With Roosevelt’s death, Rockefeller was immediately liberated. Once the FBI agents stationed in his office had all withdrawn, he wasted no time booking a flight to Washington.

Paying one’s respects to Roosevelt was a matter of upper-class etiquette. Rockefeller made a polite, brief appearance at the White House before immediately heading to New York. His timing was precise; he arrived at JPMorgan Chase headquarters exactly on schedule.

Led by staff into the conference room, Rockefeller saw the familiar faces of the leaders of America’s top financial syndicates. The tycoons stepped forward to shake his hand, none of them showing any inclination for banter. They were all too aware that the Rockefeller syndicate’s assets in the West had taken a staggering hit, with paper losses alone exceeding $500 million. The losses yet to be tallied were undoubtedly even greater.

If the situation did not turn around, it was Rockefeller’s misfortune today; tomorrow, it would be the turn of Morgan, Ford, the Edison family’s General Electric, and the rest.

Since the Rockefeller syndicate had the deepest ties with China, the task of speaking fell to him. Despite his crushing losses, Rockefeller showed no sign of desperation. Instead, he calmly presented his assessment of the future to the assembly. "Gentlemen, once China advances along Canada’s Pacific Railway and reaches Thunder Bay on Lake Superior, the entire Great Lakes region and even New York will be within range of Chinese long-range rockets."

He continued, "I believe China will not hesitate to destroy the Great Lakes industrial zone. From their perspective, doing so would force the US government to exit the war. Of course, some congressmen claim they will fight to the end, even if they have to carry rifles back to the countryside and wage guerrilla war. I find such views laughable! Such talk only proves their minds are still stuck in the Civil War era."

At this sharp critique, a few of the magnates let out short laughs, but the vast majority did not. The current situation was not merely unfunny; it was terrifying.

Rockefeller did not smile either. Since the worst-case scenario had already unfolded, he saw no point in ambiguity. "Gentlemen, I do not believe China will occupy the United States, as doing so would serve no purpose for them other than incurring massive casualties. As long as they deal a heavy blow to America’s industrial base, it will be impossible for the US to continue threatening Chinese forces in Canada..."

"Do the Chinese forces truly have the confidence to continue defeating the US military through the winter?" the CEO of General Electric interrupted loudly.

Rockefeller sensed that the GE group was still brooding over their disadvantage in the technological race. Moreover, these titans were clearly reluctant to accept the possibility of such a massive threat to the Great Lakes region, instinctively wanting to deny it.

As the representative of those currently suffering, Rockefeller replied, "If most of the enterprises in the Great Lakes region were to halt work, how long could your companies maintain production based on the spare parts in your warehouses?"

Most of the Morgan syndicate’s business was no longer in physical production. Hearing Rockefeller’s candid appraisal, Morgan asked, "Rockefeller, has your enterprise truly reached the point where it can no longer maintain production so quickly?"

"There are several reasons why my enterprises cannot maintain production. As long as we have our lists of suppliers, we aren't lacking parts for the time being. However, I must tell you two of the many reasons why my companies cannot continue. The first is a shortage of raw materials, making it impossible to start work. The second is that products cannot be shipped out; the warehouses are full. This has forced several of my refineries to halt operations." Having said this, Rockefeller couldn't help but give a bitter smile before adding, "As a result, several factories that were halted—because their storage tanks were filled with gasoline and other chemical products—were attacked. Almost all the products were consumed in a single fire. Gentlemen, can you be certain your production can continue in the absence of fuel?"

The American tycoons of the 1940s were not those of the 2020s. At this time, America possessed a powerful productive capacity, and these men understood how to organize it. Hearing Rockefeller’s description—especially regarding the inability to ship products—they could no longer laugh. The heavy blow struck against the Western industrial zone could very likely appear in the Great Lakes region before long.

The Ford syndicate was involved in automobile production, and their assembly lines required an extremely high degree of stability. Never mind the destruction of a production line; a problem with the supply of just one key component could bring the entire line to a halt.

Henry Ford opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. Rockefeller had already pointed out that even if cars were produced, the chaos in the American industrial system meant there was a risk they would have to be stored in warehouses with no one to drive them away. If a parking lot holding hundreds or thousands of cars were destroyed, Ford would truly have no time for tears.

Seeing that everyone understood how dire the situation in the Western industrial zone had become, Rockefeller stepped down from the podium and returned to his seat among the tycoons.

A silence fell over the magnates. Before the Western industrial zone had been hit, even with Chinese troops landing in Western Canada, the American tycoons hadn't been worried.

Since before the outbreak of the war, each syndicate had reaped enormous profits from the Roosevelt administration’s defense orders. After the war began, orders had flown in like snowflakes, and the syndicates continued to make a fortune. Thus, they had remained optimistic in their assessments of the war. After all, China lacked the capacity to land on the US mainland, so they naturally couldn't sabotage American enterprises. As for how many American soldiers died on the battlefield, the syndicates didn't much care.

Now, however, they suddenly realized the war had begun to pose a direct threat to them; their factories were within reach of Chinese forces. A few long-range rocket shells could cost a syndicate tens of millions of dollars. No syndicate could withstand such losses.

Because they understood economics, the tycoons kept the possibility of American defeat to themselves, not daring to speak it aloud. Once America’s industry was crippled, defeat would only be a matter of time.

It was Morgan who broke the silence. Since he had initiated the meeting, as the host, he could not afford to look too cowed. Stepping to the front, he suppressed his emotions before speaking smoothly. "We have asked Professor Frank of the University of Chicago to provide us with an assessment of the current balance of power between China and the US."

A man with red hair stepped forward. Introducing himself in English with an Irish accent, he began his presentation. The tycoons showed little interest in his figures. They held a massive advantage over the average American, but they were weak compared to the Chinese military. Any Chinese grunt could kill an American tycoon with his weapon.

At this moment, the tycoons had never realized so clearly that in this international jungle of the survival of the fittest, personal success meant nothing in the face of state violence without a powerful nation as a backstop.

Rockefeller’s account had already shown them a terrifying future; a professor’s opinion was essentially useless. Unless, that is, the professor could point toward a way for them to reach an agreement with China.

But the professor clearly had no such intentions. When he finished, no one applauded. Some even felt Morgan was out of line for wasting their time at such a critical juncture.

Just then, Professor Frank continued, "Gentlemen. Given the disparity in strength between China and the US, you have two choices. The first is to participate in the federal government’s enterprise relocation plan, moving part of your production capacity to regions designated by the government to build new industrial chains and continue production."

At this, the tycoons finally showed a spark of interest. Professor Frank went on, "If you believe your assets will suffer significant losses, I suggest you borrow as much money as possible to purchase US Treasury bonds. This will mitigate your future losses."

This time, even Rockefeller was stunned, to say nothing of the others. He believed that since there was a high probability of American defeat, the Treasury bonds would, if not become scrap paper, at least plummet in value. Purchasing a large amount of bonds now seemed, if not delusional, then at least dangerously unorthodox.

Professor Frank saw their unease and explained calmly, "Gentlemen. Even if we set aside the destruction of your enterprises in the war, your companies will inevitably face a severe crisis once the war ends. In an era of skyrocketing inflation, things like the stock market will become nearly useless. Gentlemen, your assets are likely to fall back to shocking levels. As for gold, if you get your hands on any, you'll be targeted by the FBI and arrested.

"Aside from stocks and gold, cash might relatively hold its value, but you simply won't be able to get cash. Therefore, at this stage, the only reliable direction for investment is US Treasury bonds.

"The US government has a powerful need to maintain its bonds. If it cannot raise money through bond issuance, it will certainly collapse due to a total loss of credit. This collapse would have repercussions for decades or even a century. In comparison, even an American defeat would only affect the economy for a few years.

"Therefore, the US government will certainly repay its debts on time. While inflation will occur, causing you significant losses, from a holistic perspective, bonds are precisely what will best preserve value. In addition to full payment, they possess high liquidity. In contrast, stocks will fall, and assets will fall. Moreover, the liquidity of non-operational assets will be very poor."

Experts were indeed different from tycoons. Through Professor Frank’s explanation, the tycoons understood the internal logic of this judgment. However, whether the US government would act as the professor said was something no one dared guarantee. Many even felt that Professor Frank might be a government shill, intended to trick them into buying war bonds that clearly had no future.

Professor Frank didn't seem to care what they thought. He continued, "I have analyzed the future trends of various assets, including stocks, and have submitted the report to Mr. Morgan. This is the outline of the report; if you are interested, you can take a look."

With that, he placed a stack of typed documents on the table and left the room unhurriedly.

Morgan had his secretary distribute an outline to each attendee before saying, "Gentlemen, we are facing an unprecedented choice. Whether to believe in the government or believe in America depends on your choice. As for the Morgan syndicate, we have no other option. China’s current objective is to destroy the white world and establish a world order dominated by the Chinese. In this order, America’s status will only be lower than it was before the war began. Because China will certainly not accept the pre-war monetary system, the Chinese Yuan must inevitably replace the international status of the Pound, the Dollar, and the Franc. The Morgan syndicate will choose to continue defending American interests; it is our only choice."

At this point, Morgan felt he had done his duty and announced the start of the dinner.

Although the tycoons had no heart for food and drink, they were indeed hungry. Moreover, they could use the meal as an opportunity to discuss with others. Twenty minutes later, as Rockefeller had just filled his plate with what he wanted to eat and returned to his seat, the CEO of General Electric also brought a plate of food and sat down beside him. He asked, "Mr. Rockefeller, do you believe China will truly choose to completely destroy American industry?"

Rockefeller forked a piece of bacon and chewed slowly, making his own judgment. After swallowing, he replied, "I believe China will attempt to destroy the industrial zones of the West and the Great Lakes. They will not choose to completely destroy the entirety of American industry."

The GE CEO’s expression was somewhat dismal. He ate a bite of tomato salad and asked with a frown, "Do you think China does not want to invade American territory?"

"I do," Rockefeller answered seriously. These past few days, he had carefully recalled his dealings with the Chinese government, especially his very limited contact with He Rui. In Rockefeller’s view, though He Rui was like a predator that would never accept a threat, he was also like a predator that would not hunt when he was not hungry. Defeating the US was a necessity for He Rui, but he did not want to destroy America, nor even conquer it.

From an American perspective, this attitude was actually quite arrogant, but Rockefeller could only hope his judgment of He Rui was correct.

As Rockefeller reflected, the GE CEO asked despondently, "If the Great Lakes region is destroyed, will the government choose to exit the war?"

To Rockefeller, this sounded like the talk of someone who had lost his wits. As long as China had not swept across the US mainland, it was impossible for the government to voluntarily choose to withdraw. At this stage, whoever first proposed the idea of exiting the war would be branded a traitor and become a target for those who also secretly wanted out.

As a "wicked capitalist who controlled American politics from behind the scenes," what the GE CEO should be doing now was finding congressmen and mobilizing his resources in the media and among the populace to raise a cry of "exit the war," which would then be relayed by congressmen as representatives of the people’s will.

Since all parties had developed the intention to exit the war, an armistice was no longer a sentiment the government had to suppress; instead, it was something all parties would utilize.

The Rockefeller syndicate had already begun doing so. At this stage, exiting the war had not yet become the mainstream view of the American people, so the syndicate could only ask those congressmen "not to block peace proposals." Once the American people could no longer stand the war, the Rockefeller syndicate could provide various funds to those congressmen supporting withdrawal, helping them transmit this "popular cry" to every state.

The GE CEO was clearly too green, or perhaps GE’s style was too much like a STEM student, believing the world followed laws like mathematical equations and that a derivation would yield a clear right or wrong result.

Evidently not realizing Rockefeller’s impatience, the CEO continued, "But at the moment, it seems the congressmen are all very much in favor of continuing the war!"

Rockefeller could listen no longer. He stood up, took his plate, and moved to sit beside Morgan. Morgan was discussing the conditions for China’s ability to attack the Great Lakes region in low tones with Ford. Seeing Rockefeller sit beside him, Morgan looked at him, seeing his face like frost, but Rockefeller simply continued eating. Morgan could only continue, "I can invite people from the Air Force General Staff for a meal. I hope Mr. Ford will attend."

Henry Ford’s primary assets were located in the Great Lakes region, making the odds of being bombed very high. Moreover, the Ford group couldn't even manage to relocate. Ford’s assembly line production required a large number of supporting enterprises in the automotive chain. Simply moving Ford’s assembly plants in Detroit and elsewhere wouldn't solve the problem.

If they wanted to relocate effectively, they would have to move thousands of other companies. This wasn't a sum Ford could afford, and if there were other places in America better suited for Ford’s investment, the company would have invested there long ago. In reality, Ford could only realize its full advantage in the Great Lakes region. Rather than considering relocation, the company was better off considering how to prevent the Great Lakes from being bombed. Since Morgan was going to invite people from the Air Force General Staff, Ford naturally wanted a clear answer from them.

"I will certainly attend," Henry Ford said, then looked at Rockefeller, who was eating silently. In Ford’s view, Rockefeller’s choices were similar to his own.

Noticing the gaze, Rockefeller looked up. "I won't be attending. If one wants to rob America of its war-making capacity—or at least greatly weaken it—destroying its oil production and refining is undoubtedly an extremely effective method. I don't believe China would pass up such a strategy. So, it no longer matters to me."

At these words, both Morgan and Ford looked at Rockefeller with a measure of sympathy. Rockefeller was right, so China likely wouldn't spare America’s oil production. Rockefeller’s tragic fate was simply a consequence of being an American oil tycoon.

Rockefeller had come to terms with it. Now half-full, he took a sip of coffee and asked, "I’ve been in the West and don't know the latest progress of our negotiations with the Soviet Union. You two should know something, right?"

Morgan had been busy solving stock market problems lately and truly hadn't had time for such things. Ford explained that through truck cooperation with Britain and Germany, his company had received some word from the German side. It was said that Germany had prepared a negotiating team for Foreign Minister Ribbentrop. Many of the German officials in this team were considered pro-Soviet.

Hearing of such a configuration, Rockefeller didn't ask further. Ford himself couldn't possibly have more information, and if he did, he certainly would have shared it. As for Ribbentrop’s pro-Soviet team, they were surely prepared for negotiations with the USSR.

Rockefeller continued, "Do you know Britain’s attitude?"

This time, Morgan felt he had something to say. "Britain has been trying to establish a private channel of communication with China, but without success. At this stage, they seem to have given up on the idea."

Rockefeller nodded. "Thank you." These two pieces of news were quite valuable, especially for his strategic judgment of the future. Then Ford asked, "Mr. Rockefeller, do you believe He Rui truly intends to strike at white supremacy and work to establish an equal new world order?"

"I do. I believe He Rui has indeed made this his goal," Rockefeller answered frankly.

Ford shook his head slightly in confusion. "I mean, does He Rui truly believe a world of equality is beneficial for China?"

"He does. Based on the progress of the war so far, China has clearly reaped enormous benefits from this policy," Rockefeller reaffirmed.

At this, Ford fell silent. Rockefeller was telling the truth. If China, like the European and American colonists, held itself aloof and treated colonial peoples as sub-human—or simply carried out genocide against indigenous peoples like America had—it could never have swept across half the world as it had now.

Having finished the food on his plate, Rockefeller stood up to take his leave of Morgan. Back at his residence, he began to study Professor Frank’s research.

To the Rockefeller syndicate, the most valuable asset was its technical team of rich experience, followed by oil fields and factories. At this stage, the factories and oil fields likely couldn't be saved, but while the Chinese could bomb oil wells, they couldn't destroy the oil beneath the earth. Thus, Rockefeller’s current losses were not fatal. On the contrary, with Roosevelt’s death, America no longer possessed a truly powerful president. Rockefeller’s movements were finally free.

Rockefeller’s current funds could be used to maintain the survival and safety of his technical team; with that calculation, not much cash remained. As for company stock, he remained confident. Whether in war or peace, oil and chemical products had become daily necessities. As soon as the war ended, Rockefeller could continue to make money in a safe environment.

Recalling Professor Frank’s speech, Rockefeller felt the professor’s judgment of American bonds was valuable. If the US government could maintain its attitude toward bonds, it would still possess nearly perfect credit. The Rockefeller syndicate could continue to trust the US government’s bonds.

Having cleared his thoughts on these matters, he considered whether China had the capacity to destroy the Great Lakes industrial zone. Generally, the Great Lakes region was freezing by November, as was the Canadian territory occupied by China.

If the syndicates could think of China destroying the Great Lakes, it was impossible for the American top brass not to know. From now until the deep freeze, there were three months—ninety days. Could China truly advance over two thousand kilometers in ninety days against the full resistance of the US military?

Rockefeller harbored a significant distrust of China’s combat power.

***

Meanwhile, at the ports of Australia and New Zealand, a large number of white families were being herded onto ships. These were locals who had refused to declare Australia’s independence, accounting for roughly 80% of the surviving population.

New Zealand and Australia had not only declared independence from British colonial rule but had also established entirely new constitutions. According to these constitutions, those who had voted against independence were being sent back to the colonial origins they so loved.

The sirens wailed as great ships arrived at the ports of Australia and New Zealand. Disembarking were large numbers of Asians, most of whom were Chinese expatriates, with a few from Japan and Korea.

According to the constitutions of Australia and New Zealand, these two nations welcomed immigrants from all countries equally. Within China, there were many people with little land who were willing to immigrate to these two independent nations or stay there as expatriates.

As the Chinese disembarked, the whites of Australia or New Zealand were herded onto the ships.

Having seen too many whites, especially these dejected ones, the Chinese had long since lost any special feeling toward them. Midwinter in Australia and New Zealand was nearly over. A year’s plan begins in spring, and the Southern Hemisphere’s Australia and New Zealand possessed vast stretches of land.

Some were suitable for crops, some for grazing, some for growing fodder, and others for olive trees. In short, the Chinese had come to Australia and New Zealand to obtain a better life through labor. Through their own hard work, they could earn an income while contributing to the cause of world liberation.

For example, grain from the Chinese mainland was being shipped to several indigenous republics in Western North America, which would lead to a shortage of grain within China. The grain from Australia and New Zealand could be shipped back to China to compensate. Furthermore, after the Southern Hemisphere harvest, the reaping, drying, and processing would coincide exactly with China’s lean season. Sending tens of millions of tons of grain and hay back to China at that time would maximize its value.

Thinking of the mutual benefits for themselves and the nation, the Chinese who disembarked felt a sense of eager anticipation, itching to throw themselves into their work immediately.