Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

TRANSCRIPT: The Wang Shuhui Radio Hour (JBC Radio One)

Hosted by award-winning journalist Wang Shuhui, the Wang Shuhui Radio Hour is broadcast for an hour everyday across the country on JBC's Radio One. The show's lively conversation covers everything from breaking news to ancient poetry, and features writers, politicians, journalists, artists, scientists and ordinary citizens from across Indrala and around the world. The show is generally regarded as non-partisan, although it leans slightly to the establishment.

January 13, 4320: Interview with Her Excellency, Grand Chancellor Kwan Zhiyong

WANG SHUHUI: Good morning to those of you tuning in across Indrala and around the world. My name is Wang Shuhui and the time is 09:00. For the next hour I will be guiding you through today's biggest stories. But first, I am joined by Her Excellency, Grand Chancellor Kwan Zhiyong to discuss today's political climate, and priorities for her second term in office. Grand Chancellor Kwan, it's an honour to be with you today.

KWAN ZHIYONG: Thank you for having me.

WANG SHUHUI: Congratulations on your electoral success earlier this year. Your party, the Lotus Party, was the only party with representation from before the election which actually gained seats. But we would be remiss not to notice the impressive return of the Jien-Democrats, who surged into the National Conference with 127 seats. What does the resurgence of the JDP mean for Indrala?

KWAN ZHIYONG: Well, thank you first for your congratulations. Indeed, I am very proud of the 6 new representatives joining our caucus in the National Conference. I am personally humbled by the support from the Indralan people for myself and for the party. But you're right, we cannot ignore the fact that the Jien-Democrats are back on the political map. I am proud of our Party's tradition of working across partisan lines, with those of all ideological backgrounds, in order to deliver results for hard-working Indralans. Under my leadership, the government will continue to listen to and act on the vast range of ideas and perspectives of all Indralans. This of course includes the Jien-Democrats.

WANG SHUHUI: There has already been conflict between you and Chairman Jiang's party, however, no? It seems the biggest conflict thus far has been on the topic of education, which your party tends to focus on extensively, with Minister Zi personally responding to a JDP proposal before they had representation in the National Conference.

KWAN ZHIYONG: I mean, there will be times of contention between all parties in a democracy. While we may have different ideas and policies, I believe that our parties have very similar goals. For instance, we both seek to establish the Grand Union first taught about by Jienfu-shi. As Jienfu-shi said, "In education there should be no class distinctions," and of course we agree. Now certainly Chairman Jiang's position is that policies must be consistent across all fields to increase trust. I disagree. I believe that it is the consistency of outcome which cultivates trust. We must provide a system which can meet individual needs to achieve self-cultivation en masse, rather than pursue legislative semantics. The JDP's proposals would have introduced a new classification of unregulated pre-schools into the nation which would have spawned inconsistent results and divided our students on the lines of lineage and class. This would not aid the creation of meritocratic society.

WANG SHUHUI: Let's talk a bit more about what lies ahead for Indralan society. At present, there is a constitutional majority of parties, including your own, in the National Conference which have voiced support for a restored monarchy. The Wu Clan has been supporting the JDP; have you been speaking with any noble families yourself?

KWAN ZHIYONG: I have not. I expect to hold meetings with all the stakeholders during the course of the Phoenix Party's Exploratory Committee, but until then, and in the interest of governmental transparency, I will not be meeting with any nobles.

WANG SHUHUI: Some expect that Wu Guowei is going to make a claim on the throne. Do you believe that he will possess the Mandate of Heaven?

KWAN ZHIYONG: Listen, it's really early. Let's wait and see what happens... Certainly, the Wu Clan has had its own difficulties over the years. With the death of Emperor Wu Ren, the Wu claim has been murky at times, with various individuals claiming to be the descendant of the late Emperor.

WANG SHUHUI: The last time your party explored a return to the monarchy, there were a series of terrorist attacks and protests, and in the end we remained a Republic.
What's different this time?

KWAN ZHIYONG: Excellent question, thank you. Last time, the Nationalists proposed a western-style elective monarchy, and of course this is inconsistent with Indralan tradition so naturally it was opposed. Additionally, our country is far more prosperous and stable than it was 50 years ago. This stability was signified by the foundation of the Fifth Republic at the dawn of this century. Now our country is ready to open a new chapter and finally restore the Son of Heaven to the Dragon Throne to further unify Indrala.

WANG SHUHUI: We're going to take a moment to hear a word from our sponsors and then we will be back with the Grand Chancellor. Please stay with us.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 21 December 2017.