Two weeks after cleanup commenced, the citizens of Hanoi, through various representative factions, chose Commander Lieu as Interim Administrator of Reconstruction to lead the new government of Vietnam since the vast majority of the old leadership had long been decimated by the Chinese occupation.
Lieu destroyed the facility and the newly erected building inside Ba Dinh Square. They removed the structure surrounding the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and cleared the square to its pre-war state.
When the first international communication system had been reestablished, Lieu announced to the world the war crimes and atrocities committed by the Chinese government over the past two years.
The world body censured China at the United Nations after the Russian and Chinese representatives on the U.N. Security Council declared surprising abstentions. The censure was followed quickly by a statement issued by the Chinese government eagerly wanting to explain the irrefutable evidence presented by the new Vietnamese authorities: “We regret to inform the world body that a rogue faction within the Chinese government was responsible for the unsanctioned war in Vietnam. We respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and do not condone the actions of a few rogue actors. We are committed to aiding Hanoi in their struggle to rebuild. They can be assured of our commitment and goodwill toward this effort, and we wish nothing more than mutual peace and cooperation moving forward.”
Administrator Lieu invited Devin Nichols, an American journalist, to travel to Hanoi in order to document the atrocities of the previous two years of isolation. His report aired just three weeks after the cleanup of Hanoi had begun. Here is an excerpt of his initial broadcast:
NICHOLS: Good evening. This is Devin Nichols. I’m standing here at the ancient temple complex of Van Mieu, the first Confucian university built in Hanoi in 1070. What you see behind me are the remains of sacred turtle statues, which were completely destroyed in the Battle of Hanoi. I’m here with Commander Lieu, former leader of the rebel resistance, and the current lead administrator of the reconstruction efforts. Commander Lieu …
LIEU: Please call me Administrator Lieu. The war is over.
NICHOLS: Yes, of course. Administrator Lieu, I’ve toured through Hanoi and I’ve seen the breathtaking devastation and destruction. What do you have to say to the people of the world watching this broadcast about what you have experienced here?
LIEU: The Vietnamese people are resilient. We had great odds stacked against us, but we bonded together and were willing to sacrifice everything for the country we love. We all did our part, and I am proud of every person who stood up to the aggressors. As our beloved Uncle Ho said, “There’s nothing more precious than freedom and independence.” We resolutely regret the deaths and the necessary sacrifices, but we know we have achieved our goal. Once again, we are a free and united Vietnam.
NICHOLS: Administrator Lieu, there have been numerous reports of supernatural occurrences, so-called demon warriors, and even turtles coming to life. There was even one report that stated these broken turtle statues behind us actually were not destroyed by the Chinese, but were summoned forth into this world to help defeat the Chinese. Can you comment on that?”
LIEU: War always creates a fog of uncertainty. These turtle statues are symbols of great scholars and heroes from our past. The Chinese destroyed this sacred institution because the ideas threatened their power. That is all that happened here. But we will rebuild every statue to its original state.
NICHOLS: And what of this mysterious Lady Trieu? There have been numerous reports of the emergence of the ancient heroine Ba Trieu. There have even been leaked videos of such events. What can you tell us about that?
LIEU: We have a group of creative people who cleverly used our stories of the past to instill fear into the hearts of the Chinese soldiers. We used holograms and the latest technology to confuse the Chinese. It sounds like these tactics worked.
NICHOLS: And the turtle from the lake? Many have said that the turtle had returned, and even the sword? Can you comment on that?
LIEU: Oh, I don’t deny that the turtle lives. You won’t find one Vietnamese patriot who will deny such a thing. It’s in the heart of every Vietnamese.
NICHOLS: It is known that your daughter was killed in the final battle of Hanoi. What can you tell us about her?
LIEU: My daughter is one of many sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for the love of their country. I respect the memory of every one of them the same.
NICHOLS: What’s next for this country, Administrator Lieu?
LIEU: We don’t seek retribution. We will rebuild, and we will reestablish ourselves as a peaceful yet powerful nation among the community of nations.
Tho turned from the TV. “I’m going to bed.”
“I thought Commander Lieu did well in the interview,” said Lien.
“Why did he say all those things?” asked Minh. “They weren’t true. Why can’t we talk about Lady Trieu? Everyone knows she’s real.”
“Oh, my good boy. Why can’t the bird describe to us mere humans how to fly? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could flap our arms and ascend into the sky?” Tho laughed and raised his arms up and down.
“What? Mr. Tho? What about the bird?”
“I sure hope someone has redrawn the figure on the wall of Hung Temple.”
“What?”
“Is your boy always so literal about things?” asked Tho, looking at Lien. “I did tell you I’m going to bed, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” said Lien.
“And when will the Vice Administrator come home?” asked Tho.
“Dad said he would be back tomorrow,” replied Minh. “Mr. Tho?”
Tho stopped at the door. “Yes, Minh?”
“Do you think we’ll ever see Lady Trieu again?”
“I wouldn’t doubt if she’s in the crowd when you dedicate that shrine to Nhan. I’m fairly certain she’ll be there.”
“I’m going to do it, you know.” Minh stated emphatically.
“Oh, I don’t doubt that. I might even have a few artifacts for that shrine. My house is too cluttered as it is.”
“But Mr. Tho, everything in your house has a purpose and a story,” said Lien.
“Yes, but who’d ever believe any of those crazy stories of mine?”
“After this past month, most anyone, I suspect.” Lien smiled.
Tho laughed again and glanced back at the TV once more “Isn’t that the Vice Administrator speaking?”
Minh turned to see his father giving an interview with journalist Devin Nichols. Lien quickly focused on the screen as well, putting her back to Tho. The old man smiled, then descended the steps one more time. His bed awaited him. He would sleep as long as he could—as long as the turtles and birds and demons would allow him.
The End
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Mark W. Sasse