Author: JVT038
Date: 10-07-2021
Tags: English, essay
'Get him on the line', he said, walking towards his chamber. The
President has been stressed out for the past few weeks now, he seemed to have
aged, his blonde hair started turning grey and his eyes were swollen. He
obviously didn't have any sufficient sleep last night, because of the constant
fear for the Chinese danger. He walked towards the phone, picked it up and
said, 'Good morning Mr. Xi, this the President of the United States of America'
and waited for the answer. 'Good morning Sir', the Chinese President Xi
answered. Then a short silence, both parties waiting for the other to say
something. 'Let's cut straight to the chase', the President said. 'Remove your
troops from the border of Mexico and I'll remove mine from Myanmar.'. 'And why
would I do that?' Xi asked. 'To spare the lives of innocent civilians and our
soldiers.'.
A few months ago, Trump ordered the ban of various Chinese apps, such as TikTok, WeChat and any Tencent developed application. This way to ensure the privacy and safety of the U.S. citizens and to protect them from the so-called 'Chinese spyware'. The Chinese felt indignant and responded by increasing import tariffs for U.S. electronica in China, which drastically decreased the total GDP of the U.S., as around $539.5 billion export was now suspended.
Meanwhile, Europe decided to wait what would happen, before picking a side. Though Russia has already chosen the Chinese side and India, Australia and the U.K. have chosen the American side. India, Australia and the U.K. both banned import from China and Russia moved troops closer to the border of the U.K. as a response to it. When that happened, the Western-European powers decided to support the U.K., despite the Brexit and they all banned Chinese products, knowing the risks they took, because the products' price would increase drastically. Countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, India and other Low Developed Economic Countries (LEDC) profited from this, as their export to Europe the U.S exploded, since their biggest concurrent, China wouldn't export anything anymore to those countries. Now it was time for the Chinese economy to take some damage, as $2 trillion worth of export was now officially cancelled.
Trying to take the U.S. with them, they sent out submarines to the Atlantic Ocean, to hunt down merchant ships and disrupt the European and American trading routes. They also had newly installed Chinese troops in Mexico, close the border of Texas and Arizona. The President Trump repeatedly asked the Mexicans to deny the Chinese access, but the Chinese bribed Mexican drug gangs and secured their position in the north of Mexico. As response, an US marine fleet including 10 aircraft carriers with 1.000 fighter jets and 1.000 bombers, 20 destroyers and 15 submarines. Additionally, the President also ordered the movement of 150,000 troops and vehicles to the border of China, in Myanmar.
For the past days, the entire world has been looking to the US and China, wondering what's going to happen. The newspapers have been full of the news, regarding the tensions between the two major world powers. Military advisors of both sides have repeatedly almost begged the leaders to try and negotiate peace, as a new world war between the two richest countries on Earth would be disastrous and take many hundreds of millions of lives. If the worst scenario of a nuclear war would take place, an estimated number of around 500 million people would die, including innocent civilians that will be caught in the crossfire and another 50 million people would die of injuries and burns of the aftermath and the radiation. This would be disastrous for humanity, wildlife and Earth. 'I propose we discuss negotiations for a peaceful solution to our conflict' Trump said, waiting for the reply of his Chinese arch-nemesis. 'OK, I guess I'll have to think about that, since I'm not too sure if that will work out. I have to go now, I'll talk to you later Sir.'
In another room, the military advisor of Trump, Jonathan Firewood was aching his head around this. He definitely didn't want a military conflict with China, he and all the other advisors knew it would be disastrous for the US, China and the rest of the world. The clock-hands of the clock, hanging above the door, showed it was 5pm. He knew what this meant. He walked out of the door, through the back entrance and went home. He didn't have any overtime and 5pm his work time ended. So when he wanted to go to a bar and drink himself to misery, as he knew the war would start any hour now. He knew that nothing would stop the Chinese from trying to conquer the United States of America. And if, no, when that happened, the US would move to take Xinjiang, the province of China in the west. If they were lucky, the Uighurs would support them and allow passage through their lands. If they weren't lucky, they would've to fight the Uighurs as well, which would anger the Muslims living in The States.
He went to the bar, around 5 blocks walking, not too far away and already saw his old friend, Frederick Winston. 'Hey, I thought you'd stay sober for the rest of your career', Frederick said, tilting his head, to see what has made Jonathan come here. 'Which career? You mean the career that will be over within 2 hours? Yeah, I've decided that I will not die sober, so I don't give a damn any more', Jonathan answered. Frederick was surprised hearing this, as he knew Jonathan was sober since his promotion to military advisor, which was when George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States of America. He was already a friend of the President at that time, which was why George chose him for the position. He got a gin, settled down and watched the news on the TV. 'Rumours are that Xi is moving the troops closer to the border', the news reporter said.
'Why do these guys have to fight with each other and risk millions of innocent civilian lives? For God's sake, just let those two dudes fight it out. Nobody in the US or China wants to fight, except those stubborn rich dudes, who only think about money and power. Why not let them fight to the death in an area or something? Ya know, if you'd ask me, I'd let them do it the old way, like the Romans did. Just let them fight in the Colosseum and the winner takes all and wins this fight.' Suddenly Jonathan turned around and saw a skimpy man, sitting on the bar, with a beer. He looked frustrated and angry, he smelled bad and his eyes were swollen, like he hadn't slept for days. 'What did you just say?', Jonathan asked. 'I said, let those guys fight it out, no innocent man, woman or child needs to die for their stupid economic war!', the man responded.
Suddenly Jonathan knew it. He knew the solution. But he strongly doubted that the solution would be accepted by both parties. But he had to try, since this was the only peaceful solution he could think of at that moment. He put down his gin, gave the bartender a tip of $5 dollar and rushed straight back to the White House. He opened the doors, being greeted by a colleague saying 'Hey Jonathan, I thought your work time was over. Go home, to your wife and children'. 'I have something more important to do than going home, I need to speak to the President. Right. Now.' His colleague noticed his haste and understood that whatever it was, it was urgent. He called the President and said 'You will be expected in 5 minutes, the President has almost finished his call'.
For the next 5 minutes, Jonathan was nervously walking around, thinking about how he should address his plan and he was already imaging possible scenarios that might happen; from getting fired because of his ridiculous idea, to getting praised by the media and the people for the idea that saved millions of lives. 5 minutes later, Jonathan sat in front of his President and he began speaking. 'So Mr. President, I assume you want to avoid any military conflict that may or may not happen within the next 24 hours right?'. 'Yeah?' the President replied, slowly looking up to Jonathan, as he started to suspect a plan from his long-time advisor. 'What if- What if no soldier would actually fight? If only you and the President of China would fight each other? Then no soldiers would die, no citizens would die.'
The President looked at him like he's lost his mind. And then he began to speak. 'Well Jonathan, have you ever wondered why this never happens? Why the leaders of nations never fight themselves in person? It's because a nation needs a leader to rule. Without leadership, any country would fall apart in a matter of days. So no, I won't risk my life to fight, while a million other soldiers are willing and prepared to die fighting in my name. Goodbye Jonathan.' Not wanting to give up yet, Jonathan didn't move and his brain was doing overtime, trying to figure out some counter-argument. He knew the president was right. Without good leadership, a country would fall apart. And he knew the President was stubborn, selfish and wouldn't risk his life. He stood up, walked to the door, turned around and said: 'Goodbye Sir' and walked out the door.
He went home, sat on the couch, greeted his wife with a kiss on her cheek and walked to his son, to check in on him and to greet him. 'Whatcha doing?', he said, standing in the door opening. 'Just watching some YouTube', his son answered. 'Well, then what are you watching?' Jonathan responded. 'I'm watching these one-vs-one pvp Minecraft videos of Dream1 vs Technoblade2. There is this YouTuber called MrBeast and he gives away money for fun. He organized this event where the best Minecraft players on YouTube would compete for a hundred thousand dollar4. So yeah, I'm watching that fight right now.'. 'Alright then, have fun', Jonathan said and he closed the door again.
He went downstairs again, got himself some beer from the fridge and sat down on the couch. 'I guess I'll just wait here for the war then' he sighed, getting his phone and opening Twitter. The trending page was full of the #TechnoDream and #mrbeast. He watched a few Minecraft clips, as he has always tried to show some interest in his son's hobbies.
Then he suddenly knew it. He sprinted to the door, not even grabbing his jacket and started his car. A few moments later, he was back at the White House again. 'Can I speak the President?', he asked to his colleague again. 'Didn't you speak with him an hour ago? What's so urgent that needs his attention for the second time in an hour?', his colleague asked. 'I have the solution. The solution to the conflict. I HAVE TO speak with him!', Jonathan said. 'Alright, alright then, I'll let him know you're waiting for him'. A few moments later, he walked in the President's office again and heard an overheated argument. 'I assure you Sir, if you actually do this, millions of people will die. It will be the start of the Third World War and a nuclear war. Don't fire the missiles, it will be disastrous for everyone.'.
The President was about to bring a counter argument, but saw Jonathan in the door. He looked up to him and said, 'I already told you Jonathan, I will not be part of your dangerous and borderline insane plan.'. 'I know, but what if I told you that you won't have to fight yourself? We can also organize an official fight in a virtual game and that way, nobody gets hurt. If we organize a fight in, uh, Minecraft for example, then you won't have to physically fight, but you can fight in a virtual environment.'.
The President leaned back in his chair and waited for a bit. Someone else said, 'He does have a point, if we let you fight, representing the United States against China, via a game, then neither of you get in danger and nobody else will get hurt.'. 'And why don't we let a professional do this? I haven't played any game in my life, let alone a modern game. I literally can't play.'. 'You have to do this Sir. You are the face of the United States, you represent us. If you let some champion do it for you, you will look like you're too afraid to fight him yourself. We can get some professionals to help you practice and train for the upcoming battle, but at the end, you will have to do the job.'. 'He is right Sir. Fighting him yourself, will save millions of lives and if you fight him virtually, neither you nor your opponent gets hurt. And we indeed can get some professionals up here to help you.'.
The President looked around and saw that the others agreed as well. 'Fine, it's settled then. Get him on the line again, then I can discuss we are going to do this.'. Someone walked to the phone, got the correct number and called again. 'The President of the United States wants to speak to the President of China.', he said, giving the phone slowly to Trump again. Trump waited and a few moments later, he heard the usual boring voice, saying, 'Good evening Mr. President, why have you called me on this late hour?'. Trump looked at the clock and it said 11.23pm. He didn't even notice the time and he said 'I have discussed with my advisors and they have come up with a peaceful solution to the conflict.'. 'And what may that be?', Xi asked.
Trump could hear the obvious newfound interest in his voice. 'We will fight in a virtual environment called 'Minecraft'. The winner wins this conflict and can make the conditions for the loser. This way neither of us get hurt, nor our soldiers or civilians.'. 'You- you want to do this with a private fight? In a children's game?'. 'It's not a children's game Sir, adults play it as well.'. 'Well, children's or adults game, I will have to discuss this with my advisors. I'll let you know what we think. Goodbye, for now.'. 'Goodb-', Xi already hung up. Trump sighed and said, 'Well, let's wait for his response. Don't send any missiles yet Sir.'.
The days following that phone call, Trump already ordered the so-called 'Professionals' to come by the White House and teach him to play Minecraft. Finally, two people arrived. They were known for being one of the best Minecraft streamers and YouTubers in the United States. Dream and Technoblade were both active on YouTube and both had millions of subscribers. The 2 players were coaching the President and taught him to spam click and to aim with a bow. At the end of the week, the President got a phone call from the Chinese President again. He agreed on the battle.
The Presidents decided to make it public and announced in a press conference about the decision. It would take place, a week after the conference, they announced. The internet exploded about it, making memes and speculating about the event. It would be streamed on the National Chinese television and on Twitch, MSNBC, Fox and countless of other TV channels. After the Press conference, Twitch got 50 million new accounts registered, probably because of the event. The stock market exploded, the stock value of Amazon jumped from $3.000,45 to $24,345.865.
For the week after the announcement, both parties were practising for the fight. They both knew it was the only peaceful solution, where none would get hurt and the winner would win and set conditions for the losing side, which could change the geopolitics forever. On the day of the event, they met in Vienna, where the on the Law of Treaties were made. This decision was made, because after the match, new treaties would be made by the winner and accepted by the loser. In the Prater Stadium in Vienna, the event would happen. 50.000 people could be seated there and it would be streamed on big screens in the stadium. In the centre of the stadium, two computers would be placed. Both were the same computers, with the same system specifications, so that no party would get the advantage in hardware.
They both walked simultaneously to the pitch from the opposite sides, with a huge crowd cheering and supporting them. Even democratic figures, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama endorsed Trump in this fight. 'Country over party' was the slogan the democrats made. The Presidents reached the computers and got seated. The screens were already turned on and the players suited themselves. 'In 3? 2? 1? Let the match begin!', the commentator said. And thus the match begun?
Side notes: (Not part of the story)
2: YouTube channel of Technoblade
5: Amazon is the owner of Twitch and since Twitch got so many new registrants, the watch time of Twitch would increase as well, resulting in more ad revenue and because of expected profit, stock holders and investors, will invest more, expecting a part of the profit.
Why I have handed it in 3 times: Grammar errors, spelling errors, making paragraphs, so it's more readable and removing some swear / curse words.