Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

"The exercise simulated an extreme scenario of terrorists attacking a key unit. All participating parties reacted swiftly, cooperated seamlessly, and employed appropriate tactics, achieving complete success!"

Screen switch.

A video began to play, accompanied by the host's narration.

In the darkness, more than 30 Dragon Fang special forces members rappelled down from the helicopter, their movements as swift as cheetahs.

They stormed into the Guangming District Police Station building using standard tactical formations.

The "terrorists" (played by city police special forces) were subdued and pinned to the ground before they could put up any effective resistance.

The entire process was clean and efficient, full of power and visual impact.

The camera work is extremely professional, giving it the feel of a military blockbuster.

A stirring voiceover then began.

"This exercise fully demonstrated the outstanding military skills and tenacious fighting spirit of our officers and soldiers, and also reflected..."

Li Dakang's eyes were bloodshot.

He stared intently at the "terrorists" on the screen, whose faces were being pressed to the ground with special forces soldiers' knees pressed against their backs.

Although the image had been edited, he still recognized the familiar black SWAT uniform at a glance.

It is the most elite emergency response force of his Jingzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau!

Now, they've become the villains easily defeated on someone else's list of achievements.

A humiliating disgrace.

The television screen showed a close-up.

That document is titled "Explanation Regarding the Joint Military-Police Counter-Terrorism and Emergency Response Exercise Held in Guangming District, Jingzhou City".

At the bottom, two signatures are listed side by side: Shen Zhong, Provincial Military Region; Li Dakang, Municipal Party Committee.

Two glaring red official seals, like two branding irons, were deeply branded at the end of the document, and also branded into Li Dakang's pupils.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

The glass teacup in his hand was slammed heavily onto the mahogany coffee table.

The scalding hot tea splashed out, soaking his hand, but he was completely unaware.

His body trembled violently from extreme anger.

He looked at his own signature on the screen; the strokes were sharp and decisive, just like his own style of doing things.

But now, those three words feel like steel needles piercing his heart.

He felt that his political career had been nailed to a pillar called "shame," for all to see.

Not only did he lose the substance, but now even his face has been stripped away, thrown on the ground and stomped on. In the end, he had to pick it up himself, laughing and saying, "Good for you."

This is the biggest silent loss he has ever suffered since entering politics.

……

Meanwhile, the citizens of Jingzhou, after experiencing a terrifying night, were completely calmed down by this official news.

The panic quickly dissipated.

What replaced it was an indescribable sense of pride and security.

In the online world, the tide of public opinion reversed dramatically in just a few minutes.

Last night's posts about "mutiny" and "terrorist attacks" were completely deleted.

Instead, there were countless likes and exclamations.

"Holy crap! No wonder there was such a commotion, with roads blocked and helicopters everywhere. Turns out it was a drill! Awesome!"

"This exercise is so hardcore! This isn't an exercise, it's practically real combat!"

"The visuals are absolutely stunning! Our special forces are incredible! Those 'terrorists' were beaten to a pulp!"

"Upstairs, those are special police officers from Jingzhou playing the roles. Even though they're our own people, it still shows that our military's combat capabilities are indeed overwhelming!"

Some military enthusiasts even downloaded the video of the exercise and analyzed it frame by frame.

"See that? A standard three-man attack team, advancing under alternating cover—textbook-level tactical maneuvering!"

"Their equipment is so sophisticated—Type 95 rifles, new helmets, and night vision goggles! Which elite unit is this?"

"The subdued police officer didn't even draw his gun; the difference in reaction speed is just too great!"

Nobody knew that last night's exercise was not a drill at all.

What no one knew was that the police officers who were subdued were not slow to react, but were suppressed by an unseen force from beginning to end, and did not even dare to have the thought of resisting.

Office of the Publicity Department, Provincial Military Command.

Shen Zhong held a cup of hot tea, calmly watching the scrolling comments from netizens on his computer screen.

Zhou Weiguo stood to the side, a barely suppressed smile on his face.

"Sir, public opinion is completely under control. Now the whole internet is praising us."

Shen Zhong gently blew on the tea leaves at the rim of the cup without saying a word.

A barely perceptible smile curved the corners of his mouth.

This move not only perfectly covered up a potential military-civilian clash that could have ignited political turmoil in Handong, but also prevented such a conflict from escalating.

The most ingenious part is that he also forcibly tied the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province and the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee to his own cause.

They were transformed from provocateurs into participants and supporting characters in this "glorious exercise".

There is suffering, but it cannot be expressed.

There is injustice, but nowhere to seek redress.

They also have to put on a smiling face and accept the praise from the media and the people.

"Oh, right," Shen Zhong put down his teacup, as if he had remembered something.

"Make a banner."

"Write down 'The military and civilians are united as one family, and joint exercises forge loyalty.'"

"Send someone to deliver this to the municipal party committee with great fanfare."

"On behalf of the Provincial Military Region, I would like to thank Secretary Dakang and the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee for their strong support for this national defense exercise."

Zhou Weiguo was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and almost burst out laughing.

Sending this banner to Li Dakang was more painful than slapping him ten more times.

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!"

……

Office No. 1 in the Provincial Party Committee compound.

Behind the huge desk, Zhao Lichun held a copy of the newly delivered "Jingzhou Daily" in his hand.

The front page headline, in huge black font, was exceptionally eye-catching.

Military and police work together to forge a sharp sword; the thunderous exercise ensures safety—a report on the successful completion of the "Thunder-2024" joint counter-terrorism combat exercise.

One corner of the newspaper was crumpled from his forceful grip.

His face was expressionless.

But the air pressure in the office was so low that the secretary next to her had difficulty breathing.

As a seasoned veteran of decades in officialdom, he immediately saw through the bloodshed and danger hidden behind the report.

An exercise? You're kidding me!

This is clearly a one-sided armed demonstration and political strangulation!

But he couldn't expose it either.

Because once exposed, it would be tantamount to admitting to everyone that a serious incident of conflict between the military and police had occurred in Handong, under Zhao Lichun's rule.

He cannot bear this responsibility.

Shen Zhong, that young man, used a method he had never seen before—almost a rogue's, yet incredibly tough—to shut everyone up.

The secretary walked forward cautiously, her voice extremely low.

"Secretary, Shen Zhong's move was too ruthless."