The old man smiled and said, "I don't know either. Li Shutong, Li Xiurui, and Xiao Zhun have given him too many gifts. I don't know if he still needs the Qing family... But so what? As I said before, wherever he is, that is the new Qing family. But what I want to give him is not a city, but the people in that city. You may not understand this now, but you will in the future."
"What do you think of the war in the north?" Qing Ji asked.
"The Roosevelt Kingdom has finally arrived. The real war has only just begun. They are the real adversaries."
Chapter 702, Putting the Knights' Reputation on the Line
Return countdown: 40:00:00.
Starting early this morning, a strange topic suddenly appeared online: "City 10 offers many opportunities, not to mention promotions and salary increases."
This topic appeared on three social media platforms at once: "Link", "Nebula", and "1357".
In the lower three districts of various cities, family members, carrying iron bars, guarded the rooms of the online trolls, directing them to carry out cluster operations.
In the conference room of the City Garrison Command in City 10, Qing Chen looked at the councilors in front of him and asked, "Come on, what's the next online topic that will attract attention?"
One legislator immediately raised his hand: "Housing prices! We must talk about housing prices!"
"Hmm?" Qing Chen looked over.
The councilor said, "In the lower three districts, a family of eight is crammed into 15 square meters, while in the upper three districts, a big shot might own a hundred properties. Housing prices are not only a pain point for ordinary people, but also for the elite class who have just graduated from university and the high-income middle class."
The councilor hurriedly said, "Our City 10 has already nationalized all housing, so we can launch many affordable rental housing units in Districts 4, 5, and 6 to attract talent. As long as they work hard to settle down, they can also qualify for low-priced housing purchases. Some highly skilled talents can even get a property in the political center for free, which will increase the attractiveness of settling down. By using the most favorable conditions to address the pain points of the people, we will definitely attract many newly emerging highly skilled talents."
Even without talent recruitment policies, the controlled real estate holdings alone could generate substantial profits.
But Qingchen's vision extends beyond this; he hopes this place will become a hub for parent-teacher meetings and daytime activities, rather than a paradise for the wealthy.
Therefore, he rejected all the previous proposals from these congressmen to build casinos and sell real estate, and reiterated his strategy: to attract talent!
And it needs to be efficient!
Qing Chen looked at the councilor: "Very good! Qing Ye, get this councilor a cappuccino! Come on, everyone, let's start writing the script! The script must be brilliant!"
The councilors wrote furiously, even finding in themselves the feeling of striving in the classroom when they were young.
These legislators are all extremely shrewd individuals, either graduates of philosophy or law schools, and are all top students from universities.
Moreover, they are the most adept at manipulating people's hearts. Every time there is an election for councilor, they go to the constituency, find the residents' most pressing concerns, promise to solve these problems, and then win votes.
Therefore, Qingchen invited them to come and help the online trolls write their scripts, which the trolls would then use to flood the internet with messages.
No one could have imagined that these most distinguished members of the federal government would become the mouthpieces behind the online trolls.
That's too hardcore.
Online, the PR companies of companies like Shindai and Kashima felt that the rhetoric, writing style, and sharpness of today's PR accounts had improved by several levels, far surpassing what they used to be.
Moreover, it wasn't just about writing speeches; the president also brought along officials from the Commerce Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Education Committee to turn the public's pain points raised by lawmakers into draft city management bills and legislation...
Then, popular celebrities promote these policies and bills in the media, sparking discussions.
This is practically a complete industry chain.
During the break, the president remarked: "If the federal government had been this efficient earlier, the conglomerates wouldn't have been able to rise to power."
That's incredibly efficient!
Qing Chen stood at the front of the conference room with a smile: "Alright, we've hit the nail on the head regarding housing prices, and the topic's popularity has increased by 400%. Thank you all for your hard work. Qing Ye, get all the councilor students a cigar. Everyone can enjoy it outside during the break. Let's continue. What's the next thing we need to address?"
One member of parliament said, "Working hours!"
Qing Chen's eyes lit up: "Come on, tell me more about it."
“The draft amendment to the Labor Protection Law has been shelved, but we can simply use what’s already in place,” the congressman said. “If we change City 10 to an eight-hour workday and make overtime pay available, we’ll definitely attract a lot of people, especially programmers!”
Someone said, "But companies still require them to work overtime."
The legislator said, "This is something we can't avoid, but we can set up a labor inspection team to ensure their social welfare and overtime pay!"
"Qingye, bring this congressman a whiskey and an apple," Qingchen said. "Mr. Ning, you finalize this bill and show it to me when it's ready. The other congressmen, start writing your speeches; the online trolls are waiting!"
One legislator raised his hand and said, "We must put maternity leave back on the agenda. Even with artificial wombs, women's right to maternity leave cannot be taken away! And men should also be given paternity leave. This is the only way to enhance women's competitiveness in the workplace!"
Qing Chen: "Very good, here's an apple!"
One enticing policy after another was rolled out, forming a powerful combination of measures. The policies were so favorable that even the legislators felt that City 10 would become a paradise and the most livable city in the Federation.
Qingchen seemed to be someone who didn't care about money, offering huge discounts to attract talent.
When these policies were posted online, they immediately sparked a huge controversy.
Song Niaoniao posted a short video saying "Welcome everyone to settle in City 10!" and the number of comments exceeded two million in just two hours, all saying they wanted to immigrate there...
A strange phenomenon of public opinion has suddenly emerged online:
Kamishiro and Kashima: We have achieved an initial victory in the war!
The Kei and Lee clans: Kamishiro and Kashima created disaster and colluded with overseas forces. This war must be fought to the very end! There is absolutely no possibility of reversal!
Only City 10 has a unique style: Building our beautiful new home!
At this moment, the president held up the newly formulated low-rent housing management regulations: "Take a look. The biggest advantage of City 10 is that almost three-quarters of the houses are still vacant. Even if they are used as low-rent housing, it will bring a huge increase in fiscal revenue to City 10."
After glancing at the data, Qing Chen said, "The housing data on page 4 and page 36 are inconsistent. Please be careful when drafting the provisional management regulations."
The young man's casual remark startled the political figures, who exchanged bewildered glances. They flipped through their copies of the provisional regulations for the management of low-rent housing and discovered, sure enough, that the data contained discrepancies…
A business committee official in charge of compiling the data was sweating profusely: "We'll go back and recompile it right away."
The president said, “After I got back last night, I tried to contact two very good friends. One of them is engaged in nanorobot research, and the other is engaged in biotechnology gene drug development... I told them about the 21-year life extension, and they were very interested.”
Qing Chen's eyes lit up: "Great, welcome to City 10! But, is their only goal to extend their lifespan?"
The president explained, “Working in the North is very oppressive. There’s no comfortable research environment, and the military atmosphere is too strong. They don’t like that lifestyle. Besides, they’re quite old, and extending their lives is an urgent matter.”
"Understood," Qingchen nodded.
The president thought for a moment and said, "But the problem is, one of them is in Kashima and the other is in Kamishiro, and both of them are industry leaders with entire teams under them. Kashima and Kamishiro are unlikely to let them leave the city, and they can't come here even if they wanted to."
Qing Chen laughed and said, "You just need to convince them, and I will take care of this matter. Don't worry, there's no one I can't take away."
In the history of modern warfare by special forces, 36% of operations were for the clandestine extradition of important figures and scientists.
For example, the extradition of Iranian nuclear scientists to the UK in 2019 was a joint operation by the CIA and Mossad special forces.
Qing Chen smiled and said, "Mr. Ning, discuss this with the congressmen. Your network of connections in the Federation is second only to the conglomerates. You can send messages to those researchers and ask if they are willing to come. If you recruit three researchers, you can leave the garrison camp. If you recruit seven researchers, the congressmen can directly settle down and receive an additional 21 years of lifespan..."
The president's eyes lit up. Most of the members of Congress were over 50 years old, and some of them were no longer capable in certain areas, turning from fighter jets into hand tractors.
For these people, gaining 21 years of life means returning to the best years of their lives!
The lawmakers... will definitely go crazy recruiting talent.
Qing Chen said with a smile, "However, regaining your freedom does not mean that you can do whatever you want. I hope that after leaving the camp, you can live an honest life and not be like before. I have reviewed the promises you have made to the voters over the years. There are only 73 councilors here, and you have failed to fulfill 631 of your promises. You have let down the voters."
The president sighed and remained silent.
He suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "But the two industry giants I recruited still have some doubts. They don't quite believe in the claim of extending lifespan by 21 years and hope to get more proof... They believe more in science."
Within the Federation, science and mysticism are clearly separated. Although there is no hierarchy of contempt, everyone does their own thing.
Qing Chen smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will give them the proof. I have found a very convincing person for them."
...
...
Return countdown: 14:00:00.
As the policies of City 10 continued to be introduced, Qingchen finally put forward the concept policy that settling down could increase one's lifespan by 21 years.
At that moment, everyone online who was following City 10 was stunned...
What the hell? Adds 21 years to your life? Why don't you just say that Qi can cure diabetes?
Until the official media of City 10 started a live broadcast...
In the video, Li Shutong said expressionlessly, "Today, I'm here to introduce you to the secrets of knights' longevity..."
The face of this contemporary leader of the knights was as dark as could be, and he looked extremely unwilling.
In the video, he slowly walked to an old man's side, placed his palm on the old man's head, and poured his knight's true energy into him.
In front of the high-definition camera, the old man's hair instantly turned from white to gray, the wrinkles on his skin were smoothed out, and his complexion quickly became rosy.
There was an elderly woman next to the old man as a reference point to prove that no beauty filters were used in the live stream.
Li Shutong calmly addressed the camera: "Everyone envies knights for their lifespan of up to 251 years. Knights were even once targeted for possession by the Divine Era Foundation, all because of our knightly aura, which grants us the ability to prolong life. As you know, the world's only god, Ren Xiaosu, was once a knight... From now on, anyone who settles in City 10 can gain an additional 21 years of lifespan through initiation. I'll be waiting for you in City 10..."
Qingchen watched from the side, thoroughly amused, feeling a sense of déjà vu, much like watching Chen Baoguo sell Hongmao medicinal wine on television.
As the live stream ended, Qingchen hurriedly approached from behind the camera: "Master, you've worked so hard! Master, have some water!"
Li Shutong said irritably, "You've really sold out your master's face for the sake of this city!"
“But it really works,” Qingchen said with a chuckle.
Li Shutong was right about one thing: the lifespan of ordinary superhumans is around 150 years, while knights are absolutely special, and the public is also aware of the special nature of the knight organization.
Back then, the knights outlasted one opponent after another, and the lifespan of each knight is recorded in history.
Moreover, although knights are despised by various forces in the extraordinary world, they have the best reputation among all organizations in the eyes of the public.
Back then, it was common for Li Shutong to chase down criminals for thousands of miles to avenge civilians.
Therefore, the public's impression of knights was that of upright and incorruptible heroes.
This is also the most difficult thing for organizations like Huotang, Jindai, Kashima, and Chen's; they desperately want to reveal the true face of the knights to the public, but the public simply doesn't believe them...
Now, Qing Chen is using Li Shutong as his trump card and the Knights' millennia-old organizational reputation as a guarantee for City 10. This is all he can bet on.
Qingchen said with a smile, "Master, we're not lying. If I were a con artist selling health products, I wouldn't dare ask you to endorse us. We really can help people live longer!"
“Don’t give me that,” Li Shutong said. “Don’t call me for this kind of thing in the future.”
“Master, if you’re going to talk like that, then I have to have a serious talk with you,” Qingchen said, counting on his fingers. “Who was it that used me to make money in the Octagon? Who was it that tricked me into giving them a gift, leaving me with a huge debt? When I heard the loan amount, I almost had an awakening! And tell me, how long are you going to keep owing your forbidden item?”
Li Shutong immediately became amiable: "I was just saying it casually. As your master, of course I must support my apprentice's career! I absolutely must support it!"
unlucky!
To be honest, Qing Chen, as a person from the surface world, underestimated Li Shutong's personal charm accumulated over the years, as well as the Knight's reputation.