Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1284 The Art of Balance

After returning to the Presidential Palace, Sukarno immediately summoned several of his most trusted aides.

The President's office was filled with smoke.

"Everyone," Sukarno said, sitting behind a large desk, looking serious, "Today, Chen Tong made a request to allow Song Yiminde to join the Asian Union."

&34;What?&34;

&34;Impossible!&34;

&34;This...&34;

The staff were immediately furious.

"Quiet," Sukarno raised his hand to signal, "Then Tong's proposal is to set up a commercial department in the Asian Union, which will be headed by Song Yiminde. On the surface, he will not participate in political and military decision-making, but only in economic affairs. "

Military advisor Colonel Arif was the first to speak: "President, this is a trap set by China. They want to use Song Yiminde to check your influence in the Asian Union."

"I think so too," Intelligence Chief Subando nodded, "but the question is, how can we refuse? Since Chen Tong proposed it, it means that China has made up its mind to do so."

Economic advisor Willoyo interrupted and said, "From an economic perspective, the support of the Song Yi family does have more advantages than disadvantages. Our biggest problem now is military spending. If we have the financial support of the Song Yi family..."

"But what is the price?" Arif interrupted, "It is to allow China to drive a wedge into the Asian Union!"

&34;But...&34; Willoyo wanted to say something else.

Sukarno raised his hand to stop the debate: "Ladies and gentlemen, the question now is not whether to accept it or not, but how to maintain our dominance after accepting it."

There was silence in the office.

"Since China has made this request, it means they have decided to do so," Sukarno said slowly, "What we can do is to strive for the greatest benefit for ourselves in this process."

"What does the president mean?" Subando asked.

"We need to devise a plan," Sukarno narrowed his eyes, "which will satisfy China while ensuring that Song Yiminde cannot threaten our position."

He stood up and walked to the window: "I want you to act separately. Arif, you will be responsible for studying how to limit the authority of the business department. Subando, you will investigate all the business networks of the Songyi family. Wiroyo, you..."

The staff carefully recorded the president's instructions.

"Remember," Sukarno turned around, his eyes sharp, "this is a game. We can't afford to lose, but we can't lose."

After everyone else left, Subando stayed.

"Uncle," the young intelligence chief walked to the window, "I don't think we need to accept this proposal at all."

Sukarno raised his head and said: "What do you mean?"

"We should kill China's fantasy directly," Subando turned around, his eyes flashing with ambition, "let them know who is the real leader in South Asia."

"Ha," Sukarno said with a wry smile, "that's easy to say."

"We can't let China keep using us as pawns!" Subando said excitedly, "They can support whoever they want to support and check whoever they want to check. What do they think of us?"

Sukarno put down the cigarette in his hand and said: "Then tell me, without China's support and assistance, how can I hold the position of chairman of the Asian Union?"

Subando was stunned.

"How can we stabilize the situation in India and the West?" Sukarno continued, "How can we realize our ambitions?"

"We have 34 troops," Subando asked, "isn't that enough?"

"Three hundred thousand?" Sukarno sneered and walked to the armament map on the wall. "Look, how much of the equipment of these three hundred thousand troops was provided by China?"

He pointed to the data on the chart: "Field artillery, made in China. 34K rifles, made in China. Even the soldiers' uniforms and ammunition are mostly donated by China. Half of the monthly military pay is funded by China."

Subando was silent.

"Without China's support and funding," Sukarno's voice became low, "our 34-strong army cannot even be equipped with basic equipment. Why do you think England dare not act rashly? It's not because they are afraid of us, but because they are afraid of China standing behind us!"

&34;But...&34;

"There is no but," Sukarno interrupted, "In this world, strength is the only thing that matters. Everything we have now is gained with the support of China."

He walked back to his desk and said, "So, we can't say no, but we can negotiate. That's politics, kid. Some things can't be solved by blood and courage."

Subando lowered his head: "I understand, uncle."

"Go ahead," Sukarno waved his hand wearily, "and investigate the affairs of the Songyi family. Remember, be meticulous and thorough."

Watching his nephew leaving, Sukarno lit a new cigarette.

This young man is still too young. He doesn't understand that sometimes dealing with power requires more courage than fighting.

Sukarno had been dealing with this kind of thing for so long that he had become accustomed to this helplessness.

Sukarno stood in front of the window, looking at Jakarta in the night, and his thoughts gradually became clear.

Maybe…this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

He flicked off the ash from his cigarette, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

China wants Song Yimingde to join the Asian Alliance? Okay. But who says that the business sector can only have the Song Yi family?

The Lee family in Singapore plays an important role in the entire Strait of Malacca. Although their shipping network is not as large as that of the Song Yi family, their influence in the financial field is no less. Moreover, the Lee family has always been dissatisfied with England's colonial rule and is worried about finding a chance to get rid of England's control.

There is also the Aliduy family of Feilu. Their trade network in the South China Sea is spread all over the country, especially in the spices and rubber trade, where they have a monopoly. Most importantly, the Aliduy family has always wanted to break the Songyi family's monopoly on shipping...

Sukarno walked back to his desk, took out a piece of paper and began to write.

If all these business giants could be brought into the Asian Alliance and a real business alliance could be formed, Song Yimingde's status and role would naturally be diluted.

At that time, it would not be China that used Song Yimingde to check and balance itself, but China itself would use these business forces to check and balance Song Yimingde.

"Interesting," he murmured to himself, "It's getting more and more interesting."

He wrote down a few names:

Singapore Lee Family

Philodui Family

Siam Prayut Family

India Tata family

These are all famous business families in South Asia, and each of them is as powerful as the Song Yi family. If we can bring them all in...

Sukarno's eyes lit up.

In this way, not only will Song Yiminde's influence be weakened, but the Asian Alliance will also truly become a super alliance covering politics, military and economy.

And I will become the undisputed leader of this alliance.

"Chen Tong, ah Chen Tong," he chuckled, "You thought you were playing a game of chess, but you didn't know that this game could have many more variations."

He picked up the phone: "Please get me Subando."

If you want to play, then play bigger.

Let China see that Sukarno is not so easy to control.