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The president sat in the conference room in his pajamas, the first time he had shown his most disheveled side to the public.
Not only him, but most of the others were also in a sorry state. Some people's pants zippers were not zipped up, some people still had lipstick on their faces, and some people's hair was sticking up high, showing its indomitable and tenacious spirit in the face of fate.
The president's face was full of sorrow. He sat behind his desk with his arms crossed, and although it was the height of summer, he felt a chill.
The complete annihilation of the Gefra Royal Navy fleet is a dream that almost every country has ever had, but now it has become a reality, and also a source of fear.
This is no laughing matter. No one knows how furious Gefra Emperor will be. It may trigger a new war, which is the most likely outcome.
"Truman, give us some advice," the president said, looking at Mr. Truman.
As the chief executive Chief of the Federal International Policy/Affairs Research Office, he is the most qualified to speak on this matter, and his accurate predictions of changes in international affairs have enhanced his authority on professional issues.
Mr. Truman was not wearing a tie. He had originally intended to, but that damned silk tie was too fragile (silk refers to the surface material), or perhaps the calluses on his palms from years of rubbing against weapons were too tough, and the silk tie had been torn, so he simply didn't wear it.
He remained calm, which was probably one of the few pieces of good news in the room.
"Mr. President, Cabinet Member ..." He used "Cabinet Member" instead of all Cabinet Members. He didn't have time to address them by their titles and names one by one, and the important figures in the room did not show any displeasure.
"This war will not break out!" Mr. Truman said with great certainty, which surprised everyone for a moment. But then, the Minister of Ministry of Finance raised his doubts.
"Mr. Truman, what's your basis for saying this war won't break out?" He was very concerned about the consequences of this turn of events. "Our comprehensive negotiations with Gefra are still ongoing..."
There are still many detailed negotiations between the Bayer Federation and Gefra, and these negotiations are some of the more difficult ones to reach an agreement on.
Either the other party's demands are too harsh, or the Federal government would suffer losses if it agreed.
The Gefra didn't like the Federal. They felt that the Federal had almost simultaneously ended isolationism after the war, just to avoid potential losses during the war and to get a share of the benefits.
Therefore, many things could not be agreed upon. This inability to reach an agreement was not due to a genuine inability to reach a consensus, but rather a deliberate attempt to make things difficult at the behest of Gefra Emperor.
Before this naval battle took place, everyone here knew that such a naval battle would break out. Some were worried, some were happy, but overall everyone's interests were aligned.
To earn the respect of the Gefra by displaying their muscles in a limited way is the idea of every one of them.
Unexpectedly, this wasn't a show of force, but a complete annihilation!
It is said that this occurred after the Gefra Royal Navy raised a white flag, indicating their surrender and cessation of fighting!
This is too offensive. The problem now is no longer finding support outside the negotiating table to put pressure on the Gefra, but rather whether they will break various treaties and unilaterally declare war.
Mr. Truman shook his head again with certainty, "There won't be a war. I was indeed shocked when I first heard about it, but I quickly realized that this naval battle won't happen."
"We've shattered the myth of the Gefra Royal Navy's invincibility. I've heard that our submarines and new torpedoes are performing well?" He had been provided with ample information on his way here.
The Minister of Defense nodded. This was probably one of the few things that could bring joy tonight. "Their Guardian Knight was sunk by our submarines and new torpedoes."
"Look!" Mr. Truman's voice rose slightly. "The once invincible Gefra Royal Navy has been defeated by our advanced military technology. Until they find a way to counter our submarines and new torpedoes, we have nothing to worry about in the event of war!"
After he said that, most of the people in the room breathed a sigh of relief, and upon careful consideration, they realized that it was indeed true.
Although the Minister of Foreign Affairs was somewhat displeased that Mr. Truman had not only stolen the limelight from the President, but also from all his colleagues, he had to admit that Mr. Truman's analysis was accurate.
However, to demonstrate his determination to defend his rights, he also nitpicked, "But Gefra is not alone!"
He cleverly used personification here, comparing a country to a person, to deepen his context. "It has many allies, and if Gefra Emperor could give up some of his interests, they might be tempted."
Mr. Terman stared at the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a moment, which was somewhat impolite. Before the Minister of Foreign Affairs could react, he turned to the others and said, "Gentlemen, we have just annihilated the First Fleet of Gefra. Although two battleships were not there, I believe that even if they were, they would not have escaped the fate of being completely wiped out."
"No one dares to attack us at this time. As long as we can show a tough stance diplomatically, such as actively confronting threats, no one will risk a huge threat to stand with Gefra."
"Gentlemen, humans are cunning and intelligent animals. Wise people will only stand with the victors, and now we are those victors!"
These words carried a powerful aura, and the conference room fell silent instantly. Mr. Truman's resolute voice calmed the panicked hearts of the attendees.
Gefra's power has made many "people" its allies, but these alliances are not very strong, and some are even more like an excuse for Gefra to collect protection money during wartime.
For example, they might request some allies to provide ports where their fleets can be resupplyed, or they might request allies to provide more supplies to support their global operations.
If they didn't possess strong military power, they wouldn't have so many allies.
The Federation has now proven through a naval battle that they are not invincible, which is actually a good thing for the whole world. At least the Federation is easier to deal with than the Gefra.
Given the heavy losses suffered by all countries in the last World War and the failure to achieve all the war's objectives, it is unlikely that another war will break out; at most, diplomatic relations will be severed.
Mr. Truman has a very clear understanding of the international situation, especially since he has been in contact with Lin Qi for more than half a year. His Supremacy of Interests Theory has given him a completely new and thorough understanding of the international situation.
The fundamental purpose driving diplomatic actions between nations is to gain more benefits.
He was certain that if the interests did not align with the country's development needs, such diplomatic actions would not occur.
At that moment, more people arrived at the Presidential Palace.
According to the Federal charter, the First Minister of each department is assigned a detached house located around the Presidential Palace after taking office.
From the time they leave their homes to the time they enter the Presidential Palace, the walking time will not exceed ten minutes. This is a precaution to deal with any emergencies. If something happens and the responsible party cannot be found, there is a high possibility of serious problems, just like now.
After they leave office, the Federal Government will reclaim those houses and allocate them to the next First Minister; this system has been in place for a long time.
Of course, not everyone can live around the Presidential Palace. Some people don't have that privilege and live a bit further away, like Lin Qi.
As National Security Committee Special Advisor, and also actively involved in the development of some international political actions, when Mr. Truman learned of this, he immediately arranged for someone to pick up Lin Qi.
Lin Qi always manages to find a fresh perspective, and now they need that.
On the way to the Presidential Palace, Lin Qi learned roughly what had happened from the apologetic agents of the National Security Committee National Security Committee Agent —the agents had broken down the door, and if they hadn't revealed their identities in time, it could have easily triggered a small fight.
Lin Qi didn't blame them. If they chose to break down the door instead of waiting, something big must have happened.
After quickly changing his clothes, he got into the car heading to the Presidential Palace.
At this moment, after passing through three security checks, the vehicle stopped outside the gate of the Presidential Palace. Lin Qi got out of the car, and just as he looked up, he saw Wo Delike standing on the steps.
The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised yet finding it perfectly natural.
Lin Qi, a young man active in various radical salons, was actually quite famous in certain circles, while the consortium behind Wo Delike was also involved in some defense business and served as a National Security advisor.
After exchanging glances and nodding in greeting, the two entered the Presidential Palace one after the other; it wasn't a good place for them to chat.
At three o'clock in the Bu Peien was filled with a sense of desolation after the revelry. Lin Qi stood on the steps of the Presidential Palace, glanced back at the dark night, and then turned and walked into the Presidential Palace.
Soon, the president changed his clothes. Now, the guests were some specially appointed security advisors and people from the community, so the president had to make sure his attire was appropriate. They also moved to a larger conference room.
About ten minutes later, the president entered the conference room, and the people in the room, each lost in their own thoughts, stood up to show their respect for him.
The president gestured with his arm, indicating that everyone should sit down. "Please sit down, ladies and gentlemen. I will make this brief. We are facing a historic choice, and I need your advice!"