Chapter 103

Inside the sanatorium's conference room, Zhou Xian stood by the window and sighed, "Okay, let's not mention the Xue family's affairs. Let's talk about something important."

Kang Dinghuang rubbed his palms together, "About Panama City?"

"That's right." Zhou Xian turned around, leaned against the window, and said in a very relaxed manner, "I'm about to make a move."

Kang Dinghuang looked up at him, "Isn't it too early?! Su Tianyu took Bruna away and hasn't made any moves since. If we act first, it will be easy for them to see our cards."

Zhou Xian shook his head, "It's not too early. The key to the Panama City situation is control, not occupation. If we want to legally control it, we must support puppet politicians to come to power. The old Li team currently only has Bruna, who has very little influence. She's not weighty enough to be the puppet."

"What about Tagu? Is he weighty enough?" Kang Dinghuang retorted.

"He's definitely weighty enough." Zhou Xian nodded in agreement, "In fact, he's the best candidate, but..."

"That's what I'm worried about. If things are done too hastily, I'm afraid we'll push Tagu to the other side." Kang Dinghuang frowned, "I still insist on slowing down the Panama City plan and focusing our attention on Sinaloa. Let the rebel army organize a counter-offensive and fight back to Sri Lanka, thereby squeezing the space for the Chi Army's survival. Then, through the internal struggles of the old Mexican government army, we can gradually encroach on the Chi Army's territory. This will solve two problems."

Zhou Xian smiled and looked at him, "Oh? What two problems?"

"First, our main purpose in setting up Panama City is to curb the expansion of the Chi Army. Economic benefits are secondary. Therefore, if there are no results in Panama City, it means that Su Tianyu's arms business to supply the Chi Army cannot operate, which is a fatal drain on them. As far as I know, Su Tianyu has already started banditry because of military expenses, which is enough to show their economic situation. Second, if the rebel army concentrates its forces and can fight two beautiful battles in Sinaloa, compressing the Chi Army's living space, then the Panama City problem will naturally be solved. Zhao Weihu and the Third Division cannot interfere in the Panama City coup if they cannot protect themselves." Kang Dinghuang interjected, "I think these two points are in line with our long-term interests, and they are not difficult to implement."

"Xiao Kang, you're just too cautious in your work." Zhou Xian was very relaxed in front of Kang Dinghuang, and he didn't beat around the bush, "In the 125th Army's peak period, they not only lost their forward defense line, but also Sri Lanka. It's no exaggeration to say that they were retreating steadily, right? Now that the Chi Army has the addition of the Third Division, their numbers have more than doubled. How can you guarantee that they can fight two victories and squeeze the Chi Army's living space? Isn't this plan too conservative and too idealistic? What's more, the commander-in-chief of the old Mexican government army is not dead yet. He is determined to protect the Chi Army. In this way, those warlords in the old Mexican government army will not dare to target Zhao Weihu too much, and we cannot form an internal and external consumption and encirclement."

"Then we'll wait, wait for the old Mexican government army's commander-in-chief to die. His physical condition is very bad, and he won't live long." Kang Dinghuang got up and replied, "The Chi Army's survival resources cannot be compared with ours. Using our strengths to consume their weaknesses may be slower in terms of time, but it is the most effective. Simply put, when the Chi Army can't pay its military expenses, will the Third Division still follow them desperately? When the old commander dies, will those greedy warlords still protect the Chi Army? We don't need to worry about temporary gains or losses… We just need to maintain the status quo…"

"No, I don't agree with your point of view." Zhou Xian interrupted, "Just like you said, Tagu may change his political stance at any time. If we drag it on and let him collude with the Chi Army, and the rebel army can't produce any brilliant victories, then the final result may be a collapse on both fronts... In Sinaloa, you can't wipe out the Chi Army; in Panama City, you lose the initiative."

Kang Dinghuang looked at Zhou Xian's expression and finally chose to remain silent.

"Xiao Kang, don't worry about Panama City." Zhou Xian stepped forward and said, "I'll be responsible for this. You just need to continue to focus on Sinaloa. Unite the rebel forces, secretly buy off the warlords of the old Mexican government army, and wait for the flames of war to rise in Panama City and the coup to begin. If you contain the Chi Army and the Third Division from within, then our chances of winning are very high. What do you think?!"

Kang Dinghuang leaned back and sat down again, rubbing his palms and replying, "You've already decided, so I'll listen to you."

Zhou Xian sat down next to him, looked at Kang Dinghuang with a smile, and said sincerely, "We're brothers. I won't let you take that bullet for nothing. I'll get revenge for you!"

Kang Dinghuang smiled, "I just hope everything goes smoothly."

"It will definitely go smoothly." Zhou Xian leaned back on the sofa, interlaced his fingers, and said, "Many people in our old faction are retiring next year. The future... belongs to us young people. If we brothers are a good team, we will definitely achieve great things."

"Yes!" Kang Dinghuang picked up his teacup.

In terms of position and family background, Kang Dinghuang couldn't compare with Zhou Xian, especially after his teacher, who appreciated him, was killed in Dragon City. Xiao Kang could only speak with his achievements and work ability.

But in terms of personal relationships, the two were indeed brothers and friends. From their school days, these two were outstanding talents in the school, both top figures among the younger generation of the Hua Ren (Chinese) Corps. Although they didn't work for the same organization before, and they also had their own camps in the larger faction, this didn't prevent them from being friends.

However, as their status gradually increased and their cooperation became closer, differences of opinion were inevitable.

Today was considered one of the bigger disagreements, but Kang Dinghuang was able to keep his position right. He knew that he couldn't influence Zhou Xian's decisions, let alone have the same level of communication with the upper echelons. Therefore, he could only agree with the other party's plan.

The two sat in the room and talked for a long time, and also drank some wine, until dawn, when Kang Dinghuang left.

As he walked out of the sanatorium, Kang Dinghuang learned that Xue Pingan had left early. He thought about it for a while and still dialed the other party's number.

"Hello? Minister Kang!"

"You went back?" Kang Dinghuang asked, scratching his nose.

…

Dragon City.

An Zecheng sat in his office, smoking a cigarette, "Do you have any news from your side?"

An Qiqi's mother, Yu Zhen, said softly, "Yes, the situation is still not very good."