MWC – Chapter 206 Partners

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

The trial for Cynthia’s case lasted only one day. In the court’s judgment, Lu Ming cited the principle of “stand-your-ground” in self-defense, arguing that Cynthia was in an area where she had the legal right to remain and was therefore under no obligation to retreat.

Cynthia had suffered psychological trauma in childhood and had been in a state of chronic high stress since joining the military.

As such, she was highly sensitive about her perception of legal boundaries. When the victim entered her lawful space and harassed her companion, she reacted with excessive force.

Though Cynthia was not under immediate threat of serious injury or death, forensic reports showed the victim’s death resulted from a combination of his heart disease, long-term substance abuse, and recent drug use, leading to cardiac arrest during a hypoxic struggle.

Taking all this into account, the court ruled that Cynthia’s counterattack was lawful and constituted excusable self-defense, dismissing the prosecution’s charge of third-degree murder.

However, it was recommended that her commanding officer arrange for proper psychological counseling before approving her discharge from service.

…

At the community service center, Lu Ming was flipping through files from the five southern provinces, including one on Antong.

He heard soft footsteps and turned to see a junior staffer crouch down beside him. “Boss, there’s a female soldier outside—she’s been pacing back and forth.”

Lu Ming looked up. Standing at the steps beyond the glass door was a woman in camouflage—Cynthia. She looked hesitant, as if she wanted to come in but was too nervous.

Lu Ming nodded. “Let her in.”

The staffer quickly opened the glass door. Cynthia, seeing Lu Ming had noticed her, walked in with her head lowered.

“Teacher, thank you.” She stood formally in front of his desk, like a schoolgirl.

“You came by yourself?” Lu Ming was a little surprised—hopefully she hadn’t violated any orders.

Her commanding officer, Brigadier General Shefton, who also served as deputy principal of the academy, had ruled she undergo a year of treatment at a military medical center.

In effect, that was little different from a one-year sentence.

By rights, she shouldn’t be freely moving around.

“Oh, someone accompanied me. I’m heading to the medical center shortly. Before that, I asked to see you and was given permission.” Cynthia looked up at Lu Ming. “Thank you, teacher. I thought… my life was over.”

Lu Ming waved his hand. “I was just doing my duty.”

To be honest, he wasn’t sure if what he’d done was right. From the legal tradition of the East Sea Empire, the law emphasized the protection and encouragement of individual resistance.

In contrast, the laws of his previous country taught citizens to rely on the police and public authorities in times of trouble—especially in stable societies.

The East Sea or Empire’s legal system encouraged citizens to actively resist infringements on their rights through their own strength.

These two legal directions shaped citizens’ character in subtle but profound ways.

It was hard to say which was better.

The former perhaps led to greater societal stability; the latter, to more assertive citizens.

Thinking about this, Lu Ming smiled and said, “Once you get there, cooperate with the treatment. Life is still long. You’re just getting started.”

“Yes, sir!” Cynthia saluted crisply and marched out.

The two junior staffers were already used to scenes like this. Their boss was always mysteriously capable—handling matters from politics to military, justice to business.

No one knew where he found the energy, not to mention his seemingly genius-level abilities.

The phone rang—it was for the boss again. Soon, he left the office.

The two junior staffers bowed ninety degrees as they watched him get into a black sedan. Once he was gone, they stood upright, checked their watches, and shared a quiet smile—he’d stayed a few minutes longer than yesterday.

…

At the Tianzi No. 3 Courtyard of Wolong Teahouse, Lu Ming met with Rabbi Fila and his wife, Delna.

Delna was a year older than Rabbi and came from a count’s family in the imperial capital. She was decently attractive, but very overweight—enough to count for two Rabbis. If she lost weight, she might even be beautiful.

Clearly, this was a political marriage. Many nouveau riche had an obsessive fascination with noble bloodlines.

Thinking of Jennifer—his young “little fifteen” from a noble background, well-educated, obedient, beautiful—Lu Ming truly felt he had found a rare gem.

“This is our first time in North Gate,” Rabbi said with a smile as he sipped his tea. “Delna and I will spend a few days here.”

Lu Ming smiled back. “Too bad my golf course and racetrack aren’t ready yet.”

Delna covered her nose with a white handkerchief, muttering in a strange, annoyed tone—clearly uncomfortable.

Rabbi’s face twitched with embarrassment, and he didn’t translate for her. Instead, he continued, “Next time then. Once your club complex officially opens, I’ll definitely come enjoy it.”

Lu Ming just smiled. A pretty junior staffer leaned in and whispered, “Boss, Madam Fila said the countryside should stay like the countryside. You come to the countryside to enjoy the scenery, not to see skyscrapers or fancy things…”

Lu Ming waved her off and gave her a sharp look. “Go to the office and tell Chief Murong Xue not to assign you to my service again.”

The staffer’s face turned pale. Seeing that Lu Ming had already frowned and waved her away, she tearfully put down the tea tray, bowed, and quickly left.

Lu Ming shook his head at her retreating figure.

If a guest says something rude, he could usually get the gist—there’s no need to translate it and force a reaction from the host.

You had to read the room. This noblewoman wasn’t a negotiator. Why translate her rude comments? Was the boss supposed to argue? Or just stew in awkwardness?

Clearly, that kind of staffer was the type to stir up trouble and create friction within a team.

Rabbi observed all this, glanced at his wife, and then smiled at Lu Ming. “My father has agreed in principle to work with you on the terms you proposed.”

After Lu Ming returned to Donghai, Rabbi’s second brother, Simon, took matters into his own hands and sent people to negotiate.

But the more they negotiated, the higher Lu Ming’s conditions became. Meanwhile, another empire oil giant—Faker United Energy—started approaching Lu Ming.

Rabbi looked at Lu Ming and said, “Brother Qianxing, I owe you for this.”

Simon had bungled things so badly it looked like the deal might fall apart. News of this leaked, and Faker United Energy pounced. In the end, Fila Group decided to put Rabbi Fila in full charge of the Tianhai Petroleum project.

Rabbi understood that his cooperation partner—Lu Ming—must have played a role behind the scenes.

He never expected that the 300,000 political donation he made six months ago would yield such rich returns.

Back then, he’d only seen Lu Ming’s story in a newspaper, found him intriguing, and decided to invest in him with that donation, thinking he might need his help one day.

Not just in Donghai, but even in tough legal battles elsewhere, Lu Ming would be a valuable ally.

The return came faster than expected—and more generously than he could have imagined.

This partner was the embodiment of traditional Zhongzhou virtues: repay kindness with kindness, loyal and trustworthy.

“Rabbi, didn’t you have a stadium project in Antong Province that stalled last year?” Lu Ming asked suddenly.

Rabbi smiled. “Yes. Next year’s Empire Games were supposed to be held jointly by Antong and Jiangning Provinces. The last governor of Antong started a stadium project, but after he was replaced, the new one launched an investigation and the project was left half-built—it’s basically a dead site now.”

Lu Ming nodded. “So it seems business in Antong is really difficult.”

Rabbi raised an eyebrow. “You’re not thinking of investing in Antong, are you? If so, I’d strongly advise against it. They signed a contract and then just ignored it after a leadership change—there’s no rule of law there.”

Lu Ming laughed. “No worries, let’s drink our tea.”

The conversation shifted to other topics. Lu Ming and Rabbi chatted easily and got along well.

Aside from Delna occasionally blurting out silly remarks, the atmosphere remained pleasant.

Lu Ming could see Rabbi’s helplessness—but truth be told, aside from being busty and brainless, Delna wasn’t all that bad.