"When the aircraft carrier leaves the port, will the confrontation at sea end prematurely?"
In the headquarters building of a media company.
Wilson's face was full of unwillingness. Even if he exhausted all his imagination, he did not expect that things would develop in this direction.
Those Chinese people, they actually forced the aircraft carrier back.
This is no small thing.
He has been in charge of international news for many years, and his perception of international situations is much keener than the average person.
In the eyes of ordinary people, perhaps the aircraft carrier leaving the port is just a routine operation. Even those who have a deeper look will only think that this is a temporary defeat for the United States.
But he knew that the far-reaching impact of such an action would definitely exceed the imagination of ordinary people.
The aircraft carrier came with great fanfare to support Annan and establish his influence in Southeast Asia.
Now that they have left in disgrace, what impression will they leave on those small countries?
It's you, the big brother, who makes excuses and yells when nothing happens, but doesn't take any action when something happens.
If you are such a big brother, who else is willing to follow you?
Even if they can come up with various reasons to make up for it later, such as "restrictions on anti-terrorism situation", "maintaining regional balance of power", "guaranteeing trade normalization", etc., but these reasons will have little effect. , it’s really too limited.
The only way is to deepen cooperation in other aspects.
Maybe they already have a new plan?
Wilson shook his head and slammed the table.
No matter what plan the United States has, in terms of results, this time it has indeed abandoned all its allies.
Even allies in public opinion are no exception!
Of course, he also admitted that there were omissions on his side in this wave of offensive, but if the Reagan could hold on longer, there would actually be no hope of a comeback in public opinion!
pity
He sighed heavily, and the hatred in his eyes became even stronger as he watched the messages of universal celebration flashing across the screen.
Why?
Why can a country like yours confront the world's most powerful country, and even win?
This is unscientific and unreasonable!
Even though the fact was before his eyes, he still didn't want to admit it.
Is there any way, under the current circumstances, to try to find hope of a comeback?
Wilson's brain was working rapidly, constantly deducing the original plan.
However, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't get the answer he wanted.
The other side has completely retreated, and the window of opportunity left for Vietnam has disappeared. After that, they can only rely on their own strength.
Unless they can get more foreign aid.
But, who can help them?
Europe?
Do not make jokes.
They can't even handle their own affairs.
Thinking about it, Wilson felt like he was back to square one.
If all else fails, you can only pull out your last trump card.
arbitration.
Only by relying on international legal principles can it be possible to gain an advantage in public opinion and reverse the already extremely decadent situation.
Thinking of this, Wilson suddenly came to life again.
That's right, now I have nothing to lose.
A desperate last ditch effort may bring opportunities
He quickly picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.
Griffith.
"Mr. Griffith, this is Wilson."
"Yes, I'm still in the office."
"You want to see me for something? That's great, I just want to discuss something with you."
"Is it okay to just be in the office? No?"
"Okay, I understand, I'll rush over immediately!"
After putting down the phone, Wilson looked extremely excited.
Sure enough, Griffith had the same idea as him, and he was also planning how to save the situation!
Otherwise, why would he invite himself out mysteriously, and why would he solemnly tell himself not to bring anyone else with him?
Obviously, he must have a complete plan.
Although he still doesn't know what the plan is, Wilson believes that as long as he integrates his own strategy with it, he will definitely get the most perfect result.
Yes, we were abandoned.
But maybe, we don't need your power as much as you think.
Even if we only rely on pen and paper and radio waves, we can still save the situation
Wilson left the office impatiently, and at the appointed coffee shop, he met Griffith, who had been waiting for a long time.
"Mr. Griffith!"
Wilson hurriedly stepped forward to say hello, but the other party just nodded calmly and motioned for him to sit down.
Before he could continue speaking, Griffith asked first:
"You said you have something to ask me about, what is it specifically?"
Wilson quickly sat up straight and lowered his voice and said:
"We still have a chance!"
"Is there still a chance? What chance?"
Griffith asked in confusion.
"An opportunity to turn public opinion upside down again!"
"Mr. Griffith, Big Brother has given up, but our mission is not over yet!"
"We should not retreat with them, but should rely on our strength to find a way to break this desperate situation!"
"I have thought about it. Now Vietnam has fallen into absolute passivity. It is impossible for them to receive assistance in the short term. This is indeed a major setback, but it is also a major opportunity!"
"External pressure will make the interior more united - or in other words, make the entire Southeast Asia become one!"
"Mr. Griffiths, do you remember the arbitration plan we discussed?"
"The initiators of arbitration do not necessarily need the support of powerful powers. They can also rely on the power of the coalition!"
"We should continue to advance public opinion."
"alright."
Griffith raised his hand to interrupt Wilson's words, and then said seriously:
"Mr. Wilson, I have never discussed the so-called 'arbitration' with you. This is just your wishful thinking."
"In addition, since you have said this, I also want to express my own opinion."
"Your idea is really ridiculous. Do you really think that the so-called international arbitration has any meaning?"
"Do you think the ruling really depends on us, Vietnam, and the small countries in Southeast Asia?"
"What really affects the outcome is not a coalition, let alone the 'public opinion' we are familiar with, but aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and nuclear bombs buried underground and on the seabed!"
"Wilson, don't you understand?"
Griffith paused, his eyes complex.
From his eyes, Wilson saw disappointment, doubt, anger...and pity.
After a few seconds, Griffith continued:
"You want arbitration? I can tell you now that the arbitration is over!"
"The missile they launched that I still don't know the name of is the gavel that fell in the court!"
Wilson opened his mouth, trying to say something, but no sound came out.
However, the next second, Griffith's words pushed him further towards the abyss.
"I have already reported your situation to the relevant departments in China."
"Of course, it's about your inappropriate remarks in this incident."
"Don't worry, you won't be punished, you will just be deported."
Wilson's vision went dark.
He looked around subconsciously.
And the eyes around him seemed to be staring at him closely
Repatriation?
Can it really be that simple?
At sea, Treasure Island.
Zhu Shiting waved the shovel in his hand, filled the last handful of soil into the pit, and then skillfully flattened the soil. After careful inspection, he finally straightened up with a sigh of relief.
After this period of "tempering", he has gained extremely rich experience in construction work.
Whether it's filling soil, digging holes, or assisting in pouring concrete floors, he can do it all with ease.
At the beginning, he was very reluctant to do it, but gradually, the thoughts in his heart changed subtly.
There is no other reason than that although the life here is monotonous, it is so stable.
In addition, the food was far beyond his standard in the army. After more than a month, instead of becoming as skinny as he expected, he actually gained weight visibly.
In this case, what's there to complain about?
Anyway, he has to go back sooner or later. According to the current situation, his life is obviously not in danger, so he might as well work hard, leave a good impression, and receive more so-called "salary coupons".
Of course, these salary vouchers may not actually be exchanged for money at the embassy.
It's not the Chinese people's problem, but because I don't dare to change it.
In the eyes of his superiors, that would probably be an act of "treason", right?
Once caught, I'm afraid he will be shot directly.
Thinking of this, Zhu Shiting felt a little confused.
It was clear that he was captured, but his superiors not only did not try to rescue them, but also ignored them as if they were abandoning them. What kind of truth was this?
Do you really have no contribution and no value to the country?
Or are they pursuing greater interests, so they ignore their own little pawns who are not worth mentioning?
Zhu Shiting couldn't understand or guess. He could only sit down on the ground and look at the sea in the distance melancholy.
At this time, the meal bell rang. He immediately stood up, followed his colleagues to receive his own meal, and returned to the big rock he was accustomed to to gulp it down.
A colleague named Chen Huayou came to the side and said mysteriously:
"Have you heard that the aircraft carrier is gone!"
Zhu Shiting nodded indifferently, pointed to the chicken legs on the plate and said:
"We've had extra meals today, isn't it obvious?"
Chen Huayou chuckled and said with some sarcasm in his tone:
"I really don't know what to say. They left and we lost. I should be angry, but for some reason, I feel a little... relieved?"
"That's just you."
Zhu Shiting didn't say much. He didn't know if his words would be recorded by someone with ulterior motives and used as a weapon to attack him after he returned.
Seeing his reaction, Chen Huayou pursed his lips and lowered his voice and said:
"You don't have to be so afraid, I don't want to harm you."
"Everything I say is true."
"Who knows?"
Zhu Shiting said noncommittally.
".I have a piece of news that can prove my sincerity. Do you want to listen?"
"Let's talk and listen."
Zhu Shiting was still cold, but the next second, after Chen Huayou said his so-called "news", he froze on the spot.
"The Americans are gone, it's time for us to go back."
"Someone will pick us up tonight."
"The two sides have already negotiated. I accidentally heard it last night."
Zhu Shiting raised his head and examined Chen Huayou's expression across from him, trying to find any signs of ridicule, teasing, or lies, but unfortunately, he failed.
After a long time, he asked in a low voice:
"it is true?"
"it is true."
Chen Huayou nodded affirmatively, and then continued:
"Actually, it's not a big secret, and they didn't hide it from us deliberately."
"You have to go back sooner or later, it's just a matter of time."
Hearing this, Zhu Shiting couldn't help but sigh.
At this moment, he felt extremely uneasy.
Is this the so-called timidity of being close to home?
No, obviously not.
If he follows his inner thoughts, it should be resistance.
He had no desire to return to that land.
Although it was only a short month, he had already felt the huge gap between the two parties.
Super high efficiency, execution of orders and prohibitions, energetic workers, smiles from the heart
These are things that cannot be faked, and they are also things that he has never seen in his hometown.
These people and the country they live in may be a truly promising soil.
But my motherland, at least the army of my motherland, has rotted to the point of almost becoming a skeleton.
The sad thing is that I will go back there soon and become the nourishment that nourishes that skeleton.
Thinking of this, Zhu Shiting's eyes dimmed.
Chen Huayou on the side noticed this change, so he put down his bowl and chopsticks, leaned into Zhu Shiting's ear and asked:
"Do you want to run?"
Zhu Shiting was shocked. He looked at Chen Huayou and didn't know whether he should speak or not.
But Chen Huayou continued talking to himself.
"There's no way we can stay here, neither side would agree."
"But if we return to the ship port, our ending will not be good."
"We are prisoners, and we may even be regarded as traitors. Are you really willing to be a traitor?"
"Death in the sea is the only way out."
"Of course, we don't have to really die."
Zhu Shiting's eyes became brighter and brighter, and he had made a decision in his heart
The news of the return of the prisoners was soon made public. That night, Zhu Shiting and Chen Huayou jumped into the sea while the guards were unprepared.
Their plan was simple, that is, start from Treasure Island, head east to Ganquan Island, 7 kilometers away, use it as a springboard to move north, and finally land on the northern coast of Vietnam.
It was impossible to swim directly to China, but as long as they were not taken directly back to the military camp, their plan would be considered a success.
They can follow the coastline all the way east and cross the border into China.
There, an infinitely bright future awaits them.
It is said that even if you work on a construction site, you can earn enough money to live on for a family in Vietnam.
When I have saved enough money, I will quietly return to my country and bring my family over.
With this thought in mind, the two of them swam hard.
The cold water no longer seems to be an obstacle, but a partner pushing them forward.
A few hours later, Zhu Shiting saw some lights on the sea in the distance. He immediately became excited and shouted to Chen Huayou beside him:
"Ganquan Island has arrived!"
The two of them became more energetic and their paddling speed increased a bit.
The fire was getting closer and closer, so close that the outline in the light could be seen clearly. At this moment, Zhu Shiting suddenly reacted:
Those are not the lights on an island at all, but the navigation lights of ships!
He suddenly felt bad, but at this moment he wanted to turn around and stay away, but it was already too late.
In the hazy morning light, the other party had also seen them.
On their ship, Zhu Shiting saw the flag that made him despair.
It is the flag of Vietnam.
On the side of the ship, there were still soldiers with guns and live ammunition standing.
There is nowhere to escape.
The two of them could only swim in the direction of the ship, constantly planning in their minds what excuses they should use to get through.
But he didn't expect that he would never have this opportunity.
Just as they approached the boat, a sudden burst of gunfire sounded.
A bullet went straight through his chest.
Blood stained the entire sea. The moment before he lost consciousness, Zhu Shiting still didn't understand why his compatriots shot at him.
Of course he couldn't understand.
Because he didn't know that on the night when the prisoner surrender plan was made public, more than half of the prisoners made the same choice as him.
As for the half of the prisoners, except for a few who were extremely lucky to land successfully,
All died in the sea.
They didn't even see the last glimpse of that piece of land.
