Chapter 1218: Chapter 594: Respect the Elderly and Care for the Young! The Old Get Bang, Bang, Bang!

Casare: “I agree! I wholeheartedly agree!!”

Cuauhtémoc looked at him with a peculiar expression, uh-oh, this guy wants my position!

He wants to be President?

That won’t do, he immediately rallied his spirits, “I agree as well, and, if necessary, I think I can personally make a trip to The Pentagon.”

Fat Casare glanced sideways, oh wow, buddy, you’re really going all out?

Planning to be an ambassador to the United States?

What if you die over there?

Victor also threw them a teasing glance, “It’s your time to shine, aren’t you curious why I want to negotiate?”

Some frowned, some pondered deeply, while others remained calm.

Everyone here is smart; being elevated to a ministerial position by Victor means none of them are fools, but no one spoke up, all eyes were on him.

“Military struggle is not the main conflict. We’ve achieved our strategic goals; we need to assimilate and appease both domestically and internationally. Likewise, is it really beneficial for us if Norman Schwarzkopf falls from power?”

That makes sense.

“His relationship with Congress is poor, basically antagonistic, especially since he’s killed people on their turf. There’s no negotiating ground there. His relations with other Independent States are also bad. If someone more diplomatic replaced him, internal strife could potentially be mollified through compromise and trade-offs, which is very unfavorable to Mexico’s national policy.”

Don’t think this is impossible!

Some might be tempted to ask, can rebels really turn back?

This kind of thing, that seems impossible in Asia, could indeed happen in Europe and America!

For example, the 14th-century Wat Tyler’s uprising in the United Kingdom, when King Richard II ascended the throne in 1377. To continue the war against France, Congress levied a poll tax on everyone over the age of 14, regardless of wealth, initially at 4 pence per person. By the third levy in 1380, it had tripled, with the burden falling mostly on farmers. Corrupt tax collectors extorted funds, arousing people’s anger!

But when they fought their way in, they negotiated with the King!

And during the negotiations, the rebellion’s leaders were killed… and it just fizzled out.

In Asia, if you fight your way in and don’t kill the entire Royal Family, you’re considered to have a good heart.

Europe lacks a certain level of high-stakes gambles, always thinking about compromise, or perhaps they’ve never seen the common people as humans, just as pawns. Rebellion is merely a conversation among nobles and the elite class.

The idea of “How could a nobleman be born different?” hasn’t really set in.

Norman Schwarzkopf has offended the entire United States except for the military, the “elite class,” and the “Wall Street financial giants.” Many companies can no longer come to British Honduras; how much must they hate The Pentagon? They’d love to eat his flesh, drink his blood.

The Pentagon’s previous “allowing businesses and farm owners to form armed forces” was also a reluctant attempt by Norman Schwarzkopf to curry favor because he has offended too many people!

Isn’t such a person exactly what Victor needs now?

“Should we reach out to them proactively?” Cuauhtémoc squinted and asked.

“No need. We should appear open to negotiations, and The Pentagon will naturally come to us. For instance, at an appropriate time, praise Norman Schwarzkopf’s leadership of the U.S. Military and his performance in the Gulf War. Once our tone changes, they’ll understand our intentions.”

“And what about the Texas Republic and Bramo’s Illinois Republic…”

Victor quieted for a moment before speaking, “National interests have to outweigh verbal agreements. A broken and struggling United States is the best kind of United States.”

If a civil war drags on for two to three, three to four years, the American economy will completely collapse.

Then, it will become a second-rate country, and its influence over Mexico will gradually diminish.

How does that saying go?

A desperate animal’s fight is particularly fierce. If Mexico truly presses into Washington, will The Pentagon make a heaven and earth move? A mutual destruction?

Who knows?

No one can bet on that.

So let Norman Schwarzkopf go and fight those Independent States in a civil war, whichever side falters, Victor will add some bargaining chips to that side.

Moreover, as the war drags on, the prices of essential goods like food, steel, medicine, etc., will undoubtedly skyrocket. Mexico, sitting nearby, can make profits both as arms dealers and medical suppliers. Why not?

After listening to Victor’s plan, everyone in the office fell silent…

Goodness…

What a vicious move!

“The think tank will complete the specific plan within the next week. If there are any questions, they can be addressed then. For now, the priority is to normalize the occupied territories; understood?”

“Understood!”

Victor nodded in satisfaction, checked his watch, “Alright, everyone get to work, but Casare and Cuauhtémoc stay.”

Squeak~ Squeak~

The sound of chairs scraping the floor echoed as the ministers got up and left, leaving only the “Mexican Big Three” in the office.

Victor spoke directly, “We need to become more institutionalized. I think it’s time to form a Mexican Cabinet, to pool ideas for national policy and future direction.”

This is something he’s wanted to do for a long time!

Though consolidating all power is quite exhilarating, in Victor’s lifetime, no one can challenge his position, but what happens after he dies? Wouldn’t there be power struggles then?

Don’t say it’s impossible…

Mongolia’s leader’s tombstone isn’t even up yet.

Cuauhtémoc and Casare exchanged a glance, the former asked softly, “Who do you hope will join?”

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