Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2724 Emperor Renzong is about to do something big (Second update, please subscribe)
By the end of October, Washington, D.C., was already enveloped in the chill of early winter.

Early in the morning, traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue was gradually picking up. Tom Perris tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel to the rhythm of country music playing on the radio.

As the deputy chief of staff at the White House, he has worked in the White House for many years and has never been affected by changes in president.

Presidents come and go, but civil servants remain constant.

Tom is at the very top of that group.

For years, this morning commute had become a part of his life. The radio played economic data and baseball reports, but there was no news about the Far East—even though Seoul had just experienced the nationally shocking assassination of the president.

The president of a country was assassinated just like that, but it only appeared in the news in the United States for a day, and then disappeared.

The car drove into the White House, and after parking it in the parking lot, Tom strode into the White House and walked down the corridor to his office—just two rooms away from the President's Oval Office.

On his desk lay a thick stack of reports. He casually flipped through one, which contained a report about South Korea. The report was concise and clear:
"Currently, martial law is in effect in Seoul, the situation is temporarily stable, and the Military Control Commission is chaired by Army Chief of Staff Jeong Seung-hwa..."

Tom's gaze lingered on the words for a moment, but he didn't find anything unusual. So he picked up his pen and wrote "Let's wait and see" in the margin.

"Tom, should we pay special attention to South Korea?"

His assistant poked his head in and casually asked:
"There's absolutely no need for that. It's just a power vacuum in a small country. In the end, all we need to do is befriend the victors."

Tom tossed the briefing into the pile of pending documents, took a sip of his coffee, and then said:
"However, Vance seems to have some other ideas. Well, he probably wants to take this opportunity to push for political change in South Korea. But, you know, he started his fantasies in Tehran and he still is now, but that has nothing to do with us."

He said this because Vance orchestrated the Iranian reforms and Washington's flawed decision-making.

However, as an administrative officer, he was just complaining. After all, White House administrative officers are mostly just assistants; the decision-making is the business of the politicians.

Moreover, Tom doesn't care about the changes in South Korean politics at all. What he needs to do is give the president appropriate advice at the right time. However, the president is more inclined to follow the advice of his staff—Secretary of State Vance and the White House Chief of Staff—because they are the ones who stand with the president through thick and thin.

White House civil servants like him may seem very important, but sometimes their role is awkward—they walk on the edge of White House decision-making.

Over the years, Tom had developed a habit of maintaining a proper distance. This was the fundamental reason why he was able to stay in the White House for so long.

After all, while White House civil servants have a secure job, if you offend the White House occupant or his associates, you're unlikely to lose your job, but you'll definitely be reassigned somewhere to sit on the sidelines. Therefore, a wise White House civil servant is very clear about their position.

It means not expressing any opinions, only offering suggestions, and sometimes, you also have to learn to keep quiet.

Tom's morning work was uneventful, including revisions to the congressional budget draft and the schedule for the NATO summit, until a report from Mexico caused him to frown deeply.

The report, submitted to the White House by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, can be summarized as follows: Former Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's lymphoma has deteriorated rapidly, and he requests to travel to the United States for treatment.

Tom immediately pictured the exiled king's journey. At the beginning of the year, Pahlavi hastily fled Tehran, traveling through Egypt, Morocco, and the Bahamas before finally settling in Mexico.

Washington has not only offered no protection to this former friend, but has also avoided him at all costs. The Carter administration was eager to maintain diplomatic relations with the new Tehran regime, and no one wanted to get into trouble because of this fallen king.

However, this report now clearly states: "The King's condition has worsened, and Mexico's medical conditions cannot support further treatment."

"This could very well cause a lot of trouble."

Tom's thought flashed through his mind instinctively. He could imagine the consequences of approving entry—it would likely lead to protests in Tehran, and might even affect the easing of US-Iran relations. Not just likely, but certain. After all, Tehran had previously strongly opposed Pahlavi's trip to the US for treatment; in their view, the treatment was a pretense, and the real purpose was to seek aid and attempt a restoration.

However, it is morally wrong to refuse a head of state who has been allied with the United States for decades and leave him to suffer from illness in a foreign land.

Moreover, Pahlavi has many friends in the United States, most of whom hold high positions. They will certainly try to persuade the White House to allow Pahlavi to receive treatment in the United States.

However, this matter had nothing to do with him directly. Tom thought for a moment, then muttered to himself:
"Alright, now they're in for a headache."

The "they" they were referring to were, of course, Carter and Vance, among others. This report would be here with him, and also in the Oval Office; if nothing unexpected happened, they should be discussing it right now. And, at the same time, King Pahlavi's friends in Washington must have already been putting pressure on the president.

After all, it's common knowledge.

Not everyone in Washington agrees with Carter's stance on the Iran issue. They are sympathetic to King Pahlavi.

In this situation, they would certainly support Pahlavi coming to the United States for treatment.

Would President Carter agree?

"Did he have a choice?"

Tom shook his head and gave a cold laugh.

Meanwhile, in the Oval Office, President Carter was sitting behind his desk reviewing a report handed to him by the Mexican embassy.

And Secretary of State Vance was sitting right in front of him.

Carter read the report word by word, his gaze slowly moving across the document, his expression gradually shifting from calm to serious.

He remained silent for a long time. In fact, in the past few days, he had received calls from several senators who all made it very clear in their calls that the president should approve Pahlavi's entry into the United States for medical treatment.

Some even claimed that this was to show America's friends that America would not betray its friends.

But is it really that simple?

Carter did not immediately agree to their persuasion, but now the report from the Mexican embassy has made him hesitate.

After all, the report clearly states that Pahlavi's condition is worsening. If he refuses, he could very well die in Mexico.

"Is his condition really that serious?" Carter looked up at Vance and asked.
Is it possible for Mexico to provide better medical support?

"That is obviously impossible. As we all know, Mexico's medical conditions are very poor, Mr. President."

Vance paused briefly, then said:

"From a medical perspective, coming to the United States for treatment is the best option, after all, we have the best medical conditions in the world."

But this is only from a medical perspective. Politically speaking... accepting him for treatment in the United States could bring many additional political risks. After all, the new Iranian government has consistently maintained an extremely hardline stance on Pahlavi's treatment in the US.

"So, what should we do?"

Leaning back in his chair, Carter frowned and said:

“If we reject him, we will be branded as having abandoned our allies, and domestic conservatives will seize the opportunity to attack our foreign policy.”

What kind of reaction will Tehran have if we approve his visit to the United States? Will it harm our interests in the Persian Gulf?

These are all unpredictable.

"Mr. President, I strongly oppose granting entry."

Vance stated bluntly:
"We must prioritize our practical interests. Iran's oil resources are vital to the global economy, and maintaining relations with Tehran is a wise move."

Moreover, the Pahlavi regime has fallen, and he no longer possesses any strategic value; it's not worth risking anything for him.

“But he is Pahlavi.”

Carter's voice sounded somewhat low, and there was even a hint of hesitation in his eyes:

"We have worked with his government for over two decades, and he provided crucial support for our efforts to contain Soviet influence in the Middle East. Now that he is terminally ill, it is not in line with American values ​​to shut him out."

These were the words those senators said to him on the phone, and they did indeed persuade Carter to some extent.

"When faced with real-world interests, we always need to compromise, Mr. President!"

Vance was somewhat agitated, and his voice unconsciously rose.

"Have you forgotten what happened more than 20 years ago? The CIA helped Pahlavi overthrow the Mossadegh government, and the distrust of us among the Iranian people is deeply rooted."

If we allow him to enter the country this time, they will think we are trying to support his restoration, which could very well lead to a series of consequences. We must consider Tehran's attitude.

As president, Carter could certainly understand Vance's concerns, but his moral responsibility made him somewhat hesitant.

Carter remained silent for a full ten minutes, picking up the report several times and putting it down again, repeatedly looking at the report's information about Pahlavi's condition.

He was completely exhausted and wouldn't last much longer.

Thinking of this, he recalled the plea for help Pahlavi made when he fled Iran earlier this year, the lobbying efforts of those senators, and of course, what kind of reaction this might provoke in DeWynn.

Every choice comes with a price, just like his refusal to support Pahlavi.

Now... he needs to pay the price for the decision he made back then.

"Vance, I understand your concerns."

Carter finally spoke, and this time his tone no longer held the hesitation he had shown before:

"But I can't just stand by and watch someone die in pain. We can restrict his movements and make it clear that he can only receive treatment and must not participate in any political activities."

At the same time, the Chinese Embassy in Iran was immediately instructed to strengthen security measures and explain to Tehran that this was merely a humanitarian arrangement.

"Mr. President!"

Vance bluntly reminded him:

“You’re taking a risk! Tehran will never believe in so-called ‘humanitarian arrangements.’ They will only see it as a provocation on our part. And as everyone knows, they are a very radical bunch, especially that cleric, who is extremely hostile to the Pahlavi, including to us. This could very well further worsen our already fragile relationship.”

“I know the risks, but it’s the right choice.”

Carter stood up, walked to the window, looked outside, and said:
"American diplomacy must not only consider interests, but also have a moral responsibility. Our friendship with Pahlavi cannot be erased just because he has lost power."

He turned around, looked at Vance, and said:
"The entry of Pahlavi for medical treatment has been approved, with the visa valid only for the duration of his medical needs. Furthermore, we are closely monitoring Iran's reaction; I believe they will understand, after all, he is just a patient."

Vance wanted to say something more, but seeing the president's resolute gaze, he could only sigh heavily, turn around, and walk out of the office.

Tom soon learned of the news, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

"Didn't they study that priest?"

Shaking his head and sighing softly, Tom knew that the president's decision would likely cause a huge uproar in the near future.

Sitting at his desk, Tom paused for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote on the report on the Pahlavi affair: "This could trigger a new round of regional tensions."

(End of this chapter)