Rebirth: I Became Mr.President's Beloved-Chapter 1189: The Past, Let Bygones Be Bygones
Song Baiyan did not refute, which equated to tacitly accepting his statement.
"Even if you stand above ten thousand, it doesn’t mean you absolutely hold the power of life and death in your hands." Han Jifeng’s gaze was almost aggressive: "What you want to do, whether it’s medical reform or drug eradication, will not go smoothly, using the people around you as a warning isn’t without reason—they are beginning to let go of their dissatisfaction."
This time, Song Baiyan spoke: "Tang Li is currently in Nanwa, if I ask you to rescue her, how do you plan to do it?"
Han Jifeng’s hands, hanging at his sides, slowly clenched into fists.
Nanwa, an autonomous region in Burma.
Also the most chaotic area in Burma.
It has the largest Chinese gathering area, and because 70% of the population are Wa people, it is extremely xenophobic, coupled with local military forces exceeding thirty thousand, if the Nanwa military is involved in this airport kidnap, then the situation becomes extremely complex.
A man, a team, is not enough to resist thirty thousand.
In S country, thirty thousand is akin to a Category B simplified group army.
It’s not excessive to describe Nanwa State as impregnable.
There, any outsider quickly gets captured.
For the usual person, it’s no less than entering a dragon’s lair or tiger’s den.
Song Baiyan seemed unsurprised at his silence, steadily said: "Above ten thousand, many things can be done, including the current difficulty you face on how to rescue her."
This logic, how could Han Jifeng not understand.
He just deliberately ignored it in the beginning.
Even though he is now a local councilman, he Still lacks powerful discourse authority.
Facing the Nanwa Army, one word from Song Baiyan probably outweighs his thousand words.
As long as Song Baiyan holds this position, he represents the entire country of S.
S country, unlike H country and D country, where the President holds not only administrative power but also supreme military power, backed by more than two million active soldiers, is Song Baiyan’s leverage in dialogues with Nanwa State.
He doesn’t want to admit it, yet has to.
Now, relying on himself, he cannot save Tang Li.
Song Baiyan told him Tang Li’s whereabouts, then asked for a rescue plan, trying to make him recognize reality, also indirectly telling him – even though putting Tang Li in peril, he can still protect her.
...even the use of national forces.
From knowing Song Baiyan might die of illness in a few years, yet hasn’t drawn a line with Tang Li, Han Jifeng could tell Song Baiyan wasn’t one for self-sacrifice; even facing his mortality, he still wouldn’t let go.
Maybe this is a common flaw among men.
Regardless of power and status, stinginess remains unambiguous.
Han Jifeng also guessed, Song Baiyan’s reason for meeting him was to obtain some information.
In the past, Song Baiyan would likely disdain doing such things.
If Song Baiyan believed in his dream, knowing he’d get ill back then, he wouldn’t have stopped looking for him; now he asks him, fulfilling the saying ’one loses their head when concerned.’
No point in staying further.
Upon turning around, Han Jifeng paused: "While Your Excellency has command authority over the three armies, unless in emergency wartime, to mobilize troops requires Congress approval."
Yet, Congress is not Song Baiyan’s domain alone.
There are quite a few in Congress who hold deep-seated opinions about Song Baiyan.
The medical reform law that Song Baiyan advocated for single-handedly seriously infringed on domestic commercial institutions’ interests.
These institutions are mostly secretly connected with councilmen, some insurance companies even being councilmen’s family enterprises.
The subsequent drug eradication initiative unearthed border smuggling operations, affecting not only the Zuo Family.
These people can’t stand seeing Song Baiyan succeed in everything.
Once Song Baiyan requests something of Congress, it’s likely they’ll step forward one after another to impede him.
Song Baiyan’s response was—
"They do not need to agree."
Once Han Jifeng left, Ji Ming entered the garden.
The Siamese Air Force had news: the helicopter hijacking Mrs. Song did enter Burma’s airspace.
This confirmed that Xue Ya was indeed working for Jin Lihua.
Just earlier, Han Jifeng’s last words were overheard by Ji Ming, who was already on the garden edge, "The Nanwa Alliance Army, speaking of, is nothing but S country’s former rebels entering Burma; they have always been wary of S country, so Xue Ya’s kidnapping of Mrs. Song might not have been ordered by the Alliance Army."
In recent years, the Alliance Army hasn’t actively instigated conflict at the border between the two countries.
Moreover, the current highest commander of the Alliance Army – Yan Yingcheng – is nearing seventy years old; he should understand the consequences of abducting an S country citizen.
So—
Ji Ming suspects: the kidnapping, Nanwa Alliance Army might not be aware.
However, the gentleman did not continue with this subject, but rather asked about the Zuo Family.
"They should still be handling the funeral."
The Zuo Family has been under Ji Ming’s watch these past two days.
Though Zuo Yuliang has withdrawn to a secondary position, his reputation still holds; his younger son died tragically, and many from both the military and political spheres still come to offer condolences.
Due to his son’s tragic death, Zuo Yuliang requested a seven-day vigil.
This act might be an exertion of pressure on the gentleman.
As for why Second Zuo died in the small woods, the city bureau has already uncovered some clues, upon hearing the news Zuo Family staunchly denies Second Zuo provided cover for those culprits entering the Capital. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
However, the case statement has already been forwarded to the gentleman’s desk, the Steinway explosion, Second Zuo played an intermediary role, leading people into the capital, and used connections to arrange jobs for people in the sanitation department; even in death, he can’t wash away the crimes of being an accomplice.
Furthermore, Second Zuo had openly criticized the gentleman before.
Not allowing the son a peaceful burial, Zuo Yuliang is waiting for the gentleman’s statement.
—He wants his son buried with a clean slate.
Acting audaciously old and reliant.
So, upon hearing the gentleman intended to go to the Zuo Family for condolences, Ji Ming was somewhat surprised.
Song Baiyan went to the Zuo Family without much fanfare, upon receiving the news, Zuo Yuliang, aided by his eldest son, personally came to the entrance to welcome him.
Second Zuo’s funeral, grand in scale.
The courtyard full of people saw Song Baiyan, aside from respectful also astonished, not expecting Second Zuo had such face, even in death, to make his excellency personally come incense amidst heavy schedule.
Song Baiyan handed the incense to Ji Ming and went with Zuo Yuliang to the study.
Zuo Da and Ji Ming were left outside.
On this day, Song Baiyan stayed at the Zuo Family until late at night before leaving.
What he discussed with Zuo Yuliang, nobody knew.
Only that next morning, Zuo Yuliang filed a lawsuit against Burma’s Drug Lord Isa in court, for murder, of course.
By afternoon, Zuo Yuliang went to Tan Palace, tearfully and repeatedly implored his excellency to rigorously investigate border drug trafficking, even if it’s for the sake of tens of billions of S country citizens, Isa and others must be brought to justice!
That night, Tan Palace held another press conference, characterizing the ’Steinway Explosion’ as retaliation from the Golden Triangle’s drug lords, S country’s stance on this—to kill regardless the distance.
Only Zuo Yuliang knew, he had become Song Baiyan’s vanguard.
Inside the study, Song Baiyan handed over a USB drive containing evidence of his eldest son’s smuggling.
Back then Song Baiyan said—
The past, don’t pursue.
The Zuo Family matter ends with the sweep action.
As for Second Zuo’s death, from now on, no need to mention again.
This was Song Baiyan’s promise to him, also a way of keeping him in check.
—
Good night.
