Two Realms Shuttle Gate: Don't Call Me a Demon!-Chapter 668 - 403: Softening (Second Update)_2

"The President must be mistaken, there's no way the Beautiful Country would tolerate Jieke Group's arrogance,"

At this moment, legislators below were also speaking out tumultuously, many with agitated expressions. After years of nurturing and education, the majority of officials in Temasek close to the Beautiful Country couldn't believe the news.

"Have you all forgotten? Not long ago, the Beautiful Country just suffered a setback in Southeast Asia. If Jieke Group comes over, they will definitely take the land route. Do you think the Beautiful Country is willing to fight a battle on land against Jieke Group for us? As if Jieke Group's Spider Main Battle Mechas are just for show?"

Min Bochen spoke the bitter truth, and suddenly the confidence drained from the faces of the assembled legislators. Jieke Group's strength was well known; on land, they had swept across Southeast Asia in a month's time, routing countries like Siam with ease.

If a military conflict were to occur on the Malay Peninsula, let alone the deterrent power of the Spider Main Battle Mechas on the ground, the air force of Jieke Group could also reinforce them. Those Magic Bird Fighters could threaten an aircraft carrier fleet, so it was unsurprising that the Beautiful Country didn't want to get involved.

"How is that possible? The CIA even asked us to take action at the Kra Isthmus Pier..."

Cui Yanlin let something slip unintentionally and upon realization, suddenly understood something.

"Still don't get it? You've been used by the CIA as a pawn; they're using you to test Jieke Group's stance to see just how much they value the Kra Isthmus Canal. You, including our country, are sacrificial pawns. Our meddling in the Kra Isthmus Canal has offended Jieke Group, leaving us no choice but to cling to the Beautiful Country. That is the sorrow of a small nation. I had intended to swing between Jieke Group and the Beautiful Country, but your provocation of Jieke Group has dragged us into danger,"

As he reached this point, Min Bochen shook his head and said with a sigh, "Unless Jieke Group wants to fully occupy the Malacca Strait, I estimate the Beautiful Country won't choose to enter the war, and we have sacrificed too much. Once Jieke Group acts against us, the Beautiful Country can wave the banner of justice, leading the other Thousand Island Strategic Alliance countries to besiege Jieke Group. But regardless, our Temasek, the sacrificial lamb, would first be reduced to ruins. Is this what you want?"

Cui Yanlin swayed, eyes bulging and lips quivering, yet no sound came out.

"Gentlemen, our only option now is to sue for peace. I dare not bet on whether Jieke Group will act against us, but I know that on our own, Temasek cannot withstand an onslaught from Jieke Group. If we don't want to become the sacrificial banner the Beautiful Country uses to rally other nations to war, we must capitulate to Jieke Group,"

Min Bochen's expression was grave as he voiced what the legislators in the room did not want to hear.

But who could blame them? Temasek was a small country, and a weak country has no diplomacy.

Unable to rely on anyone, now Temasek, Johor, Jawa, and the other Thousand Island Strategic Alliance Member Countries were like a group of little rabbits, with Jieke Group and the Beautiful Country being the tiger and the lion.

Even with the so-called Thousand Island Strategic Alliance, in the face of Jieke Group, the tiger, no one dared to truly provoke it. Disobedience to orders from the Beautiful Country was commonplace; they feared Jieke Group swallowing or bullying them and sought the Beautiful Country as their patron, but they did not want to provoke Jieke Group of their own volition, bringing disaster upon their nations and making themselves the primary targets of Jieke Group's aggression.

Yet, this time, Temasek had played the role of the one to touch the tiger's rear, and should they be attacked and occupied, the world would see the greedy nature of Jieke Group. The Beautiful Country could then justifiably command the masses, rallying other Thousand Island Strategic Alliance countries to encircle and block Jieke Group.

Otherwise, without such a forerunner, everyone else hiding behind them, the situation would hardly change at all.

"Let's vote now; those in favor of adopting the appeasement strategy and negotiating with Jieke Group, raise your hands."

Min Bochen was the first to raise his hand, and after the legislators below exchanged glances, more than half eventually raised their hands.

Although pro-Beautiful Country, they were still able to discern right from wrong and knew this was the best solution.

Min Bochen breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the many opposing legislators who were still discontent and defiant, he couldn't help feeling a deep sense of regret, "Alas, we are too far from the Beautiful Country and too close to Jieke Group! I hope everyone will think thrice before acting in the future."

Below, there was only silence; every legislator's expression was ugly and frustrated.

Provoking the Beautiful Country thousands of miles away might at worst result in economic sanctions, but provoking Jieke Group right at their doorstep could mean Temasek might have to change its name with a careless misstep.

The overwhelming wave of Mechas could obliterate Temasek in moments, trampled under their iron hooves, with life and death hanging in the balance.

.......

"Temasek announces that President Min Bochen will visit Chan Country today in a friendly manner; this is the first official visit Temasek has made to Chan Country since Jieke Group took over Chan Country,"

"Temasek invites Jieke Group to participate in a joint naval military exercise; it is reported that Jieke Group has sternly rejected the offer."

"Regarding the Kra Isthmus Canal Pier collision incident, Min Bochen publicly declared it was a misunderstanding, willing to take the initiative to compensate Jieke Group with 1.743 billion US Dollars for the pier repair costs and lost work time, and announced the opening of domestic industries for investment to Jieke Group, including stakes in the industries related to the Malacca coast piers, welcoming capital investment from Jieke Group within Temasek territory."

Two days later, a series of news stories began to emerge.