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Chapter 685: Chapter 589 Common Goal (Seeking Subscription!)_1
Lang Cai frowned.
If Leader Ling isn’t here to appease us today, then it would be difficult for them to achieve their goal.
Looking at Leader Ling, who had a calm expression, and recalling what Ling had just said, Lang Cai was at a loss for words. He couldn’t refute him, but silence was not the solution to the problem. Anyone could remain silent here, but not Lang Cai, because he held the highest position in this room.
Lang Cai had no choice but to say: "Mr. Ling, we are aware of everything you just said. We are striving to improve, and we hope that Myanmar will have a place in the world in the future. However, this takes time. After all, our country’s foundation is weak. But rest assured, we will certainly lead Myanmar into a bright future."
Even though he speaks eloquently about these lofty ideals, his words lack substance. In such a situation, it was nothing more than noise pollution.
"Ten years, twenty years, or fifty years? Could you give me a precise timeline, President Lang Cai?" Ling pressed.
Ling didn’t take the bait, nor was he fooled.
He hit directly to the crux of the matter—time.
Lang Cai opened his mouth, feeling that any answer was a trap. He could imagine that if he dared to say ten or twenty years, Ling would undoubtedly say let’s talk when the time comes. That would be embarrassing for him.
After thinking for a moment.
Lang Cai said earnestly: "Mr. Ling, we can’t guarantee a specific timeline, but we will do our best."
"Do you think this reason is convincing enough?" Ling commented scornfully.
"..." Lang Cai was silent again.
It had been a while since someone had dared to talk to him like this, so Lang Cai couldn’t help but feel somewhat annoyed. However, it wouldn’t be good to lose his temper as Ling didn’t attack personally but only asked questions to clarify doubts.
Lang Cai furrowed his eyebrows.
A discerning person could clearly see that Lang Cai was angered.
"Hmph, you are just a local power. You have no right to question our development strategy. As long as you submit, we can guarantee your interests. Isn’t that enough?"
A person who understood the situation stood up to question Ling.
In a negotiation, there’s always someone who plays the bad cop. However, such an atmosphere was inappropriate now. Lang Cai glared at the person reproachfully, "You should know when to flatter."
Ling responded with a cold smile. "If you have such an attitude, I have no reason to watch this country’s future deteriorate with you. Mr. Lang Cai, I’m disappointed with the way you’re handling Myanmar’s future. And this is not just for you, but for everyone here."
"Well, Mr. Ling, you must have some purpose for your visit today. If you have objections to our terms, you can put them aside and present your conditions." Kan Qin, noticing the stalemate in the conversation, quickly changed the subject.
If the discussion kept circling around the future of Myanmar there would be no end to it. They would be put at a disadvantage, and end up speechless. After all, facts speak louder than words – if they were competent, Myanmar wouldn’t be in such condition now.
Others also turned their attention to Ling,
Wanting to see what he would say.
"I came to Yangon today with two plans in mind. The first was that you would successfully convince me, giving me a sight of the future.
Unfortunately, you not only have no plan for our future, but also have no clear vision for your own country. Therefore, I abandon the first plan. Until I see a future, we will remain as we are."
Looking around at the various expressions on people’s faces, some even fuming with rage, Ling’s gaze swept across everyone. Fortunately, the soldiers didn’t show any emotions. Otherwise, they would have definitely given him a contemptuous look.
They didn’t interrupt, waiting to hear Ling’s second plan. Ling continued: "The second plan is for us to cooperate. I still manage my territory until I confirm that you can provide us with a future."
"How is this any different from what they did?" Lang Cai couldn’t help but say. Ling’s words implied clearly that he wanted to manage his own territory and that Lang Cai shouldn’t interfere. If Lang Cai wanted his submission, he needed to prove his competence and provide a concrete guarantee plan.
But.
If they had this capability, the situation wouldn’t have dragged on until now.
What Ling said was basically the same as not saying anything,
which left others at a loss too.
Ling shook his head, "Of course, we’re not the same. First, we have never thought about seceding from Myanmar. I have always insisted that our territory is part of Myanmar and support you in making Myanmar complete, allowing people to live better lives, dignified and wealthy lives. In other words, we have the same goal."
This was also Tang Qing’s principle – he would absolutely not play with anything as grave as independence. Hence, there was another implication in Ling’s words: what is mine is yours, and what is yours...might become mine too.
Lang Cai was not able yet to comprehend the ambitions of a local power.
That’s why he didn’t consider this aspect.
When Ling clearly expressed that they were on the same side, Lang Cai was instantly cheered up. Such a statement was obviously not meant to deceive him. It was too easy to expose such a lie. Despite his discontent with Ling, he appreciated his stance at least.
While Lang Cai was deep in thought,
Ling continued: "Therefore, I am here to discuss the matter of cooperation. Let me clarify one thing first: we are not enemies but people with a common goal. We all want Myanmar to be strong and complete. It’s just that the opportunity has not yet arrived."
The opportunity has not yet arrived?
Lang Cai got the idea, but not entirely.
"Leader Ling, I’m relieved to see such enlightenment in your thoughts. Good, tell me how we should collaborate, when should we do it, but remember one thing, the premise of cooperation is to open the markets and transportation. This continuous confrontation is not cooperation," Lang Cai said.
"Of course, as long as you agree to my terms, the confrontation zone can become a thing of the past," Ling agreed.
Lang Cai motioned for him to elaborate.
"First, the Myanmar government acknowledges our legal status. The area I control will be renamed Myanmar Economic Special Zone. It will nominally be under your administration, but in reality, I will have autonomy in administration, judiciary, defenses, etc., and you cannot interfere.
Second, acknowledging Asia Dollar as the regional currency of Myanmar, including but not limited to the legal status of the Myanmar Economic Special Zone. In the meantime, continue to regard Asia Dollar as a member of Myanmar’s foreign exchange reserves.
Third, mutually open our markets for trade. Apart from local taxes, no additional tariffs or disguised tariffs shall be imposed. We will treat Myanmar’s businesspeople impartially.
Fourth, besides one inspection point for goods at the confrontation zone, there’s need for necessary defense personnel. All of your soldiers have to withdraw to more than twenty kilometers away, and we would do the same. At the same time, both parties shall assist and jointly finance to clear all minefields around the confrontation zone to safeguard people’s lives.
Fifth, ..."
Ling went on for more than ten minutes.
He made the details of the cooperation explicit to avoid a protracted wrangling. Tang Qing did not want to wait that long. Changes could occur with delay. There was no point in wasting time here.
In the end.
Ling handed them each a document detailing the specifics of the conditions. They did not have time to compliment Ling’s impressive memory, which enabled him to recall so many details; they quickly started to read the papers in their hands.
Suddenly.
The entire conference room fell silent, with only the rustling of papers.
To be honest.
Every term here was barely acceptable to them. They wanted to ask for more, but also felt it oppressive. The terms put them in a tough spot.
The first term - Ling wanted to remain a leader, but a legitimate one recognized by them. It was slightly difficult to accept, but not impossible. There had been precedents, yet those had not set a good example.
The second term was about the Myanmar Kyat, which wasn’t entirely unacceptable. After all, it was only the regional currency, not the national one. Ling would definitely not accept it if a painstakingly created banknote system was dismissed outright.
The rest was just about future commercial interactions and clear assignment of responsibilities, very detailed, such as the household registration system, floating population system, currency exchange system, trade settlement system, and so forth, quite comprehensive.
It took them more than an hour to completely read through it. This included discussing the details with Ling who answered all their questions. Hence, these conditions have initially been agreed on.
They looked at each other, not knowing how to respond. They didn’t have the power to agree to these terms; all they could do was set their sights on the first-placed Lang Cai.
Lang Cai was also in a predicament.
He very much wanted Ling to surrender completely.
But it did not look possible now. As for threatening Ling by capturing him?
Don’t joke around. Ling was at the very least hoping sincerely for the good of Myanmar. Lang Cai might have played this card if he hadn’t met Ling before, but now he suddenly couldn’t do it.
The terms in front of him were all just on the line. He didn’t find them unacceptable. Compared to those two who were preparing to erupt silently, Ling was completely seen as a ’good person’.
But he still wanted Ling to surrender.
"Mr. Ling, there aren’t many problems with your conditions. We can sit down and discuss more, but I would like to know what your standard for surrendering to us is? It cannot be without a time limit, this I will not agree to," Lang Cai said.
"The standard is simple, first, you have a complete control over the forces outside our territories. This is a reflection of your determination and strength. Second, like my controlled area, not perfect, but has a certain level of industry..."
Ling explained a big chunk again, which gave them a headache. But there were documents handed out after Ling finished speaking.
The standard filled two whole pages.
Other than the issues with the two states, it pertained to living conditions in Myanmar, like infrastructure construction, highways, railroads, and other traffic indicators. Additionally, it was about per capita income, the process of industrialization, diversification of industrial structure, education, medical care, sanitation, scientific research and several dozen indicators.
This was much more direct than before.
To meet these, Myanmar’s national power would have to increase several times. Is this not making life difficult?
"Mr. Ling, are you serious? This is clearly causing us difficulties. How could we possibly complete these tasks in a short time?" Lang Cai was very angry. If these were all completed, they could easily handle Ling at any minute. Would there be a need for negotiations then?
"Haha..." Ling scoffed.
He handed out a few more papers to everyone.
"This is an economic data of our territories and the projected indicators for the next year. These are only mediocre difficulties to you. I have already cut more than half of many things. You are telling me it is too difficult for you?
Are you kidding me?"
