94: Chapter 94 The Roar of Naypyidaw: The "Generosity" and Conspiracy of the US

Myanmar, Naypyidaw.

This new capital city, built in the jungle, had magnificent architecture but appeared vast and desolate; its streets were sparsely populated, exuding a lifelessness reminiscent of a show house.

However, inside the supreme operational conference room of the military government headquarters, the air was currently filled with the scent of gunpowder, and the atmosphere was so tense it felt as if it could ignite at any moment.

"Bang!"

An exquisite British bone china teacup was smashed violently against the floor, sending fragments scattering everywhere, while brown tea spread into a stain on the carpet.

Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, General Min Aung Hlaing, whose face had turned a deep purplish-red, his chest heaving violently, pointed at the intelligence report that had just been delivered, his roar causing the ceiling to vibrate:

"He's rebelled! Completely rebelled! That bastard Zhang Cheng! Does he have any regard for the central government in his eyes?! Or the 'Panglong Agreement'?! Or even me, the Commander-in-Chief?!"

"Who gave him the nerve! To dare send troops on his own authority and annex North Wa and South Wa! And now he's setting up some 'United Autonomous Region,' connecting Kokang and Wa State into one! What's even more infuriating is that he's become so cozy with China! Building roads, providing electricity, and now even entire teams of Chinese experts have moved in! What is he trying to do? Does he want to turn Northern Myanmar into a province of China?!"

The generals below all kept their heads down, counting the patterns on the carpet; no one dared to court disaster at this moment. They all knew clearly in their hearts that Zhang Cheng truly possessed the capital for this. Even an old-school warlord like Bao Youxiang, who had operated for decades, had been crushed by him as easily as an ant. What good could they, regular army officers who were used to living in luxury and only knew how to bully the common people, expect to gain by going up against him?

"Commander-in-Chief, please calm down." A relatively rational Chief of Staff advised in a low voice, his forehead covered in sweat, "The urgent priority now is not to get angry, but to find a way to contain him. Zhang Cheng's current sphere of influence has already connected into one piece; if it is not restricted, the next step... I fear it will threaten Mandalay and even cut off our oil pipelines."

"Contain? With what?!" Min Aung Hlaing roared, slamming the table violently, "Our planes and artillery are all antique relics from decades ago; even the MiG-29s are peeling paint! Go fight against those... those advanced tanks that popped up from who knows where? That's suicide! That's just handing them combat achievements!"

Just as the conference room was plunged into a gloomy, miserable atmosphere with the generals looking at each other in dismay, the door was suddenly pushed open.

"Commander-in-Chief, the USA Ambassador to Myanmar requests an urgent meeting." The adjutant hurried in to report.

Min Aung Hlaing frowned. The USA? What are these guys, who usually boss him around and threaten sanctions at every turn, doing here at this time?

"Let him in." Min Aung Hlaing adjusted his collar. Although he was unhappy about it, he knew he couldn't afford to offend the USA right now—perhaps this was the only opportunity to counter Zhang Cheng.

A few minutes later, the USA Ambassador walked in with a confident stride, wearing that signature hypocritical smile, though a hint of urgency was hidden in his eyes. Washington had long since learned of the cooperation between Zhang Cheng and China, especially the planning of the Ruili-Kyaukpyu Port railway. This was simply going to break the USA's monopoly in the Strait of Malacca, and they had to stop this cooperation from materializing!

"Respected Commander-in-Chief, it seems you have encountered some trouble." The Ambassador got straight to the point and sat down without ceremony.

"If you are here to gloat, Mr. Ambassador, then please leave." Min Aung Hlaing said coldly.

"No, no, no," the Ambassador waved his hand, a glimmer of cunning flashing in his eyes, "I am here to offer help. Washington believes that a unified, stable Myanmar is in our interest, but the collusion between Zhang Cheng and China is disrupting the regional balance—the railway he wants to build is a springboard for China to infiltrate Southeast Asia; the tank technology in his hands is a hidden danger threatening regional security. This is not only a crisis for your country, but also something we cannot tolerate!"

When mentioning the "railway" and "tank technology," the Ambassador's tone deepened, precisely hitting Min Aung Hlaing's sore spot.

"Therefore, in order to safeguard your country's sovereignty and to contain China's expansionist ambitions," the Ambassador took a document from his briefcase and pushed it in front of Min Aung Hlaing, "Our government has decided to immediately lift most of the arms embargo sanctions against your country. Furthermore, in the name of 'counter-terrorism' and 'border security,' we will provide your military with a batch of highly targeted military aid."

Min Aung Hlaing picked up the document suspiciously and flipped through it a few times; his pupils constricted sharply, and his breathing instantly became rapid.

The list in the document clearly stated: advanced individual communication systems, night vision goggles, bulletproof vests, and more crucially—eight hundred "javelin" anti-tank missiles, three hundred "stinger" man-portable air-defense missiles, and twenty 155mm towed howitzers! At the bottom, there were even a few second-hand but well-maintained Black Hawk helicopters, complete with a full set of maintenance spare parts!

These pieces of equipment were practically tailor-made to deal with Zhang Cheng's armored forces and infrastructure construction teams! The "javelin" missiles could precisely pierce tank armor, and the 155mm howitzers could bombard railway survey teams and construction camps; with these, he at least had the capital to contend with Zhang Cheng!

"Is... is this true?" Min Aung Hlaing's heartbeat accelerated, and his hands were trembling slightly.

"Of course." The Ambassador smiled meaningfully, very much like a devil tempting its prey, "However, there is no such thing as a free lunch. We need you, Commander-in-Chief, to do a small favor."

"What favor?" Min Aung Hlaing asked vigilantly.

"Give Zhang Cheng a taste of trouble, especially regarding his infrastructure cooperation with China." The Ambassador's eyes were cold, his voice lowered to a whisper, "There is no need for a full-scale war; we know you are not ready yet. But you must create friction at the border, focusing attacks on their railway survey teams and construction camps, and disrupt their supply transport lines—as long as the railway cannot be completed, the planning for Kyaukpyu Port will become empty talk, and Zhang Cheng will lose China's most core support!"

He added: "We will provide round-the-clock satellite intelligence support to help you lock onto the locations of Zhang Cheng's armored forces and construction teams. As long as you dare to act, subsequent aid will be endless, and even F-16 fighter jets are not off the table for discussion."

Min Aung Hlaing looked at that enticing list, then thought of Zhang Cheng's arrogant face and his own desperate situation if the railway were completed; the hesitation in his eyes was gradually replaced by greed and ruthlessness.

"Good! It's a deal!" Min Aung Hlaing slammed the table, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes, "We will keep the generosity of our USA friends in mind! I will issue the order immediately to reinforce Northern Shan State and focus on deploying defenses along the railway line! I want to let Zhang Cheng know that Myanmar's sovereignty is inviolable; if he wants to be a puppet of China, he should first ask if the gun in my hand agrees!"

A proxy conflict, sparked by geopolitical interests and centered around armored forces and strategic railways, officially began at this moment.