Chapter 25, Non-Action Governs

  "What's wrong with you," Lu Tao said in a low voice, "you also say go and just leave like this."

  "Yes, Meng Yingchang, this... "Gao Zhiyuan was obviously weighing something, and slowly said, "Everyone has their own opinions, only you haven't said anything yet."

  "Does it matter?" Meng Yao suddenly felt a bitter taste in his mouth again.

  "Of course it's important," Lu Tao suddenly glared, "If you don't make a decision, who will?" As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced at Gao Zhiyuan. Gao Zhiyuan immediately echoed in agreement, "Exactly, exactly."

  "Alright," Meng Yao also didn't put on airs, waving his hand as he said, "Let's go back and continue talking."

  Cao Feibiao, Ji Xu and others saw Meng Yao walking in with Lu Tao and Gao Zhiyuan surrounding him, their faces solemn, and quickly closed their mouths, staring at him in unison. They weren't fools, Meng and Lu were already the two giants of the assault camp, and now with Gao Zhiyuan added to the mix, they had formed a trio of giants. Whatever others said, it was probably just hot air, ultimately it all depended on Meng Yao.

  "I think so, let's all discuss it together."

  Meng Yao took off his windbreaker and casually threw it on the bed, standing up straight and saying seriously: "Now China's situation is not like the prosperous Tang Dynasty where all roads lead to Rome. If we are currently at a crossroads on the road to becoming a strong nation and national rejuvenation, and if we have to choose between two paths, then..."

  He said, deliberately pausing before continuing: "My personal doctrine is that of governing by inaction."

  Non-action governance, what does it mean? Everyone was momentarily stunned.

  Almost subconsciously, Gao Zhiyuan leaned his head close to Lu Tao's ear and asked in a very low voice: "Comrade Lu, please tell me honestly, how old is Captain Meng, which school did he graduate from, and what year did he join the army?"

  Lu Tao glanced at Gao Zhiyuan and frowned.

  "Speak," said Gao Zhiyuan impatiently, poking him.

  No one had expected that Zhou Fangyu, who had been sitting silently beside them all along, would suddenly speak up. Her beautiful face, combined with her cold and elegant expression, immediately stunned everyone through her melodious voice, which was as pleasant as a broadcaster's.

  Meng Yao, 28 years old, Bachelor of Literature, Master of Military Science. Graduated from a certain military command academy, enlisted in 2006. Later entered a certain air force base college for further study, and successively attended the National Defense University, a certain logistics and equipment command academy's advanced command class, and was sent to the UK, US, and Israel for visits as a scholar for three months to half a year. Currently serving as the commander of the 15th Army's direct assault battalion, according to rumors, after the Deep Blue joint military exercise, he will be promoted to commander of the 15th Army's independent brigade with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His future father-in-law is in the East, currently serving as the commander of a certain air force base, with the rank of major general. His fiancée...

  "Alright, alright—"

  Meng Yao listened and broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly waving his hands to stop Zhou Fangyu: "I really don't know if you're a special agent or a spy, it's just short of broadcasting with a loudspeaker. Don't you understand the rules? The resumes and biographies of all unit leaders are top secret, aren't you afraid of making mistakes?"

  "This is a party committee meeting, how did you leak the information?" Zhou Fangyu looked at Meng Yao without showing any weakness.

  "Alright, alright, it's all my fault." Gao Zhiyuan hastily raised his hands in surrender and said, "Commander Meng, please finish what you were saying. Now that the big picture is settled, we can also have a clear plan in mind and proceed with our work in an orderly manner."

  Meng Yao glared at Zhou Fangyu and snorted. This cold beauty, why did she always have to go against him alone, was it fun?

  He cleared his throat and continued, "The so-called 'governing by inaction' is not the exclusive patent of Laozi and Zhuangzi. To put it simply, we neither lean to the left nor to the right, but instead seek a third way in the cracks of history. Moreover, it's even more important that we can only take this third way. The reason is clear to everyone, I think: we are just a small butterfly that has crossed through time and space, and we absolutely cannot indulge in momentary arrogance, trying to modify the original trajectory and appearance of history at will. The unknown harm it may bring, none of us can predict or bear."

  "Of course," Meng Yao said, looking around at the suddenly silent party committee members, slowing down his tone to add: "We all know what history was like in the past. So our ultimate goal can only be moving towards this general direction. Therefore, we don't need to argue, and naturally, we will walk into the great tide of history and ultimately complete our historical mission."

  After finishing, Meng Yao looked at everyone with a slight sense of unease, quietly waiting for their reaction. No matter what, the emotional tendencies of each person here could not be ignored, and although he knew he was right, he also needed to give everyone time to understand.

  Suddenly, it was unclear who led the way, but the tent was filled with applause. The intermittent clapping startled Meng Yao, almost causing him to fall back into his chair. After a while, he looked around at everyone in surprise and delight, barely able to believe it as he asked, "So you all approve of my roadmap?"

  "Of course—"

  A rumbling sound came from below.

  "Good," Meng Yao slammed the table excitedly, "One stake and three posts, two fists can eliminate the enemy. Unity of mind, mutual trust, and eternal loyalty are especially important for the current isolated and helpless assault battalion and each of its members. You may not fully understand or even misunderstand, but if you can stand from the perspective of the assault battalion and accept my sincere words, I dare to guarantee that the future of the assault battalion will not only be bright but also as red as the autumn leaves on a mountain."

  "Anyone can talk big, let's get real." Zhou Fangyu suddenly said coldly.

  Guard squad leader Niu bumped into Fu Xiaoqiang and asked in a low voice, "What's the deal with this chick? Why is she always following the regimental commander?"

  Fu Xiao Chong seemed to be both disdainful and jealous as he pouted, "What else could it be? You've moved her heart."

  Ah, just hearing it makes me swallow a mouthful of saliva.

  Meng Yao seemed to have heard nothing, and didn't even glance at her again. He looked around and shouted, "Cao Feibiao, reconnaissance team leader Cao Feibiao."

  "Here," Cao Feibiao stood up. Grandma's, always the first one to call me.

  Meng Yao glanced at him, suddenly turned sideways and whispered a few words to Lu Tao and Gao Zhiyuan. The three of them even exchanged a look, before Meng Yao stared at Cao Feibiao again:

  "You are hereby appointed as the temporary head of the Economic Department of the Shock Troop, concurrently serving as the leader of the Reconnaissance Platoon. From today until the end of next year, you will be assigned three major tasks: 1. On the basis of the existing intelligence stations in Tang County and Yangweitown, at least five more intelligence stations must be established in provincial capitals. 2. Establish a temporary economic department and its three subordinate business units, and complete fundraising of one million yuan. 3. Collect and establish a comprehensive set of files on the distribution of wealth and economic development in neighboring areas for future use."

  "Grandma, I knew it was no good." Cao Feibiao angrily threw his helmet on the table and turned his neck, saying: "Every day is just this trivial matter, not even fighting, I won't do it."

  Lu Tao suppressed his smile and solemnly asked, "If you don't do it, who will? The first batch of real gold and silver from the Trench Camp were all brought back by you, Cao Feibiao. A total of 30,000 yuan, you have made great contributions, otherwise we wouldn't be eating fresh pork and rice now."

  Meng Yao looked at him for a moment, then continued to shout in a calm tone: "Zhou Fangyu, Zhou Fangyu."

  Zhou Fangyu was startled and wondered how she had been called. She looked around at everyone in confusion, gritted her teeth, and reluctantly stood up to respond: "Present."

  Meng Yao stared at her expressionlessly: "From today on, the communications class and logistics support mobile team will be fully responsible for you. Similarly, by the end of next year, establish a basic communication system covering an area of 30 kilometers with Eyu Blue as the core base. At the same time, using my existing equipment, quickly establish a high-power long-effect radio station and radar base station, requiring a depth of no less than 3,000 kilometers in a straight line."

  As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Xu, "You as an assistant, assist Zhou Fangyu's work throughout the process. At the same time, you, as the head of the logistics department, also need to supervise the preparation of the Red Flag School, and Wu Mei Juan's special medical team. By the end of next year, I want to see a real hospital and school appear in our E Yu Blue Base."

  "Yes!" Ji Xuxing exclaimed excitedly.

  Immediately following, Meng Yao shouted out Fu Xiao Chong, Niu Gang and Li Jian Kun among others, issuing them with timed orders. In short, by the end of next year, militarily they not only had a fixed defense line and a two-short-one-long strategic depth, but also radar bases, hospitals, schools and even libraries that society needed. Listening to Meng Yao's methodical commands, Lu Tao and Gao Zhi Yuan couldn't help but exchange a glance, shouting out in unison: "They all have work to do, what about us? What are we doing?"

  "You two," Meng Yao said with a smile, "of course you should just do what you want to do, why ask me?"