The Provincial Winter Development Conference was Jingzhou's largest annual political gathering.
On the surface, it was about economic targets, investment forecasts, and urban renewal plans.
But everyone inside the system knew—
It was also the battleground where factions clashed, alliances shifted, and careers were made—or destroyed.
For the first time, Lu Zhen received a seat at the back row of the conference hall, representing the Planning Advisory Board.
Not many noticed him.
But a few did.
---
At 8:30 a.m., the hall lights dimmed.
A senior announcer read the formal preface.
Then, Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Wenyuan—a seasoned power broker in his early sixties—took the stage.
"2025 will be a turning point," Zhao said calmly. "New growth, new challenges, new leadership structures…"
That last phrase carried weight.
In the row behind Zhao sat Executive Deputy Governor Liu Qingxian—the same man whose cousin had been toppled in Lu Zhen's Yunbei Logistics exposure.
Liu's eyes were cold, sharp, unreadable.
But he noticed Lu Zhen in the corner.
And didn't look away.
---
Midway through the presentations, Lu Zhen noticed something odd.
The scheduled speaker for the Liang River Green Innovation Zone—a respected academic—was missing.
In his place stood a local bureaucrat known for opposing the project.
Lu's eyes narrowed.
The man gave a tepid, unconvincing summary, focusing on vague language like "gradual phasing," "economic uncertainties," and "alternative industrial revitalization paths."
He was trying to sink the project quietly.
Undermine it without rejecting it outright.
Lu leaned forward.
Then he noticed something worse.
The Project Riverlight proposal had been replaced with a "revised" draft in the handouts—heavily edited, removing all mentions of green innovation.
None of it had his name on it.
Someone had tried to erase his work.
And the project.
---
He texted Tang Wei from inside the hall.
> "Project Riverlight compromised. Speaker swapped. Proposal gutted."
Her reply came instantly:
> "Understood. You have five minutes. Counter."
Lu Zhen froze.
He was a junior advisor.
The lowest level in the room.
He wasn't even on the speaker list.
He looked across the hall—and saw Fang Qinglan.
She met his gaze. And nodded once.
Permission.
---
Lu Zhen stood.
Silence spread like a ripple.
A few people frowned. One aide tried to wave him down.
But he stepped to the side podium and lifted the original proposal folder from his briefcase.
"Esteemed leaders," he began, voice clear and calm. "I would like to clarify that the currently discussed version of Project Riverlight is outdated, and misrepresents the intent, viability, and direction supported by both provincial data and investor interest."
Dozens of heads turned.
He continued, "The actual proposal, which was drafted with the support of the Provincial Planning Advisory Board and approved by key departmental reviews, projects an economic ROI increase of 36% over ten years, with minimal social displacement and active stakeholder inclusion."
He didn't shout.
He spoke precisely.
Citing figures. Quoting public health stats. Referencing satellite data.
And finally—
He tapped the first page of the real proposal.
"My name is Lu Zhen. This is my work. And it represents a path forward—not just for Liang River, but for how we redefine provincial growth."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then scattered clapping.
Followed by louder applause.
Not everyone joined.
But enough to send a message.
---
Liu Qingxian's face was expressionless.
But his hands were tight.
Zhao Wenyuan, the Party Secretary, looked at Fang Qinglan.
She gave a half-shrug. As if to say: He wasn't my pick. He made his own move.
Lu Zhen sat back down, calm on the outside, heart thundering on the inside.
---
System Notification
---
[Public Intervention Detected – Visibility Spike]
[Provincial Senior Leadership Interest Acquired]
New Trait Unlocked: "Unshakable Demeanor (Lv.1)" – Immune to speech suppression, panic, or intimidation in political venues
Favorability Changed: Liu Qingxian – -30 (Hostile)
Favorability Changed: Zhao Wenyuan – +15 (Cautious Recognition)
---
That evening, after the conference ended, Lu Zhen returned to his temporary apartment.
At the elevator, a voice stopped him.
"Enjoy the spotlight, Advisor Lu?"
He turned.
A man in his early forties, tall, smooth-faced, cold eyes.
Lu Zhen recognized him immediately: Wang Peng, Deputy Director of Industrial Affairs, known to be Liu Qingxian's confidant.
"Just stating facts," Lu said calmly.
Wang smiled. "Facts are rarely rewarded. Loyalty, however…"
He stepped closer. "There are many ways to make a career. You've chosen the loudest one."
"I didn't choose the spotlight," Lu replied. "I only kept the truth from being buried."
Wang stared at him for a long moment.
Then walked away.
---
Inside his apartment, Lu Zhen finally exhaled.
He checked the System again.
Under "Influence Map," a new tab had appeared:
> Rival Power Bloc: Liu Qingxian Faction – Level 1 Antagonist Identified
A cold line of text below it:
> "Prepare for suppression tactics: resource denial, smear campaigns, public traps."
Lu Zhen didn't flinch.
He already had countermeasures ready.
The System's economic arm had quietly moved shell companies into strategic vendor lists.
If they cut his access?
He'd create new channels.
If they tried to defame him?
He'd drown them in verified data.
If they isolated him?
He'd let Fang Qinglan and Tang Wei make the first move.
He didn't need to win every fight.
He only needed to survive the first few rounds.
The rest would come later.
---
The next morning, as headlines about the Winter Conference spread, a single article stood out on the Provincial News Portal:
> "Voice of the Future: Young Advisor Proposes Radical Redevelopment Model"
Underneath was his photo.
A short profile.
And the headline:
"Lu Zhen: The Quiet Strategist Behind Riverlight."
He stared at the screen.
Then closed his laptop.
---
End of Chapter 6