Chapter 116 - State Power (Part One)

My Rebirth Legend Without Ads

“How is that possible? You’re the president of the country—how could you not handle the eight great families?” I truly couldn’t believe such words would come from the president’s own mouth. I had come from C City to the capital full of confidence, hoping to leverage my technology to gain the president’s promise of power. But now, what was this all about? Don’t tell me the president is just a puppet?

President Hua saw the disbelief written all over my face and gave a bitter smile, waving his hand. “It’s true. I’m not joking. I won’t go into details because you probably wouldn’t understand. There are too many vested interests and complex disputes involved. I only ask you this: Are you willing to hand over the vector aviation engine technology to the country?”

Hand it over? Not a chance! You want me to just give the world’s most advanced aviation technology to the Academy of Sciences for nothing? He’s dreaming! I do love my motherland, but I’m no naive teenager who can be easily swayed. I’m thirty-something now; I’m not foolish enough to selflessly give away everything.

I shrugged helplessly and said, “President Hua, I’m sorry, but I’m unable to comply. If you don’t have the authority, I’ll naturally seek out those who do. I believe they will be very satisfied with my technology.”

Hua’s expression tightened with surprise, then darkened. “You mean you want to sell the technology abroad? Xiao Qiang, I admit your technology is excellent, but don’t you understand what selling this technology to other countries would mean for them—and for us?”

“Who said I’m selling it abroad?” I interrupted, chuckling softly. “I intend to sell it to those you called the truly powerful people, not to you.” I was beginning to understand the president’s game. Calm now, I realized it was impossible for a country’s president to have no real power. At most, President Hua was wary of the eight great families and unwilling to clash with them over me. After some thought, I decided to first draw him out and understand what was really going on before making any plans.

“You want to sell to the eight great families? Ha, isn’t that the same as selling to me? I already told you, if you’re willing to transfer the technology to the Academy of Sciences, I’ll give you nearly 5% profit on each engine produced. Isn’t that price better than selling to me?” President Hua persisted, unwilling to relent.

“I said it’s not about the money! Please don’t treat me like a high schooler who can be easily fooled,” I said, tapping the stone table with a heavy voice. “I’m afraid, Mr. President, you still don’t understand something. Since I can create vector aviation engine technology that’s the world’s best, why can’t I develop other world-shaking research? Let me give you some examples: reactive explosive armor for tanks, supersonic anti-ship missiles flying at four times the speed of sound, and even improvements to the Long March carrier rockets! So please don’t treat me like a dim-witted teenager. I came here to cooperate with you. If you’re not interested, I can easily find someone else. The world is vast, and I, Xiao Qiang, can make a living anywhere!”

“Everything you said is true? You can actually develop those technologies?” President Hua seemed stunned, then, growing excited, pressed me for more. Seeing my indifferent nod, he seemed to realize he’d truly struck gold today. After a moment’s thought, he looked up and asked, “What do you want? What are your demands?”

“I want to understand the distribution of power in the central government. I want your faction’s support.” I answered firmly with a faint smile. “Imagine this: if my technology equips the army, China’s strength will take a giant leap forward from a middling world power. A new fighter jet with vector engines could rival any U.S. combat aircraft. What does that mean? It means you no longer have to kowtow to the U.S.! Upgrading the military’s equipment will naturally raise your prestige, and your faction’s power in the central government will increase significantly. This is just a preliminary estimate. Whether you believe me is up to you.”

Man proposes, heaven disposes. I had no idea what was going through President Hua’s mind. All I could do was showcase my strengths and make him feel I was a treasure worth investing in. Whether he would cherish it or merely observe from afar was his choice.

The air in the pavilion was tense and unnervingly silent. Most of Hua’s aides had left, leaving only the old Zhu standing, seemingly deep in thought. I wasn’t in a hurry—if the president wasn’t, why should I be? The initiative was mine. I could choose to work with anyone. Where in this world could I not survive?

After a while, the president seemed to have made up his mind. He exchanged a glance with old Zhu, who nodded through gritted teeth. Then he turned to me with a slight sigh. “Young man, you’re formidable. I, Hua Guocheng, have never been so perplexed by anyone before—you’re the first. Fine, I admit you’ve won today. I like your talent, and I know it can greatly strengthen my faction. So I agree to your terms.”

He paused thoughtfully. “The political situation in China is far more complex than you imagine. After decades of peace, the country has progressed, but numerous small power blocs from the wartime era have gradually expanded into several powerful families. These families don’t just have real power through officials; they also use these officials’ influence to invest and develop business, creating a network that extends from the center to every region. This web of connections has eventually formed one powerful family after another. Currently, there are eight major families in China and four once-powerful families in decline, along with dozens of medium and small families. So, on the surface, the central government seems harmonious, but every decision must navigate the fierce open and covert struggles among these families. Since I became president five years ago, I have gained little real power. If it weren’t for my family’s alliance with Minister Zhu Guangde’s family, my removal would have been only a matter of time.”

“I see. Then, Mr. President, is your family and Minister Zhu’s family counted among the eight great families?” I nodded after hearing Hua’s explanation. “By the way, Minister Zhu, what is your official position?”

“Heh, I am currently the Minister of National Defense,” Zhu Guangde answered with a smile when I asked. “But in front of you, I’m just a receptionist.”

“Ah? Minister of National Defense?” I was somewhat surprised. So old Zhu really has quite the background.

“Yes, old Zhu is the Minister of National Defense. And the family you mentioned—the Hua and Zhu families—have merged to form the Hua-Zhu family, one of the eight great families,” Hua confirmed my question. “After our two families merged, we became the largest among the eight. But even then, we can’t completely suppress the others because these families often intermarry and maintain alliances, intertwining their interests. If they decide to clash, it’s not easy to do so. That’s why I was reluctant to help you earlier. Offending any one of the eight families is risky. You can choose to have me mediate, but confronting any of the eight families means bearing tremendous risk. Hence, I’m unwilling.”

“I understand.” I finally grasped why the president hesitated to help me. With the power and influence of the eight great families, if even two go to war, they will rally allied families, leading to factional strife in the central government—an uncontrollable situation that might even collapse the nation. Unless the temptation is overwhelming, no family dares to provoke such confrontation. Unfortunately, my earlier offer clearly tempted the president. With these world-leading technologies in his hands, his family would obviously surpass the others. Such temptation is immense. After all, what president in the world wouldn’t want to truly hold power and command the world? An ambitious president is the true leader!