Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1714 - 770: Compradors and Foreign Powers? (Part 3)
Similar undercurrents are surging within the remaining diplomatic and commercial networks of the United Kingdom, Germany, and even Italy.
Gerry City, the command center at the Mexico front, is not oblivious to all this.
Admiral Kitchener's intelligence officer placed a briefing on his desk: "General, we've detected a significant increase in non-military communication frequencies between NATO Allied Army units and their rear, much of it encrypted. Pattern analysis shows an increased association with commercial and financial keywords. Also, we've intercepted some vague signals routed through third countries, seemingly related to some business entities within the United States."
Kitchener looked at the briefing, unsurprised.
"When they can't continue fighting, they start thinking about business. Europeans are always like this." He thought for a moment, "Organize these intelligence pieces into a report and send a summary to the Leader's office."
He walked over to the sand table, observing the stabilizing front line.
"Tell all units at the front to remain on alert, but unless provoked, do not fire the first shot. Also, have the logistics and civil affairs folks come over; we need a detailed assessment of industrial capacity and resource distribution in the controlled areas, especially the potential economic value of Texas and California. In negotiations, having guns isn't enough; we also need to know what cards we hold and what others want."
In Cancun, Victor received the intelligence summary from Kitchener along with the preliminary report from the economic department.
Leaning back in his chair, he said to Casare, "See? The Italians haven't even cooled down completely, and some people are already contemplating how to carve up the spoils."
Casare: "Boss, should we stop them? If these European capitals infiltrate…"
"Stop? Why stop them?"
Victor chuckled, "Capital has no homeland, only profit. They want to make money, and so do we. If the French and the British can live together, what's impossible in the world?"
He pointed to the part of the report about the Rockefeller family: "These old American money, reluctant to be marginalized, want to use the European's ship to dock again."
"What do you mean?"
"Tell our contacts in Europe and on Wall Street to make appropriate contact and listen to what they have to say. At the same time, accelerate our own economic integration within the controlled areas. Oil fields, mines, and key factories must be firmly in our hands or controlled by those who are completely loyal to us. Joint ventures and cooperation are possible, but controlling shares and final decision-making power must be ours, especially involving strategic resources."
Victor had a far-reaching look: "In this war, militarily, we've held against NATO, even winning a round. But the real contest may be coming in the economic and diplomatic arenas. We need the Europeans to acknowledge the rules we set and…the distribution of benefits must satisfy us."
"The ceasefire won't last forever. But during this gap, we must truly turn Texas and California into our sources of strength, not a burden. Have the economic department develop a detailed framework for attracting investment, clarifying which areas are open and which are restricted. We need them to bring technology, management experience, and international market channels. We're not just seeking capital inflow, but through them, embedding our economy more deeply into the global system while maintaining dominance."
"What about the 'Freedom Alliance' and NATO?"
"Fight and talk; talk while fighting."
Victor said, "Keep the military pressure so they don't dare act rashly. At the negotiation table, we can discuss borders, ceasefire agreements, and even some economic cooperation projects to lull them. But there's no room for compromise on core territory issues. As for the private dealings between Europeans and American consortiums…as long as they don't harm our fundamental interests or involve military secrets, we can turn a blind eye for now. When water is too clear, there are no fish. Sometimes, a bit of chaos helps in fishing."
Casare quickly took notes.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Victor added, "Get the propaganda department moving. Besides publicizing our military victories, start promoting our 'achievements' in restoring order, developing the economy, and improving livelihood in the controlled areas. Invite some neutral international journalists, even if we have to pay them, to come and see. We need to create an image of 'despite experiencing war, now more vibrant, open, and full of opportunities.' This will help attract capital and divide the opposing camp."
Fat Casare nodded.
"By the way, when are the first batch of guys from the front lines coming back?" Victor asked.
"By tomorrow morning."
Victor checked his watch, "Then have all ministerial-level figures in Mexico City go to greet them. Have Anatoly Lunacharsky make a speech on our behalf."
"And about the compensations, have the civil affairs department expedite it, avoid any more turmoil."
"Understood." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
The front line remained silent, with occasional skirmishes between patrols, but large-scale conflict had ceased.
NATO governments, under domestic anti-war pressure and potential commercial interests, were increasingly ambiguous in their stance.
In public, they still supported the "Freedom Alliance," but the intensity and rhetoric of military support noticeably decreased, with more emphasis on "political solutions."
Within the "Freedom Alliance," there was anxiety and division. Without full NATO support and facing Mexico's strong defense, some governors and politicians began secretly contemplating their own paths. Capitalists, with their keen senses, were seeking channels to connect with the Mexico-controlled areas or European capital.
A stalemate of multi-party bargaining emerged.
Meili Soft, this place…
Has finally welcomed a pack of wolves!
...
