bookbashuk Page 141
Page 141
Today, the GDP of this major Western power is 4.985 trillion yuan, while Japan's is 5.068 trillion yuan.
When this number was announced, all the top students at the University of Tokyo fell silent.
They all know that Japan's economic situation is terrible, but they still cling to the dream of being the "second largest economy in the world." As for their Western neighbors, most Japanese people still look down on them and don't even bother to learn about them.
But when this concrete figure was revealed, everyone fell silent.
Everything can lie to you, but there's one thing that won't: math.
Faced with these stark figures, those who still cling to the dream of Japan becoming an economic superpower cannot help but feel a sting.
They seemed to have suffered a heavy blow from reality.
Sitting next to Kirito, Wang Anzhi looked at the mournful expressions of everyone around him. As the only Chinese person there, he couldn't help but feel a rare sense of satisfaction.
In fact, he was perfectly aware that not only in the first ten years, but also in the next ten years, the Western powers in Japan's eyes would maintain this number that was enough to hurt the pride of their people.
Japan itself remains in a state of semi-living.
This situation was actually predictable for insightful people in Japan, and this sense of powerlessness was heartbreaking for all of them.
And this is precisely the soil from which the revolution arose.
All it takes is a tiny spark.
Just as Wang Anzhi was pondering, Yukio Hatoyama made an even more significant statement.
"We can be absolutely certain that this year, our neighbor's economy will completely surpass ours."
This is very sad news, but we must learn to accept it.
At this moment, Jiu Demai looked at Wang Anzhi and whispered in his ear:
"Young boss, aren't you feeling quite smug?"
Of course.
Wang Anzhi almost blurted it out, but he maintained a grief-stricken expression.
“How could that be, Mai? No one is more heartbroken than me. I came here not to destroy this country, but to save it.”
We are separated only by a strip of water. What General MacArthur did here back then is what I will be doing here in the future.
He looked at Jiu De Mai with genuine sincerity, "I think you can be as grateful to me as you are to General Mai."
"So, am I Setsuko Hara?" Mai Shutoku said irritably.
(Note: Setsuko Hara was a mistress offered to MacArthur by the Japanese government after World War II in exchange for postwar benefits.)
Wang Anzhi glanced awkwardly at the Uesugi family head beside him, who had an innocent look in his eyes, and then at Shude Mai.
The female ninja understood his meaning instantly, and her face darkened completely.
She actually lost to this little girl who hasn't even grown her first hair yet?
Before Mai could speak, the young Uesugi family head placed the note she had just written in front of Wang Anzhi.
"Is our country sick?"
Erii Uesugi tilted her head, looking completely bewildered.
She didn't yet understand what the word "Japan" meant to her. It might be a name for a region, like the Land of Light, the Land of Fire, or the Seireitei, or it might be something else entirely.
In short, Erii, who had never attended school, was completely unfamiliar with this.
Meanwhile, Yukio Hatoyama's speech on stage continued.
"Based on the concept of friendship, another national goal has emerged: to establish an East Asian community. Of course, the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty will remain the cornerstone of Japan's foreign policy."
But at the same time, we must remember Japan's identity as an Asian nation. I believe that the increasingly vibrant East Asia must be seen as the foundation of Japan's existence.
Therefore, we must continue our efforts to establish a cooperation framework in this region to achieve stable economic cooperation and regional security.
On the stage, Yukio Hatoyama eloquently preached his political ideas to the group of heirs of Japan below.
Looking at Erii's innocent, almost foolish eyes from below the stage, Wang Anzhi gently patted her head and decided that he must find an opportunity to fill the gap in Erii's education.
He nodded to the puzzled Erii and said softly:
“Yes, this country is sick, sick for so long that people are unaware of it. In fact, they have become accustomed to the coexistence of germs and even claim it is their tradition.”
"And this is my mission here: to liberate this country, all they have to lose are their chains..."
Upon hearing this, Mai looked at Erii, whose eyes were sparkling, and couldn't help but purse her lips.
Erii simply took out her paper and pen and placed them in front of Wang Anzhi, who hadn't finished speaking. There were only four words on them.
【I trust you】
Chapter 222 Fireside Chat
"Tea or coffee?"
Yukio Hatoyama looked at the man in front of him, took out two cups from in front of him, and then placed them between the two of them.
“Tea is fine,” Wang Anzhi replied softly.
Yukio Hatoyama nodded, poured tea into his cup, and then asked:
"Mr. Wang, why do you want to see me? As you can see, I've been very busy these days, giving a speech every day."
Yukio Hatoyama frankly stated.
Wang Anzhi took the warm teacup, and the rising steam blurred his vision for a moment.
He gently blew a breath, then looked up at the prime ministerial candidate who was about to stand at the pinnacle of power, yet was still running around and appealing for his support.
“It was because of your speech, Mr. Hatoyama,” Wang Anzhi said in a calm and clear voice, “that I heard you mention the concept of the ‘East Asian Community’ many times, and the necessity for Japan to face up to its close ties with its neighbors, especially with the Eastern market. To me, this was like a rare voice of clarity amidst the noise.”
Yukio Hatoyama sighed softly, his smile tinged with weariness and helplessness.
“Sobriety sometimes means loneliness, Mr. Wang. You know, in this country, many people are still immersed in the glory of the past, or would rather close their eyes than see the elephant in the room—that huge economic reality that we cannot avoid.”
He picked up his coffee but didn't drink it; he just watched the dark liquid sway slightly.
"The postwar economic miracle once led us to believe that we could always turn to the West, but the 'lost two decades,' or even three decades, are like an indelible frost covering the entire society. Deindustrialization, low birth rate and aging population, mountains of debt... No matter how brightly the neon lights of Tokyo flash, they cannot illuminate the desolation of the local towns."
Where is the market? Where will the future growth momentum come from?
He paused, then looked sharply at Wang Anzhi. "The answer lies in our West, in your own country."
This is reality, a cold and undeniable reality.
As he spoke, Yukio Hatoyama sighed. In Japan, he and his family were considered "pro-China."
However, this is only a rough classification. In fact, he was just someone who wanted Japan to be more independent and autonomous.
To achieve this, it is necessary to choose that major Western power.
He shook his head, as if lamenting the fate of his country, and continued earnestly:
“Dependence may be a word that is difficult for some people to accept emotionally, but ‘interdependence’ and ‘deep integration’ are the path we must take to survive.”
He understood the man before him. He presented himself as a representative of Xiangyang Automobile Co., Ltd., a leading state-owned enterprise in that major Western country, and could represent the thoughts of a segment of its employees.
“A very pragmatic judgment.” Wang Anzhi nodded in agreement, then subtly changed the subject, as if a teaspoon were lightly tapping against the rim of a cup.
“Mr. Hatoyama, as far as I know, you are very likely to become the next prime minister.”
Yukio Hatoyama remained calm, saying lightly, "I'm still quite a distance from that position, and besides..."
He gave a wry smile. The hardest thing was never being prime minister; his grandfather and father had both had that experience. The hardest thing was always changing the country.
However, he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he looked at Wang Anzhi with a hint of curiosity in his eyes, wondering why he would get involved in this election: "Excuse me for being frank, Mr. Wang, what is the purpose of your invitation to me here today?"
Wang Anzhi smiled and said, "Mr. Hatoyama, are you familiar with your Japanese mythology?"
Yukio Hatoyama frowned, a faint silver glint appearing in his pupils, which made Wang Anzhi feel a chill.
"I've heard of it, and I've read the Kojiki."
"So, Mr. Hatoyama, do you think this book is authentic?"
Wang Anzhi looked at him, while Yukio Hatoyama remained calm. "I wonder what exactly you want to say, Mr. Wang?"
"According to legend, Emperor Jimmu was a descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and possessed supreme authority. He led an eastward expedition from Kyushu, thus establishing ancient Japan."
In the story of "Jimmu's Eastern Expedition" in the Nihon Shoki, when Emperor Jimmu's army was in trouble in the Kumano region, Takamatsu no Mikoto sent Yatagarasu to guide them and bestowed upon them a "Kiri-rei no Ken" (a sword with a clamor of sound).
This sword itself possessed divine power. More importantly, in the subsequent battle against the local powerful clans, the "Brother Cunning" and the "Younger Brother Cunning," Emperor Jimmu used an "arrow bestowed by the gods" to kill the enemy.
This arrow was no ordinary shot; it was a fatal strike imbued with divine blessing, demonstrating the legitimacy of the "conquest on behalf of Heaven."
Wang Anzhi looked at Yukio Hatoyama, whose expression remained unchanged, and asked, "Mr. Hatoyama, do you think this account is true?"
Yukio Hatoyama said slowly, "It is true, though perhaps a little exaggerated."
In Japan, the reverence for the Emperor can be considered a habit; when everyone is used to having something around them or above them, they will not leave it.
Although there are still voices calling for the abolition of the emperor and a complete transition to modern society in Japan, these voices are not the mainstream.
The reason is simple: the emperor has become a figurehead, and it would be easy to depose him. But what about the "Hanyu" (a term referring to the imperial family or nobility) who initially gained power because of the emperor and still hold power today?
Should we all be removed from office?
Japan will never have another General MacArthur; once lost, it is often irretrievable.
Yukio Hatoyama was also a member of the "Chinese class" and a politician, so it was difficult for him to say anything in this regard.
Wang Anzhi nodded. "Then, what if I told you that all of this is an absolutely true record?"
"Really?"
Yukio Hatoyama looked at Wang Anzhi, as if he had figured something out, and said thoughtfully, "So, Mr. Wang, you come from the deep society."
The "deep society" that Yukio Hatoyama refers to is not the deep government or the Freemasons, although the Secret Party in this world almost perfectly fits the Freemasonry conspiracy theory.
The "deep society" he refers to is a mixed-race society, a society that exists independently of and parallels human society.
They have their own social circles, rely on independent websites, and exist independently of humanity.
However, for a political family like Yukio Hatoyama's, the existence of a mixed-race society was also very clear.
He looked at Wang Anzhi and asked curiously, "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Wang, you must be from a legitimate family! But I've heard that mixed-race families in China have always been closed off. I wonder what brings you here this time?"
Wang Anzhi shook his head, looking at Yukio Hatoyama with pity, his tone heavy: