196: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Four: The Patriot 196: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Four: The Patriot Gao Yang realized the predicament he was in.
Unless something unexpected occurred, he couldn’t dream of returning home in this lifetime.
Even if he wanted to bring his parents abroad, it was impossible to do so through normal channels.
And the idea of smuggling his parents out under police surveillance was out of the question for the next three to five years.
Maybe after another decade or so, there might be a slight chance of success.
Being unable to reunite with his family almost completely wiped out Gao Yang’s sense of happiness, and his mood plummeted to rock bottom.
In his view, no matter how much money he earned, it was meaningless if he couldn’t support his parents.
Looking at the silent Gao Yang, Morgan cleared his throat and said, “Gao, the only way to improve your situation, as well as Lee’s, is to take up American citizenship.
Only then can you both live in the United States with peace of mind.”
Gao Yang numbly nodded and said, “Thank you, Morgan.
But since we are wanted by INTERPOL, can we even become American citizens?”
Morgan nodded, “Yes, I’ve consulted someone on this.
The person I’ve found can absolutely make it happen, and not just getting you green cards, but officially becoming American citizens.
All you need to do is apply for political asylum with the U.S.
government.
Leave the rest to me to handle.”
Gao Yang, incredulous, said, “Political asylum?”
“Exactly, political asylum.
As long as you apply, I can get you political protection.
INTERPOL doesn’t involve themselves in such cases, so once you have the U.S.
government’s protection, INTERPOL won’t pursue you anymore.
Even if they continue, it would be meaningless.”
Frowning, Gao Yang looked over at Li Jinfang, noticing that although Li Jinfang was also frowning, he didn’t voice any objections.
Hesitating for a moment, Gao Yang said, “Please continue.”
“You need to understand a premise, being subject to criminal punishment doesn’t qualify as political persecution.
You can’t apply for asylum based on that alone.
Therefore, you must prove that you have suffered political persecution, but there’s an issue.
No matter the type of persecution, you both need to step forward and make statements, to accuse Huaxia.
Only by doing so can you obtain political protection.”
As soon as Morgan finished speaking, Li Jinfang definitively said, “Impossible.
I will not do that.
I’d rather be captured and face a firing squad than betray my motherland.
I’ve committed crimes, and if I’m captured and shot, it’s what I deserve.
I can hide to save my life, but I could never be a traitor.”
Morgan frowned and said, “Lee, you have to distinguish between being a traitor and what we’re talking about here.”
Gao Yang let out a sigh and said to Morgan, “Thank you, Morgan.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, but it’s impossible.
I understand what you mean and what defines a traitor, but no matter what, I won’t do as you say.
There are things I believe I did right, and I would do the same over again, kill those scumbags.
But crime is crime, and Huaxia has done nothing wrong to me.
I can apply for political asylum, as long as it doesn’t harm Huaxia.
But to publicly make unfavorable lies about Huaxia is impossible.
We cannot accept that.”
As Morgan looked like he was about to speak, Gao Yang shook his head and said, “Morgan, don’t say anymore.
It’s impossible.
We can’t do it.
If becoming an American citizen means betraying our homeland, then we’d rather not.
Sure, life may be harder in Africa, but we can survive there.
I don’t want to be backstabbed, nor do I want my parents to be ashamed.
Morgan, Huaxia can’t accept the capture of its soldiers, while Americans consider captured soldiers heroes.
Our cultural differences are too vast; you can’t understand us.
Let me emphasize again, Lee and I can’t commit treason.”
In a tense voice, Morgan said, “I don’t consider this treason, Gao.
You need to understand what treason really is.
Think about it, you have money now, you could live a good life.
If you turn this down, you’ll only live like a mouse.
What’s the point in that kind of life?”
Gao Yang smiled bitterly, “Let’s take things one step at a time.
I’m not a particularly noble person, but one must have a moral baseline.
What you’re suggesting is beyond what I can accept.
So, whether the living is good or bad, as long as I’m alive, that’s how I’ll get by.”
Li Jinfang also firmly said, “That’s right.
I was once a soldier of Huaxia, and I still consider myself a soldier of Huaxia.
I don’t think I did anything wrong, so I can run away.
But if you ask me to commit treason, I’d rather die right now.
I’ve already shamed my unit; I can’t subject my old unit to this utter disgrace.”
Morgan stood up, shaking his head helplessly.
After pacing around the room several times, he finally sighed, “I never expected that you two would still be patriots, and such stubborn ones at that.
It’s really surprising.
I thought you would gladly accept the offer.”
Gao Yang bitterly smiled, “Don’t make us sound so noble.
We’re just mercenaries who sell our lives for money.
Since when have mercenaries been associated with nobility?
We just maintain some basic human decency.
That’s all.”
Morgan let out a sigh and sat back down on the couch.
After pondering for a moment with a troubled expression, he said, “You can’t go on like this without nationality.
You can’t even take a commercial flight, which must change!
If you’re unwilling to seek refuge and gain US citizenship legally, then this is difficult.
I can’t influence the immigration authorities to allow international fugitives into the United States.
Okay, maybe I can think of a way to let you stay in the United States with false identities, but that’s very risky.”
Gao Yang expressed his sincere gratitude to Morgan, “Thank you, Morgan.
I really appreciate it.”
Morgan waved his hand and, after another moment of reflection, he sighed deeply and said, “I really can’t guarantee that you’ll be completely without worries in the future.
Maybe I can fabricate a false identity for you to stay in the United States, but doing so is fundamentally illegal.
The US government has close cooperation with INTERPOL, and if you are discovered by INTERPOL or people from the Huaxia embassy, the US government won’t protect you.
Instead, they will opt to extradite you back to your country.
You have to think carefully, one method could give you peace of mind, whereas the other is like planting a time bomb that could explode at any moment.
Maybe you’ll spend the rest of your lives safely, or maybe you’ll be caught tomorrow.”
Gao Yang excitedly said, “You should have started with the fake identity, really.
There are only so many INTERPOL agents, not so easy for them to run into us.
As for the Huaxia embassy, if necessary, I’ll just stay as far away from it as possible, no worries.”
Morgan replied irritably, “I’m just a businessman, who do you think I am?
How could I possibly just make a fake identity for you like that?
I can only say I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise success.
I will try my best to ensure you can stay in the United States legally.
The only prerequisite is not to let anyone discover your fake identities, otherwise, I have no power to fish you out of a police station.
In fact, if you’re taken by the police, those influential people who could help won’t step in; they wouldn’t threaten their political careers for some small fry, no matter how small the possibility.”
Gao Yang said nonchalantly, “It doesn’t matter, we don’t have to stay in the US.
Once we get the passports with the fake identities, we can go to other countries.
Anyway, everything is up to you now, Morgan.
I feel very lucky to have met you.”
Waving his hand with a wry smile, Morgan said, “We’re friends, aren’t we?
Friends are supposed to help each other.
It takes time to forge a fake identity to gain US citizenship.
I don’t know how long it will take, maybe a month or two, maybe a year or two.
Anyway, I’ll get it done as soon as possible, but before I sort everything out, you guys better not stay in the United States.
It’d be a huge problem if anything goes wrong.”
Gao Yang nodded and replied, “No problem, we’ll go to South Africa and stay there for a while.
But I still need your help to get us there.”
With a nod, Morgan responded, “That’s easily done.
Additionally, Frey’s problem is very easy to solve; he just needs to apply for immigration through normal channels.
Rabbit, if you have no legal issues in Huaxia, you can also immigrate normally.
Both of you can easily gain US citizenship.”
Cui Bo waved his hand and said, “I don’t mind.
If they all come to the United States, then I’ll come too.
If they can’t, it wouldn’t mean much for me to be here alone.
Let’s wait and see.”
Frey hesitated for a moment, glanced at Gao Yang, and then said, “I guess I’ll wait too.
Wherever the boss goes, I’ll go.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “Frey, you could bring your mother and girlfriend to the United States first.
After all, it’s much safer here than in South Africa.
And you don’t have to always hang around with us.
You’re a wealthy man now, you can live a normal life.”
Frey smiled and shook his head, “Boss, you’re right.
I should get my mom over here first, but for me, I’ll go wherever you go.”
After nodding at Frey, Morgan turned to Glolov and said, “Your wife and daughter won’t have any issues, they can easily become US citizens.
But you’re different, isn’t it practically impossible for you to appear with your original identity?”
Glolov replied, “Yes, that would be more dangerous for me.
It seems I have no choice but to falsify an identity so I can have a nationality.”
Morgan nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll get someone to take your photos and try to resolve your identity issues as quickly as possible.
Guys, just relax and enjoy your vacation for now.
Christmas is coming soon, Big Dog.
Don’t you plan to go to New York to spend time with your family?”
Glolov first glanced at Gao Yang and then with an awkward expression, said, “Neither Gao nor I want our families to worry, so I told Yelena we’re still in Israel and that we have a lot more training to do.
However, now it looks like our injuries should completely heal before Christmas, so if it’s possible, we’d really like to make a trip to New York.”
Gao Yang noticed Glolov said “we” instead of “I,” which made him feel somewhat embarrassed.
Morgan also seemed to have picked up on this; he gave Gao Yang a meaningful look and then, with a laugh, said, “Once you’re all healed up, I’ll take all of you to New York.
You deserve to enjoy life a bit.
Also, Gao, you should start thinking about what Christmas presents to give.”
(To be continued…
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