Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 341 I couldn't help but hum

Saigon.

After the downpour, the sky was blindingly bright.

On the lawn of the Presidential Palace, a gentle breeze blew and flags fluttered.

Li Mingxuan sat in the office that bore the sign "National Security Advisor".

The recording was played on a loop on the radio:
"Last night, our army thwarted a Viet Cong raid."

"Seventeen enemy soldiers were killed and one important cadre was captured."

"Jiading has returned to stability."

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, his gaze falling on the two newspapers in front of him.

Government forces achieve major victory on the outskirts of the capital.

The front page headlines and even the wording are exactly the same.

Here, the sound of an engine can be heard outside the window.

A few minutes later, the secretary knocked twice on the door and reported softly:

"General Fan has arrived."

"please."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Fan Wenxiong walked in.

Holding a Defense Intelligence Agency document, his military boots were spotless.

"Good morning, General," Li Mingxuan greeted him.

“Mr. Consultant,” Fan Wenxiong nodded, his voice low.

After gesturing for him to sit down, Li Mingxuan spoke again:

"Your men were quite skilled during last night's operation."

"His Excellency the President [2] was very satisfied. He got up early to listen to the radio."

Upon hearing this, Fan Wenxiong did not respond, but merely glanced at the two newspapers.

"The page is big enough." He commented ambiguously.

Li Mingxuan smiled, seemingly unconcerned about the general's coldness.

"The photo angle is excellent; the Information Department should be commended."

"His Excellency the President said this is a turning point. A sign."

"For us, and for our friends in Washington."

“Westmoreland[1]?” Fan Wenxiong asked.

Li Mingxuan did not answer directly, but continued speaking to himself:
"They believe that the war will only truly begin if we can stabilize the situation near the capital."

"The price of stabilizing the situation was twenty-seven corpses."

“Most of them came from the Liberation Front,” Li Mingxuan said.

Fan Wenxiong leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together.

Fan Wenxiong glanced at him. "There were no tags on the body."

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting shadows on the floor.

Li Mingxuan raised his hand and turned the fan down.

“I understand what you mean.” His tone was sincere.

"But we need this kind of news."

"The Vietnamese Communist Party has been frequently active on the outskirts of the capital recently."

"This operation was not just a tactical victory."

"The president needs confidence, both domestically and internationally."

Fan Wenxiong chuckled softly twice.

"We can manage things domestically, but as for external affairs, it's entirely up to Washington."

Li Mingxuan observed him discreetly.

"General, you've always had a good relationship with them."

"It's because of work," Fan Wenxiong said.

"I know," Li Mingxuan said with a hint of teasing.

"That CIA station chief trusts you. After all, you guys—"

He was about to say something more when Fan Wenxiong suddenly interrupted him.

"Mr. Consultant, I'm not here today to discuss the news."

"What specific instructions does Your Excellency have regarding the handling of Chen Tinghe?"

Seeing his reaction, Li Mingxuan's expression turned cold.

"I have read your report. Two ribs were broken and the spine was contused."

“Continue the torture; he won’t last more than three days.” His expression was unreadable.

"His Excellency the President believes that since he does not want to speak, then he should never speak."

Fan Wenxiong was silent for a moment, then asked, "Public execution?"

Li Mingxuan nodded calmly.

"Three days later, Senator Russell's delegation will arrive in Saigon."

"What they need to see is not casualty reports, but determination."

"Do you want them to see a hanged man on the steps?"

“He is not an ordinary person; he is the political facilitator for the entire region.”

Fan Wenxiong remained noncommittal.

“If this gets back to the North on the radio, it will definitely be seen as a model.” “Someone on Langley’s side reminded me that excessive publicity would only backfire.”

Li Mingxuan smirked. "You're here to relay a message from the CIA?"

“I was just relaying their concerns,” Fan Wenxiong said.

"They want me to handle this discreetly, preferably by delaying it for a few more days."

"Some information needs to be verified, involving the U.S. advisory group in the North."

The two looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

The wind outside was getting stronger.

Li Mingxuan was the first to break the silence.

"Langley wants clues, the president wants visuals, and the senators want to hear stories."

Can you satisfy them all?

Fan Wenxiong immediately frowned.

After a long pause, he finally said:

“I thought we should go through Langley’s procedures first and give them an explanation.”

"Afterwards, they will continue with secret interrogations or public executions."

"This way, we have visual appeal without forgetting all the value."

Li Mingxuan snorted.

"The Presidential Palace has its own timetable."

"The Senate delegation's itinerary cannot be changed."

"General Westmoreland specifically instructed that these men came to Saigon to see our reliability."

"He told me, 'If you really want the full support of the United States, you have to convince them, convince Russell—he is the key to your success.'"

Fan Wenxiong listened quietly without saying anything more.

After a while, he looked at the newspaper again, unconsciously stroking his military cap.

Then, they finally compromised.

“Sir, if this is an order, I will carry it out.”

Seeing that he had achieved the desired result, Li Mingxuan looked more relaxed.

"Great." He took the lighter, turned his head, and lit a cigarette.

“I knew the general always put the national interest first.”

"Three days later, everyone will get what they deserve."

At this point, Li Mingxuan exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes slightly narrowed:

"At that time, you'll still need to worry about Chen Tinghe's appearance."

"Find a doctor so he can make it look less bad."

"You know, it's for the sake of the media and public opinion in the United States."

"We can't let them think that everyone on the other side of the ocean is a barbarian."

"clear."

Fan Wenxiong said succinctly.

"Thank you for your understanding, General."

Li Mingxuan stood up and extended his right hand, ending the conversation.

Fan Wenxiong also stood up straight.

After letting go, he first straightened his uniform, then turned and left.

The door closed gently.

The room returned to quiet.

Li Mingxuan sat back in his chair and slowly took a drag of his cigarette.

Government forces achieve major victory on the outskirts of the capital.

He stared at the news headline and suddenly smiled.

"The CIA, ha."

"Langley, Tom Sever."

Li Mingxuan's voice was extremely soft, as if he were talking to himself.

"Don't end up like Ruan Qing."

"I went to Honolulu to enjoy the sea breeze."

He looked up at the window, feeling unusually good.

So, taking advantage of the perfect timing, I picked up the receiver from the table and dialed the number.

Not long after, a familiar English accent came from the other end.

"This is the headquarters of the U.S. Military Assistance to Vietnam Command."

"General Westmoreland's office."

Li Mingxuan's smile became increasingly sincere.

"Ah, I am Mr. Li from the Presidential Palace. Please convey my message to the General—"

"The situation in Jiading has been handled as required, and everything is going smoothly."

"."

"Received, Mr. Li."

(End of this chapter)