Chapter 167
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Vertical and Horizontal Alliances, San Francisco (2)
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She smiled and picked up the bottle again. There was a bold habit in her gesture. When she asked if he wanted more, Winter declined this time for sure.
"It's just as I've heard," she said, then downed several shots in quick succession. By the feel of it when drinking, it was a fierce liquor around 40 proof. Impressive capacity.
"You're right. I think the culture that emphasizes loyalty probably started as a means of self-reliance. The nation's fence was too vast, so once chaos began, it became overwhelmingly hard to handle. For a simple life, they needed smaller, sturdier fences. School ties, regional ties, blood ties... Tight bonds between individuals. Before pursuing any interests, just to survive..."
It sounded plausible. Winter recalled a Chinese saying: well water doesn't mix with river water. Their proverb, perhaps? Looking back now, it might have been a single phrase capturing their way of life. They built solid fences of human relationships bound by loyalty and ignored what happened outside. Even if someone was dying on the street, it was just someone else's business.
"In a way, couldn't it be seen as something born from a lack of trust?"
The general showed interest in Winter's words.
"Trust?"
"There are too many people in the world, and you can't tell if they're enemies or allies, so isn't it about creating reliable allies of your own? Since society can't be trusted, make people you can definitely rely on. That's my impression after hearing what you said."
In Chinese, vagrants and gangsters are the same word (流氓). Winter thought of the nameless blank letter from Baek Ji-seon. Wasn't this another piece showing China's past? Perhaps the anxiety and fear of not trusting strangers manifested as hostility.
"Yes. In the end, it's the same thing. It has to be said that it was life in a nation that far exceeded human limits."
After a moment's hesitation, she didn't refill the next glass. The comfort she could show in front of Winter ended there. But perhaps with some regret, she tapped the rim of the white cup with her fingertip.
Even though the solo drinking was over, there was more to say. She glanced at Winter and continued.
"Every time the nation faced collapse, the feats of family retainers stood out for this reason."
"What are family retainers?"
"Oh, you don't know? Private armies. Or personal guards. For a Chinese like you, these words might help you understand... but honestly, I don't think there's another way to express it. It's not just an employment relationship. It's something more humanly sticky. Bound by loyalty. That's why they were strong. Much stronger than regular armies."
As she went on, emotion seeped through more thickly. Winter offered comfort.
"Those who died this time were brave to the very end."
"They would have been."
The brief glimpse of loss retreated behind a thick mask. Regardless of rank, it wasn't unintended that she quietly hinted at relationships built on loyalty with the Marines who fell at Alameda.
"I'll say it again. Become one of my people."
The general straightened her posture.
"Right now, it may seem this pathetic, but China's history has been a continuous rise against trials. We'll eventually shake it off and rise. Even if the era is chaotic, the world has always been a cauldron of chaos for Chinese people. Nothing new. We, bound by loyalty, will build sturdy fences. We'll survive the rough waves until the very last moment."
She emphasized. Survival before glory and wealth. It was a repetition in another form of what she'd said: loyalty was needed to survive before pursuing interests.
"Shall we talk about something more realistic?"
Her tone changed.
"Lee, my aim in occupying Alameda Island is to secure a new base. Of course, I'm not saying I'll settle my subordinates there permanently. There are idiots who think that, but even if it ends up that way, it'll be very different from their simplistic thinking. Do you get what I mean?"
After some thought, Winter nodded.
"I felt something off from the start. Even if you occupy the island right away, it's hard to make it a new Chinese territory. The U.S. Western reclamation operation is going smoothly. Unless something unexpected happens, won't they recover all lost territory before winter comes?"
"If you believe their propaganda outright. It's still just the beginning phase."
The female general showed a hint of doubt, but as an insider, Winter knew all the propaganda was true.
"However."
Major General Sieru raised a finger.
"If they fail, there'll be no future left. So I don't even consider that case. It's meaningless. Ha, who would've thought I'd end up cheering for American imperialists."
Winter showed appropriate surprise. The major general wore a languid expression.
"Surprised to hear me say that?"
"Honestly, yes. It's surprising."
"I don't chase pipe dreams. If clear liberation ends in failure, maybe suicide's the way."
"..."
"Just kidding. Even if we die in the end, we have to struggle until the moment of death. For the subordinates who believe in me. To uphold loyalty. No matter how burdensome that duty, it can't be abandoned. It's human decency. I just hope the road ahead isn't too harsh."
Though he didn't want to admit it, America was humanity's last bastion. That was the major general's matter-of-fact statement.
"I'm planning to create a new China. But it'll be a small fence. Inside the giant fence called America, a place where we can live among ourselves. That's my ultimate goal."
"No grudge against America?"
It was information he needed to confirm. He'd had no chance to fully grasp Major General Sieru's tendencies. The same went for other Chinese generals, really.
"What do you mean?"
The general met Winter's eyes with an ambiguous gaze.
"China and America competed for world hegemony. We saw each other's blood in the Anti-American Aid Korea War. Is that the old grudge you're talking about?"
"No."
What Winter—no, Intelligence, and ultimately America—worried about wasn't that.
"I've heard the rumors. That America was behind China's downfall. That the Si-yeok (Morgellons) is a biochemical weapon America created targeting China."
It wasn't just a rumor. At least among San Francisco's Chinese, it was accepted as fact. Hard to say other areas were much better. Winter thought the loss of their homeland combined with dissatisfaction over current treatment had congealed into deep resentment.
But the general dismissed it simply.
"Ah, that nonsense. So you've heard it too. Well, when fools all shout together, their voice gets pretty loud."
"You believe it's nonsense?"
"What choice is there? I have to think that way."
Sieru's words were meaningful. She added to her stance.
"Where there's no fire, no smoke rises, but its credibility is low. And even if it's true, it has to not be true. Whether it's calling a deer a horse or whatever, can't we say anything to survive?"
She succinctly revealed her true feelings with the allusion to the "pointing at a deer and calling it a horse" anecdote.
"So, you're saying to endure it for now?"
Tan Guo-sheng had mentioned the story of Bu Cha surviving by licking shit. Maybe the same sentiment. But the son had salvaged his face, while the mother dreamed of grander revenge.
However, she denied it.
"I have no intention of ruining the greater cause over petty grudges. Humanity's survival is the great cause of our time, after all. Didn't I say survival comes first?"
"What about loyalty to the fallen homeland?"
"Wouldn't upholding that betray the loyalty of the people who survived by following me?"
I see. Winter mentally organized his report. At least it didn't seem like a lie.
The general asked.
"Do you know about the abandoned runway on the west side of Arabmida (Alameda) Island?"
"I've heard. They say there's a closed military airport."
"Right. It was on a scale comparable to an international airport, one of the main strike targets in wartime. Now, not even a hangar or control tower remains... but the runway is the core function of an airport. The Americans built it sturdy; it's still in good condition. Large transport planes could take off and land without issue."
"So that's what you planned to negotiate with."
"Good for both sides. I guarantee my people's safety, and America secures a new foothold."
Somehow acquired, a San Francisco map hung on the wall. The countless lines and symbols on it were like a timeline chart of the general's long deliberations.
"You're a soldier too, so you have the basics. Airports near the front lines are better the more you have. But wherever you take, defense isn't easy. San Francisco International? Don't even mention it. Accessibility from the city is too good. Oakland International isn't much better. The only airport that can block endless mutant reinforcements is Arabmida. If you just cut the bridges."
"America has already established bases on both sides of the Golden Gate Strait."
Winter recalled the U.S. bases north and south of the Golden Gate. Fort Baker north of the bridge alone was no small scale. The area secured by walls made of stacked containers was wide enough for an airport.
He hadn't surveyed the whole thing, but construction was surely underway.
'The terrain is rugged, so it won't be an easy build.'
Catching the hint, the general frowned.
"If you're saying there's no time to spare, then yes. But it's still okay. Just a bit faster than the U.S. military. War's ultimate goal is victory."
If they could use the airport even a month or a week sooner, the U.S. military would gladly bear any extra cost.
"Arabmida Island will be a massive forward base."
"If you want to negotiate with the U.S. government, isn't now the perfect time?"
"Well. I don't want to be treated like the Wa-nu."
A twisted smile crossed the female general's firm lips.
"I need to create results before surrendering. Otherwise, there might never be another chance later. Just listen to what one of those presidential candidates is spouting. Hate crimes against Chinese seem to be increasing too."
Last month, early March, Super Tuesday, the candidate who'd sold Winter's name won the Republican primary. No candidate avoided selling Winter's name.
Anyway, his extreme rhetoric continued. Winter suddenly wondered about the Winter Alliance's status. Contact had been cut for security reasons for over two months now.
"I'll occupy the island, broadcast it, and announce the feat. American public opinion will turn somewhat favorable. Overseas Chinese eyes will focus on me too. Isn't that the best condition for negotiations?"
"I hope it goes as you say."
"Don't talk like it's someone else's business."
The general leaned forward, closer to Winter.
"I want you inside the fence I'm building."
Same meaning, different shade. Winter was convinced the entire conversation was intentional. The major general had planned to reveal her ambitions from the start and make the offer again.
"Chinese people, and Chinese-Americans, need a hero. Just as one Lieutenant Han Gyeowol can redefine refugees' status, you alone can change the treatment of everyone inside our fence."
"It feels awkward. You only saw me yesterday."
"Do heroes quibble over time spent when discussing great causes?"
"I already have comrades."
"They'll be welcomed too."
Her voice rose a bit.
"I heard it all. You can only live on the battlefield, yet even the military won't accept you? It's fine. I'll take them all in. In the overseas Chinese community I'll lead in the future, you and your comrades will receive the best treatment. Wealth, honor, women. I'll give you everything you want."
She pointed to the gift she'd given Winter. That watch.
"I gave you that not just because you're my son's benefactor. Because I saw the future through you. Maintaining a position is harder than establishing it once. Considering that, what's a mere watch? I can pay much more."
Then she clapped her hands. A signal to someone outside the door.
============================ Author's Note ============================
#Lunar New Year Holiday
This might be the last update before the holiday.
Have a great holiday, everyone.
Except those with lovers.
#E-book
As I mentioned earlier, at Naver's request, expansion to other platforms has been delayed. Accordingly, per-episode payment serialization on other platforms is expected to be possible starting in March.
However, the E-book single volume will be available on Ridibooks next month, in February.
I heard the print book and E-book have the same content but different volumes.
The print book is composed of 180,000-210,000 characters per volume, while the E-book has 110,000-130,000 characters per volume.
Price is the issue.
The editor said that in the E-book market, anything over 3,000 won per volume is seen as expensive regardless of content volume, so they had no choice but to adjust the amount.
Please keep that in mind when using.
#Q&A
Q. kaley: @Enjoyed it today too~ The chemistry between Qualun-nim and author-nim is a real delicacy lol
A. That chemistry is nice, isn't it...
Q. 쇠황조롱이: @It just means they're suppressed by fatigue but still have innocence left. We also converse with 으, 이, 호 etc.
A. Euh, Ee, Ho? I'm not feeling well right now, so my innocence is lacking and I don't quite get it.
Q. Gliese581: (Question is long, so omitted, answer only.)
A.
1. As it's a collateral loan, in principle it should be less than the deposited principal. However, B-grade is recognized for credit, so Winter's loan is a bit more than 1 billion. Exact amount not set. Didn't think it necessary.
2. In the post-apocalypse worldview, first infection set in early 2015, current is April 2016.
3. New weapons will gradually appear after Winter leaves San Francisco.
4. Morgellons vaccine development is ongoing. Key is how long the national system holds.
5. Animal and plant infection possible.
6. Movement to other countries possible. Range is worldwide.
7. Didn't clearly distinguish Winter and boy officer. Your interpretation differs a bit from my intent.
8. In April Vengeance side, governor pinpointed Winter and Joanna's location because the ship-wide broadcast system exists only on the bridge.
9. Compared to real America, U.S. national power in story... hmm... never thought that precisely... maybe around 70%?
10. Government doesn't necessarily collapse. Plot adjusts based on Winter's feats. Of course, it's probabilistic adjustment for random events, so even with effort, bad luck can cause collapse.
11. E-book status covered in above note.