The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 405 The Time Traveler's Pincer Attack

When did people realize that the strong man, Commander Luo, began to become weak?

Perhaps it was at the Donor Party’s national convention in July that General Luo, who has always been strong and independent and tried to make the public ignore his polio, had to be supported by his son to stand up before he could finish his speech.

He is old after all.

However, White House doctor Ross McIntyre insisted that President Luo only had a "mild flu" and "occasionally felt unwell", and no one could be sure that the man was really dying.

Apart from Zhang Chi, he was the only one who knew that Commander Luo actually suffered from hypertension, congestive heart failure and arteriosclerosis, but all the doctors and the diagnosis results were kept secret under his own pressure.

Therefore, when Truman, a "political novice" who came from a farmer's family, ran a men's clothing store that went bankrupt in his early years, had a rustic accent and was incompatible with the East Coast elites, learned a few months ago that someone had donated a large sum of campaign funds for him, he was extremely surprised.

He knew that the Donald Trump supporters in the South, especially the Donald Trump conservatives in Texas and South Carolina, disliked the radical Wallace.

But he couldn't understand why a rising Texas tycoon named Yegorov would be so unwaveringly optimistic about him and propose that he be the Democratic Party's candidate for vice president to replace Wallace?

You have to know that he was just a veteran of the last World War, and he was even driven out of the square by a certain Marshal Mac with a tank because he asked for his retirement benefits.

God have mercy on him, he is just a political novice with no faction, no connections, and no background.

Someone actually had more confidence in him than he did? Even at a private dinner, they were loudly praising him as the next president?

Who would have thought that at the Democratic National Convention in July, the emerging Texas tycoon named Yegorov colluded with others and actually made him the candidate for vice president right under the nose of President Luo, and President Luo, who used to have the final say, actually acquiesced?

In fact, this is the "time pincer attack" that only Zhang Chi, a time traveler, can do.

Plan ahead, invest ahead, and make friends ahead.

No one could believe that this inconspicuous guy, Truman, could actually take over Commander Luo's position and serve for two terms, except Zhang Chi.

However, at present, Commander Luo's power is still at its peak.

In the Oval Hall, Commander Luo, who seemed a little exhausted, said calmly:

"So, our four-star general, Old Joe, took the blame, but the Anmin Army's attack is still as fast as ever?"

It was a little after 3 p.m. on the 25th, local time in White Eagle, while Singapore on the other side of the earth had already entered the early morning of the 26th.

"That's right, and General Stevenson came up with a perfunctory excuse to justify Zhang Chi's insistence on attacking." Advisor Hopkins shrugged and picked up a small cake from the tray.

"You don't mind, George?"

Chief of Staff Marshall, on the other side of the couch, remained noncommittal. "I still adhere to the strategy of Europe first, Asia second. The more colonies the militia seizes from Western European countries, the more those weak Western European countries will become dependent on the great United States in the future."

The order to delay the attack and await negotiations would only create a rift between us and Zhang Chi. The Chief of Staff could only think about this in his head but would not speak it out loud, because Commander Luo had acquiesced to this order.

Commander Luo, in his wheelchair, waved his hand. "This is a minor matter. Whether Zhang Chi obeys orders or not, no matter what he chooses, the interests of the United States will not be harmed in the slightest. Of course, we all know now that this young Zhang is a restless person."

In fact, Commander Luo was not trying to excuse himself by saying this, but it was indeed the reality.

The core interests of the United States have always been in Europe. Zhang Chi's disobedience only made Commander Luo feel that the People's Security Army might not be as docile and obedient as Stevenson's report said.

Commander Luo would not hold a grudge against the Anmin Army and Zhang Chi for such a small matter. After all, compared with the Republic of China, which was also heavily assisted by the United States but also had a lot of ulterior motives, the Anmin Army at least had the advantage of being able to fight.

"There's no doubt the People's Army is taking advantage of this war to grab as much territory as possible," said Advisor Hopkins, beaming as he took a bite of lemon cheesecake. "But we didn't promise him that everything he conquered would be his, did we?"

"But we didn't explicitly say no." The Chief of Staff shook his head. "Many tycoons in the southern states have close ties with Zhang Chi. Zhang has already occupied Siam and Malaysia, and is about to take over Singapore. They have been able to extend their business tentacles into these territories. These people have been cheering for the Anmin Army."

The next general election is approaching, in November. Although President Rowe is full of confidence, Dewey of the Democratic Party is also very powerful in newspapers and other media. Therefore, President Rowe does not dare to force these Southern conservative Democrats too much, for fear of forcing them to the opposite side.

After all, it is the characteristic of the White Eagle people to be fickle. What if they are tired of Commander Luo and want to change their taste?

"Maybe Stevenson is involved with them?" Advisor Hopkins finished the cake in a few bites and looked at Chief of Staff Marshall.

"No, Joe is a pure soldier, but if we force him to retire, then he can openly participate in politics. You know, the media has been promoting him like crazy before..."

"Then we should find a way to change his position and let him go to Europe. It wouldn't be unfair to him to be a four-star general and serve as an aviation commander or an army group commander." Commander-in-Chief Luo made the decision in a few words.

"But John, you hit the point." Commander Luo took the apple from Hopkins and paused before continuing, "It's certainly not a good idea to give the land to whoever conquers it. But Mr. Steel has made the same request. If we want to reject this proposal, what terms would be best in exchange?"

The secret of diplomacy lies in compromise and exchange. Since the Anmin Army is unwilling to work for free, Commander Luo, as a pragmatist, will naturally consider ways to exchange interests.

"It's difficult. We need the Soviet Union's large army to contain the Nazis from the east, and we have no reason (sufficient force) to force the Soviet Union to withdraw from the Eastern European countries they liberated." Hopkins' voice lowered as he spoke.

"Oh, of course. The Anmin Army is different." After racking his brains for a while, Hopkins continued, "They are too small. Perhaps we can make a deal with Zhang."

"After he captures Lion City, we'll hand it over to the soon-to-be-established UN for trusteeship. And then we promise him we'll reserve a place for him in the occupied territory once we defeat the Japanese?"

There was no doubt that once the Japanese were defeated, the Allies would have to station troops on this hateful island nation. Hopkins, who was generous to others, quickly thought of a way to exchange the interests of the Japanese for their own benefit.

Commander Luo patted the blanket on his knees and fell into deep thought.

The Strait of Malacca is naturally very important in the world's maritime power, but it is not as important as the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.

The option of using direct force to force the An Min Army to give up Malacca has long been ruled out. Perhaps economic means can be used to stop them?

However, some people in the Donkey Party have already colluded with Zhang Chi, so it may not be passed smoothly in the form of a bill.

Commander-in-Chief Luo can make the final decision on the Lend-Lease Act, but the decision to focus on Europe first and Asia later cannot be changed. The performance of the Republic of China is too poor, and he still needs the Anmin Army to contain the Japanese.

It is too short-sighted to conflict with one's own generals over the distribution of spoils.

Commander Luo felt that perhaps consultant Hopkins's proposal was the best, so he decided to make a deal.