Chapter Seventy-One: A Special Order

If Earth's technology were just a little bit further along, Zhuonan could easily deliver a tenth-generation fighter jet, let alone a fourth-generation one. Zhuonan knew very well that Chief of Staff Number Three was definitely not keeping him around solely for a fourth-generation fighter. Fifth and sixth-generation aircraft in the future, as well as weapon equipment for both the navy and the army, would likely require his involvement.

However, Zhuonan understood that it was purely a matter of mutual benefit. He currently lacked the capability to confront the state, nor did he have any intention of doing so; he was merely employing certain tactics to maximize his own advantages.

Lying in the underground base's medical ward, Zhuonan's left shoulder had been set in a cast, and with the super-brain assisting in repairing his nervous system, the injury was healing rapidly. Still, Zhuonan remained confined. He was not permitted to wander about casually. Aside from the tour Chang Xiong had given him that first day, there were many areas he had yet to visit—and naturally, he had no intention of exploring them on his own. The place was riddled with traps and security mechanisms; without a guide, a single misstep would cost him his life, which would hardly be worth it.

After lunch, Chang Xiong arrived. Today, the fellow seemed much more courteous, with a smile on his face. As soon as he stepped through the door, he tossed a cigarette to Zhuonan. After lighting it for him, Chang Xiong spoke, "Your family has already arrived in Hawaii. You can set your mind at ease now."

This certainly counted as good news. Zhuonan smiled slightly. Chang Xiong reached into his pocket, produced a small booklet, and tossed it onto the bed in front of Zhuonan. "Here is your identification. Even though you were unwilling to join, we issued one to you anyway."

Zhuonan reached out and opened it to find a photograph of himself, beneath which was inscribed: "Ministry of State Security, Special Operations Group, Second Lieutenant."

Zhuonan curled his lip. Noticing this, Chang Xiong smiled and asked, "What is the matter? Are you not satisfied? Walk out with this ID, and even a provincial party secretary will have to yield three points to you."

"Only a second lieutenant? The rank is far too low. It has to be at least a captain," Zhuonan remarked with clear dissatisfaction.

Chang Xiong burst out laughing. "You brat, this ID was specially approved! What more could you want? Would you like me to lend you my major general's rank to use instead?"

"Forget it, a second lieutenant will do." Zhuonan tossed the identification aside and asked, "Tell me, what is the matter?"

Chang Xiong thought to himself that this fellow was truly extraordinary and must not be underestimated based on his youthful appearance. With a smile, he said, "It is like this: the navy is preparing to design a new type of guided-missile destroyer, and they hope you will participate."

Zhuonan waved a hand dismissively. "Participation is out of the question. I will do the designing and list out all the theoretical foundations. You can take that and show it to those experts. If they find it sensible, they can use it. I have no intention of hanging out with a bunch of old men."

Chang Xiong nodded. Chief of Staff Number Three had spoken with him at length that day; for someone like Zhuonan, everything had to be negotiated. Attempting intimidation or coercion was completely out of the question. Furthermore, his family had already been sent abroad, and even if they dragged his girlfriend back, it would be of no use. Since that was the case, maintaining an amicable approach made everything easier to discuss.

The super-brain contained countless advanced weapons from alien worlds, so putting together a destroyer was hardly a difficult task. Zhuonan immediately said, "I have nothing better to do right now anyway. Go and prepare the materials I need for the design, and also bring me a computer. Oh, and find me an assistant—my left hand is still unable to move, after all."

***

Inside the Deqing Lü family villa, Lü Zihan had already been brought back home. Now that he was blind, staying in the hospital served no purpose, so bringing him home for proper recuperation was the better option. At this moment, Lü Yongfu and his second older brother, T-City Party Secretary Lü Yong'an, were conversing in the study.

"What? You are saying Zhuonan was picked up from Building 206 and emerged completely unharmed?" Upon hearing this news, Lü Yongfu found it hard to believe. In his view, even if the old man managed to get that kid out of Building 206 after sending him in, it would only be as a corpse.

Lü Yong'an maintained an auspicious expression with a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He patted Lü Yong's shoulder and said, "This time, the old man originally intended to use Zihan's situation to deal a heavy blow to the northerners. Who could have expected that the northerners would voluntarily abandon K Province just to trade for Zhuonan's life? It now appears that this Zhuonan cannot be a simple figure. More importantly, we have no idea where Zhuonan has gone—even our people within the State Security have received no news."

The Lü family's influence was concentrated primarily within the military, leaving them with few informants within the Ministry of State Security. Moreover, the location where Zhuonan was currently held was a top-secret facility of the State Security, accessible only by Chiefs of Staff Numbers One, Two, and Three. It was hardly surprising that the Lü family could obtain no intelligence.

"Second Brother, Zhuonan's family, along with that young girl's entire family, all vanished on the very day of the incident. Looking back now, Zhuonan must have made preparations long in advance. Do you suppose Zihan's misfortune might have been a maneuver by the northern faction?" Lü Yongfu asked with deeply furrowed brows.

Lü Yong'an smiled faintly, his expression tinged with disdain. "Impossible. They would not resort to such base tactics. I merely believe that behind this Zhuonan stands someone who is at odds with our Lü family."

Lü Yong'an thought for a moment and said, "Second Brother, I heard a subordinate mention something. Last summer, Dongfang Shiguo's granddaughter was attacked in Deqing, and Zhuonan blocked a bullet for her at the time. Do you think the Dongfang family could be behind this?"

"Oh..." Lü Yong'an frowned, pondered carefully, and said, "If you put it that way, it is very likely that old man Dongfang Shiguo is stirring up trouble. K Province is the birthplace of the Dongfangs. Looking back now, allowing K Province to be traded away—without the Dongfang family's nod, no amount of pressure from the old man would have had any effect."

Lü Yongfu let out a cold snort. "Since we know that old man Dongfang Shiguo is behind this, I am going to settle this score with him."

"Second Brother, do not be impulsive," Lü Yong'an immediately cautioned. "Do not forget your purpose in coming to Deqing: to use Deqing as a center to comprehensively push Lü Enterprises into the northern market. Compared to the political and military arenas, making the initial breakthrough in commerce is the easiest. You must not ruin the old man's grand plan over a personal grudge."

Hearing these words, resentment stirred within Lü Yong's heart. "Are we simply going to let the matter of Zihan rest like this?"

A trace of venom flickered in Lü Yong'an's eyes as he coldly stated, "It will not end so easily; the time has simply not yet arrived. Two years from now, I will ensure that the fellow surnamed Zhuo returns everything with interest."

Listening to his second brother, Lü Yongfu knew in his heart that barring any unforeseen circumstances, his second brother would step into the core of China's power structure two years hence.

***

Lan Zhenghao, the Party Secretary of Deqing City, stepped down one week into his tenure, citing health reasons that made him unsuited for leadership roles, and was transferred instead to the Provincial People's Congress. Concurrently, a group of close confidants under Lan Zhenghao all suffered varying degrees of reassignment and marginalization. Chief of Police Chen Longming was promoted upward to Director of the Information Management Division under the Provincial Public Security Department—which appeared to outsiders as a promotion, but in reality, amounted to nothing more than a marginalized post.

The downfall of Lan Zhenghao and his associates directly impacted Long Kun's sphere of influence. Everyone had previously known that Brother Kun stood backed by Secretary Lan and Chief Chen. Now that their patrons had fallen, those beneath them who had ambitions of rising to prominence began to grow restless.

Yet Long Kun was capable of reading the situation clearly. He ordered his subordinates to keep a low profile; after all, Zhuonan's fate remained unknown. Initially, they had planned to attempt a prison break, but now, having no idea where he was even detained, he had no choice but to hold onto his current territory and anxiously await news of Zhuonan.

Fu Xinxin had already learned from Lan Qian about the incident involving Zhuonan. This period had been the most agonizing time of her life, her heart consumed by constant worry for him. Long Kun had very thoughtfully arranged for several subordinates to protect Fu Xinxin in secret.

During this time, all remained calm and quiet, as if nothing had ever happened in Deqing. Yet everyone knew in their hearts that this was merely the calm before the storm.

Within the underground base, the door to Zhuonan's ward swung open. A female military officer wearing an army uniform adorned with the rank of second lieutenant stepped inside, carrying a duffel bag. She placed the bag on the floor, stood stiffly at attention before Zhuonan, her posture spirited and features striking. Her chest heaved forward prominently, almost straining against the fabric of her uniform, though her face remained completely expressionless. Wearing a cold look, she saluted Zhuonan and announced, "Second Lieutenant Zhang Keting of the Special Operations Division, Ministry of State Security, reporting for duty. Awaiting instructions, Chief."

Zhuonan was momentarily stunned. So he had become a "Chief" as well. A smile crept onto his face as his eyes began to roam unrestrained over Zhang Keting's body, lingering particularly on her prominent, soaring chest. He swallowed hard, and a mischievous thought popped into his head.

"Close the door," Zhuonan said in a cold, deep voice.

Upon receiving the order, Zhang Keting immediately turned and shut the door. Zhuonan nodded, then continued, "Take off your clothes and get on the bed."

"What?" Zhang Keting blinked, a look of contempt flashing across her face. Nevertheless, she maintained her poise and said unyieldingly, "Reporting to the Chief, General Chang sent me here to assist the Chief with his work. If the Chief makes improper requests, I have grounds to refuse."

"Is that so?" Zhuonan's eyes rolled, and a pained expression bloomed on his face as he said, "Go back and tell General Chang that I am feeling unwell and need to rest for a couple of days. I will not be working today."

Hearing this, resentment flared in Zhang Keting's heart. Why on earth did General Chang assign her to this fellow? This man was simply a hooligan and a rogue, making such an unreasonable demand upon their very first meeting... Zhang Keting was an orphan, raised and trained by the state from childhood to become a member of the Ministry of State Security. In her personal dictionary, there were only eight characters: Serve the country, fear no sacrifice.

For the sake of the country, she could lay down her life, let alone her body. Before she came, General Chang had already hinted that if necessary, she must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. Though reluctant in her heart, before military orders and national interests, everything else was utterly insignificant.

When Zhuonan made his demand, she had hoped to bluff her way through it, only to realize that the man before her was not so easily fooled. Gritting her teeth as if making a grave resolve, she reached out and began unbuttoning her uniform.