[Vietnam:] Lunch Invitation to the French Ambassador

[Joe]

At approximately 9:00AM, the French Embassy in Hanoi would recieve an invitation from Minister Nguyễn Phi Long, the Minister of the Republic of Vietnam Ministry of Defense. The invitation would be to one of the top restaurants in Hanoi, Red Bean Central Restaurant.

 

[Deleted member 5]

After receiving invitation from Minister Phi Long, Elisabeth Laurin, a French Ambassador at Hanoi would arrived with 4x DGSE armed agents (armed with Pamas G1 and Famas G2) at the Red Bean Central Restaurant. She would be very delighted and excited to receive invitation from Vietnamese Ministry of Defence, as she thinks this event will increase mutual relationship between France and Vietnam.

Ambassador Laurin would eagely wait for Minister of Defence named Phi Long at the Red Bean Central Restaurant in Hanoi.
@Joe

 

[Joe]

The convoy of four VinFast A2.0 Luxury Cars would depart from the Ministry of Defense at approximately noon on the dot. In the third car from the front, Minister Nguyen would sit patiently as the car weaved through the streets of Hanoi. Given that martial law was still in effect after the Communist purge, the streets were somewhat empty and devoid of the usual chaotic traffic that perpetually plagued Vietnam. However, security would still be extremely tight to prevent any communist sympathizers from making any attempt on the life of Vietnamese officials. For that reason, the Inspector Officers provided by the Ministry of State Security were heavily armed. Each A2.0 Luxury Car had enough armament to outfit a small Ranger squad.

In no time at all, the convoy would arrive at the emptied restaurant, the government having rented out the whole building. Minister Nguyen would exit the car and walk inside, greeting Ambassador with a wide smile.

"Ambassador Laurin," He greeted, pecking her on the cheek. "It's been far too long. How are you?"

 

[Deleted member 5]

After cordial greetings from the Vietnamese Minister Phi Long, the Madame Ambassador Laurin would be very amused. She would shake hands with Minister Phi Long and would continue, " I am great thank you for asking. How's everything in Vietnam? As I have arrived in Hanoi a few weeks earlier. On behalf of President Macron, I want to congratulate your government from coming to power. We are delighted to have you meet with us. Shall we start our meeting?"

Ambassador Laurin would slightly chuckle, and she would walk with Minister Long in the Red Bean Central Restaurant.
@Joe

 

[Joe]

"Everything is most abundantly fine, I assure you. After all, the reign of the communists are over!" Minister Nguyen replied, guiding her into the emptied restaurant. "Come in, let us eat and discuss the future of our two countries. We have much to cover in such little time. I hope you're hungry, however."

The restaurant wasn't very traditionally Vietnamese. In fact, the open-air Red Bean Central Restaurant was very much European. Despite perpetual food shortages during the communist regime, the Red Bean had very much always been a place of excellent quality cuisine. It was the place of Vietnamese socialites, the rich, the powerful, and the diplomats... and the government had rented it out solely for one day. A waiter guided the pair to the back of the restaurant, away from the busy streets of Hanoi. The sounds of traffic were insulated and drowned out by the soft piano emanating from the corner of the restaurant, where a pianist was playing away at the black, glossy Steinway and Sons baby grand. He was playing French music at the moment... Comptine d'un autre été by the sound of it.

After being led to the table, the waiter would deposit two glasses of wine as well as bread and butter, leaving the two diplomats to have their privacy. The four course lunch was already decided upon.

Course 1 (Appetizer): Nicoise salad with lettuce, fresh tomatos, boiled eggs, fresh seared ahi tuna, green beans, Nicoise Cailletier olives and anchovies,
Course 2 (Soupe): Soupe a l'oignon with onions, beef stock, croutons, and melted cheddar cheese.
Course 3 (Main): Steak chateaubriand, tenderloin cut, served medium rare with white wine sauce and smothered with mushrooms
Course 4 (Dessert): Creme brulee

Throughout the meal, Minister Nguyen would abide by the most sacred rule of Vietnamese culture: no talking of business while food was on the table. As a result, Minister Nguyen would simply be polite and a warm host, asking the delightful ambassador about her stay in Hanoi and her family back home, and also regaling her about stories of the Vietnam regime, ranging from President Duc's march on the Presidential Palace with the 4th "Pestilence" Regiment Recon Troop to the traffic accident that Minister Nguyen sustained growing up, riding through the streets of Saigon on a motorcycle. It wasn't until the last dish was cleared away that he got down to business... to discuss a mutually beneficial future.

"Now, Madam Ambassador... I have a proposal for your government and mines to embark upon that can be extremely profitable to us both. Would you like to hear it?" He began.

 

[Deleted member 5]

After eating different courses of lunch, Madame Laurin did not talk while she was eating lunch. She would continued to enjoy different types of courses that offered while she was at Red Bean Central Restaurant. As soon as she was done eating course 1 through 4, she would wave her hands for waiter so that waiter knows she done eating lunches. Madame Laurin would drink wine slowly when Minister Long sharing perspectives about Vietnam Regime. Elisabeth would continue, "I am ready to hear about your proposal. Let's begin." She would slightly chuckle.

@Joe

 

[Joe]

Minister Nguyen would reach into his suit jacket, pulling out his fountain pen. He'd unfold his napkin and begin writing upon it, drawing out a rather crude drawing of Vietnam.

"As your Energy Minister may know, Madam Ambassador, Vietnam is currently adjacent to one of the largest oil beds in the world. The South China Sea. 28 billion barrels of crude oil. We've seen how the United States responded when Kuwait was threatened by Iraq. The world runs on that oil, Madam Ambassador... and the best part of it is, Vietnam has a claim to it. But, the kicker is, so does our ancestral enemies: China. Territory claims aside, President Ngo plans on making good on this claim and we want the French Republic by our side on this... and the only way to put teeth to our words is to have the teeth to back it up in the first place."

"Our military is outdated and we want to sever our ties and dependence on the Russians. What we propose is a deal that will benefit both of our countries... We ask that the Republic of Vietnam be allowed to domestically produce French military equipment. Simply put, we'll tack on 5% of the costs and send that to you at the end of every production cycle. For your country, it's free money. For our country, we get access to high tech and modern equipment that will allow us to compete with China for the South China Sea.. and when the dust settles and we become the victors, we'll make sure that France has access to this oil and that it goes to your markets."

 

[Deleted member 5]

As Madame Laurin would eagerly listened to what Minister Long just proposed to improve relationship between French Republic and Rpeublic of Vietnam, she would smile. She said, "We are willing to have crude petroleum for France to operate various infrastructure, which includes military infrastructure and we can produce oil energy because of that. Crude oil would be beneficial for French Republic. For defense material, French Republic produces numerous amounts of defense systems, main battle tanks, fighter aircrafts, frigates, destroyer, corvettes, engineering vehicles, APC, PPV, nuclear submarines. We are delighted to award you domestic production rights. Please give us the list of equipment that you want to produce for. Also, piece of advice, you can't sell these products other nations. For our friend in Asia, we are willing to help Vietnamese Military in terms of producing French military products. These domestic production rights will open up job opportunities and economic growth. Please take your time to prepare the equipment lists."

@Joe

 

[Joe]

Minister Nguyen clapped his hands. "Bravo, Madam Ambassador. You have made a wonderful choice. Of course, we will not sell any domestically-made French equipment to any other nation, you have our word on that. This equipment that we produce will be solely used for the purpose of advancing the French-Vietnamese agenda. I'll have my Ministry send you a manifest every production cycle along with the payment, listing everything that we have produced and the quantity. Your country will have the right to waive any of our productions, should you see fit. The Vietnamese Defense Industry thanks you. We'll begin very soon once this next cycle begins. As a gesture of goodwill to your generosity, we'd like to extend the guarantee of the allowance of a French military presence in Asia... as it once had back in the 40s and 50s. Once we claim the entirety of the Spratly Islands and establish our control over it, rest assured that the French military will be allowed to base a small fleet or military contingent there. Perhaps even control of one of the islands so you have your own access to oil reserves."

Minister Nguyen gestured to the drawn napkin, circling the center of Vietnam.

"In the mean time however, I'd simply like to direct your attention to here: Da Nang. How interested are you in securing your place in Asia now? Da Nang Air Base currently sits relatively unused and under the operation of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. We'd be willing to lease it to your Air Force for the time being until we establish the portioning of the Spratly Islands. What would a fair price be for your Defense Ministry, I wonder?"

 

[Deleted member 5]

Madame Laurin would continue, "as you know, previous French administration was a grave disaster. They caused Yellow Vest Movement, captured President Macron. But when President escape from the Socialist French regime, the election commission did re-election where President Macron reelected as president. Few countries in the world thought, French did voodoo so Macron came back alive, Macron is a Saint, Jesus, or Baba Yaga or whatever. Anyways, previous socialist French administration was very incompetitive, shortsighted plus weak. They lost half of armed forces. President Macron and Myself are rebuilding the armed forces and setting stronghold in our regions and overseas nations. For Asia, we will dispatch a small fleet in nearby Indian ocean. Asia is very competitive and very dangerous neighborhood but we are definitely interested to secure our place. As for Da Nang Air Base, we will base there shortly as soon as our forces are ready. In the meantime, we will dispatch our fleet."

@Joe

 

[Joe]

"Pending approval, of course... Madam Ambassador." Minister Nguyen would say. "With the Russians and Chinese prowling, I don't doubt that they'll look at such a big military buildup in the Pacific too kindly. Before deployment, we would love to see a manifest of the number of troops that we'd have in Vietnam... perhaps only a handful of naval vessels and a battalion or two of French soldiers would be enough to project French military power as well as be a minute enough deployment that countries in the region won't be alienated. What say you on this, Ambassador?"

 

[Deleted member 5]

Madame Laurin would nod her head and would continue, "Some of our forces are in training, but I can dispatch a naval flotilla where it will be consists of 1 Destroyer, 1 Nuclear Submarine, 1 Frigate. Give us 24 hours to alert our naval personnel and let us know which naval base would we use while in Vietnam? As for Land Forces, we would dispatch a battalion of French Foreign Legion troops but currently they are in training. Given they are suitable in all condition, we have no doubt about FFL. The deployment will be known as Operation Red Angel. After training, 2nd Foreign Infantry Battalion will arrive in Vietnam. The entire deployment information will be Top Secret and media won't know there are no French military Existence in Vietnam. Hope you understand."

@Joe

 

[Joe]

Ambassador Nguyen would smile softly. In the background, the pianist on the Steinway would reach a crescendo on Piano Concerto No. 21. "I'm glad that we have an agreement on allowing us to mimic your military in terms of equipment and having French soldiers here to protect us. Of course, it's not necessary to make this deployment ultimately top secret and classified. After all, wouldn't you want the world to know that French military power is not confined to only France?"

 

[Deleted member 5]

Madame Laurin would slightly chuckle and said, "Ambassador Nguyen, I agree with you that world should know that French Military does not only operate within France but also they always deploys to the Overseas regions. It is fairly easy for me to say publicize the deployment but due to new French doctrine known as Macron Doctrine, which states that publicizing entire military operation during peacetime can be jeopardize the entire operation. It is because the flotilla that is going to deploy will have 1 nuclear submarine, that's why we are making it TOP SECRET. By the way, which naval base should we dock our vessels?"

@Joe

 

[Joe]

Ambassador Nguyen would snap his fingers, calling the attention of a waiter over. The waiter had been standing so still by the wall that he was nearly invisible. In truth, the waiter was not even a waiter... of sorts. The orderly was in fact a Republic of Vietnam Navy steward who served as both a bodyguard and an aide. Underneath the cloth napkin that the waiter held was a loaded Model 10 revolver, after all.

"A map, if you will please. There is one in the car outside."

"Yes, Minister Nguyen." The waiter replied, bowing his head. He spoke into an earpiece in Vietnamese, calling for one of the Minister's staff to bring a map into the restaurant.

In the meantime, Minister Nguyen addressed Madame Laurin, reverting back to French (the original colonial language of Vietnam). "Of course, it is certainly your prerogative how the French military conducts it's operations. I act only merely as an adviser to you, Ambassador. How you choose to proceed is up to now. Now, there are a few options of where you can base your fleet, obviously. Da Nang is a rather popular option. It will be the hub of the future Vietnamese Navy once we begin construction on our fleet and is right in the middle of the country. Nha Trang is another option that is closer to the South of Vietnam. It will allow you easier access to the Pacific but you will be less able to counterattack Chinese aggression in the South China Sea as a result. Wherever your fleet goes, I will make sure that it is more than an adequate place to base the elite French Foreign Legion as well."

 

[Deleted member 5]

Madame Laurin would check her phone to see whether any text message came in or not. After seeing a text messages, Madame Laurin would continue, "Ambassador, feel free to publicized the Operation Red Angel. We have a plan for this Operation Red Agnel. We will dispatch 2 frigates, 1 Destroyer, 1 Nuclear Submarine along with Tanker Vessel. We will dock our fleets to Da Nang Naval Base. Also, I would like to know about your stance on Kosovo-Serbian situation. We fully support Kosovo and Serbian government are nuts. I think Serbian government is very mentally incapable and bonkers along with they are very troublemaker. As you confirm, our naval force will be deployed to Da Nang within 24 hours."

@Joe

 

[Joe]

Minister Nguyen would smile and nod gently. "Excellent. The Republic of Vietnam will rest easy knowing that French soldiers protect her coastline and her country from any aggressor. We thank you kindly and are in your debt." He would eye the piano player playing Moonlight Sonata - First Movement, gesturing for him to cease playing for the time being. Mid-bar, the piano would immediately cease. An eerie silence would descend over the restaurant.

"Kosovo... Kosovo... Kosovo," The Minister would sigh. "It remains a complex situation but President Ngo is thankfully very steadfast. It is his idea that any group of people who feel that they are treated unjustly have the right to choose their own way within reason. We stand with the Kosovan government and are thankful to hear that you fully support Kosovo. We are hopefully moving towards drafting a proposal and a comprehensive operation in order to evict the Serbs from Kosovo. I assume that you will be voting down the Argentinian delegation's proposal in the General Assembly?"

 

[Deleted member 5]

Madame Laurin would continue, "Just heard a news that Operation Red Angels is a go. Our French Foreign Legion Infantry Personnel are currently on route to reach Danang Airbase. Upon they reach to Vietnamese Airspace, they will ask you to provide them to clearnace to enter and land on Danang Airbase. Also, small numbers of naval vessels are on route too. So, give them access to Danang Naval base to dock our ships. How's that sound?"

@Joe

 

[Joe]

"That sounds like an excellent move, Madam Ambassador," Minister Nguyen would respond smoothly. "We'll see to it that France has a presence in Asia for years to come."