Chapter 317: Top Management Master, Inept War Commander
“Hello, everyone.”
Lin Ran walked onto the stage from behind the curtain, and after sitting down across from big T, his simple greeting was enough to elicit applause from the audience.
This was Lin Ran’s influence in New York.
Ever since Lin Ran rose to fame, he has always been regarded by New Yorkers as one of their own.
He taught here, brought the New York Mathematicians Conference to New York, brought the Technology Ark to New York, and his connection to New York is so deep.
All along, New Yorkers have believed that for the professor, Washington is work, but New York is life.
Of course, Göttingen people would absolutely disagree with this statement.
There has always been a voice in Washington believing that if Lin Ran is willing, he could easily run for congressman or senator from New York State.
According to the 14th Amendment that took effect in 1868, congressmen do not need to be born in America; citizens who have gone through the naturalization program can also run.
It’s just that senators need to have been American citizens for 9 years, while congressmen need 7 years.
This also shows that the threshold for senators is higher than for congressmen.
Among these applauding crowds, big T was the most enthusiastic, because he is running for congressman from New York State—what could pull in votes better than showing his close relationship with the professor?
Looking at the audience below the stage who got so excited just because of two words, basking in the applause and cameras, big T was entranced: this is my battlefield! Not the damn jungle of the Vietnam War, nor the senator assistant position his father talked about, but the television screen.
Father, you’re still hung up on your political legacy? Here I am, directly face-to-face gaining my supporters!
The professor not only led the moon landing, not only has huge influence in the White House, he also has such great influence in New York State.
If he nods in support, my run for congressman is guaranteed.
Godfather, you will always be my mentor!
Always?
Never say always.
big T quickly said: “Hello, godfather.”
This godfather was especially affectionate.
Jenny in the audience rolled her eyes, because Lin Ran was only a few years older than big T, and to outsiders, he looked just about ten years older.
But from appearance alone, Lin Ran even looked much younger than big T who had just returned from the front-line jungle.
Therefore, when big T called Lin Ran godfather, Jenny felt it was very strange inside.
Other New York audience members didn’t find it strange, but rather let their imaginations run wild.
From the long-standing rumor of discord between Lin Ran and Lyndon Johnson, does Lin Ran’s appearance on big T’s program further verify this discord?
“The reason my program is called The Apprentice is to remind me that the guests who come on my show are all mentors, while I and the audience in front of the television are the apprentices.
The guests can teach us how to survive and win in the arena of politics, business, and even life.
Undoubtedly, among all the guests, the professor is certainly the most outstanding one.
Even if I can invite the president in the future, I would still say this without hesitation.”
The lights dimmed gradually, the theme song started, a passionate orchestral piece mixed with rocket launch roar sound effects and audience applause.
big T turned to the lens, showing that signature confident smile—this smile had appeared in reporters’ flashbulbs in the Vietnam War jungle in the past, spreading north and south of the Mississippi via newspapers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Apprentice.
On this program, we don’t just chat about politics; we can talk about anything.
Professor, welcome to my program. Audience, give the greatest contributor to leading humanity to the moon—the professor—the most enthusiastic applause!”
The audience erupted in thunderous applause, some even standing up to cheer.
Lin Ran felt deeply moved inside: as expected of big T; the young version of big T already had such stage charisma, no wonder he could rise from a grassroots to president.
In American ballot competition, this is the greatest advantage.
Lin Ran smiled and waved: “Thank you, T, and thank you all audience members.
The moon landing is not just my merit.”
big T shook his head: “No, professor, in my view, it is your merit alone.
If someone else did it, they might achieve it too, but it would definitely take longer time and more budget; only you could send our astronauts to the moon in just six short years.
This has nothing to do with the president, nothing to do with which country, nothing to do with the astronauts; only you are irreplaceable.”
When Lin Ran heard this, he knew the program had officially begun.
big T didn’t pause; he had prepared thoroughly for this program: “Some people can make things simple, and similarly, some things, some people can make things complicated.
As I just said, there is no one who could replace the professor and still achieve the same success in the moon landing, nor is there anyone who could replace our President Johnson and handle the Vietnam War this poorly.
Anyone else would do better than him.
Professor, what do you think of what President Johnson has done?”
Before the program started, big T had specially called Lin Ran, asking if there were any taboos; Lin Ran’s answer was no taboos at all.
Here it comes.
If anyone else were interviewing Lin Ran, they absolutely wouldn’t ask such a question.
The audience below held their breath, trying to hear the professor’s true thoughts.
“I think there are many things President Johnson doesn’t not want to do, but rather he doesn’t know if he can do them.
In the President Kennedy assassination case, to this day no result convincing to the American public has been given, which makes President Johnson privately worry that if he does something that might cause dissatisfaction, he could be shot too.
So under such circumstances, it’s hard for me to evaluate what he has done.”
Lin Ran’s answer was beyond everyone’s expectations.
Few White House senior officials dare to publicly admit that Kennedy’s death was a conspiracy.
Even after the mysterious V appeared, everyone agreed it wasn’t Oswald who caused the final death, but the White House investigation committee’s final result showed the killer was Oswald.
Whether you believe it or not, anyway the White House believes so.
Lin Ran said wistfully: “President Kennedy’s death is like a dragonfly wanting to fly into the sky, only to find a spider web blocking it; when President Johnson became this dragonfly, he knew the web existed, so he didn’t dare fly anymore.
In our perspective, we can’t see the web, but we can realize the existence of the spider web through the death of the previous dragonfly, so we can’t blame the dragonfly for not flying in the sky.”
Lin Ran used a very obvious metaphor to defend Lyndon Johnson.
The reason for saying this was also to find a perfect scapegoat for big T’s future presidency; even if big T does poorly, he can blame it on the deep state codenamed the web.
In short, my big T is never wrong; all mistakes are forced by the deep state.
big T’s eyes lit up: “So professor, do you know what the web is?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “Mr. President doesn’t even know, how would I know.
I just feel that many accusations against Mr. President are not because he doesn’t want to do things, but because he can’t, or he doesn’t know if he can.
I hope public opinion gives President Johnson some leniency.”
He had already helped China restore its GATT seat; Lin Ran was delivering on the benefits received, top mercenary behavior.
Seeing Lin Ran not falling into the trap, big T quickly changed the topic: “Professor, in the moon landing process, do you think President Lyndon Johnson’s merit is greater or President Kennedy’s?”
Lin Ran looked around and talked about other things: “I think my merit is the greatest.”
The audience below burst into enthusiastic applause; everyone felt this answer cleverly avoided the question while stating a great truth.
“Of course this is what I think; the two presidents might also think their merit is the greatest.
When I add ‘I think’ in front of a statement, I am already in an invincible position.”
This follow-up remark caused another wave of laughter from the audience below.
big T thought the professor was indeed a professor, too cunning; finding his flaw was really too difficult.
Just this wasn’t enough to stir the media to continue hyping the discord between Lin Ran and Lyndon Johnson.
But it also ignited his competitive spirit—the harder the thing, the more meaningful it is to accomplish, right?
“Godfather, you’re too modest! Even without ‘I think,’ I think it’s fine.” big T said.
Lin Ran interjected: “You said ‘I think,’ so of course it’s fine.”
Facing the applause and laughter from below, big T smiled bitterly and shook his head: “Professor, tell us about that historic moment first.
When Aldrin and Armstrong planted the Stars and Stripes on the moon, what was your feeling in the Houston control room?
Did you feel like you had proven yourself once again?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “I never need to prove myself with these.”
He then looked around the audience: “Everyone, do I still need to prove myself?”
“No need!” the audience shouted in unison.
“Haha, during the Vietnam War, I also felt like a hero, but that was ground war; yours is space war against the Soviet Union. Professor, you know, the principles you taught me helped me survive those jungle patrols.” big T quickly said.
Because he had a feeling that his home turf had turned into the professor’s home turf.
No matter how Lin Ran showed off, it wouldn’t surprise big T, but only this—even in the interview, he was losing initiative, and in his most skilled field, he couldn’t match the professor; this would make big T feel frustrated.
“So what exactly was it; can you explain in detail? Because I haven’t fought on the front-line battlefield, I’m not too clear what principles could be useful.
T, you relay it, which can also give some suggestions to the soldiers on the front line; I believe our program will reach the front lines via newspapers.” Lin Ran gave a reason big T couldn’t refuse.
“Just like you taught me, eyes can deceive, but numbers won’t.
The reason I could discover the black curtain of the NCO Club slot machines was because the data told me there was something wrong with these slot machines.
Including in the jungle, I would carefully collect soldier death data, and in areas with particularly high death data, I would be extra vigilant.
Professor, this helped me avoid countless dangers.” big T said sincerely.
Lin Ran thought to himself, when you run for president, you won’t say later that you studied under my mathematics master, will you?
“This benefits from your amazing comprehension ability.” Lin Ran said with a smile.
big T thought and replied: “Comprehension ability depends on the person; compared to you, professor, I’m definitely inferior, but compared to McNamara, I’m simply a genius.
McNamara, he thought he was a mathematics genius, treating the Vietnam War like his Harvard Business School classroom.
Coming up with his famous ‘body count’ trick? Just counting every day how many North Vietnam soldiers we killed, then saying ‘Hey, look, we’re winning because the numbers are up.’
As if war is an arithmetic game where one plus one equals victory! But reality? Those North Vietnam soldiers aren’t numbers on paper; they slip into the jungle like ghosts, strike and run.
His command was rigid like a stone, only staring at those cold statistics tables, ignoring the blood shed by soldiers on the front line and the enemy’s cunning.
The result? We dropped tons of bombs, spent billions of taxpayers’ money, yet still mired in the quagmire.
No matter how accurate McNamara’s mathematical model calculations were, it couldn’t calculate variables! His ‘numbers game’ made America a mess.”
big T unleashed a tirade; it was agreed I’d stay in the command post doing logistics, yet you dared throw me to the jungle front line? big T’s dissatisfaction with McNamara was self-evident, even though Fred had told him not to mess with McNamara.
Lin Ran directly said: “So why is he the longest-serving Secretary of Defense in American history?
If McNamara was as bad as you say?”
This question stumped big T, but luckily he reacted fast: “Because Johnson has no brains.”
Lin Ran followed up: “President Johnson won by a large proportion, even after only two years as president; doesn’t this mean the voters have no vision?”
big T knew he could accuse any specific person, but couldn’t accuse voters or open map cannon.
He quickly softened his tone, saying mildly: “So professor, can you explain it to us?”
Lin Ran said: “Behind any seemingly unreasonable matter lies extraordinary logic.
McNamara is a very outstanding technocrat.”
Lin Ran’s words made big T’s eyes light up, because this contradicted mainstream views.
big T quickly asked: “Professor, why do you say that?”
Lin Ran said: “When McNamara took over the Pentagon, it was not a glamorous job.
The Department of Defense was established in 1947, but its powers and responsibilities were unclear; the entire system was very inefficient. The secretary had difficulty straightening relations with subordinates or military senior generals, and there was severe infighting between services to grab limited defense budget.
Among his seven predecessors, one committed suicide, two resigned in disgrace, two could have exerted ambitions but quit after just over a year.
Upon taking office, McNamara clearly announced: I am here to initiate and stimulate new ideas and proposals, not just to mediate disputes and coordinate interests.
McNamara was good at managing institutions with numbers; he had seriously studied the successful case of General Motors and carried it forward at Ford, then transplanted these successful experiences to the Pentagon.
McNamara discovered that the main problem with effectively managing Department of Defense resources was not lack of statutory management power, but lack of basic management tools needed for correct decision-making.
Under McNamara’s leadership, a thorough modification of the Pentagon was carried out using a planning, programming, budgeting system and systems analysis management framework.
Previously, the US Military’s planning mode was the joint strategic objectives plan made by the military through the Joint Chiefs of Staff: first analyze America’s foreign diplomatic commitments and faced threats, then propose corresponding military needs based on the world situation, but this was proposed by each service; the scale of each service and budget obtained directly determined its status and future, hence severe internal strife.
The so-called planning, programming, budgeting system links long-term planning and short-term budget through fiscally guaranteed 5-year plans, studies problems from military and economic angles, uses systems analysis method, compares different proposals based on cost-effectiveness ratios.
In a word, do the most with the least money. Finally form a presidential memorandum draft, then distribute to the nine functional departments under the Department of Defense, with the defense budget allocated among these departments.
In this model, analysis and policy-making are done by the Department of Defense civilian departments, thus quietly bypassing the military.
McNamara believed most things can be quantified with numbers, then make reasonable decisions on that basis.
This management model encompasses the extremely complex plans of the three services, allowing civilian officials to directly see the full picture of the entire armed forces.
This also provides the Secretary of Defense with an independent team, enabling the civilian secretary to seize initiative from the services, make long-term plans for every important project, reversing the past practice of services lacking long-term planning.
No Secretary of Defense has ever understood the issues as thoroughly as McNamara, understanding every detail.”
big T was dumbfounded; is McNamara really that great? Is this the same McNamara he knows?
Lin Ran continued: “I believe the failure of the Vietnam War cannot be attributed to one person; it’s not McNamara’s or President Johnson’s fault.
Moreover, we haven’t failed yet.”
big T quickly said: “Yes, if we change commanders, I believe we still have a chance to turn defeat into victory, just like when NASA’s director was changed to you, we became invincible in aerospace!
Professor, you know, during the first manned moon landing, I watched the live broadcast the whole time, heart racing, very excited; the living room was packed with friends coming to watch, everyone staring at the screen; when Aldrin said ‘Eagle has landed,’ the whole room boiled over!
I felt we were a great nation; think about it, 8 billion US dollars investment, eight years of effort, countless sleepless nights—we not only conquered the moon, but showed the world America’s innovative spirit.
President Kennedy said in 1961 ‘We will go to the moon,’ and we did it! This is not just a scientific victory, but a symbol of national unity.
The moon landing is America’s glorious symbol, while the Vietnam War has become our common stain.
Not only no victory, morally what we did has no justice at all.
As long as anything is packaged under the banner of victory, we can do it, no matter what harm it causes to ordinary North Vietnam people; these North Vietnam people don’t even count as numbers to the White House or front-line command.”
He didn’t want to hear praise for McNamara; he quickly shifted attention back to Lin Ran.
Like the original spacetime, big T in this spacetime showed anti-war sentiment even earlier.
His words also resonated with the audience below; from the beginning to the end of this year, anti-war sentiment has grown increasingly intense.
By late November 1967, reports on US Military atrocities began to increase gradually; though not as dense as the 1969 My Lai massacre exposure, there were already some sporadic reports and comments, drawing public attention.
These reports spread often through newspapers, magazines, and television news, focusing on harm to civilians in US Military bombings and ground operations.
For example, the New York Times published a series of articles in November 1967, reporting US Military “search and destroy” operations in North Vietnam villages burning houses and killing suspected civilians.
The articles quoted anonymous soldiers’ testimony, saying during an operation in a Quang Tri Province village, the order was “clear all threats,” resulting in dozens of women and children dead.
The reporter wrote: “These soldiers are not monsters, but war’s rules turned them into executors; numbers show our bombings caused thousands of civilian casualties, yet only traded for brief tactical advantage.”
The report also included photos showing burned thatched huts and crying North Vietnam children, with title The Cost of North Vietnam Villages: Civilian Casualties Behind US Military Operations.
Life magazine used a large photo spread in the same month’s issue to report US Military operations in the A Shau Valley area.
Photos taken by war photographers showed soldiers using flamethrowers to burn villages, with fleeing civilians in the background.
(Vietnam War burning villages, dead civilians)
The magazine commented: “These images are not propaganda, but facts. Our soldiers were sent to ‘win hearts,’ yet destroying homes. War reports show over 100,000 Vietnamese civilians killed or injured due to US Military actions in 1967.”
This issue had high sales volume, with many reader letters expressing shock and anti-war sentiment.
On television news, CBS Evening News aired a report at the end of November, interviewing soldiers returned from North Vietnam.
The soldier described an operation in Quang Ngai Province where US Military mistakenly killed a group of farmers because they “looked suspicious.”
The host said in front of the lens: “These are not isolated incidents, but the norm of war; the Department of Defense report admits civilian casualty numbers far exceed expectations, but officials call it ‘collateral damage.’ Audience, we need to ask if the cost of this war is worth it?”
The report used black-and-white footage showing injured Vietnamese children being carried away, accompanied by the soldier’s low narration, triggering strong audience reaction.
These reports intensified anti-war sentiment; many media began questioning the Johnson government’s war strategy, believing US Military atrocities embarrassed America internationally.
Newspaper editorials often said: “Soldiers are executing orders, but these orders make the war lose justice.”
At this time in anti-war marches, people held clippings of these reports, shouting “Stop the killing.”
Does it feel familiar?
What Israel did, Americans did decades earlier.
Lin Ran said faintly: “I hope for peace; I’ve also chatted with Mr. President several times, but war is always easy to start and hard to end.
I can’t figure it out: how exactly can this damn war be ended!”
big T asked: “Professor, is changing people feasible? If President Johnson steps down after next year, can a new president stop the war?”
Lin Ran recalled the original spacetime, not ending until 1975; this has nothing to do with who the president is, nothing to do with Democrats or Elephant Party; it’s only related to the military-industrial complex’s appetite and geopolitics.
“I don’t know.” Lin Ran said insincerely.
big T followed up: “Professor, so you don’t think the war can end soon?”
Lin Ran said: “Of course not; war is easy to start and hard to end.”
Commissioner Smith’s money-making war machine has started; how could it end so easily.
After the program aired, big T didn’t achieve the desired effect; he wanted to prove his deep relationship with Lin Ran, induce Lin Ran to criticize the White House, and gain fame for his program by stepping on Johnson.
But the discussion focus was all on how the war can end, and is what McNamara did really as outstanding as Lin Ran said?
McNamara, the executioner who started the Vietnam War single-handedly, is actually this great?
Lin Ran’s influence is too strong, and the contrast between McNamara’s media image and what Lin Ran said is too stark, making him the focal character for a time.
McNamara, after watching the program in the Pentagon in Washington, shed tears; sure enough, the professor understands me.
“Professor, if not for you, I would have wanted to resign!” After watching, McNamara called directly, eagerly waiting two hours before getting Lin Ran’s callback.
“No, Mike, because only I know how outstanding you are!” Lin Ran’s voice was so warm.
Warm was right; Lin Ran knew that as long as McNamara wanted, as an Elephant Party member, he could 100% continue as Secretary of Defense under Nixon.
No matter if next year’s elected president is Nixon or Fred.
The latter would rely even more on McNamara, after all Fred has limited connections and resources; McNamara had indirectly helped him.
What Lin Ran wanted was for McNamara to stay longer in the White House; the longer you work at the Pentagon, the better!
McNamara is a top management master, a clumsy war commander.
That’s exactly the effect wanted.
