Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 770, Section 184: Off Work
“Mr. Mingzhi, please enjoy this banquet. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again.”

After shaking hands with Akechi one last time, Hansen led the lark toward a part of the banquet hall, and in Akechi's view, the direction he was heading was the place where V had been before.

'It seems the Hound of the Underworld has already discovered V and his group. I wonder what terms Miles will offer Hansen, especially if they can't reach an agreement.'

Mingzhi watched the lark following Hansen stiffly like a puppet, and drank the true water that he had previously confirmed was free of poison by sipping it.

"Who knows what Rosalind Miles might do for herself."

At least Akechi had done Rosalind Miles's missions before, and although he didn't take on one this time, he still had some understanding of Rosalind Miles's style.

This president may indeed be a competent politician and a power-hungry creature; in other words, it's simply impossible to get her to step down or voluntarily relinquish power.

Having been the CEO of a military technology company, she was forced into the position of the new US president. Yet, she dared to lead the new US to exploit the military technology industry, attempting to have the new US swallow up the military technology itself. Furthermore, she was secretly attacking anyone who dared to run for president against her. Expecting someone like her to resign is wishful thinking.

However, even if Rosalind Myers wanted to start a new round of corporate warfare, it wouldn't be that easy.

Although she currently maintains a firm grip on the new America through various means and enjoys hawkish support within the military technology sector, her involvement with the Black Wall is a serious matter.

Even for Rosalind Myers, if her misdeeds come to light, being dismissed would be the least of her worries. She might end up repeating the fate of that president who was 'accidentally assassinated' in the theater—his bodyguard mysteriously left, and then he was shot in the head from behind by an assassin.

In other words, as long as they haven't reached a dead end, no one can say for sure what methods Rosalind Miles will use to win over the Lark.

After all, the resources a sitting president can mobilize are far beyond what ordinary people can imagine.

Military-tech rapid reaction forces, FIA agents, special operations units secretly funded by Congress, and even nominally "non-existent" commandos—these forces could tear any obstacle apart in minutes, if she so desired.

The power disparity between the Hound of the Underworld and New America is so vast that, even setting aside the difference between heaven and earth, if the war machines were truly in motion, New America would crush Hansen's Dogtown with little difficulty compared to crushing an ant.

The FIA's surveillance system, the satellite positioning mobilized by Homeland Security, and the entire war machine of the new America will become her eyes, ears, and claws.

Even if Hansen's hounds were elite, they were still just a private army, while Rosalind Miles could mobilize the violent institutions of an entire country.

She could command countless people to risk their lives for her with just a single command; after all, in the new America, the president's will, in a sense, represents the will of the nation.

Of course, military movements of that level would be detected by major companies before personnel were fully assembled—especially given the double stimulus of the plane crash and tomorrow's meeting, the entire Night City was already under the watchful eyes of countless people.

No matter how desperately Rosalind Myers tries to save her political life, the limit she can probably mobilize is only the special operations forces directly under the president.

Here we must mention the key difference in the powers of the old and new US presidents: the old US president could mobilize troops unconditionally as long as he ensured that the area of ​​troop operation was a demilitarized zone and the operation lasted no more than 60 days (with the withdrawal to be completed within 30 days after receiving the withdrawal order).

But the rules of the game in the new America are completely different—here, how many troops a president can mobilize depends entirely on his personal skills.

If she has a strong hand, the entire new American armed forces and their affiliated factions can be used to her advantage; if she can't maintain control, even her bodyguards might be spies planted by others. The hawks in military technology might support her, but the old foxes on the board, even those who claim to be hawks, will never gamble their real assets for a president on the verge of collapse.

The new U.S. military generals had long since learned to protect themselves in political storms, and unless Miles could offer them an irresistible bargaining chip, she could only rely on a few special operations teams that were completely loyal to her.

The outcome of the clash between the New American Special Operations Forces and the Ghost Hounds formed by a former New American colonel is certainly something to look forward to.

Having foreseen what would happen next, I'm in a good mood now.

He was in a good mood, not because he was expecting Hansen and Rosalind Miles to fight tooth and nail over the political life represented by the lark, but because he realized he could go home.

Since starting work yesterday, Mingzhi—no, Carl—has been working almost all day, and he's about to explode.

Carl fully understands that for most people in the world, becoming a company employee means upward mobility and the possibility of a bright future, but that by no means means he can accept this level of insane overtime and work intensity.

I can't work a full day now. I've finished my business in Dogtown, gathered all the intelligence I needed, and completed the negotiations my boss requested. Everything is done, and I can go back and rest!
Even if the so-called "going back to rest" only meant returning to Arasaka Tower, Karl felt incredibly comfortable just thinking about the cake Haruko made for him and the ice-cold drinks in Arasaka Tower.

It's true that there's no harm without comparison. After experiencing this day as a corporate worker, he truly admires those real corporate warriors who can endure this kind of high-intensity overtime work for decades, sleeping only a few hours a day and still being full of energy.

'No wonder he's a steel company dog ​​trained by an old-fashioned enterprise.'

Karl clicked his tongue inwardly, but his pace didn't slow down.

"Off work! Hurry up and get off work! Forget about the president, New America, and Arasaka Hanako's nonsense! The most important thing now is to get out of this awful place and go home to rest."

Who cares if they fight to the death—

Will tomorrow bring about a complete upheaval?

What does it have to do with him? He just wants to rest right now.

After working almost 24 hours a day, what could be more important than leaving get off work on time?
Absolutely not, definitely not!
"Your Excellency, Mr. Mingzhi."

Xizi watched as Akechi walked briskly towards her, and whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that Lord Akechi seemed to be in a very good mood.

Despite the negotiations not going smoothly and despite His Excellency's apparent sincerity, Hansen has not yet immediately agreed.
But
As long as His Excellency is in a good mood, that's fine.

Xi Zi couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in her heart.

(End of this chapter)