183: Chapter 183 Imperial Blueprint, Iron Fist of the New Dynasty

"And another thing," Zhang Cheng added, "the government departments also need major surgery. Establish a 'National Development and Reform Commission' to coordinate all economic projects; establish an 'Independent Commission Against Corruption,' which will also be managed by the Death Soldiers, to keep an eye on the pockets of all officials; establish a 'National Security Bureau' to integrate previous intelligence networks, not only to guard against foreign spies but also to prevent the worms within!"

"Lan Zhi, you will serve as the first Prime Minister of the federal government." Zhang Cheng held Li Lanzhi's hand, "I can rest easy leaving this family in your hands."

Li Lanzhi's eyes reddened, and she nodded heavily: "Brother Cheng, rest assured. You charge forward on the front lines, and I will definitely guard the rear for you. Whoever dares to stab us in the back, I will be the first one to refuse!"

Li Lanzhi recorded this and continued, "Besides administrative divisions, the structure of the central government also needs adjustment. We have drafted a structure of 'One Palace, Three Branches, and Six Ministries'."

"The Presidential Palace will oversee the overall situation; the Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, and Judicial Yuan will have separation of powers (formally); and the six core departments—the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Construction, and Ministry of Education—will be established."

"Regarding personnel, besides the special zone administrators mentioned earlier, I suggest we make extensive use of the 'administrative experts' and 'special Death Soldiers' we summoned through the system for the ministers of the central departments. Key positions must be held by our own people. As for deputy positions and grassroots officials, we can leave them to the old bureaucrats who have surrendered and the elites of various ethnic groups; give them some sweetness, and it will be easier to get things done."

Zhang Cheng listened and nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, Lan Zhi, this plan of yours is very mature. It ensures centralization, considers local sentiments, and secures all the key positions."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the busy streets outside.

"Carry out this plan! Issue a presidential decree tomorrow and announce it to the world!"

"In addition," Zhang Cheng turned back, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, "take advantage of this administrative division adjustment to screen those old forces who are still watching and being dishonest once more. Those willing to cooperate will be given official posts and money; those who are unwilling, or those who are making small moves in the shadows..."

Zhang Cheng made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Let the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the National Security Bureau invite them for tea. Once the tea gets cold, they won't need to come back."

"Yes!" Li Lanzhi closed the folder, her eyes filled with newfound determination.

With the issuance of this series of orders, the brand-new state machine of the Greater Myanmar Federation finally completed its final assembly and commissioning.

The military gripped their rifles, the government gripped the purse strings and the official seals, and the Death Soldiers infiltrated every pore of society.

A highly centralized, efficiently operating, and powerfully armed emerging nation was rising on the map of Southeast Asia at an unprecedented speed.

The night deepened, but the lights of Naypyidaw remained brilliant.

In this office, a few people decided the fate of this country for the next few decades with just a few words.

A thorough reshuffling, from military to politics, from territory to hearts and minds, was unfolding on this ancient land at an unprecedented speed.

A new empire had already taken shape.

Two months later.

If Naypyidaw two months ago was still filled with smoke and tension, then the current Naypyidaw had completely turned into a huge, busy construction site.

No, not just Naypyidaw; the entire Greater Myanmar Federation was like a rusted machine injected with nuclear-powered lubricant, starting to operate frantically.

Zhang Cheng's reforms were swift and decisive.

Without the constraints of the opposition, without the fragmentation of warlords, government decrees left the Presidential Palace and were unimpeded, reaching directly to the villages.

Early morning, Yangon Port.

This place used to be a paradise for smugglers and bureaucrats, with low efficiency and rampant corruption. But now, the brand-new national flag flew over the port, and the docks were neatly stacked with containers, like small colorful mountains.

Huge gantry cranes rose and fell amidst the roar, unloading containers one by one from ten-thousand-ton freighters and loading them directly onto waiting heavy trucks or trains.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! This batch of goods is rare earth concentrate urgently needed by the Dragon Kingdom! It must be dispatched before noon!"

A port dispatcher in uniform shouted into a walkie-talkie; although covered in sweat, his face was full of drive.

Before, he earned a pittance in fixed salary and had to watch others' expressions. Now? Performance-based pay! More work, more pay! The bonus he received last month was enough to buy his wife a gold bracelet!

Nearby, a cargo ship flying the USA flag was waiting in line to enter the port.

The captain stood on the bridge, looking at this scene through binoculars, and couldn't help but exclaim: "God, is this still that lazy Myanmar? This efficiency is almost catching up to the metropolis!"

"Captain, has our application been approved?" the first mate walked over and asked.

"Approved. But..." the captain smiled bitterly, "the rules have changed now. Before, you could cut the line by stuffing two packs of cigarettes into someone's hand, but now? The pilot just said, if you dare to try that bribery nonsense, you'll be directly blacklisted and banned for life! These people are really tough now!"

This was the power of the "Independent Commission Against Corruption."

Zhang Cheng had inserted those inhumane, stubborn Death Soldiers into key departments like customs, taxation, and the police. These people were impervious to bribery; whoever dared to reach out their hand would have it chopped off. In just two short months, they had completely wiped out that crooked atmosphere.

The scene shifts to the north, the Mandalay Industrial Zone.

This was the core of the newly established "Northern Industrial Zone."

This used to be a wasteland, but now, standardized factory buildings were springing up one after another.

"President Zhang, look, this area is the battery factory we are OEM-ing for BYD of the Dragon Kingdom; it can go into production next month!"

Liu Qiang, director of the Industrial Zone Management Committee, was wearing a safety helmet and accompanying Zhang Cheng on an inspection. He pointed to the bustling construction site ahead, full of spirit, "And over there is Huawei's assembly base; further north is our own joint venture steel plant with the Dragon Kingdom!"

Zhang Cheng nodded with satisfaction.

He looked at the local workers being trained on the assembly lines. These young people might have been growing opium in the mountains or holding guns as cannon fodder a few months ago. Now, they were wearing clean uniforms, and there was a light in their eyes—the light of hope for the future.

"Director Liu, remember one thing." Zhang Cheng stopped and said seriously, "We are attracting investment, not to become a sweatshop. Wages, benefits, and labor protection must meet the standards I have set! Anyone who dares to withhold workers' wages, regardless of which country the foreign enterprise is from, kick them out!"

"Yes! Rest assured, President! Our backbone is strong now; we aren't begging them to come, they are scrambling to come!" Liu Qiang said confidently.

Indeed, the current Myanmar was a huge, undeveloped virgin land.

Abundant resources, cheap labor, political stability, and the massive market of the Dragon Kingdom backing it up. Capitalists from all over the world were like sharks smelling blood, swimming here in a rush.

Even the USA and European countries that had previously insisted on sanctioning Zhang Cheng at the United Nations were now becoming ambiguous in their attitudes.

After all, who would turn away money?

Zhang Cheng's rare earth was the lifeblood of the high-tech industry; Zhang Cheng's port was a strategic channel. If you don't do business with him, others will, and you will be the one losing out.