Eagle Sauce: The 055 destroyer was launched into the sea just after the founding of the country?

The smile on Perseus's face grew wider.

He knew that when the other party started to care about the price, the deal was half done.

"Mr. Governor, you're worrying too much. Our General Secretary's friendship is genuine and without any dirty political strings attached."

He first put on a high-handed attitude, then changed the subject.

"Of course, as allies, we also need some basic understanding and consensus."

"We hope that after you successfully establish the country and become the first president of the great Lone Star Republic, you can give the Russian Bear some small understanding and support within your ability."

"Likely?" Abbott's eyes narrowed.

"For example... Europe."

Perseus finally revealed his true intentions.

He stood up, walked to the world map hanging on the wall, and gently pointed his finger at the European continent.

"Mr. Governor, you know that Europe has always been the core interest of the Russian bear."

"We hope that in the decades ahead, as the Russians pursue our policies and safeguard our security interests in Europe, your Lone Star Republic will maintain a... benevolent neutrality."

"We don't ask you to support us, we just ask you not to interfere."

"Simply put, let the Europeans solve European problems themselves, or rather, let us and the Europeans solve them ourselves. Do you think this request is excessive?"

Abbott's heart skipped a beat.

He immediately understood the true intentions of the Soviet Union - they wanted a promise, a promise that the Lone Star Republic would not interfere with the Soviet Union's expansion in Europe after the new world order was formed.

He began to quickly weigh the pros and cons in his mind.

This condition...doesn't sound too harsh.

First of all, the United States is now on the brink of civil war. Even if Texas successfully becomes independent, it will have to devote all its energy to consolidating its regime, restoring the economy, and dealing with the continued threats from Washington for a long time to come.

They can barely take care of themselves, so how can they have the energy and money to interfere in the affairs of distant Europe?

Secondly, the United States’ military presence and influence in Europe are based on its global hegemony.

Once the Eagle Sauce splits, this hegemony will no longer exist.

A Lone Star Republic, with only Texas and a few allies, simply does not have the ability to project military power globally.

Therefore, agreeing to Perseus's condition is basically a blank check.

Exchanging a promise that one cannot fulfill for real military and economic assistance from the Russian Bear is simply a deal with no capital.

The balance in Abbott's heart began to tilt.

But he remained calm and maintained a vigilant expression on his face.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"I have one small request," Perseus continued, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "Regarding Alaska."

He walked to the other end of the map and pointed to the huge peninsula located in the northwest corner of the North American continent, across the sea from the Russian Bear.

"We hope that the Lone Star Republic will recognize the Maori's sovereignty over Alaska."

"Of course, we won't take it for nothing. We will 'buy' the land back from you for a symbolic price, say $720 million at the time, plus some additional financial assistance."

Hearing this condition, Abbott almost laughed out loud.

But he relied on his strong self-control to hold it back.

Return Alaska to the Russians?

This is even easier than the previous condition!

First of all, Alaska was originally purchased by the United States from Tsarist Russia for $720 million.

From a legal perspective, it is not entirely unreasonable for the Russian Bear, as the successor of Tsarist Russia, to make this request.

Secondly, and most importantly, Alaska is an enclave of the United States, separated from the mainland by a huge maple leaf country.

Once the Eagle Sauce splits, Washington will be unable to take care of itself, and the Lone Star Republic will be even less likely to cross thousands of kilometers to actually control that piece of ice and snow.

Alaska's final destination will either be independence or annexation by its more powerful neighbor (the Maple Leaf Country or the Bear).

The chance of him being able to control Alaska was almost zero.

What's more, in the eyes of traditional Southern politicians like Abbott, Alaska is a complete waste.

The environment there is harsh and sparsely populated. Apart from some undiscovered oil and mineral resources (whose value was far from being fully recognized in that era), it is basically a useless "big refrigerator".

It would be extremely foolish to offend a powerful ally who could provide life-saving assistance for a piece of land that is of no use to oneself.

Therefore, as long as we agree to these two conditions that pose no threat to our core interests, we can get their full military assistance in return. There is simply no better deal in the world!

Abbott's heart was completely moved.

His inner struggle has changed from "whether to make a deal with the devil" to "how to gain the greatest benefit for himself in this deal."

He knew that he had no way out.

The gunfire at Camp David had completely severed all possibilities of peace between him and Washington.

Now, his only choice is to grab the life-saving straw of the Russian bear, win this war of independence first, survive, and then think about other things.

As for the infamy and moral stain that may come from cooperating with Russia?

Screw it! Survival is the most important thing.

History has always only cared about the victors, not the means used by the victors.

After realizing this, all of Abbott's inner entanglement and struggle disappeared in an instant.

Instead, there is a kind of desperate, gambler-like determination.

He picked up the wine glass again, but this time he didn't drink it. Instead, he played with the glass in his hand.

He pondered for a moment, raised his head, and his eyes became sharp and calculating again.

"Comrade Perseus, your conditions sound very sincere."

He spoke slowly, deliberately slowing down his speech to conceal his inner excitement and eagerness.

"In principle, I personally can accept it. But, you know, I need to convince my companions."

"And for them to agree to cooperate with you, I need to see something... more concrete."

He finally asked the question that concerned him most, his voice slightly hoarse from a subtle excitement:

"If... I mean if, we agree to your conditions..."

"So, how much military aid is the Russian side prepared to provide us?"