Lena straightened her shirt. “Natesh, we all have to do things that we don’t want to do sometimes.”
“I understand.”
“Natesh, I tell you what. Let me speak with some people. Maybe even to Mr. Jinshan. I know that there is a place for you, as long as you are still with us. Perhaps that place is a bit removed from the less tasteful aspects of our work. Hmm?”
He nodded. “Thank you, Lena. I’m sorry for asking, but thank you.”
7
Cheng Jinshan began in a soft voice. “Gentlemen, I welcome you each here. We are about to embark on a great journey, and I hope that you will keep an open mind — and a strong conscience.” The flat-screen monitor behind him showed a series of charts.
“This is classified data. Here you will find the most accurate economic indicators of our nation’s likely future. You will not see these numbers in our newspapers or hear about them in your political meetings. These reports were commissioned anonymously by one of my private firms. There is no bias or fear of repercussion built into these numbers. These numbers, gentlemen, are as close to the truth as we can get. And our esteemed General Secretary of the Communist Party of China does not wish for you to see it.”
Jinshan paused and saw both politicians frown as they processed the information. The numbers showed very sharp declines in Chinese production and GDP. The charts also slowed very sharp rises in inflation and national debt.
China was changing. As money flowed into the country, a huge middle class was rising up in financial prosperity. This phenomenon detracted from what had once been China’s greatest advantage — an endless source of cheap labor. With the increased economic prosperity came an increase in life expectancy. Government-subsidized benefits were getting more expensive.
The people needed more.
But once the poor switched from low-cost rice-based diets to more expensive poultry-based diets, they could not realistically be asked to switch back.
China was getting what it wanted — wealth — but with that came the problems of a wealthier nation. Cheng Jinshan had seen the writing on the wall. With an economic downturn and a populace that wanted a better life, the communist system was in danger. And unhappy citizens didn’t bode well for the political lifespan of the Central Committee members here today.
A new slide came onto the screen. It showed American debt, and the percentage of ownership by each nation around the world. China was at the top of the list — by a lot.
This was not news to anyone. There was a very large trade imbalance with the US in China’s favor. China was thus flush with cash and had been buying up US treasuries at a furious pace. It was the safest place to put their money when the markets got jittery. And it gave them a strategic edge in the economic cold war with the world’s only other superpower.
“Our country has purchased an exceptional portion of US debt throughout the last decade. We have been saving up for a rainy day. Now if you look at this”—the slide changed to show US and European economic indicators and their projected impact on the value of American bonds over the next decade—“you can see that this rainy day is coming soon. In the free market system, the saying is ‘buy low, sell high’—well, it may be time to sell.”
The first politician spoke up. “Mr. Jinshan, we appreciate your information and advice, as always. These numbers are disturbing to say the least. This is something that our parliament must discuss and take action on soon. But I was under the impression that we were here to discuss your… personal situation.”
“We will get to that, my friend.”
The second politician said, “I notice that General Chen has joined us. I suspect that there is another reason for showing us these economic numbers. Perhaps this reason will explain why our esteemed military representative is present?”
“Yes, you are correct,” Jinshan said, looking briefly towards Chen. The next slide showed a comparison of projected Chinese and American military capabilities every five years for the next three decades. Jinshan said, “Defense forecasts are hard to predict with certainty. National militaries are subject to national budgets. When we evaluate these military comparisons between the United States and China, we should do so with the economic forecasts of the previous slides fresh in our memories.”
The first politician said, “Can you explain what you mean by that?”
Jinshan sipped his tea, and his face looked grave. “Over the past two decades, China has been strengthening its military might. We have been closing the military capability gap between us and America. We have built dozens of submarines, stealth jets, military satellites, and…”—he paused for effect—“most importantly, cyberweapons. We hold some advantages today. But I can’t promise that we will hold those advantages in five years. And I can almost guarantee that with our budgetary constraints, we will begin to fall behind our foes in the strength and modernity of our conventional weapons systems.”
A new picture appeared on the screen, illustrating how Internet-based computer attacks could be used against a foreign enemy.
Jinshan continued, “We have reached a new level of sophistication with our cyberweapons technology. The recent cyberattacks on the United States — what they have been referring to as the Blackout Attacks — have greatly reduced their satellite communications ability and completely destroyed their organic GPS satellite network. They are attempting to switch over to European-owned GPS networks, but that is no easy task.”
“And the Americans are calling for our heads on stakes. For one of our heads in particular,” commented one of the politicians.
Jinshan nodded. “I understand your frustration, given the current political climate. But that will be addressed. Please allow me to finish.” There was a hardness to his tone.
The politician held out his hand. “My apologies. Please continue.”
“We have the capability to strike American communications and utilities infrastructure and make the previous cyberattack look minor in comparison. We have implanted software into several key utilities in their country that allow us to disrupt the vast majority of their electrical grids, oil pipelines, and water pumps. Many of the key nodes to these networks cannot be disabled through software alone. So I have emplaced human resources at our disposal, assigned to destroy them if need be. In essence, we can turn off the communications and electrical grids of the United States — a country that is completely dependent on technology.
“Logistical supply lines for food, water, oil, and gas — lines that have become too reliant on technology — would crawl to a standstill. We estimate that their grocery stores would be bare within the first forty-eight hours of our strike. Cold winters and hot summers would turn deadly. The civilian population within the United States would begin looting and rioting in the streets, and law enforcement and hospitals would be overwhelmed. We estimate that it could be months before they would be able to get their systems back up and operational. If they are even able to recover.”
The next picture was a rendering of the United States at night, the dense cities illuminated by masses of lights.
“As discussed, most of America’s GPS and communication satellites — both military and commercial — have been impacted by the cyberattacks of last month. But there are several weapons that have yet to be used. The most important of which are our highly advanced EMP weapons.”