The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 502: Divide into 17 equal parts, divide and conquer

Zhang Chi, feeling the joy of his plan working, sneered in his heart.

Federalism? It's just a temporary fig leaf.

His goal has always been a highly centralized republic with a Chinese majority.

As for the imperial system? That thing should have been swept into the dustbin of history long ago. After the war, only that clown Bokassa in the Central African Republic still clings to the dream of becoming an emperor.

In the blueprint he planned, the Chinese must be the absolute core and dominant force in the Nanyang region.

Other ethnic groups? They can exist and retain some of their cultural customs, but they must closely unite around the Chinese, receive Chinese-language education, and identify with the Chinese-led national identity.

Who dares to jump out and cause division? The iron fist of the Nanyang National Defense Army will make them understand what "heavy blow" means.

As for the current "federal system"...

"It is a great honor for us in Nanyang that General Marshall can come here in person." Zhang Chi showed a sincere smile of "flattered" on his face and raised his glass. "This fully demonstrates the support and friendship of the White Eagle for the cause of Nanyang independence."

"Please be sure to convey my most cordial invitation and highest regards to General Marshall."

While he was saying nice things, he was actually thinking in his heart.

Chittagong and its surrounding areas are considered a special state, Singapore is considered a special state, Siam is divided into five, the Malay Peninsula is divided into five, and Myanmar is divided into four. In addition, the land promised to Plaek Phibun in Cambodia and the Kingdom of Cambodia are made into one state, which adds up to exactly 17 "equal" states.

On the surface, he took away core powers such as justice, national defense, diplomacy, currency issuance, tariffs, and public security, leaving only the "sweets" such as economic policies (limited) for each state, local education (the syllabus is determined by the Education Department), and grassroots personnel.

He played this "divide and rule" tactic extremely insidiously.

Ethnic groups such as the Siamese and Malays, which could have formed a larger force, were forcibly separated by him using administrative boundaries.

All states are "equal", no one is willing to submit to anyone else, and everyone wants to get more benefits from Zhang Chi.

Want to unite and fight Zhang Chi? Just electing a leader would cause them to quarrel among themselves, let alone coordinate actions.

This is like putting a group of tigers into their own small cages, throwing them a few pieces of meat, and making them wary of each other and fight over the meat. Naturally, they have no strength or intention to hit the solid iron cage itself.

At this moment, a barely perceptible sharp light flashed in Zhang Chi's eyes.

All this is just a stopgap measure.

By 45, the damn chicken was completely destroyed and global shipping was restored to normal. That was when he could really make his move.

A large-scale, organized wave of Chinese immigrants will pour into Southeast Asia from the coast of the mainland like a flood breaking through a dam.

Those from Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Zhejiang Province...use policies to guide, use land to attract, and use security guarantees (those who understand will understand the wars that will happen).

He wants to increase the proportion of Chinese in the major islands and strategic locations in Southeast Asia from the current relative disadvantage to an absolute advantage in the shortest possible time.

In five years, ten at most, until the Chinese population base is large enough, spread across the grassroots level of each state, firmly grasping the economic lifeline, and with the loyal and increasingly powerful Nanyang Defense Force at hand...

Wouldn't it be natural and easy to take back the powers that have been "decentralized" to the states?

At that time, the so-called "federal" coat will be torn apart with a simple move, revealing the extremely solid core of a centralized republic.

As for now, let the White Eagles indulge in their illusion of "shaping a democratic federation."

"Zhang? What are you thinking about? So absent-minded?" Stevenson's voice pulled Zhang Chi back from his deep plans.

Zhang Chi immediately regained his composure, his face plastered with impeccable grace as he raised his glass. "Oh, sorry. I was just wondering how we can provide the perfect reception for a distinguished figure like General Marshall, so as to live up to this profound friendship and expectation."

He took a sip of wine, the spicy liquid sliding down his throat, just like the ambition burning in his heart at this moment: "Please rest assured, Nanyang National Day will be a grand ceremony that will attract the attention of the world. A brand new, free and democratic Nanyang Federation (emphasis added) will rise slowly on the west coast of the Pacific."

Stevenson nodded with satisfaction, and the two clinked their glasses again. The ice cubes in the glasses made a crisp sound, which was intertwined with the melodious melody of "Auld Lang Syne" played again by the military band in the distance.

"For friendship! For the bright future of Nanyang!" Stevenson said loudly.

"For friendship! For the peace and order that we all cherish!" Zhang Chi responded with a smile.

-----

The warmth of the whiskey spread in his stomach. Under the influence of alcohol, Stevenson's blue eyes became a little blurry, his words carried a hint of ambiguity of intimacy, and his body unconsciously tended to relax.

"Zhang...my friend..." It can be seen that Stevenson was really touched tonight and drank a lot of wine. He even burped impolitely.

His voice dropped even lower, as if he were sharing a huge secret: "Did you know... that in history... we White Eagles... have done something... um... very 'pragmatic'?"

Zhang Chi maintained a listening posture, but his eyes captured every subtle change in the other person's expression.

"The Civil War... is over... those freed slaves..." Stevenson waved his arms exaggeratedly, "They're free... but... the question arises... how should we place them?"

"Too much...too much..." He shook his head, "So...we...came up with a plan."

He leaned closer, looking mysterious. "Send them away. Send them back... to their hometown. Send them... to Afika. We'll help them build a nation there... You see, the problem has been solved, and everyone is satisfied."

Stevenson chuckled, obviously very drunk.

Zhang Chi understood instantly.

Liberia!

The White Eagles repatriated some free blacks to the state established by Africana, a blatant "population transfer" policy.

Stevenson's mention of this at this time was no accidental drunken remark.

Sure enough, Stevenson's cloudy eyes flickered with a deeper implication, and his fingers unconsciously traced the outline of Southeast Asia on the table:

"Zhang, look at your Nanyang. It's so big... Some ethnic groups are too concentrated and difficult to manage, right?"

He paused, as if trying to formulate his words more clearly: "Java Island... is huge. The Dutch are almost dying.

We, the White Eagles, will definitely reposition the East Sindhu Islands after the war. However, whether to establish a large nation or to allow Sumatra, Java, Borneo... these large islands to become independent has not yet been decided...

He looked at Zhang Chi meaningfully, a gleam of light flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Opportunities... always come to those who act quickly. You know, ships, you have plenty of them."

boom!

Stevenson's almost direct hint exploded in Zhang Chi's mind.

Forced relocation, transporting millions of difficult-to-assimilate indigenous people from the Malay Peninsula to Java by boat?!

Clearing the Malay Peninsula to pave the way for subsequent large-scale Chinese immigration?

Is it possible to do it?