Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 194 The Rebellious Son of the United States
Sacramento, California.

State Capitol Hall.

Li Hongyuan sat in the back, close to the wall, wearing a gray wool suit, his left hand resting on his knee, slowly rubbing his palm together.

A total of 137 people attended.

Seating arrangements were coordinated to avoid members with federal backgrounds appearing in the first six rows.

No one asked him who he was.

He didn't talk to anyone.

Although it was winter, the air was unusually hot and dry.

Before the gate closed, four plainclothes police officers entered and stood on either side.

They were unarmed, and their headsets were hidden behind their collars.

The live stream started at 4:00 PM sharp.

There were no broadcast announcements or agenda items.

The governor of California stood up immediately.

“We don’t have time for an opening statement,” he said, “and we’re no longer obligated to pretend this is a regular meeting.”

He spoke slowly, but more directly than usual.

"Today, we must explain two basic facts to the public."

"First, three days ago, in the state capital, outside this building, there was an armed crackdown led by federal forces."

"Eighteen people died at the scene, and the death toll was later confirmed to be 54. Another 221 people are missing."

"The federal government has not made any official response to this."

The Department of Homeland Security denied command responsibility, the White House press office declined to comment, and the Department of Justice rejected the state’s request for a meeting three times.

“We have tried to obtain an explanation through institutional channels, but so far, there have been no results.”

Li Hongyuan raised his head and looked at the governor.

However, the other party did not make eye contact with him at that moment.

"Second, we must point out that the current federal government no longer has constitutional legitimacy."

"The election ended two weeks ago, with Democratic candidate Mr. Rogers winning 82 million popular votes and 322 electoral votes."

"According to the constitution, he should be sworn in on January 20 next year."

"But he was attacked and killed in Washington late on November 9."

“Even more serious is that Vice President-elect Tamara subsequently released a video publicly identifying President McCain as the mastermind behind it all.”

"Two hours later, she was detained by federal law enforcement officers at an unknown location and has not been heard from since."

"The White House has not made any statement regarding its status to date."

"We have no way of knowing whether she is still free, safe and sound, or whether she is still legally capable of succeeding to the position."

"The essence of democracy lies not in the number of votes, but in whether those in power are willing to accept the outcome and achieve a peaceful transfer of power."

"Therefore, when this crucial mechanism is violently disrupted and the ruling group chooses to evade it, the rule of law and democracy cease to exist."

"In this context, we must give a clear response."

"Admittedly, the following statement may be seen as radical by some people, or even labeled as 'rebellious'."

"However, we have no intention of hiding our position, nor do we have any way out."

"I, Galen Newman, on behalf of the California legislative and executive system, hereby solemnly declare—"

"The state of California no longer recognizes the legitimacy of the current federal government in governing the state."

"From the moment this statement is issued"

"California will suspend all direct data synchronization and command response with the federal financial system, initiate local settlement processes, and have the State Financial Emergency Management Agency take over the relevant operational interfaces."

"The state's judicial authorities will no longer enforce arrest, surveillance, or asset freeze orders issued under the Insurrection Act, the Homeland Security Act, and the Patriot Act."

"The state government will establish an emergency management and coordination center to temporarily take over port scheduling, airspace coordination, disaster response command systems, and the unified authority to issue urban security instructions."

"Any federal armed unit not registered in the state command system must complete the handover or voluntary withdrawal within 72 hours. Those that fail to do so will be considered illegally stationed troops, and the state government reserves the right to remove them in accordance with the law and report them to the judicial authorities."

“These measures should not have been announced by us.”

"But when the system is silent, silence itself represents complicity."

"We will not declare independence."

"We still acknowledge that 'unity of many' is the foundation of this nation."

"But we must also acknowledge that the current federal government has long deviated from the legal basis that the 'United States of America' should have."

As the governor finished speaking, his gaze swept over Li Hongyuan's seat in the back row of the meeting room.

The man's expression was calm, his right hand resting on his knee. At that moment, the governor paused for two seconds.

Then, very gently, almost imperceptibly, she winked at him.

"If this land still belongs to free people, then it should be up to the people to decide whether to continue to obey."

"We will keep our oath, no matter the cost."

"May God bear witness to our resolve, if justice still finds its way—"

The governor closed his manuscript and put his hands at his sides.

"May we not walk alone."

After he finished speaking, the scene fell into dead silence.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Immediately afterwards, applause began from the front row on the left.

At first there were only a few people.

One tap, two taps, three taps—the noise was minimal, as if it were a test.

The sound was not interrupted.

Soon, a second person joined, and then a third.

A row.

Two rows.

Three rows.

At some point, the order at the venue completely spiraled out of control.

The applause gradually gathered, became more unified and intense, and resounded through the sky.

The crowd stood up, their eyes reddening.

They shouted, hugged, and laughed and cried.

Li Hongyuan sat in the chair, taking in the celebration that seemed to have given him a new lease on life.

Even though he was usually calm and collected, he couldn't help but feel a bit shocked at this moment.

Everything happened too fast, too abruptly.

It was as if some invisible force had forcibly pressed the accelerator button.

The most optimistic initial plan was to gradually erode the territory and eventually seize the opportunity to strike.

But now.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated twice in my pocket.

Li Hongyuan instantly calmed down and looked down at his text messages.

Just a few words.

From the North*.

***arrive.

He read it but did not reply.

He just looked up and glanced at the governor.

The man remained standing on the stage, facing the camera, and did not leave.

Li Hongyuan stood up and carefully made his way through the crowd.

Several staff members noticed him but did not stop him.

Outside the parliament building, it was just getting light.

The orange-yellow sunlight shone on the white marble facade.

A convoy of cars was driving from west to east on the street.

Li Hongyuan did not linger.

He tugged at the hem of his suit jacket, then walked along the passageway through the martial law zone and outwards.

State police, media, and security services.
A wide variety of professions.

The sunlight grew brighter and brighter.

Only when he was completely away from the noise and standing in the shade of a tree by the roadside did he turn around and look back.

Above the dome, the state flag fluttered in the wind.

The spot where the Stars and Stripes stood remained empty.

　193 was censored; it mainly consisted of the international community's reaction and the astonishment of friendly nations.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)