The World Online

Chapter 1230 – Democracy and Dictatorship

Within the solemn Imperial Reading Room, deputy secretary Kou Zhun in charge of human affairs, Administration Court deputy minister Zhang Tingyu, and Civil Affairs director Pei Yun had all gathered together.

After much deliberation, Ouyang Shuo finally made up his mind, “This Imperial Court player recruitment is the first for the Emperor dynasty and needs to be solid and act as the model for future recruitments.”

“Do not worry, your majesty. For this recruitment, we have prepared for a month, and we will not let anything go wrong.” Kou Zhun was really certain. Obviously, they had made a lot of preparations.

This was because they knew how important this recruitment was to the Emperor dynasty.

Before the month, after Ouyang Shuo’s suggestion, the Cabinet had discussed the matter. After asking for the opinions of all the officials, they came to a common consensus to merge the player group into the system.

From the Imperial Court to the local prefectures and counties, from the various offices to banks, schools, and the like, from the corporations to the enterprises; they would open all of these to the players and accept talents.

As long as one fulfilled the requirements for the post, the Imperial Court would not block them.

Using a full six years of time, Great Xia had finally built up a perfect system and a strict managing system. No matter how many players were recruited, there would be no worries of the system falling apart.

This was why Ouyang Shuo was so confident.

Six years of hard work had finally bore fruit. Ouyang Shuo said, “Since that’s the case, go do it!”

“Yes, emperor!”

…

Gaia 7th year, 1st month, 20th day, Great Xia Honglu Temple Outreach Division held a press conference to announce the notice regarding player group large scale recruitment.

The moment the news went out, the Great Xia territory boiled.

There were many eager parties, many who were watching on, and many who were envious and jealous.

Who knows how many lives and how many families that single notice would change.

…

Imperial capital, city west-street 1107.

Within this street stayed a number of special tenants. They were all over 50, and although they were causal players, one could see that their background was not simple since they could live so carefreely in the capital.

Morning of the 21st, Ouyang Shuo dressed up casually and under the accompaniment of four Divine Martial Guards, he came over and entered a big courtyard in the middle.

1107 street was built and planned by the Construction Department before being rented out to the outside.

The courtyard was filled with an ancient feel. On the left, there was a grape rack, and there were many different vegetables and fruits around.

Below the grape rack was a wooden table and two chairs. Two white-haired old people were drinking tea under the winter sunshine.

The one welcoming Ouyang Shuo was a middle-aged man, who greeted him with a smile, “Welcome!” Amongst the warmness was some pride. Since he did not know how to refer to Ouyang Shuo, he decided to not call him anything.

Ouyang Shuo nodded. He raised his feet and entered, leaving the four Divine Martial Guards to keep watch outside.

The middle-aged man led the way at front. When he reached the middle of the courtyard, he quickly walked to the slightly thin old man and said softly, “Father, the guest is here!”

Only then did the old man raise his head. Looking at Ouyang Shuo, a look of confusion appeared in his eyes. He did not expect that Ouyang Shuo would be so calm like a lake of water, soundless and without movement.

“Little friend, how are you!”

The old man finally got up and revealed a smile.

The slightly fat old man also got up and greeted Ouyang Shuo with a smile.

Ouyang Shuo did not dare to act big and respectfully bowed, “Old Zhang! Old Guo!”

The two of them looked like they had nothing to do with the world, but in the previous Federation government, they were the two giants of the neutral camp and had huge influence.

Behind Great Xia opening up to the players, the primary reason was to target the workers of the Federation because they were a perfect fit with the system and could find a place to work at the various offices.

As for the experts of the various industries, apart from finance, education, banking, accounting, and the like, Great Xia would give birth to many other industries similar to modern day life.

To convince them and settle them down, he needed to convince the two giants in front of him.

The spies of the Shanhai Guards were in every hole, and when these two moved over from Jingdu, Ouyang Shuo had received the news, but he did not disturb them.

Within just a year, the 1107 street that they lived on had changed a group of tenants, which showed their influence in the circle.

After sitting down, Ouyang Shuo made his intentions clear, “I’m visiting to invite you two to come out of retirement.” With Ouyang Shuo’s position, he would not lower himself even in front of these two.

Talking to smart people was great, as they did not need to beat around the bush.

Ouyang Shuo was sure that the two ahead of him knew about the notice released by the Imperial Court. They might have even discussed the matter in their circle.

As for the result, Ouyang Shuo did not know.

“I’m old and am unwilling to go through the hardships once more.” Old Zhang rejected his offer.

As for Old Guo, apart from greeting Ouyang Shuo, he did not say anything more. It was obvious that he was giving Old Zhang the right to decide. Old Zhang’s son, the middle-aged man, knew his place and had already left.

Ouyang Shuo was not surprised and asked, “Does Old Zhang have worries about Great Xia?”

In the eyes of many, Great Xia was a feudal empire and Ouyang Shuo was a feudal lord addicted to power; this did not fit into the ideologies of the Federation officials.

To have worries was normal.

Since Ouyang Shuo had said that, Old Zhang knew that he had to say something. He wanted to use this chance to scout out Ouyang Shuo, “On Planet Hope, will Great Xia hold their current ideals and not change?”

Ouyang Shuo nodded and did not hesitate.

“Since that’s the case, there is not much to discuss.” Old Zhang felt disappointed.

“In the harsh environment on Planet Hope, of democracy and dictatorship, which one do you think is more suitable?” Ouyang Shuo did not answer his question, “In a chaotic world, an iron fist is needed.”

“That’s just the excuse of a dictator.” Old Zhang was really stubborn.

“But you cannot deny that after the Federation disbanded and Skynet took over, for Chinese civilization to take root on Planet Hope, ruling the people is better than being ruled.”

“The core of Chinese civilization is the golden mean.”

“That depends on the time. Any organization at the beginning needs the knowledge and courage of the founder and has to gather power. The golden mean is unsuitable sometimes.” Ouyang Shuo firmly believed in his values.

During a state of war, no one could talk about democracy.

“Is that the reason why Great Xia is attacking and killing people from other countries?” As a member of the ex-Federation, Old Zhang’s country ideologies were thinner. Naturally, he would not accept Great Xia’s conquering of the world.

Ouyang Shuo replied, “On Planet Hope, ensuring a new order is of utmost importance. To protect this, evil is needed. On this point, I think that Old Zhang has a better understanding than me.”

When the Federation was being built, there was also countless bloodshed.

“What is the so-called new order you are referring to?” Old Zhang wanted to get to the bottom of this.

“Country.”

This was the first time Ouyang Shuo had revealed his ambitions for Planet Hope.

“You!”

Old Zhang was so angry that he stood up.

Ouyang Shuo was unmoved, “Planet Hope is so huge, and with Skynet taking over, the country boundaries that disappeared on Earth would be built up once more.”

“Old Zhang, are you really shocked?” Ouyang Shuo’s eyes pretty much saw through his heart.

Silence…

After a long while, Old Zhang said with exhaustion, “Leave, my attitude will not change.”

When Ouyang Shuo saw that, he knew that the conversation could not go on. Although he was disappointed, he was not one to give up easily. Before leaving, he said, “The doors of Great Xia are forever open to you two.”

As he said that, he disappeared from the streets under the protection of the Divine Martial Guards.

Within the courtyard, Old Zhang’s son walked out from the room and said anxiously, “Father, isn’t it unsuitable for you to reject him outright? The other uncles support working in Great Xia.”

Old Zhang waved his hand, “Let’s watch a while more.”

When the middle-aged man saw that, he wanted to say something but stopped. In the end, he simply turned around and left the courtyard.

“He’s still too fresh.”

Old Zhang looked at the back view of his son before letting out a disappointed sigh. Sitting down once more, he looked toward Old Guo and asked, “What do you think?”

“He is indeed a moldable talent.” Old Guo admired Ouyang Shuo a lot. Despite that, he still firmly said, “What you did was right. He himself is not sure about the responsibility and duty on his shoulders. Let’s watch for a while more.”

“Let’s hope!”

The eyes of the two old men met; currently, their eyes were filled with expectations.