93: Chapter 94 Transcript

# Chapter 94: The Report Card

Collins did not break his word.

Two weeks later.

Nebraska State Legislature. Routine meeting.

Senator Klein's assistant—a young man in his thirties—appeared at the State Capitol. He brought a document.

"Senator Klein suggests that the Nebraska State Legislature hold a special discussion on 'Emerging Urban Technology Security'."

The document was a state-level version of the "emerging city technology security review act."

The content was almost identical to the federal version—any city with a population exceeding 100,000 using "new technology" would need to undergo a state-level review. The review period—one year.

One year. Shorter than the federal version's two years. But—enough to halt Oak City's photovoltaic glass and Desalination projects.

The topic was added to the day's agenda.

---

When Chen Yifei received the news, he was in his office.

Hannah's voice over the phone was calm. But Yifei could tell—she was restraining herself.

"They're at it again. This time it's not a review of your qualifications as a councilman. It's—a review of your technology."

"Who's pushing it?"

"Klein's people. But on the state side—Richard Collins is the key. If Collins supports it—the bill might pass. If Collins opposes it—the bill will likely stall."

"What about Collins?"

"He hasn't taken a stance yet."

Chen Yifei thought for three seconds.

"I'm going."

"Where to?"

"The State Legislature."

---

2:00 PM. Lincoln City. State Capitol Building.

When Chen Yifei walked into the meeting hall—everyone's gaze turned toward him.

He wasn't there to protest. He wasn't there to debate. Nor was he there to plead for mercy.

In his hand—he carried a briefcase.

Black leather. Gold clasp.

About twenty people sat in the public gallery of the State Legislature. Hannah. David Parker. Ivanka. And—Park Ji-yeon. She had dropped her laboratory experiments to rush over.

The meeting moderator—the State Legislature Majority Leader—rapped his gavel.

"Today we discuss the topic of 'Emerging Urban Technology Security Review'. The supporting side will speak first."

Klein's assistant stood up and read from a script—

"While emerging technologies drive urban development, they also bring security risks. The structural safety of 3D-printed buildingss has not yet been verified long-term. The radiation effects of photovoltaic glass lack research. The byproducts of Desalination membranes may impact the environment—"

He read for ten minutes.

Then—the opposing legislators spoke. A few young legislators. Their wording was cautious, saying things like "should not over-intervene" and "innovation needs space"—but they lacked confidence. Because—they had no data.

Finally—the moderator looked toward the gallery.

"Does anyone request to speak?"

Chen Yifei stood up.

"I do."

---

He walked to the podium and opened the briefcase.

Inside—was a thick stack of documents.

"Honorable legislators—I am Mayor Chen Yifei of Oak City. I am not here today to debate. I am here to show you something."

He began distributing the documents.

Each copy—was Oak City's report card.

"The first page—the population growth curve. Ten thousand three years ago. Two hundred and seventy thousand now. The fastest growth rate in the nation."

"The second page—employment rate. Oak City's current employment rate is ninety-four percent. The state average is eighty-six percent. Eight percentage points higher."

"The third page—tax contribution. Oak City contributed 120 million dollars in tax revenue to the state treasury last year. That's thirteen percent of the state total. Accomplished with only five percent of the population."

"The fourth page—crime rate. Oak City's crime rate is forty percent lower than the state average."

"The fifth page—infrastructure construction. Roads, schools, hospitals, parks—all built within two years. Investment sources—sixty percent from the private sector. Thirty percent from federal grants. Only ten percent from the State Government."

"The sixth page—technological achievements. Photovoltaic Power Station—lowest cost per kilowatt-hour in the nation. Vertical Farm—highest yield per acre in the nation. Super Battery—highest laboratory density globally. Desalination—costs reduced to one-fiftieth of the industry average."

He set the documents down.

"You want to review my technology? Fine. But before the review—first look at what these technologies have done for Nebraska."

He looked at the face of every legislator present.

"Contributed thirteen percent of the state's tax revenue. Created sixty thousand jobs. Attracted over three billion dollars in external investment. It has moved Nebraska—from twentieth to fifth on the national economic growth rankings."

"If these technologies are 'unsafe'—then I suggest—the entire United States should be unsafe."

In the meeting room—no one spoke.

Collins sat in the corner. A document lay before him too. He flipped through it.

Then he stood up.

"I have a question."

Everyone looked at him.

"Mayor Chen—has your technology—undergone third-party testing?"

"Yes. Every single one. The independent laboratory reports—are all on the final page of the document."

Collins flipped to the last page. He looked at it for ten seconds.

Then he closed the document.

"Honorable legislators—I suggest—this topic be tabled."

His voice wasn't loud. But in the quiet meeting hall—it was like a gunshot.

Tabled.

Tabling the topic—meant it would not be discussed again for at least six months.

Klein's assistant turned pale.

The vote. Tabled—seven to three.

Exactly the same result as the vote to review Chen Yifei's councilman qualifications three years ago.

But the meaning—was entirely different.

Three years ago—he had barely won after a desperate defense.

Today—Collins had taken the bullet for him.

Turning an enemy into a friend.

---

When he walked out of the State Capitol Building.

The Lincoln City sky was very blue. The April wind carried the scent of spring.

Hannah walked beside him.

"You used fifteen minutes—and a briefcase—to win a legal battle that could have lasted two years."

"It wasn't the briefcase that won. It was the data."

"The data was compiled by you. But—Collins's attitude—that was the key."

Chen Yifei did not answer.

He knew—Collins's shift—wasn't because he had visited Oak City for a few days. It was because—Trump had made a call behind the scenes.

Politics—is never a one-man show.

It is a web. Everyone is a knot on that web. Pull one—and the whole web moves.

He only needed—to know which knot to pull.

The system panel popped up—

```

[Political Achievement Unlocked]

"The Report Card"

Persuade opponents with actual results, crush doubts with data.

Reward: Reputation +5,000

Unlocked: Policy-making Authority (State Level · Full)

```

Chen Yifei closed the panel.

He got into the car. Back to Oak City.

Outside the window. The Great Plains of Nebraska stretched to the horizon under the setting sun.

Green and gold intertwined. Cornfields. Highways. Windmills.

This was his battlefield.

Not Wall Street. Not Washington. It was—this land.

Defend this place—and you defend everything.

---