Midday, March 12, 2011
On streets under martial law for a day, crowds converged from various universities. Among them were men, women, educators, and students. Their action: a procession; their objective: merely demonstration.
Vast banners, diminutive flags, placards detailing governmental transgressions—all instruments of protest. Hundreds merged into thousands, thousands swelled into tens of thousands; the column expanded ceaselessly. They embodied the force of demonstration.
Leading the procession were students from National Taiwan University, chanting slogans while scattering leaflets skyward. The flyers meticulously detailed the government's decision to relocate citizens as human shields. Upon reading, any person of conscience on Earth would feel incensed by the Taiwanese government dragging civilians into warfare. Within a brief half-hour, the marching contingent numbered over forty thousand individuals. Their destination: the Presidential Office Building of Taiwan. However, the vacant Taipei thoroughfares proved arduous to navigate. Midway, the anticipated military presence materialized ahead.
Rows of riot police, fully equipped, formed a human barricade. Behind them, dozens of riot control vehicles stood parked. Witnessing such a formation, everyone understood this day held significance for Taiwan.
The crowd halted, facing the police across a hundred-meter standoff. No words were exchanged; no fear was evident. Both sides awaited a spokesperson.
"I am Joint Forces Commander Wang Jian. What is the purpose of this assembly?" Wang Jian stood atop a vehicle, inquiring authoritatively via loudspeaker.
"We merely seek an explanation!" an ordinary-looking university student emerged from the crowd, speaking calmly.
"Your esteemed surname, sir?" Wang Jian inquired, intrigued by the speaker.
"Surname Sun, given name Yuan, President of the Student Union at National Taiwan University," Sun Yuan spoke eloquently. "We organized this, hoping the government can provide justification for relocating people to peripheral refuge camps."
"The government acted benevolently, intending to avert civilian casualties, hence the relocation order," Wang Jian replied, face impassive, heart untroubled.
"Indeed?" Sun Yuan's expression conveyed disdain. "Then relocation onto the path of the advancing Chinese army was unnecessary, surely? Furthermore, with the periphery now mined, and if barbed wire were erected, how would these refuge camps differ from concentration camps?"
"This touches upon military secrets; I have no comment," Wang Jian skillfully deflected. "However, as pillars of the nation, nurtured at great state expense, you should place complete trust in the state. The government will not lead you down a path of destruction. Do not succumb to the instigation of individuals with ulterior motives and burden the government..."
"Even so, please clear a path. We wish to seek clarification from the President," Sun Yuan knew he would never concede.
"Apologies, the President is currently preoccupied day and night with Taipei's defense; there is no time to receive such a multitude. However, if Student Sun does not object, you may accompany me alone. The President will undoubtedly provide a satisfactory explanation," Wang Jian gestured magnanimously.
"Do you take us for imbeciles!" A young man nearby could bear it no longer. "Accompany you? Would we even return? If I could return, I'd change my surname to yours, Wang—Wang Ba Dan (bastard)!"
Sun Yuan turned towards the crowd; every gaze conveyed "Don't." Yet, he smiled and stepped forward. Before taking two steps, a beautiful woman appeared beside him, pressing his shoulder.
"Your patriotic spirit earned you leadership of this action, not a 'martyrdom for the nation' in this manner," 24 stated with a smile.
"But Teacher..." Sun Yuan explained, "If I don't go, we cannot silence them. For the people of Taipei, I am willing to awaken everyone with my death!"
"Don't portray yourself as a deity," 36 materialized beside him. "Each person possesses but one life; sacrifice extinguishes it. Even if you satisfy the people, have you considered your parents? Step down; your task is complete. Entrust it to us now."
Sun Yuan stood dumbfounded by the child's words.
"Finally, we meet!" Wang Jian gripped the microphone tightly, speaking through gritted teeth.
"Do you recognize us?" 36 asked curiously.
"Everyone, these are Chinese spies who infiltrated the city two days prior, specifically to undermine our national unity! Do not heed their provocations!" Wang Jian declared with righteous indignation.
"Bah..." An elderly man in traditional training attire stepped forward. "What Chinese spies? You are the ones destroying national unity! We are all Chinese, descendants of Chinese blood! Consider the past; without the Communist Party's resistance against Japan, we would be enslaved. Yet you, instead of supporting, attacked your own countrymen from behind. Past errors belong to past governments; let us not dwell. Now you clamor for statehood? Tell them, everyone, which nation do we belong to?" The old man's resonant voice penetrated every ear, embedding itself in every heart.
Silence reigned for three seconds, then the marching crowd roared in unison...
"Chinese!"
"We are—Chinese! Chinese! Chinese!"
This cry, awaited for over sixty years, reverberated through the heavens, seemingly audible in every corner of the globe. Even the policemen's hearts echoed the shout.
Wang Jian's legs trembled—from rage, and also fear...
"What are you all standing frozen for? Arrest the spies immediately! Anyone obstructing arrest commits treason—strike them! Sun Yuan and that old man colluded with spies; arrest them too. Whoever cuffs them receives a one million US dollar reward, with family immigration to America!" Wang Jian spoke into the microphone. "Better to be a wealthy American than a nobody Chinese. Even if branded criminals today, who will know tomorrow in America? Newspapers have ceased publication; foreign journalists are confined to hotels. Brothers, advance!"
Indeed, Wang Jian's words extinguished the patriotic spark in many hearts. Now, they were merely a group striving for wealth and a comfortable life—criminals.
"Master Zhou," 36 smiled at the old man, "It is time for your performance."
"Everyone, step forth!" the old man called out.
From the crowd emerged burly men clad in training gear and martial arts attire. The instructor who previously clashed with 36 was among them. At a glance, their numbers exceeded one thousand.
"Lad," the instructor approached 36, chuckling. "Had I known assistance was needed for this cause, I wouldn't have fought you. Any Chinese would contribute freely!"
"Though sparring with him was quite delightful! Haha," the old man patted 36's head appreciatively.
"Cease the chatter; they are approaching," 36 brushed the large hand from his head.
"Charge!" The old man surged forward first, everyone following suit.
Though the street was newly paved, it barely accommodated a hundred running abreast. When police wielding batons and shields collided with over a thousand martial arts experts, the scene resembled a spectacular ancient battlefield melee.
The two sides fought inextricably, combatants clashing everywhere. Individuals fell continuously, yet those standing immediately engaged new opponents.
Each person fought desperately for their convictions.
"24, have we perhaps exploited them?" 36 asked pensively, surveying the scene.
"If patriotism constitutes bait, then yes, we have exploited them..." 24 glanced towards a building rooftop. 1 waved, acknowledging her presence, his other hand holding a V8 camera, recording.
Gradually, some police broke through the throng, charging towards 24 and 36, wounded. Capturing them wasn't essential; merely handcuffing them would suffice.
"May I engage?" 36 exhaled lightly.
"Thirty-five," 24 counted the number.
"Excellent. I shall handle thirty, leaving five for you," 36 grinned, walking forward.
"Cease jesting. What business does a child have in brawling?" 24 matched his stride.
"I am considerate of you. You are currently the beautiful teacher in these students' eyes. Is revealing your violent side advisable?" 36 cracked his knuckles.
"Words are futile. Capability determines the tally," 24 ripped the slit on her white-collar skirt further.
"Don't move! You are under arrest!" The lead policeman rushed eagerly towards 36.
"Only an idiot stands still for capture!" 36 effortlessly leaped, executing a fluid spinning side kick. The policeman raised his shield to block. 36 scoffed; shield and policeman were sent flying four meters, unconscious. The others, recovering from surprise, swarmed 36.
On 24's side, the police uncles were gentler. Seeing 24's fully exposed thigh, they were momentarily speechless.
"Wish to see?" 24 smiled, lifting her skirt hem slightly. The policeman before her nodded involuntarily.
"Don't blink; you have but one chance," 24 delivered a spinning kick almost too fast to perceive, striking his head squarely. The policeman lay unconscious on the ground, bewildered. Evidently, he saw nothing.
The crowd behind stood stunned. A child and a beauty faced over thirty policemen, felling them one punch at a time. The student who had cursed earlier muttered, "Damn it, should've practiced martial arts instead of studying as a child. Truly awesome..."
In roughly three minutes, all policemen lay grounded, some foaming at the mouth.
"I only downed eighteen," 36 grumbled.
"Unavoidable. This signifies prowess!" 24 smiled triumphantly.
"Unfair! You fought with exposed thighs; they all ran towards you."
"No excuses. Defeat is defeat," 36 returned to the crowd disgruntled.
Meanwhile, the massive brawl involving thousands continued.
Wang Jian watched the escalating chaos with extreme anxiety. Just as he intended to notify his troops for reinforcements, his phone rang.
"How the hell did you manage the blockade? Turn on the television!" Chen Bian bellowed furiously.
Berated, Wang Jian grew even more perplexed. Returning to his vehicle, he switched on the TV and froze. Every channel broadcasted live footage of police and citizens brawling.
Into the receiver, Wang Jian stammered, "Mr. President, I genuinely blockaded all media outlets, I..."
"Enough, enough! Withdraw the troops first!" Chen Bian's tone betrayed helplessness.
Wang Jian terminated the call, ascended the vehicle roof once more, raised the microphone, and reluctantly commanded, "Retreat!"