Chapter 1383: Chapter 478: The Impact of the Drastic Shift in the Battle Situation
"What do you think about Donnie’s suggestion?"
After Carlmona learned about Donnie’s idea from Sara, he didn’t directly tell Sara what he thought, but instead asked Sara for his opinion.
Sara said: "Donnie’s idea is beneficial to us, but it also has its downsides!"
"Explain in detail!"
"The benefits are obvious. Donnie provides us with an excellent education model, and it doesn’t require our education budget, which is good. Moreover, this education method can help us better control the mindset of our citizens.
On the way here, I thought that as long as some of these students, in the future, become people with a voice in society, they will advocate for us. By then, we can save a lot of trouble, and more importantly, it will benefit our governance!"
After Sara finished speaking, Carlmona’s eyes shone with a glimmer. As a ruler, he most hoped for his rule to always be smooth and successful.
But Carlmona’s gleam quickly faded, and he continued to ask: "What are the downsides?"
"The downsides are also very apparent. Venus Investment Bank and Breton Commercial Bank will have a transcendent status in Portugal in the future, even able to sway our ruling position!"
After hearing this, a trace of gloom flashed in Carlmona’s eyes. Just like his previous excitement, he did not like anyone being able to threaten his rule.
"If it were you, what would you choose?"
Sara shook his head and said: "I don’t know, I’m not in your position. In Portugal, no one can make this decision but you!"
Carlmona was very satisfied with Sara’s attitude. He trusted Sara, but not blindly without limits.
Now, Sara’s attitude made Carlmona feel he trusted the right person.
While satisfied with Sara’s attitude, Carlmona also fell into silence. As Sara said, only he could make the decision on this matter.
But now, Carlmona didn’t know how to decide.
"If we disagree with Donnie’s suggestion, do you think Donnie would deal with us like he did with Calles and his people?"
Carlmona asked.
Sara, without any hesitation, directly said: "It shouldn’t be the case. Portugal is different from Mexico. Mexico is next to the United States. Donnie doesn’t want cooperation with Mexico; he wants domination in the economic field. However, Portugal is in Europe, and we are the leverage for Donnie’s Venus Bank to enter Europe. Without Portugal, Donnie’s business can enter Europe, but not as smoothly.
Moreover, and more importantly, our cooperation is not a secret. I believe many European leaders are watching our cooperation with Donnie. Donnie’s previous interference in Mexico’s internal affairs already caused dissatisfaction among many. If Donnie does the same things here in Portugal, I believe he is well aware his business in Europe will face more difficulties."
Carlmona continued to ask: "If we agree to Donnie’s plan, what should we do ourselves?"
Sara said: "If agreeing to Donnie’s plan, Donnie cannot do this alone. We must participate. Not only participate but also have a certain degree of say. Only then can we better limit the growth of Venus Bank in Portugal."
Carlmona asked: "Will Donnie agree to our suggestion?"
Sara shook his head and said: "That I don’t know, but I think Donnie will likely agree. Based on his previous attitude in conversations with me, I feel he values our opinions highly!"
Carlmona had no more questions. Now what he needed to do was to weigh his options, to decide whether to agree to Donnie’s plan or oppose it.
Just at that moment, the phone on Carlmona’s desk rang.
It was his secretary calling.
"Mr. President, we just received news from Mexico that the situation on the battlefield has changed!"
Although Mexico’s civil war had nothing to do with Portugal as a nation, Carlmona had always had the Portuguese Land Army pay attention to the situation there.
In fact, many relatively peaceful countries were watching this event.
"I am currently at the Land Army Department and just received first-hand information. I’m on my way to the Presidential Office to report!"
Carlmona’s secretary continued.
"Come over!" Carlmona allowed him to come.
After hanging up the phone, Carlmona told Sara about the phone’s content and at the same time asked: "Aguirre and Escovar’s rebels were already being defeated by the Mexican government troops. What could now cause a change in Mexico’s battlefield?"
Sara did not fully understand, so he asked: "Could the United States have sent troops themselves?"
"That’s impossible!" Carlmona asserted firmly: "Donnie’s influence in the United States is indeed significant, but not significant enough to arrange for US troops to enter Mexico and help Aguirre and Escovar’s rebellion!"
Sara shook his head and said: "Then could it be Donnie’s own mercenaries that have entered?"
This time, Carlmona wasn’t as certain. Back when he staged a coup in Portugal, it was Donnie’s mercenaries who helped him get into Lisbon, making Carlmona one of the national leaders most familiar with Donnie’s armed forces.