The response didn't come as a document.
It came as silence.
For twelve hours.
Reading the Silence
In bureaucratic language, silence was never neutral.
It meant discussion.
Disagreement.
Positioning.
Lin Chen waited.
The First Break
At 22:17, a message appeared on the public medical council feed.
"Pilot systems demonstrating measurable public benefit may continue limited operation under provisional authorization."
Limited.
Provisional.
Carefully chosen words.
Support Emerges
Within minutes, independent hospitals responded.
Not statements.
Actions.
They opted in.
Voluntarily.
Data-sharing permissions unlocked.
Emergency routing aligned with Lin Chen's system.
Dr. Hart exhaled slowly.
"They're choosing results over politics."
"For now," Lin Chen replied.
Resistance Takes Shape
An internal memo leaked shortly after.
Concerns.
Risks.
Accountability questions.
No names.
But a pattern.
Someone was building a case.
System Insight
[Faction Analysis: Support — 41%.]
[Opposition — 34%.]
[Undecided — 25%.]
A divided field.
That was manageable.
A Personal Call
This time, the caller identified himself.
"You're moving faster than the framework can handle," the voice said.
"Frameworks adapt," Lin Chen replied.
"Or they get bypassed."
A pause.
"That's exactly what worries us."
Lin Chen's Reply
"Then watch closely," he said calmly.
"Because the next crisis won't wait for approval."
Closing Thought
Support had a cost.
Resistance had momentum.
But division—
Division meant choice.
And choice meant power was no longer centralized.
End of Chapter 80