Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1278: Clear Position

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn and depressing.

Everyone was recalling what had just happened: Chen Tong was cheerful and cheerful at the meeting, with elegant manners, like a gentleman; when he exposed Rahman's conspiracy, he was like a seasoned politician, strategizing; and when he drew his gun and shot Rahman and ordered the extermination of his entire family, his cold and ruthless look made him look like a bloodthirsty executioner.

These three completely different images were perfectly displayed on the same person in just one morning.

Wen Ang looked at Chen Tong's back and couldn't help but shudder. He recalled his tough attitude in the meeting before, and now he thought that it was just like teasing someone's beard.

Ruan Wenming was secretly thankful that he did not follow Rahman down the same path in the end.

Sukarno looked at Chen Tong thoughtfully. The multifaceted character displayed by this Chinese general made him admire and fear him. What kind of person is this? He can kill people in a casual conversation, and apologize politely after the bloodbath?

Wang Chengan was still silently recording something, as if all this was just ordinary official business.

Chen Tong was standing in front of the window, smoking leisurely, seemingly unaware of the complicated gazes behind him. But everyone knew that behind this seemingly casual gesture was a calculating heart.

At this moment, everyone present deeply understood: the general sent by China was by no means a simple military commander. He was a sharp sword that could kill the enemy when it was unsheathed; he was an experienced chess player who could handle political games with ease; he was also a ruthless executioner who could do anything to achieve his goal.

And such people are in control of China's military power in South Asia.

This realization made everyone present shudder.

They knew that from today on, the situation in the entire South Asia would change because of this unfathomable man.

In the presidential office, Sukarno suppressed his anger and tapped the table unconsciously with his fingers.

"General Chen," he said, trying to keep his tone calm, "I must remind you."

Chen Tong was sitting on the sofa opposite, sipping black tea leisurely, seemingly unaware of Sukarno's mood.

"Rahman is an important member of the Asian Union, no matter what." Sukarno continued, "Even if he was against you before, this matter should be handled by the Asian Union."

His voice began to take on a hint of anger: "You executed him in public in the conference room. This has crossed the line! This is a blatant challenge to the authority of the Asian Alliance!"

Chen Tong put down his teacup and looked at Sukarno calmly: "Mr. Chairman, are you teaching me how to do things?"

This rhetorical question stunned Sukarno for a moment.

"I know what you want to say," Chen Tong's voice was still gentle, but with a hint of unquestionable, "but Mr. Chairman, do you really think that the Asian Alliance can handle this matter?"

"This is not a question of whether or not," Sukarno raised his voice, "This is a matter of principle! You cannot do whatever you want on the territory of the Asian Union!"

"Do whatever you want?" Chen Tong chuckled. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Chairman was the one who led the applause in the conference room just now."

Sukarno's face turned ugly: "That's because..."

"Because you know I'm doing the right thing," Chen Tong interrupted, "You also know that only such thunderous measures can deter those who are ready to make a move."

Sukarno was silent. He knew Chen Tong was right, but he felt very uncomfortable with the feeling of being controlled by others.

"Mr. Chairman," Chen Tong stood up, "We are all smart people. Instead of discussing whether we have crossed the line or not, we should think about how to use this opportunity to eliminate the hidden dangers within the Asian Alliance."

"General Chen!" Sukarno couldn't help but slammed the table and stood up, "Don't go too far!"

Chen Tong turned around, the smile on his face disappeared: "Too much? Chairman Sukarno, I suggest you first figure out your position."

This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured on Sukarno's head.

"Without China's support, without our military and economic assistance, do you think you can hold on to this position?" Chen Tong's voice turned cold. "Do you think those opponents are vegetarians? Do you think England will let you go?"

Sukarno's face turned pale.

"If the Chairman thinks that what I am doing is wrong," Chen Tong sneered, "I can send a telegram to the President right now, suggesting that we give up this godforsaken place. Anyway, for China, South Asia is just an insignificant pawn."

He approached Sukarno and said, "But what about you? Without the support of China, how long do you think you can stay in this position? A month? Or a week?"

Sukarno trembled all over, he knew too well the weight of these words.

"General Chen... General Chen," his tone immediately softened, "That's not what I meant..."

"What do you mean?" Chen Tong looked at him coldly.

"I just... just feel that it could be handled more gently..." Sukarno wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Chen Tong sneered: "Gentle? Like you did in the past? What's the result? England's power is growing, and the Asian Alliance has almost become their backyard."

Sukarno lowered his head.

"Okay," Chen Tong's tone softened a little, "I know the chairman is thinking about the Asian Alliance. But some things must be dealt with with thunderous means. This is also an opportunity for the chairman."

"Yes... yes," Sukarno said quickly, "General Chen is right, I was too excited..."

Seeing Sukarno's surrender, Chen Tong nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that the Chairman understands. I will need your cooperation in the future."

"Sure, sure..."

Watching Chen Tong leave the office, Sukarno slumped in his chair with cold sweat on his forehead.

Walking out of the Presidential Palace, Wang Chengan followed Chen Tong.

"Commander," Wang Chengan hesitated, "was your attitude towards Sukarno just now too harsh?"

Chen Tong lit a cigarette and looked at the sunset in the distance: "What do you think?"

"Sukarno is the chairman of the Asian Union after all," Wang Chengan said, "If we threaten him like this, will it be..."

"Xiao Wang," Chen Tong exhaled a puff of smoke, "you are still too young. Do you know what is the most important thing to control a wild horse?"

Wang Chengan was stunned: "What is it?"

"The tightness of the reins." Chen Tong smiled, "If you pull it too tight, the horse will resist; if you let it too loose, the horse will lose control. The key is to let the horse always remember who is the real master."

He flicked the ash off his cigarette and said: "Sukarno is like this wild horse. If you give him too much freedom, he will forget himself; if you suppress him too much, he will become resentful. The best way is to suppress him when he is proud, and give him some sweetness when he is frustrated."

“Like today?”

"That's right," Chen Tong nodded, "Let him know clearly that without the support of China, he is nothing. But at the same time, let him know that as long as he is obedient, he will get the benefits."

Wang Chengan seemed to be thinking: "Is this playing hard to get?"

"No," Chen Tong shook his head, "This is to remind him to always be aware of who is the real leader."

He looked at Wang Chengan and said, "Do you think Sukarno was really angry just now? He was just acting. He knew very well that without Huaguo, he couldn't even enter the door of the Presidential Palace."

"Then why do we need to..."

"Because he needs to show some toughness in front of his subordinates," Chen Tong said with a smile, "and I just gave him this opportunity. He acted angry, and I played strong with him, so that everyone could step down."

Wang Chengan suddenly realized: "So that's it."

“Remember,” Chen Tong patted Wang Cheng’an on the shoulder, “everyone in South Asia is acting. The key is to make them act according to our script.”

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the figures of the two people gradually lengthened.

Behind the window of the Presidential Palace, Sukarno was watching this scene with a complicated look in his eyes. He knew that he really could not leave China.

He could only continue to act in this scene.