Responsibility and Regulations

"Report: the subject's tail has been completely excavated. It's 15.42 meters long and has been entirely wrapped in flour."

"This is the plan for trying to move the subject."

Noel handed Wu Heng the plan as he reported in a loud, clear voice.

He was curious about what this thing actually was. It felt like some legendary devil's lair, and there were constant growls coming from inside.

Maybe it was a devil's egg, with an unborn little devil inside. So devils were born from eggs after all! He had to tell his family to hide some flour!

Noel firmly committed to memory the fact that devils feared flour.

Wu Heng took the plan and looked it over carefully.

It said that because the subject was enormous, once it had collapsed, it would cover an area of about 628 square meters.

So they would hollow out the bottom. After digging out each section, they would put a truck chassis underneath to support it.

They would continue until the bottom of the subject was filled with 20 truck chassis, then secure all of them firmly in place.

Then they would requisition the giant trucks used for mining at the three nearby mines, have them haul the truck chassis, and move the subject.

"All right. Follow this plan, and make absolutely sure the subject doesn't break."

Wu Heng nodded. The plan seemed feasible. Time was too short, so they could only use this temporary solution.

"Yes, sir."

Noel saluted, thinking to himself that even if the commander hadn't told them to be careful, they would have been. After all, this might be a devil's egg!

Wu Heng thought it over. For the plan to go smoothly, he would also have to speak with Governor Daren.

Since the Royal Air Force was an independent air force, he and Daren would have to appear together to bypass approval from the national parliament and mobilize it without authorization.

Wu Heng first briefed everyone at headquarters on the necessary precautions, then called Daren back and arranged for an escort to accompany him to the government building.

They passed through the military district on the way. Wu Heng had the guards follow him to his office and carry two boxes, each about two cubic meters, into the car. Only then did they continue to the government building.

The group arrived before a white high-rise in the distinctive style of the Eagle Nation. They crossed the ten-meter-wide, ten-meter-long blue-green steps at the entrance and went straight to the governor's office on the far left of the third floor.

Governor Daren sat behind his desk, his expression stern and his eyes burning with anger. A group of government officials sat ramrod straight on the sofas to either side.

The government office looked like a courtroom waiting to begin a trial, all set for Wu Heng's arrival.

Wu Heng had the guards carry the two boxes into the office and set them on the floor.

"Camille Werner, do you have any idea what you've done? You can start waiting to be dismissed."

"From now on, all you'll be good for is collecting your pension and wasting away in the family quarters in London!"

The moment Daren saw Wu Heng, all the anger he'd had nowhere to vent burst out. He pointed at Wu Heng and berated him sharply.

"Everyone else, leave."

Wu Heng spoke calmly.

"Yes, Commander."

The eight guards who had carried the boxes turned and left.

Wu Heng glanced around at the many government officials still sitting on the sofas.

"That includes you, too. Aren't you people human?"

"What are you still sitting there for? What do you have legs for? Are you waiting for the guards to carry you out?"

Wu Heng said lightly.

"This..."

The officials immediately felt uneasy in their seats.

They tried to stand, but as soon as their backsides lifted a little, they caught sight of Daren's furious expression and could only remain awkwardly half-seated.

"Enough, Camille!"

"This isn't a military camp. It's a government office, and they're not under your command."

Governor Daren's face was red as if he'd just drunk industrial alcohol at 95 percent proof. The veins in his neck tugged at the muscles in his face, which trembled slightly.

"Daren, take it easy!"

"The tank brigade is still in Tumbbad. Getting angry won't solve anything!"

"And besides, I'm already here."

Wu Heng ignored the governor's furious expression and continued:

"Perhaps there are still some worthwhile aspects to the Border Division Line forward policy, don't you think?"

At that, Daren's anger began to subside.

He reconsidered. Camille was right; anger wouldn't solve anything.

The fact that Camille was in the room meant he was willing to talk.

And from what he'd said, he seemed willing to support Daren's Border Division Line policy. There was still a chance to salvage things. They could still negotiate.

The redness quickly faded from Daren's face. He waved for the other government officials to leave, then said, "Camille, what exactly are you trying to do? Get the tank brigade back here at once. It's not too late. I can help you."

Daren wanted to show some goodwill in exchange for the military district's support for his policy. Since Camille had already softened his stance on Daren's political agenda, neither of them wanted another powerful enemy.

Unfortunately, he didn't know that the man standing before him was Wu Heng, who couldn't care less about political relationships.

"I'm protecting the safety of the people in our territory, of course."

Wu Heng went over to the sofa and sat down.

"Perhaps all you need to do is bring the tank brigade back, and the people in our territory will be perfectly safe!"

By now, Daren had regained his composure, and his mind was clearing.

"You don't understand, Daren. I've discovered the Chariot Nation's biological research facility. They've developed a large number of biological weapons and are planning to launch a surprise attack on us. I need you to cooperate and mobilize the Royal Air Force."

As he spoke, Wu Heng glanced at his pocket watch. It was 2:21 p.m.

He decided to give Governor Daren nine minutes to negotiate!

After all, he was a gentle, refined man who didn't like using violence to solve problems.

"Camille, is that true? What evidence do you have?"

Daren was somewhat skeptical, but people in their positions would rather keep quiet than deliberately lie.

What was more, Camille really had deployed the army like a madman.

"My tank brigade is the evidence. You can also go there and verify it in person."

Wu Heng maintained his refined, easygoing tone.

"But even if the intelligence is true, we should first report it to the national parliament. Mobilizing the Royal Air Force without authorization would violate regulations and discipline."

Now that Camille had finally shown some willingness to support his policies, Daren had a good chance of being reelected. He didn't want to offend Wu Heng, but neither did he want to bypass the proper procedures.

Wu Heng checked his watch. It was 2:25 p.m.

He stood and walked over to the two boxes, then opened their lids. They were filled to the brim with gold coins, giving off the alluring scent of wealth.

"Camille, what is this supposed to mean?"

The dazzling gold nearly blinded Daren, and his voice dropped slightly.

"As far as I know, that group of old men in parliament have already chosen the next governor in private. You may need something to sway their decision."

"Governor Daren, there are two boxes of gold coins right here!"

"Tell me."

"Which box is the regulations?"

"Which box is discipline?"

Tempted by the fragrance of the gold, Daren couldn't help glancing at the boxes again.

A flash of greed crossed his eyes, but in an instant his expression was once again full of integrity and a sense of duty.

"Camille, enough!"

Daren slammed his hand on the desk, cutting Wu Heng off.

"Our discipline is to stand united, and our regulations are to protect our homes and our people!"

"Two mere boxes of gold coins can't make us betray those principles!"

Daren paused, then continued:

"But since you've said biological weapons could harm people in our territory..."

"In such an emergency, to protect the public and fulfill my duty, I'll naturally do everything I can to help you mobilize the Royal Air Force!"

"We can submit the application to the national parliament afterward."

Daren had his own reasons for considering it.

There were only about ten years left before the territory would be evacuated in 1947. If he couldn't win reelection, he would have to accumulate enough wealth to live comfortably in retirement.

He'd thought Pune was just a Psychedelic Forest, with nothing but tobacco. He'd never expected there to be gold as well.

"Excellent, Daren. You really were born to be governor. I'll get in touch with you later."

This was perhaps the best possible outcome: a friendly discussion and negotiation, without any need for violence.

Wu Heng clapped in satisfaction, then checked his pocket watch.

It was 2:29:48 p.m.

Sure enough, good people didn't die, and bad people didn't die either. Only the foolish died!

Not only would they die themselves, they'd drag others down with them.

Clever Governor Daren had survived.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Wu Heng turned and headed for the door, intending to leave.

"I hope everything really is as you say," Daren said.

He regretted it a little, but one look at the gold coins and his regret vanished.

When he saw Wu Heng about to open the door, he ran over with surprising agility for his age and closed the box lids.

He didn't say what was inside the boxes, and no one dared ask.

But it was different if someone saw them.

Would you trade your collection, recommendation tickets, and monthly tickets for two bottles of mineral water?

By the way, readers, I check your chapter comments in the author dashboard every day, and you crack me up!