Invasion of the United States

The young man in front of me, with such strength and fierce power, and his extraordinary encounters, is capable of taking down lions and tigers barehanded and doing something astonishing.

"No, no, no, using this position for such a thing would be a waste."

The Ministry of Efficiency is an institution that can directly influence the decision-making of the United States' upper echelons. Don't be fooled by the fact that it gets criticized for its actions—being criticized shows it has enough power and influence.

If Zhou Qingfeng truly took that position, he could easily obtain what others in the country can't, without needing to get involved in military secrets, which aren't very important.

What's important is the United States' high-level policy logic and decision-making confidence, which means directly seeing through the enemy's cards and understanding the true thoughts of its president, vice president, and cabinet members.

This is strategic-level intelligence.

"Xiaozhou, I can't make any decisions on this matter of yours.

Don't do anything for now. The White House Chief of Staff has given you leave, just find a place to lay low and ensure your safety.

I'm heading back to the country immediately to report this in person." Enjoyingthestory?DiscovermoreonM|V|LEM6PYR.

Old Xiao sighed, feeling a heavy responsibility, and when he looked at Zhou Qingfeng, he found that this kid was utterly unconcerned. He couldn't help but sigh again, "Ah... I'm destined to keep working hard."

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

Xiao Jinlang briefly entrusted the affairs on the side of the shelter, didn't dare inform the embassy, bought a plane ticket out of pocket, and returned to the country overnight.

Thanks to 'Electric Flight' being a well-known enterprise, which had once attracted *** for on-site inspections, Old Xiao was able to transmit the information to the 'upper echelons' during the quarantine period.

His opening line was very shocking—Leader, something's wrong! The guy who created the 'carrier delivery' last time has stirred up something big again this time.

The 'upper echelons' thought it was something about 'delivery' again, pondering, "No matter how it delivers, it can't deliver an aircraft carrier to me, right?

Although the enemy's aircraft carriers are good, I can now self-produce them. The 'Super Stud' from last time was not bad either, at most for imitation reference.

As for the high-end chips used for AI, they can't be self-produced yet—though they're good, what's so special about them? At most, it'll be a few years before we have them."

The leaders realized that Xiao Jinlang insisted on reporting in person and refused to let others relay the message, and they had some expectations—knowing something major must have happened but couldn't conceive of anything crazy with their rational minds.

When Xiao Jinlang reported, he was serious, explaining Zhou Qingfeng's current situation clearly, but in simple terms...

"Due to the chaos caused by the United States' pandemic, that kid became an official. He's doing well, and in just half a month, he got promoted. Now he's already 'a position of ultimate power', becoming the head of the Ministry of Efficiency."

All the upper echelons were collectively speechless; no one dared to easily believe someone could enter the United States' upper echelons so easily, leading to several questions about how to verify the authenticity of Xiao Jinlang's report.

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

The afternoon sun was slightly glaring as Steve Norm, codenamed 'Dias', walked out of the heavily guarded Department of Homeland Security Building, habitually looking around.

On Nebraska Avenue, which was usually bustling with cars and traffic, appeared rather empty at the moment, with only a few cars passing by—this city had not yet awoken from its slumber.

For this senior intelligence officer in a high position, the half-month following the outbreak was like a long imprisonment.

He was trapped in his cold office, unable to move a step. The complex intelligence network was paralyzed like nerves eroded by a virus.

Every day, thousands of people were sent to hospitals, their life and death uncertain, making those responsible for investigation and execution both fearful, as no one wanted to die an unclear death.

Even if the White House had announced the end of the pandemic, many DHS employees still felt uneasy and were unwilling to return to their posts immediately.

This group that holds vast national secrets, proficient in propaganda techniques of rumor and defamation, understands the huge gap between official propaganda and reality better than anyone else.

During the lockdown, they were like turtles in a jar, unable to escape; now that the ban was lifted, they fled like runaway horses, faster than anyone else.

'Dias' also wants to leave, but his position dictates that he cannot escape. Instead, he must stay to face the aftermath of the pandemic and handle the troublesome cleanup tasks.

A dark sedan silently stopped by the roadside, and the driver waved to 'Dias' through the car window.

There was a certain tacit understanding between the two, and he unhesitatingly opened the passenger door and sat inside, asking calmly, "What do you want to talk about?"

The driver was an elderly senior bureaucrat from the Ministry of Finance, who called shortly before noon, ambiguously expressing a desire for a private talk with 'Dias'.

Such "talks" are often a tacit expression in the realm of power.

Indicating an unknown "plot," a "division of spoils," a private "decision," or the sharing of some core "insider information."

The true operation of power, like an underground current deeply buried, never appears in written documents but is carried out in this seemingly casual manner.

The senior bureaucrat didn't exchange pleasantries and asked bluntly, "Steve, how much do you know about Oliver Harden?"

"Not much," 'Dias' shook his head, simply adding, "But if necessary, I can find out everything about him thoroughly."

The senior bureaucrat showed a satisfied smile; this was precisely the answer he wanted.

"Then check out this person. It's best to create some dirty scandals to completely trip him up, or... make him disappear forever."