The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943-Chapter 131 - 141: The Future of the World Rests on Your Shoulders

Chapter 131: Chapter 141: The Future of the World Rests on Your Shoulders

A single telegram changed everything.

The unit preparing to withdraw was all set, but the order never came. They could only wait.

"What’s going on? Why aren’t we moving out?"

As everyone wondered, rumors quickly spread through the ranks—the Supreme Allied Commander had ordered them to hold Bastogne for at least seven days.

"Do you know what the telegram said?"

"What did it say?"

"For the Allied cause! For the honor of China! He hopes we can carry forward the spirit of resisting the Japanese, fight for China’s honor, and let the world witness the bravery of Chinese soldiers... He also said... whether we can hold this place will determine the direction of the war. The whole world is watching us. We will decide the future of the world—the fate of the world is in our hands!"

In that instant, Peng Shangwu felt a rush of blood to his head—a surge of passion.

The others felt much the same. They were all young men, all volunteers who had joined the army full of patriotic fervor. Perhaps they were no longer soldiers now, but their yearning for honor had never faded. What’s more, this battle concerned their nation’s honor.

Those who had already boarded the trucks exchanged glances, then silently got off.

Soon, thousands had gathered in front of the town hall. Looking through the window at the assembled men, Pierre frowned deeply and said:

"Someone leaked the contents of the telegram, didn’t they?"

The answer was obvious. As for who? It could have been one of their own, or perhaps that Captain Huck—after all, there was only one American company left in Bastogne, and if they received the telegram, so could he.

It was Eisenhower commanding this damned war, and that bastard knew exactly how to stir up the troops’ emotions. That’s why Pierre wanted to curse his mother.

Because that telegram was basically sending the task force to their deaths!

And not just that—he wanted them to go willingly, heroically, without hesitation.

For a nation that had been weak for a century and had fought a powerful enemy with blood and sacrifice for eight years, the one thing they never lacked was passion. They were willing to sacrifice, willing to bleed, all for their homeland and their nation’s dignity.

Dignity!

Honor!

And Eisenhower, that bastard, knew exactly what they longed for, so—

A simple telegram, just a few lines, would be enough to inspire these finest young men to march bravely to their deaths.

So often, young people are filled with such passionate fervor. Even when they know they are being used, they are still willing to sacrifice themselves, because to them, honor is what matters most.

And that bastard Eisenhower took advantage of their deepest longing—the pure desire for recognition that comes from being a citizen of a weak nation.

"Sir, this battle is no longer a question of whether we fight or not—it’s that... we must fight!"

Chu Yunhui was a bit agitated, and the others felt much the same.

"If we withdraw, from this day forward, Chinese soldiers will be a laughingstock in the eyes of the world. Not only will we be unable to hold our heads high, but our nation will also be shamed... Just like the September 18th Incident, the whole world will say we’re like the French—only know how to wave the white flag, run away, and surrender."

Listening to Chu Yunhui’s words, Pierre let out a helpless sigh. How could he not understand?

"No wonder that guy became president a few years later..."

Eisenhower was never a pure soldier; that bastard was a politician!

Only a politician would pull such tricks.

"Yunhui, if we’re going to hold our ground here..."

Pierre sighed deeply.

"We may all die here. And... it’s very likely they will all die here too!"

He gazed out the window at the men outside, his expression growing heavier.

He was no longer a military novice. In fact, over the past few days, as he surveyed Bastogne’s terrain and studied the military maps, the system had already taught him new skills.

[Combat Command Lv.2]

It was this skill that made him fully aware of the price they might pay if they chose to hold out here. After all, in some ways, this city was a place with no defensible terrain.

But were they willing to retreat?

Finally, he stepped out of city hall, stood on the steps, and spoke.

"I’m sure everyone already knows: the Germans are launching a massive offensive in the Ardennes. They’ve mobilized all their forces, trying to recapture Belgium and encircle hundreds of thousands of Allied troops. Bastogne is the key to their advance. Now, the Allied Supreme Commander has ordered us to hold this position. In the coming days, we will face attacks from tens of thousands of German troops. This means..."

His gaze swept over the men, their helmets and coats dusted with snow, the flakes still falling.

"This means that if we don’t retreat, we may all die here. Every single one of us!"

"We’re willing!"

The men standing in the snow all wore solemn expressions, their eyes resolute, their voices unwavering.

"Commander Pierre, the Westerners have looked down on us for a hundred years. Now is the time for us to win back our dignity and earn their respect with our sacrifice and blood. Even if it costs us our lives, so what?"

Looking at them, Pierre’s feelings were impossibly complex. Reason told him they should withdraw, but what was the point of leaving alone? Should he just abandon them here to die for nothing?

The only thing that made him feel a little better was that he knew the real story of the so-called Battle of Bastogne—it was all just the 101st Airborne telling a good story.

If you know how to tell a story, you can turn an ordinary battle into an epic.

The question was how to maximize their own interests while telling that story!

Pierre had no intention of fighting the Germans to the death. But if he could use this desperate struggle to squeeze some benefits out of the Americans, he was more than willing.

If Eisenhower wanted to take advantage of him, he’d have to see if he was up to the task!

There was no need for more words. The next step was simple: prepare the defenses.

"Qian Shicheng."

"Here!"

"Send a telegram to General Eisenhower: The entire Borneo Garrison solemnly swears to defend Bastogne to the death. As long as we live, the city stands. We will not fail the Supreme Commander’s trust."

Qian Shicheng and the others were surprised, but Song Xuede chimed in from the side.

"Brilliant move, sir. If we succeed, it will be a great honor for our people. But... what does Borneo have to do with China?"

Seeing how smoothly Song Xuede was flattering him, Pierre didn’t even bother to respond. He just nodded perfunctorily, but inwardly, he sneered.

Nonsense.

Eisenhower can play politics, but I can’t?

That bastard wants us to fill his hole or even take the blame? Then I’ll drag him down with me.

The Allies have never recognized Borneo, but if Eisenhower receives and confirms this telegram, it’s as good as tearing open a breach—America recognizes Borneo, and has even armed a Bornean military force.

That would push America to the forefront. Whether Washington likes it or not, they’ll have to clean up Eisenhower’s mess. And they must, or it’ll be a political scandal!

The question is, what will Eisenhower choose?

If he acknowledges the Borneo Garrison for the sake of Bastogne, then I’ll have gained real legitimacy—Borneo will become a participant in World War II.

No matter how much the British resent it, they’ll have to accept it, because America has recognized it.

As for Washington, no matter how...

Whether they liked it or not, they all had to clean up Eisenhower’s mess.

Of course, Eisenhower could refuse. If he did, then naturally no one else would need to stick around and play along with him.

At Versailles, Eisenhower’s expression upon receiving the telegram was as complicated as it could get. At this moment, he could probably empathize with Pierre’s feelings.

"Damn it, that guy has set us all up!"

Eisenhower even began to regret his earlier decision. No matter what, he never imagined the other side would dig such a pit for him to fall into.

"Bradley, that guy is a typical politician. Now he’s kicked the problem over to us. If we reply in agreement, that’s as good as recognizing Borneo—damn it, that’s British colonial territory! That’s bound to spark political conflict between the US and Britain! If we refuse, then they can withdraw openly and even tell the world—originally, they were determined to hold Bastogne to the death, but because of Ike’s incompetence, they had to retreat. The blame for the Allied defeat would fall squarely on Ike, and have nothing to do with them!"

At this moment, Eisenhower finally understood how Pierre felt—caught in a trap, no matter what choice he made, there would be a price to pay, and a heavy one at that!

Whether he refused or accepted, he would have to pay a price!

"General, we need him."

Bradley, speaking with a distinct Midwestern accent, said slowly:

"We need troops stationed there, whether they’re Chinese or from Borneo... What matters is that there’s an army holding the line, stopping the Germans from occupying it."

Turning his gaze to Eisenhower, Bradley continued:

"As long as there are troops there to stop the Germans, nothing else really matters. As for the British... Ike, if we fail, what do you think the British will think of us then?"

Just a bunch of losers, that’s all!

Eisenhower let out a long, helpless sigh.

"I know, I know how it’ll turn out. But... this guy set a trap and is just waiting for me to walk into it."

As he said this, Eisenhower’s face was full of resignation—he was truly frustrated.

He knew full well the other side’s ambition, knew exactly what they were up to, but so what?

Eisenhower simply didn’t have the courage to refuse, because the men at Bastogne were the only force he had left to hold back the Germans.

"Then let’s jump in. At least there’s still a trap for us to fall into. If the Germans succeed, all that’ll be left for us is the sea."

Bradley’s words made Eisenhower feel even more stifled.

Isn’t that the truth? Falling into a trap is still better than jumping into the sea.

"All right, we can’t worry about all that now."

Eisenhower said helplessly,

"Send them a reply—ask them to hold out for at least seven days!"

As he said this, Eisenhower, for some reason, finally let out a long breath. Even though he knew acknowledging the existence of the "Borneo Security Force" carried political risks, compared to those risks, it was still better than losing the entire army.

If the Allies failed on the French front, it wouldn’t just be the Allied cause that failed—they might even lose all of Europe. After all, the armies of the Iron Father were advancing rapidly on the Eastern Front. If, after a Western defeat, they defeated Germany, then they would surely occupy all of Europe in the future.

And for America, whether Europe ended up in Hitler’s hands or in the Iron Father’s, there was essentially no difference.

Either way, it meant losing all of Europe!

And when that happened, someone would have to step up and take responsibility. Who would that person be?

Eisenhower knew very well what role he would play if all this came to pass—he would go down in history as a loser!

So, compared to the fate of the whole world... the political risks over in Borneo were simply not worth mentioning!