Chapter 136: The Huntsville Longzhong Plan
“Pity the empty seat at midnight; not asking about the people’s welfare but ghosts and gods.” After Lin Ran heard this, only this poem remained in his mind.
He thought Nixon was looking for him to find out if Kennedy had any weaknesses.
But the other party asked such a grand question.
I don’t even know your current situation, so how could I know what you’re going to do?
“The media doesn’t like me because in my Checkers speech I hinted that the media has phenomena of unfairness.
The media, as part of the East Coast elite, has always disliked the Elephant Party and the candidates put forward by the Elephant Party.
On me, this trend has intensified further.
Worse still, I lost the presidential election the year before last and the California governor election the day before yesterday; in the minds of voters, I will be firmly positioned as a loser.
What a terrible thing; I feel my life may never win another election.”
Nixon’s voice was low, his expression dejected; even in a suit with a clean-shaven face, Lin Ran could see the other’s dejection at a glance.
This was the lowest point in Nixon’s life.
He had smooth sailing in the past, but in the last two years, nothing he did succeeded.
How smooth sailing was his past? His first foray into politics was in California running for congressman, winning with 65,586 votes against the Donkey Party candidate’s 49,994 votes.
Nixon served only eight years as congressman, then became Eisenhower’s vice president pick and entered the White House with him.
Just like that, a politician who had never experienced setbacks first lost to Kennedy in 1960, and then the day before yesterday, lost in his home state of California to Pat Brown.
For a politician, losing itself is not terrible; what’s terrible is leaving an impression in voters’ minds that you can’t win, such an impression will cause you to never win in the future.
Plus Nixon’s own relationship with the media has always been bad, this badness permeated his entire political career.
The media will only kick him when he’s down, further deepening the shaping of Nixon’s loser image.
After listening to Nixon describe his situation, Lin Ran didn’t answer directly but started telling a story:
“This reminds me of a story circulated among the people of China.
In ancient times, a general always lost battles. In his report to the emperor, he used ‘repeated battles repeated defeats’ to describe his failures. His strategist advised him to change it to ‘repeated defeats repeated battles,’ because if he said ‘repeated battles repeated defeats,’ the emperor would blame him. He submitted the revised battle report and surprisingly received the emperor’s commendation.
Mr. Nixon, what do you think this was because of?”
To add a bit more, some say this allusion comes from Zeng Guofan’s memorial after heavy losses in the Poyang Lake Estuary Campaign.
In fact, there is no evidence to prove any relation between this allusion and Zeng Guofan.
After the Poyang Lake Estuary Campaign, in the “Memorial Thanking for the Lenient Exemption from Punishment” written to Xianfeng, he wrote: “After more than a year of commanding the army, just as prestige was slightly raised, suddenly this setback occurred; Your Majesty worries day and night, the deployments went astray, the crime is unpardonable.”
The entire text has no mention of ‘repeated battles repeated defeats’ or ‘repeated defeats repeated battles,’ only using ‘the minister’s army repeatedly frustrated.’
Later, whether Liu Jianghua in “Biographical Notes on Zuo Zongtang” or Yang Shuda in “Studies in Classical Chinese Rhetoric,” neither found actual evidence on this matter.
After hearing this, Nixon pondered, “Failure is an unchangeable fact, but to let voters see my fighting spirit through the failure?”
Lin Ran nodded: “Exactly, failure is an objective fact; no one can change an objective fact.
But your fighting spirit, your spirit of not giving up, this can be shaped.
You need to convey positive factors to voters, transforming the negative objective fact of failure into the positive subjective feeling of your never giving up.”
Lin Ran’s words gave Nixon a completely new perspective.
He thought, compared to Kissinger whom he met yesterday, Randolph was the true master.
Lin Ran continued: “As you said earlier, your relationship with the media is bad; they won’t help you achieve such shaping.
So you can accomplish such a transformation through your own operations.”
After Lin Ran finished speaking, he could clearly feel Nixon’s eyes light up.
“Professor, please lend me a hand; if you can help me become president, whether special assistant for White House affairs or NASA director, it’s all within reach.” Nixon had already started painting pies.
But Lin Ran didn’t care if this was painting pies or not.
“Do you plan to run in the presidential election two years from now?” Lin Ran asked.
Nixon shook his head: “Probably not.”
Lin Ran asked: “Is it because you know you can’t beat Kennedy?”
Nixon nodded: “Exactly.
After the Cuban Missile Crisis is resolved, if Kennedy doesn’t make a fatal mistake, no one can beat Kennedy two years from now.”
Lin Ran nodded: “So your goal should be six years from now, the 1968 presidential election.”
Lin Ran continued: “Then in two years, you need to do everything possible to help the Elephant Party’s candidate; under the premise that he is destined to lose, not only do you help him, you also need to help him mobilize all the forces the Elephant Party can mobilize to help his election.
The more miserably he loses in the end, the more it proves your ability.
Because voters will compare and reflect: you only lost to Kennedy by a little bit, while this time the Elephant Party loses, the more they lose, the more it proves your ability, proving that although failure is an objective fact, failure is not because of your ability.
Then in subsequent campaign speeches, shape an image of someone who repeatedly fails but repeatedly gets up to fight, repeated defeats repeated battles, emphasize that you are not afraid of failure, what you fear is losing the courage to try, losing the ambition to advance.
And express that you do this to save the Elephant Party on the brink of collapse.
This way, even if you fail, you are accumulating energy for the next success.”
After listening, Nixon had already stood up and was pacing back and forth in the private room of a high-end hotel in Huntsville, thinking while clapping.
He was thoroughly impressed in his heart. As a veteran politician, Nixon clearly understood that Lin Ran had found him a path to victory.
The media targeted him, calling him a loser, so he would admit he was a loser, and through a series of operations emphasize that the failure was not due to his ability but because the overall environment was bad, then rely on speeches to shape a virtual image of courage, persistence, and resilience at the spiritual level.
From the current perspective, this was absolutely the work of a top operator.
Lin Ran continued, “In this situation, the Elephant Party’s candidate two years later becomes especially important.
The more miserably he loses, the more it proves that the failure in 1960 had nothing to do with you. As for this governor election failure, who would remember it anyway.
Therefore, I have a good candidate to recommend to you.”
Nixon asked, “Who?”
Lin Ran said, “Fred T.”
Lin Ran was laughing heartily inside; he just loved this kind of fun.
In the future, Mr. T could say during his campaign that he was inheriting his father’s unfulfilled legacy, exerting the remaining prestige of the second generation, and wielding the long strategy to govern the world.
Nixon thought for a long time but really couldn’t figure out who it was. “How come I haven’t heard of him?”
Lin Ran said, “He has always been a registered Elephant Party voter, a New York real estate businessman, very skilled at presenting himself through the media.”
Hearing this, Nixon had some impression.
He flipped through the autograph book he brought and found this name; he finally remembered. “I have some impression. In 1954, he was subpoenaed to the Senate Banking Committee hearing for questioning.
Because he was suspected of profiting excessively from FHA loans, he appeared calm and confident at the hearing, always insisting that he was just efficiently utilizing government policy, and that his pricing was higher than other FHA housing projects because he served the middle class.
He is indeed a good choice, but he is a complete political novice.”
Nixon was somewhat hesitant.
As the father of old T, Fred was also extremely skilled at hype.
But unlike T’s hype, Fred’s hype was more targeted and directed.
After World War II, America faced a severe housing shortage. Fred seized this opportunity and used the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan policy to mass-produce affordable housing. He released news through the local newspaper Brooklyn Eagle, emphasizing how he provided the “affordable America Dream” to ordinary families.
These reports often highlighted his efficiency and “patriotic spirit.”
Later, Fred understood the importance of building relationships with political figures and used these relationships to generate news. He frequently invited local officials to ribbon-cutting ceremonies for his projects, ensuring these events made the newspapers.
For example, in the early 1950s, at the completion ceremony of a new residential project in Queens, he took group photos with officials, and the related photos and reports appeared in media like the Long Island Daily Press. This strategy not only demonstrated his influence but also strive policy support for his business activities.
Doesn’t it feel similar to the operations of real estate businessmen in later China?
So when Lin Ran was saying “perfect, perfect, perfect, great, great, great” in his villa, the Fred family listened enraptured, nearly experiencing soul resonance.
This is the resonance across spacetime among real estate businessmen, okay.
Lin Ran said, “Precisely because he is a novice, he needs your help.
The presidential election in two years is just a show for you, a show that must end in tragic defeat.
Anyway, the Elephant Party wasn’t going to win, so might as well lose even more miserably to prepare for your presidential election run six years later.
Whether a
In short, even if it’s not Fred, if it’s someone else, as long as he loses, you can operate according to the strategy I formulated for you.
The more miserably you lose, the greater your chance of winning six years later.
Do you understand what I mean?
Additionally, six years later if you don’t win, ten years later there will still be an opportunity. Every failure is accumulating energy for your ultimate success in entering the White House.
“This is a long marathon. As long as you grit your teeth and persist, there will always be a day when you win.”
Nixon grasped Lin Ran’s hand: “Professor, thank you for your guidance.
“If the day really comes when I enter the White House, I will surely present a generous gift.”
“Richard, how did it go with Randolph?” Robert Finch asked.
Robert Finch, Nixon’s assistant, his campaign manager during the last presidential campaign, a veteran member of the Elephant Party, had previously run unsuccessfully for congressman twice in a row.
According to historical records, Finch was one of Nixon’s initial vice president candidates. Nixon stated during the 1968 campaign that Finch was his top choice for running mate, because the two had a close relationship.
Later, Finch did not become Vice President because he himself refused; he wanted the position of Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and in the end, he did indeed serve as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
After leaving the White House, Finch returned to Pasadena to open a law firm, providing legal services for a series of pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and similar institutions.
Among them, the one with historical records is ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. Finch’s law firm provided it with legal litigation services, and also served as director in this company that develops antiviral drugs.
America’s political-business revolving door is just that plain and unadorned.
There were two glasses of brandy with ice cubes on the table next to Nixon. He beckoned Robert to sit down: “Come, have a drink.”
The gloom brought by the defeat in the California governor election the day before yesterday was completely swept away.
Robert immediately knew that the other party had talked well with Randolph Lin.
“Has Randolph agreed to help us?” Robert asked.
The reason for visiting in person is that Lin Ran himself has great value.
This is related to reputation, related to Chinese descent identity, and also related to the connections he has established.
As the most famous mathematician at present, Lin Ran’s support naturally means gaining favorability from part of academia, and this favorability can elevate Nixon’s favorability in the media.
Additionally, Lin Ran’s relationship with Jenny Hearst—if Lin Ran joins Nixon’s camp, it means the media resources controlled by the Hearst family can also be used by them.
Finally, it’s Lin Ran’s mind that might be able to provide them with some valuable suggestions.
In the results discussed beforehand by Nixon and the others, among these reasons to win over Lin Ran, the other party’s ability to provide valuable suggestions ranks low in priority.
Nixon shook his head: “No.”
After sipping some brandy, he said: “But he mapped out a path for me to the White House.
A path that, as long as I follow it, will eventually lead to the White House one day.”
Robert’s face showed disbelief as he asked: “What path?”
Nixon took another sip, then slowly laid out Lin Ran’s entire proposal.
“Compared to Kissinger, who doesn’t even know what we want, Randolph is the true master.”
After Robert heard it, he had only one feeling: indeed a master.
Robert said: “I’ve talked with McNamara. His view is that Randolph is a master in the field of mathematics; any problem related to mathematics, Randolph can easily find a solution.
He described Randolph’s attainments in the field of mathematics in Chinese:
Every movement and gesture flows effortlessly, as if carved by nature itself, the master’s composure radiates through every movement, unparalleled and unmatched in the field he excels in.
It seems Randolph has not only reached this level in mathematics, but also in other aspects.”
The method Lin Ran described was actually the path Nixon himself took in the future.
It was just that Lin Ran packaged it from a high-level perspective using theory.
But at present, it would indeed give the Nixon team members, who are caught in the situation and cannot see the future, a sense of enlightenment.
Including finding Lin Ran, that was also McNamara’s suggestion.
Nixon and McNamara have a good relationship; both are Elephant Party members, though Nixon did not retain McNamara after entering the White House.
But one detail shows their relationship: in the White House recordings, Nixon once mentioned McNamara, calling him “a good man.”
The timing when he called McNamara a good man was also quite complex; during his tenure, McNamara secretly initiated a comprehensive study on America-Vietnam policy, which later became the infamous Pentagon Papers.
The Pentagon Papers were leaked to the New York Times by Daniel Ellsberg; it’s hard to prove this had nothing to do with McNamara, but Nixon still called him a good man.
“So now that we have a blueprint outlined for us by a top strategy master, let’s get to work.” Nixon clinked glasses with Robert Finch.
Robert Finch asked: “Where should we start?”
Nixon said: “Naturally, push Fred into the Elephant Party candidate position two years from now.
Since we want him to become a candidate, a lot of work needs to start now.
He also appeared in the autograph book, so since that’s the case, trouble you to make a trip and chat with him.”
Robert Finch nodded: “Okay.”
In a spacious office in Brooklyn, New York, the walls hang with a New York map and construction project photos, the bookshelf filled with real estate documents and family group photos.
A huge wooden desk occupies the center of the room, with documents and a telephone scattered on it. Outside the window is Brooklyn’s skyline.
Fred certainly knew who Robert Finch was—Nixon’s lackey, a has-been among has-beens.
But he was still very polite to him; after all, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse.
What if Nixon made a comeback one day.
Robert Finch was led into the office by Fred’s secretary. Fred looked up, put down the documents in his hand, and stood to greet him.
Fred smiled: “Robert, long time no see. Come in, please sit.”
After shaking hands, Finch responded warmly: “Fred, I’m always especially happy to see you. Thank you for taking the time to meet me.”
The two sat down, Finch in the leather chair across from the desk, Fred returning to his own seat.
Finch leaned forward slightly, tone serious: “Mr. Nixon asked me to say hello to you. He sent me to talk to you about an important opportunity.”
Fred raised an eyebrow, slightly curious: “Oh? What does Mr. Nixon have in mind?”
Finch said: “In the presidential election two years from now, the Elephant Party needs a strong candidate. Mr. Nixon believes you are the best choice.”
Fred was surprised, frowning: “Me? Campaign for President? Robert, I’m honored, but I don’t think I’m suitable. I’m a businessman, not a politician.”
Finch spread his hands, emphasizing: “That’s exactly why Mr. Nixon values you. The country needs someone who understands the real world, not someone who only plays political games. You’ve built a real estate empire, which proves you have the ability to manage big things.”
In reality, Finch was thinking: I have to make him believe this isn’t empty talk.
Who could know that Nixon was looking for someone to lose as badly as possible, to prove his innocence in the non-war.
After thinking for a moment, Fred said: “I understand what you mean, but politics is a completely different matter. I’m not sure I have the patience and energy for it.”
“It was the professor who recommended you,” Robert Finch said.
