Chapter 3750
Chapter 3750
Chapter 3750
Shi Diwen drank a glass and immediately praised: "Aged wine is different! This taste is really rare in the world!"
Roger laughed and said, "Your place is rich in resources, what good things don't you have? This evaluation of 'rare in the world' is a bit exaggerated!"
Shi Diwen waved his hand and said, "Even if you compare this wine to other places in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it is still top-grade! I originally brought you dozens of jars of wine this time, but compared to this wine, it's a bit inferior!"
Roger said, "Don't keep me in suspense. You brought this wine from afar, how can it be bad?"
Roger immediately called the servants and asked the kitchen to send some cold dishes to the hall, and he and Shi Diwen started drinking again.
In fact, neither of them is a big drinker, but wine is indeed a bond that maintains the relationship between people. Even if they haven't seen each other for many years, as long as there is good wine, the two of them will quickly return to the friendship they had when they were young.
Precisely because the two have had a deep friendship for decades, some things must be asked clearly in person.
Roger picked up the wine jar and poured wine for Shi Diwen while asking casually, "You actually brought such a large team here this time. Why didn't you inform me in advance? I was in a mess at the last minute. Fortunately, I have enough supplies here, otherwise I'm afraid these people you brought wouldn't even have a place to stay!"
Roger's words seemed to be complaining, but Shi Diwen understood that he was actually asking him why such a public action had to be kept secret from Sing Tao and why the details were not notified in advance.
Shi Diwen explained: "This operation was coordinated by the Executive Committee. The notifications received by various places along the way were actually similar to those received by Xingdao. We only know the general situation of the operation, but we don't know the detailed arrangements and the number of participants."
"The Executive Committee is also trying to avoid leaking the target of the operation too early, so that some countries can prepare in advance. But I see that Sing Tao's response is also very fast, and the emergency response performance is very good. This is also due to your good leadership!"
This explanation did not seem to satisfy Roger. He just asked softly, "With so many departments, so many regions, and tens of thousands of people involved, can this be kept secret...really?"
Shi Diwen said: "It is impossible to keep it completely secret, but as long as the outside world cannot understand the true scale of the operation, it will not be easy to judge the true purpose of our operation."
"Besides, if the Executive Committee had not made clear requests for this, it wouldn't be difficult to send a telegram a few days in advance. How could I have deliberately concealed it from you? Don't worry. Even Qian Tiandun, who is going to visit next, doesn't know more information than you."
Roger's expression eased a little and he said, "I thought the Executive Committee was dissatisfied with Xingdao District's temporary abandonment of the westward expansion strategy!"
Xingdao stopped its westward advance and concentrated its resources on the development of the new southern continent. This was a real setback for the Special Operations Division. Roger also wanted to find out the true views of the Executive Committee, so he continued to test Shi Diwen. Shi Diwen said, "There is no clear priority between westward and southward in the Executive Committee. It would be best if we could do both at the same time. Now Xingdao is heading south and the Special Operations Division is heading west. This is also a solution that has the best of both worlds."
"However, the Executive Committee is also aware of the specific difficulties of the Special Warfare Division. The reason why I brought so many personnel and supplies with me on this trip south is to make up for the shortcomings of the Special Warfare Division's insufficient foundation."
"After the last armed patrol, Qian Tiandun made a report to the Executive Committee in which he clearly proposed two phased goals. One is to control the key waterways in the Persian Gulf region through Fubo Port, and to start promoting oil exploration in the region."
"The second is to use Zhenhai Port to control the Red Sea shipping lanes and prepare for the next step of advancing into the Suez region. In his plan, Suez is a set target that must be taken in the future. I don't need to explain its strategic significance. I'm sure you should also be very clear about it."
Roger nodded and said, "Regarding the development plan for the westward advance, Qian Tiandun actually mentioned it to me before. I agree with his views on these key areas and the way they will be occupied, but we do have one disagreement, which is the time required to achieve these goals."
"I think according to his plan, it will take at least ten years to build the three ports of Hamban, Fubo and Zhenhai to establish a sea route connecting East Africa and the Mediterranean. It may take another five to ten years to occupy Suez and complete the preliminary preparations for digging the canal. As for the opening of the canal connecting the Mediterranean, that is even further away."
“We may not be able to wait until that time. Many of the plans made at this stage may only be completed by the next generation. As for Sing Tao, the resources that can be invested at present are limited. We must choose projects with higher certainty and faster return on investment. This is the most responsible choice for the next generation.”
“Although the journey to the south to develop the New World is long, fortunately there are few competitors and hostile forces. If nothing unexpected happens, there will be some success within ten years. It will take a generation to make the area the most important mining area of Hai Han, and subsequent industrial projects can be implemented one by one. The development prospects will be more certain than going west.”
Shi Diwen said: "But you should also know that the Special Operations Division's plan to expand westward is not just for economic purposes. Establishing a trade route connecting the east and the west is only a side effect. The political significance is far greater than expanding southward."
"Moreover, the value of local energy and mineral resources is actually no less than that of the New World in the south. Sooner or later, it will become a treasure trove. I think it is a bit hasty for you to give up this route too early."
Roger immediately denied Shi Diwen's opinion: "No, I have not given up cooperation with the Special Warfare Division. I also understand all the reasons you said. When the development and construction in the south is on track, I will readjust resources and continue to provide various assistance to the Special Warfare Division."
"By the way, the Xingdao Region has also paid for the several ports that the Special Operations Division is currently building. As far as I know, about one-fifth of the construction funds come from official funds allocated by us. This part will be converted into shares of the ports in the future. The Xingdao Region will also participate in the later operations of those ports in the Indian Ocean."
Shi Diwen immediately reminded: "One fifth? I'm afraid there won't be that much in a while. The Executive Committee has approved special construction funds and will also participate in the long-term operation of these ports."
When Roger heard the news, he showed no surprise at all: "If the Executive Committee does not invest and take up shares, we will not be able to rest assured. I think Qian Tiandun should have the same view."