Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [111]
“What happened, Clayton? Did something happen to the president?”
“He’s resting comfortably in the White House now, but he was apparently stricken with severe stomach pains around seven thirty tonight. The pain didn’t respond to medication, so they called Dr. Toomay, who got him settled down with the help of some powerful painkillers. The doc’s with him now and said he was stable.”
“It’s really getting to be a day-to-day thing, isn’t it? I really feel for the guy,” Jack said with sadness in his voice.
“Likewise, Jack. I couldn’t begin to tell you the courage and dignity I’ve seen in that man since his diagnosis. Someday I hope the historians capture the true character of Lyman Burkmeister—particularly in these last days.”
Clayton struggled to stay focused on his logistical debrief with Jack, but his mind kept returning to the president. The thought of losing Burkmeister’s guiding counsel engendered a feeling of loneliness he had not felt in many years, not since the loss of his parents in an airplane accident. Would Burkmeister be able to make it to the succession date? One day at a time, he thought as he walked Jack to the door a few minutes before midnight.
39
Beijing, China
3 October 2017
Lin Cheng and Wang Peng were emotionally spent as they trudged out of their second PSC meeting since returning from Camp David. Today’s meeting, though challenging, had gone far better than the first one. Both were deep in thought as they walked back to Lin Cheng’s office.
Once there, Lin poured the obligatory cup of tea and then plowed into the business at hand.
“What was your general impression of the meeting, Peng?”
Wang thought carefully before answering. The Politburo Standing Committee members were still in a foul mood, but progress had been made. He admired the way his boss had stood his ground, recognizing that any wavering would be interpreted as a weakness to be exploited later.
“It was better than Monday’s meeting,” he responded, “but still tough going. They were fuming about our lack of progress on Chunxiao and seemed more interested in settling scores with Japan than addressing the Saudi crisis.”
“Yes, yes,” Lin replied with an edge to his voice, “but when did you start to see the turn in their thinking?”
“Actually, I think it got worse before it got better,” Wang answered cautiously. “They were still unhappy with the idea of collaborating with the Americans on anything. Frankly, I saw little hope you would turn their thinking on these issues.”
“Peng, answer the question,” Lin said with uncharacteristic sharpness.
“Yes, Mr. Chairman, I am sorry to digress. I think the tide started to turn when you shared the CIA report with them. The translation of the report you walked them through was useful. It helped them think beyond our borders and understand the full impact the Saudi crisis would have on China.”
“Were there any particular points that resonated more strongly than others?”
This is classic Lin Cheng: focusing on leverage points and probing for weaknesses, Wang mused before speaking.
“I think when you shifted the focus to oil supply as it impacts China, rather than on cold war polemics, they started to appreciate what was at stake.”
“Do you think they understood the implications of the asymmetric approach suggested in the CIA report?” Lin asked, probing, it seemed, for the golden nugget.
“Initially, no; I think their most immediate reaction was that China shouldn’t cut a deal with the Americans but rather look to make a deal with the new Saudi regime. They felt that the Saudis do not dislike China as they do the United States and the Western powers, and they thought we could work with them. You made two points that turned their thinking around, Mr. Chairman.”
“And they were?” Lin asked.
“Well, first, you reminded them we operate in a global economy and rely on imports of foreign raw materials to manufacture the finished goods we export to other countries.