Chapter 328: Behind the Scenes (First Update, Please Subscribe)
"It is well known that South China loves peace... But facing its violent neighbor, South China realized its historical responsibility and had to launch a self-defense counterattack against Argentina..."
Almost overnight, Nanhua entered a state of war, and all factories, whether company-owned or private workshops or small factories that had emerged in recent years, switched to military production.
This was the first true total mobilization in human history.
Everyone was working hard for the war. As young men were drafted one after another, military supplies produced by factories in the rear were continuously transported to the makeshift military camps on the grassland.
Si Dongchuan was recruited as a new soldier. His training center was about 100 kilometers away from the front line. In this huge camp, he and nearly 50,000 new soldiers received brand new military uniforms, thick hard-soled leather boots, and cowhide ammunition carriers...
Of course, they also received the latest Type 70 rifle. Although it had just been finalized, it was distributed first to the newly formed troops because the old troops transferred to the front line had no time to replace their equipment.
"Everyone, take a good look. The Type 70 rifle is completely different from the Type 62 rifle that uses the lever principle. It uses a bolt-action rotating bolt, has a fast rate of fire, great power, and a long range. Unlike the bullet tube used by the Type 62, it uses a 5-round clip..."
Si Dongchuan and his comrades sat on the grass, holding their rifles, and listened eagerly to the sergeant's explanation. Although they all knew how to shoot - after all, they were all members of the civil defense team and had received shooting training - this new type of rifle was something they had never come into contact with before.
In the past years, Nanhua was almost like a large military camp. All immigrants had to undergo half a month of military training when they first arrived at Nanhua. In the new immigrant education camp, they had to train for two hours every day. Even when they arrived at factories and farms, they had to train once a week.
For the highly militarized South China, mobilizing the army is relatively easy. As long as these people complete basic training, they will be sent to the battlefield.
However, there are some doubts in the outside world about this, that is, why so many troops were mobilized - more than 200,000 troops were mobilized in just a few days.
Large-scale military mobilization and large-scale military production were things that could not be concealed, and eventually all the intelligence was gathered in front of Samisto's desk.
"They completed the mobilization so quickly!"
Sarmiento looked at the intelligence he had just obtained in amazement. Thanks to the help of some senior employees in America Corporation, they were able to obtain some internal intelligence of the company.
"Yes, Mr. President, according to the intelligence we have obtained, the South China has currently mobilized 200,000 troops. According to their plan, after conquering Trent Lacon, they plan to attack Buenos Aires and other provinces with an absolute advantage in force, and finally occupy the entire Argentina!"
Although no country had a full-time intelligence agency in this era, after the outbreak of war, there would be someone responsible for intelligence collection and analysis, and Colonel Manuel was responsible for this work.
"What an ambitious bunch of guys!"
Sarmiento sneered.
"We want to occupy the prairie, but what about them? They want to occupy Argentina. Do they really think that we... Argentines will let them occupy our land and destroy our country? Lopez can send all the old people and children to the battlefield to resist foreign invaders. We may not be as crazy as them, but at least, we will mobilize all the forces we can to defend Argentina!"
After thinking for a while, Sarmiento looked out the window, pondered for a moment, and asked.
“Do you think Urquiza and his men will mobilize all their forces after they get the news?”
As early as several months ago, Sarmiento had actually made a decision - to assassinate Urquiza and fundamentally disintegrate the so-called "Confederation" forces, but now facing the "invasion", he, like Mitre back then, thought of using Urquiza's power.
"Mr. President, although Urquiza has some differences with us in terms of political views, it is certain that he is a patriot. When Lopez invaded Argentina, we tried to unite with him, but what was the result? Urquiza said that he would defend Argentina at all costs. He is a patriot, Mr. President."
Manuel's answer made Sarmiento nod slightly.
"He is indeed a patriot, but the power he wields is intimidating."
Urquiza controlled the entire confederation. Even though Mitre had seized power by launching a military coup, Urquiza still returned to the Province of Retreíos. He still had the support of various provinces. This is why everyone from Mitre to Sarmiento regarded him as a thorn in their eyes.
"As long as he lives, the local provinces will always be independent, and there will continue to be two regimes in Argentina! Now we need him on our side, just as Mitre needed him in the war against Paraguay!"
Sarmiento thought for a moment, then spoke.
"It is necessary for us to send an envoy to Paraná."
Paraná was the capital of the Argentine Confederation. Although Urquiza, the former president of the Confederation, was defeated many times in battles with the Province of Buenos Aires, it did not prevent him from dreaming of returning to Buenos Aires one day.
"Sir, please believe that we have absolutely no territorial claims against Argentina."
Fox, the company's trade representative in Paraná, once again gave Urquiza a solemn assurance.
"Everything we did was based on self-defense and was only done to protect our own interests."
As a diplomat, Fox's task after the outbreak of the war was to persuade Urquiza to remain neutral, so that Urquiza, who was full of patriotism, would not stand on Mitre's side as he did in the last Paraguayan War.
That's why we give them these guarantees.
"No territorial claims?"
Santiago Delqui sneered from the sidelines.
"Not only have you taken over most of the Pampas, but you are also occupying Viedma and Carson, all of which belong to Argentina!"
"This is just a war. In war, there will inevitably be some military action."
Fox shrugged and said.
"But I can assure you that this occupation is only temporary. We have no intention of becoming an enemy of Argentina, let alone occupying your land, Mr. President,"
"Can you guarantee this?"
Urquiza asked.
(End of this chapter)
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