Chapter 1637 Western Regions Management
In 1936, the Far Eastern Empire's foreign trade was in a state of great collapse due to Japan's interference, so the normal international trade of some sensitive materials was also hindered by Japan.
In some border areas of Northeast and North China, Japan's aggression clearly severed the trade arteries between the Soviet Union and the Far Eastern Empire, which also forced the Northwest region to increase its share of trade between the Soviet Union and the Far Eastern Empire.
Regarding this point, a certain regime in the northwest tried to open up a supply channel with the Soviet Union through a westward expedition, but failed.
Secondly, Japan continuously eroded the Far Eastern Empire's market through large-scale smuggling trade in the northern regions.
Japanese merchants transported large quantities of goods, such as rayon, sugar, cigarettes, kerosene, opium, etc., from their homeland, Korea, and the northeast of the Far East Empire by sea to the northern demilitarized zone, and then used armed escorts to force their way through customs and transport them into the inland market.
Impacted the Far East Empire's national industry and the National Government's finances.
Because smuggled goods evade tariffs and are sold at low prices, they have dealt a severe blow to domestic businesses operating legally.
At the same time, customs duties were one of the most important sources of revenue for the Nanjing government, and smuggling caused huge losses to its tax revenue.
Trade between the Far Eastern Empire and Japan had largely broken free from the regulatory and taxation system of the Far Eastern government, becoming an unequal and predatory trade under the protection of Japanese military force.
Under such circumstances, Japan would naturally restrict the Far Eastern Empire's access to some key war materials.
Sivag said, "The Empire's past trade arrangements with the Far East Empire have completely disintegrated, especially the Huaihai Economic Zone, which is now practically defunct."
"Regions including Jiaozhou Port were under military threat from the Japanese government, forcing imperial capital to shift its focus elsewhere or even withdraw directly."
Without a doubt, East Africa was the region most affected by Japan's smuggling trade, as it was once within the economic sphere of influence of the Far Eastern Empire and was at the forefront of the Japanese threat.
Sivag continued, "Now the core of our trade with the Far Eastern Empire has shifted to Zhuhai in the south, but Zhuhai's trading capacity is certainly not as great as the once vast Huaihai market."
“We do not have an advantage there and will face competition from countries such as Britain, France, the United States and Germany.”
"Moreover, as Japan's war of aggression against the Far Eastern Empire continues to develop, the trade routes between the Far Eastern Empire and other countries in the world may become increasingly scarce."
"Under these circumstances, the importance of the Northwest Route has been greatly enhanced, and we have already established two new trading ports in the western regions of the Far Eastern Empire."
"This will become one of the important links in the trade between the Empire and the Far East Empire."
Early October 1936.
Shule is an important town on the northwestern frontier of the Far Eastern Empire. It is located on the northeastern foothills of the Pamir Plateau and the western edge of the Taklamakan Desert. It is known as the "Pearl of the Silk Road". Today, Shule has become the new "Pearl of the Northwest".
The airport built by East Africa in Shule has been fully completed and has been in operation for some time, making Shule an important communication hub between East Africa and the provincial capital of the Western Regions.
Most of the planes flying from Gwadar or Qatar to the Far Eastern Empire will first land here for inspection and adjustment before flying to Dihua and other places in the Far Eastern Empire.
Thanks to the construction of Shule Airport, the ancient city of Shule has been revitalized and has become a new commercial hub.
During the construction of Shule Airport, East Africa also paid a certain price. In order to realize this trade port chosen by East Africa, the first thing to do was to solve the local security problem.
As a border region, Shule was a place where foreign powers such as Britain and the Soviet Union were very active. Therefore, with the help of East Africa, in early 1936, the Western Regions Province launched a large-scale military operation against Shule, clearing away the tentacles of foreign powers such as the Soviet Union in the area.
The Western Region Provincial Government has absolutely no objection to this cooperation with East Africa.
It is true that for the Far Eastern Empire, East Africa is also an external force, but the threat is far less than that of the Soviet Union and Britain. The Soviet Union's territory directly borders the Western Regions, while Britain's most important colony is next to here.
Therefore, introducing East Africa as an external force could not only balance the relationship between Britain and the Soviet Union, but also reduce the dependence of the Western Provinces on the Soviet Union and Britain.
The armed forces in the areas under the jurisdiction of the Western Regions Province even formed a motorized infantry regiment equipped with standard East African weapons. Furthermore, East Africa sent a professional military advisory group to guide the Western Regions army in training, tactics, and the use of weapons and equipment.
Among them, the Third Battalion of the Second Border Defense Regiment stationed in Shule County is a force built entirely according to East African standards.
Of course, just like the so-called German-equipped divisions of the Far Eastern Empire, this army controlled by the Western Province Government could not be exactly the same as the East African Army due to budget constraints.
The headquarters of the third battalion of Shule Border Defense.
East African military advisor Talshi is discussing security issues in Shule County with Battalion Commander Zhang of the 3rd Border Defense Battalion.
"Captain Zhang, after our recent cooperation, I believe your unit has initially acquired the ability to fight independently and has mastered some of the concepts of modern warfare."
"With the support of our weapons and equipment, there is basically no force in the Shule region that can oppose you anymore. So I suggest that while the enemy is still catching their breath, we should completely annihilate them in the yellow sand."
Battalion Commander Zhang frowned and said to Tarxi, "Advisor Tarxi, there's no need to make a fuss about the security issues in the Shule area, right?"
“We have completely eliminated the rebels and separatists, and they have no chance to make a comeback even if they want to.”
Tarxi said, "I'm just offering you advice, but if we want to maintain long-term and stable cooperation between our two countries, the security situation in Shule cannot afford to be compromised."
"Although those reactionary forces have been defeated by us, they have not disappeared, but have gone into hiding."
"Of course, I am not worried about these remnants making a comeback, but I am worried about them reconnecting with some extreme populist forces in the Soviet Union, Britain, or Central Asia."
“Once they find new financial backers, they could be rearmed and then pose a threat to your country’s security.”
"Therefore, now that your department has gained an absolute advantage in the Shule region, you should go all out to prevent a resurgence."
Battalion Commander Zhang naturally understood this principle, but he also had his own difficulties, which he shared with the East African military advisor.
"Counselor Tarshi, thank you for your reminder, but you also have to understand our difficulties. As the saying goes, a cannon shot is worth a thousand taels of gold."
"Our Western Region provincial government has spent a huge amount of money to raise two East African standard motorized infantry regiments."
"After all, the Western Regions are a cold and harsh place, so their finances are far inferior to those of our eastern provinces. Moreover, your weapons and equipment in East Africa are too expensive."
"So, Advisor Talshi, you can't hold our troops and soldiers to the same military standards as East Africa. We were already exhausted by the previous counterinsurgency campaign in Shule."
Captain Zhang was naturally very satisfied with the weapons and equipment in East Africa. They were of better quality than the Soviet and British weapons he had encountered before.
The problem is that even if the quality of weapons in East Africa is good, the cost is not something that the Western Regions Province can afford. If feasible, the Western Regions Province would not mind converting all its troops to East African style, rather than just forming two "elite" motorized infantry regiments.
Advisor Talshi was also helpless about this. He was well aware of the financial situation of the Western Region government, so he said, "I don't have a good solution for your financial pressure."
"The Imperial Government has made concessions to you on the export of weapons and equipment as much as possible, but we cannot make a deal that would result in a loss."
"The biggest pain point in transporting weapons from East Africa to the Western Regions is the high cost of transportation. After all, air transport is the most expensive of all modes of transportation."
That's what Talshi said, but in reality, East Africa's arms exports to the western regions of the Far Eastern Empire were essentially a losing proposition.
Because the weapons and equipment exported here are already at cost price, plus the freight, the East African government has to provide a subsidy.
Battalion Commander Zhang said, "Having dealt with your country for so long, I am well aware of your country's tireless efforts in helping our country, so we are filled with gratitude for East Africa."
"Unlike the British and Soviets, and some extremist populists in Central Asia, East Africa is not filled with covetousness and wolfish ambitions toward the Western Regions."
"If possible, I also hope that the government will strengthen cooperation with your country."
"But our country is currently experiencing a period of decline unprecedented in history. If the Western Regions want to maintain stability, they cannot do without the support of the Eastern Core Region. However, the Eastern Region is also facing various crises and is unable to provide for the Western Regions. This is exactly what we, the soldiers of the Western Regions, find so frustrating."
Although the Western Regions are currently a separatist region in the Far Eastern Empire, this is only because the Far Eastern Empire does not have a strong government, and the Nanjing government is indeed difficult to convince the people.
However, no matter how incompetent the Nanjing government was, the Western Regions Provincial Government had to maintain basic principles. After all, without the support of the Nanjing government, the Western Regions would only have one fate: to be completely devoured by the Soviet Union and Britain.
The advisor, Talshi, said, "I believe your country will eventually be revived. After all, the Far Eastern Empire is the only ancient civilization that has survived to this day."
"In fact, many people are well aware that the Far Eastern Empire has the foundation for revival. Your population is the largest in the world, and your land area and resources are also among the world's top. As long as you can reshape the country's political ecology and restore effective governance, like the Soviet Union today, there will be no problem in achieving rapid economic and industrial development."
Since the Soviet Union launched its industrial plan, it has become one of the countries most talked about in the world in the field of development.
Before the Soviet Union, it was East Africa, but now East Africa is also considered an "old power". After all, East Africa was established decades earlier than the Soviet Union.
Battalion Commander Zhang said helplessly, "Thank you, Consultant Tarshi, for your guidance. I also believe that our country will once again stand at the top of the world in the future!"
Unlike many unconfident people in the Far East Empire today, Captain Zhang is a man of insight, which is one of the reasons why he became the commander of the "modernized" Third Battalion of the Border Defense Battalion.
Battalion Commander Zhang then said, "Advisor Tarshi, although I'm not optimistic about your previous suggestion, I will still send a telegram to Dihua, hoping that the superiors will approve your suggestion."
"The Shule region is, after all, an important area of cooperation between our two countries. I believe the higher authorities must attach great importance to the security here."
Dihua and Shule are the only two trading ports in the Western Regions Province and East Africa, so the importance of Shule to the Dihua Provincial Government is self-evident.
However, the Dihua Provincial Government also needs to carefully consider military actions, and Captain Zhang cannot influence the provincial government's ideas.
As Battalion Commander Zhang had predicted, the Western Regions government in Dihua did indeed not want to launch another large-scale military operation in the Shule area in the short term due to financial problems.
Of course, if East Africa could provide some free support to the Dihua government, that would be another matter. For this purpose, the Western Region Provincial Government and the East African Consulate in Dihua have communicated.
The East African Consul General of the Dihua Consulate did not directly agree to the request of the Western Region Provincial Government.
East African Consulate in Dihua.
Consul General Blainey told officials from the Dihua provincial government, "The Empire currently has no plans to provide large-scale military assistance to the Western Regions. However, we can discuss some details regarding economic cooperation between the Western Regions and the Empire."
"This may be one of the important ways for Western Province to solve its financial problems."
In fact, since the beginning of 1936, East Africa has relaxed restrictions on military trade with the Far Eastern Empire, and even provided the Far Eastern Empire with some free and low-interest military loans or assistance.
However, Western Regions is not a priority area on the list of countries providing aid to East Africa.
The reason is quite simple: Ernst did not want East Africa to interfere too much in the Western Regions. If it was about dealing with the Soviet Union and the British, East Africa could help the Western Regions government.
The problem is that the Western Regions are now a semi-separatist region, and its own security has not reached Ernst's red line.
The Soviet Union and Britain may have ideas about the Western Regions, but they obviously did not covet the land of the Far Eastern Empire directly like Japan. Of course, in Ernst's eyes, the Soviet Union was not necessarily reliable, so East Africa's strategy in the Western Regions was to keep an eye on the Soviet Union. If the Soviet Union had any bad ideas, then East Africa's military assistance could be arranged immediately.
Blaine stated clearly: "The overall security crisis for the Western Regions Province has now passed, and the Soviet Union and Britain will not go too far. Therefore, your provincial government should focus its efforts on combating extremist separatists and terrorist organizations, as well as on economic development."
"Combating extremist populists and terrorist organizations is indeed not easy for Western Regions Province and requires long-term investment. However, in terms of economic development, East Africa can provide your province with financial and technical support."
East Africa's arrangements for the Western Regions of the Far Eastern Empire, or Ernst's arrangements for the Western Regions, have two points: one is to maintain its basic stability, and the other is to build it into one of the logistics bases for future military assistance from East Africa to the Far Eastern Empire.
Therefore, we can help the Western Region provincial government develop agriculture and industry, which can also reduce the Soviet Union's infiltration into the Western Region provincial government. After all, if East Africa does not do so, the Soviets will do so, and the Soviets will only be more stringent than East Africa's requirements.
The current Soviet leader, Joseph, is a very pragmatic and shrewd man, so he expects something in return for his aid and will never show leniency because of any personal feelings.
(End of this chapter)
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