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

Chapter 1279 Treating Sukarno to Fish

The sun is still shining brightly in Jakarta.

Chen Tong's life seemed ridiculously leisurely. Today was a sunny day, and he once again went fishing with a few of his confidants.

"Commander," Wang Chengan handed over a cup of coffee, "Have you been too idle recently?"

Chen Tong smiled without saying anything, looking at the sea intently.

On the surface, the highest commander of the Chinese garrison seemed to have no interest in power. He was either fishing at the beach or locked up in the barracks reading. Occasionally, he would attend important meetings of the Asian Alliance, but he always acted as if it had nothing to do with him.

Many people are talking behind the scenes: China really seems to have no ambition to control South Asia.

But only a very few people know that beneath this calm appearance, there is an invisible network hidden.

Every morning, thick intelligence documents would be delivered to Chen Tong's desk:

Sukarno's secret meeting records,

Details of Wen'ang's troop movements,

Every financial transaction of Ruan Wenming,

The call records of senior officials from various countries,

Cargo lists for important ports,

......

Through the CIA's tight network in South Asia, every big and small event happening in this land could not escape Chen Tong's eyes.

"Reporting to the chief," Wang Cheng'an suddenly lowered his voice, "News came from Singapore that Consul Ingrid secretly met with several opposition groups last night."

Chen Tong still looked at the sea with a smile: "I know. Let Lao Zhou keep a close eye on it, and when the time is right..."

He didn't finish, but Wang Cheng'an already understood.

"Also," Wang Chengan continued to report, "there was an explosion in the Cotton Country's arsenal last night, and Wen Ang is furious."

"Yes," Chen Tong nodded, "tell Ruan Wenming that we can start the action."

In this way, in between fishing, the overall situation in South Asia changed quietly in his hands.

No one knows that those seemingly accidental accidents and sudden changes are all controlled by this seemingly leisurely man.

"Commander, the fish has taken the bait," Wang Cheng'an reminded.

Chen Tong slowly reeled in his rod, and saw a big fish struggling in the sun.

Like this fish, all of South Asia is on his line, but he is unaware of it.

"Tonight," Chen Tong looked at the fish, "invite Sukarno to our house for dinner."

Wang Chengan immediately understood: something big was about to happen again.

And Chen Tong still maintained his leisurely look, as if he was really just a general who loved fishing.

This may be the most brilliant art of ruling.

In the evening, when Sukarno arrived at the military camp, he unexpectedly found Chen Tong busy in the kitchen.

"General Chen," Sukarno said in surprise, "you cook for me yourself?"

Chen Tong was concentrating on processing the fish he had caught that afternoon, his movements were skillful and precise: "I have nothing to do, so I practiced my skills."

Sukarno looked at Chen Tong's serious face and couldn't help but sigh: "The general is so serious in everything he does."

"You have to be serious," Chen Tong said with a smile, "Look at this fish, it looks fresh on the surface, but there are a lot of bones inside. If you don't handle it well, it might choke you."

He removed the fishbone expertly: "Just like your position in the Asian Union, Chairman. It looks glamorous on the surface, but in reality..."

Sukarno's expression froze.

"Although the Chairman holds military power," Chen Tong continued, his hands moving, "his foundation is not solid enough, and his prestige is not high enough. It's like this fish. It's not enough to have meat, the bones also need to be processed."

Sukarno remained silent. He knew what Chen Tong said was true.

"Look," Chen Tong pointed at the fish, "these small bones may seem insignificant, but if they are not handled properly, it will be very troublesome when eating. Just like the representatives of those small countries, they are respectful to the chairman on the surface, but secretly..."

&34;What do you mean, General?&34;

Chen Tong put down the knife and looked directly at Sukarno: "The Chairman needs more support and a more solid foundation. He cannot hold on to this position with military power alone."

Sukarno smiled bitterly: "The general is right. But I have been working hard all these years..."

"It's good to work hard," Chen Tong picked up the knife again, "but you have to go in the right direction. For example, if you only focus on removing the scales on the surface of this fish but ignore the bones inside, you are putting the cart before the horse."

He began to cut the fish: "What the Chairman needs most now is to establish real prestige within the Asian Alliance. Not by force, but by..."

&34;Rely on what?&34;

Chen Tong did not answer directly, but continued to handle the fish in his hand: "Chairman, why do you think I should invite you to eat this fish?"

Sukarno was stunned.

"Because," Chen Tong said meaningfully, "some things need to be savored slowly to be understood. Just like this fish, it needs to be processed patiently to become a delicacy."

Sukarno looked at Chen Tong thoughtfully.

He suddenly realized that this meal was probably more than just a simple dinner.

Chen Tong was still concentrating on processing the fish, as if he was just preparing a dish.

"By the way, General Chen," Sukarno came back to his senses, "I brought two bottles of good wine, top-quality red wine imported from France."

As he spoke, he secretly pondered the deeper meaning of Chen Tong's words.

"Oh?" Chen Tongyi sprinkled the chopped green onions carefully, his movements were so graceful that he didn't look like a soldier. "The Chairman is thoughtful. The fish is almost ready."

He sprinkled the last handful of chopped green onions on the snow-white fish meat and nodded with satisfaction: "It's time to have a good drink tonight. After all, there are other guests coming."

Sukarno was stunned: "Other guests?"

"Yes," Chen Tong turned around to get the plate with a mysterious smile on his face, "You will know in a moment."

Sukarno was moved: "I wonder who else the general has invited?"

"Keep it secret," Chen Tong smiled as he put the fish on a plate, "but I think the Chairman will be very surprised when he sees it."

This way of speaking made Sukarno even more curious. Given Chen Tong's personality, the "surprise" he specially arranged must not be a simple matter.

"General, can't you reveal a little bit?"

"Are you anxious?" Chen Tong glanced at Sukarno meaningfully, "Hasn't the Chairman always wanted to establish his authority in the Asian Union? Perhaps tonight's guests can help."

Sukarno's heartbeat suddenly quickened.

Just then, the sound of a car was heard outside.

"Ah," Chen Tong looked at his watch, "I've arrived just in time. The fish is just out of the pot and the wine is ready."

He turned to Sukarno and said, "Chairman, get ready to meet our distinguished guest tonight."

Sukarno stood there, looking at Chen Tong's confident look, and suddenly realized: this man was probably playing another big game.

And I might very well be an important piece in this game.

The footsteps outside the door were getting closer and closer, and Sukarno's heartbeat was getting faster and faster.

He knew that tonight was not destined to be a simple dinner.