Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1632 Price (First update, please subscribe)
The road is long.

For Jakarta, the road ahead has just begun. In August of this year, Jakarta welcomed its liberation.

Although Jakarta was divided into several countries in the days that followed, they were truly liberated anyway.

It is not just a liberation in name only, but a true liberation that starts from the spirit.

This liberation will completely change the country in the days to come. Of course, they may not be happy about it now, but in the future, when faced with changes in life and all aspects, they will definitely welcome it.

“… Today we gave their freedom back to them.”

This war started with a TV speech, but it will not end with a TV speech.

Even as Li Yi'an made a televised speech announcing the end of large-scale military operations, guerrilla warfare in the rain forests of Java did not stop. In fact, their resistance would continue and would last for many years.

"For the time being, we don't need to consider completely wiping out the guerrillas."

After the televised speech, Li Yian said to Zhao Shangqin:
"For now, we still need the resistance there to continue. This will not only help us squeeze out the pustules, but also help to tie up our energy."

Zhao Shangqin immediately understood what Your Excellency meant.

"You mean to make the Americans think that our attention is entirely devoted to Java?"

"Yes, the Americans would certainly want us to help them with Vietnam if there wasn't another place to absorb our attention, but those are murky waters..."

Shaking his head, Li Yian said:

"It's better not to go. At least for now, the time is not ripe to interfere in Saigon's affairs."

Since there had been communication on this matter long ago, Zhao Shangqin naturally knew what Your Excellency meant, and also knew how complicated Saigon affairs were.

After nodding and thinking for a while, Zhao Shangqin continued.

"Sir, now the problems in Jakarta have basically been solved, but there is still one thing that may need our attention."

"Oh? What happened?"

"the Philippines!"

Zhao Shangqin replied:

"Sir, as you know, in the past few years, the military has been assisting Manila in suppressing the Huk guerrillas, so the Military Intelligence Bureau has not relaxed its work in the area."

The Huk guerrillas were actually another guerrilla force supported by the Soviet Union and other major powers. They established an organization in Moscow as early as the 30s.

During World War II, they organized the Huk Army to resist the Japanese invasion, but after the liberation of the Philippines, they did not give up their arms. Instead, they used people's war as their theoretical guidance and the establishment of a new government as their goal, using guerrilla warfare and political means to attack the Philippine government, and their power expanded rapidly.

Although the Huk army had been basically wiped out 10 years ago with the assistance of the United States, political offensives and military strikes, many Huk soldiers were "settled" to the southern island of Mindanao. Mindanao welcomed their arrival. After all, many of the Huk soldiers were Chinese.

But on the other hand, there are still some guerrillas in northern Luzon.

As a neighbor, Chang'an naturally could not sit idly by and watch the Philippines change its attitude, so it sent special forces as consultants to help train the Philippine troops and provide them with assistance in weapons and other aspects. Of course, this also helped to increase its influence on its army.

"Recently, our local insiders have heard that they have introduced a new generation of leaders. They have now completely abandoned Moscow and have gained support from the other side.

I am concerned that in the next year or two, the problems in the Philippines are likely to get worse.”

Listening to Zhao Shangqin's concerns, Li Yian frowned, and an organization that still exists even in the new century immediately emerged in his mind - the New People's Army.

At their peak they had tens of thousands of organic men, and even in the new century they still have thousands of guerrillas.

If it weren't for the changing situation and the presence of US troops in the Philippines, perhaps the Philippines would be the next domino.

In fact, there were really several dominoes at that time, from Siam to the Philippines, from Burma to Malaysia...

These dominoes had the potential to fall back then, but were stopped due to changing circumstances.

Li Yian frowned and thought for a moment before saying:

“What is Manila’s attitude now?”

"Marcos believes that the Huks are now a threat with only a few remnants left, and the military also believes this."

After listening to Zhao Shangqin's answer, Li Yian thought for a moment and then said.

"The South Pacific Islands are our lifeline, and we cannot tolerate others interfering in them no matter what... But if they themselves are unaware of the threat, and we forcefully intervene, it is likely to worsen the relationship between the two.

The emperor is not anxious, but the eunuchs are. This kind of thing is not advisable. Let them be anxious first when the fire starts."

Some things are like this, even if you get intelligence in advance, you are often helpless. After all, at least in name, the Philippines is still an independent country, and even the Americans, as the emperor, will not interfere in the affairs of the Philippines unscrupulously.

In fact, in comparison, the Soviet Union was the real emperor. If necessary, the KGB could even arrest local people from Eastern European countries at will and send them directly to Siberia by train.

Train hotel in Moscow.

It is evidence of the Soviet Union being the emperor, but it is also the fundamental reason why Eastern European countries are disunited.

"I understand."

Zhao Shangqin nodded and said:

“We will continue to keep an eye on it and monitor changes on the ground.”

"Oh, by the way, that Marcos..."

Li Yian originally wanted to ask about Marcos, who was elected president of the Philippines a few years ago, but stopped talking.

The military only needs to focus on military affairs. As for whether Marcos is suitable to be the president of the Philippines?

Let's leave this issue to other departments. If he's not suitable...you can just replace him.

Anyway, as long as Chang'an exists, the Philippines will not be able to make any waves.

Thinking of this neighbor who was so close to him, Li Yian suddenly realized a problem.

It seems that what we have been focusing on all along is to establish good relations with European and American countries, and correspondingly, we have relaxed our relationship with neighboring countries.

"It seems that I have never visited an Asian country..."

After thinking about it, it seems to be true. Perhaps this is the case of the darkest place under the lamp.

For economic and political reasons, Li Yian has always attached more importance to relations with the United States and Europe, so since the emergence of jet airliners, he has frequently visited these countries.

The visits abroad every year are mainly to European and American countries. As for those poor neighbors in Asia, we have never visited any of them until now.

Of course Saigon is an exception. After all, my ancestral graves are still there in name.

But Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, and even Bangkok. I have never been there. The reason why I haven't been there is not because these places are not important, but because... they are difficult to attract my attention at all.

"Sir, yes, it is extremely necessary to visit Seoul, Tokyo, Manila and Bangkok. After all, in theory, they are all our allies in Asia."

As a special director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Li Guoren has been in charge of foreign affairs for the past 20 years, and dealing with neighbors is naturally part of his job.

“If Your Excellency could visit those regions, it would certainly help deepen the ties between our two sides.

Of course, they will certainly take the opportunity to ask for more help, such as hoping that we can provide a larger share of development aid programs and more help.”

In fact, this is also the reason why Li Yian doesn't like dealing with those people. They are a bunch of poor guys who always seize various opportunities to ask for help.

No one's money comes from the wind. Although Chang'an is rich, every penny is the hard-earned money of its citizens.

The aid development program is just a tool for market development, not free aid.

"However, we need to further expand our influence in those regions. After all, in addition to the United States, we should be a friend with absolute influence on them."

Li Guoren's words made Li Yian nod and say:

"Yes, I am completely different from the past. If we want to expand our influence in those regions, we cannot just rely on development aid, but also need to show them how much we value them. This kind of expression... well, is reflected through my visit."

In fact, diplomacy is not complicated in many cases. For example, whenever a US president takes office, the outside world is always most concerned about which country he will visit first and which head of state he will call first.

These actions may not seem to mean much, but they are actually very significant.

Just like in Asia, South Korea and Japan are very concerned about who comes first and who comes later.

Thinking of this, Li Yian couldn't help but sigh:
"Oh, come to think of it, I am a little incompetent!"

"It's mainly because you have so many things to do that you don't have time."

Of course, what Li Guoren said was just a high-sounding excuse.

Li Yian waved his hand and said:
"Okay, you make the arrangements. I will visit these countries before the end of the year. Um, arrange the order."

Li Yian, who was originally thinking about how to make arrangements, thought about another world, where Japan and South Korea would feel either proud or disappointed every time because of the order of the US president's visit or phone calls.

In order to gain a conclusion, they are very willing to make concessions on some issues.

Isn't this diplomacy?

What is great power diplomacy?

The diplomacy of a great power is not about how much aid you provide to them or how much money you give them.

The most critical core of great power diplomacy is that when you visit a country, those countries are often willing to give up their national interests in exchange for your visit.

Now you can completely turn your visit into a tool. On the one hand, you can test their attitude, and on the other hand, you may get unexpected gains.

Thinking of this, Li Yian said:
"We can send some signals, um, tell them that I will take time to visit these countries.

I think maybe there will be some unexpected gains, who knows?"

What price are those countries willing to pay when they learn that I will be visiting?

Thinking of this, Li Yian couldn't help but feel curious.

After all, compared to paying, he hoped to get something in return. After all, he had paid a lot for them over the years, and it was reasonable to get some interest back.

"Your Excellency, they don't seem to have anything to give."

Li Guoren said somewhat helplessly.

"After all, these countries are very poor, and only Siam's economic conditions are slightly better."

This is not to look down on those countries, but to state a fact. In fact, whether it is the Philippines, South Korea, or Siam, their economies are very backward.

Especially South Korea, even after several years of development, its economic situation still lags behind some African countries.

As for the Philippines, although US aid has never decreased since its independence, it is of no use because the aid has basically become deposits of Manila officials in Swiss banks.

Among these countries, only Siam's economy was relatively good. However, it was Siam after all, and was deeply influenced by Chang'an.

"No,"

Li Yian shook his head and said:
"Although they are poor, they still have some things we need. Now it depends on how much they are willing to give."

(End of this chapter)