Chapter 16

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Chapter 16: Revolution! Won’t You Rebel?

Diplomacy is a subtle and indirect art. Diplomatic language, even the harshest words, appears polite. The essence of diplomacy is the bargaining between two countries. If deals fail, there’s still righteousness, they usually won’t directly break ties or else it wouldn’t be diplomacy, it would be war.

Therefore, many people criticizing China for being too soft in its foreign statements are actually criticizing the wrong thing. For diplomats, even direct verbal threats should be used cautiously. As for private retaliation and interest exchanges, those are not decisions they can make. To put it more simply: ‘smile on the face, curse in the heart.’

However, conducting diplomatic activities with a completely unfamiliar race is a very challenging thing. Using vague diplomatic language in such a situation will backfire, as you don’t know anything about their culture or social system. Saying the wrong thing can lead to serious consequences. This kind of situation doesn’t just happen in gang fights in Hong Kong, even though their weapons might not be as big as those in Waaaaaagh, but…

“We’re not here to cause trouble!”

Therefore, after some awkward greetings, both sides went straight into the main topic. The so-called main topic may sound fancy, but in reality, it’s like haggling in a market, no different from bargaining with a street vendor. Roughly translated, it goes like this:

“Dear customer, come see our goods, the finest imported products.”

“How much does it cost?”

“You just need to pay this amount in installments, buy the whole set at once, and we’ll also give you these gifts.”

“Let me… think about it~”

“Hey, what else are you thinking about? We are professionals in handling these situations. Sir, you should trust our professional judgment and skills. Once you buy this item from us, along with these items, and our comprehensive operating manual refined over a hundred years (1949-2070, 121 years), your current issue will definitely be solved easily, and the price is so affordable!”

“But if I use your manual, I will have to buy only from your store in the future, right?”

“Sir, you are mistaken. You can choose to buy from other stores if you wish. In this world, our store has a top-notch five-star reputation.”

“For such a big decision, I still need to think about it.”

“It’s right to think carefully, but you can try out a small sample first. If you don’t trust our detailed operating manual, you can buy some samples to try at home. After all, fairness is important in business dealings~”

“(Quite intrigued) How much does the trial cost?”

“Sir, why are you saying such things? How could we charge for a trial? If you like it, please remember our brand! If you need it, we offer complete teaching and guidance, what do you think?”

“How do you know what we need?”

“Oh my, you’re right, we also have experience~ in various techniques and poses. How about learning this too? Here, take this book ‘On Protracted War’ and ‘Capital’ as beginner’s guides. Feel free to study them at home. If you have any questions, you can always consult us online, dear~”

“Oh? Aren’t you afraid your disciples will surpass the masters?”

“In our corner, even 8-year-old kids start learning about this stuff. After a dozen years, anyone can talk nonsense, so go ahead and learn, ask if you don’t understand!”

“By the way, what samples did you bring? I need to see the goods first~”

“No problem, please come this way, sir~”

After visiting the arsenal and shooting range on board, the cat girl named “Cui” readily signed a comprehensive agreement and cooperation plan. Some parts seemed useless to her, but they were insisted upon by the stubborn people without ears.

For example, opening borders, allowing military visits, permitting free exchange of currency, recognizing each other’s currency for international settlements, and a slightly odd but unavoidable “Freedom Travel Agreement”, where civilians can freely travel for tourism, education, work, and settlement without visas, and recognizing each other’s marriage laws and relationships, allowing cross-national marriages.

For countries that are semi-feudal, they would use the currency that does not devalue and has good quality. They may not understand financial plunder methods. If China were to produce a large amount of exquisite coins and guarantee their value, they might even stop making their own coins and instead use high-quality currency from other countries. This could lead to a shortage of coins in ancient times that would frustrate those in power. In modern times… Coach! Where can I find such a good deal? I want to go!.

Another part she felt was mutually beneficial, such as allowing both sides to invest in industries and businesses, having low tariffs, free trade agreements, etc. Nico people mainly work in the fishing and agriculture industries, especially in the fruit industry. Even though the earless people have strong opinions about their seafood processing skills.

They acknowledged the quality of the seafood products and immediately signed an agreement establishing a minimum purchase price for agricultural products. The price offered was much more advantageous than what the Empire offered to their loyal supporters. They also provided them access to a large inventory, with no restrictions on various machines and fishing boats. When converted, the prices felt much more affordable than what the Empire was offering.

Even though they were well aware that the earless people were making profits and benefiting from the process, they appeared more cooperative and shared benefits with their own people (ensuring sufficient profits for both upstream and downstream vendors is crucial for maintaining a strong trade chain – that’s the most important part of trade, to be able to trade on a large scale and be robust – By Earth). This was enough; they were not Nico people’s allies. If they didn’t seek any benefits, she would worry that they might have bigger intentions (That’s right, I want all of it! It’s just a small favor – By China).

In her simple mind, she felt that the sacrifices made in the military trade agreement were necessary: exchanging mining rights and 50% profit-sharing for Nico Star’s multiple metal mines for military weapons, equipment, training support from the earless people. Additionally, providing systematic theoretical guidance to Nico’s anti-imperialist resistance army on overthrowing the Empire’s rule and re-establishing their own government – because only when the Nico people gained independence from the Empire’s oppression would these agreements hold value.

(The 50% profit-sharing means that China would mine the other party’s mines, but 50% of the output would go to China and 50% to the Nico people. After 20 years, the mines and existing mining equipment would be returned to the Nico people. In reality, this was the true preferential policy, after all, it was just a small favor in return – and the aforementioned agreements might be criticized as greedy, shameless, and evil imperialist actions if made public).

“Then, we have a pleasant cooperation~”

“A pleasant cooperation~” Cui learned the etiquette of these people, extended her hand and shook hands with them because the Nico people showed friendship by touching each other’s tails, but since these people had no tails, they could adopt the other party’s customs.

“The general framework has been settled, we can discuss the specific details later. For now, you can rest on our ship for a while. Oh, right, your people can also go and get some equipment to familiarize themselves. Tomorrow, we will discuss how to deal with the Empire’s reactionaries specifically.”

Arsenal, shooting range

“Sister Cui, this one is good, I want this one!” Tiger Skin hung on the weapons rack, a 60mm single soldier rocket launcher, even though it only had a test warhead with reduced propellant loaded, when it exploded a round in the indoor weapons testing ground, the simple and violent style of bangs and booms instantly made Tiger Skin excited uncontrollably, with rosy cheeks and sparkling big bright eyes.

“How much?” Cui sighed, turned to look at the Earthlings accompanying her, they gestured, “Not too expensive…” Not affordable for each person, but splitting it between two or three people shouldn’t be a big issue.

“There are some powerful weapons that are not suitable for practice here, so I’ll leave them for you to experience on the battlefield.” Such as 107mm white phosphorus rockets, 107mm airburst rockets, 122mm cluster multiple rocket launchers, as well as the mighty 155mm howitzers and the equally honest and simple 40mm single soldier grenade launcher (15 rounds).

They couldn’t handle sophisticated stuff like missiles, so these simple and straightforward weapons that explode fast and colorful are more suitable. Just for this batch of equipment, they searched through several arsenals before finding this batch. They also unexpectedly found a few embarrassing expired wooden handle grenades.

“You should all be satisfied with the weapons. Now, let’s talk about serious matters. How do you plan to overthrow the empire government?”

“Take out the governor, we’ve already succeeded halfway. Unfortunately, the imperial reinforcements arrived. Otherwise, the imperial army would have been in chaos, and we could have taken over their arsenal, distributing the weapons to the people who are discontent with the imperial army.”

“It may be a successful uprising, but it’s not a successful revolution, and it cannot overthrow imperial rule,” Commissioner Zhao shook his head. “You have a lot to learn. First, you need to understand what your ultimate goal is.”

“To free the Nico people from the oppression of the empire and destroy the empire’s rule.”

“And then?”

“What ‘and then’?”

“I mean, what will you do after overthrowing the imperial rule? Even if you get rid of the governor, kill all the imperial soldiers, they can still send more troops, a new governor will come, so what will you do then?”

“…We will not surrender.”

“What about your people? Will they surrender? If they won’t surrender, then why is it only you resisting until now, you are still too young, naive!”

“The conflict between you and the imperial people, on the surface, is about the Nico people’s idyllic life being disrupted by the empire’s invasion, but in reality? There have been conquests and wars among your city-states in the past, so why did you accept the rule?”

“…This…”

“You see, instead of it being a conflict between invaders and the invaded, it’s more about the imperial people needing more markets and capital to develop, while the original life and social system of the Nico people cannot provide this market, hence the empire invaded you, using force to sell their goods, fundamentally an economic issue.”

“So, even if you defeat the imperial army, they will only send more troops to kill you, and for your people, as long as the imperial people show some mercy next, they will quickly join their side.” Commissioner Zhao beckoned the other leaders to sit down, then continued, “And over time, as your people get some benefits, you will end up as rebels who disrupt their happy lives, eventually becoming a group of rebels slowly killed by the imperial army, well, that’s how they deal with their other vassals and colonies.”

“What should we do now?”

“The Empire wants more profits, so they can only exploit your people to find a place for their capital. It’s like taking all your money, giving you a part of it when you can’t afford food, and expecting your gratitude. First, you should read this book thoroughly and expose the Empire’s true intentions and face to your people. This way, they will support you.”

“Next, you need a specific action plan, like how to defeat the Empire’s army, restore local order after defeating them, establish a new government, calm the society. Of course, the most important thing is: you must show your people the benefits of following your ideals and make them understand that you are not troublemakers but noble revolutionaries aiming to create a new world where everyone can live happily. This is your top priority – transforming yourselves from mere destroyers to builders and revolutionaries. Only then can we discuss the next steps.”

Later, the resistance army leaders talked to Commissioner Zhao for a long time. Then, a few literate leaders each carried a pile of valuable books translated into Nico script back to their rooms. The following day, they all seemed dazed, as if they had consumed some kind of herbal extract. The Commissioner didn’t give them advanced theoretical books, just some basic materials tailored to fit Nico’s economic and industrial levels and practitioners. The content was simple, similar to middle school political education. Once they had established a new worldview and revolutionary perspective, further theoretical guidance would be provided. The books included:

Step-by-Step Guide to Rebellion – Part I: How to Identify the Main Contradictions

Step-by-Step Guide to Rebellion – Part II: The Importance of Theoretical Frameworks in Organizational Development

Step-by-Step Guide to Rebellion – Part III: How to Unite and Mobilize the Masses, and Some Insights and Case Studies on Organizing Uprisings

300 Common Questions on Establishing Political Power

Compilation of Common Issues on Land Reform

Organizational Development of the Military: Little Knowledge You Have to Know

Beginner’s Guide to Industrialization: Five Small Local Construction Tips

Hmm, these are some valuable insights (nodding). It seemed as if a new door had opened before the leaders of the resistance army still in the classical uprising stage.

“Is there such a move?”

“Exactly, there is this move, do you believe it?”

“I believe! Boss is the best!”

That’s probably the state of mind (nodding).

Translator: Book 2 has been translated and published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3RYhYDR);