In fact, Zhong Yi was already considering this issue since the moment he received the appointment.

Zhong Yi has studied historical materials of the Anti-Japanese War, so he is not unfamiliar with the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps!

Zhejiang Province has been prosperous since ancient times, with many gentry and businessmen. In modern times, such a big favor as Jiangsu and Zhejiang consortium has appeared.

The so-called Jiangsu and Zhejiang Consortium does not refer to one or two people, but a large group of businessmen, compradors and business owners in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

The rich gentry and businessmen have money, and the National Government does not prohibit civilian armed forces, so they will naturally pay for their own money to organize self-defense armed forces and protect their own families.

The civilian armed forces in the north are mainly gang armed forces, but the civilian armed forces in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are mainly self-defense armed forces of landlords and gentry.

The total number of civil self-defense armed forces in Zhejiang Province is more than 150,000! In terms of the number of troops alone, it is even more than Xue Yue's First Corps!

It is precisely because of this that President Chang sent Yu Liangzhen to take over this armed force.

Otherwise, if Huang Shaohong had a few more years to operate, he might be able to create a new Guangxi system.

Huang Shaohong actually only completed the preliminary integration of the Zhejiang Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Corps. To put it bluntly, he just completed the registration of all armed personnel in each county, and was still far from integrating into a truly meaningful army.

So in the Ningshao Battle that broke out soon after, this armed force was like sand in the wind and dispersed as soon as it blew.

Zhong Yi asked back: "Commander-in-Chief, before answering your question, I have to know your goal first, which is what kind of armed force do you want to build the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps into?"

"I think?" Yu Liangzhen said self-deprecatingly, "If it is exactly what I think, of course I hope to build the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps into an elite unit that can be compared with the 74th Army!"

He paused and said, "The problem is, this is an impossible task."

Zhong Yi said: "But this does not prevent us from working towards this goal, right?"

"That's true." Yu Liangzhen nodded, "Those who are above the law can get the root of the law, and those who are below the law can get the bottom of the law. It's also true that you set the ultimate goal as high as possible."

Zhong Yi said: "Then let's set this as the ultimate goal!"

"Accurate!" Yu Liangzhen said excitedly, "Zi Ren, just say it, how long will it take to achieve this goal?"

Zhong Yi said: "I guess it will take at least three years to build the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps into another 74th Army!"

"Three years?" Yu Liangzhen was stunned when he heard this.

At this moment, Yu Liangzhen couldn't help but complain in his heart, would you die if you don't brag?

It takes three years to build a group of landlords into another 74th army. Why don’t you go to heaven?

My 74th Army spent a lot of money and food to pile up. The combat power is not enough for people, but you still have to have enough financial resources to purchase enough weapons and equipment!

If the combat effectiveness of the Zhejiang Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Regiment is in line with the 74th Army, how many weapons and equipment will be needed? Even if I take up all the funds of the commander, it will not be enough!

For some reason, Yu Liangzhen began to worry a little.

Zhong Yi is a good guy in war, but is it reliable to handle military and political affairs?

However, Yu Liangzhen quickly suppressed this thought and asked Zhong Yi again: "Zi Ren, can you tell me about the specific idea?"

"Of course." Zhong Yi pretended not to see Yu Liangzhen's abnormality, and continued, "To do a good job in the transformation of the Zhejiang Province Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps, you cannot take too much steps at the beginning, and it must be carried out in stages."

Yu Liangzhen nodded silently, thinking to himself that you are still very helpful, but at least he knew that he could not take too much steps at the beginning.

Zhong Yi continued: "The Commander-in-Chief also knows that the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps and the Zhejiang East Coast Defense Corps are nominally a unified armed force. In fact, they are composed of landlord armed forces of all sizes, and each landlord armed force has independent personnel and command power."

Yu Liangzhen nodded and said, "So what?"

"So these landlords and gentry will definitely try their best to obstruct our integration work. They will never be able to hand over the human rights and command power to us." Zhong Yi said, "So in order to reduce resistance and also to reduce financial pressure, we can start a pilot first."

"Pilot?" Yu Liangzhen's heart moved when he heard this.

Zhong Yi nodded and said, "Weizhi suggested to use the Zhejiang East Coast Defense Corps as a pilot first."

Yu Liangzhen had completely entered Zhong Yi's rhythm and asked, "What is the reason?"

"There are two reasons." Zhong Yi said, "First, compared with other anti-enemy self-defense regiments, the Zhejiang East Coast Defense Corps has the best foundation and a higher starting point; secondly, the Zhejiang East Coast Defense Corps is in the jurisdiction of Yinjiang, and Beizhi happens to be the mayor of Yinjiang. They can provide financial support and are easier to achieve results."

After a moment of pause, he said: "If we transform the Zhejiang East Sea Defense Corps first, so that the gentry and landlords in the province can see that the combat effectiveness of the Zhejiang East Sea Defense Corps has indeed improved, and at the same time, the landlords and gentry have not deprived the landlords and gentry of the armed forces, then the other landlords and gentry in various places will not obstruct us anymore."

Yu Liangzhen said in surprise: "Zi Ren, if you break it down like this, it seems that this matter is not as difficult as you imagined."

"That's how things are in the world." Zhong Yi said, "Before taking action, you will always feel very difficult, but when you really get started and find the right method, you will find that it is actually easier than you think."

Yu Liangzhen nodded and shook his head, saying, "That's you, I don't think so if I don't think so."

After some exchange just now, Yu Liangzhen's confidence in Zhong Yi was immediately restored.

After a pause, Yu Liangzhen said again: "Before leaving, the principal specially called me to Yunxiu floor to give me some advice and asked me to delegate power and hand over the work of the Zhejiang Provincial Anti-Enemy Self-Defense Corps and the Zhejiang East Coast Defense Corps to Ziren. I will be responsible for supporting you. If anyone dares not cooperate with our work, you can see how I deal with him."

He paused again and said, "So, Zi Ren, please let go after you arrive in Yinjiang. Don't have too many concerns. If you encounter something that is not open or that is unscrupulous, just come to me! If I am in other provinces, I dare not speak loudly, but in Zhejiang Province, I am afraid there are really few people who dare not give me Yu Liangzhen's face!"

Zhong Yi said: "With the commander-in-chief's words, the humble position will be even more confident."

Yu Liangzhen nodded lightly and said, "Oh by the way, I heard that you secretly kidnapped the Special Forces Brigade of the Honorary First Division. Why didn't you see the members of the Special Forces Brigade just now?"

Zhong Yi said: "They have already left for Yinjiang. I guess they have all entered Jiangxi now."

"Beautiful!" Yu Liangzhen laughed when he heard this, "Luo Zhengying must be so angry that her nose was crooked, right?"
Chapter completed!