Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2557 I'm the Best (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

"...Ronald Reagan"

At the Chang'an representative office, Lieutenant Colonel Simonov frowned as he looked at the photos projected on the slide projector.

As the KGB's head in Chang'an, his task was to collect political, military, and technological intelligence, including monitoring foreign dignitaries who traveled to and from Chang'an.

Although news of Reagan's visit did not appear on television news, it still attracted their attention because Li Yi'an and his wife personally went to the airport to greet him.

The arrival of such a washed-up politician naturally attracted the attention of the KGB.

"He's just a has-been politician."

This assessment is based on Moscow's evaluation of Western politicians' influence, primarily on whether they hold influential public office, are members of Congress, or hold high-ranking positions in the U.S. government. In other words, it's based on their actual official positions.

Reagan... is clearly not among them.

This former governor of California is, of course, a has-been politician.

"He's just an actor by trade. Maybe he's better suited to acting than to politics."

Simonoff's assessment bluntly denigrated Reagan to the lowest level, his tone brimming with contempt.

"That's not entirely true. Although this guy failed to get nominated internally three years ago, he did gain a certain reputation nationwide as a result."

Therefore, theoretically speaking, although he does not hold a public office, he still retains a certain degree of political influence.

Listening to his subordinate's report, Simonov nodded and then said:
"Okay, this is just a normal interaction between politicians, nothing to worry about."

In Simonoff's view, Ronald Reagan was just a nobody.

After all, no one could have imagined that two years later, this nobody would become the President of the United States. They certainly couldn't have imagined that this seemingly unremarkable man would launch the final attack on the Soviet Union and ultimately bury it.

In fact, even if someone said that, they would just consider it the ravings of a madman.

The slideshow then switched again, displaying a photo of an experimental rocket.

"This is a reusable rocket they are currently testing."

Looking at the photo of the rocket supported by four metal supports, Simonov was silent for a moment before saying:

"They succeeded again..."

"Yes, they have succeeded once again. Although it is still just an experiment, it is conceivable that their reusable rocket will be put into use soon."

Facing the lieutenant colonel, the KGB officer who was giving a report pursed his lips and then said:
"Lieutenant Colonel, this could very well completely change the rules of the space race."

Simonov nodded, and then said:
"Yes, I wonder when we'll be able to make a breakthrough in this area?"

As he finished speaking, his tone was filled with a certain expectation.

After all, they have witnessed the remarkable achievements this place has made in fields such as aerospace and electronics over the years.

But what about the Soviet Union?
Could the Soviet Union catch up with them?

When he thought about chasing after them, Simonov suddenly felt a strange emotion welling up inside him.

Feeling somewhat irritated, he took a cigarette from the pack, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Then he said:
"Do you know? Thirty years ago, this place was just a timber-producing area. Back then, there was nothing here. It couldn't produce cars, tanks, or airplanes."

But what about now?

Simonov took a sullen drag on his cigarette, his expression growing even more serious.

"Now they can build aircraft carriers, the most modern fighter jets, tanks, and rockets. Of course, they can also build intercontinental ballistic missiles."

They can manufacture everything, and in many areas, they far surpass us. Keep in mind, 30 years ago, this place had nothing.

Sometimes it's not just individuals who are afraid of comparison; nations are afraid of comparison as well.

Just like now, what kind of shock did Simonov experience when he mentioned the past of this place?

Or rather, what kind of blow did Simonov suffer mentally?
What kind of impact would such a blow have on an individual?
Perhaps only Simonov himself knew the truth; he silently smoked his cigarette and then turned his gaze to the window.

Looking out the window at this incredibly bustling city, what was Simonov thinking?
What he envisioned was that this place would become even more powerful and wealthy in the future.

Of course, for the Soviet Union, this place will also be its most powerful enemy besides the United States in the future.

Then he added:

"So sometimes I can't help but wonder... is it that they're progressing too fast, or..."

What is it?
He didn't continue speaking; some things couldn't be said.

Simonov then took a drag of his cigarette and said:
"But I believe that in the near future, we will definitely be able to surpass them and reclaim the world number one spot that belongs to us."

When talking about being number one in the world, Simonov's heart was filled with longing.

At that moment, he desperately hoped that the Soviet Union could prove its strength and excellence to the world by becoming number one.

Genting Highlands,

Reagan, as a guest, had visited several places over the past few days, and finally arrived here as his trip was coming to an end.

Unlike the official residence, this place was more often Li Yi'an's home.

It was where he lived with his family, and Reagan naturally felt very honored to receive the invitation.

After the banquet, the two went into the study, and this time the topic of their discussion was still the Soviet Union.

"The Soviet Union would demonstrate its strength in many ways, and one of the most common methods they used was space..."

In the office, Li Yi'an showed Reagan a document and then said:

"The space race was started by the Soviets, who demonstrated their strength to the world by launching the first artificial satellite."

"Yes, Lee, when the Soviet Union's artificial satellites were flying in space, the United States and the entire Western world were shocked, and everyone felt fear. Of course, everyone also realized the power of the Soviet Union."

For Reagan, who had experienced the Soviet Sputnik panic, he certainly knew that when Soviet satellites flew over the United States, the Americans, looking up at the sky, were not only shocked by human technology, but also by the sheer power of the Soviet Union.

"It was from that time that the Kremlin became very keen on the space race and proving their strength in space, from sending humans into space to landing on the moon and launching deep space probes. They brought human exploration of space into a completely new perspective—a space race with political implications."

As Li Yi'an spoke, he handed the report to Reagan and then said:

"Ronald, look... This is a photo taken by our reconnaissance satellite. It's a photo of a Soviet rocket launch site. You can see from the photo that the giant Soviet-made rocket has entered launch mode."

As a washed-up politician, Reagan obviously had no way of accessing such intelligence domestically. In fact, even if he were still the governor of California, he would not have been able to access such intelligence because the White House would not share it with him.

Looking at the rocket in the photo, Reagan asked with some surprise.

"What are they going to do?"

"They're going to Mars."

Li Yi'an looked directly at Reagan, his eyes filled with intense seriousness.

"All intelligence indicates that their purpose in building this giant rocket is to go to Mars, and they will send people to Mars."

what?
Reagan's eyes widened, his gaze filled with utter disbelief, and he said:

"My God, you mean the Russians are going to conquer Mars, right? To conquer that red planet. God, they'll definitely do it, they'll definitely claim that red planet belongs to the Soviet Union."

Almost subconsciously, Reagan thought that the Soviets wanted to conquer Mars.

This is precisely what sets Reagan apart from any other US president. He always firmly believed that the Russians were expanding, and that everything they did was for expansion. Therefore, after he took office, his policy toward Russia was no longer one of contact and containment, but rather a comprehensive policy of containment and counterattack.

It was precisely in this all-round containment and counterattack that the Soviet Union fell into a comprehensive predicament.

"They won't do that now. According to the agreement reached by the three countries, the declaration of occupation of other celestial bodies shall not exceed 30% of the maximum area within 1000 km of the landing point of the celestial body."

"Yes, we've already established the corresponding rules. Although the Russians never follow rules, including the ones they make themselves, with these rules in place, they can't possibly conquer Mars alone."

Li Yi'an first emphasized the agreement reached by the three countries when dividing the moon, and then he said:

"Compared to Mars itself, we should value more the fact that the Soviet Union used Mars to prove their strength, after all, this was an unprecedented feat."

"This……"

After a moment of contemplation, Reagan said:

"I know the United States is following suit. The news says they are designing the largest rocket in human history. We may very well fall behind them again..."

At this point, he looked up at Li Yi'an, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"You...you already have one? You have a spaceship that can go to Mars?"

Faced with such expectations, Li Yi'an simply shook his head.

Then he said:
"I'm not talking about Mars, I'm talking about how we should let the Soviet Union enjoy this glory."

"what?"

Reagan looked at Li Yi'an with some confusion, his eyes filled with doubt.

"What did you say?"

"It's very simple. We must create a misconception in the Soviet Union, make them think they are powerful enough, make them believe they are powerful enough, make them feel the awe of the world towards them, and make them feel that they are the most awesome."

After saying these words, Li Yi'an looked at Reagan and said:

"So we must let them win this race."

(End of this chapter)