Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1627 - 746: Commissioner Smiths Everywhere!
Chapter 1627 -746: Commissioner Smiths Everywhere!
February 22, 1996, late night, Washington D.C., White House underground command center (bunker).
This place is very secretive.
After all, it’s meant to withstand nuclear X.
Little Bush sat at one end of the long table, still wearing that wrinkled shirt, his tie hanging loosely.
He had little interest in managing his attire anymore.
Money! Money! Money!
Another piece of news: troops on the front line have mutinied and surrendered directly to Bramo.
Americans seem indifferent to who becomes the master of the United States.
The fatigue and anxiety deep in his eyes were undeniable, and Chief of Staff Carl Rove sat close beside him, wearing a similarly grave expression.
Opposite them sat two individuals.
Leading them was a middle-aged man, with a lean face, who introduced himself as “Mr. Schneider,” from a private investment fund registered in a European tax haven, with a complicated background.
Beside him sat a younger assistant.
“Mr. President, Mr. Rove,” Mr. Schneider started, speaking in English with a slight accent and a smile, “Thank you for meeting us in such extraordinary times. We’ll be brief; my client has cautious interest in providing emergency liquidity assistance to the United States of America.”
Little Bush took a deep breath, striving to keep his voice steady: “Mr. Schneider, we appreciate any partner willing to lend a helping hand in times of crisis. America needs short-term funds to stabilize domestic affairs, restore military morale, and tackle the imminent threats. We are willing to provide reasonable collateral and interest.”
Actually, Little Bush had considered printing money excessively!
Don’t Americans have money?
The worst case is keeping the printing press running 25 hours, but alas… the Fed disagreed and warned him against fooling around, or else, things might go wrong.
That’s why he had no choice but to reach out to some “Shadow Consortium.”
Mr. Schneider nodded slightly, “Reasonable collateral and interest, this is the basis of business negotiations, Mr. President. But please understand, we face extraordinary business risks. The entity we’re investing in is a sovereign nation teetering on the brink of civil war, with credit nearing bankruptcy. Therefore, our conditions must match these exceptional risks.”
He gently raised his hand, stopping Rove, who seemed to want to interject, and continued with his steady tone: “Our proposed plan is: a total of $50 billion, injected in three batches. The first batch of $20 billion can be available within 72 hours after the agreement is signed.”
This figure made Rove’s eyelid twitch, far exceeding their previous expectations, almost an astronomical sum capable of temporarily stabilizing the situation.
He glanced at his BOSS.
“However, we require some”
“First, collateral. We need the first-priority collateral of fifty percent of the future ten-year federal fuel tax, aviation tax, and five-year revenue rights from the national strategic petroleum reserve. This requires legislative assurance, but we understand your current circumstances, so your personal executive orders and the irrevocable pledge agreement signed by the Treasury Department can be temporarily accepted by us during the ‘transition period.'”
Little Bush’s breath slightly halted. This is akin to pledging a part of the nation’s lifeline directly to the other party.
“Second, interest, annualized rate, thirty-eight percent. Paid quarterly, interest along with principal.”
When Schneider reported this number, the room went quiet enough to hear every breath of the ventilation system.
MDB, it’s usury!
An annual interest rate of 38%, even Jesus would have to walk away bare-legged, wouldn’t he?
“Third.”
“This is the most important cooperation clause. To ensure the safety of our investment, we need certain ‘information rights’ and ‘advisory rights’ in some key decision-making areas in your country.”
“Specifically, what do you mean?” Little Bush’s voice was somewhat dry.
“In any future potential negotiations or ceasefire agreements with Mexico or Illinois rebels, we need the right to review in advance and propose amendments. Any major decisions involving territorial changes, war compensation, or adjustments in military deployments, our side needs to be informed before your Cabinet meeting.”
“That’s impossible!”
Rove couldn’t help but blurt out, “This is naked interference in internal affairs, an infringement on sovereignty!”
Mr. Schneider’s gaze didn’t even shift to Rove, still fixed on Little Bush: “Mr. Rove, sovereignty belongs to a healthy, well-functioning state. When the machinery of the nation stalls, when the military is shaken due to unpaid salaries, talking about pure sovereignty is a luxury. We are assisting your country in ‘stabilizing’ sovereignty. Necessary ‘cooperation’ is protection. Besides, these are just ‘advisory rights’; the final decision rights are still, of course, in your hands, Mr. President.”
He deliberately emphasized the word ‘of course,’ sounding full of irony.
Little Bush’s face looked grim.
Damn it, a tiger down to the plains is bullied by dogs.
Mr. Schneider seemed oblivious to his reaction, continuing to throw out even heavier terms: “Moreover, to ensure the smooth execution of the agreement, we need to station a permanent ‘liaison office’ in the Treasury Department. Additionally, during the validity period of the agreement, regarding any status changes or future development plans for the Alaska base, our side holds priority participation rights and veto rights.”
Alaska!
Little Bush felt a dizzying rush. The strategic interests and historical significance entwined in this place made him almost want to slam the table.
What are they trying to do?
Are they trying to create a nation X in America?
Little Bush’s voice simmered with suppressed anger, “The conditions you’ve proposed have surpassed the scope of financial lending! This is extortion against a sovereign country!”
