Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

The inner circle of the city is like a bottomless ancient pool. On the surface, it appears calm, but if a single pebble is thrown in, the ripples will spread in circles all the way to the base of the red walls.

Liu Ming is that heaviest, hardest, and hottest pebble.

With the "Ten-Year Revitalization Plan" receiving a powerful directive from the highest level, amounting to "missing a crucial military opportunity," the name Liu Ming became a sensation in the city's top social circles.

These past few days, the entrance to his unassuming courtyard house has practically become a de facto mailroom. Invitations, business cards, and even some "local specialties" that have been delivered through a roundabout route are piled up all over the table.

Some wanted to make his acquaintance. Some wanted to find out the truth. And some wanted to recruit him to their side and get a share of the future multi-billion dollar chip market.

"Director, this is the third invitation tonight."

Chen Momo held a plain letter in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed. "The sender is the Ye family. There's no official title, just 'Ye family banquet'."

Liu Ming was looking at a pile of technical parameters for semiconductor equipment, without even looking up, her fingertips lightly tapping on the table.

"The Ye family?"

He paused slightly, a playful smile curving his lips. "That old commander who lived on Jingshan Back Street and once commanded the logistics of the entire army?"

"Yes." Chen nodded silently. "Old Chen said that this old commander and Elder Lin have a life-or-death bond. He can't refuse."

Liu Ming put down her pen and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Since he's Grandpa's old comrade-in-arms, let's go and make a trip to him."

"It's time to meet all the deities in this city."

……

Jingshan Back Street, an inconspicuous detached house.

There's none of the extravagance of Ningzhou Clubhouse, nor the ostentation of a grand mansion. Blue bricks, red doors, and even a few bundles of cabbages piled in the corner for winter—it exudes the purest, most authentic atmosphere of the city.

But as soon as one glance is given at the two guards standing at the door with guns and eyes like hawks, no one dares to act recklessly here.

Liu Ming was still wearing a dark jacket, carrying two boxes of ordinary Daoxiangcun pastries.

"Xiao Ming is here, come in quickly."

The person who opened the door was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a refined and scholarly demeanor. Although he was dressed in casual clothes, his air of a scholar-general was impossible to conceal.

This is Ye Lao's second son, who is currently a vice minister in the Ministry of Science and Technology.

"Hello, Uncle Ye." Liu Ming nodded politely.

"The old man is waiting in the backyard. There are no outsiders today, just a few old neighbors."

As Liu Ming followed Vice Minister Ye into the backyard, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Under the small grape trellis, four or five old men sat around.

Some were fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans, while others were playing with the thrushes in their cages. They looked like just an ordinary group of old men from the alleyways.

But Liu Ming recognized them.

The man in the white vest was the "Abacus King," who once held the reins of the nation's finances.

The man wearing reading glasses and reading the newspaper is a retired senior official.

And sitting in the main seat was none other than the renowned Elder Ye.

This is hardly a family dinner.

This is clearly a "gathering of gods" that could determine the future of certain sectors of this country over the next decade.

"The little one's here?"

Old Master Ye raised his head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, which had seen countless vicissitudes of life. He gestured to the empty seat beside him and said in a booming voice, "Sit down. I heard you've been doing quite well for that Lu family brat (Lu Chen) in Ningzhou?"

"You flatter me, sir. I was just a go-between."

Liu Ming sat down with remarkable ease. He showed neither unease from the presence of so many influential figures in the room nor any youthful arrogance.

"The one who set the stage?"

The senior official in charge of finance glanced at Liu Ming sideways, his tone somewhat accusatory, "Young Liu, I've also read your planning document. Out of 300 billion yuan in special funds, you've asked for a third of the national research funding. Aren't you afraid of taking too big a step and muddying the waters?"

"It's better to be muddy."

Liu Ming took the tea offered by Vice Minister Ye, took a sip, and spoke calmly as if discussing what to have for dinner.

"The pool is too clear now. So clear that we can see even the foreign scuba fish that have snuck in, but our own big fish don't even have a chance to breathe."

The atmosphere in the courtyard changed instantly upon hearing this.

The old men exchanged glances, and unconsciously stopped fanning themselves with their palm-leaf fans.

"Water ghosts?" The elder brother put down his newspaper. "Who are you referring to?"

"Anyone who obstructs domestic production is a shill."

Liu Ming put down her teacup, her voice clear, cold, and forceful.

Why has our semiconductor industry stagnated all these years? Is it because our people are incompetent? Is it because we lack funds?

"Neither."

He surveyed the entire room, his eyes revealing a chilling clarity.

"It's because some people are used to making money by kneeling."

"Buying a chip can bring in a 30% kickback. Developing a chip yourself could cost you your job if you fail, and if you succeed, it might threaten the interests of the foreigners."

"This comprador logic of 'it's better to buy than to make, and better to rent than to buy' is the hand that's holding us by the neck the tightest."

Liu Ming stood up and bowed slightly to the senior officers.

"I asked the State Council for money not for vanity projects. I wanted to buy a knife for those scientists who truly want to stand up for justice."

"I want to ensure that in this Jiangnan province, in this city, and in the entire country, there will never again be a shortcut to 'selling out one's country for personal gain'."

His words were powerful and resounding.

A long silence fell over the courtyard.

Which of these veteran leaders didn't fight their way through the most difficult times? What they hate most is someone who's spineless.

Liu Ming's remarks did not discuss the distribution of benefits or the gains and losses of factions.

He only talks about his country and his family.

He only talks about integrity.

This vision instantly shattered all those attempts to win over, test, or even seek rent through power.

"What a clever 'buying a knife for self-defense' idea!"

Old Ye slammed his hand on the stone table, causing the tea to splash everywhere.

He looked at Liu Ming with undisguised, fervent admiration in his eyes.

"Old Lin didn't misjudge him! Liu Jianguo didn't make a mistake in having a son!"

He turned to his old friends and laughed loudly, "You old fogies, you were just worried that this kid would be corrupted by the vulgarity of this city. Now look at him, what's on his mind?"

"It represents the fate of the nation!"

Several veteran leaders also laughed, their eyes filled with emotion and satisfaction.

In this sophisticated, self-serving officialdom rife with exchanges of interests, Liu Ming was like a fierce wind blowing in from the northern grasslands—rough, fiery, yet so clean it sent shivers down one's spine.

The ensuing dinner became more harmonious than ever before.

The bigwigs stopped testing the waters and began to listen carefully to Liu Ming's assessment of the international technology blockade.

Liu Ming handled it with ease.

He can discuss cutting-edge photolithography with the Minister of Science and Technology, and he can also calculate the most minute input-output ratio with the bigwigs of the Ministry of Finance.

He doesn't form cliques or factions.

Faced with hints of "marriage" or "cooperation" from several families, he simply smiled and defused the situation with the statement, "Personal feelings are too insignificant in the face of national interests."

This saved face for the other party while upholding one's own bottom line.

This airtight political wisdom secretly alarmed even these old foxes.

……

late at night.

The banquet ended.

Liu Ming carried the snacks and slowly walked out of the alley.

Vice Minister Ye personally escorted him to the door, and before leaving, gave him a deep look.

"Xiao Ming, today you... made these old leaders wait for the person they were waiting for."

Liu Ming smiled, said nothing, and disappeared into the night.

Inside the inner room, several old men were still there.

They sat around the fireplace, the firelight illuminating their aged faces.

The usually taciturn military leader suddenly murmured a sigh:

"Old Ye, what do you think this kid's future potential will be?"

Old Master Ye remained silent for a moment, looking at the seat Liu Ming had just sat in, his tone becoming more solemn than ever before.

"He was a renowned general in the provinces. Once he entered the city, he became a powerful minister."

"But what is most precious about him is his spirit of 'scholarship' that is not tainted by any particular faction."

The old man sighed, his eyes full of expectation.

"This young man has a broad mind."

"This city is about to become unsafe."

Liu Ming walked briskly under the streetlights.

he knows.

Starting tonight.

Only now in this city has he truly... made his move.

Those enemies lurking in the shadows.

Those self-important wealthy families.

And then there are the compradors sharpening their knives.

"Let's take our time."

Liu Ming looked at the waning moon on the horizon and said something softly.

The sound was as light as the wind, yet as cold as a knife.

"Director, first thing tomorrow morning..."

"Reporting in as usual."

"Don't keep Zhao Ruihu and the others waiting too long."