Chapter 329: One Sentence That Made the Minister Lose Composure on the Spot!

Zhang Jian's voice was lowered, but each word hit Lu Qingshan's heart like a heavyweight bomb.

He didn't expect that his commercial actions of merger and strategic layout would be elevated to such a height in the eyes of these older‑generation revolutionaries.

A hard‑to‑describe surge of emotion, mixing the past life's resentment with this life's ambition, surged from the deepest part of his heart. In that moment, it seemed all his solitary struggles finally received the deepest understanding and recognition.

"Minister Zhang, I…" Lu Qingshan's throat was a bit dry, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

"What do you mean, you!" Zhang Jian waved his hand broadly, his eyes blazing at him as if looking at a priceless uncut jade, "I came to see you today precisely for this! Old Chen also nodded; this matter belongs to no one but you!"

He inhaled deeply, leaned forward slightly, and said each word deliberately: "Qing Shan, are you interested in joining our Ministry of Foreign Trade, taking a post?"

Take a post?

Lu Qingshan was completely stunned.

Zhang Jian continued in an enticing voice: "I know you're a soaring eagle of the nine heavens; forcing you to sit in an office nine‑to‑five would clip your wings, it's a crime! I don't want you to clock in, I don't want you to review documents. I'll give you the title of 'External Economic Strategy Advisor', and you can set the rank as you wish—Deputy Director‑General, Director‑General—just give me a nod!"

"I have only one request!" Zhang Jian grew more excited, even jabbed his finger into his own chest, producing a muffled "bang bang" sound, "Teach those book‑worm scholars in our department the art of your strategic maneuvering! Open up their Heavenly Spirit Covers!"

"We're still doing business with foreigners at the stage of swapping blood and sweat for machines; it's too passive! They print a bunch of colorful papers—stocks, bonds, futures—and can take away the hard‑earned gold and silver we produce. We must not, and should not, keep losing like this!"

"I'm a rough country bumpkin, an outsider in economics! But you're different; you're a talented officer! You have hands‑on experience! You're a lucky general who can snatch a lieutenant general's head among ten thousand troops and lead soldiers to victory!"

"The nation needs talent like you, charging at the front, helping us carve a blood path!"

The words were sincere and resonant, striking the ground with authority.

Outside the car window, the countless lights of the Capital City merged into streams of glittering starlight, racing backward. Inside, the luxury sedan was so smooth that no engine noise could be heard, only Zhang Jian's slightly heavy breathing. Lu Qingshan leaned against the soft leather seat, a faint scent of leather lingering at his nose, while his heart had already been turned upside down, a massive wave surging.

Joining the system?

【7】 This is a path he had never imagined.

This is a path he never imagined.

His plan was to use his advantage as a reincarnated person to stir up the world financial markets, seizing massive wealth and resources for himself and for the nation. He intended to be a giant whale lurking in the deep financial seas, silently devouring prey, growing stronger, then giving back to his country. The whale had no nationality, no flag; each hunt could be explained as a natural market action.

But once he became a warship pushed to the front, painted with a hull number, forever under the spotlight, everything would change.

Once he entered the system, it meant restraint, it meant shackles. Many sharp tactics that roamed the gray area could no longer be used at his whim. Worse, any of his international operations could be read as state actions, and a slight misstep could spark unpredictable diplomatic storms.

But Zhang Jian's heartfelt words, especially the five words "the nation needs you", burned into his heart like a red‑hot branding iron.

His innate, blood‑rooted patriotism was instantly ignited by those five words, scorching his limbs and bones. In his previous life, he had watched helplessly as Wall Street's capital leviathans freely harvested, while his own country could only defend passively; that powerlessness and resentment were the greatest night‑time demons he faced.

He looked at Zhang Jian's face, full of expectation and trust, and recalled the shocked yet worried face of Wang Shanghong in the Foreign Exchange Administration Bureau.

One hoped he would become a sharp sword, opening new frontiers for the nation.

The other feared he was too reckless, that he might fall into an abyss.

These two opposite attitudes stemmed from the same thing—a heavy, bone‑deep concern for the country's future.

The long silence seemed to freeze the air inside the car. In the distance, a faint one or two night‑time horns sounded, emphasizing the stillness of the cramped space. Zhang Jian never urged him, only watching him with eyes full of soldier‑like resolve and trust. He believed he hadn't misjudged him.

Finally, Lu Qingshan moved. He slowly straightened his back, shifting from a relaxed seat to a posture radiating power. His aura instantly transformed, turning the refined businessman into a blade about to be drawn.

He lifted his eyes to meet Zhang Jian's gaze, his voice low yet as calm as a millennia‑frozen deep pool, each word carrying undeniable weight.

"Minister Zhang, before I answer your question, I'd like to ask you something first."

"Go ahead!" Zhang Jian sat up straight instantly, his mind sharply focused as if awaiting the highest command.

Lu Qingshan looked at him, his gaze deep as if it could pierce the night and reach the other side of the world: "You just said you have a huge matter to discuss with me. I wonder whether that matter is related to what I just talked about with Bureau Chief Wang?"

He paused; the car was so quiet you could hear each other's breathing. Lu Qingshan's mouth even curled a faint, icy, bone‑chilling smile; his eyes sharp as knives as he said word for word: "I just confessed my next plan to Director Wang—I intend to lead a team to London Financial City, Short‑sell several companies, and target Yingzi."

"What?!"

"Bang!" a muffled thud rang!

Zhang Jian's entire being was stunned; his mind went blank, his body jolted forward, his knee smashing into the seat back. He felt no pain, only a chill shooting from his tailbone up to his Heavenly Spirit Cover, his blood seemingly freezing at that instant. His eyes widened like copper bells, fixed on Lu Qingshan as if watching a madman, his mouth half‑open, his Adam's apple bobbing wildly, and after a long moment he managed to force a few words out between his teeth:

"You... what did you say, you brat? Say it again! You're going to London... attack Yingzi?!"