Landlord in the Arctic

After learning the Elder Chief’s true purpose for visiting the Crown Territory,

Feng Mountain’s voice was full of impatience as he spoke irritably.

"Fine, keep talking. But if we can’t reach an agreement, you’d best leave as soon as possible. And we won’t have any more dealings in the future."

Chief Welta smiled faintly, his expression serene.

He once again cast his gaze toward the vast tundra and snow-capped mountains in the distance, his weathered face holding a faint trace of sorrow.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, after the ancestors of the Indians arrived in Alaska, they spread across this land, forming different tribes and groups: the Athabaskan people, the Tlingit People, the Haida People, and the Chinook People."

"To survive, our ancestors relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering to make a living, establishing one tribe after another on this barren land of Alaska."

"Later, the Inuit came to Alaska, and our ancestors were forced to drive them into the Arctic Region. Immediately after, the Russians arrived and began their colonial rule. But the rule of the Russians in Alaska was never recognized by the Indians."

"After that, the United States bought Alaska from the Russians. But as the true owners of this land, the Indians once again suffered the fate of colonization."

"With the successive discoveries of gold, oil, and various other resources, the Americans began to develop Alaska on a large scale. This led to the massive seizure of Indian lands, and we were forced to live confined within reservations."

"The white men not only seized our lands but also restricted the rights and freedoms of the Indians. They forbade Indians from using their own languages and forced Indian children into boarding schools, trying every means possible to assimilate them."

"However, in the face of American oppression and dispossession, the Indians have never chosen to yield."

"Although the Indians of Alaska have now made some progress in fighting for their rights, gaining a degree of autonomy and welfare benefits, our traditional culture is disappearing at an astonishing rate."

"The children in the tribes know about McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, but they know nothing of the Spirit of All Things and have no concept of their tribe’s traditions. If this continues, the Indians of Alaska will surely face extinction."

"Therefore, the Indians need hope. We need a Holy Land—a Holy Land that will allow the Alaska Indians to reclaim the memories of their ancestors and preserve their traditional culture."

Feng Mountain’s lips twitched downward, utterly unimpressed.

’The old man’s story was touching, sure, but what the hell does it have to do with the Crown Territory? This isn’t a history class.

It’s not like I’m in some lecture hall listening to a professor. I’m busy day in and day out; just managing the trivial affairs of the Crown Territory is already a huge headache.

I have no desire to learn about the history of the Indians, let alone any interest.

Besides, if the Elder Chief needs a Holy Land, there are plenty of ways to find one. Why not call the police?

Wouldn’t it be better to let professionals handle it than to stand here haggling with me?

Insisting on targeting the Crown Territory, which I’ve worked so hard to build, is just asking for trouble.’

Just as Feng Mountain was about to impatiently cut off this impossible conversation,

Chief Welta seemed to sense his thoughts. The Chief’s tone shifted abruptly as he tossed out a single phrase.

"Twenty million US Dollars."

"What?" Feng Mountain’s eyebrow shot up, completely baffled.

’What on earth is this old guy up to? Why bring up money out of the blue?’

Chief Welta met Feng Mountain’s bewildered gaze, his own eyes as firm as a torch in the winter night. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

"If you agree to let the Crown Territory become a Holy Land for the Alaska Indians to make their pilgrimage, the Wild Bull Tribe promises to pay you 20 million US Dollars every year, indefinitely."

This!

Feng Mountain’s heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he was at a loss.

’To be honest, the Crown Territory was doing quite well. It wasn’t like I was hurting for 20 million US Dollars, but then again, who would say no to money?

Especially when it was being offered so generously. An offer like that was hard to refuse.’

At once, Feng Mountain furrowed his brow and paced back and forth by the riverbank, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

On the one hand, the Crown Territory was his grand-uncle’s life’s work. To simply let it become the Indians’ Holy Land was, emotionally, a difficult thing to accept.

On the other hand, an annual income of 20 million US Dollars... that was real money in his pocket. Even if used for the Crown Territory’s infrastructure, it would be a huge investment.

After much deliberation, Feng Mountain stopped pacing.

He raised his head to meet Chief Welta’s gaze and could only say with a hint of apology,

"I need to think about it."

"Of course. I hope to have an answer after Christmas." Chief Welta nodded calmly, his expression as placid as still water, as if he had long expected this reaction from Feng Mountain.

"Alright!" Feng Mountain shrugged helplessly, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then hastily turned and left.

Chief Welta remained standing quietly by the riverbank,

gazing at the tundra shrouded by the polar night, and the endless, surrounding snow-capped mountains that looked especially stark in the darkness.

He slowly closed his eyes and opened his arms,

savoring the feeling of the gentle breeze brushing past his ears, its soft touch seeming to carry some mysterious power,

as if he could hear the Spirit of All Things whispering in his ear.

.....

When Feng Mountain returned to the camp, his mind heavy with thoughts,

a rather bizarre scene appeared before him.

Female staff members from the camp were frequently loitering in front of him.