Xia Chujian saw that even Zong Ruoan was speaking, and after weighing it in her mind, she directly asked Zong Ruoan, "Young Master Zong, do you also insist that only such a strategy can win against the opponent?"
Zong Ruoan pursed his lips, looked at Xia Chujian, and felt complicated.
After a while, he said, "If I had any other way, I wouldn't have agreed to this proposal."
Hu Tu said sarcastically from the side, "Actually, it's not like there's no other way."
"For example, we could send someone to take out that Teng Pingmao... but Young Master Zong wouldn't agree no matter what!"
"And he said that if we took action to eliminate him, he would resolutely withdraw from the election!"
Zong Ruoan said calmly, "I still maintain this insistence. Since it's an election, it should be done according to the rules of the election."
"If I myself don't play by the rules and directly disrupt them, then what kind of councilor would I be? If I don't like someone, I'll just take care of them!"
"The reason I'm running for councilor is to make everyone act within the framework of the law!"
"Whether they are commoners, citizens, nobles, or the Royal Family!"
Xia Chujian's eyes flickered, thinking that taking him out directly would actually be pretty good...
However, she also knew that she shouldn't do that.
At this moment, she really admired Zong Ruoan. Although he wasn't on the same path as her, his persistence in some aspects was indeed worthy of her respect.
It was because Zong Ruoan had these principles that he could save her without hesitation, and later be concerned about the Fan Family being stripped of their nobility and having their home confiscated.
Hearing this, Xia Chujian had already decided to help Zong Ruoan.
She didn't comment on which situation was fairer, but she was willing to trust Zong Ruoan because he was a person with ideals and really wanted to do something.
Compared to ordinary people like them, Zong Ruoan really had too many resources to accomplish things.
Moreover, she did owe him a life-saving grace.
Let this time be to repay his life-saving grace.
Xia Chujian took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and after careful consideration, she opened her mouth and said, "It's my honor that Young Master Zong and your campaign team think highly of me."
"Young Master Zong saved me without hesitation back then, and now that Young Master Zong needs my help, I will also repay Young Master Zong's life-saving grace without hesitation."
Seeing that Xia Chujian had finally relented, Hu Tu was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "What's your social media account? What's the password? Send it to me quickly!"
"From now on, our team will operate your social media account, lest you, a newbie, don't know how to deal with the online trolls and keyboard warriors, and make mistakes!"
Xia Chujian thought to herself, this Master Hu Tu probably doesn't know her "achievements."
Back when she was in junior high school, she was a "keyboard warrior" on the Star Network, and she once flamed a Star Blog big shot into shutting down his account in depression...
Of course, she couldn't say this.
Xia Chujian said with a smile, "I'm just a high school student who just finished the National Higher Education Entrance Examination, where would I get a social media account?"
Hu Tu regretted, "You don't even have a social media account? Then how about this, we'll register one for you now, and it will be certified in your personal name, is that okay?"
Xia Chujian said seriously, "Young Master Zong, Mr. Hu, I absolutely refuse to discuss the 'contract girlfriend' format. I will never agree to do such a ridiculous thing."
"Young Master Zong, you don't want to use underhanded means against Teng Pingmao and insist on fair competition, I very much agree with that."
"Since you think so, then why use the 'fake girlfriend' trick to deal with Teng Pingmao?"
"Isn't this also unfair competition?"
These words made Zong Ruoan hesitate again.
He looked at Xia Chujian, wanting to say that it was different. In his opinion, although she was a "contract girlfriend," she wasn't a "fake girlfriend."
But seeing Xia Chujian's completely disapproving attitude, he fell silent again.
Seeing that Xia Chujian was about to persuade Zong Ruoan, Hu Tu said anxiously, "Student Xia, you can't just stand by and watch!"
"Our Young Master Zong saved your life!"
Xia Chujian made a "wait a moment" gesture to him and continued, "Don't worry, I also want to help you and will help Young Master Zong's election to the best of my ability."
"So can you first tell me in detail about the situation of your biggest competitor, Teng Pingmao?"
Hu Tu was stunned: "What do you want his information for?"
Xia Chujian said calmly: "I owe Young Master Zong a life-saving debt. I'll help you deal with this opponent."
Zong Ruoan immediately said anxiously, "Chujian, what are you going to do?! You can't do anything illegal!"
"I said, if I have to use illegal means to get rid of him, I'd rather not choose to do it!"
Xia Chujian said, "Young Master Zong, don't worry, I will definitely not use illegal means to deal with Teng Pingmao."
"Besides, I'm just a commoner who just got into my dream university with a full scholarship and a bright future."
"Even if I want to repay a debt, I won't commit crimes and ruin my future. You can rest assured about that."
Hu Tu looked at her suspiciously: "But what can you do? You said it yourself, you have no money and no connections..."
"I won't hide it from you, we used a lot of the Zong Family's resources, but we couldn't find any dirt on this person. May I ask, Student Xia, what resources do you have? And how do you plan to investigate?"
Xia Chujian said, "I have no connections, no money, and I know nothing about this person. How do you expect me to investigate?"
Hu Tu got angry: "Then why are you talking so big?!"
Xia Chujian said unhurriedly, "I said I wanted the person's detailed information, but you're just beating around the bush, it's too inefficient!"
Hu Tu was so angry at Xia Chujian's retort that he was fuming.
But Zong Ruoan remained silent, so Hu Tu had to take a deep breath and say, "I can give you this person's detailed information, but if you can't find any dirt on him within two weeks, you have to agree to be Young Master Zong's contract girlfriend to help him get elected!"
Xia Chujian raised her eyebrows: "If I can't find any dirt on him, then I'll think of another way."
"Why are you only thinking of 'contract girlfriend', such a lousy trick?"
Hu Tu's mouth twitched: "Student Xia, you don't understand. During elections, girlfriends, wives, or husbands, boyfriends, are all good campaign assets."
"Once, a Grand Duke of the Southern Cross Star Kingdom rose to power because of his wife!"
Xia Chujian didn't think much of it: "We are the Beichen Empire. Besides, isn't the Grand Duke of the Southern Cross Star Kingdom a hereditary position?"
Hu Tu said awkwardly, "There's still an election within the family."
Xia Chujian said, "Anyway, that has nothing to do with us. Hurry up and tell me about this Teng Pingmao."
"Also, since you've investigated this Teng Pingmao, shouldn't you have a video about him? Why don't you show it to me?"
Hu Tu laughed: "Student Xia is indeed smart! No wonder you're the Empire Top Scorer!"
"Well, I'll show it to you first, and then listen to your insights!"
Hu Tu really didn't think Xia Chujian could find any clues.
They had gathered the most elite information talents of the entire Zong Family, but they hadn't collected any useful information.
He wanted to see how Xia Chujian could discover the details they hadn't noticed just by watching a video! Xia Chujian ignored Hu Tu and concentrated on watching the virtual display screen.
Soon, Hu Tu and Zong Ruoan disappeared from the screen, and the three words "Teng Pingmao" began to appear.
Then there was a headshot of him in military uniform, indeed a handsome and upright young man.
He looked to be in his early thirties, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a firm jawline, and a determined look in his eyes, with clear black and white pupils.
He certainly looked like a good student in school, a good soldier in the army, and a good employee in the workplace.
Then there was this person's resume.
"Teng Pingmao, born in Beichen Calendar 9970, thirty-one years old."
"Born on Shaofu Star, brought to Kanli Star by his parents. After his parents died, he grew up in the Galuo City Orphanage on Kanli Star."
"At the age of eighteen, he was admitted to Beichen University with the highest score in the Kanli Star National Higher Education Entrance Examination."
"He has always been a top student in the university, and he receives a first-class scholarship every year."
"After graduation, he joined the First Interstellar Fleet and made great military achievements."
"In July of Beichen Calendar 10001, he retired after being promoted to Senior Colonel, and in the same year, he ran for the Lower House Member of Chaoruo City, Shaofu Star."
"He's in the same constituency as our Young Master Zong, so he's a direct competitor."
Hu Tu explained from the side: "We investigated his situation at the Galuo City Orphanage on Kanli Star. He was always a good child there."
"They also investigated his experiences from elementary school to high school, and whether it was classmates or teachers, they all praised him."
"We also investigated his situation in college."
"Like elementary school to high school, he not only maintained the same excellent grades in college, but also had close relationships with classmates, professors, and counselors. He initiated many activities to raise tuition fees for commoner students, and donated the money he earned from work-study programs."
"After graduation, he joined the First Interstellar Fleet, starting as a First Lieutenant. A month later, he was promoted to Captain for repeatedly breaking records while piloting a warplane."
"Later, he participated in several battles, achieving great military exploits. At the age of thirty-one, he was promoted to Senior Colonel based on his merits."
"This person is too outstanding. Everything about him seems to exist for the election."
Hu Tu was full of praise for Teng Pingmao.
Xia Chujian said with a smile, "Mr. Hu, do you wish you could help Teng Pingmao campaign? Listening to your tone, it's such a pity!"
Hu Tu laughed and said, "It's not that serious! Actually, helping him campaign is too formulaic, I'm not interested!"
"What I'm really interested in are challenging election candidates! Like Young Master Zong!"
As Hu Tu spoke, he continued to play his profile video.
"Teng Pingmao's personal emotional experiences are also very ordinary."
"He had a first love girlfriend in college, but because he chose to join the military after graduation, his first love girlfriend broke up with him."
On the virtual display screen, a photo of a woman was displayed.
The woman looked quite individualistic, not meek and submissive.
Hu Tu's voice-over said, "We also investigated this ex-girlfriend. Her background is clean, and she is also an academic achiever."
"After graduating from Beichen University, she joined a large Mechanical Intelligence company, where she works as a Mechanical Intelligence system optimizer."
"She is married and has a son and a daughter. We had gene tests done on her children, confirming that they were fathered by her husband."
Xia Chujian: "..."
She crossed her arms and said calmly, "What's next? Teng Pingmao is already thirty-one years old, he wouldn't only have this one girlfriend, right?"
Hu Tu sighed and said, "The only official girlfriends we found were two."
"He has been working very hard in the military and has no time to date or have girlfriends."
"However, he also dated a girlfriend after he retired."
"This girlfriend comes from a commoner family and is also an academic achiever. It is said that they are already talking about marriage."
Xia Chujian's mouth twitched, thinking that he was indeed impeccable.
Then, Hu Tu released a photo of Teng Pingmao's new girlfriend.
Xia Chujian stared at the photo of this new girlfriend on the virtual display screen, feeling that she looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen her before.
Her gaze swept across the photo, returned to Teng Pingmao's resume, and finally asked, "What exactly was his military exploit for being promoted to Senior Colonel in July this year?"
Hu Tu said regretfully, "According to the Military's regulations, meritorious achievements can have a three-year confidentiality period."
"Teng Pingmao's last meritorious achievement will not be announced until three years later."
"There's nothing to criticize about this... If you focus on this point, you're likely to slap yourself in the face."
"Moreover, even if there is a problem, it will not be revealed until three years later. And this councilor vote is at the end of this year, we can't wait..."
Xia Chujian said, "Doesn't your Zong Family have any internal connections that can find out this inside story?"
Hu Tu shook his head: "Tried it, couldn't find it. There are also high-level people in the Military from the Zong Family. It is said that they asked people to inquire indirectly, and the message they gave us was that there was no problem."
Xia Chujian lowered her eyes and said, "A soldier with a great future in the army, who was promoted to Senior Colonel at the age of thirty-one, how could he suddenly retire? Did he give a reason?"
Hu Tu said, "He did. Teng Pingmao said it during the election rally, saying that he was injured in the last battle and his body was severely damaged, making him unsuitable to continue serving in the army."
"Moreover, he has published his medical records."
"Tsk tsk, you don't know how cunning this person is!"
"Every one of his medical records is an injury report, showing how much sacrifice he has made for this country!"
Xia Chujian said, "Oh, what about the last battle? Is there an injury report?"
Hu Tu spread his hands: "No, the injury report from the last battle, along with his meritorious service record, have both been classified as confidential and will not be unsealed until three years later."
In other words, Teng Pingmao wasn't intentionally hiding anything, because everyone will be able to see the truth in three years.
This really isn't anything unusual.
In the military, this kind of situation is very common.
For example, all the military merits earned by members of the Special Security Bureau are kept secret until 50 years after their death, when they will be declassified.
Everyone is used to this kind of situation.
Hu Tu couldn't see anything fishy about it.
But Xia Chujian had a gut feeling that something was wrong.
The First Interstellar Fleet, and the timing of his retirement, just didn't add up.
Xia Chujian said, "After he retired, his meritorious service record and injury report were sealed by the Military?"
Hu Tu said, "Yes, even the First Interstellar Fleet doesn't have an archive; it's stored directly in the Military's General Information Department."
Xia Chujian said, "Give me two weeks, and I'll handle this person, but I need a contract."
Hu Tu was dumbfounded: "A contract? What kind of contract? Didn't you refuse to be a contract girlfriend?"
Xia Chujian turned to look at Zong Ruoan and said, "Young Master Zong, isn't your campaign team primarily led by you? Can this Mr. Hu really make decisions for you?"
Zong Ruoan thought to himself, this is the best campaign manager in the entire Empire.
If it weren't for his mommy Grand Princess's connections, he, a political novice, might not have been able to hire him, even with his background as a top Noble from the Zong Family.
Zong Ruoan frowned and said, "Chujian, Mr. Hu is the best campaign manager in the entire Empire, and I respect the opinions of professionals."
Xia Chujian understood.
She thought, she also needs to seek the advice of professionals.
She wants to help Zong Ruoan, but that doesn't mean she agrees to put herself in unlimited danger.
Therefore, she must have written guarantees, and she doesn't trust that Mr. Hu Tu.
Hu Tu didn't expect that Xia Chujian, a Commoner, would not back down in front of Zong Ruoan, a top Noble and super handsome man.
Although he admired her meticulous attitude, he also hated her meticulous attitude.
Hu Tu said with a fake smile, "Ms. Xia, you are already eighteen years old, right?"
Xia Chujian nodded: "Yes, if I weren't eighteen, your terrible idea would be digging your own grave!"
Hu Tu was choked by her words and, after a while, said sullenly, "Since you are already eighteen, a verbal promise is also legal, how about it? Let's just make a verbal promise?"
...
This is the third update today! There have already been two updates before, don't forget to read them! Big chapter, including bonus chapters for 1800 and 2100 Moon Tickets in September.
There will be a new update at 0:05 tonight!
Tomorrow is the first day of November! Please also vote for the guaranteed Moon Tickets!
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