Chapter 54: The Maker of the Grand Commander (Second Update, Please Bookmark)

"Harry, is what he said true?"

On the way home, Mrs. Truman looked at her husband, who was driving, and asked.

"It's possible."

"What?"

"I mean, it's possible the President will choose me as his running mate. If he wins re-election, I will become Vice President."

Truman thought for a moment and said.

"It seems he is considering his running mate options."

Glancing at his wife, Truman added.

"But I'm not certain. After all, my qualifications are too thin, and there are far too many people out there who are much better than me..."

Looking at her deeply unconfident husband, Mrs. Truman asked in return.

"Harry, is there a possibility that President Roosevelt is looking for precisely someone like you?"

His wife's words startled Truman. Suddenly, as if a sudden realization dawned upon him, he said.

"That's right, that's it, that's exactly it! He is about to begin his campaign for a fourth term; how could he possibly choose a strong rival?"

Suddenly, Truman thought of those colleagues within the party who enjoyed immense prestige and formidable resumes. Every single one of them was trying to become the President's running mate to build up enough credentials for a future push higher. But they clearly forgot one crucial point—if Roosevelt could announce his run for a fourth presidential term, he could just as easily run for a fifth, a sixth... until, until he was abandoned by the public, or until he died. Under such circumstances, Roosevelt would certainly not choose a Vice President with high prestige and a rich resume; he would choose a Vice President he could control, one who posed little threat to him!

After figuring out the crux of the matter, Truman suddenly thought of something else and muttered to himself.

"Could Li have seen through this as well? If so, that kid is truly a clever fellow!"

Still, could I really become President?

I must admit, on this night, Li Yi'an had ignited the deep-seated ambition hidden within a District politician's heart, giving him much more to look forward to regarding the future.

The car drove down Pennsylvania Avenue. Under the illumination of the streetlights, the obelisk in the night stood out with striking prominence. This was a country that styled itself as a "New Rome" in every aspect, and now it was just stepping onto the grand stage. No matter how unscrupulous or despicable this country might be, and no matter how morally bankrupt the Anglo-Saxons were, one fact could not be denied—they were completing the internal succession of a global hegemon, and it would happen over the next few years.

The old hegemon had already departed in melancholy, while the new hegemon was not yet fully prepared. This era... offered boundless opportunities!

Gazing out the window at Li Yi'an, Ava Gardner asked with curiosity.

"Will he really become President?"

She was curious as to why a man could make such a judgment. Could he genuinely foresee the future?

"Who knows?"

Li Yi'an reached out and stroked the woman's swan-like neck gently, speaking in a soft voice.

"Some people—you only need to give them the right momentum, and they will chase their dreams on their own. And today, I merely gave him a little momentum."

"Ah!"

His reply startled Ava Gardner. The doubt in her eyes suddenly vanished, and as if a sudden understanding washed over her, she said.

"I see! You are manufacturing a President!"

What?

Before Li Yi'an could even react, Ava Gardner explained further.

"During my acting training, my teacher once said that many people only see the brilliance of a star, but they don't know that stars are manufactured—there are people whose job is to manufacture stars. Li, are you manufacturing a President? Exactly! You gave him the driving force to pursue his dream, and you are the one pushing him toward the presidency. If one day he truly becomes President, then he is entirely your creation!"

For a fleeting second, Li Yi'an was stunned. Although he wasn't sure if this explanation was correct, it somehow made a certain kind of sense!

The President Maker... That title sounded extraordinarily badass, didn't it?

Right, what was the name of the President after Truman again... Eisenhower. Well, he was already the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and a General; he was long past the stage of being a mere potential stock.

What about the next one?

It seemed to be that visionary fellow who was currently commanding a PT boat in the Pacific. That guy certainly wasn't short on money. And the one who succeeded the visionary, what was his name again?

Lyndon Johnson?

What was that kid up to?

Shouldn't we go and offer him some guidance too?

And what about the guy who was eavesdropping... well, he probably wasn't eavesdropping right now.

It seemed there was also another future President flying a dive bomber, whose wingman was turned into sashimi by the Japanese.

After pondering for a moment, Li Yi'an realized he was entirely qualified to act as the "Grand Commander Maker," perfectly suited to appear as their life mentor and guide them at the opportune moments.

Doesn't that mean he would be the man standing right behind the President of the American Empire?

At this thought, a somewhat peculiar smile appeared on Li Yi'an's face—no, it was the smile of a wise sage.

"Looks like I should make a list of those people later, find them, and be their lifelong mentor."

By now, the corners of Li Yi'an's mouth had curled up into a smile brimming with profound wisdom. Turning his face toward Ava Gardner, he said.

"Ava, what you said actually makes quite a bit of sense..."

More than just a bit of sense—it was practically an enlightening revelation. For someone who grasped the political and economic trends of the world for nearly a century to come, making a fortune was simply too easy. To put it bluntly, just by trafficking illicit sugar during wartime, one could at least rake in a few small fortunes.

Yet the issue wasn't just about making money!

The real issue was the future!

Even in the future, relying on Truman's help to successfully swallow North Borneo, how could one ensure the company's survival amid the turbulent post-war situation so it wouldn't be crushed to death in the wave of decolonization?

There was only one way: make oneself stronger. Otherwise, before the major powers could even intervene, the indigenous peoples of Nanyang could wipe him out themselves.

What if there was support from a major power?

And why would a major power support you?

If you were good friends with the President—or better yet, with successive Presidents—the magnitude of that support would be extraordinary.

It would be enough to make anyone hesitate to act against you, ensuring at least that they wouldn't dare plot against you, let alone subject you to a "zero-dollar looting spree."

"Quite a bit of sense..."

Ava Gardner looked at Li Yi'an with a trace of perplexity, feeling his fingers caress her neck—though the gesture felt a bit like playing with a puppy, she still enjoyed this intimate touch. Narrowing her eyes, she asked in a charming voice.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Me?"

Li Yi'an flashed an eight-tooth grin at the woman and said.

"I'm thinking about how to better be a life mentor, to illuminate the life paths of others and point the way for the lost... Ava, are you sure you want to continue being an actress?"