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Chapter 1701 SEA Expansion (Second update, please subscribe)
embassy.

In the office, Major Ivanov leaned lazily on the sofa, holding a glass of vodka in his hand, staring at the TV screen and listening to the TV news.

The news was reporting the suicide of the Director of the Housing and Development Board. In the footage, the official’s suicide note was magnified and displayed. The handwriting was sloppy but revealed a sense of despair.

"Humph, this is the typical face of Western countries."

Ivanov sneered, his tone full of disdain:
"Officials accepted bribes and abused their power for personal gain, while the people were squeezed to the point of suffocation. Look at this director, who embezzled so much money, and in the end could only commit suicide to atone for his crime. How ironic."

Major Nikolayev sat in an armchair nearby, holding an unlit cigar in his hand, with a calm expression. He glanced at the TV and shook his head slightly:

"Ivanov, you're right, but this place is not without merit. At least, their officials will blame themselves for corruption and even die to apologize. In our place, such things will not make such a big fuss."

As a KGB officer, he certainly knew some unknown things.

Ivanov sneered and took a sip of vodka:

"Self-blame? Suicide? These are just fig leaves they use to cover up bigger problems. Look at their society, the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The so-called 'good living environment' and 'abundant material supplies' are just luxuries for a few people. What about ordinary people? They can only look at the goods in the window and continue to worry about their livelihood."

Major Nikolayev smiled slightly, put the cigar to his nose and sniffed it gently:

"You are right. The gap between the rich and the poor is indeed a problem. But it is undeniable that the market here is indeed prosperous and the supply of materials is sufficient. At least, we can buy anything we need here, even this kind of-"

He shook the cigar in his hand.
"——Cigars from Mindanao are no worse than Cuban cigars. They are very scarce where we are."

The cigars were gifts from officials from the Mindanao Representative Office in Chang'an. A box of cigars is worth almost a hundred yuan.

Ivanov snorted coldly, with a sarcastic tone:

"Yes, there are abundant materials, but so what? These materials are just tools to paralyze ordinary people. Let them immerse themselves in the illusion of consumption and forget the fact that they are being exploited. This is the essence of Western countries - using materials to cover up internal contradictions."

Major Nikolayev nodded, with a hint of amusement in his eyes:
"You are right, but I have to say that this 'paralysis' method is indeed effective. Look at the streets here, they are clean, tidy and orderly. People seem to be very satisfied, at least on the surface."

"Satisfied?" Ivanov sneered:
"That's because they have been domesticated. They are used to being exploited, used to being oppressed, and even begin to justify this kind of life. This is the terrible thing about the Western capitalist world - it not only exploits your body, but also corrupts your mind."

Major Nikolayev sighed softly and put the cigar back on the table:

"Maybe. But in any case, life here is much more comfortable than ours. At least, we don't have to queue up to buy a TV, a washing machine, or wait for several years for a car."

Ivanov put down his glass and looked at Nikolayev sharply:

"Major, what you said sounds a bit dangerous. Have you been corrupted by the sugar-coated bullets of the Western world?"

Major Nikolayev smiled, with a hint of ridicule in his tone:
"I am only stating the facts, Ivanov. We criticize the Western world, but we must also acknowledge some of its merits. After all, only by knowing ourselves and the enemy can we win every battle."

Ivanov was silent for a moment, then sneered:
"Maybe. But I'd rather see the day when this system completely collapses and we bury all of this. Only then can we truly build a fair society."

Major Nikolayev did not respond, but nodded slightly. On TV, the news had finished broadcasting, and the screen switched to an advertisement showing a wide range of goods and a crowd of smiling people. The two looked at the screen in silence, and the air was filled with a faint cocoa aroma, which was the aroma of burning cigars.

At this time, the TV news was broadcasting the news that the South African president was about to visit. Major Nikolayev, who was smoking a cigar, stared at the screen with a frown, pointed at the TV screen with his finger holding the cigar, and said:
"That's what we need to be concerned about, Ivanov."

There was a hint of seriousness in his tone and a hint of worry in his expression.

Major Ivanov sat back on the sofa, holding an unlit cigarette in his hand. Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows and a sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"Oh? The South African president is visiting? Cooperation between freedom fighters and racists is going to intensify again?"

The freedom fighters refer to the SEA, which has invaded other countries many times under the pretext of freedom and human rights, and the racists are naturally South Africa.

"I'm afraid that's it,"

Major Nikolayev sneered, pointed at the TV screen, frowned and said:
"Six years ago, South Africa established a republic and became completely independent. The UK voted in favor of condemning South Africa's racist regime at the United Nations, whereas before they had always opposed or abstained. This move directly led to a stalemate in relations between the UK and South Africa. However, the SEA, as a member of the Commonwealth, showed goodwill to South Africa and opposed the adoption of the condemnation resolution, and South Africa immediately sided with the SEA."

Ivanov blew out a smoke ring, his eyes were filled with disdain, and his tone was filled with a hint of sarcasm:

"This is the true face of the SEA. They always call themselves "freedom fighters", which is really ironic. On the one hand, they advocate so-called freedom and rights, but on the other hand, they support racist regimes like South Africa. This is the hypocrisy of the Western world."

Major Nikolayev nodded, tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and said in a serious tone:

“Hypocrisy is their common behavior.

In the past six years, SEA has not only been South Africa's largest arms supplier, but has also repeatedly opposed proposals to condemn South Africa at the United Nations. Their cooperation in political, military and economic fields far exceeds that of any other country. "

At this point, he paused for a moment, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes:
"But what is more worrying is that the speed at which SEA is expanding its influence in Africa is far beyond our imagination. Yes, Britain is declining and they are withdrawing from colonies, but SEA is expanding, from East Africa to South Africa, their shadows are everywhere. They are replacing Britain's dominance in Africa and becoming the new colonizer."

Ivanov sneered, flicked the ash off his cigarette, and said with sarcasm in his tone:

"Major, you are right. The influence of SEA is rapidly expanding, and their strong intervention is bound to affect the independence process of the African colonies. These so-called 'defenders of freedom' are nothing more than colonists in a different name."

Major Nikolayev stood up, walked to the window, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the street in the distance with a more solemn expression:
"It's not just South Africa, but also East Africa and even Nigeria in West Africa. The shadow of SEA is everywhere. Their economic assistance, military cooperation, and even cultural infiltration are changing the landscape of Africa."

Ivanov also stood up and walked to Major Nikolayev's side. He also looked out the window and his tone became serious:
"Major, you are right. The speed of SEA's expansion is indeed worrying. Not only do they control Africa's resources economically, but they also support pro-SEA regimes politically. This strong intervention will only make Africa's independence more difficult."

Major Nikolayev turned around with a hint of worry in his eyes:
"What's worse is that the expansion of SEA's influence is bound to squeeze our presence in Africa. We must invest more in Africa to be able to compete with it."

After thinking for a while, he added:
"Moreover, unlike the United States, SEA is more stable internally and does not need to consider internal opposition when interfering in other countries. In fact, their people generally support overseas interference because of security and economic reasons. The public generally supports overseas interference operations."

"That's true, and that's why it's called the 'last imperialist power', and its people generally believe that overseas intervention is not only about their own security, but also about overseas investment, which is related to everyone."

"This is exactly what makes SEA different from other Western countries. Their overseas intervention can bring tangible benefits to the people, which is why the people support the intervention."

Major Nikolayev went on:

"Yes. Compared with the United States, their style of doing things is more direct. Just like their support for South Africa, they have never had any concerns. They will not consider the opposition or support of international public opinion. They only make decisions based on practical interests. You know, in a place like Africa, strength is the most important thing, and other things are not important."

"strength……"

Ivanov frowned slightly and said:
"The SEA's interference has enabled the colonial regimes it supports to implement racist policies without disguising themselves. The more they do so, the more vulnerable they are to international isolation and the greater their dependence on the SEA. The SEA's influence is also rapidly expanding. We must see this."

Major Nikolayev sighed softly:

"Major, you are right. This is the current SEA expansion strategy in Africa. They exist as protectors. They protect and support the colonial regimes in exchange for economic and political rewards."

As he spoke, Major Nikolayev's eyes became more serious:
"However, we must also realize that where there is oppression, there is resistance. I believe that with our support, Africa will eventually be liberated."

“Liberation will come!”

The two smiled at each other. On TV, the news had finished broadcasting and the screen switched to an advertisement showing the prosperity of SEA.

Ivanov watched the content on TV and his brows furrowed more and more.

"Come on, Major,"

After thinking for a while, he stood up and said:
"We have more important things to do. After all, we still have to figure out what kind of agreement they will reach this time. This is what Moscow cares most about!"

Yes, Moscow is more concerned about their secret agreement, after all, it concerns the whole of Africa...

(End of this chapter)