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

At the same time, in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, in the "Rust Belt" of the northeastern United States, the atmosphere in a secret room of the state capitol was solemn and depressing.

Around the huge oak conference table sat the most powerful group of people in Pennsylvania—Governor Tom Wolf, several important members of the state legislature, and leaders of the three major labor unions: steel, auto, and coal.

They are a political force within the Eagle Sauce that cannot be underestimated, representing the traditional interests of the old industrial base.

But at this moment, their faces were full of worry and anxiety.

"Everyone, I think you've all heard the news about Camp David."

Governor Wolf was the first to break the silence, his voice hoarse and tired.

This "worker governor" who was once known for his toughness and pragmatism now looks as if he has aged ten years overnight.

He pushed an intelligence briefing received through secret channels to the center of the conference table.

The briefing described in shocking detail the bloody "Hongmen Banquet" that took place at Camp David.

"Those bastards in Washington... they're really crazy!"

Mike Donovan, the steelworkers' union leader and a bear-like figure, slammed his fist on the table with a dull thud.

"How dare they attack elected representatives from various states! This is a naked act of fascism! They have completely betrayed the very foundation of this country!"

The representative of the Auto Workers Union, a middle-aged Italian named Frank Rizzo, seemed even more worried.

"It's a blessing that we didn't send a representative this time. Otherwise, one of our people might be imprisoned in some secret prison right now."

"Thankful? No, Frank, it's far from time to be thankful."

Governor Wolf shook his head, a deep worry flashing in his eyes.

"Although we avoided the Camp David trap, it doesn't mean Washington will let us go. On the contrary, we may become their next target."

Everyone present was shocked when they heard this.

Wolfe stood up, walked to a huge map of the United States, and pointed his finger heavily at the location of Pennsylvania.

"Think about it, gentlemen," he said, his voice becoming deep and solemn. "The independence forces in Texas and California, though their leaders have escaped temporarily, are bound to be involved in a long and brutal war with the federal government."

"And what does Washington need most if they want to win this civil war?"

He paused, glanced at everyone present, and spoke word by word.

"It's weapons, it's equipment, it's a continuous flow of military production capacity!"

"And what do we in Pennsylvania, and the neighboring states of Ohio and Michigan, the so-called 'Rust Belt', have?"

"It's the most complete and largest industrial system in the entire United States! It's the millions of the world's finest industrial workers! It's the gigantic factories that, once in operation, can churn out tanks, artillery, and warships day and night!"

"So," his voice became heavier, "those usurpers in Washington will never give up their control over our industrial states!"

"Not only will they not let us go, but they will use the toughest and most direct means to completely turn our factories and our workers into part of their war machine!"

"Plus, we're so close to Washington compared to faraway Texas and California."

Wolfe's finger traced a desperately short line across the map.

"Federal troops could easily move out of Virginia and Maryland and reach our state capital in a matter of hours. We have virtually no strategic depth."

This calm and cruel analysis was like a basin of ice water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts.

They realized they were in an extremely dangerous situation. Not attending the Camp David conference only temporarily saved them from imprisonment, but it also made them an urgent and imminent "destabilizing factor" in the eyes of Washington that needed to be resolved.

"What are we supposed to do?" the coal union leader, a taciturn old man, finally asked. "Are we just supposed to sit there and wait for them to send in the army to take over our factories and our state government?"

"Of course not!" Mike Donovan immediately retorted loudly, his loud voice echoing in the secret room, "We Pennsylvania workers have never been lambs to be slaughtered! If they dare to come, we will fight!"

"We have our own National Guard and millions of union members with gun licenses! We can turn every factory into a fortress and every street into a battlefield!"

His words immediately resonated with several union leaders present.

They have the rebellious blood unique to workers flowing in their bones, and are naturally hostile to the high-ranking elites in Washington.

"That's right! At worst, we can just fight them!"

"Let them taste the power of us steel workers!"

However, Governor Wolfe shook his head again. He knew that passion alone could not win the war.

"Mike, your courage is admirable. However, we must be clear-headed about reality."

He analyzed calmly.

"Our National Guard is not equipped, trained, or numerically matched to the federal military."

"More importantly, we lack cutting-edge weapons that could change the course of the war. If a war breaks out, we might cause some trouble for the federal army, but the ultimate outcome will probably still be failure."

"Unless... we can get external assistance."

These words, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly caused ripples.

"Outside help?" Frank Rizzo's eyes lit up. "You mean... the wooly bear?"

He immediately added: "This is indeed a viable option! The Russians and Washington are now at loggerheads. They just gave the Hawks a good lesson in Europe, and now they must be happy to see the Hawks' backyard burn."

"Furthermore, we have so many industrial workers in Pennsylvania. Ideologically speaking, we are class brothers and natural allies of the Red Front."

"If we ask them for help, they have no reason to refuse!"

This proposal was immediately approved by the majority of people present.

In their view, Russia is the only superpower in the world that has the ability and willingness to confront the United States head-on.

Asking them for help seems to be the natural choice.

However, Governor Wolf and a few thoughtful lawmakers once again showed solemn expressions.

"I disagree." Governor Wolfe spoke slowly, his voice low but remarkably firm. "Asking for help from the Russian bear is like inviting a wolf into the house."