Invasion of the United States

"At this afternoon's press conference, the 'White House' officially announced that Oliver Harden will take over as the Minister of the Ministry of Government Efficiency, with his term starting next month.

According to well-informed sources, this appointment was personally delivered by the Vice President, which was unexpected to everyone."

During the prime-time evening news, major media outlets in the United States suddenly reported a particularly eye-catching personnel appointment.

The Vice President, who hails from the 'countryman,' is just in his early forties and possesses a strong enterprising spirit.

He ultimately didn't heed Fauci's advice, and still brought the equally youthful and somewhat notorious 'Harden' into his fold.

As soon as this news broke, it instantly stirred up waves of controversy. The spotlight was once again on this contentious figure.

In the eyes of many seasoned bureaucrats, Harden's name almost equated to 'butcher,' 'executioner,' 'utterly inhumane.'

Now, this such a controversial figure advancing swiftly to a key position in the Ministry of Efficiency has undoubtedly sparked a political storm and public uproar. My Virtual Library Empire (M V L E M P Y R) appreciates your readership at the source.

The general consensus is that Harden's future path is fraught with thorns and his career prospects are viewed pessimistically.

On the television screen, news anchors connected with several guests to comment on Harden's ascent.

"I do not have high hopes for Harden's new term. Someone like him, who breaks existing rules and causes great upheaval in the political arena, is bound to face backlash from all sides. His predecessor is a typical example.

Moreover, in terms of connections, financial resources, and capability, Harden is far inferior to the former minister. He's more like a monkey barging into a china shop, causing havoc until he's pinned down."

"Let's guess, will those groups and individuals Harden helped during the pandemic lend a hand when he encounters trouble?

I dare say, the chances are next to none. Politics is realistic, and favors are often the most fragile bargaining chips."

"If Harden continues to push policies as radical as during the pandemic, the outcome awaiting him won't bode well.

Washington D.C. has its own self-regulating rules, which he has already disrupted once, and will not tolerate a second time."

The news was filled with pessimistic forecasts about Oliver Harden's future career, leaving many viewers gazing at the screen, sighing, as if foreseeing an impending political storm.

Although the internet, recovering to normal, saw an influx of voices supporting Oliver Harden.

Yet through the cold screen, these voices of support seemed somewhat weak and powerless to shake the mainstream pessimistic narrative.

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Meanwhile, in the office of the Assistant Minister of Health, Zhou Qingfeng was utterly bewildered.

Just half an hour ago, the 'White House Chief of Staff' called, asking about things like political leanings, personal opinions, and strategy solutions.

At the end of the questions, the tone suddenly changed, "Harden, would you be interested in coming to the 'White House' to work? Become a trusted aide of the Vice President?"

Zhou Qingfeng was dumbfounded, truly dumbfounded—I'm barely settled at my position in the Ministry of Health, and they're asking me to go to the White House? I barely know that Vice President!

In an instant, dozens of thoughts raced through his mind, his first reaction was to evade, because getting involved in such a flaming mess was not something to do.

Directly saying no was not an option, at least he had to be tactful. So he blurted out some nonsense to buy himself time, "It's a very challenging job."

But the counterpart saw this 'answer' as an agreement and laughed heartily: "Indeed, serving as the Minister of Efficiency is extremely challenging.

Harden, it was the Vice President who valued your unique role in handling the pandemic that led to this appointment.

Your previous position was not high, you didn't belong to any political circles, you haven't been in Washington D.C. for long, yet you've been exceptionally decisive in making decisions..."

On the phone, the Chief of Staff offered heaps of praise for 'Harden,' the more he praised, the more apprehensive Zhou Qingfeng felt—he wasn't decisive at all, just detached and aloof.

When choosing between saving the elderly or the children, he opted for the option with more hope for the future.

But clearly, when the Chief of Staff called, he had already taken 'Harden's' agreement as given, unless he vehemently opposed it in person, otherwise, the appointment was already decided.

"Harden, go relax, you're going to have a week's vacation. After a week, you'll become extremely busy."

The call ended, with Zhou Qingfeng standing in front of his office window, utterly perplexed, after standing there blankly for a long time, he suddenly cursed loudly: "Damn it, are they crazy? How did they pick me?"

He cursed so loudly that Shanni, working outside the office door, had to come in and check, asking what had happened?

"I might have to take a position at the 'White House.'" Zhou Qingfeng replied woodenly, his face blank.

Shanni initially laughed, saying 'congratulations' offhandedly, then asked, "What position will you hold?"

"Minister of Government Efficiency."

Shanni's smile vanished instantly, "You?"

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Half an hour later, Professor Hart, who whimsically suggested Zhou Qingfeng's ascent, hurriedly arrived at 'Harden's' office.

As soon as the door opened, with a beaming smile, he strode in, took a few steps forward, arms outstretched, wanting to give Zhou Qingfeng an affectionate hug.

"Cut that out." Zhou Qingfeng glanced at the ajar door, signaled to his assistant Shanni standing at the entrance to close the door and not let anyone disturb him further.

Then his face darkened, as he griped to the professor: "I'm in big trouble now, who knows why on earth the 'White House' would choose me."