"What's going on? Grouping up in the middle of the night, what happened?"
Victor raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Did the United States explode?"
Casare looked gossip-like, "Boss, a squad infiltrated Texas attempting to behead Paul Constantine Stuart, the members belong to the Indian Black Cat Special Forces, but it's said the organizer is The Pentagon."
"According to our inside intel, six were captured, the rest all perished, and you'd never guess how they died; a helicopter crashed into a mountain, and four special forces members in the other one fell to their deaths during descent…"
"The non-combat attrition reached as high as 14!"
"These Indian Black Cats, I think they're more like Indian sick cats now."
Victor blinked and chuckled, "When God created humans, he must have put a condom on the Indians."
This statement sent everyone into bursts of laughter.
"Although the mission failed, our insider says President Paul is very angry and dissatisfied with The Pentagon's actions. Perhaps we can add more fuel to the fire," Kennedy said in a hoarse voice.
"What's wrong with your throat?" Victor asked.
Kennedy was startled, "Nothing, just a little cold."
"When you go downstairs later, let Doctor Carl Brandt take a look at you. You need to take care of your health, after all, a healthy body is the capital for revolution. I'm still waiting to go fishing with you guys when we're old," Victor said with genuine sincerity.
And indeed, his words warmed their hearts.
Doctor Carl Brandt is Victor's personal physician, a lifelong professor at Harvard Medical School, the head of Johns Hopkins Hospital, and now an honorary Major General in the Internal Affairs Bureau!
"Okay." Kennedy nodded.
"Let's go, let's talk in the office, the weather is too hot," Victor walked ahead, then suddenly stopped and gestured to Casare, "Give me a cigarette to refresh."
Casare quickly took out a Camel and handed it over, then distributed them to the others as well.
A group of them smoked and headed to the nearby meeting room.
As soon as Victor sat down, he said, "Feel free to speak your mind."
"Perhaps we can send Bramo to meet Paul to convey our intentions," Casare began, "Most importantly, Illinois needs his leadership to help us intervene in more internal affairs of the United States. Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie are in North Chicago, and Baxter International is in Deerfield, which are giants in the medical industry."
"There's also Caterpillar, one of the world's largest construction and mining equipment manufacturers, as well as agricultural and forestry equipment producer John Deere, and even the major departments of Boeing. If we take Illinois, it can internally bolster Mexico, and many of our industries can thrive."
These companies sound mouthwatering.
Could Victor not be tempted?
He absolutely was!
Especially Boeing; not just in military industries, but civil aviation development depends on it. Mexico needs a large aircraft industry, involving high-tech fields like material science, precision manufacturing, electronic systems, and aviation engines, promoting the cooperative development of industries like metallurgy, chemicals, mechanical manufacturing, and electronic information, creating a large industrial cluster and high-value-added employment opportunities.
It benefits from international competition and discourse power to national defense and military strategy levels.
After all, only a few countries can independently develop large aircraft.
You can say Americans are bad, but you can't say they're incompetent; even if Victor burns all his points, he has to admit there's still a huge gap in many industries compared to the United States.
"What do you guys think?" He looked at the others.
Admiral Horatio Herbert Kitchener nodded, "I think it's feasible, Illinois is located in the Midwest of the United States, adjacent to Lake Michigan. It's a strategic hub connecting the Eastern and Western United States, leading in soy and corn production. Whether viewed from a military or livelihood perspective, it can bring considerable returns to Mexico."
"This pertains to our strategy," remarked Army Chief Sigismund William List, rarely speaking but decisively affirming this direction.
"Bramo alone won't suffice, even sent advisors lack qualification. I think we need to send a General to oversee and provide military support."
Victor smoked, pondering deeply.
Was he not a gambler too?
The United States resembled an openly welcoming prostitute, and you just had to bet that she isn't diseased. If you lose, be more careful next time; if you win, at least it'll pleasure you for quite a while.
"Does anyone have any recommendations?"
The group exchanged glances.
"Speak freely," Victor reiterated.
"Northern War Zone 335th Army Commander Sigismund William List Major General is a typical German Prussian officer, renowned for strict discipline, tactical professionalism, valuing military planning and execution efficiency, inclined to follow traditional tactics over radical ventures, sometimes overly cautious."
Kennedy considered, being the Defense Minister, he was well-suited to evaluate military leaders.
"Northern War Zone 337th Army Commander Ludwig Becker Major General is sharp, determined, with moral courage, rational prudence, and traditional conservatism, a deep-thinking rationalist."
"Eastern Theater 179th Army Commander Otto Moritz Walter Model Major General is more pragmatic, not bound by tradition, famous for his severity, might be harsh or even brutal with subordinates. It's okay for Mexican troops, being our people, but precautions are necessary in commanding the Illinois National Guard; he excels at turning situations around in desperate times!"
"Also, Northern War Zone 336th Army Commander Walter von Brauchitsch Major General, deeply influenced by traditional military values, emphasizes obedience, discipline, and honor, but is indecisive and lacks the courage to resist, which is his flaw."
Kennedy made several recommendations, detailing each's personality, weaknesses, and strengths comprehensively.
This showcases his competency as Defense Minister.
"Who do you think is most suitable?"
Kennedy hesitated briefly, "The 337th Army Commander Ludwig Becker Major General, even though he's conservative, we're not planning to rely on the National Guard to expand territories; all we need is to hold Illinois."
"Of course, this presumes Bramo can successfully take Illinois' political power!"
Victor knew the 337th Army, it used to be the 337th Division before military reforms, where Casare's little brother previously served. The scandalous 'pension embezzlement incident' originated from this division.
Ludwig Becker performed well and zealously back then by having the troops intervene to suppress some bad apples, avoiding internal issues, which was the main reason he wasn't ousted during the purges.
Moreover, he has a distinguished service record. He captured the Jalisco New Generation's leader El Mencho, climbing ranks from company commander to current army commander, also considered his old crony.
"Bring him back, I want to see him."
Victor was willing to give the veteran a chance, but thought it best to meet with him.
Kennedy nodded in agreement.
"There are still many ambitious people in America; we must provoke them. With such a big cake, I can't believe they're not drooling. The Black Panther Party can also talk with the people in California…"
"Mr. Leader."
At that moment, Jeff Bennett, the Chief of the Intelligence Bureau who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke up.
Everyone looked at him.
"What's the matter?"
"Our advisor Frigga Ackman reported that Eldridge Cleaver of the Black Panther Party has been so mentally disturbed from substance abuse that he didn't reward the heroes who attacked President Mountain and The Pentagon, but instead shot them. Many underlings are dissatisfied, and if not reined in, the Black Panther Party might erupt into internal chaos."
!!!!
Victor squinted, breathing heavily through his nostrils.
Everyone could sense his displeasure.
Drug abuse was intolerable, but you could overlook it if useful. Now that he's staggeringly deranged, that's crossing the line.
"Is there anyone who can replace him?"
"Sipan Ya Westbrook, whom we appointed as the Black Panther Party's deputy leader."
"Then replace him, eliminate Eldridge Cleaver and his men. Clean up the mess, and once it's tidy, have Sipan Ya Westbrook immediately contact California. If negotiations succeed, it could trigger unrest."
"Tell him, I don't want the Black Panther Party holding me back at this critical juncture. If he desires to establish an equal black society, sacrifices are needed."
Victor seemed like a house dealer behind the scenes, watching as gamblers named "America" came to the table, each exuding greed and desire, believing they could win it all.
But little did they know, one of the players seated next to them was merely a plant."
Therefore, in the end, the gamblers might have small wins, but the house wins even more!
…