North China Administrative Council.

The two deputy directors of the Administrative Committee, Ding Beifeng and Wang Xueqin, sat opposite each other. The former was as stern as ever, while the latter had a frown on his face.

"Is the Commander-in-Chief negotiating business with the Americans again?" Wang Xueqin had a wry smile on her lips.

Ding Beifeng shook his head,

"The discussion should be about military issues. If it involves a transaction, he will definitely tell us in advance!"

"Yes." Wang Xueqin nodded thoughtfully, licked his lips and continued:

"The size of the army has reached 1 million and is developing towards 1.2 million. Brother Ding, I am not afraid of your ridicule. I used to be just a small county magistrate, and I never thought that one day I would be able to take charge of the administrative affairs of a region.

It is not an exaggeration to say that North China is an independent country now, and we are now one of the leaders of this country.

Although it is very strenuous, work on people's livelihood and industry is still progressing. Hey, what troubles me most is finance, money!

A force of 1.2 million is something we never dared to imagine before!

The expansion of the army and the increase in strength are a good thing, but with it comes an increased financial burden!

Brother Ding, for a 1.2 million-strong army, the monthly expenditure on military pay alone is at least 30 million silver dollars. In addition, there are weapons and equipment, the production of aircraft and tanks, and Chongqing's armed German armorers!

We still owe Lao Mei hundreds of millions of silver dollars!

I went to the Finance Department yesterday to check and found that the total monthly expenses exceeded 50 million!

This number far exceeds our monthly income, and the fiscal deficit is obvious!

If this continues, there will be no money available from the fiscal fund before August. This is a very serious problem that must be solved!"

He sighed,

"The Administrative Committee can't hold back the army. The Commander-in-Chief is worried about the war. Regarding financial matters, we can only find a way to ensure that the Commander-in-Chief's strategy can be carried out as scheduled!"

Ding Beifeng glanced at Wang Xueqin and found that the actual head of the administrative committee was not very capable.

But he is able to make all systems work together seamlessly and develop fully, and he is also good at listening to and adopting the opinions of others.

Presumably this is the reason why Dongzi has always made him the administrative head.

Ding Beifeng also heard about what Wang Xueqin said. He thought about it seriously and said:

"Agricultural taxes will be collected in two months, and they should be able to pay for a while!"

Wang Xueqin drank tea and shook it,

"No, the agricultural tax must be reserved for next year. After it is used up this year, there will be no money available after the spring, and many projects will be shelved.

In addition, there seems to be a natural disaster next year, and the commander-in-chief also requires us to reserve as much food as possible, and the agricultural tax cannot be touched!"

Ding Beifeng touched his chin,

"Commercial taxes are basically fixed. Now overseas trade is not only unprofitable, but also owes the Rockefeller family a large amount of money."

Ding Beifeng's face did not look depressed and sad. Instead, he started thinking seriously.

After a minute, he seemed to have thought of something and tapped his fingers on the table.

Wang Xueqin's face showed joy and she hurriedly looked over.

"We can only use the retirement reserves of the military and civil affairs for emergencies, and then replenish them after we win the Northeast and the finances are strong!

What does Director Wang think?"

Wang Xueqin clapped her hands excitedly, laughed and said:

"Brother Ding has thought comprehensively. The retirement reserves of the military and civil affairs are about 100 million, which can be used for a period of time. It's very, very good..."

"But this money must be replenished as soon as possible after it is used up, otherwise you may weaken the morale of the army!"

"Of course! Of course!"

The 100 million pension can only be used for two months at most. It can only be said to temporarily solve the urgent need, but the fundamental problem has not been improved.

After Ding Beifeng opened his mind, he thought of a way to solve the long-term excessive military expenditure.

"Old Wang, have you ever heard of war bonds?"

Wang Xueqin's face became solemn, she thought for a moment and nodded:

"I've heard about it, but is it feasible to issue war bonds now?"

"The people in North China have lived a stable life for more than a year, and they already have some spare money in their hands. With our military's current reputation, it is definitely feasible to develop war bonds, and the people will enthusiastically buy them." Ding Beifeng said, blinking his one eye.

:

"Of course, the main buyers of war bonds will not be ordinary people, but thousands of businessmen in North China, and their purchases will be huge. I estimate that we can get 200 million silver dollars in funds through war bonds!"

Issuing war bonds is not a trivial matter. If not, it may destroy the public sentiment accumulated by the Sixth Corps over the years. Wang Xueqin asked cautiously:

"Two hundred million, it won't be easy for us to repay it in the future. Besides, businessmen are chasing profits. Once they get started, they may use funds to tie up the administration and the army, which will affect our own decision-making!"

Ding Beifeng thought carefully for a moment,

"It is true that businessmen pursue profits, but we can block their way of tying up the military and administration through legislation! To put it simply, you can use their money, but you cannot let them influence decision-making, let alone let the state machine work for big businessmen.

Make profit!

After regaining Northeast China, we can use other commercial means, such as using the value of merchandise franchises, factories and stores to repay war bonds.

Without having to pay real money, the pressure on the administrative committee will be much lower!"

"This move is very good, even a bit like a white wolf with nothing!" Wang Xueqin said in admiration:

"However, war bonds are of great importance. Let's come up with a specific plan and method first, and then hand it over to the commander-in-chief for decision-making!"

"good!"

Both of them fell silent and began to seriously consider the feasibility of issuing war bonds.

…

"Commodore, since the United States has delivered all the warships it owes, the minerals in North China will continue to be shipped to the United States. Don't worry, I, Jiangdong, am a person with great business reputation!"

In the office, Jiang Dong smiled and said to Brigadier General Hank.

Brigadier General Hank didn't care about the transaction. He glanced at the world map hanging on the wall of his office, squinted and said:

"General, as far as I know, the Third Reich was able to successfully land in England and has its current strength, which is largely due to you."

Jiang Dong heard Brigadier General Hank's teasing meaning, but he pretended to be humble and shook his head and waved his hands.

"Everywhere, this is all the result of Mustache's own efforts...

In the past few years, half of China fell into the hands of the Japanese invaders, and countless compatriots were massacred and ravaged. For the sake of national independence and to understand the plight of our compatriots, we had no choice but to give away some technology to the Third Reich!

Those technologies are very advanced, and I am very surprised that they were able to develop them in such a short period of time!"

Brigadier General Hank snorted coldly. He had no right to accuse Jiang Dong.

The Third Reich could reach this stage because of the appeasement policy of Britain and France, which was even more abominable than Jiangdong.

He took a sip of the coffee on the table, looked at the world map and said:

"The Third Reich is expanding its army, and the main force has left the island of Great Britain. Where will the next attack direction be? Western Europe or North Africa?"

Jiangdong shrugged,

"I don't know about that."

"We thought it would be Western Europe!" Brigadier General Hank said to himself:

"Western Europe has the population and resources to alleviate the resource shortages and other problems caused by the expansion of the Third Reich's army."

Jiang Dong nodded and was speechless.

Brigadier General Hank turned his head,

"Although the Soviet Union has become a huge red empire, it has not long since left an agricultural society and moved towards an industrial society. It cannot stop the tanks, aircraft and artillery of the Third Reich!"

"It's hard to say." Jiang Dong expressed a different view.

"The Soviet Union has a vast territory and great depth. Its failure will only be temporary, but it will definitely not perish!"

"If the Soviet Red Army cannot stop it, will China provide assistance?" Brigadier General Hank asked aggressively.

"Although China has vast land, it is still an agricultural country with limited power!"

"If the United States provides supplies, will China or the generals be willing to send troops to assist?"

It seems that the United States has already begun to spread its presence around the world. Jiangdong pretended to think for a moment before saying:

"With sufficient material support, it should be possible to send troops, but I can't guarantee it!"

After receiving Jiang Dong's reply, Brigadier General Hank's expression finally improved.

The situation in Asia is not optimistic either.

Japan is ambitious and will invade Southeast Asia sooner or later. Brigadier General Hank asked Jiangdong again for his views.

The answers Jiang Dong gave were all ambiguous.

In the eyes of the Americans, the direction of Japan's attack must be the Philippines, and MacArthur was already actively preparing for war.

Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
Chapter completed!