"What if the justice you strive with all your might to uphold is casually kicked aside by others? You are not wrong to hold true to your conscience, but where does that leave you in reality?"
The old Taoist always hit the nail on the head, putting voice to Lu Zhao's deepest anxieties.
So long as one was human, hesitation and hardship were inevitable; a vast chasm always lay between reason and reality. Lu Zhao could certainly stand firm on justice, yet reality would not grant him special favor merely for his nobility.
Lu Zhao asked respectfully, "Please guide me, Master."
"The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers irrigate the Central Plains, yet whenever they flood, the realm is plunged into chaos. The imperial court is much like those great rivers: it nurtures the realm's commoners, but it can also bring catastrophe upon them."
The old Taoist's tone was leisurely. He was fond of using the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers as an analogy for the imperial court, and the metaphor was apt.
Without great rivers, civilization could never flourish. Yet when those rivers overflowed, civilization would inevitably suffer a devastating blow.
"All things in this world possess both yin and yang aspects, and the imperial court is no different. If something benefits everyone, there will still be a small minority whose interests are harmed. If something is bad for everyone, someone will inevitably profit from it.
"What you must pay attention to is not friend and foe, nor right and wrong, but momentum—the momentum of every individual, the momentum of every faction."
Thoughts raced through Lu Zhao's mind.
Two major forces held sway in Nanhai: the steadfast faction and the surrender faction.
Yet stripping away the surface, the surrender faction's objective was to legitimize illicit business in the foreign districts and reduce everyone to underclass citizens.
Border defense cities were their crucial 'ports.' If possible, the steadfast faction would surely want to crush them.
Conversely, if the steadfast faction failed to protect him, it would indicate their momentum was weak.
In that case, it would be better to leave Nanhai Circuit and seek development elsewhere.
Quick on the uptake as always, Lu Zhao said, "Master, do you mean that if the Nanhai Circuit Politics Bureau turns a blind eye, I should head to the military? And if not, I can consider going to Cangwu City?"
"Precisely. In an age of chaos, civil rule holds no sway."
The old Taoist nodded in approval. "However, remember: it is good to rest beneath a great tree. Unless there is truly no alternative, the military is not a good destination."
"Why?" Lu Zhao asked.
"Do you think the prominent clans and powerful families are blind to an age of chaos?" the old Taoist replied, answering his own question. "In the military, only ordinary soldiers do not care about family background; senior commanders require backing even more than imperial civil service selection. You should become a commissioned imperial official first, and then transfer sideways or parachute into the ranks. Only then will you avoid falling under others' control.
"Only by holding the reins of power can you raise your arm, rally the masses, and change the world."
Lu Zhao's eyes brightened slightly; the bewilderment he had felt about potential failure dissipated.
He had anticipated failure, but he had not seen as far as his master, nor with such penetrating clarity.
If Nanhai Circuit was truly rotten to such an extent, there was no need for him to stay. The Federation was not just Nanhai Circuit, nor did it consist solely of the Circuit Politics Bureau.
Truly, an elder in the house was a treasure in the home.
The old Taoist's grasp of political maneuvering transformed Lu Zhao's understanding. He never confined himself to any single person or faction. He did not require Lu Zhao to submit to anyone, nor did he ask Lu Zhao to curry favor with anyone.
Instead, he was like an invisible hand looking down upon all players on the chessboard, intervening at just the right position.
If it succeeded, well and good; if not, it was hardly a failure.
If the arena of power was a dark forest, then the old Taoist was the best possible guide.
Lu Zhao bowed with clasped hands once more. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."
"The decision was already in your heart; I merely cleared away your doubts," the old Taoist said. "Remember, you have only three chances to save your life."
Lu Zhao said solemnly, "Your disciple shall act as though I do not even have one. All that I do comes from my heart, and I will have no regrets unto death."
-----
Fangshi, the municipal administration building.
Secretary Liu was reporting the situation to Zhao De. Hearing that Lü Jinshan had obediently stepped up to take the blame, Zhao De nodded in satisfaction. "This was our mistake, but fortunately it didn't turn into a catastrophe.
"A superior just called me. Word has likely been passed around up top, so the investigation probably won't proceed any further. But going forward, business in the Foreign District will be hard to conduct—I'm afraid it'll have to be suspended for a few years."
Hearing this, Secretary Liu grew anxious. "Why? The special investigation team will leave in a few months, and that Lu Zhao probably won't be staying in his post either."
As the city executive's secretary and sole white glove, he had profited handsomely from it, and naturally loathed to give it up.
"Do you really think the Federation has collapsed?"
Zhao De frowned slightly, raising his voice to reprimand him: "Some things can be done in secret, but under no circumstances can they be brought out into the open! If we dare keep prancing around, there are plenty of people who can take us down.
"The Federation has seventy Martial Marquises, ten major legions, and nearly a million superhumans! Did you think you could overturn the heavens?
"We are officials, not bandits!"
Realizing his lack of composure, Secretary Liu quickly lowered his head. "You are right, Chief. I know I was wrong."
"You know shit! Just take that time you raped someone while drunk—couldn't you have spent some damn money? You worthless prick, hauling off a colleague's wife from a drinking party—what the hell were you thinking with that pig brain of yours?!"
Zhao De slammed his palm heavily onto the desk; after a few strikes, the solid wood desk shattered apart.
This incident had dealt him a severe blow; he might not be considered for promotion for five years. How many five-year spans did a person get in life? Besides, a promotion after five years was far from guaranteed.
And it was all because his subordinates' hands were far too dirty.
According to information Zhao De pulled strings to obtain from a member of the special investigation team, the evidence in the West Street Bar could easily implicate him.
Secretary Liu kept his head bowed, not daring to utter a word in response.
Suppressing the rage in his chest slightly, Zhao De said, "Our top priority right now is to cooperate with the special investigation team and see these jinxes off as quickly as possible."
Afterward, he assigned a series of tasks, primarily dealing with the aftermath in the Foreign District.
Gang organizations were the grassroots ruling force of the foreign district. Now that Lu Zhao had pulled the rug from under them, a period of chaos was unavoidable.
In such matters, the Federation generally did not intervene; once a so-called kingpin emerged from the infighting, the authorities would take them in as a dog.
This was precisely why Zhao De had berated his secretary.
A little cover-up wouldn't kill anyone. Behind closed doors, no one would bother with what you did, but some people couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore.
That evening, it was already ten o'clock when he returned home.
By chance, he ran into his son, who had apparently just returned from fooling around.
"Where were you out fooling around this time?"
His son didn't answer, ducking his head and dashing back into his bedroom.
Furious, Zhao De shouted, "Stay away from Kabukicho from now on! If I catch you going there again, I'll break your damn legs!"
"Honey, why are you so angry?"
Wearing a facial mask, his wife walked out of the bedroom. Before they had exchanged two words, she asked, "What about that job I asked you to arrange for my brother? My mother said it'd be best if it's a regular clerk post—a spot on the official payroll is better."
Already on edge, Zhao De almost fainted upon hearing this. He snarled, "Why don't we send the dog from your hometown to be a police dog too, so it can get on the imperial payroll?!"
"Are you yelling at me?"
His wife stared in disbelief.
"So what if I'm yelling at you?!" Dropping all his usual gentility, Zhao De continued to rail at her: "That useless brother of yours couldn't even finish university! I told him to try for an adult college degree, and he failed at that too, yet they still want an official quota post!
"How many times have I told you? Carry yourself with some decency! If it conforms to the rules, I'll take care of it for you; if it doesn't, don't fucking ask me!"
After venting his fury, Zhao De felt some of the anger subside and sat down on the sofa to smoke.
As always, his wife began recounting how she had suffered through hard times with him in the past and how she had married him despite her family's objections.
Zhao De didn't respond with a single word, letting his wife smash the furniture around them.
The entire home descended into chaos, his wife weeping on the floor and his son locked in his room, refusing to come out.
Chapter 73