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Chapter 489: Chapter 399 Your Big Picture Has Nothing to Do with Me (Please Subscribe!)_1
The big shots of Yangon were a little dumbfounded.
They initially thought that the gift Ling was talking about would be an object of some sort, like valuables, similar to the ivory products Ge Dan had sent last night. They even started a small betting game with Kan Qin acting as the banker, each gambling an amount equal to their breakfast money.
Sometimes, such trivial enjoyment can indeed lighten the mood amidst work.
"You’ve all seen the message Ge Dan sent back, right? I think this power’s request for the qualification to have the Asia Dollar as the national reserve currency is about more than just the name. Surprisingly, they managed to seize two territories in a single day. We don’t know the extent of the casualties, but considering the populations of the two places and the materials they have seized, their strength will quickly recover, potentially becoming twice as strong as before. What’s your opinion?" The old man said, filled with emotion. The gift had arrived, but they felt more shock than joy.
Even though Ge Dan did not include any leading statements, they could all understand the logic he implied.
He was quite impressed by Ling’s audacity, taking over two territories so abruptly which was bound to cause panic amongst other powers, especially Talents, who boasted significant military strength. Although Talents was not extremely ruthless, it certainly was not gentle either. Ling might be facing considerable pressure in the future.
He couldn’t believe it: at this point, Talents had already recognized his own strategic purpose, and was in the process of pursuing wealth.
Because the casualty rate within the territory was kept secret, the outside world didn’t know the extent of the casualties. Ge Dan had even less of an idea, but this mattered little. What mattered was how they were going to face this increasingly powerful ’ally’.
"Mr. President, what if we rescind the Asia Dollar’s foreign exchange reserve qualification? I think there must be something going on." A plump-faced vice president suggested.
"Absolutely not. That would directly lead to a falling out, pushing them to the opposing camp. Isn’t that pointless, making enemies for no reason?" Kan Qin disagreed vehemently. He thought to himself, "Damn it man, has stupidity taken over you? Can’t you think straight?"
"So what’s your plan?" The plump-faced vice president asked casually.
Kan Qin paused before saying: "I suggest establishing a stronger relationship with Leader Ling. Having seized territories from two powers, he surely stands in opposition to those powers, thereby creating a rift. We think he should pursue his advantage, and we can coordinate from our side, aiming to eliminate the two forces located between us.
Worst case scenario, we must open a passage between us and them. As long as we manage to create a connection, we can easily seize their territories as people are naturally inclined towards us." Kan Qin firmly thought his plan was perfect. Once contact was established, it would be a great strategic advancement.
"Good idea, this tactic is brilliant. Pursuing the advantage, all they need is to open the passage, hmph, they won’t stand a chance then." The plump-faced vice president nodded in agreement. He was simply going with the flow and echoing whatever was said.
"But what if they refuse to coordinate? We might not necessarily win if we attack single-handedly." The old man furrowed his brows.
"We can then promise them all sorts of incentives. Let them open the passage, and we promise them official positions, money, commodities, whatever they want. Whether we keep the promise in the end is a separate matter." The plump-faced vice president said nonchalantly. Promises are time-sensitive. If Ling plays nice, they can offer him an official role. If not, they’ll find a way to send him to prison—no big deal.
"Well...we could try that. We’ll have Ge Dan attempt to persuade them, with the promise of a general’s position once the passage is open." Kan Qin consented after some hesitation. He didn’t want to renege on his promises, but for the greater good, he had to.
"That’s acceptable. Have Ge Dan act immediately. We’ll wait for his update here. As soon as they agree, we’ll deploy our forces overnight and take action tomorrow." The old man nodded in satisfaction. He thought that despite this power’s ambition, their actions pointed towards an attempt to show their loyalties or rather, their desire to join their camp.
He wanted to achieve a decisive victory with this action.
With a single, decisive move.
"Alright, I’ll inform Ge Dan right away."
Meanwhile...
Having received the message from Yangon, Ge Dan couldn’t help but grimace; he found the offer of a simple general position to lure others into decisively fighting on their behalf and subsequently living under their thumb, a little precarious.
But it wasn’t his problem.
He just had to pass along the message.
Soon after, Ge Dan hurried to pay Ling a visit.
Fortunately...
Ling was still around.
Otherwise, Ge Dan would have to make an extra long trip.
In the conference room on the third floor... n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
Ge Dan informed Ling about the conditions proposed by the Yangon side.
On hearing this, Ling seemed taken aback. Ge Dan’s heart skipped a beat; he knew things wouldn’t be that simple.
"Mr. Ge Dan, your conditions seem pretty good and we would love to coordinate with you. However, after this battle, we’ve suffered heavy losses, significant depletion of our manpower and ammunition, and recovery is difficult. We simply don’t have the capability to support your attack. On top of that, many people still oppose us, engaging us in guerrilla warfare. Our soldiers are exhausted from putting out fires everywhere, making it impossible to spare more hands." Ling started to spin tall tales, discussing hardship and stating facts.
Cooperate with your attack?
Is Tang Qing out of his mind?
Trying to entice me with a measly official position and asking me to help accomplish your strategic layout? Don’t even think about it. What does any of this have to do with me?
No one can disrupt this balance.
In order to avoid a direct confrontation with a nation, to play an open game, Tang Qing is not planning to open the passage for at least a year or two, unless he can do this without resorting to military conflict and can ensure his territory isn’t swallowed up. In that case, Tang Qing might consider it. But within these one or two years, even if they buy from Yangon, Tang Qing would still find ways to impede the process.
"Ah, Leader Ling, could you have your soldiers hold on for a bit? Once the passage with Myanmar is open, various resources will continuously pour in and you won’t lack anything." Ge Dan suggested timidly.
Damn, for the sake of the task, I must do my best.
"Mr. Ge Dan, are you suggesting that I disregard my soldiers’ lives and their physical conditions, send them into battle fatigued and worn out to their death?" Ling retorted ’furiously’.
This was meant to convey Tang Qing’s dissatisfaction.
How shameless! Asking my battle-weary men to fight?
On hearing that, Ge Dan became anxious.
And hurried to explain.
"No... That’s not it. I just thought that while they’re still ill-prepared, we could launch a surprise attack. We have to seize the moment. If they are prepared, it will be hard for us to fight through this channel. I didn’t overlook the lives of your men," Ge Dan quickly corrected himself, fearing that an angry Ling might vent his anger on both of them. He silently thought that this was not a job a normal person could handle - one mistake could mean game over.
Upon hearing this, the anger on Ling’s face eased a lot.
"Go back and tell those in Yangon, my brothers and I have been through thick and thin together over the years. I can’t sacrifice them for a mere possibility, let them be stepping stones. They all are my brothers with families, some even have children. I can’t do such a thing. I’d rather wait for the next opportunity than launch the offensive with you," Ling spoke firmly.
There was truth in his words.
Completely justified.
A man of courage indeed.
At his words,
Ge Dan couldn’t find a response.
A voice in his head was telling him that Ling wouldn’t be able to do big things driven by his emotions, leading Ge Dan to look down on him somewhat.
’No.’
Ge Dan’s face stiffened.
He was no fool.
He considered the possibility that Ling simply didn’t want to fight through the channel at all.
With this idea in mind, Ge Dan looked at the still anguished Ling, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, but this theory grew stronger in his mind until it dominated his thoughts.
From the results and interests perspective, not breaking through the channel would be the most beneficial for Ling.
Ge Dan knew the people in Yangon well. They might take revenge after taking over here. From a personal perspective, the position of general was not as powerful and wealthier than what Ling had now.
Then, why would Ling agree?
No reason.
There was absolutely no reason.
Not even a bit.
Upon realizing this, Ge Dan felt enlightened.
"Leader Ling, do you mean that as long as your side is ready, you can join us in clearing the channel?" Ge Dan asked again.
"Yes, as long as we’re ready and your plan is perfect, we can agree," Ling replied. As for when they would be ready, that was for Tang Qing to decide. Such a promise was practically meaningless.
After hearing Ling’s response, Ge Dan felt helpless.
He understood what Ling was implying; whether they were ready or not, whether the plan was perfect or not, it all depended on Ling. Ge Dan wasn’t sure if Ling was asking for more benefits or he didn’t want to clear the channel at all.
Forget it.
He’d leave the headache to the big shots.
He tried his best.
"Then, Leader Ling, I’ll go back and report. I regret the losses of your brothers today. They are heroes," Ge Dan said.
"Thank you. Take care."
With that,
Ge Dan took Sang Jin back to their room in the guesthouse.
Unable to contain himself, Sang Jin asked, "Leader, don’t you think they might not want to clear this channel? I haven’t heard about their casualties."
"That’s not our concern. Yangon will consider it. As for the casualties, they’re probably still counting. They didn’t announce it to avoid demoralizing the soldiers," Ge Dan said.
He found gathering intelligence on this side extremely difficult, especially matters related to the soldiers in the territory. The civilians avoided them like the plague, even the two soldiers following them couldn’t buy any useful information, even with money.
"Well, we can only report what we know."
Ten minutes later,
In Yangon,
The eager big shots were not pleased upon hearing the news.
When we say fight, just fight.
We’re not denying you the benefits.
Always hesitating.
So what if a few men die. Can’t you just consider the bigger picture?
PS: First Chapter.
It’s double monthly ticket period, asking for tickets!!
