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

"But," Chen Tong put down his teacup, "we can set up a business department in the Asian Union."

Sukarno was stunned: "Commercial sector?"

"Yes," Chen Tong nodded, "This department is responsible for the economic affairs of the Asian Union and does not participate in political and military decision-making. This way, we can maintain the tradition of the Asian Union and obtain economic support. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Sukarno subconsciously wanted to refuse, but Chen Tong did not give him a chance to speak.

"Chairman, think about it," Chen Tong's voice became persuasive, "What does the Asian Alliance lack most now? It is not military power or political influence, but stable economic support."

He stood up and paced around the room: "What do the representatives of various countries care about most at every meeting? It's still the issue of funding. The army needs salaries, the intelligence network needs funds, and diplomatic activities need expenditures..."

Sukarno remained silent.

"With the Song Yi family as an economic pillar," Chen Tong continued, "the Asian Alliance will no longer have to worry about money. More importantly, through the Song Yi family's business network, we can control the economic lifeline of the entire South Asia."

He turned to Sukarno and said: "Think about it. If a country disobeys us one day, we don't need to use the army. As long as the Songyi family slightly adjusts the shipping routes and tightens the credit, the other party will obey."

These words touched Sukarno's heart.

"Moreover," Chen Tong said meaningfully, "with the business sector, the Asian Alliance will not only be a military-political alliance, but a real regional organization. This is also a political achievement for the chairman."

He walked up to Sukarno and said, "Just imagine, under the chairman's leadership, the Alianza will develop from a simple military alliance to a comprehensive regional organization. This achievement will go down in history."

Sukarno's breathing became rapid.

"Of course," Chen Tong added, "all decisions of the business sector must be approved by you, the chairman. Although Song Yimingde has entered the Asian Union, his power will be strictly limited to the economic field. "

He looked at Sukarno and asked: "What do you think of this arrangement, Chairman?"

Sukarno fell into deep thought.

Everything Chen Tong said made sense, and this plan did seem to balance the interests of all parties.

But...looking at Chen Tong's face which always showed deep meaning, he always felt that things were not that simple.

Chen Tong saw Sukarno's hesitation and smiled as he refilled his tea: "Chairman, are you worried that Song Yiminde will threaten your position?"

Sukarno did not say anything, but his eyes betrayed his thoughts.

"Actually, you think too much," Chen Tong said softly, "Song Yimingde joined the Asian Alliance not to compete with you for power, but to be your money bag."

He looked at Sukarno meaningfully and said, "Think about it. You have 34 soldiers under your command. The monthly military pay is an astronomical figure. You must have had a lot of trouble raising this money over the years, right?"

Sukarno's expression wavered.

"But with the support of the Song Yi family," Chen Tong continued, "you won't have to worry about money anymore. 34 million? That's just the beginning. As long as you are willing, the resources of the Song Yi family can be used by you."

He stood up and walked to the window: "Don't you always want to expand your influence? Don't you want to expand your influence to the whole of South Asia? What do you need for all this? You need money."

Sukarno's breathing became rapid.

"Expanding the army requires money, buying off politicians from various countries requires money, and building an intelligence network requires money," Chen Tongyi said word for word, "With the Song Yi family as your financial pillar, whatever you want to do will no longer be constrained by funding issues."

He turned around and said, "For example, haven't you always wanted to expand the army to 34? The current funding is barely enough to sustain even 34, but with the Song Yi family..."

Sukarno's eyes lit up.

"As for Song Yimingde," Chen Tong said with a smile, "all he wants is an identity and protection. As long as you give him these, his money is your money and his resources are your resources."

He walked back to the tea table and said: "Think about it, is it better to let him be your enemy or to let him be your money bag?"

Sukarno clenched his fists.

Every word Chen Tong said was like a key, slowly opening the door to his inner desires.

Yes, with the support of Song Yi’s family, what else do I have to worry about?

Expand the military? Sure.

Bribing the top leaders of various countries? No problem.

Building an intelligence network? No big deal.

All ambitions and plans will no longer be stranded due to lack of money.

"What's more," Chen Tong added, "with the economic pillar of the Song Yi family, your weight in China will be even greater. After all, being able to control the largest business network in South Asia is not something that ordinary people can do."

This last sentence completely moved Sukarno.

Sukarno picked up the teacup, hiding his inner turmoil.

Every word Chen Tong said was very tempting, but he couldn't be carried away by these sweet words. After all... He sneered secretly. No matter what, Chen Tong was still a Chinese.

He doesn't really think about himself in everything.

This Chinese general seems to be planning for himself, but in fact he is planning for China. Letting Song Yimingde join the Asian Alliance is ostensibly to provide himself with an economic pillar, but the intention behind it...

Sukarno's fingers tapped lightly on the teacup.

He knew the Chinese way of doing things too well. They would never put all their eggs in one basket, nor would they let any agent grow to an uncontrollable size.

Now that he is at the peak of his power in the Asian Union, China must support Song Yimingde as a check and balance. This is the most obvious chess move.

"What the general said makes sense," Sukarno pretended to be thoughtful, "but this matter is of great importance, I need to think about it carefully."

He raised his head and looked directly into Chen Tong's eyes: "After all, this is not only related to the future of the Asian Alliance, but also to my personal reputation."

Chen Tong looked at him with a half-smile: "Chairman, are you worried about something?"

"It's not that I'm worried," Sukarno said, carefully choosing his words, "but I need time to think about how to arrange it. After all, this is a groundbreaking decision, and I have to think it through."

He knew he couldn't refuse outright, but he couldn't agree easily either.

To find a balance between Huaguo and Song Yimingde, not to offend Huaguo but to maintain his own position, requires careful planning and layout.

"That's good," Chen Tong nodded, "Chairman, please take your time to think about it. But..."

He paused meaningfully: "Time waits for no one."

Sukarno was startled.

The implication of this sentence is obvious: China can't wait any longer.

But he remained calm on the surface: "Please rest assured, General, I will seriously consider this proposal."

Chen Tong smiled without saying anything and poured more tea for the two of them.