The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943-Chapter 156 - 168: Target—Borneo

A just cause!

Sometimes, a just cause is truly important.

Sure, following in the Allies’ footsteps and simply taking over as the receiving official would be nice—you could gain everything with almost no cost.

But while it’s tempting, it would also plant seeds of trouble for the future—how could Borneo remain untouched amidst the wave of colonial independence?

But what if Borneo was liberated from Japanese occupation by its own people?

The liberator—that’s the just cause.

That’s the legitimacy for ruling Borneo in the future.

Just like the "Big Five" powers—no matter how the world questions them, one fact remains unchangeable: the Big Five were founded on the anti-fascist victory of WWII. Any country wanting to challenge their legitimacy would first have to destroy the United Nations.

Beyond the just cause, for Pierre, this was also an opportunity!

An opportunity to control—no, to liberate—the whole of Borneo.

If he returned merely as a receiving official, at most he’d gain North Borneo. But as a liberator, no one could take Borneo from his hands.

Riding in a Chrysler driven by his chauffeur, Pierre left the White House. On the way back to the hotel, his mind kept turning over the matter of Borneo’s liberation.

There are four regions in Borneo: besides the North Borneo Company, there’s the Kingdom of Sarawak and the Sultanate of Brunei, both British protectorates, but most of Borneo is a Dutch colony.

"Well, from now on, the Dutch have no say in the matter..."

If it’s territory reclaimed with his own blood, the Dutch can only have it back if they’re prepared to bleed for it!

And in the future, the British will have no say, either. After all, Pierre’s goal is the whole of Borneo!

Now is the perfect opportunity.

Leaning back in the car, Pierre lit a cigarette. When the car pulled over at an intersection, Ding En got out to buy a newspaper, handing him the evening edition of The Washington Post. A news item in the latest updates section caught his eye, printed in the middle of the page.

"On February 1, Marshal Montgomery led his troops in an assault on the German forces stationed along the Rhine..."

He glanced at it, then read it several more times.

Such a simple news story, yet it contained so much information—the Allies had begun their final assault on Germany itself. Soon, they would break through the Siegfried Line, defended only by the old, weak, sick, and wounded, and push into the heart of Germany.

He looked out the window at the chaotic traffic and the throngs of pedestrians. Some trudged toward the station, others braved the February drizzle, walking slowly and heavily toward the buses. The vast majority were women. War had sent tens of millions of young men to the front, leaving women to fill every profession.

"Soon, your men will return..."

Their men would come home, but only after Japan surrendered. When would that be?

Would it be this year?

As he gazed out the window, a thought slowly began to take shape.

...

Once again, Pierre arrived at the Pentagon.

But unlike previous visits, this time he was here not as a defense contractor, but to discuss military affairs.

That morning, Pierre had received an invitation from the Pentagon.

The invitation had come from an old acquaintance, and the meeting place was, as before, in General Holcomb’s office. As soon as he entered, the general walked over to the wall and opened the liquor cabinet.

"Care for a drink, Pierre? I think we should have celebrated long ago. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to celebrate with you and to thank you—your invention has saved the lives of many children."

"Thank you, General... Some whiskey?"

"Pierre, when I handed you the contract last year, many people thought I was grasping at straws. Hardly anyone believed it would be effective on the battlefield."

General Holcomb, pouring the drinks, seemed a little emotional. And how could he not be?

After all, "Agent Orange" was a project that had succeeded with his and the Marine Corps’ support, and its results were remarkable. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Yes, General, it was only with your support that Agent Orange could be so effective."

Pierre nodded in agreement; credit, after all, should go to the leader.

General Holcomb brought over the glasses and handed one to Pierre. They toasted each other and sipped their whiskey.

"The effect Agent Orange has had in the war is simply astonishing," General Holcomb said.

"Since we deployed it last year, every front—from the Pacific to Burma—all the frontline commanders have specifically requested it! They want Agent Orange! You know, Pierre, no one could have imagined it would be this effective. It can even turn dense jungle into barren land. The Japanese can no longer hide in the rainforest and launch despicable ambushes on us like before!"

General Holcomb took a sip, his voice full of excitement.

"We can’t even begin to count how many young men’s lives have been saved by this. Everyone is deeply grateful for your product."

"Yes, the company has also received thank-you letters from them, General," Pierre replied with a smile.

Grateful now, but let’s hope they don’t hate me in the future—after all, that stuff does more than just defoliate trees.

"That’s why the military keeps placing new orders. I think the current orders are enough to keep you at full production for a year," General Holcomb said.

"Now, not only does the Pacific need it—even the British in India have heard about its effectiveness and want Agent Orange included in the Lend-Lease Act."

Sitting on the sofa, General Holcomb glanced at Pierre and spoke seriously.

"Although I’m no longer the Commandant of the Marine Corps, I’m still working at the Pentagon. As I promised before, I’ll do everything I can to ensure that Agent Orange contracts continue to be awarded to your company as a priority."

Last year, when General Holcomb was handling these matters, he hadn’t told Pierre, but he had indeed taken care of things before stepping down, making sure the now-famous Agent Orange contracts went to the right person.

"Thank you, General."

Pierre raised his glass, took a sip, and said, "General, I really appreciate all your support over the years."

"To be honest, Pierre, I didn’t want to leave the Marine Corps, but they gave me another star. But the Commandant can only be a Lieutenant General."

General Holcomb’s tone was a bit helpless.

Taking a sip, Pierre looked at the admiral before him and said, "General, I believe you’ll do even greater things in your new post."

"That’s why we’re meeting again," General Holcomb said.

"You know, I’m now a special advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. As for Mac’s plan—well, it could really change the situation in Southeast Asia. But those Australians—they’re a bunch of damn cowards. So now, the task of liberating Borneo falls on your shoulders."

Sizing up the young man before him, General Holcomb continued, "I never expected you’d have your own country and army... Well, the world is full of surprises. So, are you ready?"

"General, most of the main force of the Borneo Garrison is still in France and North Africa," Pierre replied.

"Although on paper the garrison has 50,000 men, in reality most are poorly trained. They’ll need time for training, and time to travel from Europe and North Africa to Borneo."

Sitting on the sofa, General Holcomb nodded slightly—he was, of course, well aware of these facts.

"Our landings in Europe are finished. All the ships will be sent to Asia to support the next phase of the invasion of Japan. When the time comes, your men can take those ships to Australia, then undergo jungle warfare training in the Philippines before attacking Borneo. Of course, you’ll have cover from the US Navy and Army Air Forces."

They might not even need escorts—after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese Navy was basically crippled and could no longer threaten the Allies.

Still, escorts would be needed, since Japanese planes remained on land. To ensure air superiority, the US Navy would surely send aircraft carriers to assist.

"What about weapons?" Pierre asked directly. "Most of my men are using captured German weapons."

"We will provide you with what you need..."

"Weapons."

General Holcombe spoke bluntly.

"My friend, trust me, we will provide you with everything you need. If you have pilots, we can even supply you with aircraft."

"General, I really do have pilots," Pierre replied with a smile. "I trained a group of pilots in North Africa. If we can get planes, that would be perfect..."

Whenever there’s an opportunity, you have to squeeze as much as you can out of these Americans. After all, chances like this don’t come often.

"My air squadron will need about 150 planes..."