Invasion of the United States

The professor didn't mind Zhou Qingfeng's indifference at all. He walked up to the large desk with a cheerful smile, casually pulled up a chair, sat down, and said in a low voice:

"Victor, congratulations. If you were a spy, you've successfully infiltrated the core of the United States' bureaucratic system."

Zhou Qingfeng sneered, "Don't talk nonsense, and don't try to use anything to blackmail me. At worst, I can just leave now, get the hell out of this place.

Once I'm gone, who will even remember who Oliver Harden is? His origins and whereabouts will become an unsolved mystery in history."

Professor Hart couldn't help but calm him down hastily, "Don't, don't leave. What will I do if you leave?

Initially, I only thought about saving more people, so I thought of letting you replace Harden.

I didn't expect you to do so well that you caught the White House's attention. If you leave, the top will definitely investigate me, and I can't handle it."

Saying this, the professor scratched his head in distress and sighed, "Something must be seriously wrong on the Vice President's side to promote an unfamiliar person like you to a key position."

Zhou Qingfeng suddenly remembered the business card given by Admiral Alvin, the Chief of Naval Operations—before giving the card, the Admiral obviously didn't know him, but definitely knew his name.

To be taken seriously by a full admiral, it's surely not because Zhou Qingfeng is handsome. Most likely, the Admiral already knew 'Harden' would be promoted and wanted to extend an olive branch before the appointment was officially announced.

The old and the young exchanged a glance, both at a loss. The professor could only help check the latex mask on Zhou Qingfeng's face to ensure it wouldn't be seen through.

"Is this thing alright to wear?"

"Certainly uncomfortable."

"I'll get a more breathable material and customize a better mask for you. Hang in there, at worst step down in disgrace after a month or two, just don't vanish."

Professor Hart was also scared—telling one lie is easy, covering up a pile of lies is hard. He didn't understand why Zhou Qingfeng could rise straight to the White House, but at this point, they couldn't be exposed.

"Alas...the Vice President probably has no capable subordinates, otherwise why pick the worst option among so many choices?"

-----------------

Professor Hart couldn't solve Zhou Qingfeng's problem, or even provide a bit of psychological comfort.

At 3 p.m., the White House's routine press conference revealed the new appointment of 'Harden,' a hint to the media to gauge reactions.

Thus, the phone in Zhou Qingfeng's office suddenly became busy. All kinds of acquaintances, strangers, and even those with no connection whatsoever called in to express 'congratulations.'

The Ministry of Government Efficiency was initially meant to reduce wasteful spending and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, but after the first minister took power, it turned the United States government upside down.

Just because of the Ministry of Efficiency, tens of thousands of government employees were laid off, departmental budgets were slashed to bits, and one shameful scandal after another came to light.

How did such a prestigious and powerful position fall into the hands of 'Oliver Harden'? The media exploded with intense discussion and speculation.

Almost everyone believed that the Vice President nominated him because Harden's recent health policy sent four or five thousand elderly bureaucrats straight to the grave.

This physical blow was more direct and brutal than cutting budgets and personnel.

Some journalists were loudly warning—not to underestimate 'Harden,' who might be the most dangerous figure in the entire bureaucratic system.

After spending a few hours taking calls, making polite greetings and chit-chat, accepting hundreds of invitations to gatherings, and comforting Ministry of Health newcomers whom he had promoted... EnjoythestorybyreadingonM|V|LE%MPYR.

Zhou Qingfeng was busy until dark, slumping in his chair as if having run a marathon with a throbbing head.

Shanni, one of the two people who knew his identity, stayed by his side cautiously, noticing the cup of coffee on the desk had gone cold. She picked it up to pour a fresh hot one...

"No, I don't need coffee. I'm energetic and not sleepy, I just don't know what to do next.

The Ministry of Government Efficiency...such great power is in my hands, the United States is in big trouble."

Shanni initially thought this guy was at a loss, but judging from his last sentence, he clearly intended to stir up trouble.

"Victor, do you have any friends? No aides, no think tanks, no trusted subordinates?"

Zhou Qingfeng scoffed, "How can this be let out carelessly?" But after speaking, he changed his mind internally, "Maybe I really should talk it over with a friend."

-----------------

In the northwestern desert of Great Falls City, Montana, inside the decommissioned Delta-9 nuclear missile silo.

Aside from eating, sleeping, and using the toilet, 'Gray Shark' spent his days in his wheelchair, surrounded by electronic devices and monitors.

The White House press conference immediately became the focus of the whole country, drawing Gray Shark's attention and even leading him to habitually dig into this bureaucrat's background online.

Then he received Zhou Qingfeng's encrypted call, "Porter, I need your advice on a little problem."

"Go on." Gray Shark felt a bit smug; despite being unfortunately somewhat disabled, his intelligence was enough to crush 99.9% of people in the world.

"What I am about to say might challenge common sense a bit, so be prepared, and don't be too surprised," Zhou Qingfeng specifically reminded.

"Just spit it out." Gray Shark impatiently drawled, "Since I figured out your origins, nothing you do surprises me anymore."

"No, no, no, what I have to say even surprised me myself."

"Are you going to say it or not? If not, I'm going to eat."

"Alright, stay calm. I'm about to be appointed as Minister of Government Efficiency."

...Gray Shark was silent for a moment, feigning calmness. But after a few seconds, he felt he hadn't heard correctly, "Say that again."

"I'm going to be Minister of Government Efficiency."

"You? What a joke!" Gray Shark frantically clicked on his screen with his mouse, pulling up the headline news he just saw, "The new minister is Oliver Har…"

Gray Shark's voice stopped abruptly, staring at the news photo, after a moment of silence, he shouted loudly: "Harden? When the hell did you change identities, you damned bastard?

For God's sake, how did you do it? Are you not human at all, but a liquid metal robot sent by Celestial Net?

How did you infiltrate the Ministry of Government Efficiency? And became the minister?

God, the United States is doomed, humanity is doomed."

Listening to Gray Shark's nonsensical rant, Zhou Qingfeng on the other side of the call just rolled his eyes.

After the other party's frantic shouting for a few minutes, he finally said in a deep voice, "Do you still want to hear what I have to say?"

"Yes, yes, yes...continue." Gray Shark was inexplicably excited, "Quickly tell me how you did it?"

"First, never mind how I did it. I want your opinion on whether or not I should take this minister position?" Zhou Qingfeng asked.

"Do it...why not do it? You must do it!" Gray Shark was so excited he almost jumped out of his wheelchair.

"When you become minister, immediately hire me as a 'Puppy' agent. I want to get into the government's internal database and expose all those bureaucrats' dirty secrets."

"So, you support me in taking this position?"

"Of course I support you, I absolutely support you." Gray Shark already had countless ideas popping up, just waiting to be implemented.

After the call ended, Gray Shark was thrilled and rushed to find his mother, yelling excitedly, "Mom, Mom, Victor is a liquid metal robot!"

-----------------

The call with Gray Shark didn't yield any substantial solutions, but having a friend's support is always good.

Zhou Qingfeng thought about it and made an encrypted satellite call to Kelly far away at Dongda.

Kelly is cold on the outside and hot on the inside, cautious and glamorous outwardly, wild and daring inwardly. Without her timely decision back then, Zhou Qingfeng wouldn't have gotten his hands on the lottery funds worth over a billion US dollars.

After listening to the Ministry of Government Efficiency's appointment news, Kelly didn't scream like Gray Shark, merely responding with a simple 'hmm' and asked, "Victor, what do you need me to do?"

"Uh... I don't know what I need you to do? We are a community of interests, so I'm sharing this with you," Zhou Qingfeng said.

Kelly was truly decisive, "You know I can do anything for you that you need? I want you to know that I'm here for you. I will book a flight back to the United States, or take a private jet."

'Dongda' is currently under lockdown, significantly reducing the movement of people to and from the outside, but Kelly has already decided, "I know, but I want to be by your side."

After hanging up Kelly's call, Zhou Qingfeng thought for a moment, then dialed Xiao Jinlang's number.

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