Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

November 9th, evening, Bush Estate.

The jubilant atmosphere of last night's revelry gradually subsided, and the vast manor was once again enveloped in tranquility and solemnity.

In the study on the second floor, warm yellow light shone on the oak bookshelves and two bottles of Bordeaux red wine already poured on the table. Old Bush had changed into a dark shirt and looked much better than on election day, his eyes bright and alert.

"Mr. Lu, please have a seat."

Lu Chen sat down calmly, gently swirling the red wine in his glass, and joked, "It's clear that Mr. Bush slept quite soundly last night."

Old Bush laughed heartily: "Forty years, this is the first time I've slept so soundly. You, the wizard of the East, are more accurate than my intelligence department!"

"The intelligence agencies look at opinion polls," Lu Chen clinked glasses with him, "I look to fate."

The two men took a large sip of red wine. Old Bush's smile faded, and his expression gradually became serious and solemn: "Mr. Lu, you helped me get this position. Now, it's my turn to fulfill my promise to you."

"Mr. President, you're too kind." Lu Chen put down his wine glass.

"To put it simply, Mr. Lu, I hope that your company, Longteng Technology, can develop a dedicated version of the Longteng system for the federal government."

"After I take office in January next year, I will have the Department of Defense, the CIA, NASA, and the NSA designate DragonOS and its enterprise software as the only official operating system designated by the federal government and the military."

Even though Lu Chen was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but be shocked when he heard these words. After all, these were not just a few ordinary commercial procurement orders, but a political bonus that could propel Longteng Technology to further its development.

If the Dragon system only operates in a million households, it is just software. But when the entire U.S. federal government and military's nervous system runs on the same operating system, it is no longer software, it is infrastructure.

"Thank you for your trust in Longteng Technology, Mr. President," Lu Chen slowly exhaled, his eyes gleaming. "I remember that the 'Silverado Savings and Credit Bank,' where the Second Young Master works, hasn't been doing too well lately... It just so happens that my Longteng Technology is short of a financial advisor. I hope the Second Young Master can help me. I'm willing to offer a share of the company in exchange."

Hearing Lu Chen so readily extend an olive branch, old Bush's smile grew even brighter.

After all, this system is meant to be integrated into the heart of the federal government, so it naturally needs to be overseen by government officials.

What? You're saying Neil Bush is a member of the Bush family?

George H.W. Bush is the current president; aren't his family members part of the country?

"Also, there's one more thing," seeing that the initial cooperation had gone so smoothly, George H.W. Bush no longer held back, picked up a letter from the table and pushed it over, "Your 'old friend' Martin Channing will soon receive an official invitation from the White House's Council of Advisors to the President."

"Oh? I wonder what important task the White House has assigned him? I'd like to keep an eye on him so he doesn't become a hindrance to His Excellency the President in the future." Lu Chen reached out and pressed the envelope, taking a sip of red wine with a smile.

George H.W. Bush said, emphasizing each word: "Chairman of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and a core member of the President's Council of Advisors on Intelligence."

Unlike the military order just now, this official letter of appointment may not bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in cash flow, but its strategic significance is by no means weak.

If Qian Ning successfully enters these two top decision-making committees in the United States, then Golden Harvest will not only be able to directly participate in the formulation of the country's science and technology, communications and information security policies, but also be able to see in advance the direction of the country's major strategies—intelligence, military industry, communications. In the next ten years, Qian Ning will know what is important and what will be the first to act.

"Mr. President, this gift is truly extraordinary."

"You worked so hard and spent so much money to get me to this position," old Bush chuckled, "I need to let you know where your money went."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. President," Lu Chen said, putting the letter away. "I believe we will have a very pleasant time together in the future."

"I am equally convinced of this," said old Bush, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Lu, is there anything else you want? You can ask now."

"To be honest, there is something I would like to ask the President for help with," Lu Chen said.

"Speaking."

"I hope to obtain an exemption from the cross-media ownership rule."

In 1975, to prevent a high degree of media monopoly, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced a strict "newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule," prohibiting a company from owning both a daily newspaper and a wireless television/broadcast license in the same market (metropolitan area). Once a company bought a newspaper, it was required to sell the broadcasting station in that area.

"I hope the FCC will relax the restrictions on Golden Harvest's acquisitions, allowing Golden Harvest to freely acquire other companies in major metropolitan areas across the United States," Lu Chen said. "I want newspapers, television, and radio."

Golden Harvest Media wasn't exactly a profitable business within the Golden Harvest Group. However, it represented something even more important than money—public opinion.

If you don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will.

George H.W. Bush leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment: "A direct exemption would cause too much of a stir, and it would be difficult to explain to Congress."

"So, what does the President mean?"

"You'll set up two companies," George H.W. Bush said, "one for newspapers and one for broadcasting. As for the FCC, I'll have the chairman issue a statement to help you with the definition of 'same market'."

"Exploiting loopholes?"

"Yes, exploiting loopholes," George H.W. Bush picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "Washington's greatest skill is exploiting loopholes."

Lu Chen smiled: "I like this plan."

……

At 10 p.m., with everything discussed and settled, Lu Chen got up to say goodbye.

He walked slowly down the retro corridor and, as expected, ran into an old acquaintance in the main building's living room.

In the leather armchair by the fireplace, Victor Morgan was calmly sipping his tea. Upon seeing Lu Chen come downstairs, he immediately put down his porcelain cup, smiled, and stood up.

"Oh, my dear Lu, congratulations," Victor greeted him, shaking his hand. "You've led me to another brilliant victory."

In fact, the Morgan family has always been accustomed to betting on both parties so that they can keep the Federal Reserve and the Treasury firmly in their grasp no matter who comes to power. However, the Morgan family's fundamental stance is ultimately biased towards the Republican Party. After all, putting aside their identity as financial giants, they are also one of the largest military-industrial complex giants in the United States.

Therefore, with Lu Chen acting as a go-better friend, Victor naturally placed his bets on old Bush.

"Mr. Morgan, congratulations," Lu Chen raised an eyebrow. "The Ministry of Defense's orders are likely to double next year."

Victor laughed heartily: "Thanks to you, and even more so to our new president!"

As the two were talking, Lu Chen's phone rang.

He took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID—Hong Kong Island, Tin Yeung Chi.

"Excuse me for a moment." Lu Chen nodded to Victor, walked to the window, and answered the phone.

"speak."

"Boss." Tian Yangzhi's voice came from thousands of kilometers away, tinged with anxiety and guilt, "There was a terrorist attack at Ocean Park just now, and the young master and the Zhao family's daughter happened to be in the park at the time... and they were caught up in it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's smile vanished instantly, and his knuckles turned white from gripping the phone too tightly.

"Don't worry, young master is out of danger now," Tian Yangzhi quickly added. "He's alright, just a little frightened."

"...Who did this?" Lu Chen's voice was as cold as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"Still under investigation."

Lu Chen was silent for a few seconds: "Keep an eye on him, I'll go back as soon as possible."

"clear."

The phone hangs up.

Lu Chen stood by the window, like a sculpture radiating a fierce light that seemed to devour anyone who might harm him.

The dry wood in the fireplace crackled and popped again, the flames flickering.

Victor sensed something was wrong and tentatively asked, "Lu, what happened?"

Lu Chen put his phone back in his pocket, picked up his trench coat from the sofa, and nodded slightly to Victor: "Mr. Morgan, I have some urgent business to attend to tonight, please excuse me."

He pushed open the door and went out. The night breeze from the manor blew in, and the flames in the fireplace flickered.