Chapter 654: Means to Serve a Purpose
Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter
The fire outside intensified. Dino looked at Yu Miaodan and said carefully, “I agree to a 10-minute negotiation. Please, give us 10 minutes and stop the attack.”
Yu Miaodan smiled. “Even 100 minutes would be fine, but I can’t command the navy. Politics and the military are separate. My City Lord only considers my reports, not my suggestions. Mr. Dino, for a peaceful resolution, it’s best to negotiate quickly.”
Dino’s face turned green, but before he could reply, his assistant handed him the phone. After the call, Dino’s expression calmed. He sat down and said to Yu Miaodan, “Chief Yu, we’re willing to compensate Luo Yue 70 billion Luo Yue dollars. In exchange, your side must stop the invasion and retreat immediately.”
Yu Miaodan said slowly, “That would have been acceptable before the war, but our losses are now immeasurable.”
Dino, furious, stood up. “How much do you want? Just tell me!”
Dino felt like he was being robbed at gunpoint. Luo Yue had lost a few missiles; Indonesia’s losses were immeasurable.
Yu Miaodan reviewed her files and said, “Originally, the City Lord requested 300 billion Luo Yue dollars.”
Dino was stunned. 300 billion Luo Yue dollars—half the nation’s GDP.
But Yu Miaodan continued, “However, the City Lord desires peace and has reduced it to 100 billion.”
Dino breathed a sigh of relief. 100 billion was manageable. He wiped his brow, but Yu Miaodan wasn’t finished. “Luo Yue also needs a location in the Sunda Strait. We’ll rent Jason Giambi Island for 99 years.”
“No, that’s impossible,” Dino immediately rejected. Jason Giambi Island controlled the Sunda Strait. Renting it would jeopardize the Sunda Strait Bridge project.
Furthermore, the Sunda Strait was a key US station, the main passage for the American 7th Fleet from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. Indonesia couldn’t agree to that without US approval.
Yu Miaodan sneered, “Of course, we’ll return Bali Island and won’t interfere with the bridge.”
Dino sneered. Returning Bali was inevitable; other countries would intervene. He realized that if Luo Yue controlled Jason Giambi Island, the US would face difficulties entering the Indian Ocean. The conflict would then be solely between Luo Yue and the US, freeing Indonesia. Why should they help the US? The island wasn’t a significant loss for Indonesia.
If the US and Luo Yue fought, Indonesia could profit. Dino smiled grimly. The US would eventually retake the island; why should Indonesia help them? Without the conflict, Indonesia would only have paid 70 billion Luo Yue dollars.
Now, it was 100 billion, plus immeasurable damage to Bali.
Dino stepped outside, made a call, and returned. “Okay, we agree. Let’s draft the agreement.”
Yu Miaodan pushed files towards Dino. “No need. Luo Yue already signed. We await your signature.”
Dino looked at the prepared documents, feeling trapped.
…
Mo Hai entered the meeting room near its end. The Union seemed to have reached a decision in his absence.
Jipan ignored Mo Hai, clearly unconcerned with his opinion.
But Mo Hai requested to speak. Many expected meaningless words, but he said, “Luo Yue prioritizes international peace. Considering peace is difficult to achieve and the Union's will, Luo Yue has reached an agreement with Indonesia. We will withdraw from Bali and not attack Java. You may not believe us, but the army began its retreat the moment I entered.”
“What?!”
The news shocked everyone. They had agreed to attack Luo Yue to maintain world peace, yet Luo Yue was retreating!
Many delegates felt relieved. Luo Yue’s retreat implied they hadn't truly invaded Indonesia; it was a show for the Indonesians. After all, they had killed Luo Yue citizens and refused compensation.
“I suggest we suspend our decision regarding Luo Yue. Luo Yue is retreating; we can’t attack. Indonesia started this. Attacking Luo Yue now would contradict maintaining world peace,” Russia spoke first.
Peter wanted to object, but knew it was futile. No one would agree.
Ji Pan was relieved; he most desired peace.
Meanwhile, the US President received the Luo Yue-Indonesia agreement. He didn't care about the compensation, but Indonesia renting the Sunda Strait to Luo Yue infuriated him.
This gave Luo Yue control over US movements. He couldn’t allow it, but the island belonged to Indonesia. He suspected Luo Yue had planned this outcome from the start.
The US finally had a chance to attack Luo Yue, but it ended before it began. If Luo Yue had calculated this, they were formidable political adversaries.
The US had another option: the Philippines. But his assistant reported that Luo Yue and the Philippines had also reached an agreement. The Philippines sought peace after Luo Yue's Bali takeover, and Luo Yue reduced compensation to 30 billion Luo Yue dollars.
“F*ck!” The President swore, throwing the files down. He felt like a failure.
He believed the mastermind possessed lifetimes of experience. The timing was too precise.
“Announce an immediate White House meeting.” The President was worried, always a step behind Luo Yue.
…
Yu Miaodan admired Ye Mo’s strategy. She finally understood war: not the end goal, but a means to an end.
Their simple war plan, executed by Ye Mo, accounted for every detail.
Ye Mo was surprised by the Meng family’s fortune-telling abilities. Combining it with his battle plan created a perfect strategy.
The only problem was Bali, but the retreat resolved that.
As Ye Mo prepared for the soldiers’ welcome ceremony, Xu Yuehua knocked urgently.