Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 606 - 476: Community

It turns out, when it comes to gathering information from the Customs Enforcement Division, the military is more effective than the planet government system.

Three days later, Hals found out that those two Customs Enforcement Warships were temporarily ordered to inspect Passenger Starships.

Qu Jianlei didn't quite understand the situation, but the chubby guy knew very well.

"Two warships are considered a formation. To make a temporary decision, a lot of authority is needed."

"And even when you've shown the Hoyel Mansion's credentials, they're still useless. Someone is definitely targeting you."

"I did some digging, the officer in charge of this formation is named Desis, and he was cursing you a couple of days ago, saying you're arrogant."

Qu Jianlei narrowed his eyes upon hearing this and laughed, "What a bold move, still daring to curse?"

"That's just the kind of person they are," Hals replied indifferently, "They live in their own world."

After thinking for a bit, Qu Jianlei remarked, "Send a message to that Desis, ask him to come to the academy to meet me and clarify the issue."

"Hmm?" The chubby guy was stunned and looked at him, "You want him to apologize and investigate who's behind it?"

"Of course," Qu Jianlei responded matter-of-factly, "Just pass the message along, I want to see if he's looking for trouble."

"No problem conveying the message," Hals nodded then hesitantly added, "But... it might not be effective."

He was all too aware of the Customs Enforcement Division's character, disregarding anyone's words except for orders from higher departments.

After all, even if a mess ensues, they just hide in the headquarters, who would dare confront them?

Qu Jianlei merely smiled indifferently, "I'm really curious to see how audacious he is."

This wasn't arrogance; since someone had instigated this, Desis must have realized that he's provoked a dangerous figure.

If Kushnier's death couldn't shake them, Qu Jianlei wouldn't mind causing another 'accident.'

Of course, if the opposition gets desperate enough to bring out the mastermind, all the better.

Is your tone really that grand? Hals gave him a puzzled look but ultimately nodded, "Alright."

His efficiency wasn't too bad; the next day he told Qu Jianlei, "The message has been delivered, is your Defense Array completed?"

Qu Jianlei nodded, "It was finalized yesterday, once we're back on Star No. 2, I'll see about submitting a project application."

Hals shook his head, "Although I didn't want to say it, I can't help but wonder... wouldn't it be better to sell the results to the military?"

Qu Jianlei stared into his eyes and replied earnestly, "I've never believed that monopolies can promote technological progress."

That's just one reason; another reason is equally important.

Even though the Fourth War Zone is relatively friendly to him, the Third War Zone's attitude toward him is way too poor.

Submitting this project's results would benefit the entire military, but Qu Jianlei wasn't magnanimous enough to help his adversaries.

Hals shook his head helplessly, "You're really stubborn. What's the next array project?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head, "I haven't decided yet, but if the Fourth War Zone has a custom array project, I might consider undertaking it."

Is there really a big difference between the two? Indeed, quite a bit.

The Defense Array Fragment was a resource Qu Jianlei found himself, and the developed results belong to his own intellectual property.

Although he doesn't have the right to spread it freely, the project's profit is in his own hands.

But a military-designated project would be different; the main beneficiaries wouldn't be him.

However, as the project initiator, the military would need to provide relevant information and assistance. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Both initial resources and research funds come from the military.

In such a collaboration, Qu Jianlei resembles a highly skilled worker; the good part is he can enhance his skills and broaden his horizons.

Hals also understood the difference and smiled while shaking his head, "You refusing the military entry won't let you have such a good opportunity."

Qu Jianlei curiously asked, "Can't you accept some supervision?"

The chubby guy rolled his eyes with a wry smile, "Some supervision? It must be strict!"

"If you joined the military, supervision could be relaxed a bit... To use military resources to improve yourself and still make money, no one would agree."

Qu Jianlei shrugged indifferently, "Then I won't take it, I'm not short on money..."

"No, you are short on money!" A soft voice inside his mind expressed.

"Short of big money," Qu Jianlei silently responded, "Not these small amounts."

"This isn't small money," the voice argued, "We can completely use the project funds to buy large-scale machines!"

This guy... Who taught you that? Qu Jianlei smirked in disbelief.

"Project funds need to be supervised, you wouldn't want someone discovering it, right? Think about the Customs Enforcement Division, they could even have artificial intelligence."

The voice instantly fell silent, but the cartoon avatar kept slowly spinning, evidently with some emotions.

Hals sighed, "Yeah, for someone like you who isn't short on money, don't compromise too much."

With the Defense Array's completion, he supposedly needn't follow up, yet he came again the next day to continue checking in.

After two more days of checking in, the chubby guy curiously asked, "Has Desis come to see you?"

"No," Qu Jianlei shook his head with a dark face.

That afternoon, Gradi came by again, finding nobody in the library, he went to the small courtyard.

She came to deliver a message: someone at the Customs Enforcement Division had indeed taken money, intending to deal with Panda.

The party who paid remains undisclosed, only indicating they had no intention to target Hoyel.

At the same time, someone also expressed that it's outrageous for Panda to demand a B-level intermediary to give an explanation!

Gradi previously did not know that Panda was the intermediary in Kushnier's assassination attempt, but now she had guessed a bit.

Therefore, when relaying others' evaluations of Qu Jianlei, she was also a bit helpless, "They really dare to say anything."

Qu Jianlei blinked and asked, "Who gave them this confidence?"

This is not only a provocation to him, but also a challenge to the dignity of the First Vice Planet Governor.

Gradi hesitated a bit before ambiguously stating, "The Customs Enforcement Division cooperates with many forces."

Qu Jianlei was momentarily stunned, then understood.

He said with a peculiar expression, "So, forces cooperating with the Customs Enforcement Division can smuggle openly?"

Gradi, hearing these words, smiled helplessly, "Though blunt, that's essentially the case."

Qu Jianlei rubbed his chin, thoughtfully asking, "So there are quite a few Supremes behind the Customs Enforcement Division?"

Gradi nodded helplessly, "You're aware of the profits from smuggling..."

"These forces, a mesh of conglomerates, families, and industrial interest groups, are quite tricky."

Qu Jianlei nodded thoughtfully. No wonder they barely give Hoyel any regard.

If Lao Huo was the top leader, there might be some hassle, but he's just the second-hand, eyeing the top position.

These forces already had significant potential influence, and at this critical moment, their capacity for disruption was immense.

So he didn't want to blame Hoyel for anything, as since he received five million more, paying some extras was reasonable.

Qu Jianlei pondered and asked, "How best should we strike the interest community centered around the Customs Enforcement Division?"

"Interest community? That term is quite accurate," Gradi savored it before slowly speaking.

"Two possibilities: one is the Imperial top tier making a move, the other is finding someone within to support you."

"They may be in turmoil internally, but they will collectively resist external pressures."

Qu Jianlei thought again, then shook his head, "Internal division is a good idea, but it lacks deterrence!"

In any case, he represents a force capable of taking down Supremes and cannot tolerate such provocation.

Moreover, these interest communities may be very united, but they're also quite loose.

Qu Jianlei felt he had figured it out. That Desis was standing firm, merely putting on airs.

The core of the interest community... is interest! He had no intention of threatening their interests.

The opposition was still holding strong because the pressure he exerted wasn't sufficient; with enough pressure, the community would naturally consider the opponent's demands.

Gradi nodded in agreement, understanding well what Hoyel was wary of.

If they do not intervene and Panda can intimidate them, it's equivalent to their side having another card up their sleeve.

"Hertman finds it inconvenient to openly step forward, but for anything needing cooperation, he's duty-bound!"

Qu Jianlei could guess Hoyel's apprehensions and naturally would not fuss over these matters, so he nodded.

"I need detailed information on that Desis, as detailed as possible."

"Okay," Gradi nodded. She was very curious about what Panda would do but refrained from asking.

The other party had already agreed that they would not intervene, and she should be content with that. Before she came, the Guard Captain was most worried that Panda would not be reasonable.

Whatever happens next, she just needed to watch coldly from the sidelines.

Qu Jianlei didn't keep them waiting long; the next evening, he drove up to the gate of the Customs Enforcement Division headquarters.

There weren't too many people at headquarters, just three to four hundred, with half being clerical staff and the rest armed guards.

Desis also worked here and drove away after work.

As the car reached the gate, he saw a car parked opposite the road with its window rolled down.

In this late winter period, not many people rolled down their windows, especially not someone exuding such a dangerous aura.

Desis turned his head to look, and his expression changed slightly.

But in the next moment, he sped up and left; under broad daylight, he didn't believe the other party would dare do anything.

After all, this is the Customs Enforcement headquarters—would you dare to attack me openly here?

However, after driving for a while, he discovered that the other party was following him.

Even though there weren't many people in Star No. 4, during rush hour, the traffic wasn't small, and they were tailing him closely.

Desis tried several times, but couldn't shake them off.

Even if he occasionally managed to lose them, before long, that car would reappear behind him.

He couldn't help but furrow his brows, "Did this guy... put a locator on my car?"

(To be continued, summoning monthly tickets, subscriptions, and recommendation votes.)