NABC Page 43
Page 43
However, this signal does not represent an attitude.
"Dad, if we do this, won't it affect our future relationship with Luzon?"
“Zhenhua, you need to understand one thing: only when you are strong can you get others to follow you. Otherwise, small countries like Luzon are all opportunists, swaying from side to side with the wind. If you can really get back these 100 billion US dollars, it will be of much greater use to us.”
"I understand."
That's over 100 billion US dollars! It can not only purchase a lot of more advanced equipment, but also save many domestic military projects.
Like the Babylonian and Persian military service plans, these were important morale boosters for the country.
The plan was submitted by Liu Zhongming and approved by higher-ups.
Fang Zhenhua and Gong Kaichen went directly to Hong Kong Island, while Zhao Mengsheng and Zheng Bingyi also arrived in Hong Kong Island from Babylon. The two sides met there and headed to Luzon together.
Meanwhile, the three special operations teams in Babylon also flew to Luzon.
As for the Wolf Fang Special Forces in China, they are on standby at all times. If Fang Zhenhua requests their assistance, the entire force will rush to Luzon and abduct Marcos.
Chapter 65 The Trip to Luzon
When Fang Zhenhua went to Hong Kong Island, he was not only with Gong Kaichen, but also with seven agents from the Third Bureau and four experts transferred from the Imperial Guard.
The intelligence personnel in the three bureaus are responsible for handling various intelligence missions, while the four top guards in the inner palace are specifically responsible for protection and dealing with other emergencies.
The three special operations teams of the Wolf Fang Special Forces Brigade are tasked with responding to any possible combat operations.
Clearly, before going to Luzon, Fang Zhenhua had rehearsed all possible scenarios to ensure that the entire operation would proceed smoothly.
Minbu, the capital of Luzon.
After prior arrangements, Fang Zhenhua and his entourage arrived at Minbu International Airport.
A brigadier general from the Luzon military arrived at the airport to welcome the foreign military trade delegation.
This brigadier general was considered a close confidant of Marcos, and upon meeting the delegation, he immediately went to Gong Kaichen.
"It is a pleasure to have you come to Luzon. The President has prepared a sumptuous banquet at the Presidential Palace and awaits your arrival."
Gong Kaichen smiled and extended his hand, shaking hands firmly with the brigadier general.
"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. President, to have prepared a special dinner."
"That's only right. Your country is a well-known major power in the world and is also a neighboring country of Luzon, so it is only natural for us to warmly welcome our guests. The car is ready, please."
Gong Kaichen smiled and nodded, then stepped out first, and Fang Zhenhua and the others shook hands with the brigadier general one by one.
The vehicles that came to pick us up were two minibuses.
The special agents and imperial guards got into the car behind, while the brigadier general and Fang Zhenhua sat in the car in front.
Once in the car, the brigadier general continued to speak at length.
"Last year, your country successfully signed a joint declaration with the British, which definitively settled the issue of the ownership of Hong Kong Island. The President has always admired this achievement."
Gong Kaichen replied calmly.
"The Hong Kong Island issue has lasted for more than 140 years, and it is no longer an issue that can be discussed any further. The return of Hong Kong Island is inevitable."
During their in-depth conversation, Fang Zhenhua and his group discovered that the army brigadier general was the deputy minister of the military procurement department, and that he was actually a member of the Marcos family. According to family seniority, he would have to call Marcos "uncle".
This also shows what the Luzon government was like under Marcos's rule.
No wonder it was notorious for its corruption; the Four Asian Tigers ended up as dead tigers.
Upon arriving at the hotel where the delegation was staying, Marcos's nephew escorted Fang Zhenghua and his team to their room, but showed no sign of leaving.
Gong Kaichen frowned slightly, and soon he figured out the reason.
This person must have something they want to say, but it's inconvenient for them to say it.
Therefore, Gong Kaichen took the initiative to speak.
"General, is there anything you wish to ask?"
Marcos's nephew replied immediately.
"I do have a problem, but..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Fang Zhenhua and the others, and Gong Kaichen immediately chimed in.
"They are all important members of this trip, and there is no need to hide it."
Marcos's nephew nodded repeatedly and then said.
"I'd like to ask, is your trip to Luzon solely for discussing arms purchases?"
"Otherwise what? Or does Your Excellency, General, believe we have some other purpose?"
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. In fact, you are probably aware of the current situation, Mr. President. There are too many unfair voices against you within our country. We urgently need a strong and powerful country to support us."
"Oh? Then why don't you hire Americans?"
Upon hearing Gong Kaichen's question, Brigadier General Marcos couldn't help but give a wry smile, but he did not answer.
Since Aquino's assassination, the Americans have essentially given up on Marcos.
The reason is quite simple: the Americans of today are not the same as those of ten or twenty years from now.
They are now waving the banner of democracy and freedom, but what Marcos did in Luzon has absolutely nothing to do with those two words.
Americans value Luzon highly because it was once their colony, and they want to establish it as a model of democracy.
However, judging from the current situation, it is clear that their goal has failed.
Americans are unhappy, so what good can Marcos expect?
In fact, in the original timeline, the Americans tacitly accepted the coup that would occur next February. They guaranteed the safety of Marcos' family, but would no longer support Marcos.
Seeing Brigadier General Marcos's expression, Gong Kaichen replied softly.
"If there are any problems, I hope to make other plans after meeting with the President. After all, we only trust the President. Does Your Excellency understand what I mean?"
After being pointed out by Gong Kaichen, Brigadier General Marcos was no fool. He immediately realized what was going on and said something.
"Please rest assured, I will report this matter to the President immediately. I think the President will be able to make time to meet with you at the dinner tonight."
"If that's the case, then that would be best."
Brigadier General Marcos has returned.
Fang Zhenhua and his group rested at the hotel for an afternoon. When the evening banquet was about to begin, Brigadier General Marcos specially arranged for several cars to take them to the Presidential Palace.
As Brigadier General Marcos had previously stated, President Marcos had specifically met with Fang Zhenhua and his entourage in his office before the banquet began.
After Fang Zhenhua and his group entered the office, Marcos's face was full of smiles.
He shook hands with each of the five people in turn, and then said with a smile.
"Welcome to Luzon! I support the arms purchase, but our two countries are neighbors, and there are many other areas where we can cooperate, aren't there?"
The members of the Spark Project execution team are all reincarnated fox spirits; they are incredibly shrewd.
Anyone could tell that Marcos was implying something!
After Marcos cleared everyone out, only a few of them remained in the office.
At this moment, Marcos leaned forward and spoke to Gong Kaichen.
“I have contacted your ambassador before, but he seemed to have some difficulties in speaking. Now that you have come to Luzon, I would like to say again that I need your country’s support.”
"Mr. President, we are only responsible for military procurement matters. Other matters are not within our jurisdiction!"
"I know you have difficulties, but I still hope to establish a dialogue channel with your country's high-level officials. If you are willing to help me, I will be very grateful."
Gong Kaichen looked troubled.
But everyone knew that the real business was about to begin.
Chapter 66 CIA Director
"Do you have any concerns? You can tell me. If I can help, I definitely will."
Seeing Gong Kaichen's troubled expression, Marcos asked without hesitation.
This also shows that the president is now in a very difficult situation.
He wanted to seize any opportunity, however small, as the domestic situation was already giving him a major headache.
Gong Kaichen immediately voiced his concerns, which were actually issues that Fang Zhenhua and the others had already discussed beforehand.
The purpose was to lure Marcos into a trap.
"Mr. President, you should be well aware that our country has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries, as this is not in line with our country's diplomatic principles."
"Yes, I understand, but..."
"If you want us to open up channels for dialogue with high-level officials in the country, at the very least, Mr. President, you can let our leaders see something."
Marcos's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately pressed for an answer.
"What is this? Is it my stance? I can approve the arms purchase immediately and begin an arms trade with your country."
Gong Kaichen just stared at Marcos silently without saying a word; clearly, he wasn't going to say it so directly.
Because once he speaks, the whole situation will change, so there are some things that Marcos has to say himself.
Or let him ask, while Gong Kaichen is responsible for guiding him.
Marcos, seeing Gong Kaichen's expression, already knew what was going on.
Clearly, one arms purchase is not enough.
But what exactly did the other party want? Marcos couldn't guess!
"What else do you think I need to do?"
"Trust, the trust between us, is not something that can be easily expressed, so we must see the trust that the President can give."
"Trust? Sir, I don't quite understand. Could you explain it to me?"
"I don't know the specifics, but I'd like to ask you, Mr. President, do you have any backup plans for yourself in other countries?"
This statement is quite ambiguous, and if it were someone else, they might not be able to answer it immediately.
But who is Marcos?
Upon hearing Gong Kaichen's question, he immediately understood that the other party wanted him to prove his loyalty!
This is perfectly understandable. We helped Marcos, but who knows if he will betray us later and direct public anger towards us to reduce domestic opposition?
Southeast Asian countries are very good at this.
Therefore, Marcos had to hand over something, whether it was for safekeeping or as collateral.
Only after this pledge of loyalty is made, and his clear stance is seen, can the next step be taken.
This was something that Fang Zhenhua and his group had already discussed when they were in Hong Kong.
“Sir, I understand what you want to say. To tell you the truth, I do have a way out in other countries, but I don’t think it’s safe. So I want to get your country’s support. I also understand your difficulties. Please let me think about how to do it.”
"You can stay in Luzon for a while longer, and I hope you have a good time at the dinner tonight."
Marcos was a ruthless and ambitious man.
As a ruthless and powerful figure, he would not make a decision lightly, especially one that concerned his life and fortune.
This bastard was only thinking of getting something for nothing from the beginning, and it's even possible that he used our country to divert domestic opposition.
Fang Zhenhua and his team have plenty of time to outlast Marcos, and as time goes on, the only one who will truly feel anxious will be Marcos himself.
Presidential Palace, reception hall.
A grand banquet began. To welcome our delegation, not only our ambassador to Luzon was present, but ambassadors from other countries also made an appearance, including the upper-class gentlemen of Luzon.
Fang Zhenhua took a glass of champagne and quietly walked to a corner, observing the venue.
Fang Zhenhua saw Gong Kaichen and his group drinking and chatting, and at the same time, he also saw a white man.
He was the deputy director of the Third Bureau of the General Staff, wielding great power over intelligence. Fang Zhenhua had seen photos of the ambassadors of various Luzon countries, and his extraordinary memory enabled him to remember them perfectly.
However, Fang Zhenhua was certain that this person was definitely not an ambassador from any country.
It was even less likely that he was an embassy staff member, because they were not of a high enough rank. And Fang Zhenhua felt that the man's appearance was somewhat familiar; he felt that he had seen this man somewhere before.