He nodded vigorously, his voice firm: "Yes! I understand! The Gonzalez Family will never betray your trust!"
In the office, President Lunacharsky, Defense Minister Kennedy, and Minister Smiley cast a look at Casare, revealing a slight hint of envy they couldn’t suppress.
We also seem to want... to be trusted like this.
This kind of unconditional trust is so precious in the realm of power, and the position of the Gonzalez Family in Victor’s heart now is at its peak, unmatched by anyone.
Victor added a final command: "Furthermore, before the order in Michoacán is thoroughly rectified, suspend all new developnt plans and governnt projects in that state. From now on, the governnt will halt all extra economic aid to Michoacán; the place is too chaotic."
He said it flatly, yet it carried imnse deterrence.
Halting economic aid ans that Michoacán’s civil servant salaries, infrastructure, and public welfare may all stagnate. This will undoubtedly add fuel to an already turbulent situation, yet it’s also a brutal ans to force its internal conflicts to erupt more quickly.
"Yes!"
Everyone stread out of Victor’s office one after another.
In the wide hallway of the National Palace, Casare stopped and said to the others: "Mr. President, Minister Kennedy, Minister Smiley, I will imdiately handle the liaison with Felix, and I entrust the formation and authorization docunts of the investigation team to you. We must act with the utmost speed."
The few nodded to show their understanding, all knowing that ti was everything at this mont. Casare said no more, turning briskly and almost running out of the main building of the National Palace.
Sitting in his private car, the chill of the early morning still lingered inside the cabin. Casare took a deep breath to calm his agitated emotions and imdiately picked up the phone, dialing a number.
The phone rang several tis before being answered, and a voice ca from the other side, laden with sleep but still clear and steady: "Big brother?" It was his brother, Felix Gonzalez, the Mayor of Guadalupe Island.
"Felix, listen, no ti for small talk."
Casare spoke rapidly, briefly summarizing the events in Michoacán, the death of Hernandez, the decay of the local system, and Victor’s fury.
Finally, he said gravely: "The Leader nad you to take full charge of this investigation; Defense Minister Kennedy will cooperate with you and authorize you to command the stationed troops in Michoacán! This is a direct order from the top!"
Felix was silent for a few seconds on the other end, clearly digesting this sudden heavy news and considerable power.
He was only 23 this year, yet much more mature. Back in the army, he was the one causing trouble with a gun, and he uncovered corruption in the military, though he has remained low-key and steady over the past two years.
But suddenly being given such enormous authority to deal with a state-level rebellion and corruption case, the pressure was imaginable.
"I understand, big brother." Felix’s voice was already fully awake, with no hint of hesitation, only a calm inquiry: "How do you want to proceed? What are the boundaries?"
Hearing his brother not panic but directly targeting core issues, Casare felt imnse gratification; this was indeed a mber of the Gonzalez Family!
He showed a ruthless expression, advising over the phone, word by word:
"Investigate as big as possible! No matter how big, investigate fully! Have no concerns! The Leader does not want to keep the peace but to uproot it; use blood to wash away this provocation. Rember, you represent the Leader’s will, the authority of the xican Governnt. Anyone who dares obstruct, be it the Governor, Speaker, or any local tyrant, will be treated as treason, and if necessary, deal with it first and report later!"
Felix took a breath on the other end; he could feel the unmistakable nace and determination in his brother’s words.
He cautiously confird: "Big brother, I’m concerned that if the scope is too wide, it might implicate too much and cause greater turmoil? After all, it’s a state..."
"Turmoil?"
Casare snorted, his tone indisputably assertive and confident, "Felix, understand this: this is a direct order from the Leader! And you are my brother, Casare’s very own! In xico right now, besides the top, no one is more powerful than your big brother I am! Not even if Jesus cos, understand?"
He paused, his tone slowed but heavier: "Go all out; if the sky falls, the top and I will hold it up for you. What we want is a complete purge to ensure everyone rembers this lesson."
On the other end, Felix Gonzalez, his gaze gradually sharpened and fird, responded solemnly: "I understand, big brother, I know what to do now."
"Good! Keep in touch at all tis; I’ll wait for your news."
Before hanging up, he paused for a mont, still saying, "Stay safe."
Felix acknowledged softly.
After hanging up the phone, Casare looked out the car window, suddenly thinking of a saying, "It’s harder to conquer a kingdom than to rule one."
...
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