"Everyone, did you take a close look at the shoddy products being sold? Those Demon Slaying Sticks that shattered with one blow, that paper-thin armor—even new recruits in the Special Task Force knew they were nothing but garbage."
"I know what you're going to say. It was a choice made to keep prices down, an unavoidable measure under the current circumstances."
"I have a proposal. Could several True God Churches join forces? They're the experts in this field. They could establish an industry standard, at least setting a minimum baseline."
"We can provide appropriate subsidies. The First Batch of civilian weapons and equipment doesn't need to be exceptionally high-quality, nor does it need variety. Under current conditions, we can absolutely develop one or two models with the best value for money and have the craftsmen produce them uniformly."
It was still that familiar reception room, but it was already the next day.
On the television screen nearby, the provincial councilor from Changping Province was still speaking at length.
This time, however, the councilors below listened relatively attentively. Raising questions, discussing causes, proposing solutions, organizing people to address them—that was the normal process of deliberation.
Yet these days, most proposals simply could not be resolved at all. They could only be delayed, left pending, and reconsidered. With an absolute shortage of resources, only the most urgent and critical matters could be prioritized.
Even if the problems could not be solved, at least everyone could be made aware of them, and they could enter the queue for resolution.
Still, it was frustrating, even disheartening. Too many colleagues who had once been friendly had started openly clashing over resources and opportunities.
Everyone knew it could not be helped, but it still left a sour taste in their mouths. Now, at last, they had