41: Chapter 41 The Head of State Returns to Beijing! First, Pay the Legal Team's Salaries!

Early the next morning, Lin Zhou politely declined his parents' request for him to stay.

He knew that his team was still working overtime for him in a cafe in Beijing.

Home is a harbor, but his ship had just set sail, and it was far too early to return to port.

He did not have a private car take him, but instead hailed a taxi to the airport.

A few hours later, the plane landed at the Capital Airport.

Lin Zhou did not stop for a moment and immediately took a taxi to the address provided by Director Zhou—a nondescript, three-story gray building near the embassy district on the East Third Ring Road.

The taxi stopped at the side of the road.

The small building was old, but it was well-maintained.

The entrance was a tightly closed iron gate, and in the guard room next to it, a security guard was looking at his phone.

Lin Zhou stepped forward and knocked on the window.

The security guard raised his head impatiently: "What do you want?"

"I'm looking for Zhang Zhe."

The security guard was stunned for a moment and looked him over suspiciously: "Who are you? Do you have an appointment with Dean Zhang?"

Dean? This Zhang Zhe was quite fast.

Lin Zhou immediately realized what was going on.

"My name is Lin Zhou; just tell him I'm here."

"Lin Zhou?"

The security guard muttered the name, then suddenly realized who it was, and almost dropped his phone.

He stood up abruptly, his expression shifting from confusion to shock, and then to awe.

"You... you are the... Leader?" he asked, stammering.

Lin Zhou looked at him calmly.

The security guard scrambled to press the gate button, ran out, and respectfully led the way: "Leader, please come this way; Dean Zhang and the others are in the meeting room on the second floor."

Entering the small building, a stuffy atmosphere rushed to meet him; the lobby was empty, and the sofas covered in white cloth were covered in a thin layer of dust.

Just as he got to the second floor, loud voices could be heard; people from over a dozen countries were arguing in a group.

In a meeting room with the door slightly ajar, over a dozen young people in suits were arguing fiercely around a large conference table, their faces showing signs of exhaustion.

The table was piled high with computers, legal codes, and empty coffee cups.

Zhang Zhe was standing in front of a whiteboard, arguing until his face was red with a blonde lawyer.

Lin Zhou's appearance made the meeting room fall silent instantly.

The dozen or so young people, who carried the arrogance of elites, all turned their gazes toward the travel-worn young man at the door.

Zhang Zhe was the first to react; he dropped his pen and walked over quickly, feeling both embarrassed and excited: "Leader, why didn't you... give us a heads-up?"

"If I had told you in advance, I wouldn't have been able to see such a lively scene."

Lin Zhou's gaze swept across the room and landed on Zhang Zhe: "You've worked hard, Dean Zhang."

"It's not hard work at all." Zhang Zhe waved his hand hurriedly and turned to introduce him: "Everyone, this is the Leader of our Cyber Freedom Republic, Mr. Lin Zhou."

A scattered round of applause rang out in the meeting room.

These legal elites, who had been attracted by the prospect of "drafting a brand-new national constitution," were full of curiosity about this mysterious "Internet King."

They had not expected the other party to be such a young man who looked like he had just graduated.

"Hello everyone, I am Lin Zhou."

Lin Zhou walked to the head of the table and rested his hands on the surface: "First of all, I apologize to you all for the neglect over the past few days. Letting a group of top experts cram into a cafe to struggle for my country is my failure."

These words made the expressions of many soften significantly.

"Secondly, I announce that this will be the temporary headquarters of the Legislative Yuan. Although it is simple, it can ensure that you all have an independent and quiet working environment. As for logistics, I have already arranged for someone to be in charge."

He paused and looked at Zhang Zhe.

"Dean Zhang, compile a budget for me later, including the compensation for all the consultants. I will pay double the highest industry standard and prepay for three months."

"Leader, this..." Zhang Zhe was very surprised.

"I have only one requirement." Lin Zhou interrupted him: "Within one month, I want to see a complete draft of the 'Constitution of the Cyber Freedom Republic.' Is there a problem?"

The entire meeting room was deathly silent.

The experts, who had previously had some complaints, were now left only with shock.

They had seen wealthy clients, but they had never seen a "Leader" who was so direct and so bold.

The German lawyer who had been arguing earlier was the first to stand up, adjusted his glasses, and said in English with a heavy German accent: "Mr. Lin, no problem. Give us the money, we give you the law."

His words drew a round of good-natured laughter, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Lin Zhou also smiled: "Very good. I like working with smart people."

He turned to Zhang Zhe: "You are the professionals when it comes to the content of the constitution. But there are a few principles we need to set today."

"Please go ahead." Zhang Zhe immediately picked up pen and paper.

"First, the form of government." Lin Zhou held up one finger: "In the early stages of nation-building, I need absolute power. Therefore, the form of government must be an absolute monarchy. However, the constitution must include an amendment stipulating that when the number of permanent citizens reaches 100,000, it will automatically trigger a national referendum to decide whether to transition to a constitutional monarchy."

Zhang Zhe recorded quickly, his estimation of Lin Zhou rising another level in his heart.

This kind of "self-limiting" clause was far more brilliant than simple dictatorship.

"Second, the country name." Lin Zhou held up a second finger: "The name 'Cyber Freedom Republic' has too much of a jocular element, which is not conducive to establishing a serious and stable international image. I propose removing the word 'Cyber' and making the official name 'Free Republic.' I will seek the opinions of citizens on this later."

The experts present nodded one after another.

"Third, and most importantly." Lin Zhou's expression became serious: "Regarding the national flag, national emblem, and national anthem. I already have a draft for the design of the national flag and emblem, and I will send it to you later. As for the national anthem..."

He remembered the "National Anthem Collection" campaign that had been held on the official website, so he said: "I will handle this matter."

"You may continue the discussion on the constitutional framework. I will make time tomorrow to finalize the specific details of the articles with everyone."

After giving these instructions, he took his leave.

Walking out of the small building, Lin Zhou immediately called Qin Yue and asked her to send an capable administrative staff member over to be responsible for the logistics and financial coordination here.

After finishing all this, he prepared to do the most important thing of the day—visit the legendary "Iron Abacus" Chen Yuan.

He did not take a taxi, but walked slowly along the streets near the embassy district, thinking about how to persuade the retired old Minister of Finance.

Money? Power? Empty promises?

For an old fox who had spent most of his life struggling in the financial system, these were likely useless.

After thinking it over, Lin Zhou realized that he didn't seem to have any bargaining chips in his hand that could move the other party.

No, there was one more.

He stopped and opened the system panel.

The line of reward information he had just obtained lay there quietly.

[Gene Optimization and Rapid Growth Technology (Plant Version)]

This was the strongest trump card in his hand.

Lin Zhou changed his mind.

He did not walk directly toward the alley, but turned and hailed a taxi.

"Driver, go to the nearest Academy of Agricultural Sciences."

He decided that before going to see the "Iron Abacus," he would first prepare a sufficiently weighty "gift" for himself.

A gift about the future that no one could refuse.