Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2554 He who wins over the common people wins the world (Second update, please subscribe)

just now!

As Reagan finished speaking, the room fell into a moment of silence, before his voice rang out again.

"I think the time is ripe!"

Reagan's tone became very serious, and when he said the word "timing," he even unconsciously waved his hand to emphasize his words while sitting on the sofa.

"Now!"

Michael nodded and said:

"Yes, Ronald, the time is ripe!"

Looking at Reagan, Michael gave the same answer, saying:

"The situation is different now than it was four years ago. Four years ago, people had just begun to see the United States retrenching. Although the Saigon Moment had a great impact on American society, they had not yet truly felt humiliated."

"But in the past four years, Americans have felt humiliated time and time again—starting with the Saigon moment, Carter, as a 'useless good man,' repeatedly humiliated the United States. The Saigon moment, the Panama Canal, and even the accusations against our traditional allies—what did all this show the Americans? Soviet expansion and American weakness..."

As Reagan spoke of all this, a smile crept onto his face. Over the past few years, he had witnessed how Carter, this "good guy," had gradually lost public support, and how the American people had slowly amassed their discontent through contraction and weakness.

All the discontent will eventually turn into support for him, paving the way for his path to the White House.

"Ronald, what America needs right now is a tough guy like you, not a coward."

Michael's words represent the sentiments of most Americans—Americans are different from people in many other countries; a nation that values ​​sports and athleticism will not appreciate weakness.

Americans of this era, deep down, still admire tough guys and those with power.

In fact, this is not just the case in this era; people in most countries are like this. A big reason why people dislike power is that they are victims of power, but how can they be the ones who give power?

How many people would object to it?
"They've had enough of everything Carter has done. What they need is a president who takes a tough stance against the Soviet Union, Ronald! Now your chance has come!"

As Reagan's longtime political advisor, Michael was his staunchest ally and most important advisor in the subsequent election. He was responsible not only for scheduling, event planning, and "image shaping" to ensure Reagan appeared in the most favorable visual contexts (such as the national flag and patriotic crowds), but also for perfectly controlling the media narrative. For this reason, he is considered the "chief architect of Reagan's image."

In fact, everyone can sense the psychological changes in the American people; however, sometimes people are unwilling to believe the silent majority.

Even Reagan, when he saw the opportunity, also had some concerns. He said:
"However, we all know that although people criticize Carter's weakness, it doesn't mean they will side with us. After all, for most people, the economy is the most important thing."

Although the US economy has improved and achieved high growth while recovering rapidly, it has not yet fully emerged from its previous predicament. Therefore, the economic problems remain very serious.

After listening to Ronald's question, Michael pondered for a moment and said:

"Ronald, I think you should listen to your old friend's opinion."

Who is the old friend he is referring to?
"Of course it's Li Yi'an," Michael said, seeing Reagan deep in thought.

"Ronald, at this crucial moment, he might have some good advice for you."

Reagan nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and said:

“I really should go over there; after all, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a chat.”

After making the decision, Reagan immediately had several plane tickets booked to Chang'an, even in economy class.

To the outside world, Reagan's "trip" attracted almost no attention, because Reagan was just a washed-up politician—four years ago, he lost the nomination to Ford, and he was no longer the governor of California. Naturally, no one would pay attention to such a washed-up politician.

So he and Nancy went to SEA as ordinary tourists, but after boarding the plane, when they were led to the first class, something unexpected happened.

"Miss, my ticket is for economy class."

When Reagan asked the question, the flight attendant smiled and explained:
"Sir, you are a VIP customer of our airline and are entitled to an upgrade."

"What? VIP?"

I do not know how?
Reagan was completely bewildered, while Nancy, as if struck by a sudden realization, whispered:

"Ronald, this might be his plan."

Okay, since it's a free upgrade, and it's very likely a friend's kind offer, I can't refuse.

And so, the Reagans got into first class, while Michael, who was traveling with them to Chang'an, had to sit in economy class.

After a flight of more than ten hours, the plane finally arrived in Chang'an. As it was about to land at Chang'an International Airport, a flight attendant quietly approached him and whispered:

"Sir, the captain has just received instructions from the airport that you will be leaving the airport through the VIP channel. Also, your friend is already at the airport waiting for you."

My friend is waiting for me!

He was actually waiting at the airport!

After the plane landed, it did not immediately proceed to the boarding bridge, but instead stopped in the airport parking area. Through the window, Reagan saw several cars and Li Yi'an standing there.

At this point, Nancy shouted out excitedly.

“Ronald, it’s Lee, he, he really came! Ah, and Mary too…” When the two met again, Reagan was overwhelmed with emotion. Although he was 68 years old, he was still very excited.

"plum……"

After a strong hug, Reagan heard his old friend say:
"Ronald, welcome to Chang'an."

Li Yi'an then smiled and said:

“You know what? Ever since I found out you booked your tickets, I’ve been waiting for you to come. Well, more than ten years ago, I put you, Nancy, and the children on the airline’s VIP list. If you book tickets, they will notify me as soon as possible.”

Listening to his explanation, Reagan laughed:
"I originally wanted to give you a surprise, but I didn't expect you to already know."

"Haha, I believe there will be surprises in the future."

Afterwards, Li Yi'an walked over to Nancy, who was chatting with Margaret. After welcoming her, they got into the car. Nancy and Margaret rode in one car, while he and Reagan rode in another.

Li Yi'an knew his friend very well; he knew the other person was definitely not here for tourism.

Moreover, Reagan was a straightforward guy. As soon as he got in the car, since there was a partition separating him from the driver's seat, he directly stated his purpose.

"...So, I'm not sure if now is the right time, or if we need to wait a while longer."

After asking the question, Reagan looked at Li Yi'an with expectant eyes, though he was somewhat conflicted.

After all, he is already 68 years old. If he misses this opportunity, he will be over 70 years old by the next time. Will he still have a chance to enter the White House then?

Actually, what he cares about is not the White House, but Russia!

From the Cuban Missile Crisis onward, he had only one obsession in his mind: Russia!

He wants to destroy Russia!

Or rather, it is about completely eliminating the Russian threat to the United States, so that Americans no longer have to live in fear.

But... this year is his last chance.

"The nomination of candidates within your ranks should begin in the second half of the year."

Li Yi'an did not answer him directly, but instead asked him:
"Who do you consider your biggest competitor? I mean, internally."

Three years earlier, Reagan challenged then-President Gerald Ford, representing the conservative wing against the party establishment represented by Ford. Although Ford ultimately won the nomination by a narrow margin, Reagan's speech at the Republican National Convention garnered him national acclaim.

So what now?
Who are his competitors?

"They are our old friends."

Reagan replied without hesitation:
“George is the chairman of the National Committee and has a lot of support. As for the others, they do not pose a threat.”

When mentioning George, Reagan said with some emotion:
"I never imagined that my biggest competitor would be my own friend."

In fact, they had known each other for a very long time. They first met in Hollywood more than 20 years ago, and it was from that time that the three of them became friends.

Although they haven't been in frequent contact for over twenty years, their friendship has never wavered. He even took Nancy to live with him on his ranch in Texas.

Three years ago, when he failed to challenge Ford, Bush was one of the first to call him to offer his condolences.

To some extent, Bush was even his political ally.

But now, they are very likely to become rivals.

Now, although Li Yi'an did not answer his question, but instead asked the competitors directly, he was clearly telling them that the time was ripe.

For Bush, the time was ripe as well.

Sometimes, reality is just that amazing. Three years ago, they were political allies, and Bush even expressed his support for Reagan. But now things are different.

“But that’s only natural. After all, everyone who gets to this point will try to get to the White House, and this is George’s chance too. But it also means I’ve lost one of my biggest supporters, who is also my ally.”

Hearing Reagan's regretful words, Li Yi'an shook his head and said.

"No, he will become your assistant."

"What? That's impossible."

Reagan stated bluntly:
“Lee, you don’t understand. George doesn’t represent Texas; he represents the traditional political elite. He’s the core of the establishment. And me? Compared to him, I’m just a nobody…”

After his previous competition with Ford, Reagan had a certain understanding of his own strength, and of course, he also understood how powerful George's supporters were.

"grassroots..."

Li Yi'an smiled, then stared at Reagan and said, word by word:

"He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world, and the grassroots...he who wins the grassroots wins the world! They are the foundation of your victory!"

(End of this chapter)