Wang Diren felt that Zhao Gang had some things that were not convenient for him to say, and since his own status was relatively detached, it would be better for him to speak up.
"Old Li, keep a steady hand and don't get too reckless. If you take too big of a step, you're bound to tear something. Fighting a war means fighting the comprehensive national strength. The little Japanese bandits plundered so many resources from China, yet they were still forced to send troops to Southeast Asia—wasn't that all for rubber and oil? Rubber, oil, steel, and coal are known as the four major industrial raw materials. Steel, in particular, is an indispensable industrial material in warfare and occupies a core position in the production of military equipment.
From tanks and warships to firearms and ammunition, every single one requires a massive amount of steel to back it up. Oil is another crucial strategic material; it is the fuel for transportation, especially the basic power source for naval vessels, while also serving as a foundational raw material for the chemical industry. We are starting from scratch with nothing—how are we supposed to fight?"
Chapter 107