiliang: "So, Your Excellency the General, you are unwilling to sell the oil extraction rights for Kuwait and its surrounding areas?"
Is Your Excellency joking?
Chief of Staff
The dim light was eerie and startling, but before he had the chance to speak, Tang Shiqiu beside him was already in a state of anxious impatience
Yesterday, just yesterday, an advance unit of approximately 800 Japanese troops had already arrived in Jiangling, and the accompanying gunboats even shelled Jingzhou. Qing Sheng, do you still think you have three months' time
Goodbye
I will immediately convey your request to His Excellency the Minister.
Dai Jiliang also stood up.
Please rest assured
After exchanging diplomatic pleasantries, Masafen took the initiative to take his leave. Just as he was about to exit Dai Jiliang's office, he unexpectedly caught a glimpse of his American counterpart through a slightly ajar door, stirring something within him
The verdict is now announced: The Kuwait Oil Company has infringed upon the rights of the plaintiff in the case of unauthorized exploration and extraction of oil from Bougain Island. The defendant, Kuwait Oil Company, is ordered to immediately compensate the plaintiff for related losses and interest amounting to £1,352,254.27, and to immediately cease the infringing actions and issue a public apology
Dai Jiliang's rhetorical question left Masafen speechless
Has the kingdom's government never provided assistance to private enterprises
The donkey descends the slope smoothly.
Moreover, when I initially signed the agreement with the Emir of Kuwait, I had it notarized at the British Commissioner’s office. This is one of the reasons why I was ultimately victorious in your country's Privy Council. If the Emir of Kuwait were to tear up this contract, I believe the losses for the British side would seem to be greater than mine
Your Excellency, if I may speak frankly, you initially spent only several tens of thousands of US dollars to acquire the relevant rights, and you have not invested a single cent more in exploration and extraction. The returns you have received are already astonishing. If the Emir of Kuwait were to backtrack now, Your Excellency would not receive a single penny.
Masa Fen was furious, and before he could retort, he heard Dai Jiliang continue speaking
Your Excellency, please show some self-respect; I have never been afraid of threats
Dai Jiliang smiled as he looked at the British Consul General in Xi'an, Massafin
At this moment, Shouming revealed a hidden card
Dai Jiliang feigned a demeanor of concealment, making a slight gesture.
Thank you, but time must still be managed carefully
The people beside him nodded in agreement, and thus Shouming asked again, "Is the troop in position?"
Shou Ming explained that future warfare will still rely on the cooperation of fortifications, so he does not conceal anything
Secondly, I can accept installment payments from the other party, but a price of thirty million is absolutely impossible. As for the specific amount, please have a representative from the English and Polish sides come to discuss; otherwise, it shows a lack of sincerity.
Masafeng poses a threat
Shou Ming has only brief experience as a commanding officer of troops, thus he is somewhat sensitive regarding casualty figures: "This level of sacrifice is unavoidable. Remember, we must provide generous compensation to the affected civilians. Once the fortifications are completed, we will erect a monument to commemorate all the fallen."
I am sorry, but I am still not quite clear about Consul Kang En's intentions
The Chief of Staff is responsible for the frontline construction, primarily carried out by the 41st Engineering Regiment of the theater and over 20,000 local civilians recruited from the vicinity of Yichang. As of yesterday, the construction site has cumulatively completed 450,000 cubic meters of earth and stone excavation, opened several tunnels for storing troops and artillery, constructed 13 permanent and semi-permanent fortifications, established one field hospital in a tunnel, and set up 12 material storage points, achieving approximately 27% of the total design. According to the current progress, the remaining project is expected to be completed by March of next year at the latest.
As for your earlier question regarding why everything could not be settled on the transfer price, the reason is quite simple. Although it is merely moving from the left pocket to the right pocket, the rights in Kuwait belong to me personally, so how could they be mixed with public accounts
Chief Engineer Tang Shiqiu of the Nanjin Pass Fortress, wearing the rank of Colonel, was succinctly reporting to Major General Shou Ming, Chief of Staff of the Xiang-E-Ba-Shu War Zone.
The reason Director Zhang assigned you to Nanjin Pass is precisely because he believes in your capabilities, but we cannot waste our valuable resources in vain
Moreover, the value of the Northwest ticket currently appears to be extremely unstable. If one were to obtain these thirty million pounds, I believe that what Your Excellency would actually gain would far exceed the mere cash value of this amount
On January 31, 1939, as the first ruling of the British Privy Council after the New Year of 1939, the Boulgan Oil Theft case caused a sensation due to its enormous compensation amount and the mysterious identity of the plaintiff. However, what truly attracted international capital was the world's largest and finest light oil field. In the face of the immense power of this international capital, the identity of the plaintiff was no longer the elusive concept that some had perceived it to be.
Of course, this is merely his one-sided wish, as Dai Jiliang continued to say: "Third, we hope that the government of the Kingdom can extend the repayment period of the more than 20 million loan we previously borrowed by another 10 to 12 years; fourth, we hope that the Anglo-Polish Company can provide a guarantee so that the government of the Kingdom can provide us with a loan of 30 million pounds at no interest or low interest."
The directive states: To ensure quality and quantity while completing the construction of the Jiangfang artillery fortifications and strongholds on time, it is imperative to keep the Japanese forces beyond the Three Gorges
Masafen, who was secretly cursing in his heart, had no choice but to shake hands and bid farewell to Dai Jiliang. However, as soon as he stepped out, he immediately instructed the driver: "Hurry, hurry, return to the consulate at once"
The original Chuanjiang fleet was indeed nearly lost in Nanjing; this time, it was specifically reinforced with new forces drawn from the training base in Qinghai
Masafen nodded slightly. Just now, he was actually asking for an exorbitant price, and it is normal for the other party to pay on the spot. If there are no other conditions, this transaction is already more than halfway successful, and he can report his achievements back to the Yingbo side.
First, I will only sell sixty-five percent of the equity
The theater has issued a directive for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Divisions to accelerate their arrival. Additionally, the theater has requested the 17th Corps to dispatch capable troops to the Shimen frontline to threaten the Japanese army's flank. However, as you all know, both the southern and northern regions are characterized by continuous mountains and rugged roads, making it impossible to rely on distant support to resolve immediate needs. For the time being, you will still have to depend on yourselves
Massafenton was momentarily speechless. Indeed, although everyone knows that the Emir of Kuwait is merely a puppet of the British, the willingness to compromise the laws of the kingdom and the British government's international image for some economic benefits would undoubtedly create an immeasurable storm within Parliament, and I, as one of those involved in this crisis, would inevitably become one of the scapegoats.
Moreover, will the Japanese army give you three months? No!
Marsefin furrowed his brow: "Your Excellency, I hope you understand that Yingbo Company is Yingbo Company, and the Kingdom's government is the Kingdom's government. If the opposition party learns that the Kingdom's government is footing the bill for a private enterprise, the resulting crisis would be unimaginable. Moreover, why can't Your Excellency negotiate everything regarding the transfer price?"
However, due to the harsh terrain and the urgency to advance the construction schedule, the 41st Regiment has already sacrificed 21 officers and soldiers, and there have also been casualties among the local populace numbering one to two hundred.
Boming Fang gritted his teeth; the main forces of the war zone had all been deployed to the southern front, confronting the Jiang army at the border of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. At this moment, only the several thousand weak troops under his command were available.
Shou Ming pointed at the river surface, his tone grave
I will also inform Yingbo Company
Masafen stood up
No, as Your Excellency the Consul has stated, I am in great need of money, and with such abundant resources, I would certainly be willing to convert them into wealth