Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 343 The End of the Old Era and the Beginning of the New Era

"Professor, this is just my idea, and I hope you can help me judge whether it is feasible from a technical point of view."

Because I can't find V, I feel it's very difficult to find him.

The other party was like a fog; no one knew whether he was an individual or an organization, and no one had seen the face behind his mask.

Very few traces were left at the scene.

When Lyndon Johnson was handing over his responsibilities to me, he spoke of V with gritted teeth, yet there was nothing he could do.

Lin Ran looked serious, but he was laughing inside.

Because Lyndon Johnson is both grateful to and hates the same person.

The other party will probably never know the truth in their lifetime.

“Yes, I’ve heard McNamara mention that the Department of Defense helped the FBI develop arrest plans, but they all apparently failed,” Lin Ran said.

Of course, McNamara, you told me your plan and then tried to arrest me. There's no way you'll succeed.

Nixon nodded and said, "That's right. McNamara had communicated with the Army and deployed more than 5,000 troops in an attempt to capture V. The plan even received the approval of President Lyndon Johnson, but it ultimately failed."

what's the plan?
This plan was not publicized in the media, but Lin Ran knew that it was a simulation of Lyndon Johnson's assassination.

Because V always appears at the scene of an assassination attempt.

Now that Lyndon Johnson has been personally assassinated, you have to come out, right?

The troops weren't actually transferred from America, but secretly brought back from overseas, and when they held voter rallies, the audience was full of army soldiers.

The assassination of Lyndon Johnson was carried out by Army soldiers.

The assassination attempt was obviously fake.

But they leaked the news in advance, through various gang channels, saying that civil rights activists were dissatisfied with Lyndon Johnson and wanted to assassinate him at a rally.

In short, the White House, the Pentagon, and the FBI devised numerous methods to ensure that the information appeared absolutely authentic, circulated only underground, and reached V's hands.

What method? Simulate the assassination of Kennedy, only the target is Lyndon Johnson instead of Kennedy.

First, the Washington underworld found out, then it spread outwards from Washington, and finally the Soviets. Everyone knew that an organization was planning to assassinate Lyndon Johnson.

Little did they know, this was a carefully orchestrated show by the White House, designed to lure V out.

The difference is that the Soviets tried to notify Kennedy through various channels, but this time they did not notify Lyndon Johnson.

This also greatly displeased Lyndon Johnson. Why were you Soviets treating people differently? Wasn't it me who pushed for the Vietnam War peace talks, nuclear disarmament, and strategic weapons restrictions?
The White House and America's military put on a very hard and serious performance, directed by McNamara himself. Throughout the entire performance, V was nowhere to be seen.

If you can see it, then it's a ghost.

On one hand, McNamara proudly told Lin Ran about the plan; on the other hand, even if Lyndon Johnson were assassinated, he would not go to the scene.

Giving someone more screen time when they're already stepping down is completely unnecessary.

The plan was meticulously planned and required enormous resources. It involved transferring 5,000 army soldiers from overseas and maintaining secrecy, which cost a considerable amount of money.

The ultimate failure also indicated that finding V in a short period of time was unrealistic.

If V cannot be found, how can the safety of legislators and bureaucrats be guaranteed?
If everyone gathers together and the army provides centralized security, what if the enemy has artillery shells?

Wouldn't that just wipe them all out at once?
It would be better to live in distributed communities to mitigate risks.

Since Hoover was killed, all politicians in Washington have started keeping dogs.

The dog you keep must be a large breed; the bigger and more imposing, the better.

Meanwhile, retired special forces soldiers have also become highly sought-after.

The councilors are rich; they can afford to hire them.

This is money meant to save lives.

Even so, the men didn't want to spend the money.

Fred began pushing for a bill that essentially obligated the American military to provide security for members of Congress, and to send at least one team of six elite soldiers to Washington to serve.

Each member of parliament will be protected by six elite American soldiers.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the lawmakers, who wholeheartedly supported it.

This bill was passed very quickly; the hearings were completed in just one month, and the vote will begin soon.

It will undoubtedly pass unanimously; it is only right and proper for the government to spend money to provide security for us.

This is an inevitable trend, and no one, no matter who becomes president, can stop this bill.

But will this really work? The lawmakers didn't know, and dared not think about it too much.

If the security forces Tolson prepared for his lover Hoover were useless, would America's elite soldiers really be effective?

Nixon's solution was Skynet.

Since we're going to have Star Wars anyway, if a low-orbit satellite at an altitude of 400 kilometers could be equipped with an ultra-high-definition camera, wouldn't V have nowhere to hide?

After listening, Lin Ran understood that for politicians in Washington, the V was even more powerful than the Soviet Union.

Soviet Russia was at most all talk and no action. More and more Washington politicians saw through the Soviet Russia's true nature of being all bark and no bite, but V was really willing to fire.

He performed brain surgery on Hoover without his hands trembling at all.

Lin Ran said, "From a technical point of view, it is possible, but the lens is a big problem."

We need to research higher resolution lenses, better semiconductor equipment, and better storage media and communication transmission equipment.

This is a huge project.

Mr. President, think about it, there's a huge difference between monitoring the movements of airplanes, warships, and submarines and monitoring the movements of people.

It's like searching for a needle in a haystack—can you even find it?
Of course it's possible, because the needle is in the sea, but when will it be found? Nobody knows.

Lin Ran said sincerely.

It wasn't that he didn't want to strategically deceive Nixon, but rather that his cooperation with Nixon had only just begun.

Nixon wasn't stupid. He believed in himself, but that didn't mean the other party wouldn't consult other experts. He believed that if he just bragged about it, NASA could definitely do it.

Nixon could have simply asked someone else, and the whole thing would have been exposed.
But Lin Ran really wanted to do it.

Getting a budget from Congress is secondary, as is advancing lens technology research and development in this time and space; the most important thing is operational space.

It's certainly simple to install a communication module on a GPS satellite, since there are only 34 GPS satellites in total.

The nuclear-powered GPS satellites in this time and space have plenty of room to manipulate things.

But Star Wars satellites can't do that. If you had to install the modules one by one for 10,000 satellites, it would take forever.

And Skynet was exactly what they wanted.

Besides the lens, he also needs better semiconductor equipment, better storage media, and better communication transmission equipment.

It's like a pillow appearing whenever you want to take a nap.

Of course, Lin Ran is not one to wait for opportunities; if an opportunity doesn't come, he will actively create one.

Even if Nixon hadn't brought it up, Lin Ran would have proactively suggested similar proposals.

But now that Nixon has brought it up, Lin Ran should just take over.

“Mr. President, despite the many difficulties involved, NASA is willing to give it a try!” Lin Ran replied.

Nixon shook hands with Lin Ran and said, "Professor, then I'm relieved. Don't worry, Congress will soon halt Lyndon Johnson's Great Society Plan, and we will give NASA more funding."

The Great Society Plan, to put it simply, was a project that followed the Cold War era when Western European countries began to increase welfare benefits for their citizens. America wanted to follow suit and provide welfare to its citizens, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Later, America's Medicare Act, Medicaid Act, and federal education fund all originated from this program.

Food stamps also flourished during this period.

Without the Star Wars program, this would have been the greatest achievement of President Lyndon Johnson's career.

Now that the leadership has changed, Nixon, as a conservative member of the Republican Party, clearly doesn't want to continue providing welfare benefits.

Why?
This is all pure green US dollars, why should it be given to the lower classes and what kind of welfare benefits should it provide?
We emphasize America's dream, we emphasize personal struggle. If a professor can rise from a European refugee to a high-ranking White House official, why can't you? Isn't it because you're not working hard enough?
This is the view of conservatives, especially conservative politicians who have gained some official positions in Washington. They are staunch supporters of this ideology and use it to brainwash the lower classes.

Why? Because this is the lowest cost way.

Even in 2020, America's welfare benefits were among the worst in many European and American countries.

It relies on America Dream to make people willingly give their lives, and the media promotes America Dream's successful people to alleviate social conflicts.

Moreover, America is currently facing a financial predicament, much like in the original timeline of 1968, teetering on the brink of collapse.

To elaborate further, the early onset of the maritime trade era significantly alleviated the White House's financial situation; otherwise, Nixon would have had to resort to underhanded tactics, such as decoupling the dollar from gold and overturning the Bretton Woods Agreement. Nixon's solution was to cut welfare benefits.

How could the welfare of the common people be more important than the safety of the Washington gentry?

"Professor, there's one more thing I'd like to hear your opinion on, which is your view of China?" Nixon then brought it up.

As is widely known, Nixon's famous visit to China was not something he only considered after becoming president.

Nixon had considered this before he was elected president.

He had publicly stated his opinion before the presidential election: "This small planet is not big enough to accommodate a billion potentially capable people living in angry isolation."

This naturally refers to China.

In the original timeline, China possessed a pledge of allegiance and ample evidence to prove the irreconcilable contradictions between itself and Soviet Russia.

However, in this current time and space, China has a good relationship with the Western camp, and has not completely fallen out with the Soviet Union.

No one could guarantee that Nixon's concerns wouldn't come true.

Lin Ran understood the implied meaning of the other party's question. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Mr. President, I believe that China and Soviet Russia have irreconcilable contradictions in geopolitics."

They were both major powers, both pursuing autonomy and striving for their own interests. As long as this principle remains unchanged, China and Soviet Russia could not possibly be so close.

There is no conflict of interest between China and America.

Lin Ran continued, "But China is different from Soviet Russia."

With Soviet troops stationed in Mongolia, China could also directly threaten Soviet territory.

Tiny Mongolia was not enough to dispel the geopolitical concerns of Soviet Russia and China.

As a Chinese person, I know very well that China and Soviet Russia have nothing in common except ideology, while China and America have far too many similarities except ideology.

Lin Ran concluded by saying, "Mr. President, President Johnson has laid a very good foundation for you."

Nixon asked uncertainly, "You mean the easing of relations between the two countries, the Yenching Mathematicians' Congress, and China's rejoining GATT?"

Lin Ran said, "Yes, America should cooperate better with China economically. It has much greater economic potential than places like Japan and Korea, and can bring unimaginable benefits to the Federation."

For China, when it becomes deeply economically intertwined with America, it will naturally gravitate towards her politically.

Finally, Lin Ran concluded: "Mr. President, the Pacific Ocean is vast enough to accommodate both China and America."

Lin Ran stretched out his hands as if to embrace Nixon, thus answering his question.

This diplomatic phrase, which would later become popular, was used in this era, and Nixon was once again amazed by Lin Ran's wisdom.

After Nixon met with Lin Ran, he relayed Lin Ran's statement to Kissinger, who expressed his strong agreement:
India has repeatedly shifted its allegiance, straddling the fence between the Soviet Union and America, attempting to benefit from both sides, and proclaiming itself the initiator of the Non-Aligned Movement and the leader of the Southern World countries.

But since it can't win, from a TZ perspective, supporting you is not as good as supporting Baiyue.

China's value in this regard far surpasses that of India.

"The Pacific Ocean is so vast that it can accommodate us and China underground. This statement is truly excellent and could be a golden quote to persuade conservative members of parliament," Kissinger remarked.

The media called Lin Ran's suggestion a Trojan horse, but Kissinger was actually the Trojan horse from beginning to end.

He held a position in the White House, but privately worked for Nixon and was one of Nixon's key advisors.

In the original timeline, America's negotiators hoped to reach a ceasefire agreement with North Vietnam before the general election.

Kissinger served as an advisor to negotiator Harriman, and he immediately provided Nixon with his analysis of the situation.

Even during the campaign, Kissinger frequently contacted Tran Xiang Mai in Saigon, urging her to approach the South Vietnamese president and persuade him not to attend the negotiations in Paris, implying that if Nixon were elected, he would offer South Vietnam better terms.

Kissinger's actions were a classic example of undermining America's interests in order to get Nixon elected.

Nixon worried, "What I'm concerned about is that if we support China and they compete with us, wanting to become the world's king, then the Pacific Ocean won't be able to accommodate two countries."

Kissinger looked at Nixon and said quietly, "Mr. President, the world operates on the basis of reality, not fantasy."

Kissinger, who made significant contributions to Nixon's election, was qualified to speak to Nixon so casually.

Kissinger continued, "Mr. President, I acknowledge that China has great potential, and the Chinese people are an outstanding group. With 10 billion Chinese, China can unleash energy beyond imagination."

But aren't you worrying a little too much?

If China wants to compete with us in the Pacific, they need to surpass Soviet Russia first.

We can watch Soviet Russia and China fight each other; isn't that in line with our principle of offshore balancing?

In January 1969, Washington, D.C. was shrouded in a thin fog, and a tense and solemn atmosphere permeated the air.

Richard Nixon, a politician who started as a lawyer in California, would finally reach the pinnacle of power on this day.

He will be sworn in as the 37th President of the United States on the east portico of the Capitol.

Nixon hoped this was more than just a ceremony; he hoped it was an opportunity to mend the nation's divisions.

The protests in reality have not subsided, and the live television broadcasts will send a clear signal to the public: America is in crisis, and what we need is unity, not division.

Early in the morning, the Nixons left the White House to attend a special prayer.

The prayer was held in the West Auditorium of the State Department and was open to the public, reflecting Nixon's respect for diverse faiths.

They took turns praying to the leaders of three different religions—Catholics, Protestants, and Jews—asking God to grant the new president wisdom and strength.

Nixon sat in the front row, wearing a dark suit.

His wife, Pat, stood beside him, her eyes flashing with pride and worry.

During the White House handover, Pat witnessed the desolation of the previous president and his wife as they left the White House, and she worried that she and her husband might suffer the same fate.

After the prayers, Nixon's car slowly drove toward the Capitol Building, with heavy security along the way.

Protesters held up signs and chanted anti-war slogans, but this did not stop the march from moving forward.

Around noon, a simple yet solemn podium was erected on the platform on the east side of the Capitol Building.

The wind made the flags flutter, and despite the low temperature, tens of thousands of people still gathered on the National Mall, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the crowd.

Chief Justice Earl Warren, dressed in a black robe, stood before Nixon, holding a family Bible, a keepsake from Nixon's mother.

Nixon placed his right hand on the Bible, raised his left hand, and solemnly swore: "I solemnly swear that I will faithfully perform the duties of President of the United States of America, and will do everything in my power to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. May God help me."

His voice was firm and deep, echoing in the cold air.

Just minutes earlier, Vice President Spiro Agnew also took his oath, presided over by the Senate President Pro Tempore.

After the oath was taken, Nixon turned to the microphone and began his inaugural address.

"We seek a spiritual answer, a force that can unite us."

"The highest honor history can bestow is the title of 'Peacemaker.' Now, this honor beckons to America—it grants her the opportunity to lead the world out of the abyss of turmoil and towards the pinnacle of peace that humanity has dreamed of since the dawn of civilization."

"We have made tremendous progress in science, industry and agriculture, we share our wealth more widely than ever before, and we have finally learned how to manage a modern economy to ensure its continued growth."

We have given freedom a new extension. We have begun to deliver on its promise for both Black and white people.

"We find ourselves materially rich but spiritually poor; we climb the moon with magnificent precision but are mired in noisy discord on Earth."

We are mired in war and yearn for peace; we are torn apart and yearn for unity.

Nixon's speech was long, focusing on anti-war sentiment and bridging divisions, and also mentioning the need to negotiate with Soviet Russia and China.

He concluded by quoting President Lincoln:

"I want to say to my fellow countrymen: Let us move forward together, believe in ourselves, believe in our country, and believe in our God."

After the ceremony, a grand parade began.

The line stretched for miles from the Capitol Building along Pennsylvania Avenue all the way to the White House. Nixon and Pat waved from a convertible Lincoln Continental.

Lyndon Johnson was already in Texas at the time. Watching the triumphant Nixon on television, and noticing that all the high-ranking White House officials were gathered there except for Lin Ran, he felt a sense of relief.
"The professor clearly didn't like Nixon."

(Nixon met with Lyndon Johnson at the White House before his election.)
After listening to the speech, Lyndon Johnson remarked, "Lucky kid, he picked up a president, America, from me."

The firewood crackled in the fireplace. Lyndon Johnson was curled up on the sofa. The villa had plenty of security personnel and his wife, but he was the only one in front of the television at that moment.

Unlike his past life in the White House, surrounded by crowds and spotlights, Lyndon Johnson knew that his era was over.

Staring at the radiant Nixon on television, Lyndon Johnson got up and first looked at himself in the mirror. Without makeup, he looked exceptionally old.

He then got up and went to his desk, where he wrote the title of his memoir on a sheet of paper sent by Hearst Corporation:

The Road to Power

(End of this chapter)