A long report followed, detailing the cabinet meeting in three days’ time and the recent, sensationalized topic: the New Emperor system.
The report stated that representatives from the Western Countries would also gather at the Yanjing President’s Mansion to witness this "historic moment" together.
Lu Yun’s gaze deliberately lingered for a moment on the line of text: "representatives from the Western Countries..."
It reminded him of that bizarre foreigner. ’That strange fellow isn’t planning on coming to Yanjing himself, is he?’
In any case, Lu Yun had no desire to encounter that bizarre foreigner again until he broke through to the realm of a Grandmaster of Divine Intent.
Lu Yun read on. The rest of the newspaper was almost entirely filled with articles of praise and adulation.
The articles were long-winded and effusive, praising the life and deeds of President Yuan over and over again.
There were phrases like "personally severing the lifeline of the corrupt Yin Dynasty," "born with the destiny of an emperor," "relying on his great military power to quell internal strife during his tenure," and "slaying all demons and goblins"...
There were also heaps of phrases in the vein of "Heaven has bestowed a great mission upon this man," stopping just short of deifying him.
The article ended with a passionate, stirring summary: "Since its founding, the Daxia New Country has weathered countless storms and endured many hardships."
"Now, facing internal troubles and external threats, surrounded by ambitious powers, we are in dire need of a true backbone to lead the land of Daxia toward happiness and stability!"
"The New Emperor system follows the will of Heaven and the people—it is an absolute necessity!"
After he finished reading, Lu Yun put down the newspaper and gazed toward the core of the capital, which was drawing ever closer.
Shenteng Mansion, one of the core districts of Yanjing City.
In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the streets outside, the moment one stepped into this area’s vicinity, it was as if the whole world had been muted.
The wide roads were lined with neatly planted plane trees, and squads of soldiers could be seen on patrol.
From a great distance, one could see a line of figures armed with live ammunition standing outside the main gate. They wore crisp military uniforms, their eyes constantly scanning every person and vehicle that drew near.
Through the imposing marble gate, the scene inside was faintly visible.
Inside were buildings that fused traditional Daxia-style flying eaves with classical Western colonnades, scattered picturesquely among the verdant trees.
Just then, a patrol of soldiers came to a halt. The NCO in the lead raised a hand, signaling for the rickshaw, which was still moving forward, to stop.
"Halt!"
The rickshaw puller slammed to a halt and immediately looked back at Lu Yun on the seat.
Lu Yun stepped down from the rickshaw, pulled a few banknotes from his coat, and handed them over.
"Thank you."
The puller took the money, stunned for a second. Then, as if waking from a dream, he nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, sir!"
With that, he didn’t dare linger a moment longer. He picked up his empty rickshaw and ran off without looking back.
Lu Yun walked up to the lead NCO and said coolly, "Building Thirteen. Announce that Lu Yun has come to call."
From the outside, Building Thirteen looked like a typical, traditional grand courtyard home.
Inside, however, a Western-style villa stood quietly in the center of the main courtyard, complete with red brick walls, French windows, and a small fountain before its entrance.
Three people sat on a sofa in the grand hall. In the very center was a man in his fifties.
He wore a crisp military uniform with a single, unadorned star on his shoulder.
This was Li Zhen, Deputy Director of the General Affairs Department of the President’s Mansion.
On the sofa beside him sat a young man and a young woman, both in their twenties.
The young man frowned. "It’s chaos out there. Have the President and those Commander-in-Chiefs in the cabinet all gone mad?"
"Pushing for a New Emperor system at a time like this? Isn’t that just turning back the clock? If you ask me, Daxia is about to descend into utter chaos."
The woman added in a low voice, "Dad, maybe I should go to Yun Port City and stay with my sister?"
"My brother-in-law is returning to the Lu Family in a few days, so I could go with him. It would be better than being on pins and needles here."
Li Zhen did not answer immediately. He slowly raised his teacup, gently blew the tea leaves aside, and took a small sip.
Only after setting his cup down did Li Zhen finally speak. "You two, stop talking nonsense. The President and the Commander-in-Chiefs in the cabinet must have their reasons for acting this way."
"We shouldn’t meddle in things that don’t concern us. Right now, it’s best to just go through the motions, one day at a time."
He said this as much for his own benefit as for his children’s.
To put it nicely, Li Zhen’s position as a deputy director was mid-to-upper management. To put it bluntly, he was just a glorified errand boy.
The major affairs that would decide the fate of Daxia were not for a small fry like him to comment on, nor were they for him to worry about.
’Forget it. I’ll just muddle through,’ he thought. ’If things really fall apart, worst-case scenario, I’ll take my family to Yun Port City and seek refuge with my in-laws.’
At this thought, the corners of Li Zhen’s mouth curled into a faint smile.
’Thank goodness, thank goodness, thank goodness I wasn’t a snob five years ago.’
’Back then, my eldest daughter, Li Zhiyu, insisted on marrying a man from Yun Port City—my eldest son-in-law, Lu Jingjun.’
’I was reluctant at first, thinking it was a poor match in terms of social status. Although the old master of the Lu Family was a Martial Champion Scholar from the former dynasty, that was all in the past.’
’But I couldn’t go against my daughter’s wishes. I thought about it, and since the Lu Family was well-off, at least, I allowed the marriage.’
’Back then, she was "marrying down." And now? It’s turned into "marrying up."’
’My son-in-law’s father, Lu Yun, actually became a Grandmaster of Huajin at the ripe old age of sixty!’
’What does being a Grandmaster of Huajin even mean?’
’It means being the kind of person who could establish their own school and command the respect of an entire region. It means being able to do whatever you want in a major hub like Yun Port City without anyone daring to stop you.’
’Even in a place like Yanjing, he would be treated as a guest of honor by the true powers that be.’

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