Chapter 387: MacArthur, the Eternal Friend

The ambassador's residence.

Randall walked quickly to the pool.

MacArthur lay on a lounge chair, leisurely puffing on a pipe, and glanced at him sideways, saying lazily:

"The President has instructed Congress to bombard me again, saying I want to partition the Ghost Island and establish a dictatorship. Have you heard?"

Randall lit a cigarette, put his hands on his hips, and said:

"General, you have fought wars for so many years, and now you have rebuilt the Ghost Island; the people revere you.

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

"Don't pay them any mind."

"This matter is very troublesome." MacArthur waved his hand with a sigh and sat up.

"The Morgan consortium has great momentum now, and more than half of those idiots on the Joint Chiefs of Staff are their people; I am being attacked from both front and rear." He picked up his wine glass, stood up, and paced slowly along the pool with Randall.

"What are the General's plans?" Randall asked.

"War!

"Only war can make Du Lumen realize my importance.

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

MacArthur raised his index finger and said solemnly.

"War?

"We have just eliminated the fascists, and we have garrison troops maintaining stability in the Philippines, Singapore, and the Ghost Island; it is not easy to find an opportunity," Randall said, his heart skipping a beat.

"Foolish.

"As long as there is an ideological opposition, there will be an 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 Chengwang's performance in the conflict; the armed forces in the northern peninsula equipped by the Soviets are very formidable.

"I intend to let the advisory group stir up more trouble and let the flames of war burn across the 38th parallel.

"Then we will have a reason to send troops."

MacArthur said with deep, calculating cunning.

"General, the Soviets are busy with matters in Eastern Europe; they may not necessarily intervene," Randall said, knowing his thoughts.

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

"If they still don't intervene, we will continue to let the flames of war burn into the Northeast territory.

"In any case, this war must be fought."

MacArthur's wishful thinking was very loud.

"Alright." Randall nodded.

As long as the war started, the President and Congress would not 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 retire sooner or later.

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

"How much money did Ke Ke make reselling cars in Qingdao?

"He has known Hong Zhiyou for less than a year, and he has already bought an entire building next to Times Square.

"Even now that he has left office, he is still seeking to go to the Bay Island to serve as an advisor, ambassador, and so on.

"Why?

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

"I know you don't like the Jiang family father and son, but the Bay Island cannot be moved; military invasion and occupation are unrealistic. Instead of letting Du Lumen's people eat the profits, why don't you take the initiative to 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 finds 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 and said with a look of regret.

"Hmm, he still has some means; he is a character.

"Then let's talk."

MacArthur laughed.

A soldier, after all, naturally respects the strong.

If Hong Zhiyou didn't have some mettle and guts, how would he dare to cause trouble in Tokyo.

Cooperating and negotiating with such a person is reliable; it saves dealing with some spineless cowards who can't make a decision after talking for a long time, which is a pure waste of time.

Evening.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the ambassador's residence.

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

"Mr. Hong.

"Shouldn't you be hiding or secretly leaving by boat 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 Department has already arrested Tian Gangyixiong, and the evidence is conclusive. Do you see them?

"When you walk out of the ambassador's residence later, we will arrest you immediately."

Ikeda Sugiue pointed to several police cars across the road and said.

"Ikeda-kun, since you claim to admire Chinese culture, you should know that 'if people do not offend me, I do not offend them.'

"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 scrutinized him.

"Haha.

"That is a huge joke. I am the Governor of Tokyo and the Cabinet Minister of Economy; who would dare to arrest me?

"Please."

Ikeda Sugiue chuckled dryly and walked in first.

Arriving at the hall.

Holsen prepared seats for them and served tea.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen."

After saying this, he went to the inner hall.

Hong Zhiyou drank his 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 essential hatred between you.

"During your last trip to Shanghai, you were just running errands for Jiang Jianfeng; your positions were different, and it is reasonable that there were conflicts.

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

"We all have 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 that Mr. Wu once took an exam on behalf of Kong Lingkan in North America, and the result was quite good?"

"That was an old matter 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, we can make money together. If you join forces with Young Master Kong, wouldn't the entire North Bay be in your pocket?

"A strong alliance, immense wealth!"

Wu Fangzhi blinked his eyes shrewdly and said with a low laugh.

His words were secretly setting a trap for Hong Zhiyou.

Judging from the speculation last night with Ikeda Sugiue, Hong Zhiyou's trip here is mostly to sponge off others and drift through life.

If he were truly persuaded by himself.

He could turn around and expose him to the media, or have the Lady whisper in the ears of the Leader.

The Kong family are relatives; how things are taken and how they are divided is a family matter.

For him, Hong Zhiyou, to openly demand a share—who does he think he is!

Given the temperament of the Jiang father and son, with the mainland defeated and repeatedly suffering backstabs, for Hong Zhiyou to still dare to play like this is simply seeking his own death.

"Since Mr. Wu is a trusted aide."

"Does that mean you can represent Young Master Kong?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I can!"

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

"Come here!"

Hong Zhiyou beckoned.

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

"You are just a... fart!"

Hong Zhiyou leaned to his ear and whispered a curse.

Seeing Wan An watching him vigilantly from the side, Wu Fangzhi acted as if he had heard nothing, laughed heartily without blushing or skipping a beat, raised his glass to Hong Zhiyou, and smiled: "Good, good, Mr. Hong, here is to our pleasant cooperation, I will drink first as a sign of respect."

Sure enough, Wan An looked at Hong Zhiyou with vigilance.

Hong Zhiyou's eyes narrowed slightly as he stroked his wine glass and took a faint sip.

He rarely felt the urge to kill.

Yet he had never, like at this moment, wanted someone to die so badly.

This person had a quick mind, was underhanded, vicious, and shameless; he was simply a natural-born traitor and villain. If he didn't get rid of him, there would surely be trouble in the future.

"Mr. Wu, the General requests your presence," Holson walked in.

"Mr. Hong, I await the good news."

Wu Fangzhi bowed to Hong Zhiyou, then walked in with his head held high and chest puffed out.

"What did you two talk about?

"Hong Zhiyou, I advise you, do not betray the trust Comrade Jiang Jianfeng has in you.

"You spent the hundred thousand dollars completely.

"If you can't negotiate a result tonight, I will certainly report it truthfully once we reach Wandao."

Wan An said coldly.

"What's the rush!" Hong Zhiyou did not 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 as well.

Therefore, he did not care at all what Wan An was thinking.

Soon, Wu Fangzhi walked out, looking relaxed and smug: "Zhiyou, the General seems to be in a pretty good mood, there's a chance!"

"As long as you are happy," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Mr. Hong, the General requests your presence," Holson said again.

Hong Zhiyou followed him inside.

MacArthur was puffing on a pipe while studying a map; he did not turn his head and asked directly:

"I heard from General Randall that you have a nickname, the Divine Calculator, and once asserted to Kirk that the Red Party would defeat the Jiang government within three years.

"It did indeed happen, which is quite incredible.

"So tell me, if I were to personally send troops into the peninsula, pointing straight at your homeland in the Northeast region, how long would it take to conquer Huaxia?"

He pointed at the Northeast region as he spoke.

"It is impossible forever," Hong Zhiyou said without hesitation.

"Are you referring to the Soviet Union intervening?" MacArthur turned his head to look at him.

"No!

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

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

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

"Of course, that is not my concern; let us talk about something practical."

Hong Zhiyou rejected him cleanly and decisively.

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

Calm.

A bottomless calm.

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

"Provide four million tons of low-priced grain to Wandao annually, and provide one hundred million dollars in aid."

Hong Zhiyou spoke very concisely.

"What is in it for me?" MacArthur was also straightforward.

"As long as the General can make it happen, the Leader is willing to provide the General with a private kickback of one million dollars annually!" Hong Zhiyou said.

"One million dollars?

"Is this true!"

This Overlord of Tokyo was so shocked that his body leaned forward, nearly standing up.

"Of course!

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

He was confident.

One must know that the retired Kirk, just because he later brokered arms deals for the Jiang father and son, received annual kickbacks as high as seven hundred thousand dollars.

A solid one hundred million dollars in aid, plus four million tons of grain annually.

For the Jiang father and son, it was a massive profit.

"One million!" MacArthur repeated again.

"No, it is one million every year!

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

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

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

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

"The key is that the money is not easy to take; such a large amount is easily noticed."

MacArthur shook his head and frowned.

"General, rest assured.

"I will transfer this money in batches to companies related to the General, as well as industries associated with your relatives and so on.

"At worst, let your relatives and friends visit a casino; I will operate it so that your relatives win a million dollars.

"There is always a way if people think of one.

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

Hong Zhiyou smiled lightly.

MacArthur's eyes suddenly lit up, "My friend, your ideas are as delicious as a donut, but American aid requires Congressional approval, and that is the territory of the Morgan Group; I am afraid I am powerless there."

"No.

"General, you underestimate yourself.

"Currently, North America is providing significant aid to the island; you can write the truth on reports for education, medical care, etc., but when actually allocating funds, you can loosen your fingers a little.

"Or delay it for two or three years to spread it out, and then squeeze a bit from their government's tax revenue.

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

"A mere one hundred million dollars; with the island's development speed, the accounts will be balanced in two or three years."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Hong, you are truly a talent.

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

"My friend, let's do it!"

MacArthur laughed heartily and reached out his hand.

"Your Excellency General, having a distinguished gentleman like you as a friend is my honor," Hong Zhiyou reached out and shook his hand firmly.

"However, the aid is private.

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

"The most important prerequisite for this is that I must stay alive.

"Does the General understand what I mean?"

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Hong, with me, and with 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 readily agreed.

"Thank you," Hong Zhiyou said with a slight bow.

"However, I have one more request."

"For the four million metric tons of grain each year, General, please only report the total price and volume to Wandao at a lower price, without specifying the exact tonnage."

"This way, I can also skim off some surplus grain from the price difference."

"Of course, to show my sincerity, I am willing to give you twenty percent of the dividends from this skimmed grain as an extra gift, General."

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

"A businessman does not do things without profit; I hope you will grant this request."

Hong Zhiyou said righteously.

"So, in other words."

"I secretly raise the price of the grain by ten percent, and within the total price, you can have a ten percent surplus in tonnage to report to Wandao."

"Then you sell it out from Xiangdao through your company."

"And give me twenty percent of the proceeds as a dividend?"

MacArthur did not know much about business, so he asked, breaking it down in detail.

"You are brilliant, General," Hong Zhiyou said.

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

"Yes."

"This is the business cooperation between you and me."

"You have the power and the resources, and I have the sales channels. We are a match made in heaven, nothing more!"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Perfect."

"Cheers."

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

"However, when you talk to the President later, you need to insist on it firmly. If I say it, it will arouse suspicion," Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"Don't worry, my friend."

"Even if I just sneeze, your President will be too scared to sleep."

"He wouldn't dare disobey!"

MacArthur laughed.

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

"My friend, you have wasted several of my best years."

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

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

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

He pointed toward the peninsula again.

"Hong, I am a soldier."

"Money is certainly important."

"But if I don't fight, I could be relieved of my post at any time."

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

MacArthur had a deep obsession with invading the peninsula.

You will retreat even faster if you fight.

Hong Zhiyou knew this was a conceited fellow.

He had no interest in wasting his breath trying to wake someone who was pretending to be asleep.

When the Volunteer Army "Big Daddy" beat him until he cried, and Du Lumen issued a notice for him to get lost, he would naturally wake up.

"May I use the phone?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

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

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

"Allied Command Office, please connect me to the President's Aide-de-Camp Office, I need to speak to Director Yu."

There was no long wait like in the past.

Once MacArthur's name was mentioned, three seconds later, the voice of Yu Jishi came through.

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

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

"President, this is Zhiyou."

"The negotiations in Tokyo have been successful. Commander MacArthur has agreed to provide millions of tons of grain annually, as well as a certain amount of loans."

"You need to discuss the specifics with him in detail; please have the Lady translate for you."

"Lady, it's me."

"I am handing the receiver to the Commander now; you two can discuss the details."

Hong Zhiyou said as he handed the receiver to MacArthur.

MacArthur stood with his left hand on his hip and, following what Hong Zhiyou had said, began to negotiate the terms.

For Jiang, this was undoubtedly a great windfall from heaven.

Lady Jiang agreed to everything almost without hesitation.

They talked for nearly forty minutes.

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

"Hong, don't go. Stay by my side and be a staff officer for me."

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

"Don't you agree?"

Hong Zhiyou spread his hands and said quite helplessly.

"Alright, my friend," MacArthur said, turning his hands over, having no other choice.

"Do you have any other requests? Feel free to ask." He felt it was necessary to give something, otherwise, he wouldn't feel at ease.

"General, someone wants to cut off your source of wealth."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him with a brilliant smile.

"Who?" MacArthur asked.

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

"OK!"

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

What does it mean to cut off a source of wealth?

Killing Hong Zhiyou is cutting off the source of wealth.

If he couldn't even provide this bit of protection, how could they talk about being friends or long-term cooperation?

(End of chapter)