Spy Wars: Get the Predator equipment at the beginning

Chapter 1090 The Plan to Build a Fleet

At 4 PM, at the command post.

The communications officer strode over with a telegram in hand, stood at attention, and reported to Zhang Yunhe and the others: "Boss, officers, the battle is over. The Japanese on Nansan Island have been completely annihilated, and 13 have been captured, including the Japanese battalion commander Hoshino Masao and Nagase Kiichi."

Zhang Yunhe was not surprised by the result. Victory was certain. The key question was how much cost they would pay. He asked, "What about our casualties?"

"29 people were killed on the spot, 34 were seriously wounded, and 61 were slightly wounded. All the wounded, both seriously and lightly, have been transported to field hospitals by transport helicopters for emergency treatment!" the communications officer replied.

Zhang Yunhe waved his hand: "Go down!"

"Yes, sir!" The communications officer stood at attention, saluted, and turned to leave.

Zhang Yunhe turned to Tian Tao and the others and said, "Gentlemen, the battle is over, but there are still many complicated matters to attend to. We need to clean up the battlefield, build coastal defense facilities on the three southern islands, transport anti-aircraft and anti-sea weapons and ammunition, and also provide compensation and condolences to the families of the wounded and fallen soldiers!"

"Officers at all levels should summarize the lessons learned from this operation, including the combat effectiveness of the new weapons and the soldiers' experiences with them!"

Everyone stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, boss!"

After Zhang Yunhe finished speaking, he walked outside.

Tian Tao immediately followed and asked in a low voice, "Boss, what should we do with Hoshino Masao and the others we captured?"

Zhang Yunhe slowed his pace and asked in return, "What suggestions do you have?"

Tian Tao quickly replied, "This subordinate dares not act on my own initiative, therefore I request the boss to make the decision."

Zhang Yunhe thought for a moment and said, "How about this, you select some representatives from the military, various administrative units, and the citizens to hold a meeting, let everyone discuss and express their thoughts. We can't disregard public opinion, can we?"

"Yes, sir, I'll arrange it right away!" Tian Tao agreed, then immediately stood at attention and saluted: "See you off, boss. Take care."

When the war ended, news of Hoshino Masafumi's capture reached the port, and various newspapers reported on it.

The citizens who read the newspaper were thrilled. Teachers and students from various universities and middle schools spontaneously organized themselves to go out into the streets to welcome the triumphant soldiers and to adorn them with bright wreaths.

Several respected gentlemen from each district also organized business people to toast the victorious soldiers and celebrate this great victory.

People from all walks of life in the port were immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

For three consecutive days, newspapers reported and publicized the heroic deeds of the frontline soldiers, while schools studied these moving stories and spirit.

That afternoon, Zhang Yunhe held a meeting with heads of various administrative units and business leaders.

"I have gathered you all here today for two matters. The first is the handling of Masao Hoshino and others. I have instructed Chief of Staff Tian to organize a meeting with representatives from the military, various administrative units, and the business, cultural, artistic, and financial sectors to discuss a solution. I will not elaborate further here!"

"We hope you can come up with a solution that all Hong Kong residents can agree on as soon as possible!"

"Another thing I want to mention here is that long-distance trade must continue. The Japanese will not lift their blockade against us on their own initiative. We must find a way to save ourselves. With our current strength, we cannot lift the Japanese blockade by land, sea and air with force. Therefore, we can only break through the blockade on our own initiative!"

"We don't know how long this situation will last, and our port reserves of supplies can only last for a year at most. So we must plan ahead and gradually expand our ocean-going fleet again!"

This is when the representative of the Lin family, representing the business community, raised their hand.

Seeing this, Zhang Yunhe looked over and gestured for him to speak.

The Lin family representative said, "Commander Zhang, the fleet is too small, and it can't transport too many supplies at once. On the other hand, a large fleet would attract too much attention and become a target for the Japanese fleet. We also don't have an armed escort fleet, which is too dangerous. Many crew members are unwilling to continue sailing, and we can't even recruit crew members. If this situation cannot be resolved, then organizing the next ocean-going fleet to the Americas will inevitably face numerous difficulties."

Zhang Yunhe turned to the others and asked, "The fleet must be sent out and bring back supplies, because we can't be sure how long the Japanese blockade will last. If we don't bring back supplies, many people in the port will starve to death. We can produce a lot of goods, including weapons and medical supplies, but we can't produce enough food!"

"So, do any of you have a solution?"

The group exchanged glances, and after a moment, someone raised their hand and said, "As the saying goes, a generous reward will always bring forth brave men. Since we can't recruit crew members with the current salaries and benefits, let's raise them. As long as the conditions are good enough, I refuse to believe we can't recruit people!"

Some objected, saying, "But if we raise salaries and benefits too much, it will disrupt the rules of the entire industry. Uneven salary treatment will inevitably cause a lot of trouble. If the union also wants to fight for such treatment for others in the industry, should we agree or not?"

The group discussed this issue, with some agreeing and others disagreeing, resulting in a lack of consensus.

In the end, Zhang Yunhe made the final decision: "During this special period, everything must give way to the survival of the 1.8 million residents in the port. First, double the salaries and benefits of all crew members in the ocean-going fleet. If any accidents occur during this period and result in injury or death, the compensation will also be doubled!"

Seeing that Zhang Yunhe had spoken, everyone stopped talking, and the matter was decided.

After the meeting, Zhang Yunhe kept the managers of the three small shipbuilding plants behind.

Inside the meeting room, Zhang Yunhe offered a cigarette to each of the three men, lit one for himself, and said, "My three bosses, although Ganggang is a port city, it doesn't have its own large-scale shipbuilding company. Your three companies are our only shipbuilding factories, but none of them are very large."

"The Japanese will definitely be defeated. Although I don't know how long it will take, we will definitely have a need for ships during that time. After the Japanese are defeated, if our port wants to develop, we must develop the shipping industry and make this place a world-renowned free port city!"

"Three bosses, haven't you ever thought about expanding your shipyard?"

The three men exchanged glances, and one of the owners, Chen Xuewen, said with a wry smile, "Commander Zhang, who doesn't want to develop and expand their business? It's just that the current environment is what it is, and our own strength is indeed limited, so the shipyard has never been able to develop."

After listening, Zhang Yunhe said, "My three bosses, I can tell you the truth. I plan to build our own harbor fleet. Right now, all the countries are at war, and only the Americans have surplus production capacity. Although I want to order warships from their shipyards, it is still unknown whether the warships can break through the Japanese fleet's blockade and sail back safely after they are built!"

"Even if we manage to bring the ordered warships back, if they disappear and leak out, they will inevitably become a thorn in the side of the Japanese navy."