Chapter 2969
The matter involved factional disputes in the Hai-Han army, and of course Chin Tien Tun had no intention of upholding so-called justice for Pattani and Kelantan. In his opinion, since the backers behind both countries are Haihan, there is no need for him to choose sides.
After clarifying his thoughts, Qian Tiandun made a clear judgment on how to deal with the current situation: "Let these small countries maintain a sense of crisis so that they can rely on the asylum provided by our country. But it is best not to make it impossible to end and affect ourselves." ”
Mu Zhennan responded: "If a war does break out between these two countries, we will intervene in a timely manner and urge them to cease the war. In short, the bottom line is to not affect our country's local investment and operation of industries."
Feng Annan is mature and prudent in his work and should be able to grasp the rules well. It's just that Roger has always been straightforward and likes to do things according to his own preferences, so he may not be able to maintain a restrained attitude towards this. Who comes forward to promote the armistice may also affect the situation and lead to a completely different direction.
But Qian Tiandun can only stop there. After all, these two countries belong to the spheres of influence of the Annan Garrison and the Xingdao Garrison. As an outsider, his next actions will require the support of these two armies, which is not easy to deal with. He acts with dictation.
After rejecting Mu and Wu, Qian Tiandun asked Gao Qiaonan for his opinion.
Gao Qiaonan had been listening just now but did not participate in the discussion. It was not until Qian Tiandun asked about it that he responded in a deep voice: "I suspect that Feng and Luo have some kind of tacit understanding secretly and deliberately provoke the two countries." Confrontation and gain from it”
"Are you a bit of a conspiracy theory?" Qian Tiandun said disapprovingly: "During the previous meeting at Cam Ranh Bay, it was obvious that the two of them did not get along. It is normal for the countries in the South China Sea to have different positions."
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Takahashi Minami explained: "The meaning of being humble does not mean that they colluded, but that both adults knew that maintaining such a situation was in their own interests. Whether these small countries want to protect themselves or realize their expansion ambitions, they all need their own backers to provide support. Buying weapons, hiring instructors, and upgrading military equipment are all expensive expenses.”
"And spending money alone may not work. The plantations and breweries in Pattani, the mines and smelting workshops in Kelantan, these industries may also be part of the conditions for exchanging military aid. As long as these small countries continue to fight, what is behind them? Of course, there will be a steady stream of benefits if you have a backer.”
Qian Tiandun thought about it and had to admit that what Gao Qiaonan said made some sense.
In essence, this is actually not much different from what Haihan did in North Korea. The East China Sea Region and the Northern Region each support a force, one in the south and one in the north. It's just that North Korea is divided but not divided. Although internal competition has become increasingly open, it still acts in the name of North Korea externally.
But what is different from the situation in the South China Sea is that the relationship between the Northern Region and the East China Sea Region is quite good, so the strategy adopted towards North Korea is more of conspiracy than confrontation.
But no matter what, there are many interests involved behind the confrontation between the two countries, and Qian Tiandun has made up his mind not to wade into this muddy water. He asked Gao Qiaonan to send a gift to the palace tomorrow to express his gratitude. By the way, he told King Panchai that due to busy military affairs, he had no time to arrange any more talks during Pattani.
Once the three-day rest period was up, the fleet set off to leave Pattani. Perhaps because he was dissatisfied with Qian Tiandun's attitude, when the fleet left, neither the king nor the prince came to see him off, but only sent General Pumi to visit the port.
Qian Tiandun originally had no interest in these red tape diplomatic ceremonies, so he only sent Wu Chengzhi, who was acquainted with Pumi, to deal with it.
After leaving Pattani, the fleet went south along the coast and arrived at the border between Pattani and Kelantan after half a day.
Qian Tiandun specially ordered to slow down the speed and went to the deck to observe the place with a telescope.
Just like Ha Tien Town on the border between Champa and Cambodia, Pattani and Kelantan have also built many fortifications on both sides of the border river. There is a hill near the sea on the Kelantan side, and a fort can be vaguely seen on the hill. If the coastal defense artillery provided by Haihan is used, the range can almost reach the bank of the boundary river.
Qian Tiandun asked: "If the confrontation between the two countries continues, which side do you favor?"
Takahashi South Road: "Kelantan has mining, while Pattani only has agriculture and commerce. Kelantan will industrialize much faster than Pattani in the future. If there is a long-term confrontation, I think Kelantan has a greater chance of winning!" ”
Mu Zhennan said: "Although Pattani's troops are small, their strength is not bad, and the new firearms army was formed earlier than Kelantan, so it is unlikely to lose to the opponent on the battlefield."
Wu Chengzhi said: "Both countries want to strengthen themselves by annexing each other, but they lack sufficient strength. I don't think the situation will change much even in forty or fifty years."
Both Mu Zhennan and Wu Chengzhi were conservative in their statements, but they obviously did not agree with Gao Qiaonan's views.
Qian Tiandun was noncommittal and turned to Li Yuande and said, "Yuande, what do you think?"
Li Yuande responded quickly: "The villain only knows how to do business and does not understand military affairs. He dare not talk nonsense."
Qian Tiandun smiled and said: "We are all our own people, just discussing issues, but it doesn't matter."
Li Yuande then boldly said: "Fu Ruifeng has business in both countries. Naturally, I don't want a war to break out. But if a war really breaks out, I am still optimistic about Pattani."
"Oh? What's your reason?" Qian Tiandun asked.
Li Yuande said: "Pattani borders Siam to the north. Siam has long been willing to annex Pattani and expand southward. If Pattani is defeated, Siam will not be polite and will definitely add insult to injury. This is certainly not what our country wants to see. situation, so if a war breaks out, Pattani’s chances of winning will be much greater.”
Li Yuande did not say it directly, but his meaning was made very clear, that is, Haihan needed Pattani to stop Siam from moving south, so he would not sit back and watch anything happen to Pattani.
Li Yuande's way of looking at the problem is different from that of the other three. He starts from the perspective of the international situation and geopolitics, which is quite rare for a businessman, and Qian Tiandun can't help but admire it.
Naturally, there is no standard answer to this hypothetical question, it is just a deduction. But Li Yuande was still quite excited to have the opportunity to express his opinions on such an occasion.
The next morning, the fleet arrived in the waters near Kota Bharu, the capital of Kelantan. Like Pattani, Kota Bharu City is also in the coastal area, but there is no bay here, only the mouth of a large river. The name of Kelantan is the same name as this river.
The Kelantan River divides into many channels where it enters the sea, showing veins like blood vessels, cutting the seaside plain into small islands and sandbars. Due to the complex hydrological conditions, the fleet did not sail in rashly. Instead, under Li Yuande's guidance, it stayed near a fishing port at the estuary.
(End of chapter)