Lost and Spy

Early in the morning, Manila was filled with heavily armed U.S. troops from the city gate.

  Patrol teams also continue to appear on the streets.

  All this is because of the arrival of one person:
  Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Administrator of the Eight Provinces of Northern Luzon.

  Originally, the arrival of an administrator would not create such a grand scene.

  The problem is that the assassination attempt against him has already occurred unabashedly in Manila.

  On the afternoon when Meng Shaoyuan met "Venomous Snake" Crahan Papa, President of the Philippine Provisional Constitutional Government Osmina called him.

  Osmina was quite polite on the phone, roughly saying that the personal safety of Filipino citizens is protected in Manila.

  Meng Shaoyuan understood it as soon as he heard it.

  This was Crahan putting pressure on Osmina.

  Use the influence of the Narendasan family.

  Although Meng Shaoyuan didn't take Osimina's words to heart at all, he still felt the influence of the powerful Filipino families in this country.

  The next few days are bound to be a headache.

  To be honest, even though Crahan has been warned personally, what if this guy really acts unscrupulously?
  Arrest him?
  Meng Shaoyuan is not afraid of threats, but constant phone calls can still make people upset.

  However, as the top military and defense officer of the US military in Manila, he has no way to ignore this matter.

  It’s still unclear what Crahan Papa’s next move will be. The only thing that can be done is to arrange as many people as possible to protect Marcos’ safety.

  At 9 a.m., two cars and a truck drove into Manila.

  On the truck were Filipino guerrillas.

  No heavy weapons were carried, and all of them only carried pistols. What was more eye-catching was that every guerrilla wore at least one medal on his chest.

  Marcos is a smart guy.

  Meng Shaoyuan thought this when he heard the report from his subordinates.

  These guerrillas were responsible for protecting Marcos' safety, and there was nothing wrong with following him into Manila.

  However, they only carried pistols for the most basic safety protection, and did not carry heavy weapons including long guns. This was a clear show of goodwill to Manila.

  Marcos trusted Manila, and Manila could trust Marcos.

  And the medals worn on the chests of the guerrillas tell the people of Manila that these people are all heroes of the Philippines!
  Marcos is here with a group of heroes!
  Therefore, Marcos entered Manila and immediately established a perfect image in front of Manila people.

  No wonder this guy was able to rule the Philippines for so many years in the future.

  "Colonel, should we go to Malacañang Palace?" Captain William asked.

  "It's not necessary." Meng Shaoyuan said lazily: "Let's see what the situation is."

  ……

  "Finally, we are in Manila again." Marcos, who was sitting in the car, seemed to be feeling a little emotional: "This is the center of power in the Philippines in the past, present and future. I really want to live here forever and never leave."

  The assistant Manuel Nuenuel Benzel sitting next to him immediately understood the meaning of his words.

  Who can live in Manila forever?

  Only those at the core of the Philippine government's power.

  The ambition of the administrator is not limited to the eight provinces of Northern Luzon.

  "What a beautiful place."

  Benzel also followed his words and said: "It's just that all the people outside are Americans, which makes me wonder who is the master of Manila."

  "Manuenu, my friend." Marcos said calmly: "One thing must be made clear. Whether it is Manila or any corner of the Philippines, we cannot do without the United States. This will happen for a long time in the future. This is true all the time.

  Is there anything wrong with leaving the task of defending the Philippines to the Americans, and we only need to focus on developing the economy? "

  "Ah, you are absolutely right." Benzel said respectfully: "However, Administrator, Crahan of the Narendasan family has arrived in Manila in advance, and we all know the purpose of his trip. I am very I'm worried about your safety, after all, our defense force is too weak."

  "Manuenu, why do I only bring these people?" Marcos said with a smile: "Krahan is a very powerful guy. If he has thought of a way to assassinate me, then no matter how many people I arrange, I am afraid that It is also difficult to guard against him. In this case, why not throw this problem to the Americans?
  You have to understand that the people who should be most nervous about this ongoing political murder are not us, but the Americans. Whether it is us or the Narendasan family, the Americans value them very much. They need our assistance when they govern the Philippines in the future.

  Therefore, since they would not blatantly interfere or arrest members of the Narendasan family, they would not allow the assassination to occur. They will protect me at all costs, even if I lose a hair, it will make them nervous.

  I have investigated the top commander of the US military in Manila, Colonel Charles. He is a very smart guy. He knows my identity and my importance. Therefore, I can definitely think that he will be in Maraca. Nangong greeted me. "

  He emphasized “greeting” to highlight his importance: “He never wants me to make any mistakes in Manila, so he will discuss with me to minimize going out.

  Every time we confront the Americans, we are always the weaker group because we have to rely on them. But something is different now. I heard that Charles is also of Asian descent, and Asians are always easier to deal with than Americans.

  Moreover, he wanted something from me, and he wanted to protect my safety. In this way, I would have the upper hand when negotiating with him in the future. He also needs to carefully consider every word I say. Manueño, sooner or later we will become the true masters of Manila. "

  "Executor, your wisdom is unparalleled." Benzel said sincerely.

  ……

  Malacañang Palace.

  Marcos felt disappointed.

  Wrong, I was completely wrong.

  Manila Mayor Dulkom came with city officials.

  Osmina, Acting President of the Philippine Provisional Constitutional Government, came with key government officials.

  However, no Americans showed up.

  Yes, none.

  Colonel Charles, whom Marcos was confident would show up, did not come.

  Levi, the plenipotentiary representative of the U.S. government, didn't come either.

  What about Americans?

  where are they?
  Don't they take their visit seriously at all?

  Benzel was also extremely embarrassed. On the way here, the administrator's analysis was so thorough.

  But the scene in front of me was completely different from what I imagined.

  Marcos would never have imagined that this was arranged by "Colonel Charles" Meng Shaoyuan.

  Before Marcos arrived in Manila, Meng Shaoyuan had a meeting with U.S. officials and business representatives, including Levi:
  "A arrogant Filipino, from the first minute he sets foot in Manila, we must remain indifferent to him. Otherwise, the owner of Manila will soon change."

  Then, he said to Levi: "Especially you, Mr. Levi, if you want to ensure Marcos' safety in Manila, you must do what I say."

  Levi agreed without any hesitation.

  He trusted Charles as much as he trusted himself.

  There is nothing that Charles cannot handle, as long as he follows his arrangements.

  That's why Marcos encountered such an embarrassing situation.

  Osmina expressed his welcome to Marcos on behalf of the Philippines' interim constitutional government.

  Logically speaking, for an administrator, there is no need for Osmina to come out to greet him personally.

  But there was no way, who told Marcos that General MacArthur personally appointed him?
  Marcos also had a brief but "pleasant" meeting with Osmina.

  And in accordance with Marcos' request, he successfully met Manuel Rojas Acuna who was "imprisoned".

  Marcos knew very well that although Roxas was now in jail, it was only temporary.

  The Americans will soon re-activate him, not only activate it, but also re-use it.

  Because not long ago, Marcos received news from the United States that in order to ensure the security of the Philippines and the Far East, the U.S. government intends to lease military bases in the Philippines.

  And if Rojas is pardoned and entrusted with important responsibilities, then Rojas will definitely sign these lease agreements readily.

  When Roxas was first arrested, he was held in a Manila jail.

  But after only a few days in jail, he was moved.

  Now he lives in a room in Malacañang Palace, without even a guard outside.

  Such a prisoner.

  When Marcos met Roxas for the first time, he immediately expressed his loyalty to him and told Roxas that the Americans would release him soon and continue to reuse him.

  And he is willing to follow Roxas and fight to build the Philippines.

  Marcos did not take the credit for himself, because he knew very well, and Roxas also understood that it was not the Filipinos who had the final say on whether to release him. Only with the nod of the Americans could he truly regain his freedom.

  Of course, Rojas was also very grateful that Marcos still came to visit him despite his current "difficulty".

  In this way, the "steadfast" "friendship" between Marcos and Roxas was established at this time.

  ……

  "Executor, Americans don't seem to be enthusiastic about us." After coming out of Roxas, Benzel was a little worried: "What should we do now? Go visit Mr. Levi?"

  "No, let's go visit Colonel Charles first." Marcos thought for a while.

  Benzel was startled: "Executive officer, Levi is the plenipotentiary representative of the US government in Manila. Are you thinking about it?"

  "My friend, things must not be taken at face value."

  Marcos quickly regained his confidence: "I said, I investigated Colonel Charles, a very smart guy. He did a lot of things in Manila. Not only was he a hero of the US military, he also won the support of General MacArthur and Citation from President Roosevelt.

  Why didn't an American come today? Especially Mr. Levi? Logically speaking, he would show up no matter what. I think he should have gotten some kind of hint, or to put it more bluntly, Colonel Charles!
  Yes, I think it was him. He needed my cooperation, but he didn't express it outright. He was playing a game with me to see who could take the lead. My friend, although I am fearless, I also want to live. And this is inseparable from Colonel Charles's protection of me. "

  ……

  "Marcos is a smart man, he will figure it out soon." Meng Shaoyuan was playing with an ancient Philippine cultural relic, looking at it over and over with interest: "If he is really smart, I think he will soon figure it out." It will appear.”

  As soon as he finished speaking, the phone rang.

  Meng Shaoyuan answered the phone and listened for a while: "Okay, I understand. I'll be waiting for him in the office."

  Putting down the phone, he said, "Look, Administrator Marcos asked to visit me."

  A smile appeared at the corner of Tian Qi's mouth: "Aren't you going to keep showing him off for a while?"

  "No, no, that's not necessary."

  Meng Shaoyuan also smiled lightly and said: "If something is done too much, it is not a good thing."

  ……

  This was the first time Meng Shaoyuan met Marcos.

  Well, from a Filipino perspective, this guy is indeed a legend.

  It is indeed not that easy for a guy to dominate a country for so long.

  "Colonel Charles, I, Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, personally appointed Administrator of the Eighth Province of Northern Luzon in the Philippines by General MacArthur, was able to meet the legendary hero, the savior of Cabanatuan , that is my greatest honor!”

  what?
  Cabanatue’s savior?
  Meng Shaoyuan only found it interesting.

  He has countless nicknames.

  Now, one of these nicknames has a louder one.

  "Welcome, Mr. Marcos, the administrator of the eight provinces of Northern Luzon and the rising star of the Philippines."

  Meng Shaoyuan felt that he was now singing on stage with Marcos: "When you arrived in Manila, I was not able to greet you in person. It was really rude, but I hope the administrator can understand that my affairs are too busy. .”

  "Of course." Marcos immediately said: "The colonel is responsible for protecting the entire Manila. I am just a small person, and I will not put my personal safety above Manila."

  "The administrator is so polite. You are not a nobody." Meng Shaoyuan said with a smile: "You are a hero, both you and your men. It is my honor for the administrator to be here today. Administrator, please take a seat.”

  These two people looked hypocritical, and they both looked like they wanted to rip out their hearts and lungs.

  But they both know each other that all the competition has just begun. Both of them are full of evil spirits, both are trying every means to scheme against the other, both are seeking the best interests for themselves, and both want to see clearly what is going on in the other's mind. What to think!