Chapter 2665: The Final Vote
Xu Huo was tangled up with the Players, and the situation wasn’t much better in Capital City, as more players in the current zone were concerned whether Lian Qingkong was really about to die.
Besides the previous rumors, the government had also taken some steps for further confirmation.
First, some important government members under Lian Qingkong were hidden. There was no explanation given to the outside world about their whereabouts, but those in the know understood it was to protect their safety and ensure that there were people to handle internal government affairs when the new Chief Governor took office.
Secondly, notifications for interviews were sent to some Player Organizations, openly informing them that Lian Qingkong wanted to meet them.
If Lian Qingkong was really going to die, then his subordinate players would not be enough to maintain national stability. Bringing in a group of players to compete with other Player Organizations before his death was a wise move, which was understandable.
Finally, it was subtly revealed that Lian Qingkong wanted to replicate the governmental structure from when he first took office.
Lian Qingkong was able to replace Gao Hui as Chief Governor, partly because there were many within the government against Gao Hui, and partly because he was supported by many players. In the game world, nothing could be done without player support, so it was reasonable to replace one Player Organization with another. Lian Qingkong had governed for twenty years; if he had any players as outstanding as himself under his command, he wouldn’t have stayed in the Chief Governor position until death. Therefore, his desire to choose someone to inherit his legacy was logical.
Of course, more current zone players believed Lian Qingkong had already made his choice, and the last interview had two purposes: to clear obstacles for his chosen successor and to win over potential allies.
Many of those who received interview invitations were skeptical. They really had no relationship with Lian Qingkong and might be on the list of those he needed to eliminate, but not attending meant possibly missing out on some key changes, such as shifts in domestic power dynamics, explanations of Lian Qingkong’s legacy, or even the opportunity to be chosen by Lian Qingkong.
If Lian Qingkong just wanted his own people to take over the government, there was no need for this charade. Even if his intention was assassinations, once outside players realized they were being played, their retaliation would be fierce, which would only backfire.
Everyone wanted the benefits without risking danger, so players who received the interview invitations united to make demands to the government—that the interviews were acceptable, but had to be held at their chosen location.
The government’s response was swift, only four words: Come if you want.
Although the interview location was not disclosed in advance, it was discovered that Lian Qingkong was living in a secret sanatorium, seemingly unable to be moved easily.
Naturally, this was not enough to convince the players, but with so many true and false messages, it was too difficult to differentiate them all. Besides basing judgments on facts and different channels of private information, the rest was up to individual choice.
Soon the interviews began, with players arranged by the government gradually starting to pick people up. The first batch of interviewees was fifteen, who returned two hours after leaving their residences, safe and sound.
This seemed like a signal: since people could return after going, didn’t it mean Lian Qingkong hadn’t lost his mind?
Everyone feared he might go mad near death and act irrationally. If he remained rational, he would be deliberative, The possibility of him flipping the table would be much smaller.
The first round of interviews lasted a full day, with twenty batches totaling four hundred and forty-seven people, all personally seeing Lian Qingkong. Though the contents of the interviews did not leak, one thing was certain: Lian Qingkong was indeed dying.
There’s nothing more persuasive than seeing it with your own eyes. Lian Qingkong pressed down on Yu Country Player Organizations for twenty years; due to his presence, many could only make small moves in secret, unable to act as freely as players in other countries and zones. Now he was dying, and Yu Country without him meant Player Organizations would have better survival conditions. When someone’s gone, they’re gone; in the game world, there are plenty of backward zones. Can’t they seize the opportunity?
Regardless of different zones or races, once in Zone 039, they’re all Zone 039 people!
Moreover, they were more delighted that Lian Qingkong’s current meetings obviously hinted at weakness, mainly reflected in conceding certain powers in exchange for their support for the government. Although members of Player Organizations couldn’t become the apparent Chief Governor, as long as they supported the government’s selected Chief Governor successor, the core Player Organization would have the authority to govern other Player Organizations, and to some extent, could mobilize existing government players.
This was only the first round of interviews. Those who gave clear answers during or after this round would enter the second round of interviews, which would be determined based on the first round’s results. After all, when there are too many people, dividing the cake becomes difficult; only those participating in the second round are entitled to share the cake.
The first round lasted two days, and the second round lasted two days, with the fifth day set for announcing the results.
That day, whether those who had previously reached agreements with the government, those waiting to argue for better terms, or those planning to flip the table with a ’If I’m not happy, no one else will be’ attitude, all gathered inside and outside the sanatorium.
Leaders of Player Organizations and some key members entered the sanatorium, while more organization members stayed outside, along with strong players responsible for support. With so many players gathered together, the government only dispatched a small number of players to maintain order, not deploying heavily, which put people somewhat at ease.
Of course, not only were the players in the current zone, but those from the Outer Zone were also paying attention to the sanatorium. After all, with Lian Qingkong’s death, some instances might disappear, and with the buzz around the National Treasure news, who cared about Yu Country’s civil strife? Isn’t being transmitted into a high-risk instance more important?
Thus, on this final day, Outer Zone players also got their place.
Some people might have lived in Yu Country for a decade, practically becoming half Yu Country citizens. If Lian Qingkong didn’t consider their situation, then the Yu Country Government’s arrangements wouldn’t fall into place peacefully!
Besides the stranded players, some powerful players are also intervening.
Lian Qingkong’s recovery courtyard had already been dismantled to facilitate everyone quickly grasping the inner movements of the sanatorium. He was lying on the open lawn, supported weakly by a pillow, and after another change of nutrient, government players distributed the prepared mini-terminals.
"Everyone present is the foundation and pillar of Yu Country’s future; everyone has the right to express their stance," indicated by Lian Qingkong, the short-haired woman by the bed stepped forward and said: "After the two rounds of discussions, surely everyone understands the government’s sincerity and their own intentions. If you agree with Mr. Lian’s previous arrangements, please vote in favor; if you oppose, vote against."
"This is a vote concerning the future of Yu Country. While considering your interests, please also consider the country’s future. Each mini-terminal has a self-destruct program that will activate once voting is complete."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please begin."
"Wait a moment!" voiced the Outer Zone player side. "How does the government plan to arrange for those stranded here?"
"I might survive until tomorrow," Lian Qingkong said weakly. "After the voting concludes, the government will handle some aftermath work, and I will then address your situation."