Chapter 287 - 287: Full of Tricks...

Missouri.

Columbus City.

Within a private estate in the suburbs.

One-third of the members of the City of the Council, along with subordinates of the other members, had gathered here.

The reason they hadn't convened all the members was mainly because they were afraid of dying, worried that the Homo Sapiens Company would wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

The key figure in this secret meeting was James Rockefeller of the Rockefeller Clan. He sat at the round table, looking at the others.

Of the twelve seats at the round table, only four were occupied.

At the remaining eight seats, there was only a family crest, and behind them stood the subordinates sent by each respective family.

"You've all seen it." James patted the comprehensive strength assessment report on the Homo Sapiens Company that he held in his hands.

Norman Cleveland nodded. "James, we've seen it. A hot war or a nuclear war are not good options."

The others also began to speak up.

Their opinions were more or less unanimous: the conditions for a hot war or a nuclear war were not currently met, and they should adopt Cold War tactics instead.

Even James, who had previously been eager to nuke Hongsawaddy and Luzon, had now faced reality.

This was the inherent weakness of the great capitalist clans. Once they discovered they couldn't defeat an opponent through war, their cowardly, life-cherishing side would be fully exposed.

James's grim gaze swept over the crowd. "Today's secret meeting is for our inner circle only. The Homo Sapiens Company's intelligence agencies have already infiltrated America. I expect you all to step up your internal investigations."

"Don't worry, James."

"I'm already running checks."

Everyone was well aware that if the Homo Sapiens Company could so easily keep tabs on America's every move, it must be because someone on the inside had been bought off or was a plant from the company itself.

James continued, "We must now find a way to weaken the Homo Sapiens Company. We absolutely cannot allow them to keep growing unchecked."

"What do you have in mind?" Norman Cleveland asked, chewing on his cigar.

James held up one finger. "First, we need to strengthen the military power of Kangaroo Country, the Western Pacific, and Tianzhu. Then, we stir up conflict between the Homo Sapiens Company and its neighbors, containing them within Southeast Asia as much as possible."

"Why not support An Nan, Java, and Malaysia?" the representative of another family asked, finding it a bit strange.

James shook his head. "Those places are too close to the Homo Sapiens Company. They might have already been secretly molded into the company's shape. We absolutely cannot trust any power in Southeast Asia."

"I see."

"It's certainly possible. Especially Java and Malaysia. Regarding the blockade of the Malacca Strait, they've protested verbally, but there's been no substantial action, which is highly suspicious."

"In any case, we must be wary when dealing with any powers in Southeast Asia from now on."

This group was clearly a case of "once bitten, twice shy." They were now paranoid about everything.

James held up a second finger. "Second, we must launch a full-scale media offensive, creating all sorts of controversial topics within the Homo Sapiens Company's territories. Although the company has established wholly-owned subsidiaries in regions like Luzon, Siam, Hongsawaddy, and Ceylon, the people there are definitely not a monolithic bloc."

"I agree with that point. We can use the internet to stir up all kinds of opposition. But how much strength does the Black Ship still have available to mobilize in those places?" Norman Cleveland's expression grew hesitant as he spoke.

James stated his idea, "For the Black Ship's operations, I plan to allocate a special fund of 10 billion for them. Let them cultivate a new batch of Converts, to be managed separately from the previous ones."

"10 billion?"

"Are you suggesting you suspect the previous Converts were discovered by the Homo Sapiens Company?"

They discussed it for a moment and concluded that it was indeed necessary to increase the Black Ship's investment in Southeast Asia.

Then James continued, "Third, we must completely suppress the Homo Sapiens Company's global economic activities, especially their oil and natural gas trade with the nations of West Asia. Warn all our allies that they are absolutely forbidden from using the Jin Yuan."

"That will be somewhat difficult. After all, the Jin Yuan is tied to gold," a family representative with a better understanding of finance reminded him.

"It's precisely because the Jin Yuan is tied to gold that we must suppress it completely. Unless the Homo Sapiens Company uses the Euro or the US Dollar, they can forget about engaging in international trade." James's expression was incredibly grim.

Although the Rockefeller Clan had its origins in the arms and energy industries, in reality, as times changed, America's financial syndicates had interests in every sector, even intertwining and colluding with one another.

The Rockefeller Clan also had financial interests in sectors like banking, insurance, bonds, and investment firms.

The Homo Sapiens Company's Jin Yuan was a tremendous threat to America's US Dollar.

With the Homo Sapiens Company using the Jin Yuan, it would be very difficult for America to manipulate their financial markets, let alone reap the "US Dollar tax" from them.

"Fourth, although the Homo Sapiens Company has established a wholly-owned subsidiary on Xing Island, its economy and industries are still in our hands. The petroleum refining, semiconductor, and precision instrument industries there must be immediately relocated to Tianzhu and Kangaroo Country."

"Fifth, for all semiconductor products exported to the Homo Sapiens Company, increase the price tenfold across the board. Warn Samsung and TSMC not to try any funny business, or else they'll be replaced."

"Sixth, completely ban Europe and America from purchasing pharmaceuticals and test strips produced by the Homo Sapiens Company. Increase the price of all medical equipment sold to the Homo Sapiens Company by a factor of ten."

James listed the points one by one.

Clearly, this was a plan to completely suffocate the Homo Sapiens Company's economy.

Norman Cleveland exhaled a puff of smoke. "HUFF... What about the Malacca Strait and the Kra Canal? East Japan and South Korea will definitely want to use the Kra Canal. Knowing the Homo Sapiens Company's style, they will certainly demand passage fees be paid in Jin Yuan."

"That's not up to them." James couldn't care less about the opinions of those two dogs.

The City of the Council now considered the Homo Sapiens Company its number one enemy. Anyone who dared not to cooperate in suppressing them would surely be purged.

America had now become far more sensitive. To maintain its global hegemony, it would desperately suppress its rivals while remaining vigilant against disobedient subordinates and allies.

This band of schemers, their minds full of dirty tricks, discussed for several hours, perfecting every detail before finally concluding the secret meeting.

Soon, the countermeasures from the City of the Council were swiftly put into action.

This time, America's efficiency had increased severalfold; they were no longer dragging their feet as they had before.

After all, these big bosses behind the scenes had given the orders personally. Anyone who dared to slack off at a time like this was probably tired of living.

One had to remember that among these great clans, traditional characteristics like "DuPont's Homemade Plane" and the "Rockefeller Machine Gunner" existed.

Soon, a variety of plans targeting the Homo Sapiens Company began to be rolled out in rapid succession.

For example, providing Tianzhu with 30 billion in special aid to purchase aircraft, missiles, and radar systems from America.

Providing Kangaroo Country with a full-package of military aid, including the construction of a large phased-array radar in the country's north and supplying a batch of advanced fighter jets and missiles.

They also quickly reactivated the bases on Wake Island and Midway Island, located behind Guam.

After all, the Guam Base was no longer safe. Furthermore, the secret treaty stipulated that the Luzon Sea was a buffer zone, and with the Homo Sapiens Company's sonar monitoring technology, it seemed they could easily detect the United States Army's submarines.

Therefore, Guam had effectively become the front line.

That was why they had to reactivate Wake Island and Midway Island.

As for these actions by America, the Homo Sapiens Company's Foreign Affairs Division had in fact received intelligence long ago. All of these countermeasures were well within the company's expectations.