Two Realms Shuttle Gate: Don't Call Me a Demon! Chapter 577

Chapter 577: Chapter 359: I'm Still Too Merciful_2 Chapter 577: Chapter 359: I'm Still Too Merciful_2 “Is this your idea, or the idea of the Malay elite landlords? It surely can't represent the will of the entire Malay population, can it?”

Su Jie's smile was more a smirk, his piercing gaze causing Jia Wenxunliang to break out in a sweat, feeling as if all his thoughts and ideas were being seen through.

“Of… of course, it's the will of the entire Malay population.”

Jia Wenxunliang trembled, well aware of the actual situation in his own heart.

Due to economic backwardness, inaccessible transportation, and historical reasons, the Southern Three Prefectures had been forcibly annexed by Siam and had always been seeking an opportunity for independence.

Although the lower class in the Southern Three Prefectures did cause disturbances, it was actually the upper class that wanted independence. They aimed to gain real power over the Southern Three Prefectures, to rule their own home as masters without having to look at the faces of the Siamese Tai Clan.

Moreover, they had received promises of support from Johor; the Malay of the Southern Three Prefectures, in terms of race, language, and culture, were similar to Johor, and even if they had to be ruled, they would rather be ruled by Johor, to protect their wealth and safety and become the new elite class of Johor.

As for the Jieke Group, a foreign entity, in the eyes of the Malay upper class, there was simply no common ground.

“I see. Well, I'll give you an answer now. As for establishing a country, I disagree.”

Su Jie tapped on the table, striking Jia Wenxunliang with a statement like a bolt from the blue.

“Why? Didn't the Jieke Group claim to want to liberate the oppressed peoples?”

Jia Wenxunliang's eyes widened as he stood up in shock.

“We did say that, but it's only under the rule of the Jieke Group that the people can be truly liberated,” said Su Jie, his smile cruel and indifferent, directly shattering all of Jia Wenxunliang's illusions.

Jia Wenxunliang felt a chilling anger, shocked by Su Jie's twisted logic.

The other party had made it clear that they wanted to annex the Southern Three Prefectures, no different from what the Siamese Tai Clan had done before.

“We… Independence is the will of the entire Malay population. No one can stop us, no matter who they are. Nowadays, everything is about democracy. We want freedom, we want democracy, we want an independence referendum.”

Jia Wenxunliang's voice was very passionate. The Malays, with a population of just over two million, would only be a microstate even if independence were successful, but as the saying goes, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Although the Malays did not have this saying, the sentiment was common.

Jia Wenxunliang's family was also among the top Malay elite, controlling vast lands and businesses in the Southern Three Prefectures. If they could achieve independence, without others controlling them and instead taking the field as the referee themselves, their businesses and lands could expand rapidly, and the family would grow and strengthen.

“Interesting.”

Su Jie laughed. He really couldn't understand the thought processes of people like Jia Wenxunliang.

The Siamese Tai Clan had been able to rule over them, imposing military control over the Southern Three Prefectures to prevent the overflow of separatism, so they dared only to cautiously scheme for independence, not bold enough to let the Siamese Tai Clan know, fearing repression and catastrophe.

Now that the Jieke Group had defeated Siam, they came running to negotiate independence, and Su Jie didn't know who had given them the courage to think that the Jieke Group, capable of defeating the Siamese Army, would be more amenable than the Siam Government.

“Commander Su, you need to listen to the voice of our Malay people. Everyone is demanding independence. You can't go against the major trend. We…”

Jia Wenxunliang wanted to say more, but Su Jie had already lost interest in listening further.

“Take him away!”

“Yes, sir!”

Soon, soldiers came in and dragged away Jia Wenxunliang, who still intended to prattle on, not giving him a chance to make a scene.

Su Jie turned back around, his gaze settling on the area of the Southern Three Prefectures.

“Xiao Qian, do you think I'm still being too merciful?”

With his left hand, Su Jie picked up a pen and drew a cross over the Southern Three Prefectures, while his right hand stroked the Thousand-Handed Centipede that had crawled out of his sleeve and shrunken to the size of a small cat.

Hearing Su Jie's voice, the Thousand-Handed Centipede just rolled onto its back, enjoying his caresses and purring contentedly.

“It seems you agree too! Then let's have a purging storm. If we don't clean up the territories we occupy well, there will always be some pests that are an eyesore.”

Su Jie seemed to understand the words of the thousand-hand centipede and picked up the phone to call the military stationed in Southern Thailand.

Two days later!

In Pattani, a luxurious manor was hosting a party.

Those in attendance were influential members of powerful families from the Southern Three Prefectures, and their conversation centered on the topic of founding a new nation.

“Hmph, I've always said the Jieke Group was no good. They, like the Siamese, are also after our land.”

A middle-aged man holding a glass of red wine spoke with deep dissatisfaction.

He was Chikapei, a grain merchant who was the largest landlord in the Southern Three Prefectures and a firm proponent of independence.

Mr. Jia Jensurexunliang also held a glass of wine, looking particularly worried. “I just can't shake this feeling of unease. Do you think the Jieke Group might take action against us?”

“Would they dare face such enormous public condemnation? The Southern Three Prefectures are our territory. Even if the Jieke Group truly wants to rule over this area, they would still need us to manage it.”

Chikapei scoffed. His family had deep roots in the Southern Three Prefectures, with vast tracts of land and businesses in grain processing, transportation, electricity, and mining. His family members had married extensively into local administration and business, their influence permeating politics, commerce, policing, and judiciary, controlling many aspects of the region.

In ancient times, they would be considered members of the scholar-gentry class, a group that even the court had to appease and manage, as imperial power did not extend into the countryside.

The underdevelopment and isolation of the Southern Three Prefectures meant that the lower classes held more conservative views. Being Malay, they tended to trust only their own, making it difficult for external forces to intervene–this included the Siam Government, which also failed to resolve the lingering issue for a long time.

“That's right, this is our land, we are the true masters here.”

“If the Jieke Group dares to cause trouble, we'll make them regret it. We Malays are not to be trifled with.”

“Just because they defeated Siam doesn't mean they can bully us. Why should we be ruled by the Jieke Group? We still need to seek the opportunity to establish our own country.”

The nearby notables all voiced their agreement with Chikapei's remarks.

Upon reflection, Mr. Jia nodded and said, “We must blow this up, let the international community see our resolve. I suggest we stir up civilian demonstrations to proclaim our desire for independence.”

“That's not enough. Doesn't the Jieke Group have stationed troops? We can get the people to make trouble, throw Molotov cocktails, and such.”

Chikapei sneered, offering an even more radical suggestion.

“Won't that be too reckless?”

Mr. Jia shuddered at the thought. Having been to the Jieke Group's military camp, he felt this suggestion was somewhat inappropriate.

“What is there to fear? Would they dare open fire on civilians? We will have people broadcast live and record everything. If they open fire, even better. Once it goes online, the reputation of the Jieke Group will be ruined. Would they dare?”

Just as Chikapei's voice fell, they suddenly heard an unusual noise.

A buzzing sound came from the sky, and gusts of wind blew from afar.

The elites in the midst of their party looked up in confusion and saw four helicopters flying low under the night sky, armed systems hanging below them, with Jieke Group's logo clearly marked on the sides of the helicopters.

“People below, you are surrounded. Surrender immediately or face execution if you resist.”

Shouts came from the helicopter, and shortly after, blinding searchlights came on, making it hard for the group of notables to look directly at them. The scene immediately descended into chaos.

Mr. Jia's face turned ashen, watching soldiers rappelling from the helicopters and armored vehicles and troop carriers forcibly entering the premises of the manor. His face suddenly turned deathly pale.

Ring, ring!

At the same time, Mr. Jia's phone started to ring–it was a call from one of his trusted subordinates.

“Mr. Jia, it's bad news. The Jieke Group's 45th Infantry Division stationed in the Southern Three Prefectures has mobilized in a big way. Their soldiers have entered the city.”

Mr. Jia bitterly smiled, listening to the voice on the phone and looking at the approaching armed soldiers, his lips quivering without being able to utter a single word.

Chapter end

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