Working as a police officer in Mexico.

Chapter 729 Just don't send Victor to the North American Temple of Martial Arts!

Konrad Adenauer and Otto Model stepped off the special train behind him. Adenauer stumbled slightly, and Major General Model, who was next to him, instinctively reached out to support him.

"Stay calm, now is not the time to panic."

Conrad grabbed Model's arm. "Otto, you have to help me this time!"

“This is not just a security issue, this is a major incident! I need the support of the military, and I need your manpower to control the situation.”

Model nodded and said succinctly, "Don't worry, Conrad, the 179th Army will cooperate with you."

"Thank you, Otto!" Conrad thanked him repeatedly, feeling somewhat relieved after receiving the military's promise.

He whirled around and practically sprinted towards his car outside the station, yelling to his secretary who was following closely behind, "Call that idiot police chief! Tell him to get to my office right now!"

The secretary dared not delay and quickly took out her phone.

Conrad jumped into the car, slammed the door shut, and yelled at the driver, "Back to the state government! Quickly! As fast as you can!"

He certainly didn't want to end up rolling into the mine pit himself.

Damn it...

Why waste a good life on doing these dirty things?
……

Just as Victor was taking decisive action to clean up the domestic affairs of Quintana Roo, a state plagued by corrupt officials, neighboring America was about to take a tougher stance.

The newly appointed President George W. Bush, a young leader from a political family who carries the unfulfilled ideals and expectations of his father, George H.W. Bush, is by no means a mediocre person willing to serve as a puppet of behind-the-scenes interest groups.

He aspired to become another "Bush" president, shaping the American century and defining the direction of the empire, following Roosevelt, and to usher in a "post-Roosevelt era" of his own.

March 1996, 1, early morning.

The morning light streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the curtains.

George W. Bush kissed his sleeping wife Laura's cheek gently, but his eyes were unusually firm. He quietly got up, dressed, and stood in front of the mirror adjusting his tie. He saw not only a husband and a father, but also a leader about to step onto the battlefield of his country.

As he sat in the car heading to Capitol Hill, he gazed silently at the scenery rushing past the window, holding his speech notes in his hand.

The motorcade arrived at the Capitol Building, a neoclassical white building that looked solemn and… slightly worn in the winter sun.

As George W. Bush got out of the car, he looked up at the enormous dome and felt the weight of history.

Well... it's just junk and decay.

But he took a deep breath, straightened his suit, rubbed his face vigorously, and strode confidently into the parliament building.

The council chamber was packed.

Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation, are focused on the newly inaugurated young president.

Curiosity, scrutiny, anticipation, disdain... a mix of emotions filled the air.

Of course, there was also despair...

Given how far things have progressed for Microsoft, is it really necessary to hold any more meetings?
Everyone, let's find a way to make money and get it out as quickly as possible.

If it weren't for George W. Bush's strong insistence and the help of several political families behind him, who would have had the energy to do this?

George W. Bush walked steadily onto the podium, adjusted the microphone height, and instead of starting his speech immediately, he slowly scanned the familiar and unfamiliar faces in the audience with his eyes, as if trying to etch each person's reaction into his mind.

A moment of silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Then he spoke:

"Mr. Speaker, gentlemen and ladies..."

"Before I entered this sacred hall, I glanced at the calendar. Today is January 8, 1996. I think some of you here may know that today is also the birthday of our southern neighbor, Mr. Victor from Mexico."

"I don't know what kind of 'birthday gift' he will receive."

"But what I stand here today is not to talk about someone else's birthday, but about every day of our United States of America! It is to give this country, and the finest people who defend this country, our brave army, a real gift worthy of their sacrifice!"

Some of the people sitting below who hadn't paid any attention before suddenly perked up and started looking up at him.

Because anything related to the military...

That means it's not a small matter.

"Countless sages have sat in this room, making choices that determined the fate of the nation. History is watching us just as we are watching them today."

"But, ladies and gentlemen, we must acknowledge a simple yet cruel truth!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a compelling force: "We have failed!"

"In the Iraqi desert, our soldiers are enduring temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius; in the muddy trenches of Bosnia, they are wrapped in soaking wet blankets, listening to the distant, unknown gunfire!"

"who are they?!"

George W. Bush almost shouted, lightly slamming his fist on the podium, “They are our sons, our daughters, our husbands, our wives! They are farm boys from Texas, Latina girls from the Bronx, New York, tech experts from Silicon Valley, California, and down-to-earth young men from the Kansas Plains!”

"They gave up comfort and chose hardship; they gave up safety and chose danger; they even gave up their lives and chose responsibility!"

"So, what about us?!"

What did we give them?

"We gave them meager salaries barely enough to support their families?! We gave them dire medical care after they returned home, only to have to wait in line for months for the psychological trauma they suffered on the battlefield?!"

"This is a shame!"

"This is not just mistreatment, it's a breach of our nation's credibility! It's a betrayal of those Americans in uniform!"

The council chamber was silent, save for his resounding voice. Many members of parliament, especially those with military backgrounds or whose constituencies had large military bases, wore serious and solemn expressions.

“So I’m standing here today not to ask, but to demand!” George W. Bush’s tone was firm and resolute, full of the toughness of a Texan. “I demand the passage of this ‘Increase Military Benefits’ bill!”

"Stronger benefits mean we can retain more experienced veterans and technical backbones, and our soldiers can worry less about their wives and children at home and focus more on their missions!"

"Ladies and gentlemen of parliament."

"The world is not peaceful, and the United States is in a mess. We have lost too much, and we should wake up."

"Let's stop this endless, petty partisan bickering!"

He spread his arms in a gesture of unity, saying, "Let us transcend political calculations and make the right choice."

He took a deep breath and, with all his might, made his final appeal:

"God bless you, God bless our army, God bless the United States of America!"

George W. Bush stood there, slightly out of breath, his gaze fixed firmly on the audience.

He wanted the military's help, so he offered money and improved benefits. That's how the US works. When they didn't need the military, they almost turned veterans into compressed biscuits. But when they needed them during World War II, oh wow, they made a heartfelt plea.

When they returned from the Vietnam War, they called you the trash of the era, butchers and murderers. Now they need you to be called heroes.

Don't be like some idiot who wanted a military coup and even cut food allowances.

My head hurts; it feels like my left and right hemispheres are fighting each other.

But do people at the bottom of society have a choice?
The dust of history is like a mountain to everyone.

After a brief silence—

"Wow!!!!!!!"

Thunderous applause suddenly erupted, sweeping across the entire council chamber!
Many members of Congress, especially Republicans and some hawkish Democrats, clapped loudly and for a long time, as if they were about to lift the roof off.

George W. Bush knew that he had at least successfully taken a solid first step.

Or rather...

Many people are still unwilling to accept that the US dollar will remain weak.

Your Majesty, lead us on one more charge!

Just don't send Victor to the Temple of Martial Arts in North America.

George W. Bush looked at the applause before him, but his eyes showed no joy; instead, they were filled with caution. His opponent was even stronger.

The thunderous applause on Capitol Hill still seemed to echo in his ears, but George W. Bush's face showed little joy of victory. He knew all too well that the divisions within the country were the real threat.

On the afternoon of the same day he delivered his speech, a meeting far more crucial than his address to Congress took place deep within an unassuming private club in Washington, D.C.

The club has a rustic exterior, but its internal security is exceptionally tight, managed by a trusted subordinate of George W. Bush.

The reason for choosing this location instead of the White House was that George W. Bush and his think tank were keenly aware that the White House, a building symbolizing power, had been infiltrated by countless hostile forces and was no longer absolutely secretive.

Sitting opposite George W. Bush at that moment were secret representatives from Arkansas, Mississippi, South Dakota, and other states that had declared independence.

Their expressions varied: some were wary, some scrutinizing, and some even harbored a barely perceptible expectation. The independence of these states was largely a self-preservation and opportunistic behavior driven by the collapse of federal government authority and the rise of local warlords and strongmen.

It's like fanning the wind and lighting will-o'-the-wisps.

They are limited in strength, lack a sustainable independent economic foundation and military power, and are struggling to make ends meet, especially after losing federal government financial transfers and various subsidies. Internal conflicts have also begun to emerge.

George W. Bush didn't waste time with pleasantries; he went straight to the point:

"Gentlemen, time is of the essence, so let's skip the formalities. I've invited you here for one thing only: to end this pointless, divisive farce that only weakens us all, and to bring your states back under the flag of the United States of America."

The delegates remained silent; no one immediately refuted them, but the doubt in their eyes did not dissipate.

George W. Bush leaned forward slightly. "I know what you're worried about. Are you worried about losing your autonomy after the return? Are you worried about being punished later? Are you worried about not getting the benefits you deserve? Fine, then I'll offer you terms you can't refuse today."

"I swear by the honor of my Bush family, everything I say below is true and valid!"

This was said very carefully.

God isn't always reliable.

But the family's political life and future are certainly reliable. After all, examples like Sima Yi, who swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River and caused many people in "future generations" to suffer misfortune, are rare.

He gestured to his staff to distribute the prepared document outlines to the representatives.

"First, finance and infrastructure: Arkansas, the federal government will allocate an additional $50 billion annually over the next five years as a special reconstruction fund to upgrade your aging highways, bridges, and broadband network, with a focus on the complete modernization of the Arkansas sections of I-40 and I-49. At the same time, the Pine Bluff Armory will receive priority orders, guaranteeing jobs and tax revenue."

The Arkansas representative's eyes lit up slightly.

Mississippi.

Bush moved on to the next person, saying, “The federal government will fully fund and accelerate flood control projects in the Yazoo River basin, a problem that has plagued you for decades. In addition, the shipbuilding industry and ports along the Gulf Coast will receive a large number of orders and subsidies from the Navy and the Department of Commerce. Most importantly, the matching fund for Medicaid in Mississippi will be permanently increased by 15%, and a special fund will be established to address the lack of rural healthcare resources.”

The Mississippi representative took a deep breath; this condition directly hit their weakest link in social security.

They were on the verge of collapse due to internal problems.

George W. Bush looked at the last delegate and said, “The national maintenance budget for Mount Rushmore will be doubled, and the rights to develop tourism around it will be completely delegated to the state government, with the federal government retaining only a symbolic oversight. Ellsworth Air Force Base will not only not be closed, but will be upgraded into an important training base for a new generation of strategic bombers and drones, bringing stable high-income jobs and surrounding consumption. In addition, the federal government will provide subsidies and tax breaks to your state’s agriculture and ethanol fuel industry that are 20% higher than the national average.”

The South Dakota representative nodded subconsciously; these conditions were practically tailor-made for them.

George W. Bush leaned back in his chair. “This is just initial targeted support. After the handover, the states will retain a high degree of autonomy in education, the judiciary, and most economic matters. The federal government will only be responsible for defense, foreign affairs, interstate trade, and the most basic constitutional guarantees. The federal government can issue pardons for the actions of the states and individuals during the period of independence, and will not hold them accountable.”

He paused, lowering his voice, "Gentlemen, these terms are far more generous than what my father could have offered, and far more than any potential competitor could offer you now. Why? Because we need a united America, and you need a true patron that can bring you prosperity and stability, not one that slowly withers away in isolation."

The meeting room was silent, save for heavy breathing. The delegates exchanged glances, clearly swayed by the enormous stakes involved.

The Arkansas representative cleared his throat and cautiously began, "Mr. President, we appreciate your sincerity, but these conditions are of great importance. We need to return to the state legislature and..."

"Do not."

George W. Bush interrupted him abruptly, his tone resolute and leaving no room for negotiation.

“I don’t have time to wait for you to go back and discuss it slowly. Didn’t you know my intentions before you came? Your governor sending you here was a test in itself. What I need now is a decision, immediately!”

His gaze was fixed on everyone present: "After you go back, who can guarantee that the news won't be leaked? Who can guarantee that you won't be interfered with or threatened by Bramo or other forces that don't want the United States to be reunited? At that time, the situation may change in an instant, and these conditions may become invalid."

He leaned forward and said, almost word by word, “If you are interested, call the person in charge right now. If you have no idea or cannot decide on the spot, then please leave. But once you step out this door, we are enemies! The United States of America and I personally will have no mercy for enemies. We will use all our strength, including the military I just requested to strengthen in Congress, to maintain the unity of the nation. See you on the battlefield.”

Representatives from several states turned pale instantly. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with struggle and deliberation.

The silence lasted for almost a minute.

Finally, the Mississippi representative pulled out an encrypted satellite phone, took a deep breath, and said, "Mr. President, you're right. I'll contact the President now... the Governor."

well...

They've even changed the way they address people.

Scumbag!

Seeing his actions, the representatives from Arkansas and South Dakota seemed to have made up their minds as well, and they all took out their communication equipment.

As Bush watched this scene, a slight smile finally appeared on his tense face.

“Very good,” he said calmly. “I’m waiting for your good news. Remember, you don’t have 24 hours, not even 12 hours. I want to hear a positive response before I go to sleep tonight.”

“Victor and Bramo won’t give us much time.”

Victory will always belong to us!

……

(End of this chapter)