HCB Chapter 622: The Great Commander Passes Away
Chapter 622: The Great Commander Passes Away
Although Hagroft didn't say it explicitly, the reference was very clear - the huge, awe-inspiring and unsettling red giant.
Although Sweden was flirting with Hans, deep down, it was more wary and fearful of the Russian bear, which was so close and expanding rapidly.
The special envoy glanced at Zhang Chi and said meaningfully:
“In contrast, although Nanyang has close ties with the White Eagle, it is geographically far away from the troubled waters of Europe.
Perhaps...at some point in the future, those of us who are not at the forefront of the storm will have more common language and room for maneuver, and can make unique contributions to maintaining world stability and prosperity."
Hagroft's words were both a test and an implicit attempt to seek potential understanding and support.
Zhang Chi understood the subtext.
He smiled slightly and raised his glass to indicate:
“Nanyang loves peace and is committed to its own development and regional stability.
We are willing to make friends with all countries that uphold goodwill and respect sovereignty, including Sweden.
No matter how the international situation changes, mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation will always be the most solid bridge between countries."
He did not explicitly take sides, but expressed an open and cooperative attitude, which is exactly what Sweden needs most at the moment.
In fact, neither of them is prepared to participate in the upcoming red-blue battle.
Afterwards, the two sides agreed to immediately set up a special working group to conduct detailed consultations on a package agreement of "industrial and technological cooperation in exchange for long-term and stable supply of raw materials."
After seeing off Special Envoy Hagrof, Zhang Chi stood at the window and looked at the busy scene of Pegu Port in the distance.
This negotiation with Sweden is more than just a simple trade deal.
It indicates that Nanyang is using resources as leverage to cleverly open the door to international advanced industrial technology and accelerate the country's industrialization process.
At the same time, the successful inclusion of agricultural products in the export strategy has alleviated potential domestic economic and social risks.
More importantly, by establishing a special cooperative relationship with a neutral but industrially powerful country like Sweden, Nanyang has made another brilliant move on the international chessboard, winning itself more room for maneuver and voice.
This is far better than allowing merchants and farmers to sell resources directly at low prices.
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On April 12, 1946, a piece of news spread across the world like thunder out of the blue.
General Luo, the great man of the White Eagle United States who led the country out of the Great Depression with his charming smile, optimistic spirit and iron will and was about to win the world war, passed away due to illness.
The entire country of White Eagle was plunged into great grief.
The war had not yet ended completely, but the helmsman who led them through the most difficult years suddenly passed away.
In the Special Administrative Region, the atmosphere was solemn yet a bit chaotic.
Now that the helmsman is gone, where should the United States go?
Soon, Deputy President Truman, who had previously been on the margins of the political arena, placed his hand solemnly on the Bible and was sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States of White Eagle, witnessed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, cabinet members and members of Congress.
His face was filled with heaviness and the pressure of being suddenly pushed to the pinnacle of world power.
Among the guests watching the ceremony below the stage, a tall, stern-looking white man with typical Slavic facial features stood out.
He was wearing a dark suit, with a calm posture and sharp eyes. He seemed subtly alienated from the surrounding atmosphere, which was either sad, solemn, or thoughtful.
He is Ivan Yegorov, the head of the "New Century Consortium", which has rapidly risen in the Texas oil and military industry in recent years.
Few people know that this mysterious business tycoon who seemed to appear out of thin air is actually a high-level synthetic human exchanged by the Nanyang Commander Zhang Chi through the system. He is Zhang Chi's "white glove" for global layout, especially infiltrating the core of White Eagle's power.
With his unparalleled execution ability and the advanced information and financial resources provided by Zhang Chi, Yegorov has thrived in the energy and military industry circles in Texas and even the entire White Eagle.
His most important political investment was to set his sights on the then unpopular Deputy Commander Harry Truman.
Truman, who took the position of deputy commander through compromise among various forces, had limited power and low attention before.
But Yegorov, or Zhang Chi behind him, saw the future of Commander Luo's deteriorating health with his vision ahead of his time, and continued to establish close ties with Truman through political donations and sharing of strategic information.
Even formed a small circle around it.
Now is the time to reap the rewards of investment.
On the evening after the swearing-in, the White House held a small but high-level reception, which was both a commemoration of the deceased and a celebration of the new president.
Beneath the crystal chandelier, politicians, generals, and big capitalists were talking in low voices.
The new commander-in-chief, Truman, held a glass of wine and mingled among the guests.
He tried to remain calm, but his expression revealed fatigue and a sense of helplessness that made him feel suffocated by the overwhelming responsibility.
All of this was accurately captured by Yegorov, who walked forward at the right time and raised his glass to gesture.
"Mr. President, please accept my condolences. And congratulations on your inauguration. The country needs your leadership during this difficult time."
Yegorov's voice is low and magnetic, and naturally carries a convincing power.
When Truman saw Yegorov, a sincere and slightly relaxed expression appeared on his face.
During his relatively marginalized period, Yegorov and the forces he represented were one of the few forces that gave him substantial support and respect.
"Ivan, thank you for coming." Truman clinked glasses with Yegorov. "To be honest, I feel like I've been pushed into the cab of a high-speed train, but I have no idea where the track is going."
His words revealed a rare frankness and confusion, which he, with his tough personality, would never show when facing the public or most politicians.
Yegorov smiled slightly:
"The wheel of history always rolls forward, and the great leader lives on. The old order is crumbling, and a new pattern is waiting to be shaped. This is a fog for challengers, but a huge opportunity for visionaries."
He took a sip of champagne and casually changed the subject:
"The war is about to end, there is no doubt about that. But peace is not simply the opposite of war. The United States won the war, but whether we can win the peace depends on how we define the next era... opponents and friends."
Truman's eyes fixed, he heard the hidden meaning in Yegorov's words.
As a senator, he was not completely ignorant of the international situation, but many of Commander Luo's core decisions during his lifetime were not fully revealed to him. At this moment, he did feel a lack of information and a lack of direction.