I built an armada.

“Longxia’s side did not deny, clarify, or request the retraction of the article afterward. We believe that Longxia’s side is tacitly approving, or even enjoying, the current narrative rhythm.”

In fact, the Eagle Tribe's analysis is not wrong, but rather completely wrong.

Longxia does need a submissive Eastern Wilderness, but that doesn't mean Longxia needs a crippled Eastern Wilderness.

In such a tiny place, Long Xia has already beaten them to a pulp. Now he wants to completely emasculate their ability to wage war. Does Long Xia really think the Eastern Wilderness will behave itself?
Obviously not.

That's why Longxia needs an Eastern Wilderness that may not be as prosperous, but is absolutely safe and stable.

Only in this way can the Eastern Wilderness be worthy of becoming a dumping ground for Dragon Xia's goods, and at the same time, it will set an example for the rest of the world.

Look, even countries like the Eastern Wilderness, which fought against me, are safe and sound. What are the other countries waiting for? Why don't they hurry up and join the new order led by Longxia?
In this new order, everyone can make money in harmony and do business together without being exploited by anyone else. How wonderful!

Therefore, Donghuang not only must not die, but must also live well.

Of course, this is on the premise that the past history is thoroughly investigated and completely cleared up.

In this way, Long Xia could say: "Look, Big Brother is still very magnanimous. You've taken care of all those historical sinners, and Big Brother won't hold your past offenses against you."

Some might think that only by occupying more land could the greatness of Longxia be demonstrated, but that's not the case.

First and foremost, a very important issue is that if you seize another country's land, it is legally untenable and illegitimate, which will greatly hinder many things you do.

Secondly, if you take control of a new place, are you not responsible for the lives of the people in that new place?

Just ensuring that the 1.4 billion people in your own country live well is already exhausting. If you add one or even many small countries, it will really drive you crazy!
Governing a city is never a simple matter; it requires a massive grassroots management system and strong tribal support.

Not to mention, we also need to consider whether the integration of a completely new ethnic group into the country will have any impact or shock on the country!
Some people might naively think that the land should be kept while the people are left behind. But then the question is, who should be the one destined to be nailed to the pillar of historical shame?

If you kill all the people, who will buy our goods? Are we supposed to build a new city from scratch? Who will build it?
As for enslaving a country or a nation, that's even more impossible.

Where there is oppression, there is resistance. If Longxia really dares to do this, it will face endless anti-suppression wars, which will consume a great deal of manpower and resources.

On the contrary, if we guarantee the integrity of the other country's system, then what does it matter to me whether the people of other countries live well or not?
If you're having a bad time, go find your own tribal government. We haven't exploited or enslaved you, so whatever happens to you has nothing to do with us.

Most importantly, even if such a government is overthrown, the new government will still continue to do business with Longxia and purchase Longxia's goods.

It's obvious how much a new market of 100 million people, completely unhindered, will boost the economy of the Longxia tribe.

Of course, there will definitely be some vested interests in the Eastern Wilderness who will oppose Longxia's methods and dumping.

But Longxia doesn't care about this or that; if you don't listen, she'll give you a picture.

Don't ask, the answer is that they are the culprits who have undermined security, stability, and peace.

Even without Long Xia lifting a finger, the new vested interests within the Eastern Wilderness will emerge and bring these people down.

Therefore, Long Xia has no need to use this method to demonstrate his authority.

Surely no one really thinks they can go toe-to-toe with Longxia in East Asia?

There are really very few truly foolish leaders; those politicians who keep promoting the "Longxia threat" theory are all quite shrewd.

Some people are after votes, while others are trying to swindle more support and cooperation from the Eagle Tribe.

Of course, there are definitely a few people among them who aren't very bright and think they can go toe-to-toe with Long Xia.

However, there's no need to pay attention to these extraordinary individuals; they'll only ruin themselves.

……

After careful consideration, the Great Chief made what he considered to be a very wise decision!
“Then we’ll give them an even bigger story.” The chieftain spread his hands, full of confidence.

"Claire, the Dragon Summer Threat Theory 2.0 plan you mentioned earlier can be launched now."

Claire nodded, switched screens, and a presentation marked "Top Secret - Sensitive Information" appeared.

"According to our analysis, the traditional Longxia threat theory has always focused on clichés such as military expansion, economic plunder, and technology theft."

"But in recent years, with the growth of Longxia's strength and the increase in foreign economic and trade cooperation, this argument has weakened in some developing countries."

Claire pulled up several charts to analyze the changing attitudes of developing countries toward Longxia from various perspectives.

"Therefore, we need to upgrade. The core theory of version 2.0 is the threat to order!"

She zoomed in on Zhang Zhaoxin's part in the photo: "What Long Xia wants to overturn is not just the geopolitical balance, but the entire rules-based international order established after the war!"

"They refuse to accept arbitration, disrespect freedom of navigation, substitute economic coercion for diplomacy, and now they're even demanding so-called ceremonial obedience from other countries' leaders..."

"This isn't competition, this is humiliation!"

Of course, what Claire didn't say, but what convinced those countries to speak out, was mostly self-interest.

With the support of the Eagle Tribe, those smaller countries might be able to take a bite out of Longxia.

This one piece of profit is something they could never obtain in their entire lives by relying on their own strength!
They don't even need to invade Longxia's territory. Just making a small fortune off the vast and resource-rich Longxia is enough to make these small countries rich!
Moreover, with the support of the Eagle Tribe as a major investor, there are plenty of small countries willing to be cannon fodder!

“We need to visualize this threat.”

Thurston interjected, "This photograph is the perfect material to visualize this threat, making it a real humiliation!"

"Are there any specific, actionable plans?" the Secretary of State asked.

"Advance along three fronts."

Claire held up three fingers.

"First, in terms of diplomacy, we need to emphasize our rock-solid commitment to our allies, while implying to them that dealing with Longxia requires setting a bottom line of dignity."

"Take this photo with you, and let them see for themselves without saying anything more."

"Secondly, in terms of military affairs, Ma has completely withdrawn from the first island chain, showing weakness to the enemy, and concentrating its forces on the second island chain, with the focus on the Iron Monkey Tribe and the Feilu Tribe renegotiation."

“Some of them were terrified during their struggle with Long Xia, and it would be quite costly to get them back into service.”

“Finally, and most importantly, the narrative aspect.” She looked at David.

"David, your department needs to coordinate with the intelligence community to provide details to major news media around the world within the next 72 hours regarding Longxia's coercive diplomacy in the Eastern Wilderness, the South China Sea, and Central Asia."

"Note that the most important aspect of this is economic coercion, including but not limited to debt traps, control of critical infrastructure, and infringement of data sovereignty..."

"Whether these facts exist or not is not important. What's important is whether we can convince the other side that Longxia is about to do, or even is already doing, this!" "The photos are just the starting point. We need to fill this narrative with a massive amount of analysis and reporting: Longxia is not a normal rising power. It is trying to restore the tributary system from thousands of years ago. It is a brand-new empire that is trying to replace the current international order with the tributary system!"

"Being allies with them would be even more dangerous!"

After listening, the president pondered for a moment: "How should we control the risks? This will further escalate the confrontation with Longxia, and economically, our business community will not be happy."

"Moreover, we need time now, and we need to avoid conflicts between the plan and Longxia as much as possible, and minimize the risk of war."

"Therefore, we also need to cooperate with Longxia in certain aspects."

Claire hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a piece of intelligence.

"Although Longxia later succeeded, many of their technologies are still at a rather backward level. Perhaps we can open up some of their related products for export."

"Under these circumstances, Long Xia's reaction should be within acceptable limits..."

"But isn't this funding Long Xia and making him grow up faster?"

The chieftain frowned slightly.

Claire remained silent for a moment.

"Great Chief, we cannot achieve perfection. It is impossible to suppress Longxia's development, smear Longxia, and at the same time demand that Longxia not react at all..."

"Not to mention, we are currently very short of time."

"Then let's proceed with this plan, but the technology and products we cooperate with Longxia on must undergo more rigorous review. We absolutely cannot let Longxia reap so many benefits so easily!"

The Great Chief made a decision.

The meeting lasted another forty minutes.

As everyone stood up, the High Chief called out to Claire.

"Claire, from your personal perspective, do you think Long Xia knows what we're doing?"

He trusted Claire a lot, not only because Claire had a hot body, but also because Claire's work ability was indeed outstanding.

Claire paused in packing the documents: "They must know that Longxia is not a fool. They have 1.4 billion people. I wouldn't be surprised if any kind of wise man emerged from among so many people."

"I think... this is very likely a test by Long Xia..."

"Test? Test what?"

The chieftain frowned.

"Testing our reaction speed, testing the loyalty of our allies, testing whether we still possess sufficient control, and even testing... how many followers the Dragon Xia threat theory can still attract in the new era..."

Claire looked up, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Your Excellency, I believe that Longxia is prepared for a long-term strategic competition with us. In my opinion, they are probably unwilling to start another war."

"why?"

The chieftain seemed to have a hard time understanding why, if Longxia really wanted to become the overlord, they didn't need to prove themselves through war.

"Because time is in their favor, Your Excellency the Great Chief."

"Even if we do nothing, as long as we continue to develop at the current pace, a market of 1.4 billion people and a country with a full range of industrial products can persuade everyone to become their allies in every sense of the word."

"And now, Longxia seems to have stopped trying to convince us with words, telling us that they are actually peaceful, that they are showing how powerful they are, and what price they are willing to pay for that power."

"As a result, more and more tribes will be attracted to Longxia, and more and more tribes will rush into Longxia's embrace at an increasingly faster pace."

"The Eastern Wilderness is the first testing ground, but it won't be the last."

Claire remained silent for a moment.

"I believe that the only way to contain Longxia is through a full-scale war; otherwise, we can only watch Longxia grow stronger."

The president looked at the still photo on the screen.

Kato Taro's head was bowed, Zhang Zhaoxin's back was straight...

He smiled, whether in self-deprecation or something else, it was hard to tell.

"You've got guts to launch a decisive battle against a nuclear superpower..."

In any case, neither side will ever go that far, because everyone knows that once a full-scale war begins, the only way forward is for both sides to suffer heavy losses.

Between two nuclear superpowers, there will be no winner-takes-all; there will only be a full-scale nuclear war, and only one who loses everything.

If war really breaks out, the people who are most afraid are these politicians.

Because atomic and hydrogen bombs only target the most critical points.

As for nuclear defense facilities... they can withstand nuclear bombs, but if the entire country is bombed into ruins, what's the point of them still being alive? They're just barely clinging to life.

Therefore, there may be friction between the two sides, but there will definitely be no large-scale war.

Furthermore, the subsequent friction between the two sides may not even involve firepower, but only cold weapons, using cold weapons to determine the right to speak.

Imagine the scene: on the world's most advanced warships, soldiers from both sides physically educate each other with swords or even axes.

Thinking of this, the chieftain couldn't help but chuckle twice.

"If we proceed according to plan, we will succeed once, twenty years ago, and we can win again this time using the same methods!"

The chieftain looked somewhat relaxed.

How does the current Longxia compare to the White Bear of decades ago? Their military strength is not greater, nor do they have more allies.

The red polar bear has fallen, so how long can Long Xia, who is even weaker than the red polar bear, hold on?
"It seems we need to increase our investment and support in the cultural and entertainment sector..."

……

While Washington was formulating countermeasures, similar analyses and decisions were being made in London, Paris, Berlin, New Delhi, and other cities in different time zones.

Countless commands were issued one after another, and the situation gradually became increasingly unpredictable. (End of Chapter)