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

The night in the city is as deep as an inkstone of thick, unyielding ink.

In the heart of this nation that holds the fate of 1.4 billion people in its hands, only a few windows are still lit. One of them belongs to Liu Ming, a 38-year-old leader.

On the mahogany desk, the two-hundred-page "Final Resolution on Deepening the Construction of a New Global Economic Order and the RMB Settlement System" was finally closed slowly after Liu Ming signed his flamboyant name.

A soft "snap" sounded in the quiet office, as if tolling the death knell for the old world's hegemony.

Liu Ming threw his pen on the table and let out a deep breath. He felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and leaned heavily against the back of his large chair, rubbing his temples, which were sore from staring at dense data for so long.

tired.

A weariness seeped from the very marrow of his bones, engulfing him like a tidal wave. This was not physical exhaustion, but the inevitable spiritual depletion that came with reaching the summit after carrying the heavy expectations of a nation for ten years.

He succeeded.

The West has completely bowed down, taking the lead in lithography machines and quantum computing. Those comprador tycoons who once held sway in China are either barely surviving in Qincheng Prison or have been wiped out by Nangong Yao's financial strangulation.

This giant dragon of the East, which had been sleeping for far too long, finally broke free from all its shackles under the chopping of his "sharp knife," and stood proudly at the top of the world with an unparalleled posture.

Liu Ming stood up and poured himself a cup of hot tea. He walked to the huge French windows and looked out at the city standing quietly in the night.

Those glazed tiles and those red walls have witnessed the rise and fall of countless dynasties, and the rise and fall of countless powerful officials.

He turned around, his gaze passing over the large desk and landing on the most prominent spot on the bookshelf. There, he didn't see any valuable antiques or profound economic treatises, just a very ordinary solid wood picture frame.

Inside the frame is a slightly yellowed old photograph.

That photo was taken ten years ago in front of the leaky county government office in Qingyun County. In the photo, he is wearing a faded camouflage uniform, and his eyes are as sharp as a wolf that has just emerged from the jungle.

Standing beside him were Xi Wanqing, who was then the county magistrate, as aloof as an iceberg; Wen Boyan, the former county magistrate, with a simple and honest smile; and Fan Laogui, the "old hand" who had been loafing around in the government office, making a peace sign at the camera.

They were so young back then.

Liu Ming walked over, stretched out his fingers, and gently stroked the familiar faces in the photos through the glass. Ten years, more than three thousand six hundred days and nights, flashed through his mind like a movie in a blur.

He recalled how he had endured being pelted with a rag by Section Chief Diao when he first transferred to Qingyun County.

He recalled the murderous intent that surged in his chest when he faced hundreds of thugs wielding iron bars alone in Ningzhou High-tech Zone to protect residents affected by demolition.

He recalled that in Jiangnan Province, in order to find out the cause of his father's death, he had a life-or-death struggle with an assassin on the highway, and he managed to blast a bloody path through the enemy with a rocket launcher.

He could never forget how, when facing Zheng Desheng, a man of high rank and power who betrayed the future, he stood firm and slammed those bloody pieces of evidence into the man's face!

"Boss."

The office door was gently pushed open, and Tank walked in quietly. This man, nearly two meters tall, even though he now held the rank of Major General, still looked like a common soldier ready to be dispatched at any time in front of Liu Ming. He held an overcoat in his hand, his eyes full of heartache.

"It's almost dawn. You've been up for two nights straight. My sister-in-law just called and told me I have to make sure you go home and get some sleep."

Liu Ming snapped out of her thoughts, turned to look at Tank, and gave a faint smile. "What, now you dare to use your sister-in-law to intimidate me?"

"How could I dare?" Tank scratched the back of his head sheepishly, walked over and draped his coat over Liu Ming's shoulders. His gaze also fell on the old photo, a hint of emotion appearing on his rugged face. "Boss, time really flies."

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Back then in Qingyun County, even a local gang leader could act arrogantly in front of us. Now, you sit in your courtyard, and even the President of the United States has to watch his step.

Yes, ten years.

From a demobilized soldier to someone who now wields immense power.

This is a path to power paved with blood, intrigue, and the fates of countless people.

"Tank." Liu Ming looked at the photo of her younger self, her voice sounding somewhat distant in the empty office. "Do you think I've changed?"

Tank was taken aback; he seemed surprised that Liu Ming would suddenly ask such a question. He looked at the imposing man before him, the powerful leader who held the power of life and death over countless lives.

To say he hasn't changed would be a lie. Ten years ago, Liu Ming was like a scabbardless blade, sharp and menacing, capable of harming both himself and others. Now, however, he is as unfathomable as an abyss; you never know what cunning schemes lie hidden beneath his calm exterior.

But he knew that some things, deep down in Liu Ming's bones, had never changed.

"Boss, you've become more ruthless and cunning than before," Tank said truthfully. But at the end, he straightened his back and his eyes were extremely firm. "But no matter how you change, as long as you give the order, the brothers are still willing to follow you through thick and thin."

Because we all know that your sword is never used to harm innocent people; your wisdom is never used to scheme against ordinary citizens.

Looking at this honest man, Liu Ming felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He patted Tank on the shoulder, said nothing, and simply turned his gaze back to the window.

In the distance, the east was beginning to lighten.

The first rays of dawn pierced through the thick clouds over the city, shining on the five-starred red flag fluttering in the wind, and also into this office that determined the fate of the nation.

Liu Ming closed her eyes.

In the majority of his life, he had killed people, to eradicate evil completely; he had played the game of power, to carve out a bloody path among those ruthless politicians. His hands were stained with blood and filth, but he knew that his soul remained as pure as ever.

He did not disappoint his father's tragic death, nor did he disappoint Old Lin's tearful entrustment on his sickbed, nor did he disappoint the 1.4 billion pairs of expectant eyes on this land.

He slowly opened his eyes, stood up straight to face the dazzling morning sun.

"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."

Looking out the window at the bustling world awakening, Liu Ming's eyes were clear and firm. He murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear.

"I did it."

"Let's go, Tank." Liu Ming wrapped his coat tighter around himself and strode towards the door, his tone as relaxed as an ordinary person about to leave work.

"Go home! The chicken soup your sister-in-law made is probably getting cold."