As the New Year approached, the people and their families who had relocated to the colonies began to be busy for the upcoming Spring Festival. At this time, it is undoubtedly the best time of the year for many horse sellers.

Before the Gregorian New Year, Hu Biao, who finally returned to Ivan Farm, also began to inspect the work of the settlement. Large quantities of domestic and foreign production materials have been put on the market for immigrants to buy and stock up for the Lunar New Year.

For the indigenous people living in the core area, they are also envious of these immigrants who have the money to stock up. Fortunately, the income of the aborigines in the core area is much better than in previous years. When you see a lot of good and cheap goods in the market, you will buy them more or less.

Hu Biao, who was planning to go back to Xilong for the New Year along the land route, looked at Lin Yashi and her son who were by his side, and felt extremely down-to-earth in his heart. For him, the return of his wife and children has given him more hope for the future.

Brooke, who accompanied him to visit Shillong, felt that the long march made him feel the urge not to go at all. But he knows very well that if he wants to truly know Hu Biao's development, he must persevere no matter how hard he works along the way.

Brooke, who accompanied Hu Biao to wander around the market, was also surprised: "Hu, I really didn't expect that there would be such a lively market in such a remote jungle area. The variety of goods here is really beyond my imagination! ”

"Brooke, I told you a long time ago, don't underestimate the market in the southwest. As long as there is no war, the people living here will consume a lot of goods every year. Of course, most of these goods are civilian goods.

Many of the goods that are actually purchased from abroad are sold domestically. You should know how many people live in the country, and even if a small part of them have money, it is enough to consume a lot of expensive and extravagant imports.

And I also believe that if you come back in two years, the market will be more lively and populous than it is now. An increase in population and an expansion of the market also means an increase in the number of goods available for consumption. ”

"Definitely! It seems that I know you one more thing, in addition to being an iron-blooded soldier, you are also a general who loves the people! ”

As Hu Biao's closest partner, Brooke was also shocked all the way. Even if some of the things he saw, Hu Biao deliberately let him see them. There are some confidential things, but I'm afraid it will shock Brooke even more.

Through this visit, Brooke has been keenly aware that most of Indochina, which was previously controlled by the Franco-French colonial government, is now under the de facto control of Hu Biao. And the Fuso people have always been blocked on the coastal line.

It is indeed a pity to abandon the coastal area, but the land passage opened by Hu Biao, in addition to connecting the new port of Dammam, also has a direct road to the port of the British colony. The supplies purchased from overseas are still being shipped to various parts of the southwest.

As a transit station for goods, some cities controlled by Hu Biao have also become lively because of these materials. Many caravans affiliated with the Xilong Chamber of Commerce also earned a lot of income and popularity by helping to transport supplies.

When he arrived at Zhenning Mansion, he couldn't help but be overjoyed when he saw the well-groomed combat troops: "Hu, your troops are very elite!" Now I finally understand why you have the power and faith to resist the aggression of the Fuso. ”

"Yes! In fact, it is not easy for me to get to where I am today. It is because of the trust of these people that I hope to build them a new home where they can truly live with peace of mind. It's a desolate place, but it's also a hot place! ”

"Hmmm! Hu, it seems that I came with you this time, I really came to the right place. You're hiding a lot of things! ”

Brooke really doesn't know much about the troops, only that Hu Biao has a group of elite troops under him. The accompanying guards and the formed battalions and regiments seem to give people a completely different impulse.

Brooke, who had also served in the military as a young man, was well aware that the defensive combat units stationed around the city were made up of elite troops. If the Japanese army wants to attack the inner city, it will also pay an extremely heavy price.

What's more, near some important hills and roads around the inner city, Brooke also saw some well-built permanent positions. Many of the large-caliber artillery pieces that Hu Biao purchased from Menia earlier were deployed on these positions.

From the air, there is nothing unusual about these grassy and tree-covered hills. But if there are really troops, trying to pass through the road below the mountain will be dealt a heavy blow, and it will be extremely difficult to capture these positions.

The troops stationed on the side of Zhenning Mansion are completely different from the colonial government troops that Brooke has seen. What Brooke admires the most is that these troops under Hu Biao are all extremely secretive.

If it weren't for the fact that he was Hu Biao's best friend and helped Hu Biao a lot, he was afraid that he would not be qualified to know these things!

When the group arrived in Xilong, looking at Xilong City, which was obviously different from other counties, Lin Yashi and the others were also shocked. In their opinion, the career that Hu Biao started in the southwest was indeed very unexpected to them.

In just two or three years, a small remote county town that was originally poor and backward has developed into an important commercial town in the three provinces. There are also more horses and vehicles coming and going to Shillong City every day.

Perhaps because the New Year is approaching, there are many more horses and vehicles coming to purchase goods than before. The major shops located in the city are thriving during this time. In particular, there are more horse fleets waiting to pick up goods at the shops of government-owned factories.

Everyone knows that this is the last wave of money-making opportunities this year, and many businessmen under the Chamber of Commerce will seize the opportunity to purchase more goods and then sell them to other places. A trip back and forth, these caravans in the southwest of the merchant can make a lot of money.

Returning to the forest manor in Shillong, Brooke, who planned to spend the New Year with him, also said enviously: "Hu, it feels good to live in this kind of place!" Can I build a manor like this next to it? ”

"Forget it! I don't think I will live in this manor for long. If you really like this kind of building, when you get to Zhenning Mansion, I will ask someone to build one for you, right next door to my house. So, what do you think? ”

“OK！ I also want to feel what it's like to be a neighbor with you. ”

"Then you have to take your family over first. Listening to Xiaoya, if you come to Asia again this time, it seems that you are running away from marriage! ”

"How is that possible! I just didn't want to get married so early, and the girl they introduced me, I didn't like at all. You know, I hate that kind of marital wedding, and I envy you even more for your free love with Lin! ”

When it comes to marriage, Brooke, who is older than Hu Biao, is also full of depression. Although I can't talk about running away from marriage, I am indeed a little afraid of facing the family's desire to urge marriage when I come to the southwest this time. Speaking of which, Brooke was also depressed.

Fortunately, Hu Biao can also understand that marriage is indeed nothing new for people in high society. But for an adventurous young man like Brooke, he was somewhat disgusted by this combination of interests.

After listening to Brooke's complaints, Hu Biao also smiled and said: "Don't worry, we are best friends and good buddies." If you really don't want to go back, I will definitely take good care of you. In fact, I do need someone who understands diplomacy right now.

I'm sure you've seen it along the way, although my power is developing well, it's still subject to a lot of restrictions. If you can stay, you can deal with the colonial government for me. Although Nuvik can do this, his identity is still a little sensitive.

Based on my analysis of the situation, there should be even more incredible events next year. Don't look at the Fuso people are very honest now, but I believe they will make a bigger move next year. Fusang, who has already embarked on the road of crazy hegemony, is difficult to stop! ”

Regarding Hu Biao's invitation, Brooke smiled and said, "That's right! I am your most loyal and trusted friend, and I am honored to serve as your Chief Diplomat. I'm also curious to see what kind of situation you can create here in the future! ”

Even if Hu Biao never recognized him as a warlord, in Brooke's view, Hu Biao was already a warlord. As long as he was given enough time, Brooke believed that with the current situation, Hu Biao would have a good chance of controlling the entire colony.

Settlements on the south-west side have already displaced large numbers of domestic people. The Dammam area, which Ivan the elder was in charge of, has now become a paradise for many exiles. For these people, Hu Biao still gave proper placement.

In time, the exiles who have lived here for a long time and enjoy full independence and freedom will certainly not want to be expelled again. In this case, they will inevitably support Hu Biao and let Hu Biao fight for their right to freedom and independence.

The colonial government that controls this area is not without anyone who sees old Ivan's intentions. The problem is that by the time they realized the situation, it was too late to stop it, or even dare not stop it at all. That would only make the colony more chaotic.

In addition, the country cannot provide any help at the moment, and it is difficult to withstand the full counterattack of old Ivan with the army stationed and formed by the colonial government alone. In the event of unrest in the colony, the situation will become even more difficult to control.

Fortunately, at this stage, the old Ivan is still very honest, and even stabilizes the local situation for the colonial government many times. The tax payable was a penny, which pleased the colonial government and worried it.

Brooke, who also saw these situations, also hoped to take the opportunity of Hu Biao's invitation to have more contact with Hu Biao's subordinates. With the title of Chief Diplomat, he expanded his family's influence in Asia.

Brooke also believed that England and France, who had no time to care about the colonies, were still happy to deal with him as a Menian. If we continue to expand our presence in Asia, we believe the family will continue to grow in the future.

Compared with those old families in Menia, the rise of the Brooke family is too short, so that the background is insufficient. As the heir of the family, Brooke also has the responsibility and obligation to lead the family to become a true world-class family.

Hu Biao is ambitious, and Brooke, who is also in the prime of life, why is he not ambitious? Now that Hu Biao has taken the initiative to provide him with a platform and opportunities, how could Brooke give up? For Brooke, he already knows that there is meat to eat with Hu Biao!