frightfiction Chapter 541: A round of tension, a clear card hitting the sore spot
Chapter 541: A round of tension, a clear card hitting the sore spot
Zhang Chi leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Ivanov, who felt as if he was being pricked by needles.
How similar is this feeling of being watched, to that old man smoking a pipe?
Ivanov subconsciously shrank his neck, then realized that something was wrong and widened his eyes, unwilling to be outdone.
The young commander-in-chief sneered in his heart, thinking that other small countries in the world might be frightened by the millions of Russian troops fighting on the Eastern Front and their powerful military strength that had a devastating effect on the Nazis.
But Zhang Chi won’t do that.
For the entire 50 years before, the Russian Bear could only be on the defensive. Even when its younger brothers on the Peninsula were clearly targeted, the Russian Bear, as the big brother of the camp, did not dare to formally step forward, which completely chilled the hearts of all its younger brothers.
How could such a powerful but reserved country possibly travel thousands of miles to Southeast Asia for an expedition anytime soon? The only thing they could do was to fund some local organizations and engage in some covert and petty activities.
So Zhang Chi simply responded strongly, without giving Ivanov and the Russian bear any face at all.
"We are well aware of your country's great sacrifices and glorious victories on the Eastern Front. The blood of millions, even tens of millions, of brave Russian soldiers dyed the land of Europe red. The people of Southeast Asia deeply respect this sacrifice."
Then the subject suddenly changed: "But at the same time, we also know what this sacrifice means - an entire generation of the best young men fell on the battlefield.
What do your country's vast factories, mines, and collective farms lack most now? Strong arms, skilled workers, and the basic labor force to feed a huge army and heavy industrial system.
Ivanov's cheek muscles twitched noticeably, and a trace of shock and anger flashed in his eyes as if a sore spot had been exposed.
The Russian bear has killed an entire generation of people. In this situation, his threats are too powerless.
He clenched his hands under the table.
Zhang Chi pretended not to notice and continued, his tone calm but every word piercing his heart:
"Nanyang is a country that values practical interests. We are willing to engage in equal and mutually beneficial trade with all countries that respect our independence. Rubber, transistors, rice, tropical fruits, canned food... these are Nanyang's advantageous products. Especially..."
He paused deliberately, his eyes sweeping over Ivanov's instantly tense body. "High-quality natural rubber and... those tiny, yet crucial transistors."
"Special Envoy Ivanov." Zhang Chi's voice suddenly became full of intimidation. "I remind you, and please convey to your country's top leaders, that any attempt to threaten Nanyang's sovereignty, undermine Nanyang's territorial integrity, or conduct any form of subversive infiltration activities within Nanyang will be regarded as the most serious provocation.
If discovered, without warning, Nanyang will immediately, completely, and permanently cut off all trade with your country. This includes, but is not limited to, rubber, transistors, and all tropical agricultural products. I mean what I say."
The huge spatial distance and the current population ratio of the Russian bear, which is strong on the outside but weak on the inside, are the reasons why Zhang Chi does not accept any threats, not to mention that he has enough gold in his hands to buy an atomic bomb at any time.
As long as an air base is obtained in Persia and B-29 long-range bombers are deployed, Nanyang can spread its "relaxed love" to the soft underbelly of the Russian bear and the Baku oil fields at any time.
It’s just that international diplomacy emphasizes threat parity. Unless Russia formally declares war on Southeast Asia, Zhang Chi will not act so extreme.
Fine beads of cold sweat oozed from Ivanov's forehead.
Every word Zhang Chi said was like a heavy hammer, hitting his most fragile nerves.
The fatal weakness of the bear has been completely exposed:
In terms of rubber, Russia's synthetic rubber technology is backward, with low output and poor quality.
Tank's rubber-coated tracks, airplane and vehicle tires, machine seals, soldiers' raincoats and boots...which one can be separated from natural rubber?
If the supply is cut off, the Soviet Union’s huge armored forces and air force will be at risk of paralysis.
Regarding transistors, Ivanov recalled that even when facing the guns of the "blue hats", the top domestic research institutes could only give the conclusion that "it cannot be imitated within ten years" and saw those desperate eyes.
This represents the absolute generation gap between Russia and Western electronic technology.
The Russian side still stubbornly believes that these transistors were smuggled from White Eagle in Southeast Asia.
Radar, communications equipment, and even future weapon systems are all dependent on this tiny component. Cut off its source, and without the backdoor communication with Southeast Asia, Russia's military technology will be left behind by an era.
As for agricultural products, the limited labor force of the Russian bear was invested in the front line and the military industry, resulting in agricultural decline and food supply shortage.
Rice and canned goods from Southeast Asia are valuable supplements that stabilize the rear and allow more manpower to be invested in production. If the supply is cut off, it will be even worse.
There is no doubt that the young founding father of Nanyang was well aware of the weakness of the Russian bear.
The bluffing intimidation pales into ridiculousness in the face of the other side's naked and precise threat of strangulation.
Zhang Chi had three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, a dragon with a bomb, while Ivanov only had a pair of three. How could he play this hand?
A young attendant beside him had a pale face.
"Mr. Zhang Chi!" Ivanov tried to raise his voice to regain his composure, but he felt a little guilty inside. "You are threatening a great red power. You should be prepared to take the consequences..."
"I can afford it." Zhang Chi interrupted him abruptly, his voice full of confidence, "Nanyang's national defense forces are ready for battle. Nanyang's industry is running at full speed. Nanyang's people are united as one."
"We have nothing to fear. It's you, Special Envoy Ivanov, on the other hand." Zhang Chi's words were as sharp as a knife, piercing the other's heart. "Are you sure you can afford to return empty-handed, or with bad news that will infuriate the Kremlin? The term 'anti-counterrevolutionary' must be familiar to you, right?"
The two words "anti-counterrevolutionary" are like deadly poison.
Ivanov seemed to see the gloomy gate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and hear the echo of the Lubyanka basement through his neck.
The huge fear instantly overwhelmed his forced dignity. His face turned pale in an instant, his lips trembled, and he wanted to say something but no sound came out.
The negotiation room was dead silent, with only his heavy breathing and the faint hiss of his burning cigar.
After a long, suffocating confrontation and a thorough exchange of views, Ivanov seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He slumped back in his chair, his voice hoarse and tired:
"Mr. Zhang Chi...what conditions do you want?"
The frost on Zhang Chi's face melted instantly and he smiled again, as if the tension just now had never happened.
"It's simple, a long-term trade contract that benefits both parties."
In fact, if possible, Zhang Chi would rather send some of the unruly natives directly to the Russians. After all, they are short of labor, right? They are even short of labor to the point of kidnapping people from the border of New Daxia.