Ling casually turned the tables in one move.
If Kundun had a beard,
he’d definitely blow on it for fun.
He faintly felt that there was a problem; the main products of the Myanmar Economic Zone at this stage should not be so easily deciphered, yet he could not question Ling’s words, which inevitably made him feel stifled.
In the past, everyone’s interests seldom intersected, and they could interact harmoniously.
Now, the intersections are too many.
Kundun didn’t know when he started to beco irritable.
"The words spoken by Deputy Leader Ling just now must not be leaked out, not even to family mbers, so as not to provide others with directions for research. Do you understand?" Lang Cai told the others.
"Of course."
"We won’t say anything."
"Exactly."
"..."
One by one, they vigorously assured secrecy.
As for how sincere they were,
that remained unknown.
...
Nearing evening,
the eting ended.
Ultimately,
Lang Cai still agreed to the loan to Cambodia.
Since that money had to be repaid, not gifted, and considering that Myanmar and Cambodia had always been in difficult positions as economically backward agricultural countries with low presence in Southeast Asia,
Myanmar showing slight improvent now
ant providing a loan to Cambodia was also a boost to its face.
And it didn’t require the Myanmar governnt to pay out.
It was indeed a good deal.
...
Ling returned to the villa assigned to him.
Today was a high-level eting.
In the following days, there would be Myanmar’s mid-year economic work eting for 2006, which would run consecutively for three days. Representatives from Myanmar’s various states and a significant number of coordination etings from central departnts were to be held.
It would be very busy.
Although Ling oversaw very few departnts,
he still had to attend, after all, his position as Deputy Leader was established there, and the Myanmar Economic Zone played an increasingly crucial role in Myanmar’s economy.
If he didn’t attend,
others might speculate.
"District Leader Ling, here are tomorrow’s speech and report, please look them over,"
Inside Ling’s office, Su Yu knocked and entered; such a large-scale eting naturally couldn’t do without his participation as the deputy district leader of the Special Zone.
"Place it there."
Following orders, Su Yu set the docunts on the table in front of Ling.
But he did not leave.
"Is there sothing else?"
Ling looked up.
At this ti, Su Yu, compared to before, had much less gray hair and seed quite spirited. His recent work had been outstanding, and he had fully beco one of Ling’s n.
Under his wife’s managent, the business had grown larger as well.
And precisely because he understood the Myanmar Economic Zone too well,
Su Yu grew increasingly nervous in Ling’s presence, like walking on eggshells around a capricious leader. Even to this day, Su Yu couldn’t fathom Ling’s temperant.
"District Leader Ling, I’ve heard quite a few rumors these past two days. It seems that since yesterday, there has been a large-scale personnel movent in Kachin State and Shan State, possibly aid at us. I’m worried..."
Having said this, Su Yu paused, carefully looking at Ling.
Though he held the title of Deputy Leader,
he didn’t have any authority to maneuver even a single soldier in the Myanmar Economic Zone. To this day, his understanding of the number of soldiers in the Special Zone, their equipnt, and daily training routines was almost nil.
This power was entirely in Ling’s hands.
Salaries were also distributed by the Myanmar Bank.
Through the Myanmar Bank.
Ling kept all the economic actions of tens of thousands of soldiers hidden; after coming to Naypyidaw, had it not been for a few influential acquaintances, Su Yu wouldn’t even have known about this.
"Rest assured, they aren’t targeting us." Ling certainly knew about this, but it indeed had nothing to do with Su Yu. As a deputy leader, his only need was to manage the affairs within the Special Zone well.
But since he asked,
there was no need to hide everything.
Su Yu asked with uncertainty, "What are they after?"
Ling set down the docunt in his hand,
and said, "It’s still about money. The Myanmar Economic Zone was the first to complete industrial base construction, followed imdiately by the Myanmar governnt initiating a large-scale economic stimulus policy, aiming for industrial nation status. As this increases, they beco restless."
Su Yu understood.
Watching others beco powerful,
while oneself is marking ti.
How could they not be anxious?
Ling continued, "The two of them once approached , wanting to collaborate because I blocked their route to the south. They lost their connection with Laos and Thailand, leaving only India as their source of weapons and goods.
You probably know the situation in India; it simply cannot provide them with the basis for industrialization and sufficient goods. Plus, since the establishnt of the Myanmar Economic Zone, the Myanmar governnt cut off their commodity flow channels.
Now, with the Myanmar Economic Zone serving as a channel for internal exchange in Myanmar and with Lang Cai’s request, Huaxia started imposing restrictions on their exports to them. Now, they are seeking a breakthrough.
On our side, they have no confidence in making a breakthrough, so they can only cause trouble for Lang Cai. As for the personnel movent at our border, it is rely a gesture."
"Sigh..."
After hearing the fighter’s explanation.
Su Yu’s heart eased; it was good as long as it wasn’t targeting them. Although a direct conflict might not necessarily result in a loss, he was still deeply troubled by the possibility of the good situation in the Special Zone being disrupted by warfare.
"It’s good that they aren’t targeting us, but Deputy Leader Ling, I’ve also heard that many high-ranking officials in Myanmar are very interested in the Special Zone; so even have their sights set on picking the fruit. I am very worried about your safety,"
Su Yu said sincerely.
Not until Naypyidaw.
had Su Yu felt this way.
But this visit made Su Yu realize just how lucrative the Myanmar Economic Zone was; understanding this completely, he couldn’t help worrying since Ling often stayed on soone else’s turf.
Perhaps Ling had powerful backers.
But having cooperated for so long,
Su Yu didn’t want to see anyone else take Ling’s position.
"Thanks for your concern; I am aware of my own safety. Let’s keep today’s conversation confidential, don’t discuss it even privately, and even in non-public settings, think carefully before you speak.
This place has few absolutely safe spots, other than the villa," Ling advised.
"Deputy Leader Ling, I understand; I’ll head back now," Su Yu said, feeling a strong agreent. Just yesterday, he discovered a listening device on his assistant’s clothing and another in his briefcase.
Su Yu was shocked at the ti,
thinking that Lang Cai and his people were making a move.
But it turned out to be a false alarm.
Yet, this was considered ’normal’.
But this ’normal’ was terrifying.
The listening device incident thoroughly made him understand the relationship between Ling and Lang Cai and others. He, a deputy leader, had just arrived on his second day when two listening devices were installed on his assistant; this was obviously not normal.
Friendly on the surface,
but the undercurrents of private conflict had already reached such a degree.
An urgency,
lood over Su Yu’s heart.
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