RT Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Shao Chengxi’s Game

Shao Chengxi slightly raised his chin, his expression calm as he met Pei Yuan’s gaze head-on, without the slightest fear.

Noticing the almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of Pei Yuan’s mouth, Shao Chengxi understood his unwillingness and resentment.

So what?

The winner is king, the loser is the villain. It was a done deal.

At the same time, Shu Lin, who was watching the live broadcast, was so astonished that he gaped.

Politics was indeed something a sophomore like him couldn’t understand; it was ever-changing.

Well, all his previous guesses were in vain.

Forget it, he’d better not overthink it, lest he waste brain cells again.

His father said that he was still growing at his age, and thinking too much would affect his height.

Shao Chengxi was too tall; he had to think less and eat more, and try his best to grow taller.

Clicking on the discussions below, he saw that public opinion on social media was also fermenting.

The live broadcast camera refocused on the news spokesperson, Wu Xun.

Facing the commotion in the venue, he remained calm, slightly raising his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and said:

“This decision is to improve administrative efficiency and avoid the power struggles and internal friction caused by the long-standing dual vice-presidential system.”

“Specific personnel arrangements after the reform will be further discussed and announced in future government meetings.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters erupted again, raising their hands to ask questions.

“Vice President Wu, does the abolition of the dual vice-presidential system mean that you, as the current sole vice president, will have greater power?”

“Will this decision affect the upcoming economic policy adjustments? What are the specific adjustments? Can you reveal anything?”

“How will the staff of the original two vice presidents be arranged? Can their legitimate rights and interests be guaranteed?”

…

Faced with a barrage of questions, Wu Xun stated officially:

“Specific details will be discussed in subsequent meetings, please wait patiently for the official announcement.”

Inside the venue, the reporters’ discussions continued unabated.

Those who understood the Imperial political system knew that the core of power in the Empire was the President.

Without the President’s authorization, this reform would have been impossible.

It seemed that the new President’s move was to strengthen the centralization of power, reduce the risk of factional struggles, and further strengthen the President’s authority.

Reducing the number of vice-presidential positions was a step in his plan.

Ming Jialuo’s downfall was an excellent opportunity.

This time, the Shao family provided the President with financial support, ensuring that he would not be constrained by the Ministry of Finance and that the relevant personnel arrangements could be properly resolved after the abolition, avoiding political turmoil.

Also, the Pei family’s political momentum had been too strong in recent years, causing the new President’s unease and dissatisfaction.

The art of political balancing has always been a trick that rulers are good at playing.

Using the Shao family to suppress the Pei family was perfect right now.

Of course, the abolition of the two vice-presidential system was able to pass not only because the President had this intention, but also because Vice President Wu Xun contributed a lot.

Wu Xun could benefit from this, becoming second only to the President, no longer having to compete for power with another vice president. What could be better?

The success of this measure can be described as a perfect combination of timing, location, and people.

The press conference continued, and Wu Xun, with joy in his heart but a solemn expression on his face, continued to announce:

“Now I announce the second decision of the Presidential Palace meeting: to remove Li Zhengyu from the post of Minister of Defense and appoint him as the Secretary of State of the Presidential Palace.”

For a moment, there was no obvious reaction in the venue.

Hadn’t everyone predicted this before the meeting?

It was expected.

Slowly, everyone’s expressions became subtle.

With the reform of the vice-presidential position, Pei Yuan’s wishful thinking fell through. Furthermore, the announcement of Li Zhengyu as Secretary of State was truly a matter for contemplation.

The keen reporters immediately realized it.

It turned out that competing with Pei Yuan for the position of vice president was just a smokescreen.

The Shao family’s trick was a feint to the east and attack in the west; the real target was Li Zhengyu’s position as Secretary of State.

As long as Li Zhengyu became Secretary of State, it would be equivalent to having the power of the vice president.

Now that there was only one vice president, Wu Xun, in the Presidential Palace, the position second only to the vice president was the Secretary of State.

In this way, Li Zhengyu actually won against Pei Yuan.

He won cleanly, neatly, and without suspense.

Everyone observed Pei Yuan without showing any emotion.

They thought to themselves that although he had looked down on the position of Secretary of State before, he must now be regretting it to the point of pounding his chest and stomping his feet.

Shao Chengxi’s lips curled up slightly, with a hint of provocation, as he looked at Pei Yuan’s unsightly face.

Li Zhengyu’s appointment as Secretary of State was an important part of his plan.

The Pei family had deep roots in the Empire’s political arena.

This reshuffle not only effectively suppressed the Pei family’s power, but also paved the way for his future bid for the presidency.

As soon as this decision was announced, everyone knew that Shao Chengxi’s promotion to Minister of Defense was a natural consequence.

Sure enough, Wu Xun continued:

“I announce the third decision of the Presidential Palace meeting.”

Speaking of this, there was a smile in his eyes, “Shao Chengxi, Deputy Minister of Defense, has been promoted to Minister of Defense due to his outstanding performance.”

As soon as these words came out, applause thundered through the venue.

It was what everyone hoped for.

The reporters’ cameras all focused on Shao Chengxi.

At twenty-seven years old, he was the Empire’s youngest Minister of Defense.

He was also the Empire’s youngest ministerial-level official, breaking Pei Yuan’s historical record of taking office as Minister of Finance at the age of twenty-nine.

Undoubtedly, Shao Chengxi was the focus of the press conference at this moment.

This was the position that the Shao family had invested huge material resources, financial resources, and manpower to ensure.

The Shao family, with its century of accumulation, was by no means reckless. Everything had to be under control.

The formal position had to be promoted, but they had to have military power in their hands, with predecessors paving the way, and also conveniently clear existing obstacles.

At this point, in this game, Shao Chengxi had won completely, and the Shao family held an absolute advantage.

From an overall perspective, this layout achieved a win-win situation for all parties.

Shao Chengxi’s image reappeared on the screen, and Shu Lin was excited.

His little head couldn’t think that far.

He just felt that Shao Chengxi worked nearly 16 hours a day, putting in too much effort and hard work, so it was only natural that he got this position.

At this moment, he was simply happy for his Alpha.

In the camera, Shao Chengxi’s face was handsome, his eyes were firm and deep, and a faint smile hung on the corner of his mouth.

He was silently interpreting to the world what it meant to be truly determined.

Shao Chengxi’s promotion meant that he was steadily stepping into the high-level power structure.

From then on, he had the qualifications to ascend to the position of President.

In the future, every political achievement he accumulated would be a stepping stone for him to reach the presidency.

The media took the opportunity to give Pei Yuan a shot as well.

Pei Yuan had been immersed in politics for many years, and at this time, his face was already calm, and he couldn’t see any waves.

But in front of the winner, the loser’s calmness was seen as a forced pretense.

Outside the window, the setting sun cast golden rays through the car window, sprinkling on Shu Lin, creating a layer of crystal light, setting him off like a little fairy.

The live broadcast of the press conference ended, and he turned off his hot phone, a smile on his lips.

Leaning on the car window again, Shu Lin turned into a golden little gecko,Holding up“Tail” (Holding up Tail – tail cocked/raised), his eyes filled with anticipation as he watched the front.

Finally, the door of the Presidential Palace meeting room opened, and people filed out.

Shu Lin looked for his Alpha in the crowd.