Chapter 648
Chapter 648 - 628: Unable to Refuse
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"Time won’t stop for someone’s busyness, and in this era, no one is indispensable.
In the half month that Lu Ping’an focused on his cultivation, many things happened.
For example, the Klei Desert Kingdom ultimately chose the Ancient City.
Among them, Lu Ping’an was supposed to work on this matter, but he was caught up in the Knight’s Secret Realm and naturally skipped it.
Originally, the Bureau of Anomaly Management had some opinions about Lu Ping’an. After all, when he was absent, there were indeed some communication problems, and the other party asked about Lu Ping’an several times.
But when the video of Lu Ping’an and Hannah’s duel spread, the leaders of the Bureau of Anomaly Management and several core captains naturally let go of their complaints after watching the duel situation.
Otherwise, the title of "Future Captain" would not have been offered.
"Young Comrade is a little arrogant. It’s normal to be vigorous, but it’s not too good to forget about the main task."
That comment changed to this in two days:
"Heh, young people have energy, it’s normal to forget about time. By the way, ask someone if he’s interested in participating in the cadre training next month...."
It’s normal, the same person acts differently toward a handy tool and someone who might be a future pillar of support. Obviously, their views and tolerance would be entirely different.
Even the main parties and messengers don’t find it strange. After that prince of the Desert Kingdom watched the video, he became even more enthusiastic.
But in this matter itself, Lu Ping’an was at fault... He didn’t expect that a random exploration of the Secret Realm, which should have taken at most two days, took seven days due to the highest level of Heroic Spirit challenge, and another ten days to digest the gains completely.
However, he was not an honest bureaucrat who mixed within the system, so he didn’t care much about those trivial matters.
But after learning the details of the negotiations, he was secretly relieved that he "missed" this meeting.
"...How dare they make such concessions?" When he saw the internal documents, Lu Ping’an thought he had read it wrong.
"Many people were also confused... but thinking about their ability to provide two Rule-level guardians, it’s understandable."
"They won’t invite two Rule-level Supreme Elders, right?" Lu Ping’an dared to say anything.
"So, the Rule-level from the Ancient City military will be transferred back to the city, and one of their two Rule-levels will be sent to the frontline to guard."
"...That’s fine, but I still have to say, how dare they directly confront the policy above, allowing two branches of the same-origin outsiders to settle in the Ancient City... "
The information was unclear, but the most sincere offer from the Ancient City was an "interpretation" of the policy above.
It’s not just the power of that prince coming, but also a divided ethnic group, bringing with them another Rule-level combat power.
The official document clearly states that the cluster of newcomers cannot exceed 50,000 people, and the two new ethnic groups, one with 50,000 and the other with 30,000, obviously crossed the line.
"The prince’s ethnic group will enter the Ancient City, and the other will settle in the suburbs of the military region. The municipal government is urgently holding a meeting to make the suburbs an independent development zone and directly attach it to the State for supervision before settling... of course, it’s just in name."
"Is that possible!?"
Lu Ping’an was shocked. To "attract investment", they directly changed their administrative system, throwing away an area as an independent administrative special zone?
Xia Qin spread her hands and sighed in helplessness.
"There’s no way, our infrastructure is not superior, so we can only find solutions in policy... Besides, do you think it’s our idea? The local officials are not that flexible, but many cities in the Eastern Country are doing this. And I heard that as long as it’s not too excessive, the higher-ups won’t interfere."
Outsiders naturally want to stick together for safety and concentration of human resources, technical resources, and industrial advantages... But the locals, except for some safety hazards, actually don’t resist the outsiders’ clustering.
𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Of course, if something goes wrong with such a decision, even if there’s only a small-scale riot... As long as there’s a street protest, those who made the decision have to take responsibility, and those involved will have to bear some blame.
Lu Ping’an was somewhat relieved that he didn’t have to take responsibility. It was great.
But looking at the locals’ determination to attract investment at the risk of their political lives, it was all too clear.
"What kind of bargaining chip did these outsiders bring out to make these old men take such a risk with their hats?"
"...They have a Desert Flying Boat technology, very comfortable and mature, slightly slower than the current mainstream cars but consuming less fuel resources. It is said that the future development zone will be under the banner of ’Auto City.’"
Well, a car city directly brings tax revenues and employment, doesn’t it?
"Can the technology be used locally? Even the Sealing Skills here have problems."
"They use gears and steam-like engines, and localization has been successful. There is no big problem. Besides, there are also some machinery-like products. From the feedback, they are very effective. It is said that there are even large flying vehicles, but they have not yet completed localization."
Now, Lu Ping’an understood in an instant, the benefits were indeed worth the risk.
In fact, a large number of exotic foods and products have appeared on the local market, most of them eliminated within two months, but some have very good sales, causing some impact on the local industry... Now this impact is concentrated in the food industry and light industry. Once the equipment manufacturing and heavy industry are localized, a new round of industrial revolution and industry upgrade is inevitable.
Now it’s Auto City, and later it might become a base for airship production.
Given the current situation in the Ancient City, without strong hardware and software, bringing in talent, technology, and investment naturally requires policy advantages.
In this general trend, none dares to fall behind, so it’s no wonder the decision-makers gambled their political lives.
"Actually, this matter also has something to do with you." Xia Qin touched her braid and sighed as well.
"Me?" Lu Ping’an didn’t understand how he, a small shrimp, could have a relationship with this matter.
"The location of Auto City hasn’t been finalized yet, as a development zone needs to be established. The first priority is the military area, but the military may not agree. They might not want a large exotic camp in their backyard. Moreover, that remote area is not convenient for water and electricity, nor is it suitable for the local industry or for locals to work..."
Lu Ping’an faintly understood. This was completely a routine, right?
"...If eventually located in the city, our Special Service Team is bound to be responsible for security. Of course, there will also be some monitoring work. The expansion of the Special Service Team naturally requires focusing on the new jurisdiction. Your future team will most likely be assigned there."
The relationship couldn’t be separated, but there was still more.
"...Also, that prince, along with the leader of the other ethnic group, named you to meet."
"Can I refuse?"
"Heh, are you sure your small body can carry the big pot of letting a huge deal slip away?"
— End of Chapter 648 —