Capítulo 1464: Chapter 692: Old Man Ao! (Part 2)

In just a few years, it has become like this.

At that time, Mexico was truly a backyard garden.

How long has it been?

Five years, perhaps?

Casare followed Little Bush’s gaze out the window at the tumultuous sea of lights and people, his voice calm:

“Mr. President, the people are actually very simple.”

“They don’t care who rules them, whether it’s Washington or Mexico City, the Democratic Party or the revolution, or something else.”

“They care about order, safety, the price of bread, whether there’s meat in the bowl, and whether they’re afraid of hearing gunshots on the way home at night.”

Casare paused, turned his head, and in those small eyes flashed as he looked at Little Bush, his tone even carrying a hint of “instruction”:

“Whoever gives them these things, even just a little seemingly stable hope, they will cheer for you.”

“As for the cost…”

Casare chuckled softly, shrugged his shoulders, once again casting his gaze at the reveling crowd outside the window, and said with implication:

“The cost is always paid by others, isn’t it? And most people don’t care about those ‘others’.”

“History is written by the victors, and joy belongs to those who survive and get enough to eat.”

Inside the car, silence fell again.

Outside the car window, the grand feast on the eve of Mexico City’s Independence Day continued to burn bright, and the clamorous sound waves seemed never to cease.

Little Bush no longer spoke.

The convoy finally drove into the National Palace, passed through the strict security, and stopped in the inner courtyard.

Casare was the first to get out of the car, still beaming as he opened the car door for Little Bush: “Mr. President, we’re here.”

Little Bush took a deep breath, straightened his suit, trying to appear calm, and stepped out of the car.

Under Casare’s guidance, he met Victor waiting at the door.

To Little Bush’s surprise, Victor did not display the arrogance of a victor; instead, his face carried an enthusiasm, one might even say a friendly smile, as he strode forward.

“George!”

Victor’s voice was loud, carrying a familiarity akin to old friends meeting again, “Welcome to Mexico City! Was your journey smooth?” He opened his arms and gave the somewhat stiff Little Bush a solid hug and even patted his back.

This hug caught Little Bush off guard, and all his prepared tough words and confrontational emotions felt as if they had punched a pillow.

He could only awkwardly respond, his throat a bit dry: “Victor… Thank you, the journey was okay.”

Victor released him, still holding his shoulders, and carefully examined his face, his brows slightly knit, his tone becoming concerned: “You look very tired, George, has the pressure been too great lately? I understand, with such a vast expanse, troubles are always on the horizon, how’s it been going?”

Damn you…

Do you really not know how I’m doing?

Hypocrite!

Hypocritical man!

This overly “sincere” greeting left Little Bush at a loss, he could only vaguely reply: “It’s just the jet lag, still adjusting.”

Jet lag…

The jet lag between Mexico and the United States is bullshit.

Just next door, if you take a piss and it turns yellow, the smell could waft over.

“That’s good, health is the essence of revolution.”

Victor smiled, releasing his hand, naturally placing it around Little Bush’s shoulder, as if they were indeed old friends, “Let’s go, we’ll talk inside, I’ve prepared some good coffee, we can drink and chat, I know your time is precious, so we’ll get straight to the point.”

Victor escorted Little Bush like this, walking side by side into the prepared conference room.

Seated on one side of the long table in the conference room were key figures from the Mexican side, including President Lunacharsky and Casare.

The opposite side had empty seats for the U.S. delegation, the atmosphere seemed amicable, but an invisible pressure had already begun to spread.

The main parties from both sides took their seats, following brief pleasantries and introductions, the talks quickly moved to the main topic.

Little Bush cleared his throat, trying to regain his rhythm and stance, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on Victor opposite him: “Victor, I’ll be direct; the current situation in Texas is unacceptable. The Mexican Army’s entry and subsequent actions have severely violated the United States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. We must find a solution acceptable to both sides to prevent the situation from escalating or even spiraling out of control.”

Victor slowly stirred the coffee on the table, his expression calm: “George, I appreciate your directness, but first, we need to acknowledge some facts. Mexico’s intervention was at the request of the native Texans to prevent a humanitarian disaster and full-scale civil war following the collapse of the Stuart regime. Order is now being restored, life is returning to normal, and this is evident.”

“That was not a request, but a manipulation by separatists!”

Little Bush raised his voice somewhat, “Texas is an inseparable part of the United States!”

“It used to be.”

Victor set down the coffee spoon, his voice not loud, “Now, the facts have changed. Our army is there maintaining order, our administrative system is taking over, the vast majority of Texans have chosen cooperation and peace, George, the reality is that Mexico has effectively controlled the entirety of Texas.”

Little Bush’s face turned ashen: “Effective control does not equal legal ownership! This is blatant aggression!”

“It’s a necessary action to maintain regional stability.”

Victor corrected, his tone still steady, “What we need to discuss now is not whether Texas belongs to Mexico, which is a settled fact, but rather how to confirm and manage this new geopolitical reality in a way that’s beneficial for everyone.”