162: Chapter 162 The White House's Gamble: Nuclear Deterrence and Massive Troop Increase

Washington, 5:00 AM, the White House Situation Room.

President Jin Mao Pu had already changed into a suit, but his tie was crooked, his hair was a mess, and he had puffy bags under his eyes—he hadn't slept all night. Maps, reports, and satellite photos were spread across the long table in front of him, surrounded by seven or eight top figures from the military and intelligence communities. The atmosphere was so heavy you could cut it with a knife.

"So your conclusion is—" Jin Mao Pu looked around at everyone, his voice hoarse, "that we're destined to lose in Myanmar?"

"It's not that we're destined to lose, Mr. President," Secretary of Defense Esper chose his words carefully. "It's that existing military means are difficult to use to turn the tide in the short term. Zhang Cheng's military technology possesses a generational advantage. We need time to develop countermeasures, mobilize more resources, and gain international support."

"Time?" Jin Mao Pu slammed the table. "Does Min Aung Hlaing have time? Zhang Cheng's tanks are only eighty kilometers from Naypyidaw! In two days at most, the capital of Myanmar will change hands! By then, the whole world will see—the USA, the superpower, beaten down by a Southeast Asia warlord!"

He grabbed a copy of the The New York Times, the front-page headline was startling: 'Meiktila Fiasco: The Myth of US Military Hegemony Shattered.' The subtitle was even more damning: 'Six Hundred Million Dollars Down the Drain, B-2 Becomes Fireworks.'

"Look! Look at this!" Jin Mao Pu threw the newspaper onto the table. "I've been mocked three million times on Twitter! Three million! Those liberal bastards say I'm the 'most incompetent Commander-in-Chief in history,' saying the USA military has become a 'paper tiger'! Is this tolerable? Huh?"

General Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took a deep breath. "Mr. President, while the media's rhetoric is indeed infuriating, military decisions cannot be based on emotion. We need to calmly assess—"

"I am very calm!" Jin Mao Pu interrupted him, but his bloodshot eyes and trembling hands betrayed him. "I am very calm right now! I am calmly telling you: immediately, right now, send reinforcements to Myanmar! Send the entire Seventh Fleet! Deploy the 2nd Infantry Division from South Korea! Deploy the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Japan! And the Air Force—send every bomber and fighter that can fly to Thailand!"

"Mr. President, this requires Congressional authorization, and..."

"Then invoke the War Powers Act! Cite a 'National Emergency'!" Jin Mao Pu roared. "Tell those gentlemen in Congress that if they don't want to watch the USA lose face in front of the whole world, they better approve it quickly! Otherwise, I'll use executive orders!"

Secretary of State Pompeo said cautiously, "President, such a large-scale troop deployment will seriously weaken our military presence in other hotspots. North Korea, Iran, and Russia might all take advantage..."

"I don't care about that anymore!" Jin Mao Pu walked to the world map and jabbed his finger heavily at Myanmar. "This is the hottest potato right now! If we lose here, all our allies in Asia will waver! Japan, South Korea, the Philippines—they'll think: if the USA can't even beat a warlord, can it still protect us?"

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Gentlemen, this is no ordinary regional conflict. This is an exam on the USA's global leadership! If we fail here, we'll never graduate!"

A long silence fell over the Situation Room.

Finally, General Milley spoke slowly. "Mr. President, even if we start moving troops now, it will take at least seven to ten days for the units to arrive in the theater, complete deployment, and become combat-ready. And Naypyidaw... might not last that long."

"Then Min Aung Hlaing must hold out!" Jin Mao Pu said. "Tell him that as long as he holds Naypyidaw for a week, the USA's great army will arrive! When that time comes, with ten times the troops and a hundred times the firepower, we'll crush Zhang Cheng into dust!"

"What if he doesn't believe it?"

"Then show him the real deal!" Jin Mao Pu walked to the communications console. "Order Andersen Air Force Base in Guam: the B-1B Lancer Bomber squadron is to redeploy to U-Tapao Base immediately! Armed with the latest AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles—I know they're for ships, just modify them to hit ground targets! Also, mobilize the Minuteman III ICBM units from the mainland... no, that's too much."

He took a breath. "In short, let Min Aung Hlaing see our determination! At the same time, tell Zhang Cheng—if he dares to attack Naypyidaw, he will face a full-scale military strike from the USA! Including but not limited to strategic bombing, maritime blockades, and even... tactical nuclear options!"

"Mr. President, mentioning nuclear weapons will trigger a strong international backlash..." National Security Advisor O'Brien reminded him.

"Then say it privately!" Jin Mao Pu glared at him. "Through secret channels, let Zhang Cheng know we aren't joking! Let him know that when the USA is pushed to the limit, it's capable of anything!"

The orders were quickly transmitted. The massive political machine of the White House began to run at full speed, as a series of deployment orders flew toward US military bases around the globe.

But the military high command knew in their hearts: this was likely a massive gamble.

Gambling that Min Aung Hlaing could hold Naypyidaw.

Gambling that Zhang Cheng would be intimidated by the nuclear deterrence.

Gambling that the war situation wouldn't completely collapse before reinforcements arrived.

And the stakes were—the USA's international reputation, and the lives of thousands or even tens of thousands of American soldiers.

At the same time, at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand, the US temporary command center.

Lieutenant General Miller looked at the encrypted cable from Washington, his expression becoming increasingly grim.

"Reinforcements... arriving in a week." He handed the cable to his deputy, Brigadier General Carter. "They also want us to 'convey nuclear deterrence information to Zhang Cheng through appropriate channels.' Do those gentlemen in Washington think this is a video game?"

After reading the cable, Carter gave a bitter smile. "General, we only have six thousand remnants on hand, and all our heavy equipment was lost at Meiktila. What are we supposed to use to deter Zhang Cheng?"

"With our mouths," Miller said sarcastically. "And those B-1Bs that are transferring over. But no matter how powerful the B-1B is, it can't break through Zhang Cheng's 'Sky Dome' air defense network. Unless..."

He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes. "Unless we use unconventional munitions."

"You mean..."

"Cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads," Miller lowered his voice. "The B-1B can carry the nuclear version of the AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile. If we truly receive authorization to use them..."

Carter sucked in a breath of cold air. "That would trigger a world war!"

"So it's most likely just deterrence." Miller walked to the window, watching a C-17 transport plane landing on the runway. "But Zhang Cheng must believe we dare to use them. And the best way to make him believe is to demonstrate a portion of our strength."

He turned around. "Order the reconnaissance units to step up surveillance on Zhang Cheng's forces. Especially his command center, logistics hubs, and air defense positions. Once we receive authorization, we need to strike these high-value targets immediately."

"What about Naypyidaw? Min Aung Hlaing has been pleading for help..."