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Chapter 1235: Chapter 1092: The American Think Tanks Are Confused (Please Subscribe!)
As soon as the news was broadcast.
Many keen individuals were stunned.
Like Annesley.
He stared blankly at the TV, and as he thought about the chain reaction this matter would cause, Annesley became restless, David and Pan Cong, these spineless, boneless creatures.
Damn it.
At least put up a fight, you two.
You still have people on your side, there’s still a chance to turn things around, but instead you’ve both "sold" yourselves out, offering up everything you had, a complete act of surrender.
The expansion of the Myanmar Economic Zone.
It also represented the expansion of the Myanmar Bank Group.
They had studied this.
The Myanmar Bank Group was a complete trust, monopolizing the local livelihood economy and mineral resources, its derived power was not to be underestimated.
Previously.
The Myanmar Bank Group was confined in a cage.
Now.
The Tiger had grown.
It had been moved to a bigger cage.
And the key.
Was still in the hands of this Tiger, once it grew stronger and stabilized internally, coupled with its non-exploitative, beneficial measures for the locals, it positioned itself in an undefeatable stance.
Damn it.
How was one supposed to compete with that?
Immediately.
Annesley reported the news back to the United States.
...
In the suburbs.
Lang Cai sat quietly in front of the TV.
A face of bitter smiles.
Ling.
Not only had he accomplished things Lang Cai couldn’t, he even achieved things Lang Cai wouldn’t dare to dream of—this expansion of the Special Zone, its hidden meaning was too profound, it was a settling move by the Myanmar faction.
The meeting passed so quickly and smoothly.
From now on.
The Myanmar faction, controlling one-third of the country’s land, would become an unshakable presence in this nation, even if someone eventually brought Ling down, no one could suppress this massive entity.
With its self-contained system.
He had lost his last sliver of hope.
In Lang Cai’s view.
The United States certainly didn’t want to see a country with such centralized power exist, for a simple reason: centralization of power meant a decrease in U.S. influence, which couldn’t be countered.
Other Southeast Asian countries. 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
They were mostly influenced by presidents, vice-presidents, and the capitals behind them.
If I can’t bribe the most powerful.
I’ll buy a few second-tier powers or manipulate the media—overall, there’s a lot of room for maneuvering, which is why the U.S. advocated for a separation of powers, just to maintain balance.
As long as others inside aren’t united.
The U.S. could rest easy, instigating conflicts left and right.
If one doesn’t comply.
It’s not a big deal.
I’ll financially support another.
But Ling was different.
He held even greater authority and voice than before, which meant the U.S. would inevitably find a way, David and Pan Cong were the "plan," once any turmoil arose, Ling’s position would be unstable.
Because of public opinion.
But now.
The biggest influencing factor was gone.
Ling.
Was invulnerable.
Both internally and externally.
"Well then, well then, I’m old, and it’s time to enjoy the rest of my days," Lang Cai sighed, stood up, and walked into the yard, looking at the dark sky as thunder roared, signaling the coming of rain.
At that moment.
"Sir, Vice President Kan Qin has arrived."
"Let him in," Lang Cai was slightly surprised and instructed.
Soon.
Kan Qin appeared before him.
Looking at Kan Qin.
Lang Cai felt relieved.
This was the man he had personally promoted.
Also his most capable assistant in the past, dedicated to the public good, truly a rare general, deeply trusted by him, only hindered from advancing further by his background.
However.
Fate played tricks.
The heavens were unpredictable.
Ling, walking a much ’wilder path’ than Kan Qin, had ultimately ascended.
It must be said.
This was truly a great irony.
"Come, have a seat," Lang Cai said.
"Yes."
Kan Qin entered the living room, where Lang Cai personally prepared a cup of tea for him. Kan Qin stood up, received it with both hands, and no matter what, Lang Cai was his former leader, and he could not forget the help and support he had received from him.
"Was today’s event already planned in advance?" Lang Cai suddenly asked.
"No, it was only proposed by David and the others yesterday, and it was approved in today’s meeting. As for whether it was planned beforehand, I’m not sure. How have you been feeling lately?" asked Kan Qin.
Lang Cai replied, "Very well, don’t worry. Did you come here for anything specific today?"
"Just to see you." Now subordinate to Ling, Kan Qin, since taking over the position with Ling’s help, had visited only a handful of times, mainly keeping in touch over the phone to avoid suspicion.
Lang Cai smiled and said, "Didn’t Ling send you?"
Kan Qin shook his head continuously.
"No, I wanted to come and see you myself. As long as you’re in good health, I’m at ease."
"Thank you for your concern. How is work going?"
"Very well, all policies and projects are progressing steadily. We are far behind and need to move faster—the burden is heavy. I think you must see it often on TV," Kan Qin said.
"Yes, you’re doing extremely well. I definitely couldn’t do it," Lang Cai remarked with emotion, genuinely convinced of Ling’s boldness—an attribute he admitted he lacked.
Upon hearing this,
Kan Qin was momentarily unsure how to respond.
"Alright, let’s talk. Apart from checking on my well-being, what else brought you here? Don’t say there’s nothing; I’ve known you for so many years. Don’t I know your character?" Lang Cai said.
Kan Qin laughed, "You really are wise."
"Wise? Perhaps," Lang Cai chuckled.
Kan Qin stared at Lang Cai.
"It hasn’t been easy to get to this point. I’ve been in contact with Ling for a long time and believe I understand him well—Ling truly can lead this country to unprecedented heights."
"Are you here to praise Ling?" Lang Cai smiled.
"Not exactly, just... I hope you will, considering the hard-earned results, not be swayed by slander. Otherwise, we will only end up being ridiculed and fall back into being a third-rate nation," Kan Qin said sincerely.
Lang Cai looked at Kan Qin.
He got the message.
If someone approached him looking to ’stir up trouble’.
He must not act rashly; Kan Qin, now effectively a deputy captain of this ship, naturally didn’t want the ship to be sunk nor a crew member to drill a hole in its bottom.
But.
Lang Cai was much ’weaker’ than Kan Qin imagined.
Kan Qin thought he still had the capability to drill holes into the ship.
But he knew full well.
His hammer and drill had been taken away; as a mere mortal, what could he use to drill?
"I understand."
The two talked for over an hour.
Mostly Kan Qin speaking.
Seeing Kan Qin speak animatedly, Lang Cai listened quietly; although he had seen much of the information on TV news, Kan Qin explained it more thoroughly, and he listened with great interest.
Praising him from time to time.
"I should go now, I’ll visit you another day," Kan Qin said as it was getting late.
"Keep up the good work," Lang Cai said with a smile.
"I will."
After Kan Qin left.
Lang Cai was also a bit tired and went to sleep early.
Meanwhile, in the United States
The matter of the expansion of the Myanmar Economic Zone.
Caused a heated debate among relevant departments, unanimously feeling it was not in the interests of the United States—a powerful group rising would inevitably affect the United States’ operational space there.
However.
After half a day of discussion.
They could not come up with any plan to dismantle this expansion.
Previously.
They had many methods.
First, media manipulation; by buying off the media or public figures of the other country, whether through attacks or exposures, the goal was to create uncertainty and split public opinion.
Second, once public opinion was divided, the next steps became easier; paving the way with money, as almost no members of the parliaments in those countries were tycoons. Just using money, they could leverage public opinion to overturn any decision.
This was a strategy of the United States.
To never let you speak with one voice.
But on Ling’s side.
All media were under control.
Those who spoke out of turn, if severe, were arrested directly; moreover, Ling’s subordinates couldn’t shake Ling’s position and decisions. The expansion now even had the common goal of ’passing the buck’.
Passing it to the Myanmar Bank Group.
Meaning.
It was flawless.
This left the strategists quite vexed.
"Now, the only one who can influence Ling is Lang Cai with the power he’s wielded for decades. Other than him, this game is unsolvable. We need Lang Cai as an ally."
"But Lang Cai was just betrayed."
"Then approach Lusang and Wu Lei. I refuse to believe they won’t be tempted."
Just then.
The person in charge of the debate received a phone call, his face in disbelief.
He tapped on the desk a few times.
And said with a bitter smile.
"Gentlemen, I’ve just received news that Lusang has voluntarily retired to return to his hometown. Wu Lei has taken over Lusang’s position, and simultaneously, an unfamiliar person took over Wu Lei’s former role, effectively taking charge of all land forces."
"The heads of the air and sea forces haven’t changed, but the second-in-command positions have all shifted. This is the last message our intelligence officers in their military could send before all were removed."
Hearing this news.
They were stupefied.
