Chapter 2: Establishing National Identity: Flag, Emblem, and Name of the Country
After the release of Chen Yang's video, the number of views skyrocketed, and more internet users began to watch.
"Crowdfunding to buy an island and establish a country? This guy is out of his mind!"
"Is this for real?"
"I thought it was just a joke, but it seems to be real."
"Hey, isn't it fake news?"
"I just checked online, and there really is such an island."
"So, technically, if you buy that island, could you become a king?"
"Maybe, but it seems kind of pointless. No country will recognize you on such a small island."
"Promising to become a developed nation in three years and reach the status of the United States in five years... man, he's really daring."
"Offering high benefits, high-level treatment, free healthcare, 12 years of compulsory education... the more he talks, the more absurd it sounds, but I must admit, I'm kind of excited."
"A country like that just doesn't seem feasible."
"How I wish a country like that existed."
"I, Wang Duoyu, invested in this project, and the blogger will keep me for a dollar!"
"So, if I invest, even if it's with a dollar, can I get a passport? If it's true, I'll invest too."
"Seriously, what's the advantage of having a passport from such a small island? It makes no difference at all."
"Maybe it's just a keepsake. Who knows, maybe the blogger can turn this country into something big in the future."
"I threw in a dollar as a wish."
"Even if I can only exchange my passport for a dollar, it's still a profit."
Initially, many internet users thought that the idea of buying an island and founding a country was just another one of Chen Yang's eccentricities. However, after some research in the comments, they discovered it was true!
Consequently, many invested a few dollars, even if it's just one or two.
They watched with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, questioning whether Chen Yang was truly determined to found a country.
Another consideration was: what if this idea became a reality?
As one internet user pointed out, they were practically making a wish.
It was just a matter of a few dollars, so there was no regret in losing them.
After finding his passport, Chen Yang began to ponder his next steps as a potential ruler.
Should he start with designing the flag? Or perhaps redesigning the national emblem? And then drafting a constitution...
Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, his phone beside him started ringing insistently with notifications from the banking app.
"1 dollar transferred to Longguo Bank account."
"2 dollars transferred to Longguo Bank account."
"And a transfer of 5 dollars to Longguo Bank account."
Chen Yang was momentarily confused, but soon understood: it was crowdfunding in action!
Immediately, he opened the video he had just posted and was surprised to see that, in just a few minutes, the video had already received over 2,000 likes!
Examining the comments from internet users, he realized what was happening.
Those internet users didn't entirely believe in the possibility of Chen Yang building a country, but secretly hoped it was true.
So, each one contributed one or two coins, as if they were making a wish.
Chen Yang refreshed the page, and the number of likes increased by over a thousand in just an instant.
The bank alerts kept ringing.
He opened the newly created crowdfunding account and checked the balance.
Balance: $511!
Chen Yang blinked several times, surprised. After all, these internet users usually only made one or two donations.
He noticed that most donations were $1. However, in less than ten minutes, it had already exceeded the quiet ones!
Initially, Chen Yang had taken a "let's see how it goes" approach, but the result exceeded his expectations.
The internet users were truly amazing!
Not wasting any time, he accessed the system's shopping mall and acquired the skills [Designer] and [Painter].
[Designer]: 1000 citizenship points.
[Painter]: 1000 citizenship points.
Purchase successful!
In an instant, a wave of professional knowledge flooded Chen Yang's mind, filling him with a wide range of design skills. He found himself immersed in composition and painting techniques.
Taking a pen and paper, he began to contemplate the design of his new country's flag.
"What should be at the core of the flag's design?"
"Freedom, peace, openness, tolerance..."
With an idea starting to form, Chen Yang dove into creation, drawing an initial sketch.
On the white paper, within a rectangular frame, three peace doves flew.
He photographed the sketch, transferring it to the computer and starting to color it in drawing software.
The flag is divided into two parts: the lower part in dark blue represents the ocean, while the upper part in light blue symbolizes the sky. In the center, a peace dove flies between the two elements.
The design is simple, without excess.
While designing the national flag, the system's voice surprised Chen Yang:
"The flag design is completed and 50,000 citizenship points will be granted!"
Chen Yang was momentarily stunned, then a smile spread across his face. All set!
Motivated, he immediately started designing the national emblem.
The emblem design was more straightforward. He drew a map of the Blue Star and outlined neighboring countries with lines, leaving only one spot filled with dark blue - the island where he intended to establish his country. That was the national emblem he conceived.
When he finished the emblem, the system's voice sounded again:
"The national emblem design is completed and 50,000 citizenship points will be awarded!"
With that done, Chen Yang set out to name the country.
After reflecting deeply, he decided to name the country "Yan Guo."°
"Yan" not only referred to the descendants of Yan and Huang°, but also represented the blazing fire that rises and never extinguishes. It was a symbol of the pioneering spirit to explore new lands and create a new nation.
With the naming completed, another reward from the system came:
"Confirmation of the country's name and allocation of 50,000 citizenship points!"
Chen Yang smiled contentedly.
Now, it was time to draft the Constitution!
*******
(Translation note:
Yan Guo: "Yan Guo" (炎国) is a combination of two Chinese characters. "Yan" (炎) refers to fire or burning, while "Guo" (国) means country or nation. Together, "Yan Guo" could be interpreted as "Fire Country" or "Burning Nation".
Yan and Huang: Refers to the Yan Di (or "Yan Emperor") and Huang Di (or "Huang Emperor") are legendary figures in Chinese mythology. They are considered legendary ancestors of the Chinese people and are often referred to together as the "Yellow Emperor and Yan".
I am using the current exchange rate, 04/2024, of the yuan in dollars.
If you find any errors in the translation, please let me know so I can correct them.)