"Understood." MacLaine nodded, a trace of agreent flashing in his eyes. This is a soft blade, more effective than hard repression.
"Others, reinforce 'ideological education'." McTavish added, "Organize them to visit xico and see how their army uses high-tech, how the treatnt is. Then look at those cow dung in Delhi. Let them compare for themselves whether to follow a future that can create a 'Phoenix Nest', or return to a past where even sports events are turned into slaughterhouses."
Callum chuckled: "That's a clever move. By the way, Sarah Kent from the English Congress has sent a ssage through the Middleman, hoping to have 'informal exchanges' with you to discuss the experience of 'regional autonomy and people's empowernt'."
McTavish raised an eyebrow: "England's 'Gravedigger' wants to learn from us? Interesting. Can contact, but keep a distance. We support all 'national self-determination', but do not directly intervene in England's internal affairs, that's what xicans like to do. We can provide... 'moral support' and 'theoretical references'. anwhile, casually let her know so of the benefits London promised us. Let her and her followers know that being tough and independent cos with tangible benefits."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the outline of Edinburgh Castle outside. The sunset gilded the ancient stone walls, but flying above the castle was the blue and white cross flag.
"The farce in Delhi accelerated too many things." McTavish slowly said, "The fig leaf of the old world has been completely torn off, exposing not only India's backside but also London's ulcers. Now, everyone sees it clearly."
He turned around and looked at Callum and MacLaine: "Our opportunity has arrived, but it's also the most dangerous ti. London will fight back in more insidious ways. England may beco more chaotic, chaotic enough to affect us. Those neighbors in Europe, watching us getting too close to xico, will also talk. Not a single step can be wrong."
"What about weapons and training?" MacLaine asked, "The batch of equipnt and advisors xico agreed to 'sell on credit'."
"Take it all." McTavish said firmly, "Especially anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, prioritize deploynt along the North Sea coast and major cities. Tell the brothers, good days haven't co yet, the knife must still be held tight. However..."
He rarely pulled a subtle, almost invisible smile at the corner of his mouth:
"The hand holding the knife can relax a bit now. Because from now on, we not only have a knife, but also... a castle of our own. Although still a bit shabby, it can finally shelter us from wind and rain, allowing us to slowly forge a sharper sword."
On the sa day, in England, Birmingham, in a community church basent
This place feels less like a power center, more like the busy headquarters of a grassroots NGO. The air is filled with the scent of old books, coffee, and cheap printer toner. The walls are covered with hand-drawn community maps, lists of needs, event schedules, and that famous 'Charter' poster.
Sarah Kent rubbed her red eyes; she had just held a eting with several worker representatives from Liverpool, discussing how to respond to a local factory's sudden announcent of moving to Wales, causing a crisis of unemploynt. On the table laid a half-eaten sandwich and cold tea.
"Sarah, there's feedback from London."
Hydra's Allen walked in, with a restrained excitent on his face, "Crabben, the Foreign Minister, wants to secretly et you. The location can be set by us, as soon as possible."
The other core mbers in the basent, old miners' union leader Tom, university lecturer David, nurse colleague Liz looked over, with various expressions.
"Finally can't sit still."
Tom snorted, his tone complex, with both pride and caution, "The Delhi incident peeled off their last layer of skin. Now they're afraid the fire will spread to Downing Street?"
"et them?" Liz asked, more practical, "If we et, what do we say? They certainly want to divide us, buy us off, or delay."
Sarah was silent, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the Charter on the table.
She thought of the scenes she saw at the 'Phoenix Nest' in xico City, such orderly and vigorous confidence; thought of the chaos and death from Delhi, nauseating; thought of the endless crowd in Hyde Park, those tired yet hopeful faces.
She also recalled an encrypted ssage received last night from an 'anonymous friend' in Scotland, briefly ntioning London might soon make significant concessions to Scotland on finance and autonomy, with a note: "Your persistence has payoffs. The key is to make clear, what you demand is not just negotiation, but the reconstruction of national power."
"et."
Sarah finally spoke, her voice a bit hoarse but very firm, "Why not et? Them coming to find us ans we're right, ans the power we hold they have to face. But how to et, where to et, what to say when we et, we decide."
She looked at Allen: "Respond to them, the eting can happen. Location in Birmingham, specific site we decide, notify one hour in advance. Crabben must co alone, no guards, no recording devices. From our side, I'll go, Allen accompanying, plus two ordinary representatives selected by the community—an unemployed auto worker and a single mother. Let the lords in London see whom they're going to talk to."
"And the conditions?" David asked, "What do we negotiate on?"
"No specific terms, no deals." Sarah's gaze turned sharp, "Discuss principles, discuss fraworks. First, must recognize the English Congress as the legitimate representative of the English people's will. Second, must pledge to initiate a truly English Parliant election process decided by national referendum and formulate a written constitution. Third, during the transition period, must suspend all harassnt law enforcent against assemblies and organizers, granting local communities pilot autonomy in dical, education, and social welfare fields."
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