Chapter 17 Sensitive Topics
Before the train transporting the first batch of deputies to Beijing entered Beijing West Railway Station, global news media pointed their cameras at the capital of the Republic. Hundreds of reporters were waiting outside the station, seizing every opportunity to ask representatives from all over the country about the matters related to the conference. Although the general congress had been normalized a few years ago and the "professionalization" of representatives was greatly improved, this conference was still unique because everyone knew that within the future, the political situation of the Republic will undergo major changes.
On this day, the debate about whether Wang Yuanqing would remain in office also became in full swing.
Not to mention those Western news media who like to find trouble without any trouble, even Pei Chengyi, who is far away from the other end of the earth, put down his work and turned his attention to Beijing, thousands of miles away.
Will Wang Yuanqing seek the third term of office?
Just in terms of feeling, Pei Chengyi has always believed that Wang Yuanqing is not a selfish politician, but a politician with lofty ideals. In other words, Wang Yuanqing will not use personal gains and losses as a measure of his own, nor will he do things that go against his ideals for personal gains and losses. The problem is that the values of politicians are very complex. They are not understandable to ordinary people, so they will definitely exceed common sense when making certain decisions. Although Pei Chengyi has very little contact with Wang Yuanqing, based on his understanding, Wang Yuanqing has a very clear purpose, but in Pei Chengyi's view, the problem is here. In order to achieve his goal, Wang Yuanqing is very likely to do something that everyone cannot understand. In other words, if Wang Yuanqing believes that staying in office helps achieve his goal, he will pursue the third term without hesitation.
Pei Chengyi did not make random guesses because he knew that guessing was useless.
What surprised him was that the Argentine generals represented by Alfonso actually believed that the "chief adviser" was a big shot in the Republic's decision-making circle. That night, Alfonso held a dinner at his manor and invited dozens of senior generals to welcome Pei Chengyi in name, but in fact he wanted to take this opportunity to find out some "insider news. Because Pei Chengyi's family had arrived in Buenos Aires two days ago, according to Argentina customs, Pei Chengyi brought his wife.
The dinner was very Argentine. After the formal ceremony, Pei Chengyi followed Alfonso to leave the main venue.
When he came to the study and saw the senior generals of Ajun who came in early, Pei Chengyi knew that Alfonso's meal was not so delicious.
Because it is located in the southern hemisphere, February is the hottest remaining year in Xuliangting. Although it is already late at night, the temperature is still much stronger. Several generals with different sizes are already sweating profusely.
When she sat down, Pei Chengyi quickly observed the situation.
In addition to Alfonso, there are 7 generals, two of whom are from the Army. One is the General and the other is the Lieutenant General. According to Pei Chengyi's understanding, the two should be the Commander of the Army and the Chief of Staff. There are also three from the Navy, one is the General and two lieutenant generals. If not unexpectedly, they should be the Chief of Staff and two Deputy Chiefs of Staff. The other two are both Air Force Lieutenant Generals, and they must be the Deputy Chief of Staff.
Argentina's military system is a bit strange. Among the three major military branches, only the army has a "commander. The navy and the air force are both commanders and commanders.
In addition, in the General Staff of the highest military command, although the Army Commander always serves as the Chief of General Staff, the actual power of the General Staff is controlled by three deputy chiefs of staff from the Navy, Air Force and the Presidential Guard.
It is obvious that the relationship between the Argentine Army and the Navy and the Air Force is not very good.
Pei Chengyi also made sufficient "pre-class preparation" to learn about the internal situation of the Argentine army from the Military Intelligence Bureau. When Ji Chengyi received the invitation from Alfonso, he thought about it. As a military adviser, his responsibilities were only to try his best to help the Argentine army establish an effective military system, rather than helping the Argentine army resolve internal disputes.
With this idea, Pei Chengyi seemed very relaxed.
After the chill, Alfonso brought up the main topic. "Although as soldiers, we should not discuss too much political issues, let alone political issues in other countries. But the Republic is our most important ally, and the political direction of the Republic is related to the fundamental interests of our country and our army, so we must pay close attention to what is happening and make correct analysis and judgment
Hearing this, Pei Chengyi glanced at several Argentine generals without moving.
The thug "General Pei" Alfonso did not intend to let Pei Chengyi go. After all, this supper is very valuable and we can't get anything. "General Pei's reputation has long been famous all over the world. In our opinion, he can be regarded as one of the greatest generals in the history of your country and your army. If we are not wrong, General Pei has a very good relationship with your country's top leaders. He also has some understanding of the changes in your country's top leaders.
Thug "General Alfonso, I think these topics are a bit too much. After all, we are soldiers, not politicians
General Pei, we are indeed soldiers, but the responsibilities of soldiers make us understand some problems. The one who rushed to talk about it was General Trescu, the chief of staff of the Argentine Navy. "General Pei is the chief adviser we specially invited. He can be considered his own people, so we don't need to beat around the bush and say whatever we should say. As far as I know, at the beginning of the year, your head of state made a solemn promise when meeting with our president in London, and General Pei also came to us. Although for twenty years, your country has fulfilled its mission and never broke its promise, but compared with the past, the current situation is very large. Simply put, we have been preparing for twenty years for the final action. Even if we are still willing to believe that your country will never break the convention at such a critical moment, but we need more realistic guarantees.
Pei Chengyi frowned slightly and looked thoughtful.
Seeing this, Trescu didn't say anything more and showed some patience.
To be honest, Tracescu was already very polite. Not only did he not point out the contradictions, he also did not target Pei Chengyi. Although to a large extent, Pei Chengyi established a prestige that was enough to make any soldier deeply respect through his military achievements, from another perspective, Tracescu's attitude towards Pei Chengyi is Argentina's attitude towards the Republic.
While pondering, Pei Chengyi glanced at the others.
Like Tresscu, other Afghan generals also expressed the same view, hoping to get some valuable information from Pei Chengyi.
After a while, Pei Chengyi spoke, "I can understand each mood. If I change it and put myself in my shoes, I will have the same requirements. However, I am not as you imagined. Let me put it this way, if I am really the kind of person I imagined, would I still sit here?"
Trescu's brows jumped a few times, looking very unhappy.
Alfonso had contact with Pei Chengyi and knew Pei Chengyi's personality. When he saw that Tresscu was about to speak, he quickly pressed his hand and said, "General Pei, I understand what you mean, but please forgive me. After all, at this critical moment, we need a reason whether we enter or retreat."
Pei Chengyi smiled slightly and said, "Since that's the case, I'll talk about my point of view."
Hearing Pei Chengyi's words, the expressions of several Ajun generals looked a little better.
"Of course. The statement below is my analysis and speculation as the chief military advisor of the army, but my personal opinion." Pei Chengyi glanced at everyone and said, "In fact, everyone's worries are a bit redundant. If I'm not wrong, you have two main concerns. One is whether the head of state will seek the third term. The other is whether the next head of state will change the current policy towards Ah." Bashan, the remuneration factory is too low, and the new hero Xiao Chen is too high.
Pei Chengyi pointed out the key points in one sentence. Several generals of the Ajun shut up and looked at him with a scrupulous look.
"Because time is limited, I will just talk about these two issues briefly. Pei Chengyi took a sip of coffee and said slowly. "First of all, it is the question of whether the head of state will seek the third term. Although I am not a politician and do not have much political awareness, as a soldier, I have enough reason to believe that the head of state has led us to defeat two powerful enemies and create a new era for the Republic. The head of state has very lofty ideals and respectable personal charm. That is to say, under the premise of putting the country and national interests first, the head of state will never break the convention and set an extremely bad precedent for future national leaders."
"That is, your head of state will not seek a third term?"
Pei Chengyi nodded and said, "This is just my guess. As for the specific details, I will not make any guarantee."
Tracescu hesitated for a moment and asked again: "If your head of state gives up its third term, who is most likely to become your next head of state?"
"This is the second question. Pei Chengyi smiled and said, "Although I have never underestimated the idea of your country and your army, from an objective standpoint, compared with the many problems in the Republic, I am absolutely nothing about this matter between your country and your army."
Tracescu was stunned for a moment, and then understood what Pei Chengyi meant.
Thug "General Pei is right. Your country is in the transformation stage, and the domestic problems are much more serious." At this time, the army commander Patos, who has been silent, spoke. "Your country is the world's largest country with comprehensive national strength, and Gangwang has experienced an unprecedented Indian war. Although I have never doubted your country's strength, in my opinion, your country should focus more on solving domestic problems instead of causing trouble everywhere
Pei Chengyi didn't rush to speak because he knew that Patos was definitely an unpopular guy.
"Patos, you're too much." Alfonso, who felt embarrassed, immediately said, "Although no one denies the strength of the Republic, he should not have any doubts about our traditional friendship with the Republic. The Republic does need to spend a lot of effort to solve domestic problems, but as a global power, he will never walk with one leg, and he will not lose sight of one thing. We have enough reason to believe that the Republic will make adjustments to its internal and external policies, find a new balance point, and thus take into account internal and external interests."
After saying that, Alfonso turned his gaze to Pei Chengyi.
"I also agree with Ayisuo's point of view." Tracescu did not miss the opportunity to attack Patos.
Pei Chengyi smiled bitterly and said, "It must be admitted that General Patos' concerns are not groundless. I may have more say than many people than how much impact the Indian War has had on our country. In the eyes of the outside world, we have won the largest regional war since World War II in less than half a year and achieved an amazing victory. However, from an objective standpoint, we must admit that the Indian War has had a great impact on the Republic. In fact, your country has also gained a lot of other things from it.
The rice was purchased from your country last year, which created tens of thousands of jobs and a large amount of tax revenue for your country, and all of them were sent to India without exception. As for the domestic issues mentioned by General Patos, I think the impact of the Indian war is nothing. As everyone said, the Republic, as the world power with the strongest comprehensive national strength, has enough ability to solve the problems brought about by regional wars. Relatively speaking, what really affects the Republic is domestic contradictions, not external contradictions."
After Pei Chengyi said this, several generals of the Ajun stopped interrupting.
"Before talking about this issue, we must be sure. The greatest achievement of the head of state is not two world-renowned regional wars, but political reform." After glanced at several generals of the Afghan army, Pei Chengyi continued, "Although as a soldier, I do not have the right to evaluate the head of state's political actions, but as a citizen of the Republic, I have enough reason to believe that political reform is the head of state's greatest achievement. Even as the chief military adviser of your army, I have enough reason to believe that your country and your army are also beneficiaries of political reform."
"General Pei" Tracescu hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't deny your previous point, but when will our army become a beneficiary of your country's political reform?"
Pei Chengyi smiled and said, "General Tracescu, what are you most worried about? If I'm right, what you and the generals who are sitting are most worried about is the negative impact of the political change in our country on the modernization of your army and the military operations to recover the island of the Horse Island? Obviously, your concerns are completely understandable and necessary. Since the head of state visited your country twenty years ago and signed the first cooperation agreement with your country, three consecutive heads of republics have been actively promoting the relationship between our country and your country. The book list is the book.
But how long can this situation last? We have enough reason to worry. After all, this diplomatic relationship based on personal preferences is not reliable and there is a possibility of turning against each other at any time. So, what kind of diplomatic relationship is worth relying on? I believe that each and my view is the same. It is a diplomatic relationship built on common interests and is guaranteed by law and institutions. The head of state implements political reforms to establish a complete legal system in the Republic and replace personal decision-making with effective political systems, thereby reducing the impact of individuals on national policies. Imagine that if the relationship between our country and your country can be determined through laws and systems, will each worry still exist? In other words, as long as both of us have common interests, no matter who the next head of republic is, it is impossible to change our relationship. Of course, if we do not have common interests, I believe that you will not have such concerns.”
Although Pei Chengyi's words were very tactful, the meaning was expressed very clearly.
After saying that, Pei Chengyi also observed the changes in the expressions of several generals of the Ajun. Since he had already tear the fig leaf, there was nothing to worry about. Explaining the words would be of great benefit to the subsequent cooperation.
After a while of silence, Alfonso said: "General Pei is right. I also believe that your head of state will handle the things we care about before leaving office, but we still want to know more. For example, who will move into your head of state in a month?"
"General Alfonso, you overestimate me." Pei Chengyi smiled and said, "No matter what, I am a soldier rather than a politician. If I were to guess who would lead the British Expeditionary Fleet out of the Port of Pousmouth in a few months, maybe I could guess who would swear allegiance to whom I would swear to in a month. I don't have that ability."
Fei said, General Pei is very clear about the situation of the British army?" Tracescu immediately became interested in the new topic.
"I don't know much, I just know a little bit. No matter what, as a soldier with professional ethics, I won't let your army pay me for free as the chief military adviser."
When Pei Chengyi turned to the military topic, he felt much more relaxed.
To be honest, if it weren't for being forced by several Afghan generals, Pei Chengyi wouldn't want to talk about political matters at all, because he accepted Li Cunxun's arrangement and took a flight of several hours to hide at the other end of the earth, just to avoid the severe domestic struggle situation and not to get involved in the political vortex. More importantly, Pei Chengyi was very clear about the ability of the Military Intelligence Bureau, so when talking about political topics, even if he was facing several Afghan generals, he still had some concerns. The words and sentences were used very tactfully and did not mention anything important.
Pei Chengyi had no good concerns about military topics.
Whenever he talks about military topics, Pei Chengyi has enough ability to convince several Argentina generals. As the chief military adviser sent to Argentina by the Republic, Pei Chengyi had a lot of relevant information, especially the information of the British army before arriving in Buenos Aires. If time and energy are not considered, Pei Chengyi can joking with Argentina generals for several days and nights, making Argentina generals feel that the huge amount of funds spent on hiring military advisers are not in vain.
Pei Chengyi didn't know that when he was trying to avoid political topics, the omnipotent military intelligence director, who seemed to him, did not pay attention to the other side of the earth.
For Li Cunxun, assisting the head of state in completing the political transition smoothly is the top priority.
Chapter completed!