Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 583 - 559: Sky-mending Plan_2

Chapter 583: Chapter 559: Sky-mending Plan_2

The United States needs an enemy, and more importantly, someone to take the blame for Ben’s collapse.

Gao Yi thought for a moment and said, "The nuke came from Russia, but what do you think about Chao Bei?"

"Is that possible?"

"Not only possible, but it’ll definitely pull them in."

Panetta pondered briefly and said, "Ben was attacked, it’s a national disaster-level event, the financial sector will collapse, the industrial system will suffer irreparable damage in a short time. If we plan ahead, we’ll reap astronomical gains quickly from Ben’s catastrophe. Meanwhile, with the rising tensions, the Pentagon will increase troop deployments in Ben, leveraging the pretext of preparation for war to secure more military funding. Once we gain the support of Wall Street and the military, all that’s left is the President’s tacit approval. Is that your plan?"

Before he opened his mouth, Gao Yi didn’t know if he had a plan, so this roadmap was filled in entirely by Panetta himself.

At this point, Gao Yi decided to affirm it; his "patching-the-sky" plan was now fully formed.

"That’s right."

"You’ve got quite the appetite."

Panetta exhaled before suddenly remarking, "If this works out, it’s a trillion-dollar feast. Every single participant and investor will see at least a ten-fold return. At that rate, Wall Street will be unable to say no."

"It might even be a hundred-fold return."

"Tenfold is more than enough. Wall Street will lobby for it. How soon can this be done? I mean, how long could it possibly take?"

"Fastest is 72 hours, slowest is a week."

"Hiss... I better get moving then. Don’t rush into action; wait for me to make contacts. Also, you need to revise your slogans and program a bit."

Gao Yi froze for a second and asked, "What do you mean?"

"The disaster caused by the Liuqiu independence movement and the Liuqiu independence triggered by the disaster are two different concepts. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand, but I don’t quite see the significance."

In a low voice, Panetta said, "Trust me; I’ve got plenty of experience. Believe me, you won’t regret it. Russians excel at destabilizing their own country, while we excel at destabilizing others."

"Just say it directly, no need to hint."

"It means taking the Liuqiu independence movement out of this narrative. Otherwise, we’ll have to dismantle this organization both legally and morally. So, simply switch the order."

Gao Yi suddenly realized, "Got it. It’s because the consequences are too severe; we can’t let Liuqiu take the blame."

"Exactly. It’s understandable for Liuqiu to seek independence as Ben’s control weakens, but Liuqiu causing Ben’s demise for independence is unacceptable. Furthermore, let Liuqiu first detach legally from Ben’s rule. Also, remove the goal of expelling U.S. troops from Liuqiu’s movement program—only then does Liuqiu stand a real chance of independence."

Panetta had always stayed out of things like this before, but now, he began personally guiding Gao Yi on the specifics.

Gao Yi grasped the instructions and said, "Thank you, I get it."

"That’s it, keep me updated anytime."

Panetta hung up the phone.

Gao Yi then dialed Marina.

"Hi, darling."

Marina’s tone was always warm and direct, but this time Gao Yi was approaching her as someone offering a favor. He spoke lowly, "Ben’s about to experience something catastrophic, extinction-level stuff. Then their financial market will collapse. You should prepare some funds in advance and follow Wall Street’s capital movements. Let’s rake in a big share. Just control the flow and range of this thing; just make sure you don’t expose me."

Marina fell silent, then suddenly asked, "What scale are we talking?"

"I told you—extinction-level. Natural disaster plus manmade calamity, at least complete financial system collapse."

"Understood. Hmm, I’ll think about it. I won’t let your plan get exposed, but be careful, darling."

This was Marina’s attitude, and it was also France’s perspective.

France and Ben weren’t friends; they were direct competitors. But nowadays, France had been forced out of contention in many fields by Ben.

Now that Gao Yi was going after Ben, Marina would have to be sick to oppose it—not to mention trying to stop it.

Besides, if her beloved plans to stab a hole in a place that’s unrelated to her—and deliver a hefty sum of money in passing—by logic and emotion, Marina was bound to back him up.

"I’m sorry, I can’t offer any direct assistance, but if you need intelligence support, I’ll do my best."

Gao Yi replied softly, "Thank you. Gather your funds quickly; don’t miss out on this feast. Bye—when it’s over, I’ll visit you. Love you."

Gao Yi hung up the phone, then, expressionless, dialed Kir.

"Hello, Mr. Director."

As the head of the Military Intelligence Sixth Department, Kir rarely contacted Gao Yi directly due to Dani’s presence; he didn’t need to talk to Gao Yi personally.

But now Gao Yi bypassed Dani and called Kir directly, so Kir immediately knew something big was up.

"Hello, Gardener."

Kir spoke quietly before clearing his throat and seriously asking, "What’s the matter?"

"Yes, Ben is about to face an unprecedented disaster. Financial markets will collapse, and its industrial system will undergo a major overhaul. As a friend and... partner, I have a duty and need to inform you of this and secure your support. Most importantly, you should prepare to make a fortune."

Kir took a small breath and then quietly asked, "How’s the U.S. side?"

"Currently assembling funds."

"Got it!"

Kir spoke softly before asking, "How about Russia?"

"They won’t interfere."

"Alright, understood."

"Act quickly, gather as much capital as possible. I’ll let you know the specific timing. When the time comes, follow Wall Street’s financial sharks and devour Ben’s wealth. Ben is large enough—not everyone will leave empty-handed."

Gao Yi’s intentions were clear.

There was no need for UK approval; just make sure to include allies in the windfall—this would suffice.

"Alright, thank you."

Gao Yi hesitated for a long time after hanging up, then decided to call Huang Haisheng.

When the phone connected, Gao Yi quietly said, "I’m going to take action against Ben. It’s on a big scale, with serious consequences. East Sea might get involved. The U.S., U.K., and France will step in to feast, but beyond that... I’m not sure what else might happen."

"Alright, got it. Anything else?"

"Hmm, that’s it. I’m busy for now. If you think the impact is bad, let me know earlier. After a certain point, I won’t be able to stop."

"Alright. If there’s an issue, I’ll call."

If Huang Haisheng had any concerns, he’d call. If not—no calls meant no issues.

Russia remained, but their stance wasn’t crucial. Gao Yi was confident that Yuri knew about this.

With changes brewing in Ben, Russia would face less pressure. Why would they stop it? Sitting back and enjoying the chaos was enough.

As for the nuclear origins, that was a historical leftover—the Soviet Union’s burden. What did it have to do with Russia?

That’s the plan so far, just requiring minor adjustments.

The specifics would fall to the subordinates; Gao Yi only needed to oversee the big picture.

Another perspective: Gao Yi’s people were so capable that he couldn’t intervene even if he wanted to.

As Gardener, Gao Yi was genuinely exhausted. As the most sane person in the Garden, it fell on him to manage this group of lunatics.

Gao Yi stepped outside and called Yuri into the room, speaking softly, "There’s a slight change in the plan—don’t use Andre as a scapegoat, he’s not high-ranking enough. Try to draw Chao Bei into this. Also, have the Liuqiu Salvation Army release a post-event statement, just change the sequence; everything else stays the same."

Yuri paused in silence, then asked in a puzzled tone, "You wouldn’t happen to have the support of several nations, would you?"

"Tacit approval."

"Hiss..."

Gao Yi remained calmly composed and continued flatly, "Coordinate with Wall Street to cleanly harvest Ben’s wealth. This way, there won’t be any follow-up trouble. So, timing-wise, adjust accordingly. Be careful during operations and don’t expose yourself too early."

Yuri drew a sharp breath before saying softly, "You... are incredible."

Yuri’s tone had shifted.

It wasn’t impressive to lead a group of lunatics. Gao Yi’s true skill lay in being the grounding force amid Yuri and Xinfeng—a wildly skilled team of maniacs—as their leader.

Yuri was single-mindedly reckless, Xinfeng solely focused on being demented—it didn’t matter, because Gao Yi was there to clean up their messes.

Yuri operated on a "poke a hole in the sky" scale of madness; Gao Yi could ensure that even if the sky was punctured, he could patch it back up.

No matter how massive the chaos his Garden team created, Gao Yi could always contain and resolve it. That’s why Gao Yi was the Gardener—and why only he could ever be the Gardener.