Chapter 2: Birds of a Feather Flock Together

  The General Staff Headquarters, inside Peng Maobang's office.

  The Director of the East Asia Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau, Xiao Wei Yu, and the Director of the South Asia Division, Cao Ji Shun, spent over two hours briefing General Peng Mao Bang on the current hot spot situation: Japan-India strategic cooperation.

  Peng Maobang held a cigarette in one hand and supported his cheek with the other, appearing to be concentrating, but his mind was actually thinking about something else.

  Japan and India have reached a strategic cooperation relationship, and will sign the "Japan-India Strategic Cooperation Agreement" with the Indian Prime Minister when the Japanese Prime Minister visits India in three days.

  Eight years ago, the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Prime Minister signed a "Strategic Cooperation Memorandum" with the Indian Prime Minister.

  Five years ago, the Democratic Party won the general election and Ozawa became the Prime Minister of Japan. The following year, he made an official visit to India and discussed with the then Indian Prime Minister on promoting strategic cooperative relations. Three years ago, taking advantage of the ASEAN Summit, Ozawa and the new Indian Prime Minister Deve Gowda again discussed the details of strategic cooperation. Subsequently, the heads of government of Japan and India achieved mutual visits, continuing to promote the Japan-India Strategic Cooperative Relations. At the beginning of this year, the relevant negotiation work was successfully completed, and Ozawa will sign the "Japan-India Strategic Cooperation Treaty" with Gowda during his third official visit to India.

  Once both houses of parliament approve the treaty, Japan and India will form a quasi-political military alliance.

  Japan and India "ally", with a spearhead pointing directly at China.

  Four years ago, China's GDP surpassed Japan's to become the world's second-largest economy. Over the next four years, China's total economic output grew at an average annual rate of 12%. In contrast, Japan's economic growth rate was only 2.5%, and India's was only 4%. At this rate, in ten years' time, China's economic strength will surpass the combined total of Japan and India.

  Apart from economic scale, China's leading edge in cutting-edge technologies poses a greater challenge for Japan and India.

  By relying on the technological high ground occupied in the "Fourth Industrial Revolution", China not only alleviated the social problems brought about by population aging through domestic industrial structure adjustment, but also will enter the ranks of developed countries within fifteen years, becoming the only high-end manufacturing country that can match the United States. In another ten years, China's average national production value will reach the level of a moderately developed country, becoming the world's number one power.

  For Japan and India, a resurgent China is the biggest threat.

  For three years, both Japan and India have felt enormous pressure from China.

  Within just two years, Japan's auto industry suffered a devastating blow. Toyota, once the world's top automaker, was reduced to being merely an "OEM factory" that only produces car shells. Honda sold all its business in China to Geely, Nissan was acquired by Geely, and Suzuki ended up with bankruptcy liquidation. Thousands of upstream parts suppliers either went bankrupt or were sold off. The electronics industry, which once made Japan proud, is also rapidly shrinking under the pressure of Chinese multinational corporations and will eventually follow in the footsteps of the auto industry.

  India's situation is even more difficult, its software industry has been strongly challenged by Pakistani and Bangladeshi counterparts, the newly emerging manufacturing industry has also been stagnant in the economic downturn, long-term economic stagnation has led to social unrest. When neighboring countries take advantage of China's industrial restructuring, transfer labor-intensive and resource-consuming industries abroad, absorb Chinese capital, get rid of the impact of the economic crisis, and comprehensively develop their own economies, India is stuck in the quagmire of import-driven inflation, even the ruling People's Party has fallen because of this.

  More importantly, both Japan and India have "historical legacies" with China.

  Japan and China have deep-seated grievances, including "historical contradictions" as well as territorial disputes and exclusive economic zone disputes. India has had a border dispute with China since the 1960s and has also been at odds with China over its acceptance of Tibetan separatists.

  Facing the same strong enemy, history has chosen to let Japan and India get closer and closer.

  Ozawa is about to visit India, and it seems that Japan has become restless again in order to show its firm stance of standing hand in hand with India. For several days in a row, the Japanese Self-Defense Force's warships and fighter jets have caused several incidents in the East China Sea, clashing with Chinese warships and fighter jets multiple times, but not to the point of opening fire.

  The situation in South Asia is relatively stable.

  The anti-terrorist war in Afghanistan has not yet ended, and the United States is trying to extricate itself from Afghanistan by providing huge anti-terrorism funds to Pakistan. NATO countries have taken a step ahead, Germany withdrew its troops last year, and France and Britain are also preparing to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan.

  As long as US troops remain in Afghanistan, the situation in South Asia will not be too tense.

  As Chief of General Staff, Peng Meng-bang is most worried about the tense situation in the East China Sea.

  It's not yet time for the Republic to take action and teach Japan a lesson, as it has not made sufficient preparations for war.

  Based on high-temperature superconducting technology, the composite energy storage battery and superconducting motor not only transformed "Made in China" but also empowered "Chinese power". The new generation of land-based equipment represented by fully electric main battle tanks, the new generation of naval equipment represented by fully electric submarines, and the new generation of air force equipment represented by new fighter jets have all been or will soon be equipped with troops. However, these new equipment either have small production volumes or are still under development, requiring three to five years to form combat effectiveness.

  Moreover, the US-Japan military alliance remains unbreakable, and going to war with Japan is equivalent to going to war with the United States.

  But many times, whether to fight or not, and when to fight, is not decided by one side.

  At the exciting moment, Peng Dehuai couldn't help but knock on the table, and Xiao Jinguang, who was making a report, immediately stopped and cast an inquiring glance at the Chief of Staff.

  "Is it over?"

  "This... is almost over." Xiao Wei Yu felt a bit depressed. It seemed that the Chief of Staff had not listened to his report at all.

  "That's it." Peng Maobang didn't notice Xiao Wei Yu's expression. "By the way, when will that batch of F-22Js sold by the US to Japan be combat-ready?"

  "It can be fully delivered next year at the earliest, and it will take at least another year to form a combat force."

  Peng Maobang nodded slightly and habitually knocked on the table.

  The F-22 is the most advanced air superiority fighter in the US, and to prevent cutting-edge technology from leaking out, the US Congress had specifically made a law prohibiting the export of the F-22. It wasn't until three years ago that the US Congress amended the relevant bill, allowing the simplified version of the F-22 to be sold to major allies. Japan has long been eyeing this very advanced fighter jet and seven years ago attempted to purchase finished products or production patents from the US. After the US Congress amended the law, Japan immediately ordered 48 aircraft and actively negotiated with the US in hopes of purchasing a production line and production patent to manufacture more F-22Js domestically.

  "The performance of F-22J is less than half of F-22A's, nothing to worry about."

  Peng Maobang's gaze fell on Cao Jishun, indicating that he should continue speaking.

  "Six months ago, Lockheed Martin participated in the Indian Air Force's tender for air superiority fighters and light support fighters, and what came out were the F-22I and F-35. From the standard configuration of the F-22I submitted by Lockheed Martin, its combat capability is only equivalent to one-third that of the F-22A. Following American tradition, weapons sold to important allies are definitely better than those sold to non-allies but close friends. Therefore, we can conclude that the performance of the F-22J is at most half that of the F-22A, and no more than two-thirds."

  It seemed like he had thought of something, Peng Maobang nodded slightly and fell into deep thought again.

  At this time, the secretary walked into the office and whispered a few words in Peng Maobang's ear. Peng Maobang's expression immediately changed, and the secretary went to turn on the TV and tune it to India Stan Television's international news channel.

  With just a glance at the TV screen, the two intelligence chiefs knew what had happened.

  The phone on the desk rang, and Peng Maobang hesitated for a moment before picking up the receiver when it was ringing for the third time.

  "After... they found out about this..." Putting down the phone, Peng Maobang looked at the two intelligence directors, "Just received news that Hu Ma's tomb was attacked by terrorists, with two explosions and over a hundred casualties. Our agents captured a Japanese spy in the chaos and found important clues on him. You two go handle this immediately, but don't leak any information. If there are results, notify me right away."

  "Yes!" The two intelligence chiefs immediately stood up and bid farewell.

  After a moment of contemplation, Peng Maobang picked up the microphone again.

  This terrorist attack is no trivial matter, it's definitely not the work of ordinary terrorists, and we must inform the head of state immediately.

  Half an hour later, Peng Maobang arrived at the Xiyuan Shufang in the Presidential Palace.

  "I just saw the news, the scene is chaotic and the casualties are very serious." Ji Youguo was also waiting for Peng Maobang. "I think this is not a simple terrorist attack."

  "I think so too." Peng Maobang hesitated for a moment, "In view of the current situation in South Asia, especially the unstable factors brought about by India's massive military expansion, no matter who is behind this attack, the purpose is definitely not simple. Maybe someone wants to ignite the powder keg of South Asia."

  "Do you still remember that terrorist attack in Mumbai a few years ago?"

  Peng Maobang was startled and said: "Are you saying that this attack is related to Pakistan?"

  "Old Peng, do you really think Pakistan has such great capabilities?" Ji Youguo smiled and shook his head. "The anti-terrorism war has been going on for over a decade, from start to finish, the US has never taken eliminating terrorist organizations as its primary task. Using the anti-terrorism war to create turmoil in South Asia, and then engaging in balance diplomacy on a large scale, the ultimate goal of the US is to win over India, contain Pakistan, and build a strategic defense line against us in the South Asian region."

  "America can't be messing around at this time, right?"

  "Why not?" Ji Youguo retorted, "Don't take things so lightly. The US midterm elections are approaching, and Jia Bao's second term is only two years away. With the current economic recovery in the US, it's hard for the Democratic Party to win votes with economic policies, they must pander to interest groups, especially the military-industrial complex. What won't the Democrats do to win the election, what won't the military-industrial complex do to get orders?"

  Peng Maobang nodded his head in heartfelt agreement, acknowledging the Paramount Leader's analysis.

  "I am closely watching the situation in South Asia and will be in direct communication with the President of Pakistan. If there is any news, I will inform you immediately."

  "I immediately arranged for an investigation and strive to clarify the truth as soon as possible."

  After Peng Maobang left, Ji Youguo walked solemnly to the back of the window, as if he saw a storm coming.