Alright, you are a legend!
Truman took a deep drag of his cigar, exhaled, and said,
"This really is a legend. But, Pierre, actually, if you had kept those arms..."
"Perhaps that would be even better."
Truman’s suggestion caught Pierre off guard; it was clearly beyond his expectations.
"North Borneo," Truman stated bluntly.
"I know you’ve acquired the North Borneo Company. Perhaps when the war ends, I can offer some assistance. But the British—they will stop you by any means necessary. So, I think you should contribute your share during the war."
As a quintessential politician, Truman knew exactly what he should do. His suggestion left Pierre a bit at a loss. He said,
"Contribute? Harry, what do you mean by that?"
Truman, holding a cigar, looked at Pierre and said,
"Get involved in the war."
Pierre frowned slightly and asked,
"How would I get involved? I’m just a company."
"The North Borneo Company isn’t just an ordinary company, my friend—it owns its own colony. If you want to ensure that land remains yours after the war, participating in this conflict is the best way to protect your personal interests. After all, as a participant, we must safeguard your interests—I mean, America’s interests."
Truman looked Pierre straight in the eye and spoke seriously.
"After all, America is also among the victors. America will ensure its own interests, and likewise, the interests of the winning side."
Truman’s words sent Pierre into deep thought. He suddenly realized that his perspective had been a bit too narrow.
He had always thought of himself as just a "businessman," but he had overlooked one thing: he was a businessman who owned a colony. In a sense, he was also a belligerent party in the war—or rather, one of the participants.
If he could join the war effort, wouldn’t that mean he could, as a victorious nation, participate in postwar reparations against Japan?
In that instant, Pierre was a little shaken.
Although reparations from Japan could provide funds for North Borneo’s postwar reconstruction, what was even more important was that he could enter Japan as a member of the victorious powers.
Drunken beauties beneath Mount Fuji!
That was the dream of hundreds of millions of Chinese!
Thinking of this, Pierre said,
"It seems I don’t have any troops to participate, and even if I did, the expenses would be considerable."
His words made Truman burst out laughing.
"Pierre, my friend, I meant for you to participate, not to go fight the Japanese yourself. Participation is what matters. It’s fine if you don’t have an army—you can recruit a mercenary force. I’ve heard there are many overseas Chinese in Cuba. If they had a chance to fight the Japanese, I doubt they’d refuse. Three years ago, after Cuba declared war on the Axis, Batista signed an agreement with the United States allowing us to build airfields in Cuba to protect Caribbean shipping. I think the military wouldn’t mind training a North Borneo commando unit there. They could join the Allied counterattack on Borneo at the appropriate time!"
As Truman finished, he leaned back on the sofa, contentedly taking a puff of his cigar. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have been able to make such an offer. But now, as America’s future vice president, he could give such advice.
And this wasn’t just a suggestion—it was a kind of promise!
This promise was his way of repaying friendship.
As an outstanding politician, Truman understood the essence of a deal: it’s about giving. Only after giving can you expect to receive.
"Harry, thank you for your advice. I’ll give it serious thought."
Pierre nodded. Did this really require any thought?
Originally, he had planned to make his move in North Borneo after the war. But now, with Truman’s suggestion, he saw a new opportunity. As long as he seized it, North Borneo would be his—regardless of whether the British liked it or not.
Let them try to drive my troops out first!
After that, they stopped discussing North Borneo and turned to politics in Washington, chatting about politicians, which naturally led to the topic Truman cared most about.
"Pierre, as you know, the President has now announced me as his running mate, the future vice presidential candidate—just as you once predicted."
A prediction of the future!
That was precisely why Truman had invited Pierre to Washington—because he truly needed his advice. Or rather, not just advice, but his predictions for the future.
"But as his running mate, shouldn’t I be doing something? After all, this is our campaign!"
Pierre pursed his lips, took another drag of his cigar, then gently waved away the smoke before him and said,
"Harry, why did the President choose you?"
After thinking for a moment, Truman replied,
"Actually, the President’s original preference was the former Vice President, Wallace. But Henry’s excessively liberal style made him unpopular within the party, and with internal strife so intense right now, the President chose me for the sake of balance. After all, I don’t have strong factional ties—I’m a vice presidential candidate acceptable to all sides. This arrangement is mainly to win the election."
Truman was very clear about his own role. That was also why, when Roosevelt called him, he had initially refused.
"Actually, at first, I didn’t accept the President’s nomination. It wasn’t until the President told me that if I refused, it could lead to a split within the party, and that I would have to bear the responsibility, that I finally agreed."
With that, Truman turned his gaze to Pierre. This guy had predicted all of this long ago. His decision to accept wasn’t just out of a sense of responsibility; more importantly... It was because of the White House.
A man remains a boy at heart until his dying day—who doesn’t have a bit of youthful ambition?
Although Truman never received a college education, once ran a clothing store that went bankrupt, and could only be considered a barely competent politician after being a failed businessman, he certainly didn’t want to miss such an opportunity.
Even if he couldn’t become President in the future, retiring from politics as Vice President would be enough to make his life feel complete.
"That’s right, Harry. You’re just a candidate meant to balance various factions. And what is it that the President really needs?"
Looking at Harry, Pierre asked in return.
"He needs someone who won’t steal his spotlight, or rather, someone who won’t pose any threat to his next term!"
Truman answered bluntly.
"In that case, what do you think you should do?"
Smiling at the ’mascot’ before him, Pierre said.
"Let me tell you a story..."