Chapter 10: Playground Meeting
“…Now, the Emergency Status Committee can no longer adapt to the changing circumstances, so we’ve decided to invite everyone here to discuss how to face reality, actively carry out self-rescue, and establish a new government institution…”
Li Yingchun finished his opening remarks into the microphone.
Immediately, murmurs arose across the playground, but they soon quieted down as Li Yingchun began introducing the current situation.
“…As you all know, the timeline of this world is currently in the seventeenth century.
This period in history is called the Age of Great Navigation.
And the land of China is now ruled by the Qing Dynasty.
This is an era between nations with no justice or righteousness!
This era is full of wars!
The weak are preyed upon by the strong!
Iron and blood are the truth!
If we let our guard down, a slight mistake could get us killed or enslaved!
Only by facing reality, uniting together, focusing all our power, and leveraging our technological and organizational advantages as modern people can we protect ourselves, and even participate in this magnificent era in the future!
For these reasons, we propose to establish a new government to serve our 4,519 people, to resist the risks of this era and to ensure everyone’s life and property safety!”
Li Yingchun seemed to have practiced in advance; his tone was grave yet impassioned, giving a very reliable impression.
Of course, now he was just a middle‑aged man with dark circles under his eyes and a half‑bald head—not exactly handsome.
“…To achieve this goal, the new government and its organs must have the authority to mobilize all personnel and resources.
All the land we currently own, public buildings, and tools and equipment, including the shipyard and mechanical factory workshops, warehouses, and dry docks, are to be handed over, after this meeting, to various bureaus and committees subordinate to the new government.
The dormitories and public residences where everyone currently lives will also belong to the new government, but privately owned housing and personal property will, in principle, still belong to individuals, unless requisitioned as needed.
Of course, in the future the new government will manage the construction of new housing communities and assign housing uniformly to everyone.
Likewise, the basic food rationing system will not be abolished.
As long as we continue, there will never be anyone going hungry!
Everyone can rest assured on this point—the new government will serve the people, not rule them.
Each person is the master and has the right to complain and to sue…”
Li Yingchun spent five or six minutes explaining why the new government was necessary.
Once the recorders in the audience had finished taking notes, he asked everyone to vote by raising their hands on the decision.
“…Those in favor of forming the new government, please raise your hands.
If more than sixty percent of adults agree, the decision will take effect.”
Most of those who came to today’s meeting already heard the news last night.
Of course they didn’t hesitate and raised their hands in agreement.
Even a fool could see that keeping the previous loose arrangement would surely end badly, and forming a new government served the majority’s interests.
Li Yingchun was not surprised by this result.
He nodded and said, “…Since over ninety percent voted in favor, I herewith officially announce that we will immediately begin the process of forming the new government!
First step: decide the new nation and government charter, and determine the organizational principles of each department.
Now, let’s invite the retired prosecutor from Huludao City, Elder Xia Chunze, to the stage to explain…”
After speaking, he stepped down and passed the microphone to the elderly Xia Chunze, whose face was covered in age spots.
Although he was already 75 this year, he was still in relatively good health, and he stoically refused Li Yingchun’s offer to help carry his chair.
He walked directly to the lectern.
Elder Xia held the microphone with straight posture, scanned the crowd with his gaze, waited until everyone quieted down, and then began speaking slowly:
“…Comrades, fellow workers, and children, good morning, everyone!
I am Xia Chunze.
You all must be wondering why a retired old man like me is introducing the organizational principles of the new nation and government?
Actually, it’s because this is precisely my professional field.
For a country, the initial construction of its institutions and legal system is of vital importance—it almost determines the survival or extinction of the nation!
A blank sheet is the best for painting.
Once the sheet is filled with writing, the cost and difficulty of making changes are unimaginable.
It may be impossible to modify the basic system before a country ultimately perishes.
History is full of lessons and cases on this…”
As Elder Xia spoke, he looked back at the northern sky, at the increasingly intense sun, and shook his head, saying:
“…Today the weather is rather hot, so I’ll keep my words short.
If you want to know more, you can later consult materials in the archives at the Judicial Bureau or directly ask the staff.
Now I’ll get straight to the point.
Mr. Li Yingchun, Chief Li, just mentioned that we are living in a barbaric era, and urgently need strength to protect ourselves.
Therefore, the newly established nation and government must have the authority to mobilize all social resources, to develop military and industrial strength!
Of course, this does not mean that everyone must serve the huge military machine at all times...
In fact, we are far from the major civilizations of Asia and Europe.
Other than guarding against European colonial powers, in the short term we face no extremely severe security pressures.
However, developing naval construction capability is rather urgent.
Comprehensively analyzing the current situation and future needs, after discussions with experts in related fields, I and others have unanimously agreed that establishing a government responsible to all 4,519 modern citizens, forming a republic that belongs to all its people, is free, equal, and protective of personal rights, best meets our actual requirements!
In simple terms, you can understand that all of us are shareholders, citizens, and service recipients of this new nation!
Do not belittle yourselves, thinking that this new nation has no share for you—that it’s the toy of us committee members.
On the contrary!
This new nation’s government, legal system, and institutional arrangements are all designed to serve the interests of all of us!
Everyone will receive a share of the future benefits generated by the nation!
To prevent abuse of power and violations of personal rights, and to ensure that the republic endures, in terms of government structure, law, and institutional arrangements, we will refer to successful experiences and lessons from the original timeline.
We will adopt principles of separation of powers, relative independence of the judiciary and legislature, protection of personal rights, supervision by the masses and public opinion.
Legislatively, a provisional annual National Assembly will serve as the supreme authority!
It will be responsible for producing the new cabinet committees.
The cabinet committees are the republic’s highest administrative body, composed of a prime minister and ten cabinet members.
The latter include ministers of the army and navy, finance and economy, industry and mining, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, construction and transportation, civil affairs and welfare, culture, education and science and technology, trade and diplomacy, and policing and justice.
During adjournments of the National Assembly, the cabinet committees have the authority to decide on internal administrative matters, command and lead the army and navy, submit new bills to the National Assembly, decide on war and peace, declare states of emergency and martial law, levy taxes, control the central bank’s issuance of currency, and adjust the economy…”