Frederick did not notify other officials on the phone with Leslie

What happened on the 29th made Frederick very annoyed. If Leslie hadn't called back in time, Frederick would have faced greater trouble.

After calming down, Frederick also knew what the problem was.

China must have expected that the US military would send the USS Washington aircraft carrier battle group into the South China Sea and interfere with China's military operations in Vietnam without participating in the war. It adopted a strategy of using tricks to take advantage of the United States' opportunity to protect Vietnam, send troops to defeat the Philippines and regain the islands and reefs occupied by the Philippines.

Very simple and very commonly used strategy.

But Frederick didn't see it, and Berkeley didn't see it!

The feeling of being deceived is indeed not very comfortable, and what makes Frederick even more afraid is the possible conflict between China and the United States.

Under the threat of the USS Washington aircraft carrier battle group, the Chinese Navy still adopted an offensive strategy, bombing the Philippine naval bases and air bases in the Philippines, annihilated the Philippine Navy. Obviously, the Chinese Navy did not take the US military seriously. If there was a conflict, it would definitely concentrate its efforts to kill the USS Washington aircraft carrier battle group.

Before other combat groups arrived, the Washington was difficult to deal with the joint strikes of the Chinese Navy.

Fortunately, Leslie reminded Frederick in time.

Before the Secretary of State returned to Washington, Frederick ordered the USS Washington aircraft carrier battle group to withdraw to the eastern Gulf of Thailand, and slowed down the speed of the Earthly-branch aircraft carrier battle group in the South China Sea.

Leslie won't call back from Kuala Lumpur for no reason, nor will he return to Washington early without reason.

Regardless of whether Frederick is a fool or not, he should know the situation of the United States at this time.

After learning that China and Malaysia were engaged in bilateral negotiations, Frederick had to be amazed at Leslie's extremely accurate strategic vision. In the case of Malaysia's "suspending" surrender, the door to China's peaceful solution to the problems of the Nansha and the South China Sea has been opened. The United States will not receive good results at this time if any "extreme" actions are taken at this time. The most correct way is to default to the fait accompli.

After Leslie arrived at the Oval Study, Frederick instructed the secretary not to let anyone disturb him.

"Treduy has reported to me." Frederick personally poured a cup of coffee for the Secretary of State. "What do you think will be the result of the negotiations between China and Malaysia?"

"The most unfavorable result for us." Leslie's answer was straightforward.

Frederick sat down, looking very gloomy.

"Before this, China had bilateral contacts with Malaysia." Leslie put down his coffee cup and said, "Although China fought against the Vietnamese army in the battlefield between Laos and the South China Sea and bombed the local military targets of Vietnam, Malaysia has not agreed to formal negotiations with China, indicating that Malaysia does not want to make concessions on the issue of the Nansha and the South China Sea. Shortly after I left Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Foreign Minister and the Chinese Foreign Minister had urgent consultations. Then the Malaysian Prime Minister and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office held a closed-door meeting, discussed for a whole day, and finally made a decision to formal negotiations with China. From this, it can be concluded that Malaysia's attitude has undergone a fundamental change."

“This does not mean that Malaysia will make concessions in the negotiations.

”

"If Malaysia does not intend to make concessions at the negotiating table, it will not conduct formal negotiations with China at all." Leslie smiled faintly and said, "China's quick and decisive actions on the South China Sea battlefield are enough to make Malaysia believe in China's determination to recover the Nansha and the South China Sea. When we cannot provide Malaysia with 'national security guarantee', Malaysia has no other choice. After all, one-quarter of Malaysia's population is Chinese, and China is Malaysia's largest trading partner, and China's trade policy to Malaysia is also the most moderate. As long as China can make concessions in other aspects and meet Malaysia's interest demands, Malaysia will make concessions at the negotiating table."

Frederick sighed and said, "What do you think Malaysia will make?"

"Malaysia will make demands on trade, economy, military and diplomacy, almost all areas closely related to national interests."

"In this case, Malaysia is not only surrendering to China, but actually has reached a quasi-alliance relationship with China."

"It's not surprising at all." Leslie didn't look surprised. "After the Sino-Vietnam War, the situation in Southeast Asia will undergo a fundamental change. Even if Wu Sanming can gain a foothold in Ho Chi Minh City, it will last for up to two to three years. As long as Ruan Liangyu makes some achievements in the north, Wu Sanming will sooner or later be exiled overseas. After Vietnam entered the embrace of China, almost all the Indochina Peninsula fell into China. The Philippines is an unbearable land. Until the ethnic issue is resolved, it will never become a country with a voice in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian region has a strong position. If the religious and ethnic issues cannot be solved, it will be at most a regional power with a large population and rich resources, even the region.

It’s not considered a big deal. Brunei is a small country. No matter how powerful it is, it’s only Malaysia and Singapore. In the short term, Singapore’s policies will not undergo major changes. After all, China’s political system and dissatisfaction with Singapore’s appetite. As Malaysia turns to China, Southeast Asia will sooner or later become China’s backyard.”

Frederick's brow jumped a few times and said, "What should we do?"

"There are not many options." Leslie sighed, "In the short term, our country must adopt a strategic defensive posture and cannot have direct conflicts with China, or even directly confrontation with China. The one who can make a fuss is still Vietnam. As long as Wu Sanming has gained a foothold in southern Vietnam, we can use Wu Sanming to restrain the northern government, forcing China to make great efforts to deal with Wu Sanming."

"If China supports Nguyen Liangyu to power, it may not necessarily expand the scale of military operations in Vietnam."

"Not sending troops does not mean not exert efforts." Leslie pushed his glasses, "China supports Nguyen Liangyu, and will inevitably use the new Vietnam regime as an 'example' to promote it, making other countries in Southeast Asia more dependent on China. From another perspective, if the Vietnamese problem is not solved well, China's prestige will be greatly hit. In this case, even if China does not send troops to help Nguyen Liangyu fight the civil war, it will also pay and supplies to help Nguyen Liangyu arm a strong enough army. This is the goal we need to achieve. The longer the civil war in Vietnam is fought, the greater the benefits it will be for us. As long as China is unable to expand in other directions, we will get a valuable respite and re-produce strategic deployment. We will gain a foothold in the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, so that China cannot control Southeast Asia in the short term."

Frederick nodded slightly, convinced Leslie's strategic analysis.

"For us, all we need is three to five years." Leslie smiled and said, "As long as we complete strategic adjustments during this period, catch up with China in important areas, and successfully overcome the economic crisis, we will not only continue to maintain strategic advantages, but also suppress China in more directions. At that time, even if we fight a Cold War with China, we still have a great chance of winning. The key is that in the next three to five years, we must not easily disperse the national power. We must concentrate all our capabilities to adjust the domestic economy, increase investment in high-end technology, and survive the Great Depression!"

“In that case, we have to shrink completely.

”

Leslie nodded and said, "Retraction does not mean retreat, nor does it mean doing nothing. I think military assistance should be provided to Wu Sanming as soon as possible so that he can form a new army. In addition, we must use Japan to re-emphasize the restraining role that Japan plays on China."

"Japan?" Frederick immediately frowned.

After the Japanese military government came to power, U.S.-Japan relations plummeted. Subsequently, the financial crisis and economic crisis broke out. In order to transfer the crisis to the outside world, Japan not only depreciated significantly, but also provided huge subsidies for export companies and export products. In the global trade war, the United States not only focused on cracking down on Chinese goods, but also focused on dealing with Japan's "dumping behavior", and its relationship with Japan was very stiff.

In addition to economic issues, Japan's military threat also made the United States feel uncomfortable.

Although Frederick was born after World War II, Americans cannot forget the "Pearl Harbor Incident". Japan, controlled by soldiers, will sooner or later embark on the road of external expansion and will pose a threat to the United States.

"In the long run, it will be difficult for Japan to pose a threat to us within 30 years." Leslie's words seemed very cautious. "Japan's development and growth, the first thing that threatened us is not us, but China. Whether it is history or reality, Japan has to deal with the strong enemies around us when it embarks on the road of external expansion. As long as China does not fall, Japan will not only not pose a threat to us, but will also become the main force that restrains China."

"The problem is that Japan poses a threat to our allies."

"South Korea?"

Frederick nodded.

"As long as Japan is a little sensible, it will not deal with South Korea."

"The question is, is Japan controlled by military personnel sane?

Leslie smiled bitterly and said, "After Southeast Asian countries split their way, can we have other ways to restrain China?"

Frederick hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"Since there is no better choice, Japan is the best choice." Leslie thought for a while and said, "We must grasp the specific policies, and we must not let Japan go too fast or too slow. As long as China feels the threat posed by Japan, we don't have to worry that China will expand heavily in other directions."

"This issue needs careful consideration," Frederick sighed and said, "Give me a detailed report as soon as possible."

Leslie nodded and agreed. Although Frederick lacks foresight on military issues, he has strong opinions on international relations. (To be continued,)
Chapter completed!