Chapter 836 - M.A.D
After arriving in Country F, John Kerry did not rush to make a deal with Jiang Chen. Instead, he met with Santos, the President of Moro, and the current president of the transitional government, Baudista.
However, based on the informant response collected by the Ghost agents on both sides, Kerry did not achieve any desired results in the talks, especially not with the current president of the transitional government.
Although Kerry offered a lot of incentives and promises such as: help Country F resolve the MLL issue, help Country F rebuild its economy, help with… and so on, Baudista remained unmoved and clung to the thigh of Celestial Trade.
Disregard the fact that their army had yet to withdraw from City M, even if they did withdraw, when did the promises ever get fulfilled?
Baudista knew very clearly that the issue of Country F was seen favorably by the UA. The UA needed Country F to act as a stronghold in the South Asia region to exert its influence, so it made these promises. However, the Jewish Consortium controlled Country F’s economy, the WASP consortium with an advantage in the Capital did not intend to honor the promises made due to political needs…
At this time, if the transitiol government continued to hold on to its diplomatic tactics of depending on Nippon and the UA, it would be completely foolish.
Finally, on the third day of Kerry’s visit to City M, without making any progress, he had to go to the Hilton Hotel where the sign had been replaced by “Celestial Trade City M Office”. With the lead of Celestial Trade soldiers, he came to the meeting room to meet Jiang Chen.
Leaning against the sofa, Jiang Chen looked at Mr. Kerry as he walked in with a grin.
“Long time no see, Mr. Kerry, how have you been recently?”
Jiang Chen’s ridicule made Kerry awkward because he had almost no progress in the past three days.
“It’s not bad.” As a long-time diplomat, his true thoughts didn’t show on his face. He smiled and sat across Jiang Chen, then turned his gaze to the bottle of red wine on the table. He started the conversation with a casual topic, “… Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, good lord, I heard that the price per bottle is comparable to its equivalent weight in gold. I’ve only seen it in Hollywood movies.”
“Produced in 1945. Six hundred thousand US Dollar.” Jiang Chen motioned to the waiter to open the cork and pour a glass for the two, he then looked at Kerry and said, “When Hilton sold this hotel to me, they also transferred the fine wines in the cellar to me. I live with traditional values where we treat our guests with good wine. Today, with an important guest visiting, wouldn’t it be inappropriate without it?”
“I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for me to drink such expensive wine.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s not the Capital.” Jiang Chen lifted the glass and gestured for a toast. “You don’t have to use the tactics in the Capital here. Please be straightforward.”
“Then I’ll directly get to the topic.” In the end, he did not touch the glass of wine. Kerry hid the smile on his face and put on a serious gesture, “What do you really want?”
“What do we want?” When Jiang Chen heard Kerry’s question, he suddenly chuckled. “Do you mean, is this war provoked by me?”
“Mr. Jiang Chen, since you want me to be straightforward, then let’s not go in circles.” Kerry shook his head. “You and I are both know. I don’t mean this war.”
“What do you mean?” Jiang Chen slightly narrowed his eyes.
“On what terms will you remove the missiles deployed under the Pacific Ocean?” Kerry stared at Jiang Chen.
The atmosphere in the conference room gradually cooled down. Jiang Chen put down the glass and spread his hands.
“This issue is not a problem at all because we absolutely cannot remove those missiles.”
“Your missiles have seriously threatened regional and global stability! If you do not plan to trigger a new round of the arms race, I urge you to consider this issue in a serious and responsible manner! Not that—”
“So why doesn’t your party give up all nuclear weapons in order to maintain love and peace? I also ask you to consider my proposal seriously and responsibly,” Jiang Chen interrupted Kerry’s words and said with a smile.
Jiang Chen’s words made Kerry pause for a moment. He did not expect Jiang Chen to use such a rogue tactic to stop him.
After some thought, Kerry recollected the strategy in his mind and slowed down his voice.
“The unilateral abandonment of nuclear weapons by the UA will not bring about a positive impact on the global situation. Instead, it will adversely accelerate the deterioration of global stability. In addition, we are discussing the matter of EMP and the problem of your deployment of intercontinental missiles in the Pacific Ocean. Please do not mention these irrelevant topics.”
“Is that so? It seems to me that the two are completely one issue,” Jiang Chen laughed. “If you are unwilling to give up nuclear weapons, then what reason is there to demand that we give up EMPs? In my honest opinion, EMPs are more environmental and safer than nuclear weapons.”
“But in terms of danger, both are equivalent.” Kerry said word by word, “If you refuse, then we will deploy B2 bombers at the military base in Guam.”
However, contrary to Kerry’s expectation, Jiang Chen did not react to his threat.
Silence continued for a long time between the two.
After a long wait, Jiang Chen saw that Kerry did not continue, raised his eyebrows and broke the silence
“And then?”
And then?
Jiang Chen’s words stunned Kerry.
[I already told you everything. If you do not withdraw the missile, we will put strategic bombers at your doorstep. And then?]
[Of course, I can’t be so straightforward.]
Kerry coughed and went on.
“It seems that Mr. Jiang did not understand what I meant, so I will explain it in detail. The B2 bomber is a stealth strategic bomber that the UA military is proud of. It is inappropriate for me to mention more about this bomber and you can find more information on the internet. I will only emphasize on one point, the B2 bomber has nuclear strike capabilities, and you should understand what I mean.”
Jiang Chen smiled.
“I thought you were planning to say something else. If several B2 bombers can make you feel safe, then feel free to drop them off at our doorstep.”
“You are not afraid?” Kerry did not comprehend.
“Why should I be scared?” Jiang Chen sat up and leaned forward slightly. “Where you place your nuclear bomb offers no difference to us. M. A. D. I believe you won’t be unfamiliar with this term. After all, this is the theory you put forward.”
M. A. D. “Mutual Assured Destruction,” was proposed by the Secretary of Defense McNamara during the Cold War. Although it had always been denied by the government, this mechanism had been the idea used by the United States and the Soviet Union in the arms race and had been used up to this day and age.
If the UA used nuclear weapons against Xin one day in the future, then Celestial Trade’s EMP would also allow the UA to return to the Stone Age overnight.
That being the case, where the UA placed the nuclear weapons had no effect on Jiang Chen?
Looking at Kerry’s nervous look, Jiang Chen used a slightly more moderate tone.
“Peaceful development and friendly relationships are the consistent diplomatic positions of Xin. As the guardian of Xin, Celestial Trade promises that the EMP weapons will only be used for defense, and counter-attack and will not be used aggressively.”
Jiang Chen then looked at Kerry, and said.
“If you insist on asking us to give up EMP weapons, then we also ask you to set an example and destroy all nuclear weapons. If not, then…”
Jiang Chen chuckled and stopped talking.
Although he did not finish the last sentence, the meaning he expressed was already clear.
[If not, then go back to the Capital with your double standards!]