Chapter 1000
Chapter 1000 - 986: Taking Root
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10 min read
"How did you manage to get approval from the Bureau of Anomaly Management and the Special Service Team? This not only involves an individual’s influence over public violence authorities but also means you’ve interfered with the entire reserve resource pool of Ancient City."
Such a question had been asked within the team.
The question was very practical and sharp, even somewhat sensitive.
"Lu Ping’an, do you have ambitions, do you want to become a Warlord, Meow? If so, I’m not with you, Meow."
Meow was quite direct, but her query was a piercing strike to the heart; her words were even more ruthless.
"I am not, I haven’t, I just want to develop and protect myself... you, probably have also noticed. At our level, it is impossible to stay under the radar—all powerless, we would just become a cake in the eyes of others, to be sliced finely and swallowed bite by bite."
Lu Ping’an didn’t want to test human nature because he knew that human nature couldn’t stand the test.
As long as he appeared too weak, whether in terms of abilities or character, various forms of "control" and "shackles" would keep being thrown his way.
Ancient texts say, a child holding gold in a bustling market turns everyone into devils.
When the owner of a treasure has no means of self-protection, they only worry about not acting quickly enough, afraid others will snatch away the most valuable portion.
"The premise to wanting peace is that one must appear strong enough. To truly want nothing is inviting trouble upon oneself."
Want nothing? Others won’t think so.
Are you scared to say that you want it all? Are you afraid to use your abilities? Are you not as strong as you appear to be?
No matter the assumption, it would invite disaster.
"Therefore, we must show ambition and goals to make others feel we are no threat, to show we are safe..."
Although subtle, that is the principle.
But in truth, the core members all knew that Lu Ping’an always spoke only half-truths... the palatable truths stopped here, some things didn’t need to be spelled out so cleanly.
The economic interests and resources of developing industries are the future wealth for everyone, and for professionals who have been to the Exotic Realm, craving power is the norm; a stronger organization and group are the guarantees for survival.
𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Even if it’s for the benefit of everyone, as the team leader, Lu Ping’an must appear "ambitious."
"As for how I got the permission from Special Services and the Bureau... you might not believe it, but I had barely spoken half my piece when they approved it, fearing I would back out. When planning the specific scheme for this matter, they were even more eager than I was."
"They’re afraid we’ll leave, in fact, we don’t necessarily have to develop in Ancient City. It might be faster if we really go to Changping."
"Mm, I only became certain after coming out."
Some things, Lu Ping’an only understood after taking action.
He just wanted a win-win cooperation with the locals, to develop together, and yet he didn’t realize that their partnership had already radically changed.
At the Decree-level, one negotiates terms with the Official, needing to be cajoled like an important patron, but at the Rule-level... the Official begs you to come and settle down like a "wild daddy."
If negotiations fail, other cities would completely offer more sincere chips.
Rule-level individuals don’t need to do anything; merely residing in the city is already a steady guarantee of safety... and in fact, when they really do settle in, they often bring many industrial and development opportunities.
Of course, Lu Ping’an is not yet at the Rule-level, but looking over his past achievements, probably no one would believe he’d have difficulty reaching the Rule-level.
Therefore, the one currently holding the initiative in negotiations is not Ancient City, but Lu Ping’an.
Especially with the object of negotiation, for Decree-level it is completely overstepping, but for Rule-level, it is a win-win that both parties can accept.
Lu Ping’an fosters a reserve fighting force for Ancient City, but at the same time, he also receives payment and gets his company up and running... additionally, he establishes his prestige among the new generation of professionals, owing them his favor.
And according to the red lines drawn by the superiors, this doesn’t overstep; it is simply using one’s abilities to help the development of the entire Ancient City.
Lu Ping’an couldn’t possibly not use his abilities, as using them would make people indebted to him and generate "Gold Coins"... unless they restrict his development, and that is already impossible.
Drawing a line so that he doesn’t massively influence Ordinary People is the baseline that Lu Ping’an must pay attention to.
As for potential dangers? Rule-level Big Bosses can single-handedly destroy cities; what are minor risks in comparison?
Of course, if Lu Ping’an is rational enough, he would not expand endlessly across the city like the Feather Tribe’s Territory, not elevate his fame higher than the mayor’s—that would only bring a series of troubles...
"Development is what matters, overthinking and being too cautious amount to a slow-motion suicide, whether it is us or the decision-makers of Ancient City, we all see this very clearly..."
Development involves risk-taking, and as long as Lu Ping’an truly fulfills his promise of producing two Decree-level professionals every three months, then, no matter how high the risk, this city’s Bureau of Anomaly Management is willing to take it on.
Lu Ping’an put forward chips the other side couldn’t possibly refuse, and he had cleared the toughest hurdle...
"The Wolf King Plan was approved too? The flagship product has already completed its preliminary assessment, and the evaluation is outstanding? Heh, not bad.
"Good, the weapons modification of the Ark is going smoothly? Nice, very nice. If there isn’t enough funding, get it from Catherine (his secretary)."
"The medicine department is being blocked... normal, a medical license is too hard to get. How about we first obtain a magic potion license exclusively for professionals?"
Lu Ping’an checked the progress of the "departments" one by one, and it seemed they were all doing quite well, with every project advancing smoothly.
And he himself was actually executing the "commissioned mercenary project"... This one required communication with the local officials and Ancient City University and other schools, and he had to handle it personally.
"There are several proposals for the company headquarters, Manager Lu, please decide on one. Let’s finalize it as soon as possible so we can arrange for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. We’ll have to invite a lot of people, so it’s best to nail down the details now."
As Lu Ping’an’s personal secretary, Catherine was running around for this, and now it was brought up at the meeting.
And the reason it had to go through a meeting was that it was quite sensitive and involved individual team members’ interests.
"The Development Zone is pretty good, water and electricity are cheap there, and there’s an abundance of human resources..."
Lady Marian, who took on the role of leader in the Wolf King Plan, expressed her demands.
But in reality, she represented the "Silent Mountain Range" faction within the team.
The development of the Development Zone could only be described as subtle these days. The ’Flying Boat’s’ flagship product came out, but how well it sold was also quite nuanced... If it’s a big hit, naturally, that’s good news, but if it flops, starting all over again is what follows.
However, this neither here nor there sales performance, where operation costs plus product production roughly equals total revenue, gives one a frustrating feeling of wasted time and effort.
The growth of the Development Zone isn’t slow, but the overcrowded populace and refugees have exerted enormous pressure on the municipal facilities. The city’s appearance is now beyond recognition, further driving down local real estate prices, making that area increasingly "rural" in the eyes of the people of the ancient city.
However, for the Exotic Races from the Silent Mountain Range World who come here, it’s vitally important... It’s the most stable population hub and labor zone. Just get the factories running, and they’ll solve the basic needs of countless individuals.
It can be said that the current Development Zone is like the "last prosperous land" for these Exotic Races... Lu Ping’an even made a visit to Wang Xier, who was nominally his superior.
She not only looked gaunt but had also tanned significantly, abandoning the splendor of courtly attire and jewels for jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, transforming from a Royal Family princess to a boyish tomboy sprinting around the construction site, making Lu Ping’an nearly fail to recognize her.
Clearly, Wang Xier and the Development Zone both need more projects and investments, which is also the root of why Lady Marian, despite being hesitant, took the initiative and stuck her neck out...
Lu Ping’an glanced subtly at Catherine, aware that the Great Priest before him was clearly being used by his own daughter, but she had also made substantial contributions, so their needs couldn’t be completely ignored.
Lu Ping’an did not want to agree, but he didn’t reject the idea...
"...No, the company should be in Zion District! This is our root, our home."
As expected, Xia Qin jumped out in opposition.
"I will fight for the lowest fees of water and electricity for the company... uh, do we need these preferential policies? We’re not in the industrial sector."
Xia Qin, having come to her senses, rarely used her own intellect.
A large number of "special agent trainees" in Zion means that public safety here would naturally improve rapidly, which would save the Special Service Team resources and maintain peace in the region.
"I also think Zion is better, look, it’s closer to the Volcano Secret Realm, we need the forging resources and techniques from there..."
"No, I think we should be near Ancient City University’s university town. Not only is advertising there cost-effective, but many indecisive university students might come to try out..."
Each person had their own stance, and when it came to selecting a company location, they all had needs.
At this moment, Lu Ping’an truly understood the troubles of development.
At the same time, it was a warning that once the team expanded, the emergence of interest groups among different parties was inevitable, and he needed to be prepared and plan ahead on both rules and relationships.
He didn’t speak, just quietly watched the argument unfold and clearly saw everyone’s position and the relationships between them.
In the end, naturally, the decision-making power fell back to Lu Ping’an.
He scanned the room and then made a judgment.
"Let’s choose Zion District, it’s closer to home. Heh, most of our homes are here, after all."
— End of Chapter 1000 —