Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 337 Dongxia Ziyun's Life Resonance and Patriotic Education
In the starry world, the Vast Ocean Territory is the kind of power that doesn't want to provoke others for the time being, but can't stop others from provoking it wave after wave.

It's been like this since the first day we landed in the Vast Ocean Territory; it's like being at home when disaster strikes from the sky.

They've come again!

In contrast, Dongxia is currently in a much better situation.

No matter how heated the argument gets, when it comes to physical fights, Dongxia holds the absolute initiative.

In other words, if Dongxia doesn't want to fight, then within Dongxia's current military range, no one would be so foolish as to want to challenge Dongxia, not even the bald eagle, the overlord of Blue Star.

Therefore, despite the previous "minor friction," the area where the two sides had disagreements was not the core interest area of ​​the eagle. For the leader of the blue planet, which is undergoing a comprehensive contraction, face-saving is irrelevant.

The president's bizarre actions have already severely damaged the eagle's national reputation, so he doesn't care about a little more; he can just go back and announce the victory!
The new normal between the eagle and the Eastern Xia is characterized by frantic clamoring, escalating sanctions, and the continued selling and buying of goods.

Taking advantage of this potentially short or long lull in the war, Dongxia seized the opportunity to launch a nationwide "Life Resonance" influence plan.

Thus, this astonishing executive order came into being.

Notice on Organizing a Study and Education Trip to the Patriotic Education Base of Ziyun National Nature Reserve

[To all prefectures, counties, districts, special administrative regions, ministries and commissions of the central and state organs, organizations, and units:]
To thoroughly implement the spirit of Dongxia and strengthen patriotic education for all citizens, the headquarters has decided, after deliberation, to establish the Ziyun National Patriotic Education Base, based in the Ziyun National Nature Reserve. (hereinafter referred to as the "Ziyun Patriotic Base")
Blah blah blah...

The notice was quite long, repeatedly emphasizing the significance of this patriotic education, and requiring all levels of the military, government agencies, schools, units, communities, and even families and individuals to visit the "Ziyun Patriotic Base" in batches and in an organized manner, in order to ensure that all citizens receive a "comprehensive and thorough" patriotic education.

Undoubtedly, this executive order immediately caused a huge uproar in Dongxia.

As everyone knows, Dongxia has the largest number of rebels on the entire planet, both in terms of quantity and quality!
Not to mention the large number of Xia descendants who have long since emigrated overseas and acquired other nationalities, as well as the so-called "spiritual non-citizens" who are of Eastern Xia nationality but yearn for the "Free State".

In their view, Dongxia's autocracy, dictatorship, and oppression were the epitome of evil forces on Earth.

In the past, they would attack anyone who fabricated stories or distorted the truth. This time, faced with such an "absurd" move, how could they possibly miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

To be fair, this notice does have many aspects that are criticized and difficult to understand.

First, there is the abruptness of the location selection.

Although the Ziyun Mountain area boasts beautiful scenery and a well-preserved ecosystem, and has some scattered traces of battles and activities during the revolutionary era, it is simply no match for the old revolutionary base areas and sacred sites within Dongxia, which are steeped in history, have impeccable roots, and carry profound historical memories.

Designating Ziyun Mountain as a patriotic education base and requiring all citizens to visit and learn from it is like training the navy in a lake within a royal garden instead of the open sea. It's hard not to draw some other conclusions from this.

A prominent southern media outlet was the first to loudly proclaim: "When did patriotic education become a monopoly?"

Secondly, although the state's requirement this time is nominally voluntary, it clearly carries a somewhat coercive connotation.

For example, the notice specifically emphasizes that "everyone should participate as much as possible, leaving no one out," and explicitly lists that "exemptions may not be applied for on the grounds of age, gender, position, or physical condition."

For example, the patriotic education at the "Ziyun Base" has been directly incorporated into the compulsory social practice courses for primary and secondary school students, and it is even said that it will be related to the "ideological and political" score in the next middle school and college entrance examinations.

Even more impressively, it is rumored that the completion rate of each region and institution will be included in the performance evaluation of its main leaders.

Although there is no official confirmation, the rumors have spread, and state officials would rather go through the trouble themselves than gamble that it is just a rumor.

What if?
Unsurprisingly, the internet was flooded with sarcastic and cynical comments. The more moderate ones accused the government of "forcing people to do the impossible" and being "inhumane." The harsher ones went so far as to call it "the face of a dictator!"
Finally, in order to ensure the smooth progress of this "patriotic education" campaign, Dongxia provided a large number of supportive policies.

For example, transportation costs from your workplace or long-term residence to the [Ziyun] base can be reimbursed by the Dongxia government as long as you submit your visit certificate for the [Ziyun] base on the designated online platform.

The detailed rules in the appendix to the notice clearly state that for routes with bullet trains, the fare will be calculated based on the second-class ticket price; for intercity long-distance routes without bullet trains, the fare will be calculated based on the bus fare; and for short-distance routes, the fare will be calculated based on the taxi or private car fare.

Because it's a two-way reimbursement system, some quick-thinking netizens immediately devised a "money-saving strategy": If you want to travel from city A (where you work) back to your hometown city B to visit relatives, you can first go to the Ziyun Base in city A, complete the "check-in" process, and then return to your hometown city B from the Ziyun Base. In this way, it's equivalent to the government covering your one-way travel expenses from city A to city B!

Unfortunately, Dongxia only reimbursed the expenses for the first "patriotic education" trip. Otherwise, these guys at home who are experts at fleecing would probably have ripped the country off.

For example, in order to reduce the resistance of companies to employees going to the Ziyun Base for patriotic education, which may disrupt work and production, the government will provide different levels of tax deductions or exemptions to companies whose employees visit the Ziyun Base at rates of 75%, 85%, and 95% or higher.

As soon as the policy was announced, some financial companies and individuals specializing in tax planning immediately began to meticulously calculate how to achieve the company's overall "education rate" target instantly before key tax calculation points by temporarily recruiting a group of temporary contract workers who had already "received patriotic education" or "optimizing" out a group of personnel who had not yet "received education," thereby completing precise tax avoidance.

You have to admit the people of Dongxia are clever... they can link every policy to the economy.

Of course, these seemingly benevolent policies triggered a wider public outcry.

On a knowledge-sharing platform that serves as the stronghold of the Dongxia rebels, a well-known economics expert who claimed to be "in Shanghai, just got off the plane" published a lengthy and powerful article. In a short period of time, it garnered over ten million views, countless likes and shares, achieving phenomenal cross-platform dissemination.

The article is too long; some key excerpts are as follows:
Patriotism has become a business!

"And this current grand patriotic celebration is, in essence, a massive and earth-shattering business deal involving countless people!"

"I don't know who built this Ziyun Base or which young master is behind it. All I know is that even the Bald Eagle President, who is ridiculed by those pinks, only dares to move his fingers in the financial market. He would never dare to use the state apparatus to force every citizen to stay at one of his specific hotels!"

"On this vast land, there are many people who toil day and night for a monthly salary of three thousand; many people work hard all their lives for just a few hundred pieces of silver!"

"Many people spend their entire life savings only to end up with a house they can't afford; many people exhaust all their strength only to be left with medical conditions they can't afford!"

"Whether it's wars abroad or 'education' at home, what do such grand narratives have to do with us ordinary people?"

"What we need is life, real life, not some vague and ethereal patriotism!"

This article was quite "brilliant" and spread widely, not only being reprinted in Dongxia but also quickly circulating on foreign websites.

In an instant, international public opinion was in an uproar, and the verbal attacks against Dongxia reached a new climax.

The development of Dongxia in recent years has touched a raw nerve for most countries on Earth.

If there might still be some emotional connection between people, then the relationship between nations is purely one of self-interest. Even if they are as close as brothers one moment, they can turn on each other with swords the next.

The state is, in itself, a tool of a coalition of interest groups. If not interests, what are we supposed to talk about?

For most countries in the world, they hate the bald eagle, and they hate Dongxia just as much.

If they had to choose between the two, they would hate Dongxia even more!

Why? Because bald eagles plunder the globe, consuming the interests of most countries, the middle class, and the lower classes. Yet, in every financial crisis, a significant portion of the upper class still manages to profit.

Just as when the Red Double-Headed Eagle Empire collapsed, the Bald Eagle and its allies devoured most of the country's wealth, while the local oligarchs divided up the remaining assets, leaving ordinary people only with abject poverty and shattered dreams of freedom. Similarly, when an economic crisis sweeps through a small or medium-sized country, causing asset prices to plummet and labor costs to decline, the country's capitalist elites will only follow in the footsteps of the Bald Eagle plunderers, even more greedily devouring the future of their own people.

These guys are the ones who control national policy; it's perfectly normal for them to be friendly with bald eagles.

But the Eastern Xia was different.

The rise of Dongxia is seen by many countries as an indiscriminate attack, a complete and comprehensive encroachment on their ecological niche across all industries.

It's like another country having a factory that's doing reasonably well, where the owner makes a lot of profits, the management gets good salaries, the workers earn wages to support their families, and the government receives stable tax revenue.

Although there is a disparity in wealth among the people, they are all doing alright.

Then, when Dongxia's products arrived, they were sold at one-fifth or even one-tenth of the price, and the factory was wiped out in no time. From the government to the boss to the management to the employees, no one was spared. How could this not make people hate it?
It can be said that, in order to promote its own national development and improve the overall living standards of its citizens, Dongxia, with its powerful industrial capabilities and efficiency, has almost completely devoured all the profitable industries in most countries on Earth.

Aside from a few miners, fishermen, cattle farmers, and fruit growers who were still watching Dongxia with longing, other countries' eyes would turn bloodshot when they saw the words "technological breakthrough" from Dongxia.

In theory, Dongxia left foreign capital with two options: one is to bring funds and technology to Dongxia to operate; the other is to become agents for Dongxia products.

The problem is that capitalists need more than just money; they also crave social status, political influence, and a certain sense of "detached" control that matches their wealth.

In this respect, Dongxia provides too little and interferes too much, which is too unfriendly to capitalists with ulterior motives.

Therefore, capital can make money in Dongxia, but once it accumulates to a certain level, it must head towards the free country that owns St. James' Island.

It can be said that Dongxia is a natural evil villain on the international stage!
Now that the main villain has made a foolish move, shouldn't we relentlessly pursue and attack him?

Of course, compared to the uproar in the online world, the real Dongxia is relatively calm!
Sun Peng is an ordinary small business owner in a third-tier city in Dongxia, running a small factory with only a dozen or so employees.

When outsiders meet him, they politely address him as "General Manager Sun" or "Boss Sun," which sounds glamorous. But only Sun Peng himself knows the bitterness behind it all.

Outside, he had to be constantly subservient to customers; back in the factory, he also had to be humble and obsequious to technical experts and veteran employees at different times.

Especially during those tough years when business was tough, the first thing I thought about every day when I opened my eyes was where to get money to pay out this month's salaries.

Some people said that someone like him couldn't make a lot of money, but Sun Peng just chuckled.

There are no bosses, just a miserable worker providing services to the client.

Sun Peng didn't take the notice about the "Ziyun Patriotism Education" activity too seriously at first.

The public opinion in Dongxia has a unique characteristic: online, it can be incredibly heated and full of sparks, as if the world is about to turn upside down; but in reality, everyone goes to work, eats, and lives as usual, without any major upheavals.

Just like a few days ago, the remarks of some gender extremists caused a huge uproar, with related debates and arguments dominating the headlines across the internet. Sun Peng himself was indignant at the time and posted many replies. He wished he could send those inhuman people to the deepest hell.

But when I turn around, my mother and wife at home, the finance and administration staff at the factory, and my friends and classmates in life are mostly normal and gentle women, cheerful, hardworking, with a few minor flaws, but all trying their best to live and interact peacefully.

Some bizarre behaviors may be amplified on the internet, but they will not affect the lives of millions of ordinary people.

Sun Peng's original plan was simply to have his wife take their son, who was on summer vacation, on a trip to Ziyun Mountain, just to fulfill his family duty and get by. After all, the tax breaks offered by the government weren't very attractive to a small business like his, which was barely breaking even—their profits were so thin they were practically transparent, and they couldn't even reach the threshold for paying taxes!
He wasn't unpatriotic; he was willing to do his part when the country needed him. But in his mind, patriotism was a sentiment, while life was reality, and the two shouldn't be confused.

Patriotism shouldn't interfere with life; one thing at a time!
However, soon after, the Enterprise Development Service Center, a subordinate agency of the subdistrict office, issued a notice requiring all enterprises in the jurisdiction, regardless of whether they are public or private, large or small, to have their responsible persons personally attend this "important meeting".

The meeting was held in the somewhat old multi-functional hall of the street office, where the air was filled with the faint smell of tea and old tables and chairs. Sun Peng found a seat at the back and looked at the large group of small business owners like himself in front of him, exchanging knowing glances.

Soon, a slightly overweight leader with a head that was already "shining" in the center walked onto the stage, carrying an enamel mug with the words "Advanced Individual" printed on it.

A warm welcome rang out in the hall.

"Hello, Director Wang!"

"Director Wang is here! It's been a long time!"

"Let's go fishing this weekend, sir!"

Director Wang waved his hand with a smile, sat down in front of the microphone, slowly unscrewed the lid of his cup, took a sip of strong tea, cleared his throat, and began to read the document that everyone already knew about online.

After reciting the prepared text, he gently placed the document on the table, folded his hands, and began his rambling "important speech."

"This... comrades, friends!"

Director Wang spoke in a drawn-out tone, with his usual intonation, "The significance of this task assigned from above is extremely important! Its impact is far-reaching!"

"This is not just a simple visit and learning experience, but also a baptism of thought and a sublimation of the soul. It is an important measure to build consensus among the people and strengthen patriotism!"

"Everyone must fully understand and actively participate, and... ah, this... we must fully recognize the importance and urgency of this work from a higher perspective!"

"Ah! This... should be treated as a core task at present, given prominence, included in the important agenda, and we should strengthen organizational leadership, clarify the division of responsibilities, and vigorously implement it."

For more than half an hour, this guy just kept going on and on about "attaching great importance to and organizing meticulously," "mobilizing widely and publicizing extensively," "ensuring both effectiveness and methods," "not neglecting either aspect and promoting both," and "strengthening responsibility and ensuring safety and order"...

Sun Peng was getting drowsy listening to this. He glanced at the back door and saw several street office staff members standing there. They were accompanied to the toilet, obviously to prevent anyone from sneaking off.

After much anticipation, Director Wang delivered his concluding remarks, followed by polite, sparse applause and sighs of relief from the audience.

In the blink of an eye, a younger leader wearing black-rimmed glasses, who looked more capable, came up and picked up the microphone directly.

"Hello, hello, business leaders, please wait a moment, I have a few more points to add!"

Sun Peng felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, but soon he opened them wide.

The newly appointed staff member clearly stated that the central government provides support, and the local government also provides support.

"For companies that actively cooperate and complete the 'Ziyun Patriotic Base' visit and learning task for their employees on time and as required, we will use their completion rate as a reference to provide partial or even full subsidies for this year's 'Urban Land Use Tax'!"

Sun Peng opened the calculator on his phone.

His factory has been paying this tax all along; it's true.

Okay then, I can be patriotic too!

(End of this chapter)