Chapter 1, The Parade on Bell Tower Street
One should possess the spirit akin to that of the cliffs, and the heart as vast as the ocean; though one may not reach it, the heart yearns for it
Deputy Director Bao instinctively stepped forward, glaring fiercely at the person at the forefront among the youth, for he recognized the individual.
The Donglin Region has only one planet, Donglin Star. This may seem like a trivial statement, but it is not, as the name of the Donglin Region is derived from Donglin Star. This indicates that, in a very distant past, this solitary planet, suspended at the outermost edge of the Triangular Star System, held significant importance for human society as a whole
However, for the residents and orphans of Donglin District, this planet consists only of stones; there is nothing but stones. Even those green fields, in their resolute yet increasingly numb gaze, are merely a layer of green turf covering wealth and glorious history. Their eyes are accustomed to looking through this turf, directly at the mineral veins that the people of Donglin yearn for the most. Even those green fields, in their resolute yet increasingly numb gaze, are merely a layer of green turf covering wealth and glorious history. Their eyes are accustomed to looking through this turf, directly at the mineral veins that the people of Donglin yearn for the most
The youths were dressed in a variety of garments, yet there was one striking uniformity that was particularly chilling, as they all wore black: black jackets, black T-shirts, and black shirts. One boy, seemingly unable to find any black clothing at home, had resorted to wearing a work uniform that was a faded blue, covered in years of black grime and dust.
Deputy Director Bao's momentary look of bewilderment did not last long, as it was soon replaced by an expression of shock
From space, looking down at Donglin, it is a beautiful planet. The blue seas and the endless green fields on the planet's surface, along with the pale, hauntingly beautiful mines, are illuminated by the starlight filtered through high-altitude particles, revealing an indescribable sense of hazy beauty, akin to an oil painting that has been left untouched for many years, covered in the dust of history
The security situation on Bell Tower Street is quite good according to https://m.hetushu.com. Bao Longtao did not want to leave a frivolous impression on the female reporter, so he tried to speak calmly. This was a task assigned by the office of the governor of Hexi Prefecture, and Deputy Director Bao did not dare to be negligent.
"In broad daylight, not attending school, what are you all doing here!" Deputy Director Bao shouted sternly. Usually, when he raised his voice, the gang leaders of Bell Tower Street would be terrified. However, today, these youths simultaneously displayed a look of disdain on their faces, completely ignoring him.
The smallest boy wiped the dirt off his face, raised his voice, and shouted a few slogans with immense indignation. However, his voice was too high-pitched and his appearance too youthful, which instead gave off a sense of both cuteness and absurdity
We want to see Jian Shui Er
The female reporter instinctively took a few steps back, cautiously peering at the expressions of the young men, uncertain about the true intentions of these youths in black and whether her personal safety could be assured
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This is solely about making efforts in terms of political achievements. Today, Deputy Director Bao personally led the reporters to Zhonglou Street, which also reflects this consideration
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More than one hundred unknown youths, dressed in black, approached the center of Bell Tower Street, standing before Deputy Director Bao and several journalists, their appearance comical yet still exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure
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Sensing the director's discomfort, the subordinates from the Public Relations Department naturally took over the conversation and began engaging with the reporters. Bao Longtao sighed inwardly and shook his head.
The reporters also noticed Deputy Director Bao's loss of composure, as his complexion was exceedingly grim, resembling a stone in the river covered by moss for decades, which could at any moment transform into some terrifying monster
A cool breeze swept across the flat and quiet pavement of Bell Tower Street, and in that instant, countless fragmented footsteps echoed. These footsteps were neither uniform nor rhythmic like a drumbeat, yet they were so dense that it was impossible to discern how many people had appeared.
In the next moment, the owners of these footsteps appeared on Bell Tower Street, as a large crowd surged out from the four alleys simultaneously, quickly occupying most of the sidewalk and street corners, creating an impressive spectacle. Not only did the pedestrians on the street and several police officers and reporters change their expressions, but even the residents of Donglin, who were engrossed in coffee and alcohol, looked out the window in astonishment.
The leading youth did not immediately respond to the reporter's question, but raised his fist. Suddenly, among the group of youths in black, seven or eight banners were raised, each prominently displaying large characters painted in bright colors.
For thousands of years, the mining of ores has provided a continuous support for the federal society, much like a great river nourishing the plains. However, as this great river gradually dries up and transforms into a foul-smelling ditch, the support that the federal society returns is evidently insufficient—because humanity has never been able to feel happiness merely by surviving.
However, the federal regulations are very strict. Although promotions in the Donglin District are exceptionally fast, one must meet a certain number of years of service before being transferred back to the Capital Star Circle or the Xilin District. Even though Bao Longtao knows a few peripheral members of prominent families, it is highly unlikely that those cautious families would take action on behalf of a minor director like him
Firmly oppose regional protectionism
However, Bao Longtao suddenly remembered that three journalists were still by his side. A jolt ran through his heart, and he instinctively fastened his collar. With a composed rhythm, he turned around to face the female reporter holding the microphone, forcing a smile that was more grotesque than a cry, as if a stone had suddenly cracked open its old skin
The reporters followed Bao Longtao's gaze and immediately gasped in surprise, especially the female reporter, who covered her mouth and let out a soft exclamation.
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He has served in the Donglin District for thirteen years, which is still seven years short of the duration stipulated by the federal government's aid to the East regulations. However, he truly can no longer endure staying in this place filled with the scent of desolation for another seven years. Should he, like those unemployed miners, spend his days idly watching television?
The hardworking and resilient people of Donglin, known as the "Donglin Stones" in the federal society, have now transformed into increasingly silent and indifferent stones, shaping themselves into statues, rooted in their accustomed armchairs and sofas at home, seemingly never to move again
Those capable of leaving Donglin have long since departed. With their professional skills and accumulated wealth, they successfully obtained residency transfer certificates through guarantees from relatives in the Capital Star Circle or the West Forest District. They left this increasingly lifeless place by boarding the dwindling flights due to energy shortages.
The female journalist initially believed she had captured an excellent news story; however, upon seeing the demands on the banners, she was taken aback and, somewhat perplexed, looked at Deputy Director Bao and asked, "What... what... who are these children?"
Deputy Director Bao is also known as the "Stone" of Donglin, his face as unyielding as stone, and he possesses an immense deterrent power against the gang forces lurking in the darkness around Bell Tower Street. When he patrols Bell Tower Street, those vendors selling bison meat in the black market flee at the speed of warships, complementing his imposing figure in a black uniform and the seven subordinates behind him, creating quite a spectacle. When he patrols Bell Tower Street, those vendors selling bison meat in the black market flee at the speed of warships, complementing his imposing figure in a black uniform and the seven subordinates behind him, creating quite a spectacle.
The people of Donglin have cultivated a spirit of resilience and hard work over thousands of years of history. The mining disasters that have persisted since ancient times have not caused them to retreat in the slightest. However, everything before them now fills them with profound sorrow and helplessness. With no mines to excavate and nothing to do, from a certain perspective, a life devoid of even mining disasters is certainly not the life that the people of Donglin desire
To be more precise, what emerged from the four alleys was a group of youths, the oldest of whom appeared to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. Some of these youths even had faces that were partly dirty and partly clean, and it was uncertain if any of them were even ten years old.
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Firmly oppose the regulation of television signals
Those who can obtain a household registration transfer certificate are indeed a minority. Even in a semi-abandoned state, the planet must still sustain the lives of many. In a society where material civilization is relatively advanced, basic needs are no longer a concern for humanity. The people on Donglin Star continue to live in stability, with social welfare playing an extremely important role. Currency circulates steadily, and this world still has companies, airports, food processing plants, mecha maintenance stations, computer communication centers, and even a military base. In a society where material civilization is relatively advanced, basic needs are no longer a concern for humanity. The people on Donglin Star continue to live in stability, with social welfare playing an extremely important role. Currency circulates steadily, and this world still has companies, airports, food processing plants, mecha maintenance stations, computer communication centers, and even a military base.
The leading youth clearly possessed a maturity that was inconsistent with his age, gazing unwaveringly at Bao Longtao with his large eyes, and said: "We have the right to petition!"
From an administrative planning perspective, Donglin is a secondary administrative region, sharing the same administrative level as the three dazzling planets in the capital's star circle and the Xilin region. However, in the hearts of the federal citizens, the distant Donglin has, in reality, become a forgotten corner. Aside from being mentioned during the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the federal government, for those living in affluent civilized societies, Donglin has largely ceased to exist
So much so that the curious question from the female reporter went unheard by him; his murderous gaze swept directly past the female reporter's shoulder, directed towards the exits of the four side streets of Bell Tower Street
At this moment, Deputy Director Bao had already fallen into a critical state of rage. Retracting his gaze from those absurd slogans, he gritted his teeth and muttered fiercely, "A bunch of bastards and orphans"
We want to watch Federal Channel 23
However, since all types of ores in the Donglin region have been mined, Donglin Star has gradually become a desolate planet, where there are only stones, no ores, only stones
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"Petition?" Upon hearing these two words, the female reporter, who had been hiding behind Deputy Director Bao, suddenly perked up, revealing her exquisitely made-up face, and asked with a trembling voice, "What is the purpose?"
What should be present, what can be present, all exist in Donglin District; yet, a faint sense of antiquity still lingers. A stagnant atmosphere seeps from every street, every building, and from the faces of those idly holding coffee and watching television.
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The life of the foolish masses is sufficient with just soap operas. Bao Longtao, the deputy director of the Second Police Station of Hexi Prefecture, walked through the cool breeze of Bell Tower Street with a solemn expression, observing the residents at the street corner tavern, their faces numb as they drank, and thought to himself in this manner