[AN: Hello everyone, am here again, been a while hasn't it. Still haven't repaired my phone, that's why updates are slow. Anyways my novel got contracted recently "The Quantum Path to Immortality" so I would appreciate it if you guys and girls(I have female readers, wow.) could read and give opinions and maybe some send some gifts my way. Thank you.]
The Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group's announcement to construct a controlled nuclear fusion power station progressed faster than anyone expected. This wasn't just a case of experimental success—it confirmed that nuclear fusion technology was not only viable, but already commercially applicable.
It was another bombshell that left the world reeling. For those still recovering from the last revelation, this was a second wave of shock. In just two days, the sense of global change had never been more real.
The coal and oil markets were the first to feel the impact. The coal market, in particular, took a direct hit.
After the fusion power plant project was finalized, it inevitably stepped on the toes of some vested interests. Under the instigation of certain "concerned parties," unemployed coal workers were stirred up. They believed their jobs had been taken away and began organizing protests.
Footage of these protests quickly spread across social media. Their goal was clear: create a wave of public opinion to pressure the Nuclear Energy Group and the government, hoping to delay coal's phase-out. Some even harbored ulterior motives.
As the momentum grew, the anger began redirecting toward the Marching Ant Group, who many saw as the true culprit behind their unemployment.
"Marching Ants ruined my job!"
"We don't want nuclear power. Forget high tech—we just want jobs."
"I have elders and children to feed. Laying me off pushes my family to the brink."
"No job means no food. My daughter is still in school. If I lose my income, we lose everything."
Crowds of unemployed workers gathered outside Marching Ant storefronts, waving banners and shouting slogans. The protests were soon picked up by major media platforms, causing widespread societal debate.
"These people are just stupid. This is natural selection. If society won't evolve, we might as well go back to the Stone Age."
"Marching Ants are advancing too fast. Has Chen Mo even considered the social implications of introducing such disruptive technologies?"
"This is the first time I've heard of people protesting because a tech company is too innovative. Employment is the government's job, not the responsibility of a private enterprise. Marching Ants pay taxes—they're not tax collectors."
"Should tech companies be responsible for social conflict?"
"What, are we supposed to destroy Marching Ants now?"
Arguments raged on both sides. The discourse was intense, and emotions ran high.
Soon, the protests escalated. More groups—many blaming AI and automation for their unemployment—joined the demonstrations outside Marching Ant offices. Thanks to police intervention, the protests remained peaceful, limited to banner-waving and chanting. For now, the police could only maintain order and wait for higher-level decisions.
Zhao Min stood by her office window, watching the crowd below with a frosty expression.
These protesters had clearly been manipulated, but she couldn't take out her anger on them. The real culprit—the one pulling the strings—remained in the shadows, beyond her reach. For now, only the police could investigate.
What enraged her was how easy it was to start something like this, and how damaging it could be. Their enemies had found a cheap but effective way to stir trouble.
If she ever found out who was behind it, she wouldn't hesitate to crush them.
Online rumors were one thing—those could be ignored. But now they were showing up at her doorstep. This had already happened during the last virus crisis. To have it happen again... a third or fourth time would be crossing the line.
"Sister Min, Li Huai is calling," her AI assistant announced.
Zhao Min immediately picked up her phone. She'd known from the start that someone was behind this. The government had already made proper arrangements—there was no way protests would break out like this on their own. Someone was guiding it.
So as soon as things began, she had the Justice Department start tracing the source, hoping to expose whoever was orchestrating it.
"President, we have intel," Li Huai's voice came through.
"Talk."
"We've confirmed foreign interference. The police have arrested two foreign agents who were inciting the protests."
"Only foreign actors?" Zhao Min frowned. She had anticipated overseas involvement, but if only foreign forces were involved, things wouldn't have escalated this far.
"There's also evidence pointing to a domestic mining company. We're not 100% sure yet, but it's likely one of the top ten coal firms."
"Which one?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Black Soil Mining. We've detained several organizers who claim Cao Jiangmin hired them to incite workers. Cao used to be the most trusted aide of Tang Baiming, the owner of Black Soil Mining. Tang gave him a sum of money and fired him recently—possibly to distance himself."
"What's Cao saying?"
"He denies organizing anything. Says he joined the protests out of anger after being laid off but didn't incite others. There's no hard evidence tying him to the operation. We can't charge him, let alone link anything to Tang Baiming."
Zhao Min's voice turned cold.
"Black Soil Mining, huh? Some things don't need to be solved through the legal system. It's time we remind people that not just anyone can mess with us. We're usually patient, but that doesn't mean we don't have a temper."
Her fury had reached a boiling point.
She knew others were watching. If they didn't act now—didn't "kill the chicken"—more "monkeys" would crawl out of the woodwork.
At Black Soil Mining HQ, Tang Baiming sat in his office, watching news reports about the Marching Ant protests.
His face was grim.
With coal production cuts and rising competition, his business was struggling. Once a "coal baron," he was now buried in debt and barely staying afloat. If coal demand kept shrinking, bankruptcy was just around the corner.
He knew coal's days were numbered. But he expected a 5–10 year grace period, at least. Even with stricter policies, he thought he'd have time to adapt. The sudden acceleration in energy reform had caught him off guard.
Then came the fusion project. That explained everything.
Desperate for cash flow, he needed to increase production, sell off stock, and exit the game. Without that buffer, he'd collapse financially.
As a last resort, he had secretly hired unemployed workers to lead protests, hoping to pressure authorities into slowing coal's elimination. He'd used Cao Jiangmin as a proxy—paid him off and fired him, leaving no obvious connection.
Even if Cao got caught, there was no direct link back to him. Or so he thought.
But now the results were far less effective than he'd hoped. The Marching Ant Group and the authorities hadn't suffered at all. Public opinion was even turning against the protestors.
If this failed, not only would he miss his goal—he'd expose himself.
Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang. A call from a long-time business associate.
"Lao Tang! How about we go out for drinks again?" the man chuckled.
"Lao Chao, got some juicy gossip for me?"
"Actually... that deal we talked about? I've decided to reconsider."
Tang's heart dropped.
"Wait—what changed? Didn't we agree to sign tomorrow?"
"Honestly, Lao Tang, you were too reckless."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. The Marching Ant Company? That stunt you pulled? You should've known they'd hit back—and hard."
"I didn't touch them!" Tang tried to deflect.
"Don't play dumb. Zhao Min already put out word: they'll find out who was behind this. And rumor is, she's already made her move. You're their prime suspect. Some of your partners have already been warned."
"So what are you saying?"
"This is your last chance to cut your losses. If you bow out now, maybe you'll survive. But if you keep trying to play dirty, the Marching Ants will bury you. They've got strength and reach. You'll just be their example—the 'chicken' they kill to scare the 'monkeys.' I'm out. Good luck."
Click.
The call ended, and a chill ran down Tang Baiming's spine.
Buzz.
Another call.
"Old Tang, our cooperation is canceled. Changhe Mining just offered us a better deal."
"Wait! Damn it—"
"Boss, this is my resignation. Dongxing reached out—they offered me a management position."
"Mr. Tang, about that loan… I'm afraid the bank is no longer able to process it for now."
"Mr. Tang, Chairman Wang has called an emergency shareholders' meeting…"
Tang Baiming slumped into his chair, his ears ringing.
It was over.
He was finished.