MWC – Chapter 182 Temporary Meeting (Part 1)

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After making some arrangements at the Freedom Building, Lu Ming drove straight to the City Hall.

At 3 PM, the temporary city council meeting that Lu Ming had proposed began. However, Dong Wenquan did not show up, saying he was in another province and couldn’t make it back in time.

But it was obvious that since Lu Ming had called for the meeting, his absence carried its own implied meaning.

“Qianxing, you called the meeting, so you should speak,” Baklo smiled at Lu Ming.

Sherlock, deep in thought, mused to himself. A nineteen-year-old kid, no matter how good he was at lawsuits, what did it matter? This wasn’t a courtroom. Every agenda item in this meeting concerned the work and lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Beiguan. For someone so young, holding such a position, it would be impossible not to want to taste the power. Look, now he couldn’t help himself, using his new official power to make a splash, it would be best if he made a big enough mess to burn himself in the process.

Lu Ming took a sip of water and said, “It’s like this. A citizen and businessman from Beiguan, named Liu Shoufu, has land in the city-state where high oil reserves were discovered. However, there’s a dispute over the land, and we’ve just received news that he’s involved in a rape case there. I believe it’s our city government’s responsibility to protect our businesses’ investments abroad, don’t you agree?”

Sherlock sneered inwardly. Sure enough, he was going to misuse public office for personal gain.

Baklo smiled and replied, “That’s true.”

Lu Ming continued, “But from Liu Shoufu’s situation, I’ve had some thoughts. Whether he’s innocent or guilty is a separate issue. At the very least, our city government should ensure that our businesses and merchants investing outside Beiguan can enjoy a fair competitive environment. Specifically, for Liu Shoufu, we should strive to secure a fair trial for him.”

“To be honest, very few Beiguan businessmen or local enterprises have invested outside the East Sea. Why? Because regions outside of the East Sea, like here, rarely provide the same protection for investors, have open policies, and a sound legal system. Our businesses and entrepreneurs have grown too comfortable in their own circle and are reluctant to face challenges outside.”

“But in reality, I feel that the Western Regions are rich in primary resources. For Beiguan’s enterprises, our strength is actually quite weak compared to the larger East Sea markets, and our share in the broader East Sea and surrounding state-province trade networks is negligible.”

“However, the competition here is fierce. Beiguan businesses have been stagnant for years. I think Liu Shoufu’s approach is excellent—he dared to step out of his comfort zone. While the Western Regions may be chaotic, they are rich in resources. If we can build good relationships with the Western Region city-states, it would provide a favorable environment for our businesses. There, it could be a good place for Beiguan companies to invest.”

“Of course, our businesses cannot monopolize important resources like Phira Oil. We are just small players—investing in basic processing of raw materials, supplying to our upstream enterprises in the East Sea. We cannot influence the entire ecosystem of the East Sea market, but Beiguan’s businesses should see significant growth in profit.”

“Of course, this all depends on us having good relationships with city-states there.”

“Liu Shoufu’s oil fields are near Bat City. I think we should use Bat City and its surrounding city-states as an entry point to develop good relations with them.”

During Lu Ming’s speech, he noticed Sherlock trying to interject several times, but Lu Ming continued speaking without giving him the chance.

When Lu Ming took a sip of water, Sherlock opened his mouth, “Councilman Lu…” Lu Ming waved his hand, “Please wait until I finish.”

After a pause, Lu Ming continued, “Actually, according to imperial policy, we already have an obligation to help economically underdeveloped federal bodies improve their development.”

“Our East Sea region also has offices in the Western Alliance city-states. Every year, there’s special funding allocated for this, called the ‘Friendly Alliance Program’, right?”

“Some of the major city-states that align with our East Sea values receive support through this program every year.”

“Although many people in the Western Regions criticize our East Sea representative offices for using a small amount of funding to gain preferential treatment for East Sea merchants, in reality, the wealth they acquire is far greater, and conditional financial support is seen as a rough interference in the internal affairs of equal federal bodies.”

“The Friendly Alliance Program has almost become synonymous with hegemony in the Western Regions.”

“However, the local civilians benefiting from this program are still many, and it has helped change their cultural mindset and promote their civilization.”

“I think, if Beiguan actively joins this program, seeking to support the groups that were originally excluded from its scope, such as developing friendly relations with remote city-states like Bat City, the upper levels of the region should appreciate our efforts.”

Sherlock, who had wanted to say something, sat up straight at this point, not interrupting.

Lu Ming reflected for a moment and said, “Here’s my thought: We can contact our East Sea representative office in the Western Regions and organize an official trade interaction. Beiguan will send a delegation led by municipal council members to visit the local market.”

“Of course, it’s essential that we express our goodwill first. Baoyin Bank has already agreed to provide low-interest loans for some local projects, but these projects must comply with the laws and values of East Sea.”

Looking at Baklo, Lu Ming smiled and said, “Baoyin Bank has been very supportive of our work. We should reciprocate and assist our local businesses. Baoyin Bank has encountered some obstacles in opening branches in nearby states and provinces, and it’s not due to market factors. I think it’s our responsibility to help break through those barriers using the city government’s influence.”

“Currently, the banking industry has entered the 2.0 era, with the rise of electronic transfers. The old way of doing business will only cause Baoyin Bank to decline. To continue growing, opening more branches in major cities across the empire is inevitable. Then, they can move into smaller cities and gradually perfect the financial network.”

Hearing Lu Ming’s words, Baklo smiled slightly and nodded.

Lu Ming continued, “Let’s return to the trade delegation. In addition to the low-interest loans, there should also be some grant assistance. The exact amount, we can discuss later. As for the projects, we will determine them after meeting with the locals, but we will need to conduct a strict review.”

“As for the area where we mainly aim to develop friendly relations, with Liu Shoufu’s oil field as the starting point, I’ve researched a bit. There are over a dozen city-states around Bat City, an area with a population of several hundred thousand, which should be quite good. The resources are abundant, and some of our East Sea industries can also link up with it.”

“For example, one of the city-states there produces a lot of gold ore, but the security situation is poor. The real gold tycoons all have their own gold mine systems and don’t care about the small gold ore there. However, if Beiguan’s gold industry can solve the security issues and take control of the gold mines, it will surely see significant development. I originally wanted to have a good talk with Old Dong, but since he seems busy, the gold industry representative for the trade delegation will have to be someone else.”

Lu Ming pondered, “This is my general idea. Do you think it’s feasible, Mayor?”

Before Baklo could speak, Gao Wangshi giggled, “Not bad! If the city government doesn’t support this, your idea will spread, and we’ll probably all get scolded. Besides, Beiguan’s businessmen will definitely form their own groups to go. At least, I’m thinking of organizing one myself.”

Baklo shot her a sideways glance, perhaps feeling that this woman was even more unbearable than Lu Ming now. Whatever Lu Ming said, she wholeheartedly supported, as though anyone who opposed Lu Ming’s ideas was a fool and deeply misguided.

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm?”

As Shen Changqing walked down the road, he would greet or nod at familiar faces when he ran into people.

But no matter who it was,

There were no extra expressions on anyone’s face, as if they were indifferent to everything.

To this, Shen Changqing was already accustomed.

This was because he was in the Demon Suppression Division, an organization that maintained stability in the Great Qin. Its main duty was to eliminate demons, monsters, and strange creatures, though it also had some other side tasks.

It could be said,

Everyone in the Demon Suppression Division had blood on their hands.

When a person becomes accustomed to life and death, they will become indifferent to many things.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he had some difficulty adjusting, but over time, he became used to it.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who stayed in the Demon Suppression Division were either exceptionally powerful experts or had the potential to become one.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

The division was split into two main roles: the Demon Guards and the Demon Exterminators.

Anyone who joined the Demon Suppression Division started as a low-level Demon Exterminator,

Then gradually advanced, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Demon Guard.

Shen Changqing’s previous identity was a probationary Demon Exterminator, one of the lowest ranks in the Exterminator category.

With the memory of his previous life,

He was very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppression Division.

It didn’t take long before Shen Changqing stopped in front of a pavilion.

Unlike other parts of the Demon Suppression Division, which were filled with a chilling atmosphere, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens. Amidst the bloodshed of the Demon Suppression Division, it presented a rare sense of tranquility.

At this moment, the pavilion’s main door was wide open, and occasionally, people came and went.

Shen Changqing hesitated for just a moment before stepping inside.

Upon entering the pavilion,

The environment changed abruptly.

A faint scent of ink mixed with a trace of blood greeted him, causing his brows to instinctively furrow, but they soon relaxed.

The bloodstains on everyone in the Demon Suppression Division were nearly impossible to clean off.