The capital market knows no sympathy, only the most naked distribution of interests.

Miles seized upon this pain point, risking an attack to extend an olive branch to Lin Miao before military technology arrived in Night City.

You have ambition and capability, but lack the connections.

Kangtao is decent but too far from North America to protect you, you have completely offended Huang Ban, military technology has major issues with you over the Sixth Street Gang affair, and don't even think about the European Community.

Across the entire United States, the only one who can say they will protect you without making military technology excessively resentful, thinking you've jumped ship, is me, Miles.

I have everything you want, even the dignified President of the United States willing to come to Night City in person to meet you. This sincerity is ample, just short of sending a special plane and sedan chairs to take you to the White House.

Anyone else would likely bow down to Miles.

But Lin Miao wouldn't.

Lowering his head now would mean handing the initiative to Miles, even though a deal is reached, both parties would end up in a master-servant relationship, and Horizon Corporation would become a subordinate of New America.

Lin Miao doesn't mind working for New America, but that doesn't mean he's willing to bow down, especially when Miles's situation isn't much better than Lin Miao's, otherwise, he wouldn't act recklessly against the Black Wall.

Small people have their small difficulties, big people have their big troubles.

"Being too successful in business inevitably draws jealousy, but not being envied means being mediocre, though having an extra big client is certainly good for Horizon Corporation; the question is how much is the president willing to pay for our services."

Lin Miao's response surprised Miles; among the New American Federation, companies line up to curry favor with New America and get business orders, even offering money to cooperate with the government, yet someone has the audacity to ask the United States Government for money?

A tough nut.

"Don't you think you're too greedy?"

"Is there anyone in this world who isn't greedy?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Those who are too greedy generally don't live long."

"Precisely because they don't live long, they seize the opportunity to be exceptionally greedy; otherwise, if they die, they can't be greedy anymore."

"But you don't seem like a greedy person."

"Do you look like a bad person, President?"

Miles was speechless; this person was the most bizarre she had ever encountered.

Still, if the opposite side easily bowed down to her, Miles would actually have to scrutinize whether this guy could be trusted as her leverage against military technology and Huang Ban.

After turning her back to Lin Miao and contemplating over the map for a moment, she asked,

"State your conditions; I might consider agreeing, but don't overestimate your importance to the United States Government or my patience."

"I have a plan."

Lin Miao calmly disclosed his thoughts, making Miles turn sharply, staring intently at the man before her.

"You're insane!"

After hearing what Lin Miao said, Miles couldn't help but be moved.

"I am very calm, Mr. President; if done correctly, this matter could be beneficial for both you and me."

"The world never progresses based on personal ideas; your choice carries too much risk."

Miles did not directly veto Lin Miao's crazy idea; she saw the clear benefits that he described, but as she said, the risk was too significant to evaluate, and New America could not afford another failure, which would further diminish her already faltering prestige, even potentially losing the next US election.

"Sure, but New America doesn't have to bear this risk."

Lin Miao eloquently explained.

"New America's army doesn't need to set foot on Cuba; all conflict missions will be executed by Horizon Corporation's mercenaries, and even if it ultimately ends in failure, it won't impact New America's economy. You can eventually shift the entire responsibility onto me."

"In return, military technology will secure a continuous stream of military orders, and New America will also gain sufficient grounds to extract the poisonous blade embedded in its back, offering considerable benefits to you."

"Even if it fails in the end, no one will place the blame on you."

Cuba, as the world's largest drug research and manufacturing base, poses significant risks primarily to New America.

Back in 2025, the United States had no reason to strike against drug traffickers in Mexico and Latin America because those cartels were utilized by the CIA not only as a money-making means but also as a method for the United States to weaken and control neighboring countries.

As for the citizens harmed by drugs, it's not considered a major issue for the United States because the United States is an immigrant nation; as long as power remains intact, there will be a steady stream of immigrants filling the gaps left by those American citizens killed by drugs.

Moreover, in a fully de-industrialized United States, the lower classes are merely irrelevant voting machines; dying early saves pension costs, akin to Emperor Qin touching the wire, it's a huge win.

But for the New American Federation in 2076, it's a different story.

The New American Federation, with its rapidly declining international status, has lost its attractiveness in matters of immigration and smuggling, while the Cuba Drug Trafficking Group is beyond the control of the New American Federation. Peddling drugs on its territory is depleting national finances, with vast sums of money flowing from the hands of the United States into those of Cuban drug dealers and the European countries backing them.

If it were a pure warlord-style government, Miles might indeed ignore Cuba's actions or even ask to join them and collectively perform unsustainable fishing tactics on the people of the New American Federation.