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

Politicians are still bickering over votes and face, but capitalists always have the keenest sense of smell.

As production lines across the Western alliance began to sound the alarm one after another about shutting down, the business giants who truly held the key to global wealth finally couldn't sit still any longer.

They understand better than politicians just how terrifying the destructive power lies within those seemingly obscure chemical terms and industrial codes on the "anti-sanctions list".

That was a death knell that could wipe out their market value of hundreds of billions of dollars overnight.

"Backup aircraft! Get me a backup aircraft immediately! I need to fly into the city!"

"Cancel all scheduled activities! Contact the commercial attaché at the Chinese embassy abroad immediately. No matter the cost, I must see that Liu guy within 24 hours!"

"Send an official letter to the Nangong Group! Adopt a humble stance! Say we're willing to restart negotiations, and let them name their terms!"

……

In just two days.

The air traffic controllers at the city's international airport were about to experience the most magical and busiest day of their careers.

Top-of-the-line private jets, rarely seen in normal times and often worth hundreds of millions, lined up to land on the runway like a bustling market. Gulfstreams, Bombardiers, Dassault Falcons... they practically filled the entire VIP parking area.

Those who descended the gangway were all familiar faces that frequently appeared on the covers of financial magazines.

Silicon Valley semiconductor giants, European precision instrument magnates, North American aerospace and defense oligarchs...

Which of these people isn't treated as honored guests by dignitaries from various countries? Which of them doesn't walk with an air of superiority and arrogance?

But today, they all seemed to be in a hurry, their faces filled with undisguised anxiety and fear. They didn't even walk the red carpet, but went straight into the cars waiting on the tarmac and headed straight for the same destination.

—Dragon Kingdom, National Development and Reform Commission.

……

10:00 AM.

Outside the gates of the National Development and Reform Commission, a spectacle unfolded that would leave the entire nation in Kyushu in disbelief.

A dozen or so blond, blue-eyed foreign men, dressed in custom-made high-end suits, stood orderly outside the security checkpoint like a group of ordinary people who had come to do business.

Although they were surrounded by several translators and assistants, no one dared to make a sound, and no one dared to demand "green channels" or "VIP treatment" as arrogantly as before.

Because this is the territory of the Dragon Kingdom.

The guy sitting inside had just crushed their supply chain with his bare hands.

"Fuck! Why is this weather so cold?!"

A slightly overweight, gold-rimmed white man rubbed his frozen hands and couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath. He was the CEO of a well-known international optical instrument group, and he was usually chauffeured around in a car. When had he ever suffered the indignity of standing in line in the cold wind?

"Bear with it, Mr. William."

Ahead of him in line was Thomas from the M Group. The once arrogant multinational executive who had slammed his fist on the table and threatened Liu Ming in Ningzhou High-tech Zone was now like a defeated rooster, his neck shrank back, his eyes filled with deep fear and despair.

"It's better to stay calm than to go bankrupt. You know, if we don't see Director Liu today and get the export quota for 'damping fluid,' our company will have to file for bankruptcy next week."

Thomas's words silenced the other tycoons around him, who were also shivering from the cold.

Yes, bankruptcy is worse than death for people like them who are used to monopolistic profits.

There was a time when they also made Chinese companies line up in the cold wind and wait in despair. They used technological barriers as weapons to reap the wealth of the East at will, while watching those Chinese entrepreneurs grovel and beg for scraps.

What goes around comes around, and today it's their turn to experience what it's like to be choked.

……

National Development and Reform Commission, High-Tech Industry Department, Director's Office.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside it was warm and cozy.

Liu Ming leaned back in the large, genuine leather boss's chair, holding the familiar enamel tea mug in her hands. The tea leaves unfurled in the boiling water, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance.

He ignored the visiting cards sent by the anxiously waiting tycoons, and instead faced his computer screen, having a video call with Xi Wanqing, who was far away in Jiangnan Province.

"You've really stirred up a hornet's nest with your actions."

On the screen, Xi Wanqing was wearing a fitted loungewear outfit. Although her tone carried a hint of reproach, the undisguised pride and smile in her eyes were impossible to hide.

"The Supreme Court received dozens of protest letters today from foreign chambers of commerce, saying that we are engaging in unfair trade protectionism and violating international trade rules."

"Improper?"

Liu Ming sneered and blew on the floating tea leaves in her cup.

"When they joined forces to impose an embargo on our chip equipment, why didn't they mention international trade rules?"

"Now that we are legally restricting the export of our own country's strategic resources, they're suddenly talking about the law?"

Liu Ming took a sip of tea, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.

"They're just a bunch of hypocritical robbers. Talking to them about the law is no better than using your fists."

"Wanqing, you don't need to pay attention to them. Just throw those protest letters into the shredder."

"I know how to handle it."

Xi Wanqing smiled, then her tone became somewhat serious, "However, your place was packed today. I heard that private jets were practically filling the city airport. What are you planning to do with them?"

"Let it air dry?"

Liu Ming put down his teacup and glanced at the time.

"Leaving them hanging is giving them face."

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Chen Momo walked in carrying a thick stack of documents, her face flushed with excitement.

"Director, those foreigners outside are going crazy. Thomas from M Group almost knelt down before the security guards, crying and begging to see you, saying they are willing to unconditionally accept all the technology transfer agreements we previously proposed."

"And William from that optical group said that if we could get them ten tons of damping fluid, they'd be willing to move their Asia-Pacific R&D center directly to Ningzhou!"

Chen Momo became more and more excited as she spoke.

She recalled the humiliation she felt back in Ningzhou High-tech Zone when these arrogant and rude foreigners pointed their fingers at her and berated her. Now, watching these people begging and pleading outside her door like grandchildren, the exhilarating feeling of triumph was indescribable.

"Getting impatient?"

Liu Ming laughed, a laugh like an old fox who had finally seen its prey fall into a trap.

"If only I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't have done it in the first place."

He stood up and walked to the window.

From here, you can see the multinational giants pacing back and forth at the gate like ants on a hot plate.

"Do they think that by compromising and backing down now, I can turn the page?"

"It's too late."

Liu Ming's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable domineering and ruthless quality.

"go."

He turned his head and gave Chen Momo instructions.

"Tell the security guard at the main gate."

"No visitors today."

"Tell them to leave their business cards. Then go outside to the curb and behave yourselves..."

Liu Ming paused, a cruel smile curving her lips.

"...Go and get a number."

Chen Momo's eyes lit up, and she answered loudly, "Yes, Director!"

……

A few minutes later.

Outside the gate of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Those foreign tycoons, bruised and battered from the cold, waited hopefully to be summoned.

Instead of a warm meeting room and hot coffee, what awaited them were two expressionless Dragon Shield security guards.

"Director Liu said he's busy today."

The security guard waved his hand like he was chasing a beggar, his tone icy and devoid of any warmth.

"Here's your queue number. Take it and wait across the street. When it's your turn, someone will call your number."

"What?"

Thomas stared at the rough printed paper in his hand, on which was written a large "138", and he completely broke down!

He's the CEO of the prestigious M Group! He controls assets worth hundreds of billions of US dollars!

Now, they're actually making him stand on the curb like an old man buying breakfast, taking a number in line?

"Protest! I protest! This is an insult to us!"

Several hot-tempered foreigners couldn't help but roar and tried to rush through the gate.

However, the two Dragon Shield officers merely glanced at them coldly. Their hands were already on their batons at their waists.

That palpable killing intent instantly brought these pampered CEOs to their senses.

This is the Dragon Kingdom, this is Liu Ming's territory. If they anger that man, even their last glimmer of hope will be completely extinguished.

Ultimately, under the astonished, disdainful, and even gloating gazes of countless passersby, he...

These are a dozen or so once-arrogant multinational giants whose mere stomp could make the global economy tremble.

They could only humiliatingly, like a flock of defeated quails, slink across the street, and, shivering in the cold wind, hold their cheap queue number and... wait in line.

Upstairs, Liu Ming stood by the window, watching this scene, and slowly picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"That's what you call rules."