Great Power Reclamation

The remaining hardliners in Tajikistan have retreated to remote mountainous and border areas, where, with the covert support of external forces, they wage guerrilla warfare and terrorist attacks, posing a continuous security threat to the Alliance's governance.

Internationally, the United States and its allies have intensified their propaganda attacks and economic sanctions against the Somali alliance, accusing it of "military expansion" and "undermining regional stability."

Although Ye Mei has gained the understanding or neutrality of some countries through diplomatic efforts, the international environment remains severe.

Within the alliance, disagreements have begun to emerge regarding the future political system.

The younger generation of military officers, represented by Yang San, preferred a more direct and centralized form of rule, believing that "democracy" and "autonomy" would reduce efficiency and weaken the alliance's fighting capacity.

Meanwhile, some intellectuals and local leaders who defected from Tajikistan hoped to gain greater autonomy.

Ye Rou stood in front of the map. The alliance's territory had now expanded by nearly double since Ye Yuze's visit.

She knew all too well that the real test had only just begun. Military victory was relatively easy, but how to truly integrate this vast land and its many ethnic groups into a strong, prosperous, and stable modern nation was a long and arduous road full of thorns.

She remembered her father Ye Yuze's words when he left: "You have to take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time... The fundamental principle is development."

Right now, she needs to consolidate her existing gains and fully integrate the new territory.

Only then can the blueprint for the republic be steadily advanced. Perhaps, when that time truly comes, the opportunity to gather more like-minded partners to jointly build the "East African Federation" or "East African Republic" will truly be ripe.

The pursuit of hegemony in East Africa is shifting from military conquest to deeper institutional building and national governance.

Ye Rou, Ye Mei, and their companions stand at a critical juncture in history; every decision they make will profoundly impact the future of this ancient continent.

Ordinary soldiers like Haji and Leiva, with their loyalty and passion, remain the most solid foundation of this land of dreams.

The integration of the Somali Federation into the former territory of the Republic of Tajikistan is far more than just a change of color on a map and a shift in power structures.

This is a transformation that has penetrated deep into the capillaries of society, and its most immediate beneficiaries are the millions of ordinary people. Their lives, like parched land receiving timely rain, have begun to quietly come back to life.

In Vasa, a town that was once a major border town in Tajikistan and is now under the jurisdiction of the Union, the weekly market has returned to its former bustling state, even more so than before.

In the past, the exploitation by the Tajik army and the unstable security situation left the market desolate. Now, allied soldiers patrol the perimeter of the market to ensure security, but never interfere with the transactions.

Old farmer Kabu led two goats to the market, intending to exchange them for some salt and cloth.

Unexpectedly, the staff at the newly established "Fair Scale" in the alliance gave him a pleasant surprise: his goats could be directly exchanged for EASU currency based on weight and quality, or exchanged for high-quality seeds and fertilizers from the heart of the alliance.

Kabu hesitated for a moment, then chose new corn seeds and a small bag of fertilizer.

The alliance's agricultural technicians also set up a temporary classroom in a corner of the market, explaining how to cultivate crops scientifically in the local dialect.

Kabu squatted on the outskirts of the crowd, listening intently. He had been farming all his life, and this was the first time he had ever heard that there were so many intricacies involved in sowing seeds.

He touched the hard seeds in his pocket, and for the first time, his heart was filled with a definite anticipation for the autumn harvest.

At the market, cheap and sturdy farm tools from the military reclamation city system, brightly colored fabrics, uniquely flavored oriental spices, and the most popular solar lamps became hot commodities.

For families accustomed to the dim light of kerosene lamps, a small solar lamp that can bring light to the night is almost a revolutionary product.

At Aisha's stall, these lamps were selling best. A long-lost smile graced her face as she whispered to her sister at the next stall:
"Now the children can see their books clearly at night, and I can sew a few more clothes."

In arid East Africa, water is the source of life.

After the Alliance engineering team entered the new territory, one of their priority projects was to repair and dig wells.

In Kuma village, when the first deep well funded by the Alliance produced clear water, almost all the women in the village sang and danced.

In the past, they had to walk for hours every day to fetch water from remote, murky rivers.

Now, the water source is located in the center of the village, and the time saved can be used to take care of their families or even participate in small-scale production projects such as weaving and breeding organized by the alliance.

The girl Elsa's fate was changed because of this. In the past, she was responsible for fetching water for her mother and could not go to school on time.

Now, she can not only sit in the classroom on time, but the school has also undergone tremendous changes.

During the period in Tajikistan, the school consisted of only a leaky mud-brick house, and teachers were sometimes absent.

After the alliance took over, it quickly repaired the school buildings, delivered brand-new textbooks and desks and chairs, and most importantly, sent trained teachers who could receive stable salaries.

The new textbooks are written in both the Union's official language and the local languages, and are filled with praise for East Africa's natural scenery and multiculturalism, as well as popularization of scientific knowledge.

Elsa's favorite subject is nature class. The globe her teacher brings shows her that the world is much more than just the red land she lives on.

The alliance places special emphasis on girls' education and even provides a small EASU subsidy to families who send their girls to school.

This policy was initially opposed by some conservative elders, but as they saw that the girls became more sensible after going to school, and could even help their families understand agricultural notices issued by the alliance and calculate income and expenditure, the opposition gradually subsided.

The light of knowledge is beginning to illuminate the future of a generation of women.

In the past, medical resources in Tajikistan were extremely scarce, and many women gave birth at home, which was very risky.

The alliance has established makeshift clinics in every village and town of any size or larger, equipped with basic medicines and midwives.

Prenatal checkups for pregnant women and new delivery methods are gradually being promoted. The maternal mortality rate has dropped significantly, which has won the most heartfelt support from women.

The young mother, Nadia, held her son, whom she had safely given birth to at the clinic, and was moved to tears by the female doctor sent by the Alliance.

"You and the League have given my child two lives."

For men, the biggest change is the new opportunities to make a living.

The alliance's infrastructure development—building roads, bridges, laying fiber optic cables, and constructing public facilities—requires a large workforce.

Yang Da's trading company, in conjunction with the alliance's engineering department, organized numerous engineering teams, prioritizing the recruitment of local youth.

Leiva's cousin, Malik, found a job in such an engineering team, earning a stable EASU salary every day, which was much better than relying on the weather and occasionally being drafted as a laborer.

Despite the hard work, Malik felt hopeful about his future and planned to save money to buy a motorcycle so he could travel to even more distant places to work.

Of course, the changes were not without their challenges. Old tribal grudges and local powers still existed in corners where the alliance's power had not yet fully penetrated.

The promotion of EASU has also encountered resistance, with some elderly people having more trust in barter or the existing Tajik currency, which is rapidly depreciating.

When the alliance's administrative orders are implemented at the grassroots level, they may be compromised due to cultural differences and misunderstandings.

Overall, however, the improvement in living standards is real and visible.

The vast majority of ordinary people vote with their feet. They don't care about the political games at the top; they only care about who can ensure they have enough to eat, their children have access to education, and they have access to medical care when they are sick.

Clearly, the Somali alliance has accomplished what the Tajik government has failed to do for decades.

While the lower classes are undergoing quiet transformations, the core of the alliance, located in the royal palace by the sea in the capital of Solomon, is engaged in intense thought and debate about building a more stable superstructure.

Ye Rou's concept of a "gradual republic" has entered a substantial stage of refinement. At an expanded meeting of the core leadership chaired by Ye Rou, the atmosphere was both serious and enthusiastic.

In addition to Ye Rou, Ye Mei, Yang Da, and Yang San, the attendees also included the Alliance's Chief of Staff, key officials in charge of internal affairs and the economy, and several representative local leaders who had just been selected from the newly stabilized territories.

Topic 1: The division of power between the central and local governments.

"We must be clear about which powers are sacred and inviolable and must belong to the central government!"

Yang San spoke first, his tone firm and straightforward, like a soldier: "National defense, diplomacy, monetary policy, and cross-regional infrastructure planning—these four are the lifeblood of the alliance and must be under the unified control of the central government. Local authorities must not have any objections!"

Abdul, a respected elder from the newly acquired territory, formerly part of Tajikistan, cautiously began to speak:
"General Yang is absolutely right. However, for local affairs, such as traditional customs for weddings and funerals, the management of local small markets, and the maintenance of non-main roads, could we consider letting the local council decide on these matters themselves? This would help to appease the people and demonstrate the Alliance's respect for our unique culture."

Ye Mei nodded in agreement: "Elder Abdul's suggestion is very constructive. We can learn from the experience of federalism and formulate a 'Power List'."

"The list clearly outlines the powers exclusive to the central government, the powers retained by local governments, and the powers that need to be shared between the central and local governments."

"For example, the education syllabus and major laws are formulated by the central government, but local governments can have a certain degree of autonomy in terms of the language of instruction and some local regulations. This ensures both national unity and flexibility."

Ye Rou concluded, "This is a good idea. Please have the Ministry of the Interior take the lead in drafting this 'Outline for the Division of Powers'."

"The principle is 'joint governance between the central and local governments, with centralization as the main approach and autonomy as a supplement.' We want to establish a strong central government, but this government is not meant to stifle local vitality; rather, it is meant to better integrate resources and serve all regions."

Agenda Item 2: Country Names and Political Systems

Several proposals were put forward at the meeting regarding the name of the future country: "East African Republic", "Federation of Somalia", "Upper Nile Union", etc.

Ye Rou favors the term "East African Republic." She explains her reasoning: "'East Africa' has a clear geographical concept, regional appeal, is not limited to our current territory, and leaves room for possible future cooperation."

"The term 'Republic' clearly declares that power belongs to the people, not to families or theocracy, which is a hallmark of a modern state."

Yang San had some doubts about this: "'Republic' sounds too... mild, doesn't it? We won this country with guns."

He prefers to retain the military alliance aspect of the term "alliance" or use a more powerful name.

Ye Mei retorted, "Yang San, it is precisely because we have a solid military foundation that we need to use the guise of 'republic' and 'rule of law' to soften our image and strive for international recognition and long-term internal stability."

"For EASU to become a regional currency, it must rely on a widely recognized and stable sovereign entity. A 'republic' is more legitimate under international law than a 'union'."

After intense discussions, everyone initially agreed on the direction of the "East African Republic," but unanimously agreed that the timing of the announcement needed to be extremely cautious, and that it must be made during a window of opportunity when internal integration was complete and external pressure was relatively reduced.

Issue 3: The establishment of power institutions.

Ye Rou proposed the idea of ​​establishing a "Provisional People's Assembly of the Eastern Republic" as the highest legislative and supervisory body during the transition period.

The seats consist of several parts: representatives from the original core area of ​​the Somali Union, representatives elected proportionally by population from the administrative districts of the new territory, military representatives, and representatives from important industries and professionals.

“This parliament is not just for show,” Ye Rou emphasized. “It will be responsible for reviewing and passing the alliance’s basic laws, budget, and major policies. Although its power will initially be constrained by the executive committee, we want to establish the framework of the system from the very beginning.”

As for administrative power, it is clearly stipulated that it will be exercised by the "Central Executive Committee", with Ye Rou, Ye Mei, Yang Da, and Yang San as core members, and several key department heads and outstanding figures from the new territory will be recruited.

Ye Rou was implicitly elected as the chairperson of the committee, becoming the helmsman of this new political system.

These high-level design details are conveyed to the public in an easy-to-understand way through the alliance's gradually improving publicity network.

Although most ordinary people do not fully understand the difference between "federalism" and "republic," they can sense that order is being established, rules are becoming clearer, and a more powerful and reasonable regime is taking shape. This certainty itself brings immense security.

Beneath the surface of prosperity, the crisis is far from over.

Remnants of Tajikistan, in collusion with foreign intervention forces, launched a terrorist attack targeting the newly completed hydroelectric power station.

Although the attack was thwarted in time, it still resulted in casualties and property damage.

Yang San was furious and strengthened military control over the border and key facilities, and launched a new round of clearing operations.

This incident also serves as a wake-up call to all those who are basking in optimism: the enemy has not disappeared; they are simply waiting for their chance.

While US politicians no longer react aggressively, they still engage in underhanded tactics, and with their allies understanding the implications, the effects of international sanctions are beginning to emerge.

Importing some key equipment and technologies has become difficult, and prices have soared.

Ye Mei's economic team is under immense pressure, as they must maintain the stability of the EASU exchange rate while simultaneously seeking new and more covert trade channels.

She had to increase cooperation with some ambiguous "international businessmen," and the risks involved were self-evident.

Of course, they also have the support of their brother groups and their mothers, Erhong and Masha. Seeing their two daughters accomplish such a great thing, they naturally offer their full support.

It's important to know that the military reclamation supermarket has long since become a behemoth, so their stable supply of goods has become a powerful help to the Ye sisters.

Nothing is ever smooth sailing, and at the grassroots level, conflicts between old and new ideas often occur.

The Women's Rights Protection Act, promoted by the Alliance, which prohibits child marriage and guarantees women's inheritance rights, has encountered silent resistance in some conservative areas. One female judge sent by the Alliance to a local area even received anonymous threats.

Faced with these challenges, Ye Rou demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience.

She said at an internal meeting: "Setbacks are inevitable. What we are doing is a profound social revolution that touches on interests and ideas that have been entrenched for thousands of years."

"When we encounter resistance, it means we did the right thing. But we can't rely on force alone; we need wisdom and patience even more."

She instructed the judicial authorities to resolutely crack down on acts that threaten judges and uphold the authority of the law. However, she also stressed the importance of gradual change in local customs, emphasizing education and awareness, leveraging the role of enlightened elders, and proceeding step by step.

Regarding international sanctions, she asked Ye Mei to make some tactical concessions and gestures, on the premise of ensuring the economic lifeline, in order to ease external pressure and buy time for internal development.

Ordinary people, such as farmer Kabu, female vendor Aisha, student Aisha, and worker Malik, were unaware of these difficult decisions made by the higher-ups.

They simply continued with their lives, striving to seize every opportunity to improve their lives under the new order brought about by the alliance.

Their resilience and their desire for a better life have coalesced into a powerful, bottom-up force, silently laying the foundation for the future of the "East African Republic".

Haji and Leiwa remained stationed at the border. The border line had now advanced significantly into the heart of Tajikistan.

They were no longer guarding a perilous defensive line, but a new land full of hope.

In a letter home, Leiva wrote: "The children here can finally go to school without worry, and they can buy anything at the market. Although there are still occasional snipers, I think what we are doing is very meaningful."

As night falls, Vasa and thousands of similar towns light up with scattered solar-powered lights.

Though faint, this light stubbornly dispelled the ancient darkness, illuminating a path to an unknown yet hopeful future.

Standing on the palace terrace, Ye Rou gazed at the land gradually being illuminated. She knew the most difficult part might not yet be over, but the alliance—

Or rather, the future republic—has already taken root in this land in a way that cannot be easily shaken.

Countless people are working hard for this, and it is because of their perseverance that life is getting better day by day. (End of Chapter)