This morning, Taozi sat listlessly on the three-wheeled cart selling tofu, occasionally opening his cat's mouth to yawn. I asked him, puzzled, "What's wrong? Did you stay up late meeting your feline lover last night? Given your constitution, even a whole night shouldn't leave you this exhausted."

"Forget it, Boss. Do you think I'm like you, always thinking dirty thoughts? I was handling important business last night."

"What important business could you possibly have? You're either trailing my sister or messing around in Zhu Da's room."

Taozi said seriously, "Actually, I went to a meeting last night."

"What!" I almost tumbled off the three-wheeler. "What meeting? The People's Congress? Did the Central Military Commission call you to discuss reclaiming Ming Island? Or attacking Bird Country?"

Taozi extended a paw to scratch me. "What's so funny? I was conveying your orders in the largest sewer in the capital for the first official general assembly of the Beast Faction's two armies. The main task was to draft their combat roster and assign the next phase of major duties."

"You went to a snake and rat convention? They’re already in the capital?" I finally understood.

Taozi nodded. "You were too busy, so I took the liberty of making decisions. I'll report the meeting contents to you now. We have a total of 108 giant rats. According to my structure, we selected the strongest giant rat to be the Commander of the Rat Soldiers, responsible for their daily management. I assigned him about two protectors to assist in handling Rat Nation affairs. Then, four captains for the Personal Bodyguard Brigade; each commands 5 giant rats and is primarily responsible for the daily safety of those around us. One Minister of Intelligence, whose department oversees ten intelligence squads, each led by one giant rat captain. They are tasked with recruiting ordinary rats from all over the capital to join the ten squads, with the main job being intelligence gathering. Finally, ten Combat Brigades, each headed by a giant rat captain. Each brigade is allocated six giant rat soldiers, with the rest of the troops recruited from ordinary rats. The main mission of the Combat Brigades is to deal with various emergencies, ready to engage the enemy in a decisive battle if necessary."

I casually pulled the tofu cart to the side of the road and said to Taozi, "Have you been reading too many novels? Do you really want to rule humanity with rats?"

Taozi spoke earnestly, "Boss, I'm not crazy. We are genuinely short-handed right now. With you being old, your brother being simple-minded, and my stoutness, how easy do you think it is to accomplish great things? Don't you want to amass all the gold and treasures in the world?"

Taozi's words struck a chord with me. It really did feel like a joke trying to do big things with just four people and one cat. "Fine, I agree with Commander Taozi’s opinion, but you have to keep an eye on them. Don't let them cause trouble, or I won't spare any of them."

"Of course, of course. I have already compiled a new set of military laws for the Beast Faction, synthesizing the most successful military disciplines from various nations. They must adhere to these strictly going forward, and any violations will be punished without leniency or cover-up."

"Taozi, you've learned a lot recently. You even know military law now?"

Taozi said proudly, "The internet is great! I can manage everything without stepping out the door. Although I'm fast, the internet is just more convenient."

Sigh. "You know how to use the internet?"

"Of course. I got the general idea after watching Fatty use it once."

"So you can read too?"

"Boss, are you sick? How could I use the internet if I couldn't read?"

"You can even understand foreign languages?"

"I just learned them all in the last few days. Our learning speed is unparalleled."

"Our? Are you including me?"

Taozi looked puzzled. "Boss, have you forgotten about your research on the energy stone power system at the desert base?"

I suddenly remembered. "Right. My learning speed has never been that fast. Back then, I thought it was because human technology was too primitive millions of years in the future. Hmm, I'll go buy some books on corporate and financial management this afternoon. We must not waste this super learning ability."

"Boss, I haven't finished reporting yet. We also have 54 giant snake soldiers. Since their numbers are smaller and their intelligence seems lower than the rats', I didn't assign them detailed ranks. I just named them according to 54 playing cards for distinction; the two Jokers are their leaders, and the rest are soldiers. I’ve already arranged for them to gather wild snakes to bolster our forces. However, snakes aren't like rats; I estimate there won't be many in the capital's sewers. Oh, those snakes have mutated again; they've become much larger than before. I think the sewers won't be able to hide them for much longer. I'm considering transferring them to the large lakes near the capital to hide in a few days."

"Fine. Since I can't communicate with them anyway, I'm leaving these matters to you for full responsibility from now on. I'll stick to humans and machines. You don't need to report their affairs to me anymore, lest I start thinking I've become the King of Beasts and end up completely insane. Go do what you need to do; I need to start hawking tofu."

I had been deliberately avoiding the neighborhood where my own home was located while selling tofu, mainly because I was afraid my mother would misunderstand and scold me. In the few days I’d been out, the only acquaintance I ran into was Wu Jiale, my former class monitor from the First High School. He now works as a department manager at an advertising company. After learning I was starting a company, he gave me an invitation to the alumni association, suggesting I look for information there.

Wu Jiale mentioned that some important figures would be attending this year’s alumni gathering: Fang Chaoyang, Chairman of Chaoyang Energy (ranked second in the Dragon Country Top 500 Enterprises); Wu Cheng, Governor of the National Bank (ranked fourth); Qiu Sihai, President of Global Communications (ranked tenth); and a very famous General of the Republic would all be present as alumni of the First High School. TV stations and reporters would be flocking there—such a grand occasion was the best opportunity to establish my company’s name and seek avenues for development.

I would welcome such opportunities every day. I immediately cut Wu Jiale a generous slab of tofu as a thank you. Even if I didn't secure any business, seeing old classmates would be great.

Taozi had no patience. After following me to sell tofu for a short while, he went home to surf the internet. Yesterday evening, Yi Xiaorou called and said she was treating me to dinner tonight. I didn't know what she meant. Could her old illness really have relapsed, as Hua Qingqing suggested? Should I then take it upon myself to sleep with her to cure her?

Thinking about it, my heart raced and my face flushed, and I hadn't even noticed an old man standing by the three-wheeled cart.

"Young man, give me three yuan worth of tofu. Young man! Young man! What are you daydreaming about?"

Waking up from my dream, I blushed and apologized to the old man. "Sorry, sir, I didn't rest well last night and I'm a bit dazed. Three yuan of tofu, right? I'll weigh it right now. This is our new brand; we plan to enter the big supermarkets soon. Could you taste a small piece first, sir, and give me your feedback?"

The old man tasted the small slice of tofu I handed him. "Hmm, the flavor is excellent, just the way I like it. Young man, what is this tofu called? It would be helpful for me to know when I come to buy it next time."

"It’s called Iron Bull Brand. Impressive, right? I guarantee you won't forget it once you hear the name."

"Good name, I’ll remember it. You keep busy, young man. I’m going home to make breakfast for my son; he worked overtime and only got back around midnight, so he’s sleeping now." Saying this, the old man walked toward the residential complex.

"It’s bad! Fire! Fire is breaking out!"

I looked up—damn it—thick smoke was billowing from one of the buildings across the street. The scene was no less dramatic than an ancient beacon tower signaling an emergency.

The old man, who hadn't walked far, dropped the tofu in his hand. "Heavens! That’s my home! It’s on fire! How could it be on fire? My son is still asleep inside! Quick, put out the fire, quick!"

The old man yelled as he ran toward the complex. I pushed the tofu cart and ran towards the same direction. After all, I’m a young man who enjoys acts of righteousness; I’ve done my share of drawing my sword to help those in need, so I don't mind seizing an opportunity to do it once more.