"Old Guo, what's going on? Is there anything different?" a chubby old man beside him asked in surprise.
The old man called Old Guo waved his palm-leaf fan, "Didn't you notice?"
"This is quite a move, advancing through retreat, this is pushing Carter out, what's it called? Righteousness, and if you look deeper, you see, even though Bramo has stepped down, just look at the people around."
"I don't recognize others, but this Ludwig Becker, was the former commander of Mexico 337 Army!"
"That's a Mexican."
"So I say, there's a master among Mexico's high ranks, this move has a feeling of military strategy, 'conceal one's intentions and move secretly', this Illinois Republic is really 'holding the emperor to command the feudal lords', and look at what it says below: At the meeting, the Minister of Defense Bramo proposed: to unite with the Texas Republic, form a military alliance, he's willing to have Paul Constantine Stuart as the head, to jointly fight back, sincerely invite other states, as well as those who maintain social stability, look there's something here."
Old Guo cleared his throat, coughed a bit, shook his head and read aloud.
"Wonderful! Wonderfully written! This is a model of a proclamation."
The old men beside looked at each other, by their time, they had limited education, while the man across was a university professor domestically, was messed with during special times, and then fell into a slump. Who could know coming to Mexico with his son could revive him.
"Instead of shaking your head and nodding like Confucius, hurry up, read aloud and let us hear." Someone couldn't help but say loudly.
Though they had little education, they were quite passionate about North America's situation.
After all...
Whenever men opened their mouths, it was about the world's situation, this was quite common.
The fancy way to put it is called 'a humble station but dare not forget country worries', and bluntly it's just: bragging bullshit.
Old Guo cleared his throat, "Listen up, this is the section in Spanish, Chinese, and English, I'll read the Chinese version for you."
"A letter to the free descendants of the Thirteen States and to the benevolent people around the world..."
"When the process of civilization forces people to break free from old shackles, the rights granted by natural law and the Creator compel us to inform the world:
In the past, our ancestors forged the charter with their blood, pledging to create a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. Yet now, observing the officials of Hua's Mansion, they've become a new-type dictatorship group, their crimes are apparent:
First, destroying the spirit of contracts in Wall Street's halls, allowing banking predators to consume the people's fat and sweat, making the diligent lose their homes, and children starving in the land of wealth.
Second, trampling the torch of freedom under a vast surveillance network, making the Patriot Act a modern witchcraft dungeon, exposing citizens' privacy to the Five Eyes' spying.
Third, letting the war machine crush distant mountains and rivers, under the name of democracy sowing seeds of chaos, arms merchants gladly accept the profits of countless bones.
Fourth, allowing bipartisan fights to disregard the country's fate, turning assemblies into gambling arenas, letting livelihood bills sink into the quagmire of partisan struggle.
Fifth, permitting people like Koch to cast gold-powered statutes, lobbying groups secretly access the White House, tilting legislative balance early towards financial tycoons.
This tyranny persists because the bureaucratic system has become an autonomous Leviathan, media mouthpieces willingly act as power's makeup artists, and citizen consciousness indulges in consumerist illusions.
We do not advocate violent revolution, but with Jefferson's pen, Paine's wisdom, Dr. King's courage, we vow to guard the spirit of the founding generation. We hope all states convene, wield the ballot as the sword, use conscience as the shield, to rebuild a true land governed by the people.
(Signature) Sorrowful Free Citizens Write in Blood!!"
"Written on June 1st, 1993."
"Good, good, good!!"
Everyone clapped in unison, unclear yet impressed! Unsure yet impressed!
"This is a proclamation, Bramo plans to summon heroes from around the world, to form an anti-dong alliance, following the footsteps of the Eighteen Lords."
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Or is it real?"
"There must be some truth, look, what difference does this have from the Eighteen Lords against Dong?! Fascinating, fascinating..."
A bunch of old men felt a rush of adrenaline.
They felt like they could kick the cow away, and then plow the land themselves.
This whole piece radiates with domineering aura.
"I've decided!" Old Guo stood up, "Today I'm going to frame this thing, those damn Yanks finally got what they deserve?"
"Old Guo, you swore an offensive word, you broke your causal chain of controlling your mouth."
Someone familiar joked with a smile.
"Broken is broken, tomorrow I'll continue abstaining, okay, won't talk to you guys, I need to show this to my son."
Old Guo waved excitedly and ran off, his back no longer aching, his legs feeling fine.
At their age...
Just the right age to have experienced the "Korean War", naturally not having much fondness for the Yanks, even a deep-seated distaste.
Imperialism's intention to wipe us out hasn't died.
Oh, hey, now it's dying first, definitely need more drinks tonight.
...
Bramo's "proclamation" and Illinois Republic's actions stirred up a storm around the world once again.
Especially among Asian countries.
Jar-head: Damn, such a familiar sense of oppression, such a familiar style, familiar proclamation, familiar... sense of destiny, Rabbit, did you have a hand in this writing.
Rabbit (munching on a carrot): I don't know, I don't understand, I don't know, what are you talking about? (Shaking head wildly).
South Korea: I feel so hyped up, a sense of pride as a major power surging out of nowhere, as if my blood is boiling, this feeling, just like when Korea shot Li Shimin's eyes and blocked Tang people's invasion, we are Asia's strongest nation.
Vietnam: "Read but not reply."
Cambodia: "Stupid!"
Anyway, the world is bustling everywhere, Bramo's name spread across the globe in an instant.
Meanwhile, Paul Constantine Stuart of the Texas Republic was partying on a yacht, celebrating his "son," being titled "Admiral of the Navy."
A dog, a poodle!
Of course, this wasn't official, just a private entertainment, self-amusement, he even wrote an appointment document for the dog, stamped it with his own seal, invited a group of women and dignitaries over, just for fun.
He stepped out of the bedroom in shorts and saw Jeremy McKisson sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, from the surname one can tell, this man belongs to the McKisson family of the Texas Consortium.
This is one of America's top ten consortiums. A new consortium that rose in Texas after World War II, mainly relying on the development of the oil industry and arms industry.
"Hey, Jeremy, aren't you having fun, what are you looking at? A newspaper?! What's so interesting about the newspaper."
The other party smiled, pointing at the news, "Bramo in Illinois really admires you, the whole article hopes that you lead America forward."
Paul Constantine Stuart glanced at it, his eyes getting brighter, snorted twice, a bit smug, like a pig full of food, "This kid, has called me more than once, wanting me to form an alliance army, I intentionally let him wait, look, he couldn't resist revealing it on the newspaper, a young man, still not steady enough."
Jeremy McKisson raised his eyebrows, looking up and down at the other.
Did this person really have the ability to "rebuild America"?
Why couldn't he see it?
Bramo's writing was so flattering, as if without Paul, this alliance couldn't be formed.
"And what's your response?" Jeremy McKisson asked.
"I think his choice is right, if the Allies defeat The Pentagon, I could advance further, and you, my pal, you guys will become my one and only partner." Paul Constantine Stuart assured confidently.
"I hope for your support."
Jeremy McKisson didn't directly agree, speaking rather tactfully, "Our family will offer some help, and I'll persuade the old guys in the family for you."
Even though Paul hoped for full support, he knew these kind of family businesses were typically very rational, so he didn't get angry, he picked up the wine glass from the table and toasted the other, Jeremy McKisson also hurriedly raised his glass for a clink, and both drank it all down.
But their smiles...
Nobody knew what it meant.
...