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Chapter 644: Chapter 548: All Machines Shut Down, Plotting (Seeking Subscription!)_1
When Ling’s operation ended, the Western media also received information from their respective country’s intelligence departments and hurriedly published other news to distract the public. After all, so many people had died, it’s no wonder they were rattled.
Even if they were reporting on both sides of the battlefield...
They would dare to expose the dark history of the President of the United States, severe criticism of various legislators in the newspapers, and they relished doing so. However, they were intimidated by the unorthodox entity that was ’committing crimes’ like a ghost around them.
Unless this force was directly targeted by the FBI and every government in the world, as with those terrorist groups, they were not afraid. They believed these entities wouldn’t be allowed in their countries and would be severely cracked down on.
But all the opponent did now was kill some deserving assassins and vile drug traffickers.
They did not reveal themselves to the public.
All related information was denied.
Facing an unknown and ghost-like mysterious force lurking in the dark, what else could they do?
Therefore, overnight, not only had the news of many assassins’ deaths been silenced, but the negative news about fruit wine was also suppressed. Many media outlets released a number of dormant stories to distract the public’s attention.
Even if they had to make up the news.
They must first suppress the negative news about the fruit wine, especially before the power behind this operation was thoroughly investigated, and before their bottom line was known. It might be best to be quiet for a while.
This wave of news...
They were scared to get involved.
For a moment...
It seemed as if there’s a tacit agreement among Western media for such a radical shift in their coverage. The news that dominated the headlines just two days ago seemed abruptly silenced, as if never happened.
While many people found it strange, with no media setting the agenda, people’s attention was instantly shifted. Compared with news about people dying, they prefer celebrity gossip and politician scandals. After all, people die every day around the world, what’s there to care about.
As for fruit wine...
The general public couldn’t afford it nor could they buy it. Those who aren’t into that sort of thing couldn’t relate, so once the media stopped covering it, they lost interest as well. Only a small group of people trying to kick their addiction were always on the lookout.
Because this represented hope to them. They were more hopeful about the media’s confirmation of this matter. Now that all the negative media coverage has silenced, it indicates that the fruit wine might really work, so they couldn’t be happier.
For a moment...
No matter whether they were watching it or not, it seemed as if everyone had come to accept what they had seen. You have to admit, these ’fence sitters’ can sometimes be quite cute.
Those who were advocating for fruit wine to become a medicine and undergo the formal process of going public haven’t completely shut up yet. These are all scientific research institutions related to drug rehabilitation. With the release of fruit wine, their annual substantial scientific research funds are being threatened, so they can’t simply back down.
Furthermore, they weren’t aware of what happened, the media suddenly ceased to cover the issue. But to protect their livelihoods, they had to make their voices heard. Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to them.
In the face of these ’interested parties’, all countries chose to ignore them. They had their own considerations, firstly, fruit wine has been proven to be truly effective. If you can’t produce a similar product, then shut the fuck up.
Because fruit wine has now become unstoppable.
What would happen if their country removed fruit wine from the market?
Anyone could imagine the result.
It would become a smuggled good. Prohibited goods are rampant in all global countries, especially in Western countries. Once they remove it, fruit wine would surely go into the black market and its already high price would skyrocket, making it even more unaffordable for the ordinary drug-abusing families.
The most crucial point is...
They’d already learned that fruit wine was being fast-tracked through the pharmaceutical listing process in Thailand. The Thai government chose to be neutral. If they removed it from sale, all those who wanted to quit drugs would head to Thailand to buy it. This issue not only revolves around the loss of tax revenue but also the surge of public opinion.
With the current happenings...
All countries chose to ignore it for the time being. Those drug traffickers who were alive were so scared by Ling’s methods that they didn’t dare to spend money to hire someone else to take action. Meanwhile, there were many disagreements within their organizations.
Especially those who lost their leaders, they were plunged into internal power struggles. In the past, they persisted with the rule of "Whoever kills the murderer becomes the boss", but now everyone knows who’s the ’puppet master’, but they all chickened out.
Currently, no assassin organization in the world dared to take up this task. If they continue to behave arrogantly and are killed again by someone, then they might as well quit. Therefore, the whole world fell into a rare silence with Ling as the target.
Of course...
For the command center that was monitoring the entire internet...
All these ’peaceful’ facades were just charades.
Under the surface, all sorts of whirlpools had already begun to form. Various forces were holding their breaths, after all, no one willingly wants a ’sharp blade’ overhead, threatening their safety. Everyone was waiting for the right moment.
Therefore, the real struggle was only just beginning. This is a long-term battle, a battle of constant probing and infiltration from both sides. Time has no end. As long as there are huge interests, the conflict will not cease.
They just moved from the open view to the underground.
Occasionally, they showed signs of activity.
...
Myanmar.
Yangon.
Early in the morning, the big shots of Myanmar were already deeply troubled.
Just when they started feeling elated, it was abruptly dampened, resembling a roller-coaster ride, they had thought that Ling would at least be thrown into utter disarray this time, if not dead.
Pity.
Reality is so cruel.
The seemingly invincible opponents were crushed overnight, sent straight to meet their maker, the methods used were merciless, chilling to the bone. Even though these actions were certainly not committed by Ling’s men, but if Ling could secure such forces, what difference does it make?
The mix of joy and sorrow came too suddenly.
"Do we have any leads? Who exactly did this?" The elderly man asked the head of the intelligence department in Myanmar.
"Mr. President, there are currently no clear leads. We only heard that the other party took the initiative to approach them and Ling spent a lot of money to mitigate the disaster. This is what Ling said personally, but it is not ruled out that it could be disinformation." The person in charge had reported before, but this was said for the others present in the room.
"Sigh... Keep looking into it." The old man felt he had yet to receive any good news concerning Ling, the only good news from a few days ago has now turned into a joke.
"Yes, sir," the person in charge nodded his head.
"The year-end is approaching quickly, let’s finish the relocation of the capital first. Kan Qin, how are the preparations in Binma?" To alleviate his discomfort the old man quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
"Almost everything is ready. All of the buildings have been completely renovated, we can start the relocation of government departments gradually. As for the time, according to your orders sir, the move should be completed by the end of November, if we speed up, it can even be done early next year." Kan Qin reported, he was the person in charge of moving the capital in Myanmar this time.
"Hmm, I think ’Naypyidaw’ is a nice name for the new capital, what do you think?" The old man said casually.
"I also think it’s very good," Kan Qin immediately agreed.
"Yes, it’s quite good."
"Agree."
"..."
No one wanted to share any other views while everyone was feeling so low, they unanimously agreed and thus a ’nonsensical’ meeting was hastily ended.
After the meeting.
The old man asked the head of the intelligence department to stay.
"How are the forces around Ling now?" the old man asked.
The leader quickly replied, "They are currently in a mess, terrified that Ling will retaliate against them. After all, their internal movements over the past few days have been significant, obviously trying to stab Ling in the back, Ling couldn’t possibly be oblivious to this.
So, I think Ling is very likely to strike against them, or indirectly incorporate them. After all, their illegal goods business will certainly be severely affected in the future. Without this income, if Ling intervenes, or promises benefits, they will be powerless to resist."
The elderly man sighed and asked, "Indeed, how did things get to this point, what do you think we should do?"
"Subordinate believes that we cannot allow Ling to succeed. If that eventuality were to happen, it would bring us no benefits. I speculate that Ling is likely to adopt the method of economic penetration rather than directly controlling their territory.
Just like with Talents, on the surface they are only cooperating, but in reality, they have been completely economically controlled. The locals will gradually only acknowledge Ling because it is Ling who is creating wealth for them." The person in charge analyzed.
"Any plans?" the old man nodded in agreement and asked with a smile.
This was also what he was worried about. Once Ling employed the same methods as with Talents, it would spell trouble. But couldn’t this also present an opportunity? It would be an opportunity for everyone. It just depends on who makes the first move.
"Subordinate believes we can act first. Previously, they had huge profits, but now Ling has taken away all that. They are also unhappy with Ling. We should immediately negotiate with those forces, promise some benefits, and beat Ling to it.
Even if Ling co-opts them, he can only promise economic benefits. We can do that too, and we can also provide benefits in terms of position. We will not hold their previous actions against them. Given our legitimate status, I believe they will lean towards us. This can also provide us with an opportunity, which may prove more effective than force." The person in charge said earnestly.
He knew that the old man would have thought of this solution too, otherwise it would be a discredit to his decades of political experience. He was just looking for a mouthpiece to speak on his behalf. Big shots are responsible for giving the approval.
The old man chuckled.
Just as he thought, a transparent plot is the hardest to deal with.
"Good, you should immediately consolidate information, there is no time to delay. Have someone immediately contact them to negotiate. As for the conditions,
First, past actions will be forgiven, and there will be no settling of old scores.
Second, all personal property will not be confiscated, and they can keep it.
Third, we guarantee the safety of them and their families. They can also choose to live on our side or even go abroad.
Fourth, they can choose to serve on our side. Local areas will be divided into provinces, cities, and counties according to their size. They will be the first governors, and their subordinates will also hold positions, but they must abide by the law in the future.
Just these four, is there anything else to add?"
The officer quickly shook his head, "Mr. President, your considerations are very thorough, subordinate has nothing to add."
"That’s good. Let people execute this immediately. Once we have a lead, I will bring it up for discussion." The old man nodded. Their system here is not completely modeled after Western countries’. He has absolute authority and has the power to issue such orders alone. He only needs to notify others afterwards.
Because.
Myanmar is a military state.
Discussing.
Is merely brainstorming.
