Driving through the streets of Fairbanks.
Feng Shan admired the passing scenery outside the window while enduring the incessant chatter from his tour guide, Frank.
"This is Nangang Road, the busiest street in Fairbanks. You can find many shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues along this street."
"Over here is Stanford Street, the oldest street in Fairbanks, where you can find many historic buildings, old churches, and museums."
"Kingsley Street. Along this street are many entertainment venues, such as bars, cafes, and restaurants."
"Around the corner is Blake Street, the most beautiful street in Fairbanks. You can see many scenic views, beautiful lakes, and tree-lined streets."
"There's also the Dalton Highway, the most dangerous and most beautiful highway in the United States. It's a shame it's not the right season. If it were winter, it would absolutely blow you away."
Feng Shan frowned. "If you could shut your mouth right now, *that* would be a real surprise."
"God, not being allowed to talk is the greatest punishment for a lawyer. Quick, look at that chick! Her legs are so long, she must be from Texas." Amidst Frank's exclamations, the car arrived at Fairbanks City Hall.
After getting out of the car, Frank's sleazy expression vanished. He seriously straightened his suit collar and tie, giving Feng Shan the impression of a warrior about to go into battle, full of fighting spirit.
"Feng, don't say a word in a bit. I'm going to fight against these capitalist lackeys and show them the great power of red."
"???" Feng Shan looked completely baffled. "Aren't you a city councilman?"
"No, I am a messenger of justice, representing the wrath of God, here to eliminate all inequality." Frank's expression turned serious. "Anything the government supports, I oppose with all my might. I find the loopholes and deliver the fatal blow."
'Isn't that just being a contrarian?'
'He's just plain nuts.'
Feng Shan pursed his lips and picked up Prince and Coca-Cola.
...
The two were led into a conference room by a staff member.
Before long, four people walked in: a still-charming blonde woman, a stern-faced middle-aged man, a pot-bellied man, and finally, a bald middle-aged man.
When the four of them saw Frank stand up, their expressions were a complex mix of helplessness, anger, and surprise. Frank, on the other hand, was all smiles as he stepped forward to shake their hands.
"Frank, what are you doing here? The public legal aid session is over." The still-charming blonde woman frowned, seeming very displeased to see Frank.
Frank gave an elegant, slight bow, looking just like a gentleman.
"My apologies, Lady Kelly. I am now Mr. Feng's private attorney. Would you like to see my letter of engagement?"
"Frank, I get a headache the moment I see you. It's like a grizzly bear slapped me across the head." The bald man sat down with a wry smile.
The remaining two didn't speak, but from their expressions, they seemed to hold a great deal of resentment toward Frank.
Once both sides were seated.
Frank began to introduce the four individuals to Feng Shan.
The still-charming blonde woman was Lady Kelly, an assistant to the governor of Alaska.
The stern-faced middle-aged man was Lowell, a technical officer from the Alaska office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, that is, the Department of the Interior Land Administration Bureau.
The pot-bellied middle-aged man was Hogan, head of the Alaska Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau.
And finally, the bald man was Philip Jason, the head of the Alaska branch of the IRS, the Federal Tax Bureau—the most feared government agency in the United States.
The four people in the room represented the most powerful government departments in Alaska.
Feng Shan faced the four of them and gave a slight nod.
'I'm no good at dealing with these kinds of officials,' Feng Shan admitted to himself. 'In any case, I've got Frank to take the heat.'
"Let's not waste any time, everyone. I charge by the minute!" Frank took out a file, placed it on the table, and looked at the four officials with a wide grin.
"Then let's begin!" Governor Andrew's assistant, Lady Kelly, looked at Feng Shan. "Mr. Feng, welcome to Alaska. Regarding Mr. Feng Kailu's inheritance, I hope we can handle this matter properly."
"According to the document, the Tsarist Russia Empire that signed it no longer exists. This means the agreement is invalid, and therefore the document's period of validity..."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!
Frank suddenly rapped his knuckles on the tabletop, interrupting Lady Kelly. He put on an exaggeratedly serious expression and waved his arms.
"Oh, my God! Just listen to what a governor's assistant is saying! I am starting to doubt Governor Andrew's judgment in choosing his assistants. Are the citizens of Alaska really going to let this state be run by someone so blind and deaf? I will initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor in the state assembly."
"By that logic, the United States' period of cooperation with Iraq has also expired. So why haven't all those soldiers come home yet? Does our government not have even a shred of integrity?"
"Watch your words. This is a formal meeting, not your personal soapbox on a market street," Lady Kelly said, trembling with anger.
Frank's expression changed in an instant, and he shrugged.
"Alright, then. I'd like to ask you, Lady Kelly, does our great nation no longer have any respect for contracts? Or did you graduate from Brooks Mountain University? The Tsarist Russia Empire may no longer exist, but the United States does. Does the signature on that document not represent the United States?"
PFFT!
Beside them, the bald Jason from the IRS couldn't help but laugh out loud. Seeing a pair of fiery eyes glare at him, he quickly suppressed his smile.
'Brooks Mountain University? The Brooks Range is so barren not even grass grows there. How could there possibly be a university?'
At this thought, the corners of his mouth turned up again.
"Of course the signed document represents the United States. I never denied that," Lady Kelly said in a cold voice, suppressing her anger.
"Well, there you have it. This document, signed under the witness of God, will accompany the United States until its demise, whether now or in the future. This point is not up for discussion."
Frank, the master contrarian, brought the hammer down, silencing Lady Kelly.
AHEM!
Lowell, the technical officer from the Department of the Interior Land Administration Bureau, cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention.
"Mr. Feng, regarding Crown Territory, I hope you will consider this seriously. That land truly has no valuable mineral resources to exploit. Besides being barren, it's just home to some wild animals. We are willing to buy it back at the agreed-upon price. With that money, you could buy much better land in the United States."
"Of course, if Mr. Feng does not intend to sell Crown Territory, then you will have to fund all of Crown Territory's infrastructure and public services yourself. The Bureau of Land Management will not provide any subsidies."
"Sorry, my client has no intention of selling. Next."
Facing the threat, Frank directly rejected the Bureau of Land Management's suggestion and turned to look at Hogan from the Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau.
For the immigration bureau, the land had nothing to do with their department. Hogan took out a manila envelope and pushed it in front of Frank.
"Since Mr. Feng is willing to stay in Alaska, the immigration bureau naturally has no objection. This is Mr. Feng's green card. We hope you will not commit any crimes on United States soil."
"A correction: it's Feng's land." Frank took the manila envelope, pulled out a stack of documents, examined them carefully, and then handed one of the cards to Feng Shan.
'So this is the green card.'
'Why is it white? And this photo is really ugly.'
Feng Shan toyed with the permanent resident card in his hand.
The first three hurdles were cleared. All that was left was Philip Jason from the Federal Tax Bureau. Seeing his three colleagues repeatedly signaling him with looks to 'give him some trouble,' he shook his head helplessly.
"Mr. Feng, since you are unwilling to sell Crown Territory, you will need to accept the supervision of the Federal Tax Bureau and pay your taxes on time."
"Wait!" Frank immediately cut in, pushing a document in front of Tax Officer Philip Jason and raising his voice.
"Please take a look at the explanation of rights in this document."
"Crown Territory is private property. It possesses a high degree of autonomy, enjoys de facto ownership, and bears no tax obligations whatsoever. So I ask you, how is Mr. Feng supposed to pay taxes to the Federal Tax Bureau?"
"It would be illegal for Mr. Feng to pay taxes!"
...