[War] China: "Red Star Rising"

[Chazenesq2b at aol.com]

"Red Star Rising"

President Xia Hong
People's Republic of China
=================================================

(Today)

Sometimes one was a windshield, and sometimes one was a bug.  President Hong 
was, for the moment, most assuredly the windshield.  The bug, if the analogy 
were to be completed, would probably have to have been China's previous 
leadership.  Bug... how ironic, especially given the way things unfolded.

At the age of forty-five, Xia was still relatively young, and that fact, 
combined with the exotic attractiveness of her mixed Sino-American heritage, 
didn't hurt things when it came to decide how to deal with the latest crisis being 
faced by the Chinese government.  Times were changing, and for all it's 
explosive growth, a hitherto unbidden desire still fueled the Chinese people.  They 
wanted more, more prestige, more power, and more independence.  She was by no 
means deaf to their cries... though the 'growing pains' as she called them had 
to be managed carefully if the Chinese government were to remain in tact.  

The sun was still low in the sky, just barely having chased the moon from 
it's perch with the stars as she sat up in bed.  Her husband Wen still lay 
asleep... she smiled brightly.  North Korea could start World War Three and he'd 
still be sleeping soundly, albeit in a bomb shelter.  Watching the golden glow of 
morning light play over his features, her mind drifted to the bizarre, and 
certainly unexpected level of events that lead to her ascension as President of 
one of the most powerful countries in the world.

(February 3rd, 2006)

It was just another normal day in the Hong household when the phone rang.  
Part of China's newly minted wealthy class, Xia had few concerns in life... 
excepting one.  Her father, General Li Zhao was an older man, and even though he 
was a celebrated member of the Chinese government, and a shining example to the 
Chinese people, he was none the less aging.  It wouldn't be long, if his life 
continued at this pace, before she would be left with the arduous task of 
pleading with him to rest.  Not that she expected much success on that front... 
her mother went to her grave never having successfully nagged him away from the 
military.  For him, the military was a form of life, and without it he 
wouldn't actually be living.  This in of itself was a peculiarity... an old Chinese 
addage saying one never made a soldier out of a good man.  Naturally, like any 
good daughter, she never considered her father anything but a good man... but 
that was all elements that needn't be discussed here.

The phone rang.  Xia was grateful that the Politburo Standing Committee's 
meeting wasn't until the day after next.  If answering the phone was the worst 
she had to do today, it was going to be an awesome day.

"Hello?"

"Hello my daughter, so kind of you to 'finally' pick up."

There was an edge in her father's voice that was razor sharp, and edging on 
excitement.  Something was most definitely up, and it was obvious he was barely 
containing it.

"Father, it's wonderful to hear from you.  You sound excited?"

"Have you been watching the news?"

"I've been resting.  Your grandson is a handful."

Snickering, but only for a second, the man's voice returned with it's sense 
of urgency.  "Turn it on!"

"Fine fine, one moment."  Holding the phone against her shoulder so he 
couldn't hear the mild utterances of annoyance escaping her lips, she finally hit 
the remote button to turn on the Chinese News Service, also know as Xinhua's 
broadcast.

There was a young, professional looking man, clean cut with typically Chinese 
features staring back at her through the miracle of the teleprompter.  He 
spoke with a barely controled tone, obviously becoming himself engrossed in the 
story that he was supposed to be telling.

"Again, Xinhua is following this breaking story for you.  President Hu 
Jintao, seen here at last week's Beijing Community Circus monitoring a flock of 
chickens trained to perform a dance known as the conga line, has taken ill with 
what is believed to be a particularly virulent form of the Avian Flu.  Although 
there is no word of his condition as of yet, Vice President Zeng Qinghong has 
been formally installed as the new President.  Citizens are urged to remain 
calm during this orderly transition of power, while government authorities have 
been given orders to maintain the peace.  Senior officials..."

Xia's mouth nearly hit the floor.  Jintao was a young man, strong, vibrant, 
incredibly smart... certainly something as... as... well, 'idiotic' as a bird 
flu couldn't bring him down.

"Are you watching?"

"Yes father, I'm watching.  I can't believe it, but I'm watching."

"President Jintao saw me a few hours ago."

That was strange, and she couldn't help but allow her voice to mouth the 
thought that entered her mind.  "Why would he do such a thing?"

"Is your line secure?"

As a member of the Politburo's Standing Committee, Xia was afforded the 
luxury of a secured phone line.  It was deemed necessary... after all little was 
known outside the committee about how it operated, even how they came to their 
decisions was mired in secrecy.  Quickly she switched over to the secured 
system.  "It is now."

"He made me Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and he appointed Li 
as Chairman of the CPC."  (Communist Party of China)

Li Hadao was a very close family friend... so close in fact that as a little 
girl Xia took to calling him uncle Li as he was constantly by his father's 
side.  They had gone through military training together, served together, and 
held similar ranks up until Hadao decided a political career was best for him.  
Xia, a former Political Commissar herself with the PLA, could already see where 
this was going.  

"What does Jintao fear that he's made such moves?"

Her father took a breath as he began explaining.  "Rumor is that his illness 
was no accident.  One of the chickens were planted, he believes either with 
the knowledge, or direct support of Qinghong and the Primers.  As a result he's 
trying to spread the Presidential powers out as much as possible, with Li in 
charge of the Party it guarantees an avenue for his allies to protect the 
beuracracy he's instituted, which in turn makes it possible for internal 
investigations to be carried out."

And there it was, a political fail safe.  The governmental version of 
mutually assured destruction... Jintao gets taken out of the picture, in turn he 
takes out the most likely suspects.  In short, things were about to get 'very' 
interesting in China, and the ironic thing is, as powerful as China was, the 
world would probably never know.

(April 20th, 2006)

As Secretary of Legislative Affairs, Xia had a unique prospective on the 
blood letting that had been going on for almost two months now.  Jintao was still 
hospitalized, his condition unknown... though given the fact his wife 
continuously visited the hospital, it seemed obvious to Xia that he wasn't dead.  In 
fact, she wouldn't be surprised if he, working in concert with his allies, had 
something to do with the announcement about to be made by Procurator General 
Jia Chunwang.  She sat on the edge of her seat as the rigid, older man took his 
spot at the podium, all cameras and a variety of news outlets focussed on 
this otherwise little known official.

"Good noon my fellow citizens.  Under the direction of certain members of the 
current government, and with pre-existing orders from former President 
Jintao, this office has begun formal investigations into several reported 
circumstances of government corruption.  I am not able to say at this time what specific 
charges have been levied as the investigation is ongoing, however high level 
members of the government have been implicated.  This office will perform it's 
obligations in a timely and efficient manner, and will see that justice is 
done for the people on all levels.  All charges that can be proven 
satisfactorily will be pursued to the utmost the law allows.  Thank you."

Just as quickly as it had started it was over.  Nothing more than a 
paragraph, but in it, especially for the politically connected, was strength enough to 
make the world quiver.  The blood letting probably just got bumped up another 
notch.

The phone rang... again.

It was the secured line... again.

"Hello."

"Misses Hong?  There has been an emergency meeting of the Standing Committee 
called for two hours from now.  A driver has been dispatched for you."

It was one of the many administrative aides the Committee had.  An emergency 
meeting... things definitely weren't good.  She really hadn't the wherewithall 
to argue against being dragged from her house either.  "Very well, thank 
you."  Hanging up the phone she ran for the bedroom.  She had a suit to change 
into after all, and another blood bath to visit.

(June 30th, 2006)

She couldn't believe it... which had been happening often the past few 
months, but right now she 'really' couldn't believe it.  As she listened over phone 
to the latest briefing, Zeng Qinghong, the rather figure-headish President, 
Wen Jiabao, the Premier, and his Vice Premier Huang Ju were all being brought up 
on charges of conspiracy, an often used and abused method of dealing with 
political adversaries in closed nations, as well as other corruption charges 
relating to a large number of deals made with private contractors and even 
government agencies.  Rumor had it that almost $1 Billion USD was involved between 
the three and some lesser officials.  In short, the Standing Committee, and just 
about every other Government organization in China, was in chaos.  
Politicians were naturally moving as quickly as they could to isolate themselves from 
the fiery breath of Jintao's wrath... it seemed even from the hospital bed he 
was a force to be wreckoned with.  Fortunately, she wasn't in his scope.

This time it wasn't the phone that rang, but the doorbell.  It was a shame, 
being frightened in one's own home.  For all she knew, it was the police 
seeking to arrest her next.  She hesitated in answering the door... the realization 
that she was far too low on the totem pole, and having been scrupulous in her 
career hitting her in full force.  No, they wouldn't come for her.

When she opened the door she found her father and Li Hadao standing on the 
other side... and no police officers.  She could have sworn it was a mirage, her 
smile brightning considerably upon recognizing their faces.  "Father!  Uncle 
Li!"  Overjoyed, she embraced each man in turn, much like she used to do as a 
child.  The elder men laughed as proud parents often did, her father 
understandably getting the first words in.

"Where's your husband?"

"Wen is at work, naturally.  Come, sit... I'll get us some tea."

Approvingly the men nodded their consent, making themselves at home in the 
rather sizable kitchen of the Hong estate.  Good to her word, Xia returned in 
short order with a complete tea set, green being the flavor of the day.  Pouring 
a good amount into each cup, she finally took a seat adjacent to her two 
guests.  "I am surprised to see you both, especially with the chaos of the 
investigations ongoing."

"That is actually what we've come to talk to you about, Xia."  Li gave a 
disarming smile, already seeing the poor woman tense up.  "No, you're not in 
trouble, we've actually come because there is going to be need for new leadership 
in China.  By the time the trials are over, Jintao will likely retire from 
politics for at least the forseeable future.  The disease has left him weak, and 
the politics have made him decide he'd rather return home."

"I will support whoever the party selects to succeed him ofcourse."  Xia 
blinked, they had to have known that already, why would they come all this way to 
simply check on her loyalties?

"I am glad to hear that."  her father grinned.  "Because the party will 
choose you."

Her cup fell straight from her hand onto the table, rolling over and 
shattering on the floor, in the process drenching her lap and the tiles in steaming 
green tea.  None of this actually mattered at the moment, however.  "The party 
will 'what'?"

Li laughed, in the grandfatherly, satisfied way that seemed universal among 
old men.  "I have quite a bit of support within the Party at all levels, but 
your father and I were selected as care takers until someone more palatable to 
Jintao could be located.  It took some convincing, given you are a woman..." in 
China, political correctness only mattered when dealing with foreigners.  
"... but he is well aware that you've been a guiding force in China's recent 
reforms, and in trying to keep the Communist party the dominant force as the 
government experiments with greater political freedom.  Both of which are important 
aspects to whoever succeeds him.  And he is of the belief that his interests 
would be furthered with you as President, as opposed to selecting someone who 
might be tainted by either the hardliners, or the corrupted."

Her father chimed in once more.  It was funny if one stopped to think about 
it, having two Li's side by side.  But with her mind racing a mile a second, 
stopping to think about names wasn't high on Xia's list.  "This is what will 
happen Xia.  The NPC (National People's Congress) will elect you President 
following the support of the party structure and the Politburo.  Once you are 
President, I will step down as Chairman of the Military Committee, that office will 
then fall to you, and about a month later uncle Li will step down as Chairman 
of the Party, that office will also fall to you, consolidating the power of 
the presidency in your hands."

"Now..." Uncle Li picked up.  "There will be a lot of work to do in terms of 
stabilizing the government once again.  We will advice you on how to do that, 
and Jintao has his own he would like placed well.  You shouldn't have any 
trouble working with them as on most things you are alike in mind."

"Ofcourse."  That was all part in partial to politics, Xia knew that much.  
Jintao wanted to make sure he had a hand in things still, and as the two of 
them were very similar in many ways, pushing for greater reform, it wasn't likely 
that it would cause much interference.  Besides, it was all more than just a 
little sudden.  At one point she was pretty much the lowest of the top, and 
now they wanted to elevate her to the top of the top.  One could have sworn 
things like this only happened in cheesy political novels.

"Good.  You should know, according to my contacts, that the investigations 
will continue, but the obstacles in your way will be convicted on July tenth.  
You must be prepared to take power a week later."

Xia blinked, her eyes still fixed on her father.  How the hell was she 
supposed to explain this to Wen?  To the man that she loved, who she gave a son, 
that such a drastic and sudden change needed to be made?  But then again, exactly 
how did she deny her country?  Her people?  They were calling... they needed 
her.  Holy hell, why did life need to be so complicated?

(Later that day)

Wen Hong entered his comfortable, boardering on lavish house after what was 
one hell of a day at the Huaxia Bank, one of China's largest banks and 
financial enterprises.  The tense day of constant auditing was a night compared to the 
day of returning home.

And home was even more comfortable today than it was normally.

Before her American born mother died, she had passed onto Xia a number of the 
infamous femanine secrets to winning arguments.  A lot of which literally 
happened well before the argument even started.  Point in case... Wen's favorite 
dish, at least his favorite foreign dish, pasta in meat sauce, was waiting for 
him when he arrived.  The table was immaculately set up, cloth, candles, 
place settings and all.  

And naturally, the atmosphere wouldn't truly be set up without one beautiful 
woman in a slinky, flattering black dress.

His first thought was that he missed something, and his mind quickly ran 
through the possibilities.  Anniversary?  No, that wasn't until August.  Birthday? 
 Not his or hers...  Holiday?  In China?  Yeah right... good news?  Nah, she 
would've ambushed him at the door then... in short he was perplexed, even as 
his smile couldn't have been broader.  "What is the reason of this?"

"I'm not allowed to entertain my husband in a manner befitting him?"  Xia 
quirked an eyebrow as she stepped forward, those exotically bright blue eyes 
locking onto Wen's.  Her hands, with practiced efficiency slid his suit jacket 
off, lingering lustfully over his chest for a moment longer than absolutely 
necessary.  "Sit, relax, enjoy."

Who exactly would argue with that?  Who 'could' argue with that?  Wen made 
his way over to the table... and when he gazed upon what dinner would be it was 
obvious 'something' was up.  "Is there something you aren't telling me, my 
dear?"

Damn, she must have used this particular method one too many times.  "Well, 
there is something I wanted to discuss with you."  She left his jacket on a 
coat rack, making her way with purposeful provocativeness back to the table, 
sliding into her seat.  Slipping her foot out of her heel, she ran it teasingly 
over his lower leg.  "I spoke to my father today."

"Oh?"  The lump in Wen's throat practically obstructed the word, making it 
more of a muffled sound than an actual word.

"Mm-hmm."  Well, if nothing else, Xia was confident she had his attention.  
Her movements to serve the food were slow and deliberately deliberate in an 
effort to buy time for the words to form in her mind.  "The discussion was 
centered on President Jintao and a few recent political events."

"Some President who falls ill after watching a Chicken conga line at a flea 
market."  Wen chuckled to himself, already chewing on a forkful of pasta.

Xia let that comment slide.  It was her husband after all, and she wasn't 
about to raise a gigantic fuss when there was something she wanted involved.  
Besides, now was time to stop beating around the bush, she figured he was about 
as softened up as he was going to get... well, at least while they were 
sitting.  No, that wasn't inuendo at all.  Time to just go for it... "They want me to 
be President."

Wen was always as polite as anyone could possibly be, and would never spit 
out his food.  He came damned close to doing exactly that, however, when Xia had 
spoken.  Stiffling a cough until he could swallow, Wen finally looked up 
inquisitively.  "But you're a wom..."

That earned him a stare.

Wen, ever the savvy negotiator, decided a tactical retreat was in order.  
"It's just very soon... and we're certainly not hurting for money.  You're 
already an important aspect of the Chinese Government, and with all the scandals 
errupting..."

"That's exactly why I must do this."  She reached for his hands, clasping 
them with urgency in hopes of conveying her thoughts.  "Someone must guide the 
party, and the country, through these times.  Someone has to make sure the 
reforms and the successes we've had continues on.  Jintao has placed his faith in 
me... how am I to refuse him?"

The look in those eyes could sway just about anyone, Wen was certain.  "It 
would mean... drastic changes."

"Changes we will face together."  Xia's lips parted into a more open smile.  
"If you will stand with me?"  The squeeze she applied to his hands was 
designed to coax him into agreement, the hope being that if she played things 'just' 
right, maybe he would realize just how important it was that she accepted this 
offer.  What patriotic Chinese citizen could he claim to be if he failed to 
back the future leader of the country now?

(July 17th, 2006)

Unlike every other nation on Earth that she was aware of, China didn't have a 
'set' Presidential Residence.  As such, Xia was quite content to remain in 
their current home, periodically emerging to execute her duties as required.  
However it was a problem she intended on rectifying as quickly as possible... 
there was no reason for the paranoid secrecy that seemed to dominate Chinese 
national politics, and it was about 'damned' time that her country, an emerging 
super power, had a proper capitol.

That was the primary thought in the back of her head as she repeated the 
traditional oath of office, Xinhua having several dozen reporters on hand to cover 
this historical event... a woman, a half-breed at that, becoming President of 
one of the most powerful nations on the face of the Earth, and one where 
sexism was still a rampant and accepted social force.  It was kind of ironic 
really... that such things could happen.  When barriers were broken it seemed, they 
weren't just broken, but utterly shattered.

Xia had won the vote in the People's National Congress, albeit by a 
comparatively low margin of only 2,500 votes... with some so steeped in tradition as to 
vote against her.  Fortunately, the vast majority of those who didn't vote 
yes, opted not to vote.  Rumor had it that the deft political hand of Jintao 
reached well beyond his hospital bed even now, and as his hand picked 
replacement, few were willing to 'actively' oppose her rise to the office.  Besides, the 
CMC and CPC chairmanships were still solely in the hands of well respected and 
powerful men.  

Man, were those so called 'traditionalists' in for a really nasty surprise in 
fairly short order.  Not that that mattered at the moment, standing in front 
of the National People's Congress, what reall mattered was carrying out her 
duty as was expected of her.  Moments after the oath she would be expecting the 
list of officers to appoint to the vacant positions among the government 
beuracracy, and more importantly the Standing Committee.  It would provide the 
country with a show of strength and unity that had been damaged slightly with the 
political wrangling... and the saddest part was the country as a whole would 
probably never know just 'how' bad it had gotten.

(Today)

Waking from her reverie, Xia realized she was running pretty late for a 
promised briefing with key leaders.  The whole point of which was to further her 
agenda in solidifying the Communist Party's position as the superior party among 
many.  China might not be ready for 'full' democracy just yet, but there was 
a liteny of reforms that could be passed which would lessen the tensity of the 
political noose, and at the same time provide the controls desired by the 
Party.  

Careful not to disturb the still slumbering Wen, she made her way out of the 
bed and headed for the master bathroom that was adjacent.  She had a gown to 
slip out of, and a suit to slip back into after all.
==================================================

(Actions)

1.  Xia Hong selected as President of the People's Republic of China
2.  Chairman of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Military Committee to 
step down in short order and transfer respective powers to the Presidency.
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