Chapter 351: MacArthur, an eternal friend

Ambassador's residence.

Randall walked quickly to the swimming pool.

MacArthur was lying on a chair, leisurely biting on a pipe, glancing at him sideways, and said lazily:

"The President has again instructed Congress to bombard me, saying I want to partition Ghost Island and engage in dictatorship; have you heard?"

Randall lit a cigarette and stood with his hands on his hips:

"The General has fought wars for so many years and has now rebuilt Ghost Island; you are respected by all people.

"They are just jealous of you and can't stand to see you living a peaceful life.

"Don't pay attention to them."

"This matter is very troublesome," MacArthur sighed, waving his hand, and sat up.

"Now the Morgan financial group has great momentum, and more than half of that bunch of idiots in the Joint Chiefs of Staff are their people; I am being attacked from both sides," he picked up his wine glass and stood up, pacing slowly along the pool with Randall.

"What plans does the General have?" Randall asked.

"War!

"Only war can make Truman realize my importance.

"We must ignite a larger war in East Asia."

MacArthur raised his index finger and said seriously.

"War?

"Fascism has just been eliminated; the Philippines, Singapore, and Ghost Island all have our garrison troops to maintain stability; it's not very easy to find an opportunity," Randall's heart jumped, and he said.

"Stupid.

"As long as there is ideological opposition, there will be endless war.

"The Soviets are accelerating their withdrawal from the northern part of the peninsula.

"Gunfire near the 38th parallel is becoming increasingly dense; the military advisory group is not optimistic about Li Chengguan's performance in the conflict, and the armed forces in the northern peninsula equipped by the Soviets are very fierce.

"I intend to let the advisory group add more fuel to the fire and burn the war across the 38th parallel.

"By then, we will have a reason to send troops."

MacArthur calculated shrewdly.

"General, the Soviets are busy with matters in Eastern Europe; they might not necessarily enter the field," Randall knew his thoughts.

"If they don't enter, we will support Li Chengguan in unifying the peninsula.

"If they still don't enter, we will continue to burn the war into the Northeast territory.

"Regardless, this war must be fought."

MacArthur's plan was very well calculated.

"Alright," Randall nodded.

As long as the war starts, the President and Congress wouldn't dare to transfer MacArthur away arbitrarily; this was indeed a good method.

"General, there is something I don't know if I should say." After walking a few steps, Randall said.

"Speak," MacArthur said.

"War always has an end, and you will eventually retire one day.

"In the final analysis, when you leave Asia and return home, medals are just toys; only how many U. S. dollars you have in your pocket is the most real thing.

"Ke Ke didn't earn much from reselling cars in Qingdao before.

"Knowing Hong Zhiyou for less than a year, he bought an entire building next to Times Square.

"Now that he has stepped down, he is still seeking to go to Wan Island to serve as an advisor, ambassador, etc.

"Why?

"Isn't it because he tasted the sweetness and made enough profit?

"I know you don't like the Jiang father and son, but Wan Island cannot be moved; military invasion and occupation are unrealistic; instead of letting Truman's people eat the profit, why don't you take the plate and enjoy it yourself?"

Randall said.

"Are you here to be a lobbyist for Hong Zhiyou?" MacArthur frowned.

"No!

"I am a lobbyist for the General.

"Meet him; what if he can offer chips that the General thinks are suitable?

"You wouldn't go against money, would you!"

Randall said.

MacArthur was silent for a moment and asked back: "Sakata Toshio was killed?"

"Yes.

"He sent people to assassinate Hong Zhiyou.

"So..."

Randall shrugged, looking regretful.

"Hmm, he does have some means; he is a character.

"Then let's talk."

MacArthur laughed.

Soldiers, after all, naturally respect the strong.

If Hong Zhiyou didn't have some courage and guts, he wouldn't dare to stir up trouble in Tokyo.

Cooperating and negotiating with such a person is also reliable; it saves dealing with soft-footed shrimp who can't make a decision after talking for half a day, purely wasting time.

Night.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the Ambassador's residence.

Just as he reached the door, he saw Wu Fangzhi and Ikeda Sugiue getting out of a car.

"Mr. Hong.

"Shouldn't you be hiding or secretly taking a boat to leave at this time?"

Ikeda Sugiue stopped and sneered.

"Oh?" Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

"You are suspected of colluding with Tian Gangyixiong to murder Sakata-kun.

"Now the Police Agency has arrested Tian Gangyixiong, and the evidence is conclusive; do you see them?

"As soon as you walk out the door of the embassy, we will immediately arrest you."

Ikeda Sugiue pointed at the few police cars on the other side of the road and said.

"Ikeda-kun, since you pride yourself on Chinese culture, you should know that 'If people don't offend me, I won't offend people.

"If people offend me, I will definitely offend them.'

"How do you know they aren't here to arrest you?"

Hong Zhiyou put his hands in his pockets, lowered his head, and examined him.

"Haha.

"It's simply a huge joke; I am the Tokyo Governor and Cabinet Economic Minister; who dares to arrest me?

"Please."

Ikeda Sugiue laughed dryly a few times and walked in first.

Arriving in the hall.

Holson prepared seats for them and served tea.

"Wait a moment, gentlemen."

After saying this, he went to the inner hall.

Hong Zhiyou was drinking tea leisurely.

Wu Fangzhi leaned forward slightly and asked with a smile:

"Mr. Hong, Mr. Kong asked me to bring you a message: turn hostility into friendship.

"There is no hatred between you in essence.

"The trip to Shanghai last time was just you running errands for Jianfeng; positions were different, and conflicts were reasonable.

"Before I came this time, Mr. Kong specifically instructed me to make friends with you on his behalf.

"Everyone has many common interests.

"We can completely walk hand in hand and share the benefits; there is no need to become enemies."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him and asked with a faint smile: "I heard Mr. Wu once took an exam on behalf of Kong Lingkan in North America, and the result was quite good?"

"Old business from many years ago," Wu Fangzhi smiled modestly.

"That is to say, you have followed Kong Lingkan for many years and are his confidant," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yes!

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been sent to Tokyo by Mr. Kong.

"Mr. Hong, money can be earned together; if you join forces with Young Master Kong, won't the entire Wanbei be in your pocket?

"Strong alliance, wealth that reaches the heavens!"

Wu Fangzhi blinked his eyes shrewdly and whispered with a smile.

He was secretly digging a hole for Hong Zhiyou.

Judging from the speculation with Ikeda Sugiue last night, Hong Zhiyou's trip was mostly to beg for favors and waste time.

If he was really persuaded by himself.

He could turn around and expose him to the media, or let Madam blow wind to the Generalissimo.

The Kong family were relatives; how to take it and how to divide it was their own family business.

For him, Hong Zhiyou, to openly share the spoils—what does he think he is!

With the temperament of the Jiang father and son, at a time when they had been defeated on the mainland and repeatedly stabbed in the back, for Hong Zhiyou to dare to play like this was seeking his own death.

"Since Mr. Wu is a confidant.

"That means you can represent Young Master Kong?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Yes!

"Young Master Kong has admired you for a long time; these words were personally instructed by him," Wu Fangzhi said righteously.

"Come!"

Hong Zhiyou beckoned.

Wu Fangzhi was overjoyed and hurriedly leaned into Hong Zhiyou's ear.

"You are just a... fart!"

Hong Zhiyou whispered in his ear.

Seeing Wan An looking at him vigilantly, Wu Fangzhi acted as if he hadn't heard anything, laughed loudly without blushing or skipping a beat, raised his wine glass, and smiled at Hong Zhiyou: "Alright, alright, Mr. Hong, I wish us a happy cooperation; I'll drink to that first."

Sure enough, Wan An looked at Hong Zhiyou vigilantly.

Hong Zhiyou narrowed his eyes, rubbed his wine glass, and took a sip faintly.

He rarely had the heart to kill.

But never like this moment, wanting someone to die.

This person had an active brain, was sinister, vicious, and shameless; he was simply a natural traitor and villain, and if he didn't kill him, there would definitely be trouble in the future.

"Mr. Wu, the General invites you," Holson walked in.

"Mr. Hong, waiting for good news."

Wu Fangzhi bowed to Hong Zhiyou and walked in with his head held high.

"What did you guys talk about?

"Hong Zhiyou, I advise you, don't let down the trust Jianfeng comrade has in you.

"You spent all one hundred thousand U. S. dollars.

"If you can't get a result tonight, I will definitely report it truthfully when we get to Wan Island," Wan An said coldly.

"What's the rush!" Hong Zhiyou didn't defend himself.

Those in power never look at the process; they only look at the results.

And Hong Zhiyou happened to only care about the results.

Therefore, he didn't care at all what Wan An thought.

Soon, Wu Fangzhi walked out, looking relaxed and proud: "Zhiyou, the General's mood seems quite good; there's a chance!"

"I'm glad you're happy," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Mr. Hong, the General invites you," Holson said again.

Hong Zhiyou followed him in.

MacArthur was studying a map with a pipe in his mouth; he didn't turn his head and asked directly:

"I heard from General Randall that you have a nickname called 'God of Calculation' and once predicted to Ke Ke that the Red Ticket would defeat the Jiang government within three years.

"It indeed happened; it's incredible.

"Then tell me, if I personally send troops into the peninsula, pointing directly at your homeland's Northeast region, how long will it take to take down China?"

He pointed at the Northeast region and asked.

"Never possible," Hong Zhiyou said without hesitation.

"Are you referring to the Soviet Union sending troops to intervene?" MacArthur turned to look at him.

"No!

"I mean... you will never be able to cross the Yalu River.

"General, you might be able to use war to satisfy your inflated, arrogant ambition for a short time, making Truman and the others look up to you.

"But in the end, you will only end up in disgrace.

"Of course, this is not what I care about; let's talk about something practical."

Hong Zhiyou denied him cleanly and neatly.

MacArthur's eyes became angry and sharp, yet Hong Zhiyou didn't tremble in fear like other Asians upon seeing him.

Calm.

Bottomless calm.

"State your conditions," he raised his hand and walked toward the sofa.

"Provide four million tons of low-priced grain to Wan Island every year, and additionally provide one hundred million U. S. dollars in aid."

Hong Zhiyou spoke very concisely.

"What's in it for me?" MacArthur was also open and aboveboard.

"As long as the General can get it done, the Generalissimo is willing to provide the General with a personal benefit fee of one million U. S. dollars every year!" Hong Zhiyou said.

"One million U. S. dollars?

"Are you serious!"

This Tokyo "Supreme Emperor" was so shocked that his body leaned forward, almost standing up.

"Of course!

"If the General can agree, I can call the Generalissimo right now to confirm this matter," Hong Zhiyou said.

He was confident.

You have to know that Ke Ke, who had already retired, received a benefit fee of up to seven hundred thousand U. S. dollars every year just because he later handled military business for the Jiang family.

One hundred million U. S. dollars in real aid, plus four million tons of grain every year.

For the Jiang family, it was a huge profit.

"One million!" MacArthur repeated again.

"Wrong, it's one million every year!

"As long as the grain passes through the General to Wan Island, and as long as I, the middleman, am still alive, the General can get this money every year," Hong Zhiyou invisibly added a few safety locks for himself.

"I can solve the grain, but the aid is afraid...

"You know, the President is very dissatisfied with Jiang's failure; we invested a lot of money, and in the end, we got nothing.

"Your Madam Jiang has also operated many times, but the aid bill has always been shelved.

"The key is that money is not so easy to take; if the amount is too large, it is easy to be targeted," MacArthur shook his head and frowned.

"General, don't worry.

"I will transfer this money in batches to companies related to the General, as well as industries related to your relatives, etc.

"At worst, let your relatives and friends go to the casino; I will operate it so that your relatives win enough one million U. S. dollars.

"There is always a way for people to think of it.

"It just depends on whether you want to earn this money!"

Hong Zhiyou smiled lightly.

MacArthur's eyes suddenly had light, "Hong, your idea is as delicious as a donut, but U. S. aid needs Congressional approval, which is the territory of the Morgan financial group; I'm afraid I'm powerless."

"No.

"General, you underestimate yourself.

"Currently, North America's aid to Ghost Island is very strong; you can write truthfully on reports about education, medical care, etc., but loosen your fingers slightly when actually allocating funds.

"Or spread it out over two or three years, and squeeze it from their government's tax revenue.

"Toss it between your left and right hands, and won't the money come out?

"A mere one hundred million U. S. dollars—with Ghost Island's development speed, two or three years will be enough to clear the accounts," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Hong, you are truly a talent.

"I finally know why Ke Ke, Randall, and the others are all willing to be friends with you.

"My friend, come on!"

MacArthur laughed and reached out his hand.

"General, it is my honor to have such a distinguished gentleman friend as you," Hong Zhiyou reached out and shook his hand tightly.

"However, the aid is private.

"I will transfer money to you and also send people to North America to operate.

"The most important premise in the middle is that I must be alive.

"Does the General understand what I mean?"

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Hong, with me and the atomic bomb, no one in all of Asia dares to touch you.

"This is a promise from a friend."

MacArthur patted him on the shoulder and agreed readily.

"Thank you," Hong Zhiyou bowed slightly.

"However, I have one more presumptuous request.

"For the four million metric tons of grain every year, the General only reports the total price amount to Wan Island at a lower price, not the specific metric tonnage.

"This way, I can also scrape some price rebates from it.

"Of course, to show sincerity, I am willing to take two percent of the dividends from these rebate grains and give them to the General as an extra gift.

"The General should know that although I am a Colonel of the National Government, I am more of a businessman.

"A businessman does nothing without profit; I hope the General will allow it," Hong Zhiyou said righteously.

"That is to say.

"I secretly raise the grain price by ten percent, and within the total price range, the grain you report to Wan Island can have ten percent of the tonnage left over.

"Then you sell it from Xiangdao through the company.

"And give me two percent of the dividends from the proceeds?"

MacArthur didn't know much about business and asked after breaking it down carefully.

"General is wise," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Understood; it seems that after doing the accounts in the future, I have to raise the price for your President Jiang by another twenty or thirty percent," MacArthur understood immediately.

"Yes.

"This is my business cooperation with the General.

"You have power and resources; I have sales channels; we are a perfect match, nothing more!"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Perfect.

"Cheers."

MacArthur personally poured him wine, and the two clinked glasses.

"However, when talking to the Generalissimo later, you need to bite the bullet and insist; if I say it, it will arouse suspicion," Hong Zhiyou reminded.

"Don't worry, my friend.

"I just have to sneeze, and your Generalissimo will be so scared he won't be able to sleep.

"He won't dare not to obey!"

MacArthur laughed.

"If I had known you were so interesting and that cooperating with you to make money was so simple, I should have summoned you to Tokyo long ago.

"My friend, you wasted a few good years of mine."

Speaking of this, he patted Hong Zhiyou on the shoulder, feeling like they met too late.

"General, it's not too late now," Hong Zhiyou said.

"As long as you don't fight..."

He pointed at the peninsula again.

"Hong, I am a soldier.

"Money is certainly important.

"But if I don't fight, I could be dismissed at any time.

"Only by winning can I cooperate with you for a long time."

MacArthur had a deep obsession with invading the peninsula.

You fight... you retreat faster.

Hong Zhiyou knew this was an arrogant guy.

He had no interest in wasting saliva to wake up someone pretending to sleep.

When the Volunteer Army "Daddy" cries him out, and Truman issues a notice for him to roll away, he will naturally wake up.

"Can I borrow the phone?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Of course, I can't wait," MacArthur raised his hand.

Hong Zhiyou stood up, walked to the phone, and dialed the number:

"Allied Command Office, please connect to the President's Aide Office, ask for Director Yu."

There was no long wait as in the past.

MacArthur's name was bright, and three seconds later, Yu Jishi's voice came through.

"Director Yu, it's me; MacArthur Commander wants to have a face-to-face talk with the Generalissimo, please hurry," Hong Zhiyou said.

In less than half a minute, the Generalissimo's low voice came from the other end.

"Generalissimo, it's Zhiyou.

"The Tokyo negotiation is successful; MacArthur Commander has agreed to provide millions of tons of grain every year, as well as a certain amount of loans.

"Specifically, you need to talk to him in detail; please ask Madam to translate on your behalf.

"Madam, it's me.

"I will hand the receiver to the Commander now; you talk in detail."

Hong Zhiyou said, handing the receiver to MacArthur.

MacArthur stood with his left hand on his hip and, according to what Hong Zhiyou said, started discussing conditions.

For Jiang, this was undoubtedly a great piece of good news falling from the sky.

Madam Jiang almost agreed to everything without hesitation.

They talked for about forty minutes.

MacArthur hung up the phone, leaned on the desk, looked at Hong Zhiyou, and said as if he loved him to death:

"Hong, don't leave; stay by my side and be an advisor for me."

"General, if I stay, I will lose my value.

"Don't you think?"

Hong Zhiyou spread his hands, quite helplessly.

"Alright, my friend," MacArthur turned his hands over, and that was all he could say.

"Do you have any other requirements? Just mention them," he felt it was necessary to give something, otherwise he wouldn't feel secure in his heart.

"General, someone wants to cut off your financial path."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him with a brilliant smile.

"Who?" MacArthur asked.

"Ikeda Sugiue and Wu Fangzhi," Hong Zhiyou said.

"OK!"

MacArthur understood immediately and stood up, walking toward the living room outside.

What is cutting off the financial path?

Killing Hong Zhiyou is cutting off the financial path.

If he couldn't even provide this bit of guarantee, what kind of friends were they, and what long-term cooperation?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 352 =====

Killing Hong Zhiyou means cutting off the source of wealth.

If he cannot even provide this small guarantee, what is there to talk about regarding friendship or long-term cooperation?

……

(End of chapter)