As Shillong City became more and more prosperous, the fame of this small border city also grew. The number of traders and people shuttling back and forth to this small city every day is also countless times higher than in the past, and the trade routes are prosperous and the wealth can naturally be extensive.

Although the military and political officials in some surrounding counties are very interested in the development of Shillong. But these military and political officials all know that this small border town is not simple, and it is the place where the two commanders, Li and Bai, have confessed that they are not allowed to make up their minds.

Secondly, the military and political chiefs of these surrounding counties also know that the security regiment stationed in Shillong is not simple. Even if there was only one security regiment in name, they more or less knew that there would definitely be no more than one regiment of troops in Shillong.

What made these military and political chiefs most jealous was the extremely strong combat effectiveness of this unit stationed in Shillong. Not only have the bandits in Xilong been eliminated, but even the bandits in the surrounding counties have now been almost encircled and suppressed.

It is precisely because these bandits who occupy the mountains are eliminated that the trade routes leading to Shillong from the surrounding counties will slowly become lively. Relying on these caravans passing through the county, the income of the surrounding counties has also increased a lot.

What made these military and political chiefs even more speechless was that Xilong City paid out of his own pocket to build a number of roads leading to the rest of the counties. Many caravans knew that as long as they entered the territory of Shillong, the road would become exceptionally smooth.

Spending such money to run a small county town really makes many people a little puzzled. However, most of the top governors of the surrounding three provinces are happy to see it happen in the face of this situation. At the end of the day, Shillong has become prosperous, and they can also reap some benefits.

Moreover, as some factories in Shillong have been opened, the goods produced have also begun to be sold to surrounding counties. The Western medicine operated by the Shillong caravan alone has become a sought-after commodity for all forces.

Secondly, if the forces of all parties need it, they can even buy a certain amount of weapons and ammunition from Shillong. At this moment, most of the eight villages in Xilong have established their own armed escort teams, and the weapons and equipment are eye-catching.

Even those squires in the territory can buy coveted weapons and equipment, and other officials who are the tycoons of a province will naturally not be able to buy good things as long as they are willing to pay for them. In short, these transactions are valued by all parties.

After returning to Shillong, Hu Biao also issued operational instructions to the intelligence group to pay close attention to the movements of the Japanese army. If his memory is correct, he believes that it will not be long before the Japanese army will launch an invasion of Gui'an Province and begin to cut off the international communication line of Gui'an.

Even this time the Japanese army invaded, directly urging the destruction of the international material supply line established by the Nationalist Government in the territory of Gui Province. Those prosperous places in Longzhou will soon be reduced to a war zone. In order to seize the opportunity, Hu Biao naturally needs intelligence first!

After convening his subordinates, Hu Biao stayed directly at the valley airport. As for the city, Hu Biao didn't want to show up for the time being. Compared with the situation in the city, the situation is more complicated, and the area around the valley airport is a military restricted area, and it is forbidden for idle people to approach.

After resting for one night, Hu Biao arrived at the quilt factory not far from the valley airport under the guidance of Qin Tianyou early the next morning. In addition to producing some clothing, the factory also produced quilts for Hu Biao's troops.

In order to meet the needs of the future expansion of the armed forces, Hu Biao gave priority to the development of military products. As far as Hu Biao is concerned, he feels that at this moment, it is necessary for his troops to be different from other troops and truly establish the prestige of a strong army.

Looking at the combat uniform handed to him by the director of the quilt factory, Hu Biao smiled and said, "Lao Qin, have you tried on this clothes?" The result? ”

"Very nice! Especially in jungle combat, it can be effectively hidden. Those officers and soldiers who tried it out kept shouting when they would be able to change their clothes? They all felt that after wearing this kind of military uniform, it was more conducive to field combat. ”

Looking at this set of jungle camouflage combat uniforms that were finally finalized after several experiments, Hu Biao was also very satisfied: "Liu Gong, how many sets of this combat uniform have been produced?" Is there any difficulty on the factory side? ”

In the face of Hu Biao's inquiry, Liu Gong, who served as the factory director, also said directly: "Sir, because the factory has just started, the number of workers trained is limited. At present, less than 5,000 pieces of this combat uniform have been produced.

As for the difficulties, there is no problem with the cloth and printing and dyeing, and the machine is enough, but there are too few skilled factories. Even if we have strengthened our training, these factories will need to spend some more time if they want to become skilled workers. ”

"Five thousand! It's also very good! After all, you've been experimenting before! As for the journeyman, you can pay attention to a little training. On the Nanyang side, a group of workers will be recruited in the future, but local female workers will also try to recruit as many as possible. ”

"Understood!"

Knowing that 5,000 jungle combat uniforms had been produced, Hu Biao thought for a while and said: "Lao Qin, wait a minute, pull these military uniforms back, except for the task force, the first independent regiment and the second independent regiment will be given priority to change their uniforms." ”

"Yes, wolfhead! It's just that we should have a regular number now? ”

As Hu Biao's closest subordinate, Qin Tianyou already knew Hu Biao's bold ideas for the future. In his opinion, if the name is not right, it is not good. Although it is easy to do things in the name of the national army, it makes people feel that they don't have much sense of belonging.

Faced with Qin Tianyou's suggestion, Hu Biao was silent for a while and said, "Let's call it the Wolf Army for the time being!" See the sleeves of the dress here? In the future, all the armbands of the wolf army will be pasted here, and as for the number of the army, let's talk about it in the future! ”

"Understood!"

"In order to distinguish the location of the troops, I am the supreme commander of the wolf army. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Independent Regiments will be put together, and you will be the first division commander of the 1st Division of the Wolf Army, and I will send Lao Xu to you and let him serve as the chief of staff. ”

"I'm a division commander? Wouldn't it be too good? I think Lao Xu should be more suitable than me! ”

"No way! Although Lao Xu is trustworthy, I still trust you more. Over the years, you have grown a lot by my side. With your merits and command ability, you should be able to be a division commander. No, just learn it first! ”

"Alright then!"

Hearing that Hu Biao had made him the commander of the first division-level unit, Qin Tianyou really felt a lot of pressure. But he also knows that although Xu Mingzhi is also suitable, compared to his relationship with Hu Biao, Xu Mingzhi is somewhat worse.

"The combat uniforms produced by the follow-up factories will be given priority to the first division. As for weapons and equipment, they are mainly based on the weapons and equipment of the little devils, supplemented by other weapons and equipment. Until our weapons are not mass-produced, let's keep a low profile! ”

"Understood!"

Considering that the troops are in the southwest, which can be regarded as opening up some situations, Hu Biao feels that it is very necessary to form division-level combat units. The early integration of troops is also conducive to the future operation of large corps.

For the first division, in addition to the four regimental combat units, there are also guard battalions, cavalry battalions and artillery regiments directly under the division. Hu Biao hoped that one of his divisions could win a battle against a brigade of little devils.

When the troops are expanded more in the future, Hu Biao will also form a second division. As for the candidate for the division commander, Hu Biao is also considering and reviewing. The previously formed commando team will also be redressed and expanded one after another.

With a full-scale war in Europe, Hu Biao knew that the Japanese army's vision had shifted to the British and French colonies in the southwest. If you want to take food from the British and French colonial governments and the Japanese army, and you don't have any strength in your hands, how can you do it?

Spending such a great price to set up these factories to expand so many troops, and then not seizing the opportunity to develop as soon as possible, Hu Biao was also worried that when great changes occurred in Southeast Asia in the future, he would not be able to complete the operational plan he had previously formulated.

After inspecting the quilt factory, Hu Biao inspected the steel factory that had already begun to produce steel. Even though Hu Biao ordered a lot of equipment for the production of steel from Menia, those mines have just started construction and provide extremely limited iron ore.

On the contrary, it is the gold and silver mine that Hu Biao let people secretly mine, and now Hu Biao can continue to mine gold and silver. For the mined gold and silver, Hu Biao no longer plans to sell it to the outside world, but plans to collect it.

After the future situation is stable, Hu Biao also plans to open a bank. Without sufficient gold and silver reserves, it is difficult for banks to gain trust. When cooperating with foreign banks, others will not agree with the currency issued by Hu Biao.

In addition to mining some mines in the southwest, Hu Biao has already begun to contract some mines in the colonies controlled by Britain and France through cooperation and investment. Use these mines to obtain the ore, gold and silver that Hu Biao needs.

Even through this kind of contracting or leasing, an open-faced armed escort force is formed. For the government officials who controlled the colony, as long as they were given enough benefits, they were happy for Hu Biao to send people to invest in the construction of factories.

From the beginning to the end, the rulers of these colonies never imagined that one day, they would be driven out of here. It is with this advantage that Hu Biao can build factories in places rich in mineral resources at a relatively low cost.

Even if the Japanese invaded in the future, Hu Biao would have a way to hold those mines. After all, most of the mines that Hu Biao has contracted are located in border areas. Deeper mines, Hu Biao does not want to excavate them for the time being.

Like the previous time he went to Meinia to explore for oil, it is relatively close to the border, and in a relatively sparsely populated place at the moment, there are mineral resources, and Hu Biao has an account in his heart. The reason is simple, there were mines in these places in later generations.

What Hu Biao is doing now is nothing more than mining these mineral resources in advance. Compared with simply purchasing from outside, Hu Biao felt that building a factory and investing would help expand his influence in the southwest and the British and French colonies.

In these years, most of the people who dare to dig for mineral resources in the wilderness and jungle of the southwest need some courage and strength. Most of the mines that mine precious metals such as gold and silver have armed guard teams.

In the name of the mines, an armed force recognized by the colonial government was formed. Isn't it a matter of killing two birds with one stone to select trustworthy young men from among the recruited miners and expand the local armed forces in a low-key manner?

When he inspected the arsenal located in a valley outside Xilong City, Hu Biao also felt very satisfied when he looked at this arsenal that was almost hidden in a cave. The significance of this arsenal is also extremely important to Hu Biao.

Facing Hu Biao and his entourage, the director of the arsenal also said excitedly: "Sir, the rifle you asked us to develop last time has already produced several experimental guns. I've had the tester try it, and I've been able to do what you asked! ”

"Really! It seems that I came here this time, and I really came to the right place! I'm sorry to invite you to such a difficult place! If there is any need on the factory side, you can tell the logistics minister! ”

"Don't dare! The treatment given by the chief is many times better than what we used to be. Besides, my family moved here and are currently living well. If it weren't for the benevolence and righteousness of the chief, I'm afraid we wouldn't know where we would beg for food and do odd jobs! ”

In order to prepare for the construction of this arsenal, in addition to hiring corresponding experts and technicians at high salaries in Meinia and Nanyang, Hu Biao did not forget to ask the intelligence group and the military command to recruit domestic military production and research and development personnel for him.

As long as it is confirmed that these people have real materials, Hu Biao will give a high settling-in fee. If the whole family is willing to move to the southwest, Hu Biao will also provide them with accommodation and land. All in all, provide them with a worry-free working environment.

Perhaps because of this, these experts got the drawings drawn by Hu Biao himself, as well as the customized rifle barrels from abroad, and developed them day and night. The results of the first two trial productions are somewhat unsatisfactory.

But after several failures, the new rifle produced later has fully met the performance requirements put forward by Hu Biao. Even if Hu Biao doesn't come this time, I believe that the arsenal will inform Hu Biao of the good news.

When he came to the test gun range built outdoors and looked at the three experimental guns placed on the table, Hu Biao also felt quite kind. Although Hu Biao didn't use this gun much in his previous life, he knew that it was a very practical and reliable rifle.

Most importantly, this rifle was used as a drill gun in later generations. Compared with the rifles currently produced in various countries, this semi-automatic rifle will greatly improve the combat effectiveness of the troops once it is equipped with a large number of troops.

Picking up a new rifle that had not yet been painted, Hu Biao was very skillful in breaking it into parts, and after careful inspection, he said: "Can these parts be mass-produced at present?" I think a lot of the parts are made by hand, right? ”

"Sir, good eyesight! Except for the bolt, which is a little more troublesome, other parts can be mass-produced at present! ”

Hu Biao didn't say much about the factory director's answer. It takes a lot of time for any factory and a weapon to be mass-produced. It is extremely rare for an arsenal to produce an experimental gun in such a short period of time.

This also shows that the level of Chinese craftsmen is indeed powerful. As long as they are provided with sufficient funds and time, and then given corresponding references, the backward level of Huaxia craftsmen is enough to shock the world. This point has also been demonstrated in later generations.

Looking at the people standing beside him, Hu Biao also smiled and said, "Sandao, a few of you come with me to try this new rifle." If you think it's good, I'll ask the factory to give priority to replacing your task force with this new rifle! ”

"Yes, wolfhead!"

As the most elite unit in Hu Biao's hands, the treatment enjoyed by the task force is undoubtedly the best. In Hu Biao's view, a new weapon needs to be tested in actual combat from research and development to finalization. Find deficiencies and make them truly reliable and trustworthy.

In the final analysis, a gun is a soldier's second life, and a good gun can also reduce the probability of casualties on the battlefield. Correspondingly, if a new weapon goes wrong during combat, it will often cost the gun owner his life!