Asian Tigers

[Khemia]

Location: Sinese Embassy in Yiyuan, Jizhou

The phone rang abruptly Adul Yaowananon's typically quiet office, his job was to sort through all the mail, which were usually complimentary and filled with good wishes and such. A nice job that made him feel good about himself, but very little stimulating work to keep him awake. The phone ring, however, was stimulating enough to send him flying from his chair. He scrambled around, looking for his glasses and trying to organize what little hair he had with his fingers.

He managed to settle himself down long enough to pick up the phone and listened intently to the brief instructions the man on the other end had to say. "Yes, Kuhn. Of course, Kuhn. It will be done, Kuhn. Right away. Thank you." He hung the phone up and began to dial the foreign office of Jizhou. "Yes, this is ambassador Yaowananon at the Sinese embassy, I'd like to arrange a meeting at the soonest possible convenient time so that we can discuss a few things. I'd be glad to host him here at the embassy," he gestured with his hands as he spoke, despite the fact that there was no one around to listen. He nodded a few times and smiled before he set down the phone.

 

[Keida]

Foreign Minister Dan Yimou was a froggish man, short and thin with big, bulging eyes he tried to hide behind round spectacles. In his mid fifties, Dan had done good work to earn his position, and had done a lot of sucking up. Today, he would have to suck up to the Premier.

Dan stepped straightened his tie before he stepped into the ambassador's office, flanked by his Vice Minister for Southern Cathay and Vice Minister for Anti-Communism. The former was Ai Ming, a lanky 44-year-old man from Oikawan-administered Nanhua Province. While the latter was Kang Yingwen, a fair-skinned beauty whose age had not diminished her elegance. Her presence as the "Jade Titan" sent a clear signal that one of them, either Premier Li or Minister Dan, was not pleased with the insurgency in Sinhai.

"His Honor Premier Li sends his apologies," The Minister announces as he and his cohorts enter the office, not at all shy about using formal Chinese, "He had intended to meet you himself, but due to the sad circumstances surrounding the President's incapacitation, the Premier has found his schedule uncompromisingly busy."

Dan enjoyed meeting with Sinese, Ratomkirans, Viets and other 'lesser' peoples of Cathay. So much time spent licking Oikawan boots grew tiresome, it was a joy to be the respected party. "I believe you know my trusted retainers, Miss Kang and Mr. Ai."

 

[Khemia]

Adul Yaowananon smiled and rose to greet the three guests in the customary manner of the wai. He made sure to raise his hands higher and bow deeper for Dan, but never fully prostrated himself. His back was tired and ached in many places.

"It is good to see you, khun and khunying. Please, sit," he gestured to the seats in front of his desk, there were four, enough for these Chinese people, he imagined. He was a man easily in his fifties, and a counterpart to the likewise aging Dan. Adul, however, did not hold his age so well. His beady eyes danced between Dan and the beautiful girl he had brought with him, surprised that she was the minister of Anti-Communism. He wouldn't mind having a private discussion with her. He played the scenario through his head, but knew in secret it was just a daydream. He toyed with the gold band on his ring finger and smiled politely.

"I'm sure you realize that recent events in Sinhai are looking grimmer and grimmer, and that prospects for our government are growing fewer and fewer. I have been told to speak with you about a few interests Sinhai has, and to measure Jizhou's own interests in Sinhai," he started. "Let's begin with the situation. Sinhai has only recently eliminated an entrenched bureaucratic elite from it's midst, our young republic arising from the struggle only to meet new struggles and a growing Vangalan-sponsored insurgency. We, of course, have no evidence to support this accusation, but we are not idiots. Of all the Communist states, they are the only one with a revolutionary interest in Cathay. And now, our economy is beginning to fail. The Baht loses value daily, and though it's still holding out we fear that it will collapse."

"We still maintain strong banks, however, mostly in part because they are invested in foreign businesses while the state bank and directorate of investment manage the domestic economy. Tourism is beginning to slacken, though it's not over. This conflict, however, may damage tourism over the winter months, one of the seasons we recognize as popular for the Northerners who call it summer, but we have a chance to recover in time for November, when our real tourist season begins."

"We face some problems, though, among the worst of which is a heavily increased militancy in the Sai Yok population. We find it difficult to wrangle cooperation from even our loyal citizens there, the city is turning into a madhouse of war and our people are so worried about their foes that they are taking the law into their own hands. We're worried that pressing charges in this time of crisis may cause total panic to break out in Sai Yok, but we're also worried that the international community may denounce us if we fail to."

He smiled a bit as he drew to the end of his brief introduction to the many problems his country was facing. "In summary, I've been told that my government needs support from abroad, and I believe that Jizhou is one of the best options. Ideological comrades, regional peers, I can see a relationship ready to prosper between us. What do you think?"

 

[Keida]

"I think you're absolutely right," Dan replied, his two cohorts nodding along with him, "In fact the Premier has taken a special interest in your problems in Sinhai. With His Excellency President Zhang out of commission, the Premier has declared an all-out secret war on the communist insurgency here in Jizhou,"

"The Premier, like so many others," Vice Minister Kang added, her coastal accent, considered pleasing to the ear by Chinese speakers, becoming clear, "Blames the insurgents for the President's failing health. For the Father of the Republic to live, the insurgency must die,"

"The mobilization is the largest in decades," Dan continued, straightening his glasses, "The Information Ministry is struggling to keep the press away from it. Premier Li insists that the element of surprise is critical to hitting our targets."

"Minister, about Sinhai," the lanky Ai said,

"Oh, of course. Yes, Premier Li insists that the insurgents must be wiped out in Sinhai as well. He fears we could succeed in defeating them here on our own soil, only to have them maintain bases in your country, using your vulnerable north to train and grow, returning to us that much stronger."

"We want to send an advisory group to Sinhai," Vice Minister Kang produced a briefcase, and from it a small folder, "Xiao Guibo will lead the delegation. Former Commander of the Northern Capital Defense District and Central Military Committee, Mr. Xiao is very excited to work with your people. He asked to personally survey the situation in Sai Yok."

"The Premier wants to send Mr. Xiao," Minister Dan added, "Along with ninety thousand rifles and two engineering brigades." The froggish minister smiled, very pleased with himself and the great gifts his country can offer, "Free of charge, of course, for our brothers in arms."

Ai raised a finger, "There is the issue of the uncomfortable foreign naval presence in the shipping lanes. Moving that kind of equipment could attract unwanted attention."

"I'm unconcerned," Kang argued with a frown on her face, "We have the right to import and export whatever we wish from the Union. Guns or butter. The foreign devils can inspect our cargo when they blow open our ships."

"Agreed," the minister nodded, turning back to Adul, "Well, ambassador, there you have it. The Republic is prepared to throw her full might behind the Union. In the name of friendship, of anti-communism, and of our beloved President Zhang."

 

[Khemia]

"While I can agree to allow this Mr. Xiao into Sinhai," Adul Yaowananon frowned a bit, "I'm not sure we are quite ready to accept ninety thousand soldiers. That almost matches our own current commitment to Sai Yok, and we are worried what kind of press would be released if we were having trouble dealing with our own problems. We also can't risk any situation that might arise out of the increasing citizen militancy in Sai Yok, foreign intervention might incite revolt among the nationalists there."

Adul sighed, he hadn't quite grasped just how difficult the situation was in Sai Yok from behind his desk in Yiyuan. "I can probably get the Bureau of External Affairs to agree to an expeditionary force of fifteen thousand to assist with the insurgency in outlying towns. But realize that if you accept this, they may die fighting Communists, but they very well may die to our own citizens."

He frowned and looked down to the table. "We've already lost four soldiers this week to our own citizens, but we haven't released that information to the press."

He took off his glasses and wiped his brow with his hand, smothering his face in his palm before looking back to the Chinese trio. "I understand your Premier's zeal to root out this plague, but this insurgency in Sai Yok has polarized the population far more than we would have liked. We're looking at threats from the right-wing, anti-foreigner protests, anti-communist death squads, witch-hunts, lynchings. About the only thing the right-wing has not done yet is denounce the government. At least if it came down to that we'd be pretty secure in the idea that we could destroy the entirety of Sai Yok without killing an innocent." He felt as though he had spoken to much, but he had to stress the point. Sai Yok was a disaster, and the media was only highlighting the problems. This week had seen over two hundred people killed there, many others wounded. The hospitals were already brimming to capacity, and the fighting was just beginning. With the death of the Sinese children, the right-wing was going to be even more militant.

"We're also wondering if perhaps Jizhou is interested in a deal that would allow Sinese entrepreneurs to expand into Jizhou markets. With our worsening economy, we need to stem our own economic decline by expanding. An aggressive approach is the best defense, I'm sure you can agree."

 

[Keida]

"Rifles, my friend, rifles!" Dan chuckled, silently mocking the ambassador's Chinese skills, "I mean we will literally send ninety thousand guns. Not bodies to hold them!" Kang and Ai followed the Minister's lead, giggling politely. "Mr. Xiao would like to survey the situation himself before we consider sending actual combat troops to Sinhai. For now, we offer you weapons and engineers."

"I will also see if the Army can spare medical teams," Ai added, pleased with his idea, "To help your strained hospital system."

"Our combat forces are largely engaged in our own counter-insurgency," The Jade Titan noted with an expressionless face, "I don't think the Military Committee will want to share many of our active duty troops until that campaign begins to show results."

"In any case, economic cooperation is a very simple and welcome solution," The Minister picked up the conversation, "Employment is Jizhou's eternal burden. Keeping one billion people occupied is our greatest challenge. If Sinhai has baht for Jizhou hands, then we can easily make a deal."

 

[Khemia]

Adul was quite embarassed by his lapse in Chinese, he usually considered himself quite adept at speaking even basic conversational Mandarin, but he had blundered on simple nouns. He gently pressed his palm to his forehead again and tried to continue. "Yes, of course, rifles," He corrected his mistake of assuming that 'rifles' was being used synonymously with 'soldier'. "While our military has plenty of rifles, the SYPD are likely in need of some heavier weapons than pistols. Ninety thousand rifles might be a bit large, though, perhaps it might be more advantageous for you to sell what you don't donate to the SYPD on the open Sinese market to citizens? Our government has laxened it's importation laws on guns quite a bit this year, and while citizens may not purchase automatic rifles, they may purchase civilian variants."

"As for your insurgency, the Unity Party wished to give you reassurance that it supported your actions fully. Insurgencies may pose themselves as revolutions, but in reality they are minorities acting out because they don't have the conviction to play the more lengthy game of politics," the ambassador smiled. "However, if I may request... should any material links with hard supporting evidence connecting your Communist insurgents to Vangala arise, please keep us informed. We are currently investigating similar in our own nation, though at this time we can't risk an open conflict with nations such as Carentania that are blocking such an investigation."

 

[Keida]

"The rifles are only a gesture of the Republic's commitment to a free Sinhai Union," the Minister nodded, "We can easily customize the package of real supplies to suit your needs. The last thing we want is a big pile of unused guns for the communists to snatch!"

"Ninety thousand rifles gives you an idea of the amount of industry we are prepared to share with Sinhai," Ai folded his hands in his lap to keep himself from fidgeting, "Our state industries have a tendency to overproduce certain goods, a consequence of our employment issues that Minister Dan mentioned."

Kang began a list, "Rifles, other small arms and ammunition, tank shells, radio equipment, field rations, even certain low-cost vehicles like jeeps. We can provide all of these either free or at a substantial discount. The security of the Union is worth quite a bit to us, you understand."

"As for ties to Vangala, I'll have the intelligence ministry fax you a copy of the report from the Mitsurugi Energy bombing," Dan shrugged, "It seems to have convinced enough people."

 

[Khemia]

"Please do fax this copy, if we can set a precedent for Vangalan interference in foreign politics, then the National Assembly will have an easier time determining how to handle such a situation," Adul paused.

"As for production, we're quite interested in expanding SMI into Jizhou, to produce vehicles, ammunition, and in particular features for weapons to enhance the effectiveness of our soldiers. We're looking for technology and electrical engineers, something fundamentally lacking in Sinhai. Computers, camera's, cell phones, tracking devices, hell, satellites. These are all things our country has fallen behind in or completely lacks."

 

[Keida]

"In all honesty," the Minister sighed, "Most of our high-tech services are provided by Oikawan firms. Our space facility in Daizhou is entirely operated by Oikawa. They use our land due to longitudinal concerns."

Ai quickly butt in, "Jizhou Mobile could easily begin setting up infrastructure in Sinhai in exchange for some tax and tariff schemes, or guarantee of monopoly. That would provide some modern telecoms service to the most stable parts of the country."

 

[Khemia]

"I feel that our economic partnership is a strong idea, our Department of Industry can contact your own central planning agency to discuss supply and demand. Sinhai produces a large amount of rice, which can be used to help feed your people in exchange for assistance in our electrical engineering fields, fiber optics and such. We'd like to see Han professors, among some others, to staff our technology institute in Sri Rama and help us train the future workforce of our nation. I know the DoI would be willing to allow Jizhou businesses majority holdings in some sectors in the economy for several years to promote competition, though trusts may be broken eventually and Sinese businesses themselves will be promoted. This is, of course, until they are able to compete fairly with your own businesses, which by then will be quite well established and have marketed their label quite well."

Mister Yaowananon tapped his fingers on the desk momentarily. "Now, about these guns you want to send." He paused and reached down into his briefcase, pulling out a pale green folder, which he promptly slid over to his Han counterparts.

"This is a classified report from Sahmhang. I've been authorized to show this to you here while our intelligence agencies establish more direct ties," he waited for the Han men to finish reading it. "As you can see, my government may be facing a pressing issue in the North. An issue our press agencies haven't addressed, and we haven't allowed the free media to research into. Censorship has its uses."

"I mentioned earlier that we were not willing to accept ninety thousand soldiers," he began while the men read the folder. "This is because the nationalists would quickly pick upon such a large contributing force quickly. Our armed forces is 750,000 strong. Ninety thousand is a significant percentage of such a force. However," he began to get into the meat and potatoes of his point, highlighting what was the important fact in the pale green folder, "if the militia's represent anything more than 2% of the population in the north, then we are facing any enemy equal to our own size. We have the training, but we are deeply concerned about the popularity of this movement. We are curious if Jizhou is willing and able to commit troops in phases to Sinhai, beginning with a small, expeditionary commitment of 'volunteers' somewhere in the field of five thousand soldiers."

"Yiyuan would be able to step up its commitment on its own terms as its own soldiers in the field reported on the extent of conflict in the north," he slowly began to finish.

 

[Keida]

Dan took the folder, skimmed it and passed it to his cohorts, "Mr. Xiao Guibo's offer would fit this plan. He will go survey the situation with a small contingent of combat troops, while our engineering brigades provide support for your damaged infrastructure. We can then consider escalation based on Mr. Xiao's reports."

"Mr. Xiao is very experienced in dealing with insurgency," Kang added, flipping through the Sinese documents, "He spent most of his career dealing with communist groups in the north."

"With your permission, I'll send this to the National Security Bureau," Dan said, referring to the folder, "They can work on developing secure channels for our intelligence agencies to share information."

 

[Khemia]

"We greatly appreciate the assistance, and will assign Xiao's troops to any location he feels best. Feel free to pass that along to your NSB, but I'm sure I do not need to tell the Jizhou government that Sinhai is not yet prepared to have these details made public."

He twiddled his thumbs, wondering how to tell the Jizhou people that the Sinhai Union actually had no interest in repairing the north's infrastructure, and the south was mostly untouched. He considered it for a moment, trying to not insult his counterparts. "For now, I'm sure it would be best if we simply accepted combat troops, and any logistics personnel required to keep them in the field. We're not interested in making the Jizhou public unhappy with Sinhai by sending troops who do not have front-line training into areas where they are likely to encounter resistance, and your engineering brigades would be quite exposed in the North. I'm sure they'd be better placed somewhere in Jizhou, one can never be too sure given the Vangalan's sly mind."

The tactic Sinhai would adopt against the rebels was simple. Siege them, starve them, and force them to abandon their ridiculous ideals for more practical matters; like eating.