The advisors to the President of Sam were brimming with resentnt and had no outlet for it. Punard's words were like sparks instantly igniting this powder keg. One advisor furiously and coldly retorted, "You are a General, a temporary Commander. Do you not know your responsibilities? Do you not even understand basic defense? I highly doubt how you earned your Major General rank. Is this how you waste the taxpayers' money?"
"Don't give that crap. You interest groups exploit your power to wage wars for your own benefit, paving your path with the blood of our soldiers—how does that sit with your conscience? You forsake national interests for personal gain, abandoning the lives of soldiers; God will punish you." The Major General discontentedly snapped, showing no regard for the other party.
As a representative of the ****, in the multiparty democratic political system like that of Sam, Punard completely engaged in political attacks. After berating his opponent, he switched the topic, "Mr. President, do not forget we have several hundred hostages in their hands, including more than fifty high-ranking officers. Once this matter is exposed, there will be an uproar dostically, globally; how will you handle it? Who will take responsibility?"
"Certainly you military n, failing to overco even a bunch of natives—is that what you dare claim?" An advisor discontentedly sneered, his gaze growing hostile.
The hawks and the **** were originally at odds. The President was well aware of the strength and influence of both factions. He glanced at the advisor, his gaze settling on the electronic screen, his expression becoming heavier as he fell into contemplation. Fighting on would be detrintal to the country, detrintal to himself; not fighting would upset these interest groups, also detrintal to himself. Either choice was unfavorable. What path should he take? That was a question.
With this, Punard sneered, disdainfully saying, "Soldiers bearing the responsibility? Interesting, I enjoy hearing you say that. The Minister of Defense, as the military's representative, and several high-ranking officers present, how do you propose we divide this responsibility? Should we let the ordinary soldiers take the fall?"
"You?" The advisor, stumped by Punard's words, looked at the Minister of Defense and other military bigwigs present, realizing his lapse and quickly offered an apologetic glance, suppressing his discontent and remaining silent.
Punard noticed the other's silence, disdainfully snorted, "Mr. Minister, how do you intend to bear this responsibility? If it were just ordinary natives, we could use various thods and ans to defeat the enemy and cover up the losses. But I must remind everyone, standing behind them is Huaxia Country, who can easily spread the truth of the war worldwide. Once the truth is out, can you still control the situation?"
The President's face changed dramatically upon hearing this, fixing his eyes on the electronic screen where Punard was, "Are you sure what Huaxia Country will do?"
"We can wage war for profit, why can't they? Moreover, they don't even need to publish under their na; they could just find any newspaper or website, how simple that is. Leaving aside whether to fight or negotiate, how will you explain the hostages to your voters?" Punard cautioned.
"Hiss—?" The President secretly inhaled sharply, his expression extrely serious. Fighting would be endless, dragging the nation into the quagmire of war, suffering heavy losses; he himself would endure doubt, impeachnt, and ultimately be forced from office. Negotiating, if well disguised, could turn bad to good, at least preserving his presidency. Offending the interest groups was a minor concern; invisibly, the President made his resolution.
A hurried voice ca from an advisor, "Mr. President, don't listen to his alarmist talk. We can refute it as rumors if the war ends within a month, in the face of victory, won't everything be up to us?"
"A month? You take charge then." Punard disdainfully replied.
"A month isn't enough to end the war?" The President eyed Punard on the screen and queried.
"Mr. President." Punard maintained respect for the President, earnestly explaining, "Without air support, let alone a month, even three months cannot end the battle. Base repairs will take three months, and during those months, the enemy can bombard and interfere anyti. Thus, three months are not enough to repair the base, and our troops are currently circulating a virus, its transmission thod still unknown, but spreading fast, with over a thousand soldiers already sick. If not managed properly, more will fall ill."
"What? There's sothing like this, why hasn't anyone reported it to ?" The President's expression changed dramatically, casting a discontented glance at the Minister of Defense, his eyes flickering with coldness.
The Minister of Defense awkwardly said, "We are already aware of this situation. The experts dispatched for treatnt are already on the way, and we believe they can resolve it imdiately upon arrival."
"Mr. Minister, they've already arrived and conducted preliminary diagnosis but are at a loss, unable to determine the cause, stating it's an unseen virus that requires sample collection for study to ascertain. This cycle takes at least a week, with less than a fifty percent success rate. The front-line combat troops are widely infected; gents, how do you expect to conquer the enemy within a month? anwhile, our opponent only needs to disclose so truths to leave you overwheld. Mr. President, I an no offense, but this is the reality; please rule." Punard coldly remarked.
The President's expression beca even heavier. The interest groups, unwilling to relinquish the war for their own interests, faced a reality that made the President realize fighting further would only worsen the situation, making him a historical criminal. Sacrificing himself for others' interests, the President naturally wouldn't agree, his mind made up, expression hardening, saying, "If negotiations ensure the entire matter remains undisclosed?"
"Of course, Huaxia Country seeks benefits and sees no need for outright confrontation with us. The Hook Tribe also desires developntal opportunities, not requiring a fierce clash with us. Through Huaxia Country, we can obtain tantalum, which aligns with everyone's interest—just at international market price, that's all. A small reduction in profit is insignificant to everyone, while the nation can stabilize the region, maintain deterrence, and have a chance to bring hostages ho. Why resort to combat to resolve issues?" Punard thoughtfully proposed.
"But who bears our losses? How do we neutralize the negative impact of failure?" An advisor discontentedly said, eyes burning with reluctance, wishing to tear Punard apart.
Punard disdainfully sneered, "Failure? We haven't failed. The terrorists have been completely eliminated with cooperation between our country and 'that country.' Our brave soldiers may fall on foreign soil but died for the anti-terror cause; their deaths were worthy. Who says we failed? As for losses, those are yours, irrelevant to or the country."
Sam naturally understood the aning of "that country," his eyes brightening, his expression relaxing.
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