Chapter 376: Dialogue Between Wallfacers_1

Rediaz's death did not sadden Jiang Yu greatly beyond his sense of regret.

He could feel that Rediaz had died peacefully and hadn't left any regrets behind.

Two days later, the Solar System State held a state funeral for Rediaz.

Once considered the most brutal terrorist by humanity, Rediaz was seen by the citizens of the Solar System State as a symbol of iron will and a respected Governor.

Many dignitaries attended Rediaz's funeral, including PDC's new Rotating Chairman Cheng Ping.

On the day of the funeral, even more people went to the Martyrs' Square in their own cities to remember the Governor who had led them through half a century of struggle.

Logic also attended Rediaz's funeral. He sat with Jiang Yu in a corner of the auditorium, both lost in thought as they stared at the portrait of Rediaz.

In that moment, Jiang Yu's memories drifted back more than two centuries.

It was in the United Nations assembly hall, back when the UN still held significant importance.

"The second Wallfacer: Manuel Rediaz."

As Secretary-General Sayi announced, Rediaz took the stage.

Although already in his forties, the Rediaz of that time was robust, with a defiant gaze, resembling a strongly-built young man from South America.

Jiang Yu remarked, "Time flies. Teacher Logic, you've aged as well."

By then, Logic's hair and beard had turned grey, yet his face bore no wrinkles, his complexion was ruddy, and he appeared to be in good spirits.

Jiang Yu had heard that during the war with the Trisolarans, Logic had volunteered at the logistics department of Desert North Farm every day on schedule.

Logic smiled and said, "You are still so young. It's as if you've only aged a few years."

His speech was somewhat slurred at the time, but he no longer found it very difficult to talk.

Jiang Yu took out a cigarette and offered one to Logic: "I guess I've been fortunate in my misfortune."

Smoking in the corner, Logic said, "Some ten years ago, Heinz video-called me before he passed away.

"He said he deeply regretted becoming a Wallfacer.

"It was not that being a Wallfacer brought him too much shame, but rather, he realized that he and Tyler were not qualified Wallfacers and had taken up resources meant for Wallfacers.

"It was only when he saw me at the deterrence center and your and Rediaz's efforts in Jupiter City that he understood what it meant to be a Wallfacer.

"He also said that he should have given his Wallfacer status to Zhang Beihai!

"Of course, he knew that actually doing so would only have caused problems."

Jiang Yu shook his head: "His thoughts were too self-deprecating."

"I thought so too," Logic said, sheepishly smiling and extinguishing his cigarette under the fierce glare of his daughter Zhuang Yue, "Although he didn't succeed, his thinking was correct, only his methods were wrong.

"In that regard, he deserved to call himself a Wallfacer."

Looking at Rediaz's portrait, Logic sighed deeply: "When Rediaz was seriously ill, I went to visit him.

"It was clear that the victory of the 'Second Battle' made him very happy!

"When he spoke of his Wallfacer plan from those years, his tone became heavy.

"He said he was always unable to sleep, feeling as if there was a huge rock pressing on his chest, a sense of oppression from the Trisolarans!

"That rock continued to weigh on him, on his chest, until the news of the 'Second Battle' victory shattered it!"

Jiang Yu extinguished his cigarette butt too: "He talked to me about that Wallfacer plan as well. It was at the dining table, holding a glass of red wine, he gave a bitter smile and said: 'What could I do? At that time, we had no chance of defeating the Trisolarans head-on!'"

He paused and then said, "Only a Wallfacer can understand a Wallfacer. Destroying the Solar System was never his intention; his aim was to exploit the Trisolarans' vulnerability."

Jiang Yu spoke solemnly, "Teacher Logic, I want to thank you for buying more than half a century of time for the Solar System State.

"Without a deterrent against the Trisolarans, the Solar System State would not have had the opportunity to accumulate strength!

"Everyone should thank you for creating 62 years of peace and prosperity for Earth.

"It's a pity not all have seized this opportunity."

Logic smiled and said, "There are many in the PDC who want to put me on trial, seeing me as an enemy. But here in the Solar System State, I have already heard too many thanks.

"Our efforts have not been in vain!"

Jiang Yu looked at Rediaz's portrait and nodded slowly, and for a moment, it seemed as if his vision blurred, and he saw Rediaz's portrait smiling faintly.

Jiang Yu's mouth curled into a smile as well.

It was not until the funeral approached its end that Jiang Yu asked Logic, "What plans do you have for the future?"

"I am going to live in Sydney," replied Logic indifferently. "Cheng Ping just invited me to a concert."

Jiang Yu was taken aback, then added, "Cheng Ping is a seasoned politician.

"That's good - now, although the Solar System State has signed a 'Peace Agreement' with PDC and Fleet International, there are still various disputes between them.

"With the interstellar broadcast already underway, time is of the essence. After settling accounts with them, we must focus on development, consider contingencies, and these grievances should be resolved or set aside as soon as possible.

"Indeed, at times like these, we need someone respected by both sides to mediate."

He sighed, "From the moment we became Wallfacers, our lives were destined for hard toil!"

Logic smiled, "Now there are only two of us Wallfacers left, and the future of humanity is looking bleak again. You need to continue working hard, and I need to play my part while I still can!"

Jiang Yu shook hands with Logic, "Take care."

"You take care too!" said Logic. "Take pride in being a Wallfacer."

"Take pride in being a Wallfacer!"

...

According to Rediaz's will, he was buried in his home country, Venezuela.

The repatriation of the resistance from Oceania to Asia, Africa, and South America had not concluded until after Rediaz's funeral.

Nearly nine hundred million former PDC citizens returned to their ancestral lands in China and Venezuela, where they first underwent re-registration of their residence.

Next were the measures for epidemic prevention; as Oceania had an excessive population, severe health issues had emerged, leading to several major epidemics.

And finally, there were the work assignments and trials for these returnees. The Eurasian Continent and North America had become sparsely populated.

The former Resistance Army had lately been living comfortably. The Solar System State Government had established an Earth Province, organizing the Resistance for Jiang Yu's future plans.

The new immigrants were bewildered upon learning about their assignments.

These newly-appointed lower-level managers from the Resistance were actually tasked with collecting Earth's flora, fauna, and even microbial species as thoroughly as possible!

As for their trial, it was to punish those who had once claimed they would put Logic on trial.

These individuals would receive treatment similar to pseudo-military criminals and be sent to the most remote and least desirable positions in the Solar System State.

Tong Junqi, once a leading advocate for putting Logic on trial, was sentenced to 48 years of forced labor, akin to a "treatment" for an important pseudo-military criminal.

Tong Junqi contested such a verdict, but Jiang Yu gave them no channel for appeal.

He also said to Tong Junqi, "I've long said that the Solar System State would eventually put you on trial.

"Every person must take responsibility for their choices! If everyone who makes a harmful choice does not receive due punishment, then the entire of humanity will have its sense of right and wrong inverted!"