In a quiet villa in Longshan Park, a large black Audi quietly drove into the yard.

This big Audi has not been subjected to any inspection. Before going up the mountain, the guards along the way were informed that Comrade Liu Jun, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Province D, would come to visit Bian Lao.

The owner of this quiet villa is the residence of Bian Lao, a senior veteran of the political group where Yan Liu's department is located.

Bian Lao originally lived in a courtyard house in the capital, but when he got older, the health doctor suggested that he move to a villa in Longshan Park. The old courtyard houses cannot be compared with the villas with modern facilities in terms of the comfort of living. The air in Yongsan Park is also much cleaner than in the city, and for the elderly, it is better to breathe fresh air than any health facility.

For this proposal, Bian Lao himself is indispensable. However, his wife and children were in favor of Bian Lao moving to Longshan Park to live, and Bian Lao was as good as he was.

Liu Jun did not have many personal contacts with Bian Lao before, but when he emerged in the political circles, his previous performances were very dazzling, and he received Bian Lao's high attention, and he specially summoned him once, and they talked deeply with each other for a long time. That time made Bian Lao have a more comprehensive understanding of Liu Jun. also had Bian Lao's personal recommendation to Liu Jun, supporting him to enter the Politburo and take charge of Province D.

Since then, the correspondence between Liu Jun and Bian Lao has gradually increased. Bian Lao likes to chat with Liu Jun very much, and sometimes even takes the initiative to invite Liu Jun, not all of which are visited by Liu Jun.

But this time, it was not Bian Lao's invitation, but Liu Jun's request to visit Bian Lao.

The secretaries around Bian Lao had been instructed that whenever Liu Jun asked to visit, as long as Bian Lao's physical condition permitted, he could not refuse.

This courtesy is very high, and the secretaries were secretly surprised when they heard Bian Lao's personal instructions. There are only a few people who can receive this kind of courtesy in front of Bian Lao, and all of them are senior and respected figures in the party, including Chairman Li Zhiguo. Now Bian Lao has also given this kind of courtesy to Liu Jun, a young man.

It can be seen from this that Liu Jun's weight in Bian Lao's mind is very important.

When the secretary reported to Bian Lao about Liu Jun's request to visit, Bian Lao smiled slightly and said meaningfully: "This little guy is always so keen!" ”

The secretary couldn't help but be shocked.

Bian Lao completely regarded Liu Jun as a close nephew and junior, and the look of love in his words was undisguised. In recent years, Bian Lao has never shown this kind of affection even to his direct descendants.

And Liu Jun seemed to know that Bian Lao would definitely see him, and not long after the phone call, the big Audi drove straight into Bian Lao's yard.

In March, the early spring in the north of the country also had a hint of warmth. Bian Lao did not sit in the living room, but stood in the courtyard, pacing back and forth slowly, his expression was very leisurely.

Bian Lao was ninety years old, with white hair, a gray tunic, a black tweed coat, and a cane in his hand. However, this crutch is basically an embellishment, and Bian Lao rarely uses it seriously.

Liu Jun got out of the car, walked a few steps, came to Bian Lao, and said with a smile: "Hello Bian Lao!" ”

Although Bian Lao is over 90 years old, he is in good spirits, deaf and clear-sighted, and has no problems communicating normally, even without the help of hearing aids and the like.

Hearing this, Bian Lao turned his head to look at Liu Jun, and said indifferently: "Coming?" ”

"Yes."

Yoo Jun nodded.

Bian Lao smiled slightly: "Since you are here, let's go out for a walk with my old man, I am bored in the yard all day long, and I am full of boredom." ”

It is rare that Bian Lao's interest is so high, and Liu Jun naturally deserves to be accompanied. In fact, if Bian Lao stays bored in the yard, he can go out for a walk at any time. It's just that the outdoor activities of the elderly are mainly about their mood. Without the right person to accompany you, it is not interesting.

An old man and a young man walked out of the courtyard gate together, and several staff members slowly followed behind, and Liu Jun naturally reached out to help Bian Lao. Bian Lao waved his hand lightly and said, "No, I'm not old enough yet." ”

Liu Jun smiled: "Elder Bian, among your peers, you have the most energy. ”

Bian Lao showed a more proud expression on his face, and said: "That's it, Commander He, Secretary Gao, they are not as good as my body." ”

Speaking of which, Bian Lao is a few years younger than He Lao and Gao Lao, but at this age, the difference in how many years is not very big. What Liu Jun said just now is not a sycophant.

"Yoo Jun, there's pressure, right?"

The two of them walked slowly on the jade-like mountain road in Longshan Park, and neither of them spoke, and after about two or three minutes, Bian Lao spoke.

Liu Jun admitted frankly: "Yes, Bian Lao, there is indeed a certain amount of pressure. ”

The differences of opinion that occurred at yesterday's Politburo meeting were undoubtedly known to Bian Lao. At that meeting, some comrades questioned our strategy for dealing with the financial crisis. In the general direction, everyone has no objection, but there are different opinions on the specific measures. A senior member of the Politburo pointed out that the measures we are taking to deal with it are too drastic, and the intention of "fighting in the ring" is quite obvious. This will not be very beneficial to our quest for a stable space for development.

It has been an established strategy for many years to speed up development, accumulate strength, and wait for the opportunity. Even Bian Lao is one of the formulators of this strategy. This was the consensus of the party's senior leaders at the beginning of reform and opening up.

At the time, this strategy was undoubtedly the right one. At that time, we had just experienced ten years of ***, and the national economy was extremely fragile and on the verge of collapse. The country is in dire need of recuperation and strength. Moreover, the work of internal stability and the task of putting things in order are very heavy, and if there is no relatively stable external environment, it will be very difficult for the country to make great strides in its development. There are not a few countries in the whole world that are wary of or even hate us. If we want to develop, we must first break the encirclement of others and let the international community gradually accept us.

This strategy has been implemented for many years, and it has penetrated into the minds of many high-level cadres, and has almost become a mindset. When confronted with external problems, the first reaction of these cadres is to "tolerate standby".

Because of our tough measures, the United States and the entire Western society have become very uneasy and dissatisfied. In the beginning, only some of the extreme media shouted that we were "taking advantage of the fire" and taking advantage of the world's disasters to "make a fortune". Some of the so-called "fighters" openly accuse us of ignoring morality and what are our intentions!

It should be said that at that time, most politicians remained calm and did not publicly support or respond to the clamor of these extreme media. After all, we do not know enough about the financial crisis that has just begun, and we do not know to what extent this financial crisis will affect the economy of the United States and even the entire Western world. Most people are relatively optimistic. However, as the crisis deepened, the US economy suffered serious damage, and the downward trend made many politicians worried, and gradually some people began to support the rhetoric of the extreme media, accusing the Republic of being irresponsible and failing to assume the obligations of a great power.

Moreover, this kind of accusation has a tendency to become a mainstream voice.

In line with these remarks, President Jack has stepped up his military investment in the Asia-Pacific region. US dignitaries and high-ranking generals of the armed forces have frequently visited several countries surrounding our country. These countries all have certain territorial disputes with us, and in recent years they have created some friction on the sea for us from time to time. A certain large country in South Asia has continuously increased the number of troops on China's western border, putting on an aggressive posture.

When US military and political leaders hold talks with the leaders of these countries, their speeches are already quite explicit. It is clearly stated that more economic and military assistance will be given to these countries and more in-depth military cooperation will be carried out.

A certain big country in South Asia has always been seeking military strength, and it has expressed a strong interest in several new weapons of the United States. In fact, the United States has always been more vigilant about this country, and has never intended to sincerely support them to become stronger. Their arms sales are strictly controlled. However, when General de Man, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Conference last month, visited the country's capital, he offered to conduct cooperative research with the country, and expressed his willingness to sell some advanced weapons to this South Asian power, including first-class fighter planes and the most advanced air defense systems. And promised that part of the weapons technology would be transferred to the country.

The intent is obvious.

The posture that instigates these countries to constantly challenge the bottom line of the republic and threaten us will tell the truth if we overreact.

A certain Politburo member unmistakably expressed his concern about the war. It is believed that the "financial war" should be stopped in moderation and too much. It would be a huge mistake to make a financial war lead to a real war.

At yesterday's Politburo meeting, several leaders expressed similar views, vigorously upholding the importance of maintaining the importance of maintaining their views, accumulating strength, and when necessary, they can and must make certain concessions.

Of course, there are also some leaders who support the current response, believing that the bottom line between the United States and the Western world is far from being touched, and that a so-called "financial war" of this magnitude is simply unlikely to trigger a real war, so there is no need to worry too much.

Yesterday's meeting was quite long, and the discussion was quite hot. In the end, the Politburo meeting did not make a clear decision. This rarely happens at Politburo meetings after the change.

This is also the reason why Liu Jun took the initiative to ask to see Bian Lao today. He believed that Bian Lao would definitely want to talk to him as well.

Sure enough, as soon as they met, Bian Lao asked the question bluntly.