Above Destiny

Chapter 570 Kindness
Whether it was a dragon or a snake was unclear, but I didn't touch it.

There was no difficulty or rejection as expected.

The tallest building in downtown TC, a 71-story luxury resort hotel, has a champagne tower that reflects a crystal-clear light on its brightly lit rooftop.

Soft music filled the air with laughter.

Slightly dark-skinned, curly-haired servants politely carried food and wine glasses through the crowd, gracefully offering the guests what they needed, and then discreetly retreating to an inconspicuous corner.

A typical buffet dinner.

In the harmonious atmosphere, everyone wore humble and warm expressions, even enthusiastic smiles, and occasionally let out a deep, deep laugh that made the poor people's wallets tremble.

Ji Jue is laughing so hard he's almost developing PTSD.

Under the illumination of the crystal chandelier, everything seemed to be gilded, and the joyous atmosphere made it feel like heaven.

The banquet was bustling with people, even more than Ji Jue had imagined, like a large company's annual meeting, but in reality, it wasn't much different.

Almost all the prominent figures around Tacheng gathered at this banquet. They greeted each other with elegant manners and politeness, suppressing the hatred in their hearts and the disgust in their eyes. After washing the blood off their hands, they came to listen to the 'instruction'.

That's right, it's discipline.

Ultimately, this banquet was much like a press conference, except that it was not for the general public, but for all the attendees and the groups, institutions, and organizations they represented!

This banquet was essentially over five minutes after it began.

At the invitation of Mr. Shaban, CEO of Zhengrong Group and host of the banquet, Lieutenant General Fan Yun, the commander of the Federal Tacheng Garrison Base, and Duke Passarella, the commander of the Imperial Garrison Base, delivered joint speeches.

During the brief conversation, both sides politely praised the improvement and stability of the situation between China and Turkey in recent years, and expressed their recognition and appreciation for the work done by the other side. At the end of the speech, both sides agreed that they would invest more manpower and resources to maintain order, improve public security, and do their utmost to ensure the stable output of the phlogiston and non-ferrous metal industries, so as to move towards a better future.

There's a lot of nonsense and too many things that can be ignored, but this last section is the real purpose: expressing our attitude towards the outside world.

Simply put, we need both supply and stability.

Regardless of life or death, or anything else, just increase production and exports.

No matter what happens, don't you dare delay my phlogiston and mineral supplies, not even if the sky falls! Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!
Amid applause and praise, everyone welcomed the increasingly rampant exploitation and oppression.

Ji Jue clapped in the crowd, blending seamlessly into the atmosphere.

At this critical juncture, in order to maintain superficial stability, all contradictions were forcibly suppressed, and exports and production were increased. Not to mention how many people will die in the mines and phlogiston oil fields, this is simply drinking poison to quench thirst and adding fuel to the fire for the situation in China!
So-called peace is nothing more than a blood-sucking and slow-crushing process jointly carried out by the Federation and the Empire before the war arrives...

Those who attended the meeting had all received prior notice, to varying degrees.

Instead of looking grief-stricken, they were all beaming with joy, filled with gratitude, basking in the light bestowed upon them by the Federation and the Empire, as if they were bathed in the sun, and tears of emotion flowed uncontrollably.

After they finished speaking, the two officers went to the private lounge amidst the praise and entourage of their subordinates. The reason everyone was still gathered here, waiting for the banquet to end, was simply to kill time by chatting and waiting for a possible summons from the lounge.

The higher-ups might not know who left last, but everyone remembers perfectly clearly who left first—did you have any objections to the great decision to maintain peace and order?
Even though it was his first time attending such a banquet, Ji Jue didn't feel neglected.

Even though Ji Jue was unknown in this land, the rumors of Haichao Military Industry's market expansion had already spread throughout Tacheng.

Moreover, the tricycles, vans, and refrigerators from the coastal industry were incredibly widespread...

In everyone's eyes, these two things were completely linked together, leading them to believe that Ji Jue was planning to use the same trick again!

Just like when the Coast Motors plant returned to the military industry, it wanted to make a breakthrough in the civilian market, accumulate advantages, compete for the local market, intervene in conflicts, and expand rapidly.

There's no way around it, they're just so alike!

Ji Jue has already done the same thing once before. Not to mention others, even if Ji Jue were to do it again, it would be the track and route he is most familiar with, and he wouldn't mind repeating it.

"Mr. Ji is truly a young man of great talent. Such a young master craftsman is highly praised and remembered by many great masters in China."

The chubby, dark-skinned man with a headscarf shook Ji Jue's hand, his smile hearty and friendly: "If you're interested in selling your work, you should definitely consider me first!"

The speaker was the host of the banquet, the actual controller of the Zhengrong Group, and the leader of the Huangji in Tacheng—Shaban. He showed no arrogance or rejection, but was full of enthusiasm.

As for what was said... Ji Jue felt that there might be some craftsmen who still remembered him fondly, but to praise him so highly... was absolutely nonsense.

How could Ji Jue not know himself?
How can someone in the same industry not understand their peers?
Leaving aside how hypocritical his peers are when praising someone, he knows perfectly well how vulgar their insults are. Have you ever seen fifteen 60-second voice messages sent in quick succession? Ji Jue has seen plenty!

"Definitely, definitely, definitely next time!" Ji Jue held his hand, beaming with joy, as if he had met a half-brother, and began to utter auspicious words!

Perhaps everyone at the banquet saw him as a thorn in their side, but not Shaban. Shaban only saw him as a major source of this year's KPIs, a benevolent figure who had appeared out of nowhere to boost the local economy.

It doesn't matter who comes to the deserted area anyway.

Whether Tacheng is chaotic or not, perhaps the local outpost can't say for sure, but regardless of the situation, the local outpost is definitely the most profitable. They take any job, making money from both ends, and then they can sell intelligence from a third party for even more profit.

He remains absolutely neutral unless it involves the decisions of the Wilderness Gathering, and he will never side with either side without the leader's order.

No matter how much money Chen Xingzhou and his shipping and trading business make, it's all the same.

As the host of the banquet, he was unusually enthusiastic in introducing Ji Jue to the guests, but he was interrupted after only introducing two.

A gaunt, pale-skinned soldier emerged from the private room and walked straight toward the two men. His slightly bloodshot eyes seemed to be wreathed in ghostly fire, exuding an astonishing pressure.

"Major Li, would you like a drink?" Shaban asked with a smile, handing over a glass of champagne.

"No need."

Major Li glanced at his wine glass, then his gaze fell on Ji Jue's face. After a moment of staring, he indifferently looked away and said, "Come with me."

"It seems this is General Fan's intention."

Shaban beamed and patted Ji Jue on the shoulder: "Congratulations, Mr. Ji. You've only just arrived, but you've already made a name for yourself in front of the general."

"I'm so sorry, excuse me."

Ji Jue smiled and followed Major Li through the hall to the front of the private room. The major glanced at him, turned and left, leaving only the words, "Wait."

After a long time, the door finally opened.

A local-skinned, long-bearded man was politely escorted out, then thanked them profusely before taking his leave. However, he seemed dazed, his face was pale, and he almost tripped and fell as he walked.

"You must be Ji Jue, right?"

The general, who was seeing the guests off, smiled warmly and waved, "Come in, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

"General Fan is very busy, it's just a short wait, nothing much," Ji Jue said with a smile.

He looked like an elderly man with a buzz cut and a few silvery-white hairs that looked like steel needles. His skin was already a bit loose, and he walked with a slight limp, leaning on a cane.

This is Lieutenant General Fan Yun, the military commander of the Tacheng garrison base and one of the key figures in the military in Tacheng and even in Central China.

"Make yourself at home, sit down, we're all family here."

The general leaned back on the sofa, picked up his wine glass and took a sip: "Xiao Lü specifically mentioned you to me. Back when she was serving in the Central Plains, I was the one who raised her. I never thought that so many years would have passed... My secretary told me about your appointment. I thought, since I'm already here, I might as well meet you together."

Ji Jue kept his head down, his expression still respectful:

"Thank you for your concern."

"He's definitely one of Xiao Lü's people; his smile is just like hers."

Fan Yun glanced at him and sighed, "I think you're a restless person, but the Central Plains is different from other places. If you suffer a loss or hit a wall, you have to learn to be careful."

"You're right."

Ji Jue nodded, as if hearing celestial music and his ears were suddenly enlightened, filled with agreement and gratitude.

"She likes to gamble. Once she finds an opportunity, she will bet all her money on it. Her favorite thing is to take risks."

With the backing of the State Security Bureau and the support of the military, they have been successful in everything they have done for so many years. But this time, getting involved in the affairs of the Li and Di families is too reckless.

I'm getting old, I'll be retiring in a few years, and I really don't want to get involved in this messy stuff. You can handle your own problems."

Fan Yun made no attempt to hide anything and said bluntly, "You may not be used to the tastes of the Central Plains, but the food at the Tacheng base is definitely nourishing. If you can't get used to the food outside, come back and rest early."

"Alright, enough with the old man's words. You're just making yourself unpopular. It's good that you, a young person, want to venture out; as for what happens next, you'd better watch yourself."

As one of the Federation's representatives in the Central Plains, Fan Yun had no need to hide anything from Ji Jue, a minor figure, nor did he intend to get involved in the messy affairs of the local military and the local government.

Sitting in a high enough place gives you the right to watch the waves with a smile and observe with indifference.

As he spoke, he raised his glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

see a visitor out.

Ji Jue also picked up the whiskey in front of him, poured it into his mouth, stood up, and politely said goodbye, without being impolite.

This audience, in a sense, was completed.

(End of this chapter)