Chapter 997: Lesson

Lans hung up the phone and had Andy come over again.

As soon as Andy entered, Lans said, “Pay them fifty bolt-action rifles first.”

“Also give them ten thousand rounds of ammunition and some accompanying equipment.”

“Things like weapon belts—I’m not too clear on those; you should have some idea.”

“Get this done as soon as possible.”

Andy didn’t immediately agree. Lans looked up at him, puzzled, and saw Andy wearing a constipated expression.

“Do you have a different opinion about my decision?”

Lans’s words were like a key, unlocking Andy’s mouth.

“Mr. White, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but I don’t think now is the right time to supply them with military equipment!”

Lans pointed to the chair across from him. “Sit down. Tell me your thoughts.”

He didn’t particularly like this Andy, but since he’d been chosen to come, maybe he had some merit?

Lans didn’t know for sure, but he was willing to listen—find out what this Mr. Andy had to say.

Andy paused, gathering his thoughts. “Mr. White, they haven’t been pushed to the brink yet—this differs from our original plan.”

“We don’t yet hold absolute dominance in our relationship with them, which also contradicts the plan drafted by Congress.”

“I believe this isn’t the right time to supply them with weapons. We should wait a little longer.”

In the plan Congress gave him, a concept was mentioned broadly.

Only when these civilian resistance groups are driven to the edge by Diego’s regime—when they’ve clearly developed anti-government sentiments but have no resources and are forced to flee—will it be the right moment to deepen our ties.

At that point, they’ll be in desperation, and the Federation’s aid will become critically important; they’ll agree to conditions they’d never accept under normal circumstances.

For example, signing contracts, clauses, promising that if they ever overthrow Diego’s government, they’ll lease a portion of their territory to the Federation long-term, or designate land for Federation troops to station.

Because once they’re cornered, whether to survive or to overthrow Diego, they’ll pay any price!

In such a relationship, the Federation will firmly hold the dominant position, and everything will ultimately be decided by the Federation’s will.

Andy had read the entire plan and found it extremely reasonable and full of wisdom.

It would greatly help the Federation’s future control of the Yalan region.

But now, if Lans supplies weapons to them prematurely, their “master-servant” relationship will become an “equal trade” relationship—they give us something, and we give them something in return.

The process may look the same—the Federation delivers sensitive supplies to them—but the outcome will be completely different!

Andy’s opposition wasn’t entirely without merit; at least from his position, rejecting Lans’s request wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

After listening, Lans nodded. “You have some point—but Andy, the world is chaotic.”

“A week ago, you knew you’d be traveling to Lapa—but something unexpected could still happen: maybe they picked a new candidate, or you suddenly couldn’t come.”

“The plan Congress showed you is only an ideal scenario—the outcome we could achieve under perfect conditions.”

“It’s like I’m in a casino, placing my only chip on a single number in roulette, predicting that if I win, I’ll get a massive payout.”

“But the ball won’t necessarily land in the slot I want.”

Lans paused, pulled out his ivory cigarette case, lit one, and said, “The situation here is the same. What you hold is the manual for the best-case scenario—but events here are unfolding differently.”

“Pedro is a high school teacher. I know you—and some others—look down on him, thinking… he’s just a high school teacher, what can he possibly do?”

“But I want to remind you: this is Lapa, not the Federation. Here, becoming a high school teacher is as difficult as becoming a university professor in the Federation!”

“His learning ability, his capacity to absorb new things, his discernment and analytical skills—none of the Federation’s high school teachers can match him.”

“From the fact that he called me immediately, you should already see that!”

He used “you should see,” but the problem was Andy “couldn’t”—so this was a relatively mild accusation: he was accusing Andy of failing to understand the situation.

Andy had been listening. Now he couldn’t help retorting, “Mr. White, I think what you’ve said has nothing to do with what’s happening now.”

“He wants something from us—fine. But he should follow our rules.”

“He wants to trade with us as equals—that’s not what we want. We want him to bow his head clearly.”

“I think we can delay. Make up an excuse—say Lapa’s customs seized our shipping containers. He won’t dare go to customs to demand an explanation.”

“Or say we need time to weigh the pros and cons of doing this.”

“Diego’s regime is pressuring them hard—they’ll crack soon. Then we can take the initiative, just as the plan says.”

Lans studied Andy again. “May I ask, what’s your major?”

At this, Andy lifted his chin slightly. “I graduated from Halesston University with a degree in sociology!”

Lans nodded. “I’ve heard Halesston University is one of the Alliance’s institutions. You’re not an Ark member?”

This caused Andy’s proud chin to drop. He wasn’t an Ark member—not even a reserve crew member, because he wasn’t good enough.

Some of his classmates were—full crew members—but he could only learn fragments about the Ark from others’ casual remarks.

He knew it was a global secret society that had emerged over the past century, with people proudly joining such secret groups and parties.

He wanted to join the Ark too—but he wasn’t good enough. No one from the Ark contacted him, nor did anyone offer to recommend him.

“I… am not. But what does that have to do with what we’re discussing?” His tone suddenly stiffened after admitting it.

Lans smiled. “I’m just curious—if you were good enough, you wouldn’t ask these questions.”

“I don’t know who you’re following here, but I hope you understand one thing.”

“You’re here to work—not to decide what can or cannot be done!”

“The report you admire? Unluckily, I wrote it. I now believe the problems we’re facing don’t align slowly enough with my earlier predictions, so I’ve made adjustments. That’s all.”

“If you want me to explain further, I don’t mind spending time clarifying it for you.”

“Do you?”

Lans’s words turned Andy’s face crimson. The report he’d always treated as an unbreakable work principle—was written by this gangster?

How could that be?

His mindset instantly cracked—anger, fear, resentment, even the thought that God was fucking unfair!

Countless thoughts and emotions flashed and collided inside him like lightning; his body trembled slightly.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly stood up, expressionless. “I know what to do.”

Without looking back, he left Lans’s room. He tried to preserve his dignity—but he’d already lost it.

Lans watched his retreating back and thought the man was fucking ridiculous. After a moment, he sent someone to call Albert over.

In this delegation, Andy clearly respected Albert more—not only because Albert was still a government employee, but also because his political status and influence were clearly higher than Andy’s.

“I just saw Andy. He seemed off,” Albert said after greeting Lans. They lived on the same floor; Albert had seen Andy return to his room in obvious distress while smoking in the hallway and realized something had happened.

Lans briefly explained. Albert paused, then fell into thought.

“I didn’t expect Congress to send someone like this. I’ll mention this to the senators and get him replaced as soon as possible.”

Their work was inherently risky—and somewhat… not entirely aboveboard.

This kind of job required unity. But Andy openly opposing Lans’s decision clearly made him unsuitable.

Removing him or sending him back was clearly the right move now.

Lans nodded. “Handle it as you see fit.”

Albert asked curiously, “Forgive me for being forward, but I’d like to know—why did you make this decision?”

The two locked eyes for a moment. Albert’s gaze was calm—exactly how a man like him should look. Lans couldn’t tell if Albert truly didn’t understand—or was pretending.

But he didn’t mind explaining to Albert.

“Pedro reached out to us voluntarily. That means he’s already seen the connections behind this famine and unrest—that we orchestrated it.”

“We arrived, and disaster followed. Saying that… makes me feel like I’m not the hero.”

Albert chuckled. “Congressmen won’t like that description!”

Lans smiled too. “But they see it. Pedro sees it. So do the ruling class, the ruling groups—can they see it too?”

“Right now, Lapa is like the old Empire, where nobles began to eye the Emperor’s rule—and everything he possessed.”

“Soon, a bunch of mud-sucking lackeys with no means of production grew powerful enough to force the Emperor and his loyal troops to flee the capital in disgrace.”

“If those mud-sucking lackeys hadn’t been so stupid—fighting among themselves over who would preside over the surrender ceremony—the Empire’s political landscape might have changed drastically!”

“Now, Lapa is the same. If Pedro sees it, others must see it too.”

“If a minister’s representative contacted Pedro now, offering weapons, supplies, everything—and crucial intelligence—”

“Albert, do you think he’d still side with us?”

“Do you think other ruling groups would immediately follow suit?”

“If all this happens—if it all unfolds—what’s left for us?”

Compared to accepting aid from us, the shadowy forces behind the scenes, and signing unfair treaties, these traditional ruling powers are far more acceptable and welcome to them.

“So we need to adjust our strategy early to adapt to the changing situation.”

“But Andy doesn’t understand any of this. He lacks sufficient political wisdom!”

Albert’s gaze toward Lans now held unmistakable shock!

He hadn’t actually seen as deeply as Lans imagined—he’d only sensed the moment was turning, so he’d stayed cautious, avoiding any active intervention.

Now that Lans laid it all out so clearly, he understood instantly—and Lans had even used the Empire as an example!

Though the Empire’s massive uprising had been mostly crushed, everyone still remembered it vividly.

Albert frowned. “I’ll report this to Congress and have him reassigned.”

Lans knew this. He didn’t want to repeat it to Congress—he’d told Albert directly. Whether Albert had suspected or understood before didn’t matter to him.

“I’m worried he might refuse my orders. Keep an eye on him.”

“This affects the entire plan’s execution and outcome. No mistakes allowed!”

Albert nodded. “I’ll handle it personally.”

He rose to leave, lost in thought, heading back down to his floor.

He soon arrived outside Andy’s door, knocked, and the door opened shortly after.

Seeing it was Albert, the team leader, Andy’s cold expression softened slightly. “What do you want?”

Before he was “educated” by Lans, he would have invited Albert in willingly, but now he had no such inclination.

He had been beaten by a crime boss, and he felt his entire perception of the world had been shaken.

Albert glanced inside. “You’re alone?”

Andy nodded. “I don’t do those things.”

This delegation certainly wasn’t just the two of us—there were other members, experts, journalists, people from all walks of life.

It’s cultural exchange; even if it’s fake, it has to look real.

Over this period, many delegation members have grown accustomed to life here. They’ve all found companions—spending days sightseeing, nights in their rooms.

Someone told Albert about it. He reprimanded those under his authority, and things improved slightly.

Now, instead of doing these things in their own rooms, these people have begun frequenting Zolan’s red-light district.

Just as a red-light district formed outside Jincheng Military Base, a similar area has gradually emerged around Zolan Hotel, catering exclusively to foreigners.

Young, beautiful girls have voluntarily taken up this work. They don’t even see accompanying foreigners as shameful—on the contrary, they consider it honorable.

They earn money and experience foreign customs. How many people would envy them?

Andy stood at the door without inviting him in. He suspected Andy might have brought a girl inside. For guests here, all they had to do was pick up the room phone, tell the front desk, and a girl would arrive soon.

Albert’s gesture made Andy realize something. He immediately stepped aside. “Come in. It’s a bit messy—I haven’t tidied up.”

After entering, the two sat down. The room wasn’t messy at all. Andy’s excuse was merely a justification—or explanation—for his earlier refusal to let Albert in.

“I just went to see Lans. He told me some things about you.”

“We haven’t really talked since we arrived, Andy.”

His words made Andy slightly tense. The International Economic Cooperation Agency was a direct congressional department. In other words, Albert, as a key member, answered directly to the senators.

He could call senators directly. He might not be a high-ranking politician himself, but his influence clearly far exceeded his official position.

The former mayor of Jincheng, Sidney, lost his battle against the city’s local interest groups precisely because of his humble background—he had no congressional connections.

So the moment a senator appeared, all his plans collapsed!

For someone like Andy, a low-level political participant, senators were distant figures—even if he met one, the senator might not even speak to him.

But Albert was real, tangible, and could influence those people. Andy instantly straightened his back, sitting stiffly like a Boy Scout.

“I… I was just worried this might disrupt Congress’s plan…” he blurted out, then immediately remembered that the plan had been written by Lans—his expression flickered slightly.

Albert stared at him for several seconds. “Andy, you didn’t design this plan. You’re not its leader. You’re just a bottom-level follower, an executor.”

“Tools don’t need their own thoughts. You can question, but you must keep your opinions to yourself—don’t interfere with the work.”

“Frankly, I’m considering applying to have you reassigned back home. I think you’ve become a threat to our operational security.”

Hearing this, Andy’s face turned deathly pale!

(End of Chapter)