Two Realms: Don't call me evil!

Chapter 488: Surrender (Second Update)

Temasek, inside Parliament House.

Temasek President Min Bochen looked at the MPs below with a cold face and gritted his teeth and said, "Tell me, tell me everything, what is going on over there in the Kra Isthmus Canal? Who can give me an answer?"

The congressmen sitting below were silent. Everyone seemed to be daydreaming and no one answered.

"You're all silent, right? Do you need me to personally point out what you did? Cui Yanlin, I know you did it, but now you don't dare to admit it?"

Min Bochen looked at a middle-aged man, who was Choi Yen-lin, Coordinating Minister of State Affairs and National Security, and also the representative of Temasek's pro-US officials.

"Mr. President, we are doing this for the good of Temasek. If we allow the Jacko Group to dig a canal through the Isthmus of Kra, the number of ships passing through the Strait of Malacca will surely drop sharply. How will we feed our people then?"

Facing doubts and questions, Cui Yanlin snorted coldly and said righteously: "I am not the only one who opposes. Look at us in Temasek. Who wants to see the construction of the Kra Canal? All of us citizens rely on the Strait of Malacca for our livelihood. Now the other side is destroying our rice bowl. If we don't do something, we will starve to death."

Many other MPs nodded. Even the neutrals knew the importance of the Strait of Malacca to Temasek. Once the Kra Canal was built, Temasek would have a hard time.

"This is not a reason for you to act recklessly. We are just a small country. Do you understand what a small country is? What will you get in return for provoking the Jack Group like this? Do you think Temasek can afford it?"

Min Bochen slammed the table with a fierce look.

Although Temasek is an important transshipment port in the world and a vital hub for shipping between Asia and Europe, with a GDP of over US$400 billion, which sounds good, Temasek is actually a very small country.

Because their population is only over 735 million, and their land area is 63 square kilometers, consisting of Temasek Island and nearby small islands, it is not even as big as a county in many countries.

Therefore, although Temasek's economy ranks among the best in the world, it is actually just a small country due to factors such as land area, population, and resources.

If it were not for controlling the golden waterway of the Strait of Malacca, no one would care about a small country like Temasek.

"We must make a choice between the Jeko Group and the United States. The Jeko Group is building the Kra Canal, which is putting its hand directly into our lungs. What else can we do if we don't stand on the side of the United States?"

Cui Yanlin retorted loudly that this was also Temasek’s past advocacy.

Because Temasek is sandwiched between Java and Johor, it cannot even be self-sufficient in fresh water and needs supply from Johor. It is at risk of being annexed at any time, so it has no choice but to choose the United States as its dependence and use the Strait of Malacca as protection fee to rely on the United States.

Because the United States, which is thousands of miles away, cannot possibly covet to annex their territory.

To this end, half of Temasek Airport is used exclusively by the United States Air Force. United States ships can dock at all ports in Temasek without prior notice. The United States has deployed a number of warships in Temasek, and even aircraft carriers will dock in Temasek for supplies.

Through Temasek, the United States indirectly controls the maritime transportation hub and maintains its maritime hegemony. It will also spare no effort to strike back at other countries that are eyeing Temasek and provide them with security guarantees.

"You are acting so recklessly. Now the Jeko Group is approaching us. What should we do? Go to war with the Jeko Group? Can you defeat their air force, navy, or army? What can you do to stop the Spider Main Battle Mecha and those genetic warriors? Don't drag our entire country into the abyss just to please the United States."

Min Bochen spoke in a bad tone. As a president who came to power from a neutral faction, he was well aware of the consequences of offending the Jeko Group.

"We are a member of the Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance and we have the protection of the United States. The Jeko Group will not act recklessly."

Cui Yanlin confronted him head-on and it was he who arranged for the cargo ship to crash into the Kra Canal terminal. To be precise, he did it in collaboration with the CIA of the United States.

As the spokesperson for the United States in Temasek, he naturally speaks for the United States.

"The Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance, Johor is a member of the Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance. What did he do? The other party immediately surrendered to the Jeko Group and took the initiative to ask the Jeko Group's army to enter the corridor. Let the other party come to fight us? Can they be trusted?"

Min Bochen held up a newspaper with the news that Johor was going to allow the Jeko Group's army to pass through the border.

Cui Yanlin's face darkened, and he said, "Johor is just an exception. There are more than one Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance. At least the United States will support us."

"The United States you mentioned has also sent us news just now. Unless it is absolutely necessary, they want us to solve this incident ourselves."

Min Bochen glanced at Cui Yanlin coldly and said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Impossible. How could the United States do this? If the Jeko Group really wants to take action, the United States will definitely support us with all its strength, even if it means using aircraft carriers."

Hearing this, Cui Yanlin's face was full of disbelief.

"That's right. How could the United States abandon us?"

"The Strait of Malacca is so important to the United States, how could they just leave it alone?"

"The president is wrong. There is no way the United States will tolerate the arrogance of the Jeko Group."

The councillors below also spoke at once, many of them looked very excited. After years of training and education, most of the officials in Temasek were close to the United States, and they did not believe the news.

"You have forgotten that the United States suffered a defeat in the Indochina Peninsula not long ago. If the Jeko Group attacks us, they must go overland. Do you think the United States is willing to go to land and fight the Jeko Group for us? Do you think the spider main battle mechas of the Jeko Group are just decorations?"

Min Bochen told the truth, and the congressmen present immediately lost their confidence. The strength of the Jeko Group was obvious to all. On land, it took only one month to sweep across the Indochina Peninsula and defeated countries like Siam.

If a military conflict breaks out on the Malay Peninsula, not to mention the deterrent power of the Spider main battle mecha on the ground, the Jeko Group's air force can also come to reinforce, and those Magic Bird fighters can also threaten the aircraft carrier fleet. It is understandable that the United States is unwilling to interfere.

"How is that possible? The CIA asked us to go to the Kra Isthmus Pier to do it."

Cui Yanlin accidentally let the cat out of the bag, and after he came to his senses, he suddenly understood something.

"You still don't understand? You are being used as a pawn by the CIA. They are using you to test the attitude of the Jeko Group and see how much importance the Jeko Group attaches to the Kra Canal. You, including our country, are all victims. Our actions in the Kra Canal have offended the Jeko Group and we can only be tied to the United States. This is the sadness of a small country. I wanted to waver between the Jeko Group and the United States. Your provocation of the Jeko Group has put us in danger."

At this point, Min Bochen shook his head and sighed: "Unless the Jeko Group wants to completely occupy the Strait of Malacca, I don't think the United States will choose to join the war, and we have sacrificed too much. When the Jeko Group attacks us, the United States can hold high the banner of justice and lead other countries in the Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance to encircle and suppress the Jeko Group. But no matter what, we, Temasek, will be the first to become a ruin. Is this what you want?"

Cui Yanlin's body was shaking, his eyes were wide open, and his lips were moving, but no sound came out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our only choice now is to seek peace. I dare not bet whether the Jeko Group will attack us, but I know that we at Temasek cannot withstand the attack of the Jeko Group on our own. If we do not want to become a sacrifice used by the United States to call on other countries to join the war, we must surrender to the Jeko Group." Min Bochen's face was heavy, and he said what the congressmen present did not want to hear.

But who can blame them for being a small country like Temasek? A weak country has no diplomacy.

No one can be relied on. Now, Temasek, Johor, Java and other member states of the Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance are like a group of little white rabbits, while the Jeko Group and the United States are tigers and lions.

Even in the so-called Thousand Islands Strategic Alliance, facing the fierce tiger of the Jeko Group, no one dares to really touch the tiger's butt. Most of them obey the orders of the United States in public but disobey them in private. On the one hand, they are afraid that the Jeko Group will swallow up and bully them, so they look to the United States for support, but they are also unwilling to listen to the United States and take the initiative to provoke the Jeko Group, bring disaster to their own country, and become the primary target of the Jeko Group.

But unfortunately, this time, Temasek has become the first bird to touch the tiger's butt. Once Temasek is attacked and occupied, the world will see the greed of the Jeko Group. The United States will have a legitimate reason to command the heroes and gather other Thousand Islands strategic alliances to hunt down and intercept the Jeko Group together.

Otherwise, without this person taking the lead, everyone would just stay behind and the situation wouldn't change much.

"Now, raise your hands and vote. Those who agree to implement the appeasement strategy and negotiate peace with the Jeko Group, raise your hands."

Min Bochen was the first to raise his hand, and the councillors below looked at each other, and finally more than half of the people raised their hands.

Although they are pro-US, they generally know right from wrong and know that this is the best solution.

Min Bochen breathed a sigh of relief, and looking at the many dissenting members who were still unwilling to accept the result, he couldn't help but sigh: "Alas, we are too far away from the United States and too close to the Jeko Group! Everyone, please think twice before you act in the future."

There was silence below, and every member of parliament had an ugly and aggrieved look on his face.

If they offend the United States, which is thousands of miles away, the at most they will impose economic sanctions on it. But if they offend the Jeko Group, which is so close, they may have to change their name, Temasek, if they are not careful.

The mighty torrent of mechas could reduce Temasek to ruins in an instant, trampled under their iron hooves, and put people in a dilemma of life or death.

Temasek announced that President Min Bochen paid a friendly visit to Zen today. This is the first official visit of Temasek to Zen since the JEC Group took over Zen.

"Temasek invited the JEC Group to participate in a joint naval exercise. It is reported that the JEC Group has rejected it outright."

"Regarding the collision of the Kra Canal with the dock, Min Bochen publicly declared that it was a misunderstanding and was willing to take the initiative to compensate the Jako Group for the dock repair costs and lost wages of US$17.43 billion. He also announced that the domestic industry investment would be opened to the Jako Group, including shares in the Malacca coastal dock-related industries, and the Jako Group was welcome to make capital investments in Temasek. "

Two days later, a series of news began to emerge.

In news photos and videos, Min Bochen, the president of Temasek, always nodded and bowed his head when Su Jie met him.

This disappointed the spectators who had hoped to see the two countries confront each other or even go to war again. They did not expect Temasek to slide so quickly and compromise with the JEC Group even though their jobs were at risk.

When this news came out, Min Bochen, the President of Temasek, was kneeling in front of Su Jie.

"Mr. Su, I have kept your teachings in mind. Please rest assured that we will behave ourselves in the future and will not disturb you again."

Min Bochen stood up and bowed to Su Jie, then turned around and left cautiously with his two trusted aides.

In order to get the forgiveness of the Jeko Group, he paid a heavy price this time and made many interest compromises with the Jeko Group.

But in Min Bochen's opinion, it's all worth it.

Although the construction of the Kra Canal will seriously threaten the interests of the Strait of Malacca.

But in the final analysis, this is just a matter of jobs. Even if the Kra Canal is really built, Temasek will still make money relying on the Strait of Malacca, but not as much as before.

But if you offend the Jeko Group, it won't be as simple as eating less, but your life and property may be in danger.

Who made the two so close? With the speed of the Spider's main battle mecha, from Songkhla Province in Siam to the capital of Temasek, a distance of hundreds of kilometers, it would take less than a day to reach the city. This evil tiger is really not to be provoked.

"He's a smart man."

At the same time, looking at Min Bochen's departing back, Su Jie made a faint comment.

“That’s a pretty high evaluation.”

Liu Yingying, who was pouring tea for Su Jie, smiled. She had heard Su Jie curse other countries many times, saying that they were a group of guys with low IQs who were being used as guns by the United States.

"It's not easy to know how to judge the situation! But unfortunately, it's still a small country after all, and he can't make the decision. The United States will not like people like him."

Su Jie drank his tea slowly. Liu Yingying blinked her eyes and heard Su Jie continue, "One of his confidants who followed him just now was from the CIA."

"Ah, then he is really pitiful."

Liu Yingying immediately understood that the CIA's infiltration was truly pervasive.

"Well, what are we not doing? How about supporting the other party as an agent?"

"It's useless. He is a smart man who can only play both sides between the big countries. He is like a businessman. He is not close to anyone but only to interests. People only want to do business with us, not to be friends with us."

Su Jie shook his head and said, "The United States wants Temasek to test us, so why can't we use this as an opportunity to continue to expand our sphere of influence? If the timing is right, we won't let them get away with it so easily. But all this will happen once the Kra Isthmus Canal is completed and the Lanhai No. 1 battleship is repaired. By then, the offense and defense will be transformed."

Su Jie's smile was somewhat cold. He did not take action this time, mainly because the Kra Isthmus Canal had not been repaired and the Lanhai No. 1 was being fitted out and had not yet formed real combat effectiveness.

Southeast Asia is made up of archipelago countries, and future wars will certainly be dominated by naval battles. Su Jie needs to accumulate strength until his own naval power is fully formed. Only then will it be time to take action.

When Liu Yingying heard the name Lanhai No. 1, she remembered the last time Su Jie took her to visit the Lanhai No. 1, which was being secretly outfitted. She couldn't help but feel excited. That was a super battleship that was even more terrifying than a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

(End of this chapter)