Yingdala

[beifengxiaoxiao]

THE HOIZAU PAPER
 
Kaizhou's Favorite Son Cou Mong Promoted to Deputy Defense Minister of the Republic
January 12, 5589

Cou Mong (曹莽), prominent 24-year old prodigy from Kaizhou, has been named Deputy Minister of Defense following a cabinet reshuffling by new President Fung Failung (馮輝龍). The Fung Government is undergoing a turbulent transition as the Unity Party takes over from the outgoing Anarcho-Communist Party-led government of former President Lo Muigwai (羅玫瑰). Under the advice of outgoing Defense Minister Cheung Ganping, it was agreed that Cou would be named a Deputy serving under new Defense Minister, Loeng Siuwaa (梁劭華). As Deputy Defense Minister, Cou will have the authority to make and approve logistical, command structure, and policy reforms within the Ministry of Defense with the approval of Minister Loeng. 

Cou was made Guard Commander (射聲校尉) in 5585 and was later elevated to the status of first Seonggaau (上校) in 5586 and later Siuzoeng (少將) in 5587. Basing his command off of Jienist principles, Cou was noted for his legendary logistical capabilities and the charisma and loyalty which he instilled in his soldiers and among the people. As military service is compulsory in Yingdala, Cou was notable for his efforts to galvanize people to willing and attempting to bridge the gap between civilian activities and mentality with the military mindset. With his influence, Cou sponsored numerous military and civilian educational scholarships, contributed to public works projects, and also gave gifts to influential bureaucrats as a personal expenditure, especially those sympathetic for the ever-popular Neo-Jienist movement. This gained Cou much praise with the people, but also key voices within the government that were crucial to his consideration in the government transition.

Most notably, Cou also exposed the other prominent candidate under consideration, Wan Cing (溫青) of Tian'an, for corruption. It came under light that Wan had been taking exuberant bribes using her position as previous Deputy Defense Minister. She had also been revealed to promise low-ranking and incompetent personnel high positions for money, and was found to have embezzled thousands of Jiaochiao meant for the Defense Ministry for personal use in gifts, vacations, and material possessions. As a result, Wan has been court martialed and stripped of her duties, and Cou has been given even more credibility as a harbinger of justice. 

Cou's nomination reflects a greater trend among the Yingdalan populace to have rejected the unfamiliar ways of Republicanism, with campaigns mounting to encourage a return to traditional Jienist ethics and governance, rejecting the new Republican democratic form widely regarded as foreign, corrupt, incompetent, and unfit to govern the nation. A recent poll found that 63% of those interviewed missed the old Yingdalan Grand Union under the Imperial System; just 33% expressed desire to retain the Republican system if given a choice between the Repbulic and the Grand Union. Thus, with more government officials like Cou in prominent positions, even the Republic itself is inching closer to fulfilling the old traditional goals of governance; sensibility and justice.