Warlords: Rise of the System

As the territory continued to expand, the population gradually increased, the size of the army grew, and the funds required also snowballed.

The funds that Lu Tianhao had accumulated were almost exhausted, and he began to think about whether he should use some points to exchange for more silver dollars to meet his needs.

Just when Lu Tianhao was worried about this matter, an exciting news came that the families of the expatriates from the powerful countries who were detained by him arrived in Shangjin City with ransom.

The number of people sent by these countries was not large, only two or three representatives arrived at the port of Shangjin City by ship with a huge ransom.

A relieved smile appeared on Lu Tianhao's face. He knew that as long as these people paid the ransom, the problem of fund shortage that had troubled him for a long time would be solved.

In Kamitsu City, there are more than 5,000 expatriates from various countries.

In Beidu Prefecture, the number of such people exceeded 6,000.

This means that the total number of detained overseas Chinese is as high as more than 12,000!

If every expatriate paid a ransom of 50,000 silver dollars, the total ransom that could be collected would reach an astonishing 600 million silver dollars.

You have to know that at that time, this amount of money was undoubtedly an astronomical figure.

Take the soldiers of the National Salvation Army as an example. Their military pay was the highest among all the warlord troops, even more than twice as high as that of other armies.

Even calculated by the highest standards, the average annual salary of each National Salvation Army soldier was about one hundred silver dollars.

If the army size is expanded to one million, the annual military expenditure will only be 100 million silver dollars.

It can be seen from this that the ransom amount of more than 600 million silver dollars is staggering.

Just as Lu Tianhao was feeling happy, Wang Hui came over and said, "Marshal, should we also ask the overseas Chinese of those bandits to pay a ransom and let them go?"

Lu Tianhao nodded and said, "Since we have said so, as long as they pay 50,000 silver dollars, we will set them free no matter which country they are from.

Although the bandits have a deep hatred for us, since we have already spoken, we should fulfill our promise. "

Wang Hui said cryptically, "Then should we do something on their way back home?"

Lu Tianhao shook his head, his eyes firm and calm, "No need, we should treat them equally, whether they are overseas Chinese of the bandits or overseas Chinese of the multinational coalition.

Not only must we not do anything, but we must also try our best to ensure their safety.

Because only in this way can they see our sincerity and determination.

As long as these overseas Chinese return to their countries safely, they will be able to pay the ransom more smoothly when we capture their overseas Chinese in the future.

This is also a strategy to let them know that we are not cruel and heartless people, but a just army with principles and bottom line. "

After hearing this, Wang Hui was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something. Then he nodded in agreement.

He realized that Lu Tianhao's ideas were indeed more profound and wise.

Indeed, if the National Salvation Army can operate with integrity, it will be easier for both sides to reach a consensus when they capture their overseas Chinese in the future.

This not only improves your own reputation, but also enhances the other party's trust in you, making the entire transaction process smoother and more effective.

At this moment, Li Guangjie, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, "Marshal, next is the critical moment for us to fight the bandits and the multinational coalition forces.

Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to let them redeem the person so easily?

After all, this time the fleets of the bandit country and the multinational coalition are coming with great force.

Once we can no longer resist, we can use these overseas Chinese as bargaining chips.

If we let them redeem us now, we won’t have any bargaining chips left.”

His words were like cold water poured on everyone's hearts, causing them to fall into deep thought.

Wang Hui on the side disagreed. He quickly retorted, "Who said we have no bargaining chips? We have captured nearly 50,000 multinational coalition soldiers.

These people are not among those who paid the ransom this time.

Besides, our air force and navy have been greatly expanded this time, and their strength has increased several times. Do you think we can't beat them?"

Wang Hui's tone was firm and confident, as if he was full of confidence in the coming war.

Li Guangjie frowned and said worriedly, "At present, our air force strength is indeed beyond doubt and can easily resist the air force of the bandits and the multinational coalition forces.

However, our navy faces enormous challenges.

You know, the enemy sent out thousands of warships this time, and all our warships added up are less than two hundred, only one-fifth of their number.

This disparity is very concerning to me.”

Lu Tianhao smiled slightly and consoled him, “The combat effectiveness of the navy cannot be measured simply by the number of warships.

Modern naval warfare has undergone tremendous changes since the advent of aircraft carriers.

Although we have fewer warships than our opponents, we have a considerable number of aircraft carriers.

The point is that the number of our carrier-based aircraft is not less than that of our opponents.

To be frank, today's naval warfare is actually a contest between the number and combat performance of carrier-based aircraft.

As for the other warships, no matter how many there are, they are just decorations.

Once we gain the initiative in the air, both large and medium-sized warships will become targets of carrier-based aircraft bombing.

So, please rest assured, although the size of our fleet does not seem to be as large as the enemy's, in fact our combat effectiveness is not inferior to that of the enemy.

Moreover, there is another crucial factor, that is, we are on the defensive while the opponent is on the offensive.

As long as we stay calm and don't go out to sea to fight easily.

Then if they want to attack our fleet in the harbor, they will have to withstand heavy attacks from all directions.

First of all, our coastal defense artillery is not just for decoration, they are all large-caliber artillery with long range and great destructive power.

As long as small and medium-sized warships come within their attack range, they can be sunk with one shot.

Secondly, if the bandits and the multinational coalition fleet dare to approach our ports, they will be bombed by our army aircraft.

Coupled with the attacks from our carrier-based aircraft, their fleet will suffer a triple blow.

I believe that under the triple attack, the pirates and the multinational coalition fleet will definitely pay a heavy price."

After finishing speaking, Lu Tianhao signaled Wang Hui to complete the transaction of collecting the ransom. Now collecting the ransom is the key point.

The transaction was completed smoothly. The ransom paid was not silver dollars. Most of it was gold and silver, with only a small part being silver dollars.

All the expatriates from various countries were redeemed, including more than 3000 soldiers guarding the concessions.

With more than 600 million yuan in funds, the National Salvation Army’s funding problem was immediately solved.

Lu Tianhao and a group of generals knew very well that the bandits and the multinational coalition were so eager to redeem their overseas Chinese because a larger-scale war was about to come.