Invasion of the United States

The guard, who Zhou Qingfeng patted on the shoulder, was about forty years old, with a loyal and fearless, steel-like expression on his face.

He only felt that Zhou Qingfeng's palm exerted great strength, and his shoulder was patted twice, as if burdened with a thousand pounds.

But this pressure was instead transformed into motivation. The middle-aged guard immediately raised his head, straightened his chest, and said firmly:

"Mr. Harden, it is a great honor to gain your trust. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties!"

Zhou Qingfeng laughed twice, eased the strength in his hand, patted the other's shoulder lightly, and said gently:

"Feel free to go about your work, but also take care to protect yourself. We are very understaffed now, and any loss is unbearable to us."

The guard named Ernst was originally just in charge of "guarding the gate" at the Ministry of Health building.

Since there were barely any security personnel left in the building, Zhou Qingfeng really couldn't find a more suitable candidate and had to promote this "gatekeeper" guard.

In such a critical situation, being entrusted with heavy responsibility by 'Officer Harden' with such sincere words filled the middle-aged guard with gratitude, wishing he could repay it with his utmost sacrifice.

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Zhou Qingfeng spent the whole day, like a tireless top, shuttling between various floors of the Ministry of Health building.

He actively talked to each employee still on duty, trying to remember their names and faces, inquiring warmly whether they were facing any practical difficulties.

He personally participated in the logistics support work, sometimes carrying steaming lunch boxes, sometimes hefting heavy drinking water to those exhausted from continuous work.

His presence was like a ray of sunshine in the gloomy sky, bringing a touch of warmth and hope to the anxious attendees.

To stabilize people's hearts, Zhou Qingfeng particularly emphasized internal personnel care. He personally instructed Ernst to organize a team dedicated to providing necessary help to the families of the staff staying on duty.

Shortages of clothing and food were promptly supplied; those sick in bed were immediately arranged to be taken to hospitals, and efforts were made to coordinate bed space to ensure proper placement.

His principle was clear — in times of turmoil, the first priority was to protect his people, allowing employees to feel warmth and support so they could engage in their work with peace of mind.

It must be admitted that a bloated and cumbersome bureaucratic system often seems inefficient in peacetime, with serious issues of redundancy.

Even with less than one-fifth of the staff remaining on duty, when Zhou Qingfeng reorganized and redeployed these people, he still filled all the key positions.

Zhou Qingfeng promoted three assistant ministers in one go and allocated suitable personnel from the dozens of bureaucrats in the Ministry of Health administration office.

Relying on an operations team of less than twenty people, he ensured the smooth operation of the internal communication and information systems of the Ministry of Health, as well as smooth communication with the external world.

Staff from departments such as the "Aging Management Bureau," the "Equal Employment Office," and the "Refugee Resettlement Office," which were usually idle, were unceremoniously "pulled out" by Zhou Qingfeng.

Personnel still on duty were reassigned to positions that were more in need of manpower.

Many "old oxen" who had been working quietly in their original positions for more than a decade without promotion suddenly leaped into becoming their former superiors, or even their superiors' superiors, in a short amount of time.

This unconventional promotion method, in extraordinary times, greatly stimulated the work enthusiasm and sense of responsibility of these long-neglected old employees.

After only twenty-four hours of rapid adaptation and adjustment, the overall working efficiency of the 'Ministry of Health' not only did not decline but actually improved. T#hi+s ch$apt-e^r fir$st a-p-pe-ar*e$d* on M|V|L^*E%M&P!Y^R.

Like an engine fully fueled and well-lubricated, it began to operate smoothly and at high speed.

A new order, a new authority quietly established itself in this once-lifeless building. A positive and hopeful atmosphere began to appear on those weary but determined faces.

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Just as this newborn vitality was taking root inside the Ministry of Health, a call from the "White House" reached Zhou Qingfeng's phone in the assistant minister's office.

The voice on the other end carried an authoritative reprimand, crashing down on Zhou Qingfeng head-on:

"Harden, who authorized you to implement such radical medical policies during the pandemic?! Stop your nonsense at once, or you will bear severe legal responsibility for it!"

When Zhou Qingfeng received the call, he was contemplating how to quietly find a suitable opportunity to slip away.

After all, he believed he had fulfilled his agreement with Professor Hart, correcting the chaos at the Ministry of Health and putting everything back on "track".

Everything that needed to be done had been done; the remaining specific execution and subsequent development had little to do with him.

But the sudden reprimand made his brow furrowed, a strong displeasure rising in his heart. Gripping the telephone, he asked with confusion and impatience, "Who are you?"

"I am Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor of the 'White House'!" The voice on the other end suddenly raised, full of anger, as if it was an unforgivable sin that Zhou Qingfeng did not recognize him.

There was an arrogance in that tone, born from a long tenure in a high position, bossing subordinates around.

"Chief Medical Advisor..." This title finally triggered some vague impressions in Zhou Qingfeng's mind. After briefly recalling, he immediately said mockingly and disdainfully:

"Are you the fool often seen grandstanding on TV, spouting nonsense about 'herd immunity'? If you were of any use, the United States wouldn't be in its current mess."

This remark was like pouring a ladle of cold water into hot oil, instantly causing a violent explosion.

The voice on the other end burst into a rage, the tone becoming sharp and distorted: "Oliver Harden, mind your status.

You are merely a temporarily appointed member of the 'Medical Efficiency Committee' and should obey instructions from the 'White House'. Any important decisions should be reported to me in advance!

Who allowed you to issue orders to all hospitals in Washington D.C. without authorization?! And who permitted you to recklessly abandon those elderly patients?!

Your actions amount to unprincipled and unethical murder, and will never be forgiven!

I am now officially notifying you that you are dismissed! Cease all your activities immediately and await further instructions!"