George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 51

< Episode 50 >

“Iran wants to cancel its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO, a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance]?”

“Yes, they contacted us saying they wish to remain as a cooperative nation.”

Jiang Zemin frowned briefly, understanding the situation.

‘Couldn’t withstand the pressure from the U.S. any longer? Well, Afghanistan is right next door, after all.’

Actually, it was more accurate to say they feared Afghanistan’s growing power more than the U.S. pressure across the sea. With U.S. protection and aid, a stable government, and state-of-the-art weapons, Afghanistan was prospering, and living standards were noticeably improving.

Perhaps, being so close to Afghanistan’s situation, they didn’t want to experience a similar fate directly.

Even Jiang Zemin hadn’t imagined Iran would yield to a single threat.

‘In another 20 years, they might have been able to put up a fight.’

Those 20 years were Jiang Zemin’s wishful thinking. If China were attacked, Russia wouldn’t remain idle, potentially triggering a Third World War. The Russo-Chinese alliance, progressing beyond a simple public display of affection, seemed within reach.

“Good, whatever. There are plenty of other options besides Iran. Soon, our era will dawn. We’re already seeking out member states behind the scenes.”

Cooperation from former communist countries like Mongolia, Belarus, and Armenia was rapidly advancing. Even if Iran withdrew now, it wouldn’t be a major blow to the SCO. Of course, they desperately wanted oil, but it wasn’t as if they were going crazy without it.

“We have the Daqing Oil Field, after all.”

While production had been decreasing recently, China’s land was vast. There were also the Shengli Oil Field, the Liaohe Oil Field, and the South China Sea.

“However, we need to build up the navy even more.”

The South China Sea had to be entirely China’s. After Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China, the boundaries were completed, and the South China Sea was part of that unified China. The problem was that the historical records supporting this had been burned.

‘Damn it, if only it weren’t for the Red Guards [a mass student-led paramilitary social movement mobilized and guided by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966 through 1968, during the first phase of the Chinese Cultural Revolution].’

“How is the Liaoning [China’s first aircraft carrier] progressing?”

“It’s rounding the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.”

“28,000 km. Even if the Liaoning were a Da Peng [a mythical giant bird], it would have to fly all day to reach China.”

“Russia has proposed joint training in eastern Iraq. What do you think?”

Jiang Zemin’s aide cursed inwardly. He had to choose carefully. He wouldn’t be purged for one wrong word, but even after Jiang Zemin’s era, rising through the ranks wouldn’t be easy.

The Chinese Party had such a frustrating system.

If you were in the top leader’s and faction’s good graces, you could rise to any height, but if you fell out of favor, you were stuck. Absolutely stuck!

“I don’t think there’s any reason to refuse.”

“Haha, why do you think so?”

‘Damn it, this is driving me crazy.’

He could have given any other answer. But to speak his mind on such a ‘sensitive matter’? Of course, he hadn’t just blurted it out without thinking. But would his answer please Jiang Zemin?

Did Dr. Einstein say that time is relative? The aide felt it directly. It was a fleeting moment, but it felt like an eternity. But he couldn’t stall forever.

The aide, having chosen his words, finally spoke.

“Because West Iraq is there.”

“Hahaha! You’re right, you’re right! Now, tell me more about it.”

Seeing Jiang Zemin’s satisfied smile, the aide inwardly clenched his fists, feeling relieved. He didn’t know if Jiang Zemin thought the same, but the aide’s logic was this:

Iraq was a place where European and Russian power directly influenced. For Europe, Iraq was a foothold into the Middle East, but for Russia, it was a place to observe from a distance.

Unlike Europe, Russia had plenty of natural resources and struggled to install drilling equipment in its own oil fields. However, Russia couldn’t completely withdraw from Iraq.

Because Russia dominated Europe’s natural resources, especially gas and oil. If the Middle East’s vast energy resources flowed into Europe, Russia’s exports would fall, and its grand dream would collapse.

Putin wasn’t a fool who would stand by and watch. That’s why Russia proposed joint training in eastern Iraq.

“Perfect.”

And the answer was ‘the same.’ However, Jiang Zemin had a broader vision, putting him one step ahead. This wasn’t because Jiang Zemin was particularly outstanding, but because his ‘position’ gave him that vision.

‘But one thing is missing.’

East Iraq had another special attribute: West Iraq was occupied purely by European forces.

In other words, ‘America’ wasn’t there. America was the strongest link binding the Western world and the biggest reason they hesitated to confront NATO head-on. Europe, craving U.S. military defense, was actively excluding the U.S. in the Middle East. This was an opportunity for the anti-NATO SCO member states to strike a major blow against NATO.

“It’s too hard to deal with America, even if the European guys don’t know it.”

Jiang Zemin swallowed the words ‘not yet.’

“Truly a brilliant insight!”

Upon hearing that, the aide ‘artificially’ felt his statement was inadequate and showed remorse. Jiang Zemin was very satisfied.

“The People’s Liberation Army [PLA, the principal military force of China] crossing the deserts of the Middle East. Doesn’t it thrill you just to imagine it?”

“That’s right. It will be an opportunity to fully verify the performance of desert equipment.”

China had every type of terrain. The desert, including the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts, occupied about one-fifth of the land.

Thanks to this, the Type 80 (69-III) tank, a later model of the Type 69 and an early model of the Type 85, had a barrel equipped with a thermal jacket, making desert preparations relatively advanced compared to other countries, except those in the Middle East.

“The time has finally come for China to emerge from the darkness.”

He wanted to regain the Great Qing Dynasty’s territory and prestige, but that was impossible now. Furthermore, the land occupied by Russia during the Qing Dynasty wasn’t desirable. Moving westward to the Middle East, a land flowing with black milk and honey (oil), was necessary.

“We must give a positive reply to Russia and issue orders to the PLA. You should also move quickly. We plan to be busy until the end of this year.”

The dragon dreaming of Emperor Wu of Han [a famous emperor of the Han Dynasty] and the bear dreaming of the Tsar joined hands.

* * *

“I’ve been very interested in Taiwan lately. What do you think about this, Chief of Staff?”

‘It’s nothing short of an unprecedented natural disaster for Taiwan.’

“I think it’s an unprecedented boon for Taiwan.”

The Chief of Staff could now distinguish between words and thoughts when speaking. This skill should have been perfected early in his career, but the boundary between words and thoughts blurred whenever he was before Bush, so he had to relearn it.

“Right? I think so too. So I’m going to give Jiang Zemin that friend a gift.”

“Jiang Zemin is the leader of China, not Taiwan.”

“Has my gift ever been ordinary?”

“Ah, indeed.”

The Chief of Staff sympathized with China, which he usually hated and ignored. Although Bush’s term was less than a year old, no person, group, organization, or country had gone through Bush’s hands unscathed.

“But, I have to send two gifts, and the second gift will take some time to prepare.”

“Ah, two! Then what should we prepare as the first gift?”

“The first gift! That’s a nation.”

“Fighters are not allowed.”

Bush smacked his lips at the Chief of Staff’s quick and firm answer. Even Bush wouldn’t think of going to China in a fighter.

Bush always tried to fly military planes himself, leaving behind perfectly good Cadillac Ones and Marine Ones, but the Chief of Staff recognized this and cut off even the slightest possibility.

“Come on, even though I like fighters, I wouldn’t go to China in a fighter.”

“Bombers and transport planes are also not allowed.”

At the immediate answer, Bush’s expression hardened, and cold sweat ran down his back. He was going to fly a transport plane. A transport plane is peaceful and unarmed, unlike fighters and bombers.

“Damn it! I’m so glad to be working with a subordinate who really knows me! I’m really lucky!”

“Thank you for the compliment. You can choose one of SAM 27000 and 28000 [the call signs for the two Boeing VC-25 aircraft used as Air Force One].”

“Make it SAM 27000. The seats on that plane are a bit more comfortable. So is the in-flight meal.”

Only then did the Chief of Staff release his determined expression, the determination of a national leader deciding on war.

“Then we will mainly use SAM 27000 in the future.”

“There are times when you eat only fancy restaurant hamburgers and then crave McDonald’s hamburgers. I’ll ride SAM 28000 from time to time. If you only favor one of the brothers, wouldn’t the other one be upset?”

“Airplanes have no feelings.”

“Isn’t my background the Air Force? That’s how the Air Force is.”

The way they retorted was like a snake biting its own tail, a battle of dragons and tigers, or just two geniuses with strong pride.

“Tell the Chinese side.”

“What will be the purpose of the visit?”

“China’s Communist Party! George Bush, the hero of democracy, is coming!”

“Isn’t that just a declaration of war?”

In the Chief of Staff’s opinion, judging by the statement, he was more of a vicious villain than a noble hero.

“Just say I’m moving myself to build friendship.”

That meant he should adapt it himself.

“That’s what I specialize in.”

Jiang Zemin received this news just as he was finishing his conversation with his aide.