On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhen didn't ask any more questions.

He turned around and looked at Mao Mengji: "Things."

Mao Mengji immediately stepped forward and presented an object carefully wrapped in oilcloth with both hands.

Lin Zhen took it and unwrapped the oilcloth. Inside were two items: a thick volume with a dark red blood-stained cover and frayed edges—"325 Portland Cement Formula and Process Parameters (Top Secret)"; and a lifeless, delicately constructed black metal "Cicada" with a cracked shell.

Lin Zhen picked up the booklet and flipped through a few pages.

The handwriting on it is neat but slightly sloppy, recording in detail the core parameters of cement such as raw material ratio, calcination temperature, grinding fineness, etc., and there are also many annotations and modification traces next to it.

His eyes were calm, as if he was looking at an ordinary account book instead of priceless industrial secrets.

After a moment, he closed the booklet and handed it to Chu Xiling behind him: "Xiling, take a look."

Chu Xiling respectfully took it and quickly flipped through it. A sharp glint flashed in her cold eyes. "Your Highness, this formula... is 70% similar to the core parameters of the '325' that I oversaw the development of. However, some key data is incorrect, especially the calcination temperature range and the slag addition ratio. If produced according to this formula, the strength of the finished product will be greatly reduced and it will be prone to cracking. It must have been hastily copied, or... intentionally adulterated."

Her voice was calm and professional.

Lin Zhen nodded slightly, as if he had expected it.

He picked up the broken "cicada" again and played with it on his fingertips for a while.

The cold touch of the metal and the precise gear structure inside demonstrate Japan's excellent craftsmanship.

"A little Japanese toy." He casually threw the "Cicada" back onto the oilcloth with an indifferent tone, as if he was throwing away a piece of garbage.

His gaze fell back on Lin Ge'er, who was kneeling on the ground and trembling.

"Lin'er," Lin Zhen's voice remained calm, yet it carried a power that could determine fate. "Your father was a virtuous man, but he was corrupt and abused his power, exploiting the people. His crimes are unforgivable, and he has reaped the consequences. Your mother worked diligently in the textile workshop and has found a new life. You... could have been content with your lot and earned a future with your own hands."

When Lin Ge'er heard the news from his mother, his whole body was shocked. He suddenly raised his head, and a strong light burst out in his eyes!

Mother… Mother is still alive! Still in the workshop! He… He still has mother!

"Yes," Lin Zhen changed the subject, his voice cold. "You have been secretly communicating with foreign spies, passing confidential documents, and possessing a token of the enemy nation. According to the Daqian Law and the Special Zone Wartime Control Regulations, you should be charged with treason and executed immediately, and your head displayed publicly."

"Behead...behead immediately?!" Lin Ge'er was struck by lightning!

His face turned pale in an instant!

The huge fear was like ice water poured over his head, completely extinguishing the glimmer of hope that had just ignited in him!

He collapsed to the ground, forgetting even to cry, with only endless despair and despair left in his eyes!

Beheading... beheading... like Park Chang-fan... like the black scorpion... His small body twitched violently due to extreme fear, and a strange "ho ho" sound came from his throat, as if he would faint at any time.

Everyone in the hall had different expressions.

Zhang Li hesitated to speak, and her eyes showed even more reluctance.

Chu Xiling frowned.

Xiao Hanzhou sighed slightly.

Mao Mengji still had no expression on his face.

Lin Zhen's gaze was like a cold searchlight, examining Lin Ge'er's reaction as he was on the verge of collapse.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice like sunshine breaking through dark clouds, carrying a hint of unquestionable majesty:

"Considering your youth and ignorance, your coercion, and your meritorious reporting (referring to your carrying the 'Maicanika', which exposed your whereabouts and indirectly led to Hattori Hanzo's arrest), this prince... will grant you a pardon."

Lin Ge'er suddenly looked up, and an unbelievable light suddenly burst out from his dead eyes!

Like a drowning man grabbing the last straw!

"Of course, the death penalty can be avoided, but the living crime cannot be forgiven." Lin Zhen's voice was filled with the decisiveness of a master of everything. "From today on, your registration in the 'Labor Camp' will be revoked. You will be sent to the 'Industrial Park Apprentice Camp' to be strictly supervised by Chu Xiling! After daily labor, you must go to the elementary school to learn to read and write, and study the 'Daqian Law' and the 'Special Zone Regulations'! You will be supervised by Xiao Hanzhou personally! For three years, you are not allowed to leave the industrial park without permission! If you slack off or cause trouble again... You will be punished for multiple crimes and will be executed without mercy!"

Cut your membership!

Sent to the apprentice camp!

Strictly discipline!

Learn to read and write!

Don't leave without permission!

Lin Ge'er listened blankly. The huge turn of events made him unable to react for a moment.

No need to die? No need to be beheaded?

Although he had to go to that strange "apprenticeship camp" and work and study and couldn't leave...but...he was still alive!

There's still... a chance to see Mom?!

The huge ecstasy and fear overwhelmed him like a tide!

He couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears!

This time, they were no longer tears of fear, but tears of catharsis after surviving a disaster!

He prostrated himself on the ground, banging his forehead heavily on the gold bricks, letting out a "dong" sound. This time, the tears were no longer of fear, but of a sense of relief after surviving a catharsis!

"Thank... Thank you, Your Highness, for not killing me! Thank you, Your Highness! I... I will definitely reform myself! I will work hard! Study hard! I will repay Your Highness! Wuwuwu..."

Lin Zhen stopped looking at him and waved his hand. Two Jinwu Guards stepped forward and took Lin Ge'er, who was almost exhausted from crying, away.

Silence returned to the hall. Lin Zhen turned around and walked back to the sand table, his gaze fixed on the vast East China Sea.

"The Japanese pirates are still determined to destroy us." His voice was calm, yet tinged with cold murderous intent. "Satsuma Domain... Shimazu clan... these clowns dare to covet China?"

"Your Highness," Mao Mengji stepped forward, his voice laced with iron and blood. "The captive Hattori Hanzo has been poisoned and is gravely injured, but he has been kept alive with secret medicine. His will is strong, and ordinary torture may not be enough to pry him open. The other two captives are less seriously injured, but they are both cowards who love life and can be used as a breakthrough point. Do you want to use some 'special' methods?"

His skinny fingers gently stroked the hilt of the knife, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"No need." Lin Zhen said calmly, "Put Hattori Hanzo in solitary confinement and keep him under strict guard. Seek medical treatment and ensure his life is spared. The remaining prisoners will be handed over to Xiao Hanzhou for public trial according to the 'Provisional Regulations on the Judiciary of the Special Administrative Region' and executed according to the law. All confessions obtained, no matter how big or small, will be recorded."

"Public trial?" Xiao Hanzhou was slightly stunned. "Your Highness, the Japanese pirates' infiltration and theft of secrets are of great importance. Should we..."

"We must let everyone know," Lin Zhen interrupted, his gaze as deep as the sea. "Let those merchants with ulterior motives, lurking spies, and even the eyes of the capital see clearly! Whoever offends our Hu County, whether it's a pirate, a traitor, or a corrupt official, will be punished! The laws of the Special Administrative Region must not be violated! In troubled times, severe punishments must be applied! But the laws must be clear! The punishments must be just!"

"Yes! I understand!" Xiao Hanzhou bowed and accepted the order, with a glimmer of enlightenment in his eyes.

"Xiling," Lin Zhen turned to Chu Xiling, "The cement formula leak was a sketch and contained errors, but the hidden dangers are already apparent. Accelerate the development of 'new high-grade corrosion-resistant cement' and its quick-setting formula. Separate and master the core processes. Increase the number of Jinwu Guards deployed to the core kilns and implement dual-key control. Furthermore, the port alarm system is highly effective and can be gradually rolled out to industrial parks, shipyards, and even the core areas of the new city."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chu Xiling's eyes gleamed with concentration and excitement as she bowed in response. Technical challenges were precisely the kind of battlefield she was most passionate about.

"Li'er," Lin Zhen finally looked at Zhang Li, "The Special Zone's money houses are about to be listed. The initial reserves will be the auction deposit and some confiscated proceeds. 'Shanghai Yuan' will be issued, anchored to 'work points'. The primary task is to attract private investment and provide low-interest loans for industrial park construction and new town housing projects. At the same time, we must closely monitor unusual large capital flows, especially those with ties to Korea and Japan. The financial lifeline of the Special Zone cannot be lost."

"Don't worry, my husband!" Zhang Li's voice was clear, with the confidence and control unique to the queen of the business world.

"The bank's regulations are complete, and the first manager has been appointed. The Shanghai Yuan notes are produced under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, and utilize the watermark, secret seal, and serial number tracking technology Your Highness has suggested, ensuring foolproof anti-counterfeiting. The first batch of loan lists and quotas have been preliminarily screened, and loans will be disbursed upon Your Highness's approval. As for surveillance... I have already planted spies in all major businesses and shared my intelligence network with General Mao, ensuring there will be no omissions!"

Lin Zhen nodded slightly and looked again at the broad blueprint on the sand table that symbolized the future.

The deep-water port is like the mouth of a giant dragon, swallowing and discharging wealth from all directions; the industrial park is like strong bones, forging the foundation of industry; the new city is like flesh and blood, nourishing the lives of all people; and finance, like surging blood, connects and activates all of this!

The rise of Hu County is unstoppable!

As for those demons and monsters in the dark, and those clowns... they are nothing more than a few insignificant noises destined to be annihilated in this grand symphony.

He slowly raised his hand and lightly touched the mark of "Chongming Deepwater Port" on the sand table with his fingertips, as if pressing a button to start an entire era.

"Order: Effective immediately, the Special Zone enters Level 1 Combat Readiness. All Jinwu Guards are on alert, and patrols at sea and land are intensified. Military control is implemented in key areas, including industrial parks, shipyards, armories, and granaries. All personnel and goods entering and leaving Hu County will be strictly inspected. Anyone suspected of collaborating with the enemy... will be executed without mercy!"

"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison, their voices resounding with immense determination and awe.