In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 218 Chen Qian's Engagement

In the old Taoist's view, the Federation has a new look, but its underlying nature is still that of the Central Plains dynasty that has been passed down for thousands of years.

The logic of power operation remains unchanged; no matter how loose the current system is, centralized power is inevitable.

Therefore, the appointment and removal of local officials will definitely not fall to the local level.

The debate between the two national policies was also a foregone conclusion.

From a utilitarian point of view, Liu Hanwen should not support the relocation inland. Even if the Confederate District is not under his control, his sphere of influence is the entire Nankaido.

When Nankaido prospers, so does the rest of the country.

The fact that he did this could only be an arrangement by the ruler of the nation, meaning that the federal chief needs to relocate industries inland to benefit the entire country.

Even if Liu Hanwen is selfless, it won't have much impact on major events; everyone's position has already determined their direction.

The old Taoist priest surveyed the situation in Nankaido with an almost precognitive air. In his eyes, everyone was a chess piece, and their movements followed a predictable pattern, just like in chess.

Just as Lu Zhao is not extravagant or licentious, nor is he corrupt or accepting bribes, and given his low position, he can naturally avoid being targeted or attacked through normal channels.

Lu Zhao looked thoughtful.

If the Chief of the Dali Division is dealt with quickly, and Chen Yunming does not react at all, or even fuels the fire, then there will indeed be no way to further investigate the black supplement.

The final decision rested with the two military commanders, and they are unlikely to conduct any further investigation.

Chief Liu didn't want to offend the pharmaceutical companies, and Chen Wuhou himself was in cahoots with them.

But that's enough. This is the limit of what I can do within my capabilities. I shouldn't always think about exceeding my job responsibilities.

He said, "I am foolish and cannot go any further. I can only strive to reach the middle level."

The old Taoist priest nodded slightly: "That's right. Those who aim high will achieve something in the middle. If you don't strive for perfection in everything, you will eventually achieve perfection."

Lu Zhao asked, "Master, what should I do if I want to get involved with the Black Tonic?"

"Life supplements are a vital national asset, not a private tool for one person or party. Now that a high-ranking official is suspected of violating the law, public resentment has arisen and rumors are rampant. If this is not thoroughly investigated, it will shake the very foundation of the nation."

The old Taoist priest spoke in a leisurely voice, a faint smile on his lips, with an air of seriousness.

Lu Zhao immediately understood the meaning and said, "Master, are you saying we should mobilize public opinion? But if we do that, wouldn't I be openly opposing Chief Liu?"

Public opinion is a very dangerous thing and cannot be used casually. I am just a squad leader; rashly 'representing public opinion' will only bring trouble upon myself.

Lu Zhao was never stupid; he knew very well that mobilizing public opinion was tantamount to mutual destruction. While leaking the information would certainly amplify the impact, it would also ruin his career.

"Why should he know? It's not necessarily for you to ignite it, nor is it for you to expose it. As an official, your primary responsibility is to maintain stability. No matter the reason, you cannot stand against the government. Speaking out for the people also requires going through the process."

The old Taoist priest further explained in detail: "Since ancient times, public opinion has been of great importance in China. Of course, there are many shady dealings involved, but the importance of public opinion cannot be denied."

For example, there was an ancient practice of "calling back the soul," which involved rumors of wicked Taoist priests and monks. Even if the investigation revealed only a few lazy, idle men spouting nonsense, the local government still felt obligated to obey public opinion and arrest the wicked priests and monks.

Lu Zhao vaguely grasped the direction, but couldn't come up with a feasible solution in a very short time. He asked, "How about I anonymously leak it to the newspaper?"

The old Taoist priest countered, "Can a newspaper escape the supervision of the government?"

Lu Zhao shook his head.

The wording used in propaganda is also subject to review; we can't just say whatever we want.

"Let me think about it."

The old Taoist priest looked thoughtful, and then simply began to calculate his fortune using his fingers.

Lu Zhao sat quietly to the side, waiting.

Only in this respect did the master not confuse anyone at all.

Part of the reason is probably personal interest, and another reason is that power politics often needs to be adapted to the circumstances, and cannot be simply applied in a rigid, one-size-fits-all manner.

About an incense stick later, the old Taoist priest replied, "I remember you saying that actors have a great influence in this day and age. Since one actor is involved, dragging him down with us will naturally amplify the influence."

Aside from their daily cultivation, Lu Zhao and the old Taoist priest also engaged in some trivial conversations, such as changes in diet, cultural shifts, and relationships between men and women.

For example, when he heard about the female superiority and male inferiority in family relationships, the old Taoist priest was not surprised at all, but thought it was quite normal.

In ancient times, male superiority and female inferiority were institutionalized. However, in peaceful times, women in many ordinary families did not have a low status, and some were even treated like goddesses.

For ordinary people, it's good enough to find a wife; how can they be picky?

Without the suppression of the system, women can naturally gain the upper hand by virtue of their gender, and it is normal for males to fawn over females in the animal kingdom.

Therefore, Lu Zhao never treated his master as an ancient person; the old man was sometimes even more unconventional than him.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao's eyes lit up slightly.

This method is indeed feasible; it can be described as ingenious.

Li Mufeng is a top star in the Federation. Just how popular is he?

Today, Lu Zhao did a little research and found that the newspapers and magazines on the roadside were full of news and photos of him, and various periodicals had things related to him.

Even though he wasn't particularly interested in celebrities, Lu Zhao couldn't help but think that this person must be quite capable.

Without any talent, it would be impossible to cultivate such high popularity.

Most importantly, celebrities do not have legal immunity; legally, they are just ordinary people without any special privileges.

Unlike public officials, who require approval from the prefecture-level unit to rise to the rank of chief clerk, officials of the rank of Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review (Dali Si) need permission from the capital.

Zhou Wanhua once said that during a crackdown on prostitution, officials at the deputy bureau chief level can simply walk away.

He said, "I instructed Zhou Wanhua to arrest the other party and take him down in public."

"Ruzi can be taught."

The old Taoist priest chuckled and added, "Remember to make the arrest process a bit rough and exaggerated, to evoke public sympathy. If those so-called fans attack the authorities, then the goal will be achieved."

“We are not afraid of someone protecting him, we are afraid that no one will protect him.”

-------------

March 24th.

In the morning, Lu Zhao finished his meditation and successfully opened his 14th meridian.

As always, I washed off the grime from my body.

Then at 7:40 in the morning, Comrade Xiaowei delivered breakfast on time.

After breakfast, I went to the detachment office.

Lu Zhao continued to handle his daily work, which mainly involved meeting with the captains of each squadron to instruct them on how to implement the new regulations.

He repeatedly emphasized to the special operations soldiers that they must strictly abide by discipline and refuse to act on their own when carrying out missions in the future.

Lu Zhao wasn't saying he wanted to turn all special operations soldiers into cowards, nor was he rejecting heroes. Rather, he wanted to eliminate disobedience, unauthorized actions, and acts of individual bravery that violated regulations.

The first reaction to seeing a terrorist escape should not be to report it to superiors, but to chase after them recklessly.

Lu Zhao had also seen in the documents stories about laying down weapons, removing armor, and fighting superhuman criminals one-on-one.

If this situation were to occur in his team, Lu Zhao would definitely kick that person out of the team.

"From now on, all missions must be carried out in groups of three, no matter what. Unless there are special orders, if a teammate is injured, the priority is to treat the injured teammate."

"When you get back, tell every soldier that if any squad members disobey discipline, they should be given priority to be discharged."

These are the words Lu Zhao said to each company commander.

Every squadron leader nodded with a bitter face. Some of them were not entirely convinced, but none of them confronted Cao Yang like he did.

11:20am.

A phone call came through from the Nankaido Governor.

Ding Shoujin's voice came through: "Xiao Lu, your report has been submitted to the capital. Someone may call to inquire about the situation later."

"Thank you, Chief Ding."

"Call me Aunt Ding, you're being too formal."

"Uh...we use titles at work." "And what about Aunt Ding in private?"

"I'll call you whatever you like."

"There are so many names you can use, but I'll just call you Aunt Ding. Otherwise, I'm afraid someone will tear me apart."

We chatted for a couple of minutes, then hung up.

Lu Zhao made his own prediction.

The matter concerning the Director-General of Dali requires following procedures; it's impossible to receive a response today after a complaint was filed yesterday.

Generally, a preliminary investigation is required, and the supervisory and inspection department needs to verify the whistleblower report.

Confirm whether the chain of evidence in the whistleblower report is complete and whether the content is true.

After confirming that there is a clear violation of laws and regulations, the case should be submitted to the Wude Hall for approval and filing in accordance with the procedures.

Once the case is filed, the dismissal process will be completed within a week, and an investigation will be launched simultaneously. Once the case is filed, the dismissal is practically a certainty.

The Imperial Capital would not investigate a high-ranking official without having concrete evidence.

This whole process would take at least a month, or even half a year, depending on Liu Wuhou's power and determination.

At this moment, Comrade Xiaowei led in a middle-aged man he didn't recognize. He stood at attention and saluted, saying, "Report! Leader, this is the director of the cultural activities of the special forces."

Lu Zhao looked up at the middle-aged man, who had small eyes, a big nose, a slightly wide forehead, shoulder-length hair, and was wearing a red plaid shirt.

At first glance, it has a rather artistic vibe.

When the program's director, Qi Yong, saw Lu Zhao, his eyes immediately lit up.

He understood why the special operations forces didn't schedule the program at the headquarters, but instead came to an industrial area like the South Railway District.

If it weren't for the fact that the other party was a leader, Qi Yong would have rushed up to Lu Zhao right now, handed him his business card, and begged him to get into the entertainment industry.

At the beginning of the year, Qi Yong discussed Lu Zhao with his colleagues, saying, "It's such a waste that someone like him isn't in the entertainment industry. Instead of staying in the army and earning a pittance a year, he should be in the entertainment industry."

As a seasoned professional in the industry, Qi Yong is well aware of the importance of appearance for celebrities, often even more so than acting skills.

If someone is good-looking enough, they can have a large following even if they just stand on a wooden stake.

That's why so many actors are keen on plastic surgery, even if it means their facial features can no longer express normal emotions.

Lu Zhao made a lasting impression on the public with just his first appearance in newspapers and on the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War.

Now that he has met the person in person, Qi Yong realizes that he has been thinking too simply. It's not just about good looks; his bone structure and temperament are also excellent.

If they became celebrities, how glamorous would they be?

If I were his agent, I could also achieve financial freedom by leveraging his influence.

Qi Yong was lost in his fantasies until Comrade Xiao Wei shook him, which jolted him awake.

"Hello, Captain Lu, I am Qi Yong from Huayu Company."

"Hello."

Lu Zhao invited the other person to sit down and asked, "May I ask what the specific content of the program is?"

Qi Yong replied, "We will invite some celebrities to your team to experience a month of daily training, film the military life and diet, and show the public the good image of the special counter-terrorism unit."

"At the same time, we should promote the spirit of special counter-terrorism forces in protecting the country and maintaining social stability."

Lu Zhao vaguely understood why leaders liked empty words.

It feels much better to say that out loud.

The purpose was not to invite celebrities to have fun, but to showcase military life to the public and allow more people to understand the special operations forces.

Celebrity talent agencies gain attention by associating with the military, while special operations forces also improve their image, making it a win-win situation.

It would be even better if I didn't have to show my face in public.

He said, "You can discuss the specifics with Xiao Wei. As long as you don't break the rules and regulations, our team will cooperate with you."

"Thank you, Leader Lu."

Qi Yong rubbed his hands together and asked with a fawning smile, "I have a favor to ask. Could Leader Lu also participate in the program?"

"specific?"

"Could you be a special guest and also live and eat with the artists?"

"I'm sorry, I have a lot of work to do."

"Commander Tu told me that you would also be participating in the program; you can't just not show your face at all, can you?"

"..."

Lu Zhao felt that he really had to complete the leader's task. If he didn't show up even once, Tu Bin might throw him into the program.

He said, "I have half an hour of free time every day, and I can help with the filming then, but I don't want to get involved in the actual activities."

"no problem."

Qi Yong nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Even if Lu Zhao doesn't interact with the artists, just saying a few words here and there would increase the viewership ratings significantly.

For example, showing up in the morning, exchanging a few words, or having lunch together.

These are all very ordinary things; as long as people are present, that's all that matters.

Afterwards, they discussed the program content in detail with Qi Yong, determining which parts could be filmed and which could not.

For example, shooting scenes are allowed, as are driving infantry fighting vehicles, but special bulletproof armor cannot be shown or filmed.

Qi Yong left the office at 5 p.m.

He excitedly took out his phone and called his colleagues as he walked.

"Old Wang, guess who I invited?"

The sound gradually faded, and Lu Zhao in the office received the specific personnel list of the program team. At the top of the list was the name [Li Mufeng].

"It's quite a coincidence."
-
March 25th.

Cangwu City, Nanling District, Cangwu State-owned Hotel.

The place, which was previously used to entertain distinguished guests attending the Great Patriotic War Remembrance Day, is also one of the Federation's premier hotels.

Today, the entire floor of the huge hotel building was booked out, with countless luxury cars parked there, and the guests were all dignitaries and important figures.

Almost half of the high-ranking officials in Cangwu came.

Today is the engagement day of Miss Chen and Young Master Li.

The hall was filled with guests as the newlyweds entered. Chen Yunming presided over the ceremony, delivering a speech and presenting the formal betrothal gifts.

"The ceremony is complete! Now, let us all raise our glasses to this wonderful moment, and to the happy future of the newlyweds! Cheers!"

Chen Qian nestled in Li Mufeng's arms, gazing at his handsome face, where there seemed to be a resemblance to someone else.

She married the most popular star in the Federation, which is better than Lu Zhao's marriage and makes her happier than Lin Zhiyan's.

He's just a lowly squad leader now; how can he compare to Li Mufeng?

For the next six days, until April 1st.

The news of Li Mufeng, a popular star in the federal government, getting engaged spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Lu Zhao stayed deep within the camp, oblivious to the outside world, and trained his troops daily, opening up three meridians and reaching the seventeenth meridian.

During this time, he received a phone call from the Imperial Capital, inquiring about the content of the whistleblower report.

On April 2nd, the production team arrived at the Ninth Team.

(End of this chapter)