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

Chapter 1132 Ambition

Early in the morning, in the reception room of the Presidential Palace.

"President Sukarno," said Sukarno, president of the Asian Alliance and president of Indo-Spanish countries, smiling, "Last night's news excited all members of the Asian Alliance."

Su Zhengyang motioned him to take a seat: "I am flattered that Mr. Sukarno has come to visit me personally."

"You are right," Sukarno waved his hand, "China is now the backbone of all Asian countries. You want to take back Hong Kong, Macau, and even the Far East. This will make us Asians proud."

Zhang Luanyu poured tea for the two of them and noticed the expectation flashing in Sukarno's eyes.

"Speaking of which," Sukarno drank a sip of tea, "ever since you led China to defeat Fuso and completely destroyed that country that wanted to dominate Asia, we, the members of the Asian Alliance, have been looking forward to this day."

"Oh?" Su Zhengyang raised his eyebrows.

"Yes," Sukarno put down his teacup and said seriously, "England, Portugal, and Tsarist Russia have been colonializing Asia for too long. Now China wants to take back the lost territory. This is an important signal for all of us Asian countries."

&34;Signal?&34;

"That's right," Sukarno's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "This means that the era of Western powers' hegemony in Asia is coming to an end. All members of our Asian Alliance will fully support China's actions."

Su Zhengyang gave a meaningful smile: "Including military support?"

"Of course," Sukarno said without hesitation, "India, Spain, Siam, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, we are all ready. If those powers dare to resist, the Asian Alliance will fully cooperate with China's military operations."

"On behalf of China, I would like to thank you for your support," Su Zhengyang nodded, "but I don't think it's necessary to trouble you."

"I understand," Sukarno smiled, "With China's current military strength, those powers dare not resist. But I still want to make a statement in person to let you know that the Asian Alliance will always be China's most steadfast backer."

"Thank you for your support, President," Su Zhengyang stood up, "After this matter is settled, we can talk about how to further strengthen the unity of the Asian Alliance."

"That couldn't be better," Sukarno also stood up, "It's time for us Asians to unite and let those Western powers know that this land is not something they can just mess around with."

Su Zhengyang took out a pack of "Magnolia" cigarettes from the drawer and gently handed one to Sukarno: "The president has come to visit us specially, I'm afraid it's not just to say these polite words, right?"

Sukarno took the cigarette and paused for a moment, feeling a chill in his heart.

"In that case," Su Zhengyang lit up the fire for him and said calmly, "Let's talk openly. For example..." He blew out a smoke ring, "the military deployment of the Asian Alliance in the South Pacific Islands, and the recent small moves of the Dutch in India and the West."

Sukarno's pupils contracted slightly.

"Also," Su Zhengyang continued, "the secret military meeting of the Asian Alliance held in Singapore last month, and the secret meeting between you, President, and the British representative to India and the West..."

"You..." Sukarno's cigarette trembled slightly.

"Don't be nervous," Su Zhengyang said with a smile, "I just want to say that at this juncture, every decision of the Asian Alliance is crucial. What do you think, Mr. Sukarno? Or should I call you General Kusno?"

When Sukarno heard this code name that only a very few people knew, he broke out in a cold sweat.

&34;It seems that you are...&34;

"Do you know them very well?" Su Zhengyang took over the conversation, "Not only you, but also Major General Dart, Colonel Lin Ming, and General Wilayut, who is known as the 'Tiger of Southeast Asia'. After all," he looked at Sukarno meaningfully, "these are the backbone of the Asian Alliance."

Zhang Luanyu was secretly surprised. It was the first time he heard this information.

"Since you know all this," Sukarno took a deep breath and finally relaxed, "I'll tell you straight away."

&34;I'm all ears.&34;

"The invasion of Fuso," Sukarno took a deep puff of cigarette, his eyes sharp, "has severely damaged the vitality of the South Asian countries. Especially in our Indo-Western countries, almost all industrial facilities have been destroyed and millions of people have been displaced."

"But isn't this an opportunity?" he suddenly changed the subject.

Su Zhengyang looked at him with interest: "Oh?"

"Just think about it," Sukarno said excitedly, "South Asia is now like a pile of loose sand. Siam, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos... Every country is licking the wounds of war, and no one is able to fight against the Western powers alone."

He stood up and walked to the wall where a map of Southeast Asia was hung: "But if there could be a strong leader who could unite these countries..."

"You want to unify South Asia?" Su Zhengyang asked bluntly.

"That's right!" Sukarno turned around, his eyes gleaming with ambition, "India and the West have the largest population, the most extensive territory, and the richest resources. As long as we have the opportunity, we can definitely become the leader of South Asia."

&34;So the sub-alliance...&34;

"It's just a transition," Sukarno said without hesitation, "The current Alianza is an equal alliance on the surface, but in fact it has long been under our control. Dutt, Lim Ming, and Wilayut all support me."

He looked at Su Zhengyang deeply: "But to complete this great cause of unification, I need the support of China."

"Why do you think I should support you?" Su Zhengyang asked.

"Because it is good for China!" Sukarno said excitedly, "Just think about it, if South Asia can be unified, with the support of China, we can completely drive the Western powers out of Asia. The South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, these strategic locations will be in our hands."

He walked back to his seat: "In return, India and the West will always be China's most loyal allies. If you want to recover the lost territory, we fully support you; if you want to deal with the Western powers, we are ready to support you at any time. Isn't this a win-win situation?"

Su Zhengyang looked at the ambitious man in front of him thoughtfully. In his eyes, he saw an imperial dream of unifying South Asia.

"You are quite frank," Su Zhengyang dusted off his cigarette ashes, "but have you considered the reactions of other countries?"

"Reaction?" Sukarno sneered, "By the time they react, it will be too late. As long as China supports them, no one dares to oppose."

Su Zhengyang did not answer immediately. He just smoked quietly, staring at Sukarno with eyes as sharp as a knife.

In the smoke, Sukarno suddenly felt a chill. Those eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and his originally passionate momentum instantly faded a little.

"It's an interesting idea," Su Zhengyang finally spoke, his voice frighteningly calm, "You want to unify South Asia, control the Strait of Malacca, and become the new overlord..."

He took a deep puff of cigarette and exhaled slowly: "But, have you ever considered a question?"

"What's the problem?" Sukarno began to sweat coldly on his back.

"What do you think," Su Zhengyang's eyes became sharper, "does China need a strong neighbor in South Asia?"

This sentence was like a bucket of cold water, which instantly sobered Sukarno up. Yes, a unified South Asia may not be a good thing for China.

&34;I...&34;

"You are very smart," Su Zhengyang interrupted him, "but you are too impatient." He stood up and looked down at Sukarno, "Do you think I don't know the content of your secret meeting with the British representatives? You are negotiating with them, trying to play both sides between China and Britain."

Sukarno's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He didn't expect that he could not hide all this from the man in front of him.

"Asia today," Su Zhengyang continued, his eyes chilling with coldness, "does not need a new overlord, it only needs a leader."

The implication in this sentence was obvious. Sukarno felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles. The "leader" could obviously only be China.