[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-969":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2268589,4428,"Chapter 969: Freedom and Further Exchange","the-shadow-empire-chapter-969",969,"\u003Cp>The movie was truly excellent, but Pedro’s gaze was drawn to a young man beside Mr. Jack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very handsome young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure how old the young man was; Federals looked different from Lapa people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lapa people labored every day, exposed to wind, rain, and sun, aging rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Federals always appeared younger than their actual age—perhaps a few years younger, or ten, or more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t tell whether Mr. Jack was truly only in his twenties or older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Jack was chatting with him, and the principal beside them also leaned forward, staring at the young man with a flattering smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sparked Pedro’s curiosity: Who was this young man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lapa, a high school principal wasn’t just anyone’s position—it meant at least some connection to the ruling elite, or he’d never have reached it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was practically groveling; this young man’s status must be extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing for a while and confirming his thoughts, Pedro quickly turned his attention back to the movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The movie ended quickly, and everyone stood up spontaneously, applauding enthusiastically!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the students of this high school today, this was unprecedented!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, they had seen a movie; for the first time, they had learned about Federal lifestyles; for the first time, they had felt directly the differences between societies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had too much to say, and the movie had also left them with more questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal and Mr. Jack exchanged polite refusals, then Mr. Jack stepped forward to the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a microphone and speaker here, but they emitted some static.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the microphone, confirmed it worked, then smiled and said, “Just now, I spoke with the principal. After the movie, you must have many questions or emotions to express, so we’ll have thirty minutes to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, today, besides myself, another very special gentleman has come with us.” He looked out into the audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans fastened his coat buttons and walked up to the podium from the side stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Jack was from the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs’ General Administration for the Promotion of Public Cultural Education, a department responsible for popularizing education, promoting culture, raising public literacy, and eradicating illiteracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They funded the development of cultural and educational initiatives, including the Federal Arts Council—a non-governmental body they supported, which received numerous government “contracts” and wielded great influence and control over the entire arts industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cultural exchange initiative in Yalan was specifically entrusted to this General Administration, which also brought along several civilian associations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, members of the Federal Writers Association; the Cabinet had once launched a “Tell My Story” writing program, hoping more authors would step forward and ensuring every Federal citizen read at least two hours per month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this sounded like mere formalism, it wasn’t entirely without effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of new authors quickly stirred positive public reaction; some even used Federal government funds to criticize the Federal government itself. Regardless, the Federal literary scene was now flourishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wrote “My Slave-owning Grandfather,” others wrote “My Slave Grandfather”—anything went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people—some willing to cooperate with the Federal government, others following the latest trends—became part of this cultural exchange delegation to Yalan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was Federal government money, Federals loved public-funded meals and drinks, let alone the chance to travel; some might even use public funds to help girls in need supplement their protein. Everyone with an opportunity eagerly signed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Jack was an official of the General Administration for the Promotion of Public Cultural Education and also a member of several unofficial associations; he had been pondering how to steer the post-movie Q&A toward his own work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His main duty was promoting culture in the few schools scattered across Lapa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans had no other commitments and came along with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was about two hundred kilometers from Zolan—not far; aside from the muddy roads, it took only a few hours to reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard this school produced several students each year for Zed National University, and it was fairly well-known in this region, including Zolan, so he came to take a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Private elite high schools in Zolan had higher university admission rates, but that meant little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s main focus was promoting to the commoners and middle class—information about the Federation spread fastest among them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle class was always the most thoughtful group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lans reached the podium, Mr. Jack introduced him: “Mr. Lans is the primary initiator of this event and a sponsor of several awards, including funding and slots for exchange students to the Federation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled and nodded to the crowd, then sat on the sofa beside the podium amid applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then introduced other accompanying personnel, such as sociologists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After introducing them, Mr. Jack also sat on the sofa: “Our conversation is part of cultural exchange—if anyone wishes to ask a question, please raise your hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lapa, students attending high school were mostly from middle-class families who could access information beyond the common populace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student raised his hand; Mr. Jack gestured for him to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student wore clean clothes; there was no uniform here, so everyone appeared more individualistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, those dressed exceptionally well were rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Jack, the movie is truly a great invention!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I sat here in the auditorium and saw events thousands of kilometers away in the Federation—it’s incredible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I noticed the male and female leads mentioned ‘freedom’ many times, and slogans related to ‘freedom’ appeared in the background.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My question is: What is freedom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question stunned Mr. Jack—it was extremely broad: What exactly was freedom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could formulate a response, Lans raised the microphone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your observation is sharp!” he praised the student, who couldn’t hide his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans bowed slightly. “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans crossed his legs, looked at the student, then at the other students watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe freedom has three stages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first stage: freedom of action.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to do something, I don’t want to do something—no one, including myself, can force me to do it or not do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded, including the student who asked—it was a simple concept, plainly put: the usual parent-child control issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can do this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cannot do this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were everyday things; Lans merely mentioned them, and they instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they showed signs of comprehension, Lans continued: “The second stage: freedom of thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a vague explanation—it’s more like...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People always tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, without directly demanding it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they influence you through thought propagation: you shouldn’t do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to eat candy, but my mother says it causes cavities—I shouldn’t do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re not debating whether candy is good or bad, or whether it causes cavities—only how my mother’s advice influenced me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Under her influence, though I wanted candy, I didn’t eat it—that’s spiritual unfreedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I could eat it, but my spirit was restrained, imprisoned—even with candy in my hand, I ultimately put it down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spiritual freedom is questioning authority, examining rules everyone blindly follows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does candy really cause cavities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe yes, maybe no—but why not try? Breaking the chains of the mind is the second stage of freedom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans shifted his posture, passed the microphone to his other hand—honestly, this sofa was uncomfortable—“The third stage of freedom: soul freedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an even broader concept, harder to grasp, because it’s difficult to define what soul freedom truly is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll try to explain it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soul freedom means ‘I.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does that sound even more confusing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students nodded—they were already slightly confused at the second stage, let alone this third one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled. “I was confused too, but I eventually understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may not grasp it now, but I believe your lives are long; someday, when you reach a certain stage in life...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll recall what I said today and suddenly understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is ‘I’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one can define it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘I’ isn’t necessarily me—because ‘I’ might be how others see me, not how I see myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teachers want you to be an outstanding student; your parents want you to shine in the future; your friends want you to be a model friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your family, your partner, your future children...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each of them sees an ‘I’—but their ‘I’ isn’t necessarily the real you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you truly like studying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you truly consistent with the persona you show your elders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think not!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire auditorium fell silent, save for Lans’s voice and the occasional static from the speakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an important diplomatic event; Federal journalists, reporters from Yalan’s developed regions, and cameramen were present, faithfully recording everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like reading, but to keep my father or mother from being sad, I pretend I do—that’s unfreedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like this child, but because he’s my blood relative, I must pretend to love him and take full responsibility—that’s not freedom either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Freedom should be unbound, shapeless—not forced into boxes others create, becoming their version of ‘I’ instead of your true self.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said freedom is a complex, broad concept—we can’t define it precisely. This is merely my interpretation; perhaps in your world, freedom has other meanings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m only telling you my understanding of freedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you crave the vitality of youth, embrace it—that’s freedom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you hate studying and accept the consequences, throw away your stationery and books—that’s freedom too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guarding is freedom; resisting is freedom; doing anything you truly want to do, from your heart—that’s freedom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lans’s voice fell silent, the auditorium fell briefly quiet, then burst into applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student, eyes alight with longing, asked, “Mr. Lans, does true freedom exist in this world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled. “I don’t know if it does, but each of us is searching for it. I believe one day we will find it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The applause grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans seemed to say something, yet seemed to say nothing at all—but his words planted a seed in people’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questions from the following students were clearly far less profound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things like the living and study conditions of Lianbang students, the admission rate of Lianbang University, and whether graduates could find suitable jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These questions were answered by Mr. Jack, not by Lans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some topics aren’t suitable to delve into too deeply yet—they require time to ferment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour passed quickly; Lans, Mr. Jack, and the other accompanying personnel departed amid warm farewells from the faculty and students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the people of Lapa, who rarely encountered foreigners, this was an extraordinarily rare experience—one they would savor for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Lans and his party left, both teachers and students returned to their classrooms, their minds filled with the film’s scenes and Lans’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many began writing reflections on the film, titling them “Freedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students may not have noticed anything unusual, but Pedro always felt a growing sense of “offense” as he wrote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had offended the President, offended Lapa’s laws, offended everything here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never felt unfree before, but after watching this Lianbang film, he began to wonder if he wasn’t free after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene unfolded in many places—in Lapa’s few factories, at roadside gatherings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what these people saw differed from what the faculty and students had seen at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, factory workers watched daily life and labor among Lianbang workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From these films, they learned new terms, such as “weekend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days of rest per week was unthinkable in Lapa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lapa had no rest days at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When work came, every worker had to keep going until it was finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might be ten or more days, twenty or thirty days—then, only after the next order arrived, could they rest—and even then, without pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But look at Lianbang: no matter how busy the orders, they rested two days every week—and earned high wages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People watched. They learned about Lianbang. The more they learned through propaganda, the more they yearned for Lianbang’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Lianbang’s life be so wonderful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No exploitation, no oppression, equal pay for equal work, rest days, free food, wages paid on time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many Lapa people hadn’t felt how hard their lives were before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, life was hard—but since everyone lived hard, it felt normal, even natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, after seeing these propaganda materials and cultural exchanges, their lives truly became hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of November, beginning of December, Pedro’s “reflection” won a prize: ten yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the principal slapped his shoulder hard with envy. “You lucky bastard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pedro grinned widely, holding the ten yuan—he’d written one reflection and earned nearly half a month’s wage. He was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal handed him the money: a ten-yuan Lianbang Sol banknote, then passed him an envelope. “Mr. Jack asked me to give this to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve read your reflection. They think it’s excellent—you have a deep understanding of the cultural differences between our two nations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next week, there’s a seminar of sorts in Zolan. They invite you. They’ll cover your travel, accommodation, and all expenses. You’ll join discussions on how to sustainably promote exchanges between our regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal’s real meaning was: “You’d better not go—that way, I can go instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he might have refused. But Lans’s words had given him new thoughts. Recalling the film, he now felt greater curiosity and longing for Lianbang’s society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such a free and lax nation become so powerful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to know more!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. I’ll be there on time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped the envelope, tugged it slightly, and with a little force, pulled it from the principal’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>",2253,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","549585b4e746ec9de4581c3769a0e80e2a2d867c048961e4605fd2acc7f80824","the-shadow-empire-chapter-970","the-shadow-empire-chapter-968",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]