Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2579 An Apology is Also a calculated move (First update, please subscribe)
We cannot leave these threats to the next generation!
Why has Li Yi'an wanted to plan everything out perfectly over the years, and complete the strategic layout in his own generation as much as possible?

On the bright side, we cannot leave these threats to the next generation.

To put it bluntly, he had clearly seen how utterly useless the new generation in developed Western countries was.

This is not because they are inherently incapable, but because flowers born in a greenhouse are unable to recognize the truth of the world, unable to recognize the brutal reality. They naively believe that the world is like their own, living in comfort and being pampered.

Even when they witness the barbaric side, they subconsciously reject the truth and refuse to believe it.

Although Li Yi'an has always hoped that the new generation can understand the cruelty of the world, some things cannot be forced.

Therefore, compared to the wisdom of later generations, he preferred to rely on himself and solve problems on his own.

This is also the fundamental reason why he dismembered Indonesia, intervened in the Middle East, and established the Southeast Asian Free Trade Area—to build a more perfect world for the next generation.

Or rather, leave them with a "perfect world".

Although this is just a beautiful fantasy, we should at least build a world that is beneficial to ourselves.

Now, the most crucial part of these plans is in its final closed loop. Although the risks are great, for the safety of the next generation, some things must be done no matter how risky they are.

"Therefore, our generation must eliminate all dangers so that we can leave a perfect world for our descendants!"

When Li Yi'an said this, his tone was low, and his voice carried a certain expectation. Qian Shangqin, after listening to this, said:
"Yes, Your Excellency, that is precisely why we strive for it—to leave them a better world!"

This is precisely the responsibility of their generation. Only they, who have experienced war, famine, disasters and other natural and man-made calamities, can understand the meaning of a better world for ordinary people.

That's why, for many years, what they have feared most is not changing the world, but being changed by the world.

Because they are changing the world every day, making it a better place, and what they fear is losing themselves in this better world and being changed by it.

Nodding slightly, Li Yi'an added:

"So now there's only one thing left—how to implement this from a moral standpoint. Although we never care about external criticism, we must stand on the moral high ground. Only in this way can we remain invincible."

Sometimes, disguise is absolutely necessary.

"Moreover, this matter also involves Zhenla. What happened in Zhenla gives Hanoi's invasion a certain legitimacy. They even used our speech at the UN General Assembly to refute the accusations of other countries."

The reason Li Yi'an brought this up was not because Vietnam used that phrase to refute outside accusations, claiming they were "rescuing the people of Zhenla," but because he could not tolerate SEA being placed on the other side, alongside another group of people.

"If we ask Hanoi to withdraw its troops from Chenla now, it will inevitably be perceived as our support for the other side under the propaganda of certain people. Although we are on the side of the government army, sometimes, even mud that falls into your crotch can be considered shit. We must take precautions against such things in advance."

In fact, over the past few months, at Li Yi'an's behest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been expressing its shock at the humanitarian disaster that occurred in Zhenla through official channels.

After the Hanoi army entered Zhenla, everything that happened there was made public. Under the rule of Chizhen, the local area successfully returned people to forest within three years, directly eliminating a quarter of the population.

The Hanoi army immediately made all of this public to demonstrate the righteousness of its invasion.

Although this did not change its aggressive behavior, the atrocities that occurred in Zhenla did shock the world, and countries said one after another – we were unaware of it before.

So what's next?

Of course, the invasion by the Hanoi army must be condemned.

Therefore, if the SEA were to demand the withdrawal of its troops from Chenla now, it would inevitably be seen as supporting the other side, which clearly violates the SEA's values. Thus, a proper separation and arrangement is essential.

Just as they were discussing this issue, Jia Wentao entered the office and then stated directly:
"Then let's just wipe them off the face of the earth."

"You mean the decapitation operation?" Jia Wentao nodded and looked at General Qian, saying:
“General, this is the best way. Once its leadership is eliminated, the Republic government can issue a proclamation to grant amnesty to the surrendered remaining troops, which will also mark the end of the Chizhen regime. Then, we can rightfully demand that Hanoi withdraw its troops from Zhenla. If it refuses to withdraw, we will have a reason to start a war.”

Li Yi'an nodded slightly at Jia Wentao's suggestion:
"That's not an option, hmm... are there any relevant action plans?"

Several tens of minutes later, Song Deqing stood in front of his desk. He reviewed the investigation department's plan for the decapitation operation, then placed the plan back on the desk. After a moment of deep thought, he said:

"Your Excellency, this is indeed a solution, and it can indeed address some problems at their root, but..."

Looking up at Your Excellency, Song Deqing emphasized:
"Now, the most crucial issue is how to extend this to the Paris Peace Treaty, which requires Hanoi to withdraw its troops south of 17 degrees north latitude. This is the most important issue."

As a core member of the SEA, Song Deqing was well aware of the official residence's attitude towards Saigon. Saigon was definitely going to be taken back, not just because of security issues, but also because of another issue—Your Excellency was born in Saigon.

Therefore, whether for public or private reasons, Saigon must be taken over.

However, SEA did not directly intervene back then for various reasons. Now, four years later, it is intervening again. What is the reason for this intervention?
"This……"

Li Yi'an pondered for a moment, then silently took out a cigar from his cigar case, lit it, took a silent puff, and as he exhaled the smoke, cast his gaze into the distance and said:
"I believe it is necessary for me to apologize for the humanitarian disaster that occurred in Zhenla."

"what?"

Not to mention anyone else, even Song Deqing, a diplomat, was stunned. He stared at the gentleman in astonishment for a long while before saying:

"Sir, why are you apologizing? What does this have to do with us?"

"Do not."

Li Yi'an waved his hand and said:
“This is a big deal. We used to think that it was their choice—the choice of the people of Zhenla. We believed that it might be the best for them, so we didn’t intervene in time. But later, we found that we were completely wrong.”

We mistakenly believed that a group of thugs represented the future of the people of Zhenla!
If we had intervened in time back then, how could we have avoided the series of disasters that followed?

Li Yi'an raised his head, looked at Song Deqing, and said in righteous and stern words:

“Since we made a mistake, we should apologize. I should apologize and have an obligation to make up for the mistake we made back then. That’s why we support the government of the Republic of Chenla’s return to Kim Lien and demand that Hanoi withdraw its troops.”

Your explanation made Song Deqing, who was still somewhat puzzled, see the light. He said:
"Your Excellency, I understand. This apology is not an apology, but an attempt to prevent further disasters. In the past, we did not know what was happening in Zhenla, but now we do. However, we have also witnessed another disaster—a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Saigon. We have a responsibility and an obligation to help the people of Saigon and prevent them from repeating the same mistake!"

As Song Deqing finished speaking, Li Yi'an smiled. Whether or not to apologize was not important; what mattered was the latter—helping the people of Saigon.

"Yes!"

Li Yi'an nodded and said:

"Three years ago, Hanoi announced that they had achieved final victory, defeated the US intervention and invasion, and achieved national reunification. But what happened there afterward?"
What did Hanoi do after occupying Saigon? They sent half the country's population into the Gulag, and to escape it, more than 150 million Saigon refugees fled the city by small boats.

What was Li Yi'an thinking when all of this was mentioned?
These were the Southerners who had cheered for the North's victory. The North was very good at united front work and winning over centrists. They used nationalism for anti-American propaganda, portraying the Nguyen Van Thieu regime as a puppet supported by the United States, and said that it should be fought against and overthrown. This kind of rhetoric easily won the trust of the people.

For a country that has just shaken off colonial rule, the persuasive power of such rhetoric is unimaginable. As for Saigon's talk of freedom and the like, it is utterly unconvincing and is nothing but nonsense.

This fueled anti-American sentiment in the South, and the success of the propaganda ultimately led many centrists and ordinary citizens to side with the Liberation Front. When victory came, almost everyone in the South cheered for the collapse of the puppet regime and was excited about the unification of the country.

But then?
Over the past four years, the people of Saigon have finally experienced what they were once welcomed with – nearly half of them have been sent to the Gula camp, and millions have been thrown into the raging sea.

This is what's happening there now, and of course, all of this has become a reason for intervention...

"This is our reason: for the well-being of the local people, Hanoi must abide by the Treaty of Versailles, withdraw its troops from Saigon, and allow the people of Saigon to take control of their own destiny..."

(End of this chapter)