The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 685 The Annan Surrender Issue and the Exceptionally Friendly Soviet Bear

Inside the Oval Office of the White House, Truman stood by the window, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.

In the distance, the Washington Monument looked like a bayonet piercing the sky in the morning light.

He had just seen off another group of veterans, and the confusion on their young faces troubled him.

"Arsenals of democratic countries..." he muttered to himself, turning to look at the mountain of documents piled on his desk.

There was the Navy Department’s Pacific Fleet Demobilization Plan, the Army Air Corps’ request to mothball thousands of B-17s, and the Treasury Department’s warnings about postwar economic transition.

Truman turned around and saw Chief of Staff Hopkins and newly appointed Secretary of State James Byrnes standing quietly in front of his desk.

"Gentlemen," he said, sitting back in his chair and placing his hands on the table, "we have won the war, but now we must win the peace."

He picked up a document marked Top Secret: "Wasn't the lesson from the last Paris Peace Conference enough? When John and the Gauls are dividing the cake, they won't leave us the best piece."

As the arsenal of democratic nations, the White Eagle undoubtedly played a significant role in this world war.

How can we ensure that the fruits of victory are not stolen by John and the Gauls, as they did in the last World War?

It's worth noting that at the last Paris Peace Conference, the White Eagle suffered endless humiliation and was ultimately kicked out, leading to a return to isolationism.

Truman, of course, desperately wanted to intervene and expand externally.

By providing aid, the US actively participates in world affairs and expands its influence.

After all, as the world's leading productive force and industrial center, the United States rightfully deserves to take the biggest slice of the pie.

But he had no money and no one to rely on...

Hopkins stepped forward: “Mr. President, the Joint Chiefs of Staff also believes we must maintain a global presence. Through economic aid and military cooperation…”

“Marshall spoke to me yesterday,” Truman interrupted him. “He said the whole army is asking when they can go home. Thirteen million people.” He slammed his hand on the table. “Tanks can’t fill your stomach, and aircraft carriers can’t bring bread.”

Bernas added quietly:

"There are even more difficult issues. The military factories and shipyards want us to maintain our orders, while the civilian factories are happy to return to normal, but the transformation will take time."

If we don't handle the demobilization issue properly..."

He didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.

If the more than 1000 million veterans who experienced the war cannot reintegrate into society, they will become the most unstable powder keg.

What to do then?

Should General Pai Mai lead another tank walk?

It's worth noting that last time, Truman stood on the same side as those World War I veterans, acting as a representative of the veterans, a legal advisor, and a fellow veteran.

Truman irritably loosened his tie.

He was not the former President Luo, he did not have the personal charisma of that old aristocrat, nor did he have the deep-rooted foundation he had cultivated in the military and intelligence system for many years.

This situation, which he took over halfway through his career, proved to be more difficult to manage than he had imagined.

If things go wrong, his chances of re-election could be dashed.

"Let's talk about Southeast Asia," he changed the subject. "What's going on with the Gauls? I heard General de Gaulle suddenly became very...generous?"

Hopkins gave a mocking smile:

"He was more than generous. He not only agreed to return the Guangzhou Bay concession to the Republic of China, but also tacitly allowed the Republic of China and Southeast Asia to jointly take over the right to accept the surrender of Annam, with the 17th parallel north as the boundary."

“Oh?” Truman raised an eyebrow. “When did our dear General Day become a progressive and anti-colonial figure?”

“Only in Asia,” Bernas shrugged. “He keeps a close eye on his colonies in Algeria and West Africa. According to our military attaché in Paris, there is considerable controversy in Gaul regarding his handling of the Annam issue.”

Truman stroked his short stubble and pondered, "Strange... Gallic reconstruction after the war requires a lot of money, yet they're willing to give up Annam, their cash cow?"

He suddenly looked up: "Go investigate. Nanyang and the Republic of China must have reached some kind of secret deal with de Gaulle."

“Furthermore,” he added, “we are testing the waters in Southeast Asia. What is their attitude if we establish military bases in Cam Ranh Bay or Da Nang?”

A brief silence fell over the office.

Finally, Bernas whispered a reminder: "Mr. President, the South Pacific... has nuclear weapons."

Truman's face instantly darkened.

He got up, walked to the safe, took out a thick investigation report, and threw it on the table:

"The security review report of the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer, Fermi, Groves... all the key personnel are under investigation. I don't believe that Zhang Chi built the atomic bomb on his own."

He became more and more agitated as he spoke: "And the B-29, where did they get strategic bombers from? Even if they had the blueprints, what about the manufacturing process? What about the special steel?"

He slammed his fist on the table: "Investigate! Even if you find out some scandal, you have to find out the truth!"

Hopkins cautiously cautioned, "But Zhang Chi also assured us through channels that he would not leak any nuclear technology to the Soviet Union..."

“That’s why I haven’t gone mad yet.” Truman took a deep breath. “Tell the FBI to dig deeper. Also… agree to Nanyang’s proposal for a civilian nuclear energy cooperation trial. We need to know just how far their technology has progressed.”

-----

Meanwhile, in Yangon, Zhang Chi picked up an antique Jingdezhen porcelain cup and gently blew away the tea foam.

Sitting opposite him was Mikhail, the special envoy from the Russian bear. After demonstrating nuclear power in Southeast Asia, this bearded man was trying to appear friendly.

“Dear Comrade Zhang Chi,” Vasilyev said in Chinese with a slightly peculiar accent, “Moscow highly values ​​its friendship with Southeast Asia. We are willing to provide you with the latest diesel locomotive production line at cost price, and we can also help you build a tractor factory.”

Zhang Chi smiled and nodded: "Southeast Asia has always admired Russia's industrial achievements, especially your steelmaking technology..."

The two sides then discussed the plan to exchange industry for agricultural products.

“Speaking of Japan’s surrender,” Vasilyev suddenly leaned forward, “we have learned that the Annamese Independence League will declare independence on September 2nd. Of course…”

He quickly raised his hand to indicate: "This is entirely a spontaneous act by the Annamese Red Organization and has nothing to do with the Russians. We have always respected the special interests of Nanyang in Southeast Asia."

There was no other way. The Soviet leadership knew very well that the South Pacific had atomic bombs and B-29s, so they had to back down when necessary. After all, Southeast Asia wasn't their next priority anyway.

Zhang Chi lowered his eyes and sipped his tea.

This rhetoric is all too familiar—first, they show goodwill, then they reveal information to distance themselves, and finally...

Sure enough, Vasilyev rubbed his hands together and smiled, "Regarding that... technology for the peaceful use of atomic energy, I wonder if Southeast Asia has considered international cooperation?"

“Mr. Special Envoy,” Zhang Chi put down his teacup, “Nanyang is committed to peaceful development. We welcome mutually beneficial trade with all countries. As for other…” He paused meaningfully, “Let’s talk more about the iron ore transportation from Siberia.”

After seeing off the Russian envoy, Zhang Chi stood in front of a huge world map, deep in thought.

Secretary Chen whispered a report: "The White Eagles are probing the possibility of us establishing a military base in Annam."

Zhang Chi said without turning his head: "Nanyang respects the legitimate rights and interests of all countries in the Pacific, but we also hope that the White Eagle can understand the Southeast Asian people's desire for peace."

He turned around and said, “Reply to General Long and agree that his First Army Group should proceed as planned to enter the area north of the 17th parallel to accept the surrender. But remind him to pay attention to the movements of the Annamese Independence League.”

He walked to the window and looked at the jubilant crowd in the square.

Getting too close to the Soviet Union would make us the front line of the Cold War, while completely siding with the United States would mean losing our autonomy.

This nuclear umbrella must be held just right.

As for the Annam issue, he planned to leave this huge pitfall for the White Eagles to fall into. This time, the Nanyang National Defense Army went to accept the surrender, and that was really just to accept the surrender.

“Make a plan,” he suddenly said to Secretary Chen. “I need to go to Penang to inspect the rocket test base.”