Chapter 802
Chapter 802 - 788 Options
2,011 words
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11 min read
"Promoted? Me?"
Lu Ping’an truly hadn’t expected the official reward to come so quickly, so urgently.
First of all, his reassignment from the Special Service Team had arrived.
"...Lu Ping’an, reassigned as the Commander of the first Special Service Team in the Ancient City High-tech Development Zone, concurrently holding the position of a regular Decree-level Inspector..."
One salary, two positions; the former is for doing the work, the latter for managing people.
And with the latter (inspecting others) duty, Lu Ping’an, the Commander of the first Team, really had authority... Theoretically, as a Commander, he could not order other Captain-level officials, but he could write reports using his Inspector identity.
This was also a part of the old tricks of local administration, Lu Ping’an considered himself to be entrusted with a heavy responsibility.
But if it weren’t for this matter, Lu Ping’an would almost have forgotten the things going on at the Refugee Camp... I mean, the Development Zone.
"They directly gave you regular Decree-level treatment? It seems the superiors are very satisfied with your ’surrender.’ No wonder you haven’t been to the Development Zone these days..."
With just one sentence, Xia Qin bemused Lu Ping’an. He pondered for a moment, then nodded emphatically in agreement.
"...You hadn’t always been thinking about that, had you?"
"Hehe, what do you think?"
Lu Ping’an, as always, had a damnably smug look that made Xia Qin sigh helplessly. She reckoned this guy was genuinely on vacation mode, having completely neglected many matters.
This time, Lu Ping’an’s Team and Wang Xier’s Team could be said to have shared hardships, having fought side by side and gotten their hands dirty together.
According to earlier arrangements, Lu Ping’an would have been Wang Xier’s "subordinate"— this was the arrangement of the Ancient City officials and their means of wooing outsiders.
But now, with Lu Ping’an’s rise to prominence... clearly, the Ancient City’s side regretted it.
An excellent upcoming Commander and a potential Rule-level strongman were not equatable in value at all.
Naturally, they had to re-examine the relationship between Lu Ping’an and Wang Xier. If it was merely business cooperation, well and good, but if it was a total capitulation and subjugation, that would mean a different sort of treatment.
Since Lu Ping’an returned, he hadn’t bothered with that side (didn’t want to work overtime at the Refugee Camp), and in some sense had made a divide and statement.
Then, Wang Xier would not take the initiative to find Lu Ping’an... She knew Lu Ping’an wasn’t stupid; how could he possibly choose the exotic realm over his own people’s officials?
But in some people’s eyes, Lu Ping’an’s return and immediate splitting from Wang Xier unquestionably signified "loyalty"...
"I work there, but my heart is still with you guys... pfft, they interpreted it this way?"
Looking at another letter of appointment in his hand, Lu Ping’an laughed out loud.
This was also a "transfer order," but the most special kind.
"Subordinate to the Bureau of Anomaly Management, attached to the Intelligence Analysis Department, permanent vice chair of the supernatural history and Dongguo spirit compilation group... What kind of ghostly position is this."
Lu Ping’an also received another letter of appointment.
One person holding one position was normal, but there were plenty of variations within the system, including "Temporary activity groups" and "Special Action Committees," to name a couple.
The supernatural history and Dongguo spirit compilation group, or put another way for easier understanding, the review organization that "amends supernatural history not in line with the Dongguo spirit to make it suitable for public acceptance."
Seems important, right? But in fact, throughout last year, they convened only twice and reviewed a dozen publications, all of which were approved in one go.
Yet this still counted as a "temporary organization formed of elite troops and strongmen from various departments," directly under the highest authority of the Information Analysis Department of the Bureau of Anomaly Management.
To put it bluntly, by holding this position, Lu Ping’an effectively became a member of the "shadow government of the civil officials," gaining higher-level acceptance as one of their own. He also qualified to attend various internal meetings, deliberations, and annual summaries.
Under the premise of legality and compliance, Lu Ping’an essentially held two positions... He could completely use the excuse of "I need to work on the compilation group’s tasks" to refuse all orders issued by Wang Xier.
Obey the deployment but not the propaganda? No, it’s not necessary to obey at all. This is the advantage of "dual leadership"... As long as Lu Ping’an wished, he could consider both his supposedly supervising leaders as being non-existent, effectively leaving him without any leadership.
A wants me to work? I say I’m serving B. If B needs me, actually, it’s the same.
A asks B for discussion, for confirmation? Impossible. A and B definitely are not within the same system and cannot normally communicate with each other. Even if they communicate privately, it won’t be taken seriously.
This was the "official" green channel opened for him, their method of attempting to snatch Lu Ping’an back from Wang Xier’s side.
Look at it from another angle, with all this trouble, he gained the authority to move freely within the Development Zone, to make independent decisions, and to supervise anyone he pleased.
Not to mention, even Lu Ping’an himself had spent a lot of effort asking several people to clearly understand the ins and outs of it all.
The official wooing was at full throttle, giving him the "freedom" he most desired, as well as the authority to choose at will.
He wanted to be productive and could make a difference on either side, but if he wanted to slack off, he could use the excuse "I am working for that side" to just collect a paycheck without doing any work.
"...Uh, before I knew it, it seems like I’ve received special treatment? Privileges?"
"The potential you’ve demonstrated now merits this treatment, and they’re actually not worried about you being taken away by the Saphire people, they’re worried about you being taken away by Changping."
"Uh, we’re not from Changping State... Okay, I get it."
It was a bit convoluted, but Lu Ping’an remembered the past rhetoric of "I am from XX city, not the same as being from XX province," and he instantly understood.
𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Although this notion was politically incorrect and couldn’t be brought up openly, it certainly existed, otherwise there wouldn’t be all sorts of under-the-surface contradictions and struggles between the central and local governments, or among localities themselves.
With Lu Ping’an’s sufficient strength and very high potential, having caught the eye of both factions, he couldn’t avoid this "competition" even if he didn’t want to.
"...To avoid becoming a chess piece, I must become a chess player, huh?"
With the experience of two lifetimes, Lu Ping’an had a perception far beyond his peers and even this era.
He didn’t want to become a loser on a whim; as long as he had any obligations, others could make him dance to their tune.
Lu Ping’an had no interest in power plays or status, but he was even less interested in becoming a puppet of power plays.
Now he had some people and some power, but if he just danced to the tune of his superiors’ baton without restriction, not to mention distant concerns, another excursion into the Silent Mountain Range or the campaign at Green Planet could happen...
"...It’s too early for that."
Lu Ping’an shook his head, thinking that it was too early to consider these things, and they weren’t of much significance. For now, he should just accept the olive branch they were extending, build up his own "value," and then maintain enough independence.
As long as his strength increased rapidly, he could avoid a lot of trouble. If the time came when they really turned against him...
"Deputy Captain of the Temporary Security Team, I’d like to compete for the spot, could you help me ask?"
Xia Qin was taken aback by the question, but then she made a phone call and quickly got a response.
"...They said there’s absolutely no problem; that bunch of bastards are in need of someone tough to keep them in line. But this is a temporary position and the compensation and sequence have not yet been set; there might just be some bonuses."
"Alright, I’ll report there tomorrow."
This time, Lu Ping’an actively found work for himself.
Currently, the official options given openly to Lu Ping’an were twofold. Option A was to enter the system and secure a place within the civil servant system, to properly follow the official path.
Option B was the same developmental path he had followed before, working hard with Wang Xier’s side, which also meant he would be cutting himself off from the bureaucracy here—a testament to serving a long-term external assignment to prove one’s abilities, a reluctant move for a newcomer with no backing, a Bai Shen... After working that way for a decade or two, being called back would mean becoming a mid-level backbone, with not too shabby a treatment.
Of course, all this was based on the assumption that the "growth rate" isn’t too outrageous. Stepping into a Rule-level position... no, reaching fifth-sixth tier would probably make the officials want to find ways to bring him back.
Anyone who saw the options clearly and had a normal IQ would choose A. This was also the "standard answer" provided by the superiors, a patch they applied to the original path.
Because they recognized this, Wang Xier’s side couldn’t say much either; after all, she was just a "guest," and when the host asked for a "gift" back for some reason, it would be awkward for her to refuse.
"I choose C. Let me take on a role in that temporary security team."
And Lu Ping’an, instead of taking either option presented, decided to carve out his own path.
"The Temporary Security Team is an ad-hoc formation, mostly comprising ’unstable elements’ from outside. Many of them are Decree-level strongmen who have been ’pacified.’ The higher-ups don’t really have much expectation for them, and as long as they’re paid and don’t cause any trouble, that’s enough."
It’s a marginalized department, not expected to achieve much, akin to an "official exile location," but...
"Actually, those bureaucrats are also short-sighted. Times have changed. It’s the age of the strongman now. A strongman implies stable public security, stable income from the Exotic Realm, and the introduction of new technologies. Decree-level Masters, if recruited and reorganized, will sooner or later become a Big Boss..."
Having personally fought them, Lu Ping’an knew their strength wasn’t low, making "the right choice" could tip them either way.
The fact that these people were willing to deign to join that temporary team indicated they could indeed be organized, and as long as the treatment improved, they would naturally become part of the "official sequence."
"Decree-level, are indeed precious..."
So many future bosses gathered together—by building good relationships, Lu Ping’an naturally gained the so-called "future connections," and a "force" that would make his superiors think twice.
"...Get along with them, and first beat those who are disobedient once again to establish the pecking order..."
Well, it seemed Lu Ping’an had more in mind than just "getting along."
He had mastered the methods of handling these bastards, even if he wanted to make friends and conduct business.
"...Beat them into submission first, then talk business. By the way, charge up my Library and find some more new customers."
— End of Chapter 802 —