Chapter Sixteen: The Dead Are More Useful Than the Living

Under Ben’s guidance, Peter felt his worldview being shaken. Yet, after analyzing everything with his own mind, he had no choice but to admit that most of what his uncle said was correct. Only now did he realize that these were matters he had simply never pondered before.

“Then, Uncle, what about Captain America?” Peter suddenly remembered his very first childhood idol. The promotion of Captain America had gone on for countless years; by now, he had become a veritable banner.

“Is Captain America alive? There’s nothing more pointless in this world than using a dead man for endless propaganda. Actions matter more than words. After all these years, have you ever seen those who praise Captain America do anything meaningful? They haven’t. All they do is exploit his image to deceive and line their own pockets.”

In Yang Qiu’s eyes, Uncle Ben’s figure shimmered with wisdom—clearly, Ben hadn’t grown up with a pampered education. Yang Qiu paid even closer attention; after all, he knew that Captain America wasn’t actually dead.

“Let’s suppose, for the sake of argument, that Captain America suddenly came back to life. What would happen? Who would become his enemies? Think carefully, and tell me your answers one by one.” Ben watched as Peter pondered.

“First, the capitalists who hold the rights to Captain America,” Peter began, looking up. “If Captain America were alive, they’d lose their chance to keep profiting from his image. Their rivals in the business world wouldn’t let them get away with that. They might even lose the money they’ve already made.”

Ben nodded, prompting Peter to continue.

“Second, some people who are dissatisfied with their lives, those who always question history, and even some of his own admirers,” Peter suddenly seemed much more mature. “Just like you said, Uncle—they’d blame their unhappiness on Captain America. People like that love to pass the buck. As for those who doubt history, they might claim Captain America deceived them, that he exploited their admiration with a fake death, that all his past deeds were fabricated—or that in his years away, he did unspeakable things…”

“Not only that, but a host of ugly accusations would suddenly find their culprit,” Ben added.

“Third, the President…” Peter took a deep breath. “Because if Captain America ran for President, I think I’d vote for him…”

“You’re not wrong. In fact, there would be even more enemies, but you can think about the rest in your own time. Now, the second question: how would you resolve these issues? Let’s assume Captain America, after his return, still retains some voice and agency.” Ben guided him onward.

“Hmm… Issue a statement, renounce all claims to his various rights, and promise never to run for office?” Peter still struggled to keep up.

“No, don’t focus on giving things up—focus on what you can seize.” Yang Qiu interjected. “First, establish an even more positive image. Everything follows its own inertia, like a pillar that’s not easily toppled. To preserve it, you shouldn’t think about cutting it down, but rather about adding more bricks on top.”

“Next, reduce public appearances and increase your mystique. Delegate most communications to your own chosen channels. Suppose that channel is S.H.I.E.L.D.—then let S.H.I.E.L.D. speak for you. Show through your actions that you won’t disrupt the established order, but make it clear that you’ll play by the rules. For Captain America, who’s only somewhat above average, this is the wisest, most self-serving choice.”

Ben nodded approvingly. “Yang is absolutely right. Remember—not all compromises are noble. Don’t go putting a collar around your own neck for no reason. It’s like facing a wolf; you can’t keep buying time by slicing off bits of yourself. All you can do is clench your fists and show your strength.”

“What are you all up to? Why are you talking about these things while I’m doing the dishes?” Aunt May emerged from the kitchen, hands on her hips. She claimed she’d been washing dishes, but Yang Qiu noticed her hands were dry—she must have been listening in for a while.

“It might come in handy for their future,” Ben stood up, meek as a mouse, his earlier gravitas gone.

“Handy, huh? Tell me how.”

“Peter is so bright, he’s sure to make something of himself. As for Yang, well, there’s nothing I could tell him that he doesn’t already know. He’s bound for greatness too, isn’t he?” Ben waved at Yang Qiu and Peter. “Come on, tell your Aunt May all of this is good for you, isn’t it?”

“Uh… Peter, let’s change the channel and watch some cartoons to relax,” Yang Qiu deliberately pulled Peter away.

“Still trying to talk your way out of it!” Aunt May scolded, tugging Ben’s ear.

Yang Qiu smiled—this was just another way of showing affection. Truly, when Uncle Ben was alive, Aunt May was so lively.

Dragged onto the sofa, Peter sat staring blankly, evidently still lost in thought.

“What’s wrong? Still stuck in that mental maze?” Yang Qiu whispered in his ear.

Peter nodded, sighing. “Yang, how do you know so much? Is there a method? Teach me.”

“Just try some reading comprehension exercises.”

“Reading comprehension?”

“Yes, it’s a type of language arts question in Huaxia, designed to train your ability to think in depth. To be honest, neither overthinking nor underthinking is perfect, but in most cases, it’s better to think more than to think less.”

“Anything else?”

“Read more history. There is nothing truly new under the sun.”

…

After recommending a round of practice tests, Yang Qiu sauntered out of Uncle Ben’s home.

He figured that with this kind of early education, Peter wouldn’t be so easily deceived and tossed about in the future. What did this demonstrate? That one should always speak fully—half-truths can mislead terribly.

Moreover, Yang Qiu found himself reevaluating Nick Fury. After that round of hypothetical reasoning with Ben, he considered: when Steve is eventually dug out from under the ice—not only alive, but thriving, and ultimately joining the Avengers—Nick Fury and Carter must have played pivotal roles.

Never underestimate the depths to which capitalists are willing to sink; their lack of scruples far exceeds the ordinary person’s imagination.

So, Nick Fury really had done something. After all, to wrest the post of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director from the hands of a former Hydra leader, surrounded by enemies, and to push back against Hydra’s influence without even knowing the true circumstances—that takes real skill.

And another thing: Nick Fury might have his flaws, but at least he is neither a traitor to humanity nor to the planet.