American Strategic Deception Bureau

　As a younger generation, the elder sister Ding naturally agreed with this.

　In front of reporters in Da Nang, Vice President Johnson vowed that the White House's determination to go to war would not be shaken by the Viet Cong's theft of a batch of nuclear materials. The United States would never abandon its frontline allies in Southeast Asia, nor would it allow the expansion of the North Vietnamese Workers' Party.

　"I am convinced that few Americans who have served in Vietnam would be interested in this idea. For retreat would mean that the Vietnamese who have entrusted their lives to us would suffer unprecedented pain under the rule of the Vietcong.

　A nation that should have lived a better life would be reduced to a monotonous, lifeless, and controlled social life. It also meant that the prestige of the United States in the world plummeted, and the pressure of the Soviet camp on other Southeast Asian countries was greatly increased.

　Finally, if the US military withdraws from Indochina without victory, it will also mean that forces hostile to the West around the world will be encouraged to imitate the Vietcong and try the taste of insurrection. So, just as our actions in North Korea in 1950 prevented Kim Il-sung from ravaging South Korea, the presence of our men in Vietnam today will completely thwart Ho Chi Minh's ambitions!

　While Vice President Johnson's speech sounded a bit too hawkish, in this era of confrontation between two major camps and a prevalent Cold War mentality, such hawkish rhetoric reflects the views of the vast majority of Americans. Furthermore, the current situation in Asia does not allow the United States to retreat in the slightest.

　You have to know that in the first few years of the 1960s, although Sino-Soviet relations had broken down, the export of revolution to Asia was at its peak - Laos was basically beyond saving, the situation in Cambodia was not optimistic, Thailand was also on the verge of collapse, Indonesia was already half red and could change color completely at any time, and Singapore's left-wing "Chinese Movement" was also very serious and almost drove Lee Kuan Yew out of power in the general election.

　Malaya, like the Philippines, has many hidden dangers. The Malayan Communist Party's guerrillas will continue to thrive for many years, and the Philippine Communist Party has tenaciously survived into the new century.

　Even more dreadful is that if all of Southeast Asia turns red, the Strait of Malacca will be cut off, and Japan will lose its access to cheap Middle Eastern oil, causing its economy to plummet and no longer be able to serve as the United States' top blood bag and cash machine. South Korea and Taiwan will also face the same dilemma...

　In history, the reason why the United States decided to withdraw from Vietnam in the 1970s was, on the one hand, that it had been fighting for a long time and the domestic anti-war pressure was too great; on the other hand, the political situation in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines had stabilized and there was no longer a risk of a resurgence.

　In this situation where the export of revolution has been thwarted across the board and the red tide in Southeast Asia has receded, the loss of abandoning South Vietnam has become acceptable.

　But at this moment, the red tide in Southeast Asia is still spreading, and no one knows what the consequences of taking a step back will be. We can only grit our teeth and hold on.

　In short, at this moment, facing the aggressive red camp, Americans are really vigilant and afraid, and dare not relax at all.

　At the same time, Americans, now in their golden age, built on their experience of winning World Wars I and II, and growing stronger with each victory, possessed an inexplicable sense of superiority, pride, and self-confidence. They believed they could defeat all enemies and overcome all challenges.

　Huh? What? You mean the Korean War and the Cuban War?

　While the Korean War was certainly not won, the US didn't lose either; at least South Korea was saved. And Red Cuba was transformed into Black Cuba. As for Castro surviving after changing his name to Kakarot... It seems no one ever stipulated that the loser of a war must die, right?

　Under these circumstances, North Vietnam, hoping to expel U.S. imperialism and unify the country, relied not only on the bravery and tenacity of its own soldiers but also on the failure of the Red Revolutions in Malaya, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, which would reassure the United States.

　Of course, Ho Chi Minh at that time might not have been able to see so far. Or, even if he could see it, he could not have said it.

　So, after Vice President Johnson visited Da Nang and encouraged the "separatist regime of Quang Nam," Hanoi's radio station responded with an editorial. A North Vietnamese female announcer declared passionately and forcefully on the radio: "The government of the Republic of South Vietnam is

　The only true authority of the people of South Vietnam. Any other pseudo-regime is nothing more than a puppet, a lackey, and a tool of aggression of U.S. imperialism. For nine years, the despicable and shameless U.S. imperialism has completely shredded the Geneva Agreement, undermined Vietnam's peaceful reunification, and unjustifiably interfered in South Vietnam. People around the world have witnessed this. U.S. imperialism and its various pawns in Vietnam have long been spurned by the people of South Vietnam.

　Facts have proven that the only true representatives of the South Vietnamese people today are the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, born out of the South Vietnamese people's just anti-US patriotic struggle, and the Republic of South Vietnam, newly established by the National Liberation Front in Saigon. The new revolutionary regime in Saigon will hold high the great banner of national liberation, unite the anti-US patriotic forces of all classes in South Vietnam, and lead the 14 million people of South Vietnam in their unyielding struggle for national independence, democracy, peace, and national reunification, and against the war of aggression launched by US imperialism.

　The red South Vietnamese radio station in Saigon, which had just been repaired, also broadcast a war declaration editorial with similar content.

　——Anyway, as long as Indochina has not been unified by Hanoi, the war will not stop and the Warring States Period in Southeast Asia will continue.

　However, some perceptive international observers have also spotted a flaw in this verbal spat between the US and Vietnam: Besides righteously accusing the US of invading Vietnam, both Hanoi and Saigon have subtly avoided discussing the theft of uranium fuel rods from the Dai Tak nuclear reactor—neither outright denials nor specious arguments, nor threats...

　Was it because the suddenness of the incident, coupled with pressure from China and the Soviet Union, meant that the North and South Vietcong hadn't yet reached a unified narrative? Or was it that the Vietcong leadership was unsure of who had the nuclear fuel, leading to mutual suspicion and distrust?

　Hmm, it’s terrifying when you think about it carefully, it’s terrifying when you think about it carefully!

　Next, Vice President Johnson visited Phan Rang, where the remnants of the Champa Kingdom live. This is not only the only seaport of the Central Highlands Federation, but also the front line of the confrontation between the US military and the Viet Cong.

　Unfortunately, the ancient port of Phan Rang could not accommodate the docking of the Enterprise aircraft carrier, so Vice President Johnson had to take a helicopter ashore to inspect and comfort the local 1st Marine Division troops. He also met with the newly elected first female president of the Central Highlands Federation, a beautiful Jarai woman named He Hengniyi.

　After the retreat of the South Vietnamese army, the Hmong militia in Dak Lak Province now commanded the most powerful armed force in the Central Highlands besides the Viet Cong, and possessed the most extensive combat experience. Consequently, the Hmong secured the largest share of the newly established Central Highlands Federation: not only did they establish the federation's capital in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak Province, which they controlled, but they also held most key positions within the federal government.

　But the problem is that other mountain ethnic groups in the Central Highlands cannot tolerate the Miao people's unscrupulous encroachment and excessive occupation: they originally wanted to establish an independent country to prevent the Vietnamese Kinh people from seizing their ancestral land and to unite for warmth, not to hand over everything to the Miao people.

　Therefore, faced with widespread outrage, the Hmong were forced to make a concession, handing the interim presidency of the Central Highlands Federation—a prestigious position with no real power—to the Jarai, the most populous people. However, the Jarai lacked a strong armed force and a well-respected leader who could command the support of the people. Even if such a leader existed, the Hmong warlords were reluctant to promote him, as this would compromise their own monopoly on power.

　In the end, they simply chose a beautiful Jarai woman, Hehenniyi, of noble birth, to serve as a ceremonial figurehead president...

　Vice President Johnson's expression was complex. Although he knew that such a beautiful woman, born of compromise, was essentially a powerless ornament, he still felt a little uncomfortable, adhering to the old-fashioned idea that "politics should keep women out."

　After exchanging some polite words with the "barbarian beauty president," Vice President Johnson met with the Cao Dai leader Le Van Tong. This leader, who had been expelled from the Holy See in Xining, denounced the Viet Cong's betrayal, hypocrisy and cruelty, and expressed his desire to lead his followers to beg for asylum in the United States.

　Therefore, under the coordination of Vice President Johnson, the Cao Dai believers who controlled the mountain city of Dadao in South Vietnam joined the Central Highlands Federation in the form of an autonomous region, expanding the territory of this makeshift group.

　After completing the aforementioned Paradox-style activities, Vice President Johnson and the USS Enterprise nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sailed for Phu Quoc Island.

　On the day the Enterprise arrived at Phu Quoc Island, God was very unkind and sent down a torrential downpour.

　Because the island lacked a port large enough to accommodate a 90,000-ton aircraft carrier, and the carrier's helicopter was unable to take off in the heavy rain, the Vice President had no choice but to take a bumpy boat to shore. Then, despite seasickness and vomiting, he met with representatives of the Hoa Hao refugees on the island.

　Dr. Kissinger, who had just flown back from a trip to Washington, could only drag his tired body, staring wide-eyed, holding a Geiger counter, and accompany the Vice President throughout the entire process, fearing that anything might go wrong.

　Fortunately, the whole process was very peaceful. There was no assassination, no dirty bomb, and not even any troublemakers shouting anti-American slogans.

　Vice President Johnson had no intention of staying on the island for long. He quickly went through the motions and returned to the aircraft carrier.

　Next, Prince Sihanouk also crossed the sea from Cambodia and arrived at Phu Quoc Island, which nominally belonged to him.

　Chapter 265: Prince Sihanouk's Map of New Territory (Part 1)

　Even)

　Unlike the heavy rain when Vice President Johnson arrived in Phu Quoc Island, when Prince Sihanouk's yacht crossed the strait, which was only more than ten kilometers wide, between Cambodian territory and Phu Quoc Island and entered the port of Yang Dong Town on Phu Quoc Island, God was very kind and blessed him with a sunny day in the rainy season.

　Under the bright sunshine, Prince Sihanouk, dressed in traditional Khmer costume, carried the ancient Khmer imperial ceremonial guard, and accompanied by monks and concubines, set foot on the land of Phu Quoc Island and planted the Cambodian flag at the door of the town hall, declaring that this place has returned to Khmer.

　And the expressions of the Vietnamese Kinsman refugees on Phu Quoc Island when they saw this scene... well, it should be said that they were quite complicated.

　How should I put it? It was as if white Americans saw an Indian chief wearing a feather crown and marching onto Capitol Hill in Washington to declare sovereignty.

　However, the situation is stronger than people, and they are just ignorant fishermen and farmers, without such passionate nationalist ideas.

　What's more, Phu Quoc Island was just a temporary stopover during their escape, not their native hometown.

　So, after a few long sighs, these Hoa Hao Vietnamese farmers accepted their fate. As for whether they would continue to serve the Kingdom of Cambodia, that was another matter. Rumors were circulating on the island lately that this group of refugees seemed to have a way to immigrate en masse to the United States...

　If you are destined to never be able to return to your homeland in this lifetime, then immigrating to the United States seems to be much better than staying here and being ruled by Cambodians, right?

　After raising the flag, Prince Sihanouk erected a stone tablet in the town, brought in on board, engraved with the Cambodian coat of arms, to symbolize his sovereignty over the island. Finally, he had a podium and awning erected in front of the tablet, where he delivered a bombastic speech to a crowd of reporters, commemorating and celebrating "the great victory of the Khmer people in regaining their homeland"—well, that was the right thing to do.

　By the way, during his speech, Prince Sihanouk also offered some comfort to the Kinh people who are still staying on Phu Quoc Island, saying that the Kingdom of Cambodia is a modern country that will uphold religious freedom and ethnic equality, and asked them not to worry about being subjected to institutional persecution.

　Of course, if these people really did not want to be his subjects, Prince Sihanouk did not mind, saying that they could come and go as they pleased and he would not force them - anyway, as long as Phu Quoc Island belonged to Cambodia, it was enough, and he and Cambodia would never stop the people on the island from going anywhere.

　Then, what surprised the onlooker Firi was that Prince Sihanouk actually distributed a batch of urgently printed, latest edition Cambodia maps with the ink still wet, and drew all the disputed areas of Phu Quoc Island and the Vietnam-Cambodia border into the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the new map!

　——Just like the various trademark and website registrations by merchants in later generations, he seemed to plan to solidify his territory on the map first.

　It can be said to be the absolute "real map expansion"!

　But the problem is that "preemptive registration" can only be effective in an orderly environment, or when everyone abides by the rules.

　The current Vietnamese Cong seems to have never had the habit of abiding by the rules, and has always been unreasonable and retaliating against its benefactors.

　Otherwise, the Sino-Vietnamese border, which had been clearly demarcated as early as the 1950s, would not have been unilaterally denied by North Vietnam in the 1970s.

　The Vietnamese are so unfazed when facing the giant China. They will be even less polite when dealing with Cambodia, a weakling and a bygone hegemon that has been ravaged for centuries. They will certainly coax it when necessary, but when the time comes to turn hostile, they will immediately repudiate everything they said before.

　So, Prince Sihanouk apparently managed to recapture thousands of square kilometers of land without a single soldier, simply by leveraging the enemy's power. This was a remarkable feat, but its practical significance was limited, serving only to enhance his reputation and inflate his ego.

　Not to mention that Phu Quoc Island is now controlled by the US consulate, and the Kingdom of Cambodia is just an empty title. Even the disputed territories on the mainland were simply assigned to Cambodia by the Vietcong on a map. In reality, it was the Khmer members of the Vietcong who were in power.

　On the contrary, the Kingdom of Cambodia was still in fact occupied by the North Vietnamese army in two provinces on its eastern border, and the capital Phnom Penh was at risk of falling at any time.

　It’s just that the Hanoi authorities have to take into account the international impact at the moment and dare not easily become enemies with Sihanouk.

　Of course, Prince Sihanouk, feeling incredibly good about himself, didn't seem to see this hidden danger. Instead, he thought he had it all his own way, and everyone had to give him face. Therefore, in his speech, he even threatened the Vietcong authorities in Saigon regarding the theft of nuclear fuel from the Tai Tho nuclear power plant, stating that as Cambodia's ruler, he would never allow anyone to turn Phu Quoc Island into a nuclear contaminated area.

　Well, that's true, but speaking out like that would likely be seen as presumptuous by Ho Chi Minh and Le Duan, given his status... Even Le Duan, with his harsh temper, wouldn't have reacted immediately. But they'd write it down in their little notebook, so they wouldn't have to settle accounts later.

　In short, after spitting out a lot of smug words, Prince Sihanouk got into the convertible arranged by Dr. Kissinger, with motorcyclists leading the way and reporters following behind, and drove around the ring road of Phu Quoc Island, leaving footprints on several beautiful beaches.

　Even though the sky darkened, dark clouds suddenly appeared, and a heavy rain fell, drenching the prince.

　Even though he was soaked, it did not affect his good mood.

　It is a bit regrettable that the Viet Cong never showed up from the bushes on the island and shot Prince Sihanouk in the head with their guns. It seems that they did not want to offend Prince Sihanouk for the time being, or they had really given up on Phu Quoc Island and regarded it as foreign territory.

　What? Find local gunmen disguised as Vietcong? Neither the White House nor the agency had issued such an order. Why did Fieri add to the confusion?

　It was not until dusk that Prince Sihanouk, who had had enough of showing off, got on a helicopter with satisfaction and headed to the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier anchored on the sea not far away to have dinner with Vice President Johnson and hold a secret meeting.

　Of course, Phiri and Dr. Kissinger, who stayed on the island at the time, had no idea what the two sides discussed specifically.

　However, judging by Prince Sihanouk's triumphant look when he left the next day, and the fact that both sides would soon issue a joint communiqué, it seemed that Vice President Johnson had probably, should have, and seemed to have reached an agreement with him - as to whether it was a real agreement or just pure bluff, only God knows.

　Author's Note: PS: Although the "Guangnan Kingdom" in this book has shrunk to the size of Taiwan, this less than 30,000 square kilometers still contained several Vietcong strongholds, the most famous of which was Phong Son County near Qui Nhon, where Koreans once fought a fierce battle with the Vietcong.

　So, with the troop density increased fivefold and troops being transferred from South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, can the US military complete the mopping-up operation?

　Chapter 266: Preparing for the Vietnam Immigration Plan (Part 2)

　Next, Vice President Johnson met with former South Vietnamese First Lady Chen Lixuan, who had been trapped on Phu Quoc Island for a long time, on the aircraft carrier. He expressed condolences for the late President Ngo Dinh Diem, expressed deep sympathy for her current miserable situation of "country destroyed and family ruined" and embarrassing identity, and suggested that she could go to the United States to live.

　This was because most of the Wu family members that Chen Lichun married into had died, and their hometown was occupied by the Viet Cong. The King of Quang Nam did not want her to come to Da Nang and be an eyesore, and Prince Sihanouk also hoped that she would not stay in Phu Quoc Island for a long time - mainly because he was worried that this "Evil Dragon Lady" would use her former identity to cause trouble.

　After much consideration, it turned out that only Chen Lichun's parents, who were originally South Vietnamese diplomats to the United States, now live in Washington, the capital of the United States.

　Although Chen Lichun's parents had previously severed ties with her because of the global uproar caused by the Ngo Dinh Diem regime's barbecue of monks in Saigon, and even refused to let her in when she last went to the United States... But to be honest, how can there be any overnight hatred between parents and children?

　Now, Chen Lichun's husband's family has basically died, and none of her children survived. Her identity has changed from the daughter-in-law of the Wu family back to the daughter of the Chen family. It seems that the family estrangement caused by the various atrocities of the Wu Dinh Diem regime in the past can be turned over, right?

　After all, Chen Lichun is still young and fertile. She can have another child if she loses one, so it won't be a problem for her to find a family to remarry.

　With her title of "former first lady", she still has some value among the Asian community in the United States.

　After listening to Vice President Johnson's advice, Chen Lichun, who had been depressed these days, felt a little more energetic. She felt that she had nowhere to go in Vietnam. She was despised wherever she stayed and was regarded as a jinx and a jinx. It would be better for her to return to the United States and live with her parents.

　So, "Dragon Lady" Chen Lichun accepted Vice President Johnson's invitation and prepared to board the destroyer that had previously brought her here, the former Yukikaze, now the armed yacht "Zhao Shizhen", to return to the United States for the time being - this was also Vice President Johnson's arrangement...

　-

　Next, Vice President Johnson summoned Fieri and Dr. Kissinger to the aircraft carrier, ostensibly to ask Kissinger, the consul of Phu Quoc Island, to apply for a visa for Chen Lichun, and instructed Fieri, the "lady's knight guard," to see Chen Lichun back to the United States.

　——It was Kissinger and Ferry who were ordered to follow Chen Lichun to Vietnam, which triggered an unexpected journey that turned everything upside down.

　By the way, Chen Lichun was transformed from a wife and first lady into a widow and a witch who destroyed her country.

　Now that Kissinger is going to stay in Phu Quoc Island as consul, the Vice President believes that it is time for Firi to escort Chen Lichun back to the United States.

　It can be said that it has a beginning and an end.

　In addition to the superficial work mentioned above, Vice President Johnson was more concerned about the post-processing plan for the influx of a large number of Vietnamese immigrants into the United States.

　"I witnessed the current backlog of war refugees on this island yesterday. It's truly overcrowded, exceeding the island's capacity. Furthermore, I heard that Vietnamese people have been fleeing to the island by boat these days, fleeing the Vietcong's tyranny!"

　It is certainly impossible for us to suppress the enthusiasm of the Vietnamese people to get rid of tyranny and join the camp of freedom, but we also cannot make this island bigger.

　In addition, the refugee problems in Da Nang, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay are also very serious.

　Given the situation in this area, it is indeed necessary to launch a second "Freedom Trail" operation as soon as possible."

　Vice President Johnson first affirmed the necessity of evacuating Vietnamese refugees, but then changed the subject, "However, allowing such a large number of Vietnamese to immigrate to the United States at one time will eventually cause a great impact on the country. Especially according to your proposal to place the Vietnamese in the southern states, where the traditional conservative

　I'm afraid that some factions will have great resentment and doubts, as that is the KKK's headquarters..."

　"Your Excellency, it is the conservatives who insist on promoting and expanding this war at home! To demonstrate America's leadership of the free world, to fulfill our international obligations, and to win this war, we must do more!"

　Dr. Kissinger explained, “Since they are advocates of war, they should be aware of the need to contribute and sacrifice for the war, rather than fanatically advocating for war while evading their own responsibilities and refusing to bear any cost for the war.

　If the pro-war faction ends up hiding in the country and forcing anti-war protesters to go to Vietnam to fight... then the outcome of failure is almost foreseeable."

　"Moreover, Vietnamese immigrants are not just a burden; they are also a good labor force, hardworking and low-priced. They can replace some of the hard work once done by black people, such as picking cotton and vegetables on plantations, and they can also grow rice and catch shrimp."

　Firi also agreed, saying, "In addition, if the Vietnam War unfortunately became protracted, or if a second war broke out several years later after a brief ceasefire, then the presence of a group of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States could provide a basis for the government to intervene in the situation in Vietnam."

　"Handle?" Vice President Johnson frowned. "Tell me more about it?"

　"Currently, our troops have entered the Vietnam battlefield in large numbers. However, due to their unfamiliarity with the local culture and environment, there is a huge gap between them and the locals, causing a lot of trouble. If there were a sufficient number of Vietnamese Americans in the country, we could recruit a Vietnamese-American military unit, which could effectively serve as a lubricant between our troops and the local Vietnamese. Then the combat and post-war recovery would be much more complicated, even thankless."

　Firi replied, "For example, during World War II, although citizens of Japanese descent were interned during the war, they played a significant role in our military's governance of Japan after the war. Also, when our country and the Soviet Union divided the Korean Peninsula, if there hadn't been any Korean immigrants in the United States, the White House wouldn't have been able to find pro-American proxies like Syngman Rhee to take over the government in South Korea."

　"Okay, you've convinced me that if the United States wants to be a world leader, it needs immigrants of all races to be available when necessary."

　Vice President Johnson pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "If we only issue work visas instead of allowing them to become U.S. citizens, the conservatives in Congress might reluctantly agree. But... well, that's going to take some convincing. The Southern rednecks are not easy to convince."

　Upon hearing this, Firi and Kissinger quickly flattered the Vice President and praised his assistantship.

　But Vice President Johnson obviously did not take it seriously. He just took Ferry's job again and asked him to do the preliminary work of accepting Vietnamese refugees and organizing their immigration to the United States before Congress passed the relevant bill. He also applied for the title of investigator for him in Washington.

　Well, Firi’s next position has finally been decided.

　To this day, there are still 7,000 male and female prisoners on Kunlun Island, who are detained, tortured and forced to do hard labor every day, and more than 80% of them are Vietcong.

　——In another time and space, Kunlun Island was a famous patriotic education base after the unification of Vietnam, equivalent to China's Baigongguan and Zhazidong.

　Of course, as the South Vietnamese regime disintegrated and collapsed that spring, the Con Dao prison was left without an owner and fell into chaos.

　Fortunately, during his brief tenure as commander of US forces in Vietnam, despite the troop shortage at Hai Van Ling, Ferry appointed a US captain with 300 Marines to take over Cong Dao, preventing the island's Viet Cong political prisoners from escaping. Over 10,000 US soldiers and other Americans had been captured by the Viet Cong in Saigon and other places. Without using these Viet Cong prisoners on Cong Dao as leverage, how could they later exchange them?

　When Vice President Johnson visited Vietnam, he signed an agreement with President Zun Shiding of Guangnan to lease Kunlun Island.

　However, Firi's reason for coming to Kunlun Island by boat this time was not to inspect the "hostages" in the prison on the island, but to see if Kunlun Island could be used as a transit station to receive and screen South Vietnamese refugees, allowing the refugees to receive centralized education and purification here before immigrating to the United States by boat.