American Strategic Deception Bureau

　The mushroom cloud turned into a radioactive wasteland.

　By then, Jews and Christians will have to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem wearing nuclear hazmat suits, hunting down a few deformed mutant animals and humans as souvenirs? Hmm, maybe this idea could be used to make a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie called "The Fallout Bible" or something like that…"

　"Ahem, indeed, nuclear weapons cannot solve all problems. It's best not to use them rashly."

　Noticing that Professor Brzezinski's expression was becoming increasingly grim, Dr. Kissinger quickly intervened to smooth things over. "Come to think of it, I have a new idea. Since continuing to support South Vietnam with money is already achieving twice the result with half the effort, why don't we simply abandon South Vietnam and let it perish?"

　According to my observation, the Chinese do not seem to want to see North Vietnam conquer the South, or even unify the entire Indochina Peninsula!

　Perhaps, by using South Vietnam as a bargaining chip, China and North Vietnam could become enemies, leading to complete hostility between China and the Soviet Union!"

　Author's words: PS: Indian fraud has reached the point where they are defrauding immortals. They even built a fake IRS in the United States and asked people to come to pay fines.

　Also, maybe it would be fun to have Hugh Hefner take a bunny girl to Saigon as ambassador to South Vietnam?

　Chapter 197: Unexpected Timeline

　In 1962, although the US military had not yet intervened in the Vietnam War on a large scale, the resentment and disgust towards the "South Vietnamese ally" in the United States was already very strong. Many critics claimed that the annual desertion rate of the South Vietnamese army was as high as 15%, and half of the US aid materials flowed into the Saigon black market. There were even Viet Cong guerrillas who were wearing the name of the government army and received salaries from Saigon. This was not discovered until American advisers went to inspect.

　How much money does Washington have to invest in such a bottomless pit that devours money and supplies to make the situation in Vietnam better?

　What’s even more terrible is that if the former South Korean government still had the desire to survive, the current South Vietnamese government has no desire to survive at all.

　For example, during the Korean War, no matter how the war went, the South Korean government at least kept working to strengthen its military and actively accepted training from the US military. By the end of the war, the combat effectiveness of the South Korean army had greatly improved, which impressed the Chinese volunteer army.

　But the South Vietnamese army?

　The South Vietnamese military itself refused to improve its combat effectiveness!

　why?

　Because a bunch of crabs are holding each other back! Not a single crab is allowed to strive for progress!

　To start from the beginning, well, ever since Ngo Dinh Diem founded South Vietnam, the South Vietnamese government has lacked the ability to control its military.

　Like Nehru in India, Ngo Dinh Diem "received" the South Vietnamese army from France rather than "established" it. The South Vietnamese army, which had grown up as early as the French colonial period, had long been organized into a feudal warlord system. The Ngo Dinh Diem government was simply unable to control the vast majority of the army.

　As a result, the South Vietnamese army and government have long been hostile to each other and have been distrustful of each other. The South Vietnamese officer corps has been divided into multiple factions, and has joined forces with local tyrants in order to obtain money and political support. Many garrisons have almost become private soldiers of local tyrants, and the military and political situation has been unprecedentedly chaotic.

　Although the Pentagon had hoped to follow the experience of the Korean War and have the US military take over the training of all South Vietnamese regular troops to improve their combat effectiveness as early as the establishment of South Vietnam, the South Vietnamese government repeatedly rejected the US plan and refused to train the army to improve its combat effectiveness.

　On the one hand, the officers left over from the French colonial era feared losing control of the army during retraining, and preferred to leave the troops in a state of ineffective combat to ensure they were their own. On the other hand, Ngo Dinh Diem did not want the local garrisons to become too powerful, their combat effectiveness not surpassing that of the elite troops under the Saigon central government. This way, he could "strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches" and maintain central authority.

　So, how many elite troops are there directly under the South Vietnamese central government?

　At most, there were only about four divisions.

　- A Marine division, a paratrooper airborne division, a rangers unit with a total strength roughly equivalent to two divisions, and that's it.

　The troops of these four divisions were indeed very capable. In the later period of the Vietnam War, facing the North Vietnamese regular army, they once defeated six divisions of the North Vietnamese army with only two divisions.

　But the problem was that the South Vietnamese regime had only so many pillars of support in the military, and they were extremely difficult to replenish. Once they were wiped out, the remaining South Vietnamese local forces, with the exception of a few loyalists who would fight to the death, would simply switch sides and the country would be destroyed.

　What is even more pitiful is that even these four divisions of the South Vietnamese government’s Central Army were mostly not formed until the late 1960s.

　President Ngo Dinh Diem now has only a presidential guard and a small number of commandos, totaling less than 10,000 people... What use are these few soldiers for?

　It is no wonder that Ngo Dinh Diem was "passive in suppressing the Communists" and tried his best to avoid fighting - because the soldiers who actually belonged to him were too few and too valuable, and he was reluctant to waste them!

　But the problem is, since President Ngo Dinh Diem's ​​direct troops were so passive in avoiding fighting, how could other warlords not follow suit?

　Are your president's soldiers expensive? Are our soldiers made of straw paper?

　Although I also withheld military pay, the soldiers were hungry all day long, and deserted in rows and companies...but this is not a reason to send them to fight!

　The result of this bickering between the two sides was that in the face of the rapidly expanding Viet Cong guerrillas, the South Vietnamese army chose to go on strike as a whole and no one went to fight.

　Everyone should conserve their strength. Only idiots would go to fight the Communists! Americans just need to behave.

　Just give me the money and don’t complain to me!

　Under normal circumstances, if the troops are too small and too weak, then the army should be expanded and trained.

　Of course, Wu Tingyan also understood this logic, and even flew to Taiwan to seek advice from Chiang Kai-shek. He planned to emulate the Whampoa Military Academy and train a new army that would be absolutely loyal to him from scratch - specifically, to send a troop or a group of new recruits to the United States every year for training and reorganization.

　But this touched upon the South Vietnamese military leaders' chagrin. Just like the doctors' strike in South Korea, they absolutely disagreed with the idea of ​​reorganizing the troops. They believed that this would make the troops elite, but they would no longer obey their orders. If the president dared to do so, they would immediately revolt!

　Well, not only do they disagree with the president's training of the army, they also disagree with the president recruiting new soldiers for training. They keep a close eye on the president like they're guarding against thieves.

　As for the Vietcong in the countryside? Who cares? Isn't that the US military's job?

　In this way, the president wanted to recruit soldiers, but was stopped by military leaders; the military leaders wanted to recruit soldiers, but were stopped by the president.

　The president let the warlords fight the Viet Cong to preserve the strength of his own troops; the warlords let the president's own troops fight to preserve the strength of their own troops.

　What? The President dares to cut off the pay and supplies of the side troops? Then just attack the Presidential Palace and demand the pay!

　In the end, everyone just gave up and waited for death, ceded the country to the Viet Cong, and then shouted to the United States in unison: "Dad, I don't want to work hard anymore!"

　It even made the Pentagon roll its eyes and couldn't figure out who was responsible for wiping out the Viet Cong.

　——If the South Vietnamese regime were regarded as a person, it would definitely be a schizophrenic patient with severe suicidal tendencies.

　According to Dr. Kissinger's analysis, outsiders cannot save a regime that is determined to commit suicide no matter what.

　Even if he was sent to the ICU and put on a ventilator, it would only be a crazy waste of money to keep him alive for a few more years.

　As long as the patient's will to live cannot be awakened and he relies entirely on external assistance, the longer the treatment is delayed, the more money will be spent, and in the end, both the patient and his money will be completely lost.

　The South Vietnamese regime itself didn't want to live, so could the United States force it to stop? How tiring that must be!

　Instead of dragging it on like this, it would be better to copy the successful experience of the Korean War, make a complete overhaul, and wait patiently until the day when Saigon falls and South Vietnam is on the verge of extinction. Then the US military will descend from the sky, land in Da Nang, and take back South Vietnam's land.

　By then, the land of South Vietnam would have been swept clean by the Viet Cong, and the US military would have just swept it again. All the troublesome evil forces such as religious orders, monasteries, powerful people, warlords, gangs, etc. that had been deeply rooted in South Vietnam in the past would have been wiped out.

　—According to the Vietcong's land reform method of "apportioning execution quotas based on population," these "viable civil society groups" likely wouldn't be left with much of a chance to survive. If any survived, the US military could accuse them of collaborating with the Communists and exterminate them without mercy.

　After two rounds of such massacres, there should be nothing left on the ground in South Vietnam, leaving only a clean white paper for painting.

　By then, just like General MacArthur ruled Japan, we can find a capable military and political person to manage South Vietnam, trustee it for four or five years, and establish a new national system. We should be able to basically stabilize the situation and don't have to watch Ngo Dinh Diem and his group of insects do nothing.

　As long as we follow the mature path of Japan and South Korea, get rid of those old upper classes who are in the way, and carry out land reform and land distribution, the red bandits are doomed to be put to rest!

　——That's right, even South Korea's Syngman Rhee carried out land reform after the massacre. Otherwise, how could he have secured his presidency?

　Of course, this approach of replicating the Korean War process is also very risky. Because if China immediately sent a large number of troops to the south to provide assistance as soon as South Vietnam was destroyed, or even directly fought alongside the Vietnamese army, then it would not be so easy for the US military to regain the land of South Vietnam.

　Although as a new regime with strong nationalism, North Vietnam would probably not be happy to see Chinese troops galloping on its own land.

　But the problem is, with the precedent of the Incheon landing in the Korean War, it is hard to say whether the North Vietnamese authorities will temporarily abandon their face and unnecessary self-esteem. When sending a large number of troops south, will they beg China at all costs to send troops to help the People's Liberation Army defend their rear and resist the landing?

　This is really hard to speculate. You know, even a stubborn guy like Churchill would contradict himself and sing praises for Stalin during World War II.

　Therefore, it is probably still unknown how the US military will fight the war in Indochina by then.

　After all, because of the great shortcomings and virtues of the Japanese and French, the Vietnamese people generally have no good feelings towards the imperialist colonizers.

　(In the late stages of World War II, during the joint rule of Japan and France in Vietnam, they deliberately imposed heavy taxes and levied heavy taxes, starving one-tenth of the Vietnamese population to death.)

　More importantly, this strategy would ultimately require the US military to deploy a large number of troops, resulting in casualties at least as huge as those in the Pacific island-grabbing battles.

　As a "defeatist counselor" with a very cowardly mentality, Dr. Kissinger still prefers another plan of a big retreat that does not require the United States to mobilize troops - completely abandoning South Vietnam, condoning North Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and annexation of Laos, and agreeing to Hanoi's establishment of an "Indochina Federation" encompassing the three countries!

　At that time, it would be like throwing a difficult choice to Beijing: Are you Chinese willing to see a red power emerge in the south and sweep across the Indochina Peninsula? Or are you ready to join the struggle?

　Are they fighting in their own country and marching south to the Red River Delta again to break up Vietnam's hegemony?

　Will the Soviet Union take the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow by sending troops from Siberia and the Far East to support Vietnam and teach China a severe lesson?

　——For the United States, if it could use this old French colony, which was originally not very profitable, to exchange for a large-scale civil war in the socialist camp where people would kill each other, and completely bankrupt the Bolshevik propaganda of "liberating all mankind"...it doesn't seem like a loss, right?

　-

　By the end of 1962, the breakdown of Sino-Soviet relations had become known to the whole world.

　Initially, the United States did not think that this problem would develop into a serious problem. It thought that at most it would be similar to the brief discord in the Western camp caused by the United States stabbing the British and French forces in the Suez War in 1956. No camp was harmonious, and it was normal to have some bumps and bruises occasionally.

　There was probably just a minor disagreement between the two red superpowers, China and the Soviet Union, which would pass after a while.

　Who would have thought that after a few years, there was still no sign of repairing relations between China and the Soviet Union. Instead, various debates became more and more fierce.

　Therefore, some Americans belatedly realized that perhaps, probably, or possibly, China and the Soviet Union had completely fallen out.

　Since cracks have appeared in the enemy camp, it is necessary to widen them and induce infighting - this is Dr. Kissinger's view.

　As early as 1954, during the negotiations for the Geneva Accords that led to the Franco-Vietnamese Armistice, international observers had already keenly noticed that there was a significant disagreement between China and North Vietnam regarding the Vietnam War. China simply wanted to ensure North Vietnam's survival and keep the enemy away from its borders, while North Vietnam was obsessed with unifying the country and even reconquering the entire Indochina Federation!

　Considering that Vietnam itself is a province separated from China...will China restrict Vietnam's expansion?

　Kissinger thought it was possible and worth a try.

　The best outcome would naturally be to provoke a major fight among the communists across the Iron Curtain, and the worst outcome would be to just get rid of a burden.

　"Dr. Kissinger, your idea... well, it's very imaginative and bold."

　Fili stroked his chin and pondered, "Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for China to accommodate such a huge Vietnam. Just like the United States cannot tolerate a Mexico occupying Texas, California, and Nevada, blocking the United States' path to the Pacific in the west.

　But the problem is, if it is for a higher interest, Red China may not be unable to temporarily endure it - such as world revolution! "

　"World revolution?" Brzezinski and Kissinger were slightly surprised when they heard this.

　"Yes, world revolution! There are also quite a number of communists active in Thailand, Burma and Malaya today.

　If the Vietnamese were willing to continue to act as the vanguard after unifying the three Indochinese countries, advancing towards Thailand and Malaysia, all the way to Singapore. And the Indonesian Communist Party in Jakarta would also take advantage of the situation to completely complete the communistization of Indonesia and eliminate the remaining domestic opposition elements..."

　Firi said with emotion, as if an unimagined grand road had appeared before his eyes. "Then, the Eastern Bloc will see hope of winning the world revolution. Not only may China tolerate Vietnam's expansion, but even China and the Soviet Union may temporarily bridge their differences, put aside their grudges, and jointly launch a burning expedition! As long as the red flag can be planted in Singapore and the throat of the Strait of Malacca can be completely blocked, all the efforts will be worth it!

　At that time, the Philippines and Japan will no longer be able to obtain cheap crude oil from the Middle East, and the momentum of industrial and commercial development will be abruptly interrupted.

　If the enemy continues to use Indonesia as a springboard to march southward towards Australia, they could even create a red transverse belt stretching from the Arctic Ocean to Antarctica!"

　"Well, the Seventh Fleet should be able to defend Australia's coast." Professor Brzezinski frowned.

　"It doesn't necessarily need to actually land in Australia. As long as we create a situation where a red tide sweeps across Southeast Asia, the world will be turned upside down."

　Firi shook his head. "Not only will the Arabs lean even harder towards the Soviet Union, but even India might formally raise the red flag—didn't Nehru also practice a planned economy and call himself a 'socialist'? By then, what will be left of the liberal camp?"

　Professor Brzezinski and Dr. Kissinger, two of the top geopolitical masters, did not immediately refute this seemingly crazy fantasy proposed by Firi. Instead, their faces were heavy. On the map in their minds, they seemed to see red arrows starting from Southeast Asia and spreading rapidly towards the Indian Ocean and Oceania, and finally taking the entire World Island of the Old Continent into their pockets!

　"Such a prospect...is truly terrifying! Could it be that President Eisenhower's domino theory is completely correct?"

　Professor Brzezinski pondered, "The liberal camp cannot lose South Vietnam, otherwise the Southeast Asian countries will be overthrown one after another?"

　"If we can first strangle the communists in Indonesia and nip the communist tendencies of Southeast Asia's largest country in the bud, then the domino effect will be virtually impossible to become a reality. The Pacific Fleet is fully capable of containing the communist tide in Indochina."

　Fili curled his lips and said, "If Indonesia

　The communistization of Asia is as unstoppable as the collapse of South Vietnam. The likelihood of internal strife within the Eastern Bloc or a world revolution is about 50-50! It all depends on whether Beijing prioritizes its own national interests or genuinely seeks to liberate all humanity.

　"Alas, for the United States and the entire free world, this is probably the most heart-pounding coin toss game ever."

　Dr. Kissinger sighed, tilted his head back, and drank a full glass of champagne. "Let's hope things don't escalate to this point! As for the rest, we can only wait and see. Perhaps, when public opinion erupts tomorrow, the public will support us abandoning Vietnam."

　And so, after a highly beneficial high-level political exchange with Kissinger and Brzezinski, the Christmas Eve party at the Kim family residence came to an end, and the guests dispersed.

　Then, when Ferry also said goodbye to his parents, brother and sister, he got in the car and prepared to drive back to reunite with Marita.

　The communication crystal ball hanging on his chest suddenly vibrated slightly, inputting a message into Fili's mind.

　[Dear Fili, is your party over? When can you come back?]

　"Yeah, it's over. I just left home and expect to arrive in two hours." Fili replied in his mind, gripping the steering wheel and turning on the lights.

　"Ah, then I have to get ready! I have a surprise for you tonight! I promise it will make you happy!"

　Chapter 198: Christmas Carnival and Wedding Plans

　December 24, midnight, San Fernando Valley, Sanctuary Villa

　In the deep night, Ferry drove his car on the empty road at full speed and finally returned home before twelve o'clock.

　After getting out of the car and opening the large iron gate, Fili looked up at the villa, only to find that it wasn't as brightly lit as he had imagined. Instead, it was completely dark. Even the lights on the Christmas tree at the entrance were off. Only a faint glow shone through the living room window.

　Fortunately, Marita was standing at the door of the villa, waving at him from a distance.

　The moonlight was like water, gently pouring down on Marita, who was only covered with a thin veil, and paired with her delicate face and gem-like eyes...

　Although he was already accustomed to this goddess-like beauty, Ferry still felt very happy.

　He parked the car and walked to the door. Marita closed the door and naturally threw off the veil on her body, revealing her plump, white breasts, slender waist and long legs. Then she reached out to undress Fili and said, "Merry Christmas! Honey, I originally wanted to have a romantic candlelight dinner, but now I can only have a candlelight supper..."

　"Ah, even without a midnight snack, the candles you made are already very creative..."

　Fili raised his arms to allow Marita to take off his shirt smoothly, but his eyes were fixed on the flickering candlelight in the center of the hall.

　To be precise, it is a human candlestick under the candlelight.

　Isabelle, dressed as a candlestick, was hung naked upside down in the center of a flower stand on one side of the living room. Her blonde hair hung loosely on the ground, and between her long, slender legs, a thick, long candle was inserted into her body. From time to time, the candle wax would slowly flow down the candle, dripping onto the delicate skin between her legs, causing her to gasp incoherently.