Eagle Sauce: The 055 destroyer was launched into the sea just after the founding of the country?

Chapter 594 Dispute

Inside a secluded French-style villa on the outskirts of Hanoi, the air was thick with suffocation. Outside, the summer heat and rainy season humidity blended, and even the creaking ceiling fan couldn't dispel the stifling heat. Around the villa, armed North Vietnamese soldiers patrolled vigilantly, ensuring that this top-secret meeting remained unobserved.

At the long table in the center of the conference room, Commander Ho Chi Minh sat at the head of the table. His signature goatee was neatly trimmed and white, his face weathered yet resolute. Beside him, the North Vietnamese generals in their sharp uniforms wore varying expressions, some excited, others frowning. At the other end of the table, the Russian envoy, Valentin Petrov, wiped sweat from his brow as he explained Joseph Stalin's plan.

"Jointly attack Dragon Country," Valentin put down the documents in his hand and scanned every North Vietnamese leader present with sharp eyes. "This is a historic opportunity. The Russians will send troops from the north, and your country can advance from the south and reclaim the Guangdong and Guangxi regions in one fell swoop. These territories originally belonged to North Vietnam, didn't they?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the conference room split into two factions. Commander-in-Chief Nguyen Van Thieu slammed the table and stood up. "This is the opportunity we've been waiting for! Dragon Country has occupied our North Vietnamese land for a thousand years, oppressing our North Vietnamese compatriots. Today, we can finally demand justice!" His eyes gleamed, and he traced the Guangdong and Guangxi regions on a map. "Think of the resources and strategic location here. Our country will be strengthened because of this!"

"General, please calm down!" Politburo member Chen Rifang, a well-known pro-Dragon faction within the North Vietnamese government, immediately retorted. "Dragon has always been our brother country. It was they who helped us defeat the French colonizers. Without Dragon's support, we wouldn't even be able to sit here and have a meeting! Besides, Dragon has hydrogen bombs and advanced fighter jets. Why should we be their enemy?"

Commander Ho Chi Minh listened to the arguments between the two sides in silence, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his eyes deep. The debate in the conference room became increasingly heated. Most military generals supported Nguyen Van Thieu's views, while most government officials sided with Chen Rifang.

"Comrades," Ho Chi Ming finally spoke, his voice hoarse but powerful, "we should consider this proposal carefully. It's true that Longguo once occupied our land, but in recent years, they have been our most important ally. Without Longguo's weapons and food, our revolution will be difficult."

Nguyen Van Thieu refused to give in: "Comrade Commander, but the Dragon Kingdom has never truly respected us! They see us as vassals, not equal partners. Now with the support of the Bear Kingdom, we finally have a chance to escape their shadow and reclaim our ancestral lands!"

Valentin smiled slightly and interjected, "Commander-in-Chief Nguyen is right. The Russians have promised that the Guangdong and Guangxi regions will be completely under the control of North Vietnam after the war. In return, we only require North Vietnam to establish a military base in the Gulf of Tonkin. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both sides."

The temperature in the conference room seemed to rise a few degrees. Ho Chi Ming's eyes grew sharper. "Comrade Petrov, I appreciate your frankness. But please allow me to ask a question: If we reject this proposal, will Russia declare war on China alone?"

Valentin's expression stiffened slightly. "This... this is a joint action plan. Without the cooperation of North Vietnam, the success rate of this strategy will be greatly reduced."

"In other words," Hu Zhiming pointed out calmly, "you need us to create a southern front to disperse the Dragon Kingdom's military strength. Once the war begins, we will face the Dragon Kingdom's main force, because their industrial center is in the south."

Valentin was silent for a moment, then admitted: "War always has risks, but also huge rewards. Think about it, the entire Guangdong and Guangxi regions! This will nearly double the territory of North Vietnam."

"Or our country will be completely destroyed," Politburo member Li Sun interjected. "We have just ended the war with France. The country is in ruins and the people need peaceful reconstruction. Starting a war now would be tantamount to seeking death."

Nguyen Van Thieu sneered: "Comrade Li Sun, you are too cautious. Historical opportunities are fleeting! Longguo is now surrounded by both the Eagle Sauce and the Bear. This is a rare opportunity that comes only once in hundreds of years. If we don't seize it, we may never have the chance to recover the lost territory in the future!"

"So," Li Sun asked seriously, "what if Longguo defeated the coalition forces? How would they treat the 'betraying' North Vietnam?"

For a moment, the conference room fell silent. Commander Ho Chi Ming slowly stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the cascading tropical vegetation. After a moment, he turned to face everyone present: "Comrades, this is not just a military decision; it concerns the fate of our nation."

He glanced at everyone. "We cannot forget the help of Longguo, but we cannot ignore the history and dignity of our nation. I propose that a special committee be established to further evaluate the feasibility and risks of this plan." His tone became more resolute. "Whatever the final decision is, it must be based on the long-term interests of the North Vietnamese people, not temporary territorial ambitions or external pressure."

Valentin looked a little disappointed, but he quickly concealed it. "I understand the commander's caution. But remember, Comrade Joseph needs an answer as soon as possible. The window of opportunity will not be open forever."

Ho Chi Ming nodded and said, "Please tell Comrade Joseph that we appreciate the trust and support of the Bear Country. We will seriously consider this proposal and give you a reply within a week."

Nguyen Van Thieu seemed to want to continue arguing, but a look from Ho Chi Ming stopped him. The atmosphere in the conference room eased slightly, but undercurrents were surging.

After the meeting, Hu Zhiming asked Chen Rifang and Li Sun to stay. After Valentin and the others left, he sighed heavily and said, "I suspect this is a trap."

"I think so too," Li Sun whispered. "The Maoxiong Nation may just want to use us to contain the Dragon Nation army so that they can break through from the north more easily."

"More likely," Chen Rifang added, "they want to sow discord between us and Longguo. If we really send troops, regardless of success or failure, Longguo will no longer trust us. We will lose our most important ally and become completely dependent on Mao Xiongguo."

Ho Chi Ming walked to the window again, gazing into the distance. Rainy season clouds gathered on the skyline, foreshadowing an impending storm. "Contact the Dragon Embassy," he suddenly said, his voice firm. "We need to confirm the authenticity of these reports of the Bear State's military buildup. Also, heighten border security, but refrain from any provocative actions."

He turned to face his two trusted comrades, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "North Vietnam's future cannot be bet on the chariots of other countries. We need to have our own path, neither being a vassal of the Dragon Country nor a pawn of the Bear Country."