NOVPUBChapter 85: Chapter 84 National Efficiency
Chapter 85 -84 National Efficiency
Stepping into the new cafeteria of the Identification Center, Zhang Zhiyuan couldn’t help but inhale sharply—it had only been a day, yet the superiors had even changed the decoration!
Where there once were long benches for waiting, now there were square tables with attached stools common in school cafeterias, each able to accommodate over twenty people. The cameras that had been hanging from the ceiling were nowhere to be seen, and even the walls, ceilings, and around the windows were covered with shiny silver strips of paper.
He took out his cell phone and found, as expected, there was no signal.
“The cafeteria, meeting rooms, and testing identification areas all have signal jamming in place to prevent eavesdropping of conversations,” Gao Wei said. “I heard from the leaders that a new communication tool has already started development. Its communication principle is entirely different from current cell phones; whether it can still be controlled by Paradise remains to be seen.”
“I think… Paradise doesn’t intend to interfere too much with reality,” Zhang Zhiyuan hesitated before replying. “Just having control over the internet is enough; if they wanted, it could cause astonishing destruction to this world.”
Unexpectedly, Gao Wei readily agreed, “That’s exactly what the intelligence analysts say. They believe Paradise’s focus is on another world and it’s not something like money or power, which Earth is not lacking. The current speculation is that it may be some kind of resource, unique to that place.”
“We now have intelligence analysts?” Zhang Zhiyuan clicked his tongue in amazement.
“What else did you think we were doing all day in a meeting?” Gao Wei led him into a small private room — clearly constructed temporarily with plastic dividers, only about eight or nine square meters in size, but the seams were meticulously sealed with sound-absorbing foam strips. “The truth is, the response from above was swift; the framework for the new organization is already up. Externally, it’s called the Comprehensive Control and Development Department.”
“And internally?” he asked instinctively.
“Internally, there is none. Because everyone knows exactly what we’re facing, having no name is the best form of secrecy,” Gao Wei pressed an electronic bell on the table, and within thirty seconds, waitstaff entered the private room, presenting them with a menu to choose from.
Zhang Zhiyuan looked closely and noticed that the menu’s cover surprisingly bore the words “State Banquet.”
The method of ordering also reverted to the most basic era — marking choices with a pencil on the menu.
It was only after they had ordered that Gao Wei explained, “Today was too rushed, there was no time to print new menus, so we’re using what’s available. There’s still a lot that needs to be adjusted in this place.”
“Does that include the chefs?”
His superior nodded, “The kitchen is specifically staffed with a field kitchen unit transferred from the military.”
“I have absolutely no objections to eating a state banquet, it’s always better than instant noodles!” Zhang Zhiyuan said lightheartedly. “So… did your meetings touch on me?”
He didn’t even wish to inquire about which high-ranking individual was in charge of this so-called Comprehensive Control and Development Department or who the first leaders to arrive at the Identification Center were… as his boss had said, once the state got involved, many things would become out of his reach.
“Rest assured, you’re not banned from entering Paradise,” Gao Wei said with a smile. “In fact, leaders have repeatedly praised you, saying you’re highly responsible and sensitive; you deserve the most credit in this matter.”
“Oh, come on, it’s all thanks to your outstanding guidance!”
“Hmm?” The other’s eyes slanted, “You’re trying that on me?”
Zhang Zhiyuan quickly dropped his joking demeanor, “So, I don’t need to give up my spot?”
“That’s right, as it stands, your allegiance is reliable, your capabilities are evident to all, and you’re most familiar with the world of Paradise; hence, the higher-ups have decided you will remain the lead participant of Paradise,” Gao Wei slowly explained. “One of the main topics of these recent meetings has been to analyze the ‘game reports’ you submitted and to predict the next moves of Paradise.”
“Paradise wants to establish a company that can supply medical products, thereby helping Yeni Temple free itself from capital constraints.”
“On the surface, it looks that way, but specific issues need specific analysis—for instance, the harbor city you mentioned, what background it has, which powers are involved, its economic level, all are currently unknown factors. Without clarifying these elements, you’ll miss the real core of the problem, and succeeding in subsequent missions won’t necessarily be possible.”
Zhang Zhiyuan exclaimed in surprise, “Is this also what the analysts said?”
“What, did you think they knew nothing about the game? Besides, this isn’t even a real game,” Gao Wei scoffed. “They even believe that this mission has significant differences from the previous ones, so the likelihood of failure is quite high.”
“What differences?” he asked eagerly.
“For the first time, the battlefield has shifted from the underground to the forefront,” his superior paused. “In the past, relying on powerful items from Paradise as well as the element of surprise, you battled enemies from the shadows. Despite being vastly outnumbered, your combat strength wasn’t any weaker, allowing for consecutive victories. But this time it’s different…”
“The company is visible in the open and is a physical entity, easily destroyed. You can’t rely solely on individual abilities for victory like before. Moreover, business endeavors are not something the average player excels at; mishandle it, and you might collapse without the enemy even lifting a finger.”
Zhang Zhiyuan was speechless.
With his understanding, he couldn’t find any flaw in that conclusion.
“However, the higher-ups also believe this is our opportunity. Or rather, Paradise’s willingness to throw this stone shows its attitude—problems that Paradise finds tricky, we might have ways to solve. As long as we select the appropriate players, we might turn the game into a winning position!”
That was the result Zhang Zhiyuan had hoped for.
“So… have they chosen someone?”
“There’s already a shortlist; if all goes well, the final decision should be made tomorrow.”
Several names came to mind for Zhang Zhiyuan—each of them a model of making a name for themselves at a young age, self-made exemplars, and well-known giants in the business world.
But would these people really be willing to go to another world?
Zhang Zhiyuan then asked, “Is the other person a medical expert?”
“No, the second slot has been reserved for you,” Gao Wei shook his head. “Because you mentioned, although the other world is no different from reality, Paradise still offers an experience with many game elements. Having a colleague with rich gaming experience by your side would be more helpful. They agreed with your suggestion.” Here, he chuckled, “I’m guessing that person is Cui Zhen’en, right?”
No longer feigning ignorance, Zhang Zhiyuan replied incredulously, “She was who I had in mind, but Cui Zhen’en and I are on par in terms of medical skills, wouldn’t this choice be…”
“I won’t hide it from you, the analysts think that medical skill is the least important factor in this link. After all, you said that boiling water could help the nuns, right?” Gao Wei said dismissively. “In one day, relevant experts could compile a set of medical resource production outlines that even a fool could understand. Besides, this task seems to be a long-term one; if need be, we can always replace someone, can’t we?”
He was right about that…
Zhang Zhiyuan relaxed a bit.
“In any case, the first stage of the meeting reached one result you need to know: do your utmost to ensure that the tasks set by Paradise are completed,” Gao Wei summarized at last. “The benefits for the players are directly proportional to the task’s revenues, and how much we can benefit depends entirely on you.”
Just then, the state banquet dishes they had ordered were served.
“Let’s eat first,” his superior beckoned. “Without a full stomach, there’s no energy to work, and there’s still plenty to do tonight.”
