"Is the man really dead?"
"That's right."
"And that Su Ning, who returned from abroad, really spent several million silver dollars." When mentioning "several million," the voice raised significantly, clearly emphasizing the main point.
The subordinates naturally understood why.
Previously, when Chen Huaiqian sent a letter mentioning Su Ning, stating that she had immense financial resources and intended to fund the party and the state's cause, everyone else, including the man at the top, thought he was just desperately blowing hot air.
He remembered it vividly.
At that time, the Generalissimo tossed the letter onto the desk, shaking his head, smiling, and sighing as he said:
"Huaiqian is truly at his wit's end. If I had known, I should have given him more manpower and money to take with him. Su Ning? Never heard of her."
"Even if such a person really exists."
"Money doesn't just fall from the sky. Who would casually throw out millions?"
As for some fertilizer plant, the Generalissimo didn't even pay it any mind. Even so, considering Chen Huaiqian's past contributions, he approved the request in the letter.
Just the establishment of a mere regiment.
If it was given, it was given.
But it was impossible for the Generalissimo to attach much importance to it. He casually gave the order to his subordinates and then put the matter to the back of his mind—the situation between the central government and the local factions was growing increasingly severe. Although Peiping was important, it had to take a backseat to these pressing matters.
That was, until the news arrived this time.
Each piece of news was more explosive than the last.
The local warlord's representative in Peiping was dead, killed by his own people. Chen Huaiqian held the moral and nominal high ground, allowing him to strike with the sweeping force of an autumn wind clearing fallen leaves.
And just like that, Peiping was visibly stabilized?
Furthermore, Su Ning really did play a massive role in this—hard cash doesn't lie. Chen Huaiqian was very honest, listing out the exact bribe amounts and the individuals involved one by one.
The numbers were astronomical.
As for the method of bribery, neither the Generalissimo nor the others in the government cared. In this day and age, wasn't holding office and wielding power all for the sake of money?
Without money, no one would work for you.
Corruption was already rampant within their own ranks. The fact that Chen Huaiqian could settle things by throwing money around was a testament to his ability. The important thing was that Su Ning was actually this rich!
And she was genuinely willing to spend this much money.
"Millions." The Generalissimo's heart bled at the thought. If only he had known earlier... He repeated the name "Su Ning" three times, then dug out the previous letter to read it carefully.
His gaze locked onto the mention of the fertilizer plant.
He hadn't cared before because he didn't think Su Ning could actually procure the machinery.
Now, things were different.
Standing from a different vantage point, his considerations shifted. If this fertilizer plant could really be established and produce usable fertilizer, the Generalissimo could easily picture the outcome.
With a little bit of promotion and maneuvering on his part.
Once the citizens heard of such a miraculous product being manufactured domestically, they would undoubtedly be greatly inspired.
The government's credibility would soar.
Moreover, it would serve as a deterrent to foreign powers: even without your help, we can produce our own fertilizer... As for the fact that the machinery came from abroad, that detail could simply be glossed over.
The more he thought about it, the more promising it seemed.
The Generalissimo stood up and paced three laps with his hands behind his back, a look of delight gradually appearing on his face. He casually asked his subordinates:
"Is the regiment establishment that Huaiqian requested ready? Don't just send him an empty title; allocate a batch of military uniforms, rations, and weapons to go with it."
"We must not chill the hearts of our meritorious contributors."
With a wealthy tycoon showing a friendly attitude and taking the initiative to join them, they naturally had to welcome her with open arms. Who cared how many private soldiers she wanted to raise with this regiment? In name, it would belong to the central government.
Why not go along with it?
Just as he was reveling in these pleasant thoughts, his subordinates started hemming and hawing, unable to give a straight answer. He immediately understood and flew into a rage:
"How do you people get things done?"
"I gave this order ages ago, and this is how you handle it? It is exactly because of parasites like you that the government and the party are in such a mess!"
The subordinates were scolded ruthlessly.
They felt incredibly wronged.
They had no grudge against Chen Huaiqian; they weren't so bored as to do something like this. The one who intervened was someone else entirely. Being so young and holding such a high position, Chen Huaiqian naturally had quite a few rivals.
If it weren't for the fact that he also had many friends and mentors.
It wouldn't have just been a matter of stalling the paperwork.
They would have found an excuse to delay it indefinitely, dragging it out until the matter ceased to exist altogether, which was a common occurrence.
Once the Generalissimo had cursed enough.
The subordinates finally explained in a low voice, clarifying the situation. Unsurprisingly, upon learning that the mastermind behind the delay was someone close to him, the fiercely protective Generalissimo merely scolded them a few more times and let the matter drop.
"This time, no one's face is to be spared. Within three days, this matter must be resolved and dispatched to Peiping without a moment's delay."
"Also, fully support the construction of the fertilizer plant. Give it the green light all the way. As long as it's not excessive, give her whatever she asks for."
He was actually being this generous?
The subordinates couldn't help but look up. They had thought he would adopt a more calculating stance and make this Su Ning bleed a little for the central government.
The Generalissimo couldn't be bothered to explain it to them.
Kill the donkey once the grinding is done? They hadn't even bought the millstone yet, so what donkey was there to kill?
They would talk again once the fertilizer plant was up and running.
…………
The news spread down the chain of command.
Some were happy—the people Chen Huaiqian had previously written to for help now felt vindicated. Someone laughed and said, "I didn't expect that in the end, it would be up to Huaiqian and Miss Su themselves to succeed. We won't have the face to see them in the future."
"We are all on the same side. The worst that happens is losing a little face."
"What's there to fear?"
Indeed, they had automatically begun treating Su Ning as one of their own faction.
Wherever there are people, there are cliques.
If it weren't for Su Ning's strength and her mysterious foreign background, a newcomer—even one backed by Chen Huaiqian—would never have been able to join so easily without undergoing rigorous scrutiny.
Even though they hadn't actually asked Su Ning about this.
But there were actually quite a few benefits... With these allies pushing things from behind the scenes, the speed of getting things done accelerated, and all kinds of preferential treatments were maximized.
At the same time, there were plenty of people who were unhappy.
Inside a certain mansion.
Upon hearing the news, someone said in disbelief, "Is Chen Huaiqian's luck really this good? Su Ning... I've never heard of such a person in the country. How could she have so much money!"
"What's the use of talking about that now?"
"Even if Su Ning popped out of a rock, it doesn't change the fact that she has money and resources in her hands. Not only can she procure weapons from abroad, but she can actually get her hands on a fertilizer production line."
This person shook his head in dismay:
"If we had paid attention to her earlier, whether to rope her in or eliminate her, it wouldn't have been a difficult task."
"But now... sigh."
With the Generalissimo's attitude laid bare, making a direct move against Su Ning was impossible.
"What are you afraid of?"
The man sitting at the head of the room finally spoke. He glanced around at the crowd and said unhurriedly:
"She's just a woman. The higher-ups only value her because of her money and the fertilizer plant. Having money just makes her a purse; the important thing is the fertilizer plant."
The others quieted down to listen to him.
"Let me ask you, what is Su Ning's most important bargaining chip regarding the fertilizer plant?"
What else could it be... the production line, of course.
"Exactly, the fertilizer production line. Speaking of which, no one knows what her background abroad is to be able to get her hands on something like this. But ultimately, the equipment has to enter the country."
Someone had already realized what he was getting at.
Their eyes lit up.
The man took a slow sip of tea, his tone revealing immense confidence and a sense of inevitable triumph: "Once it reaches the country, even a dragon must coil up, and a tiger must lie down for me—we'll just intercept the production line."
"The whole country is in complete chaos right now. Even if I take over the production line later, Su Ning won't have any proof. What can she do besides swallow the loss?"
By then, a cash cow like the fertilizer plant would naturally fall into their hands.
Everyone burst into laughter.
...
Su Ning was completely oblivious to the schemes and plotting revolving around her. Even if she knew, she wouldn't care. In fact, it would be highly amusing if the items rewarded by the System were actually hijacked.
She would extort at least ten times the compensation from the System!
At this moment, however, she and Chen Huaiqian were also discussing matters regarding the fertilizer plant.
"I have already selected the site for the factory."
Su Ning pointed to a spot on the map, tapped it with her finger, and said in a casual tone, "Right here."
It was a place about a dozen miles away from Peiping. It was sparsely populated and the terrain was uneven. Chen Huaiqian did not quite understand why Su Ning would choose such a location and offered a few words of advice against it.
"My uncle did a fortune reading for me. This place will bring me prosperity," Su Ning said, noticing the sheer speechlessness hidden beneath Chen Huaiqian's polite smile.
She thought to herself that it would not just bring prosperity to her, but to the people of Peiping as well.
This place appeared perfectly ordinary.
In reality, it was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Moreover, its elevated vantage point allowed one to clearly observe any movements within the city of Peiping. Eventually, it would have been discovered by the Japanese, who would have purchased it under the guise of foreign merchants to secretly construct a military camp.
"I am truly accumulating some great karma," Su Ning sighed with deep emotion. In the very next second, she commanded:
"System, prepare for the lucky draw!"
