Doomsday rat

Page 345

"That's a good excuse...Yu'er, take some time this afternoon to find Uncle Lu Ye and settle down the fuel ration for next year's ministry. By the way, let me mention Zhang Ke's performance... Yes, it's just a complaint.

why?Let him rest assured that as long as Zhang Ke is not involved in this matter, he can safely and boldly raise the issue of pilot self-management of the safe zone at the ministerial meeting.It is certainly no coincidence that such a big incident happened in succession, such as strikes and blockades. It is always necessary to find out where the joints are so as to prescribe the right medicine. "

It was roughly confirmed that Zhang Ke was not a participant, so Lin Na didn't need to prevent accidental injury.But this alone was not enough. She and Jiao Qiao were both neutral factions, and they couldn't take the initiative to put forward ideas that were too unfavorable to a certain faction. This work had to be handed over to Lu Yejiangnan.

Only when the arguments are sufficient, can she and Jiao Qiao confidently express their support, and at the same time minimize factional disputes, making it easier to reach a result among the various factions in the government.

"Oh... yes, it's so difficult to do something. Yu'er, since you have chosen to take this path, you can't shrink back. Learn more, see more, think more, and don't rush for success at any time. The more you need it, The more calm you are."

For Lan Yuer's complaints, Lin Na could only respond with clichés. When she didn't really achieve this position, she couldn't think of such a situation even after thinking about it ten thousand times.Only after being personally on the scene did I understand why the godfather I knew back then would show all kinds of crazy behavior behind the scenes, without it, the pressure would be too great.

But Lin Na's arrangement is temporarily useless, and before the ministerial work meeting is held, another major incident occurred in the new safety zone.In the middle of the night, the sleeping refugees were suddenly awakened by a burst of gunshots, roughly at the southern end of the New Seventh District.

Judging from the density and duration of the gunshots, it was definitely not a battle between underground forces. It was on a larger scale, almost like a small war.During the period, there were several loud noises from time to time. Most people couldn't figure out whether it was a shell or a grenade.

Chapter 1059 One after another 2

Early the next morning, sporadic news about last night's shootout kept coming out of the new security zone, which sounded pretty weird.According to insiders, not only refugees from Xinjiang Province and security forces participated in the shootout in the middle of the night, but also the local garrison and the plainclothes Ministry of Internal Affairs.It is not a confrontation between the two sides, but a multi-party chaotic battle.

In the end, it was the Ministry of Internal Affairs that used armored vehicles and machine guns to stabilize the situation. What happened, why the fight broke out, and the number of casualties?

But there is one thing that needs to be seen by everyone. Less than half an hour after the end of the shootout, the rapid reaction force deployed in the second district in the south of the city had already crossed into the new sixth district in an organized way, dividing the east and north sides of the new safety zone It was completely blocked.

Not long after, a string of vehicle lights could also be seen south of the Fourth Ring Road moving north. It should be that the troops stationed nearby started to move, and the target was also the new safe zone.

"It's over, it's over. This group of raw melon eggs have little experience. If they strike the market, they will strike the market. The alliance government still needs to show face, and won't be in a hurry because of this. Don't play around, it's all right now, the army will come soon Get military control, let's see who can wrestle with the army!"

"If you want me to say that you shouldn't bother at all, being down-to-earth and obedient and being able to eat is better than nothing. That person surnamed Hong is not a good person. He left everyone and ran away ten years ago. He came back ten years later and wanted to be powerful. Monopolizing, dragging a group of new immigrants who don't understand anything as cannon fodder, it's so bad!"

"You can't say that. I think what's said on the radio makes sense. Everyone is a survivor. Even if you come late and suffer a little, you shouldn't have any power. You just work like a cow and a horse all day in exchange for a bite. How dare you Nao, look at us again, we are also refugees, if we don’t say help, we stand aside and make sarcastic remarks, we deserve to be poor!”

"I'm just bah, what's the broadcast, it's the surname Hong who is demagogic. Follow him? Why do you do it? Who doesn't understand the truth, but we don't have any bullshit in our hands. No matter how hard the head is, can it be as hard as a bullet? In the end We are the ones who suffer.”

Faced with this scene, the refugees who lived in the safe zone for a longer period of time immediately guessed what was going to happen, not guessing, but deja vu, and basically had no hope for the future of immigrants from Xinjiang Province.

Some people also began to gloat. Although they are also refugees, they know that if the immigrants from Xinjiang and provinces win, they will benefit themselves invisibly, but they really don't want to see this day in their bones.

In Hong Tao's words, some people think they should be dogs after being a dog for a long time, and they will hate others if they don't want to be dogs.

Because that would remind them that they used to be humans, but they couldn’t remember how to be humans. After becoming angry, they dared not hate the person who turned them into dogs. They could only vent their resentment to remind them that they were still human. on people.

This is a kind of disease, mental illness, which is extremely harmful to society.They are much worse than dogs, but they have lost their basic humanity. They are all perverts. Their hearts are filled with hatred and there is nowhere to vent it. As long as they get the chance, they will launch crazy revenge on all weak and weak.

No matter how everyone evaluates the accident, at eight o'clock in the morning, they will still turn on the radio involuntarily, looking forward to the reappearance of the crisp female voice.

In fact, most people are still not confused in their hearts, and can roughly tell who is right.It’s just that their spines have been broken, and every time they have the thought of resistance, they will feel a dull pain in their backs, and they are always reminded to be a turtle and protect themselves wisely, otherwise they will have to bear the pain of broken bones.

"Hello, survivors, I am your old friend, and today I bring good news.

At around 8:29 p.m. on August 1, a fierce gun battle broke out near the subway company in Xinqi District.The death toll so far stands at more than ten, including officers from the Union Army and senior officials from the Security Zone Administration.

This shootout was caused by an illegal activity of large-scale smuggling of prohibited weapons and ammunition. After receiving reports from immigrants from Xinjiang and provinces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs closely monitored the suspects and launched a sudden raid when the transaction was in progress, basically reaching the level of stolen goods. And get the effect.

However, this group of smugglers was extremely vicious and used various weapons to fight tenaciously.During the exchange of fire, most of the smugglers were killed, and some government staff died heroically. We express our deep condolences for this.

At present, the incident is still being solved, and we will follow up and report on the relevant progress. Thank you for listening, and see you next time! "

But this time it was a bit of a surprise and surprise. The familiar female voice came out on the radio on time, and it was not a perfunctory recording. It was a hot topic that everyone was talking about.

"Look at what I said, things are different from what you think. Don't keep listening to those rumors that have no shadow, our broadcast is still reliable. I can't guarantee anything else. Since I have this girl, when is it not The real thing is more accurate than the loudspeaker in the management office!"

"It's so evil, how does this girl know better than the management office. Hey, do you think she was specially arranged by the higher-ups, or who can see it every time on the scene, and say it with a nose and eyes?"

Facing the reality, the cynical and goofy people can only die down, but they still don't give up, desperately trying to find evidence to make their arguments stand.

Since there is no way to refute it in the face of the facts, then look for the person who is telling the facts. As long as it can be proved that the female voice on the radio itself is unreliable, the entire broadcast will also be unreliable.

"Hurry up and grow your brain. The alliance deliberately arranged to speak ill of yourself, and only your brain can come up with it. It's so advanced."

"If you want me to tell you, I still have to think about that Chairman Hong. He is not a mortal, and those who don't know you and I don't necessarily know it. Most of the ministers in the alliance now are from zombies. You rescued it from your mouth, try it with someone else, it has already been thrown into the dungeon by the Ministry of Internal Affairs!"

The short newsletter of hundreds of crosses is more vivid than many versions. I have a buddy who was present at the time, and the series was easy to use, and the caliber was quickly unified.

"Crack...that's amazing! I said that the army stopped at the border and didn't enter for a long time. It's worth noting that the immigration from Xinjiang Province is not only right, but also meritorious!"

Sun Feihu listened to the second broadcast 10 minutes after the first broadcast, then turned off the power, wiped the cold sweat from his bald head, and sat down on the sofa talking to himself.

As he got older, not only his blood pressure was a bit high, but his heart was not as tough as it was in previous years. Just hearing the news of the fierce gun battle in the new safe zone, he almost lost his rhythm.Ever since Mrs. Xiushan decided to cooperate with Hong Tao, he had already staked his entire family fortune, leaving no way out.

If Hong Tao fails, no matter how the alliance handles him, he will definitely not be able to escape. With a repeat offender, the old relationship between the infrastructure department and the logistics department may not be able to help.Right now things suddenly turned 180 degrees, not only the heartbeat is a bit chaotic, but also the blood pressure is also rising.

"It's not that simple... Come on, drink the ginseng tea and go to bed for a while, I'll call you if you need anything!" Mrs. Xiushan saw Feihu's appearance, and she didn't want to discuss too complicated and thought-provoking matters, so she picked up the teacup and handed it over .

"It would be great if I could fall asleep, hurry up and tell me what else is there!" Sun Feihu didn't refuse the teacup, and drank it happily, but he resolutely refused to go to sleep and continued to inquire.

"The business of smuggling weapons has not been a day or two, and there has never been such a big disturbance. I know a few sea goods merchants, and they are all outlaws, but there is no possibility of newcomers inexperienced in this industry. Never take unnecessary risks.

Sending a large number of weapons to the new blocked safe zone is inherently problematic, and trading them face to face is simply suicide.There is no need to worry about selling these things. As long as they are in stock, they can find very safe and familiar buyers at any time. There is no need to take such a big risk just to make more money.

It's all right now, not only the people and the goods were empty, but also the alliance officials were killed. The next step is that Jinmen Port will definitely crack down on the gang of sea goods merchants, and no one can send out their goods. A fly droppings ruined a pot of porridge.

I don't think ordinary sea goods merchants did this, but ordinary merchants can't get into their circle, so we have to wait and see what's going on, and the incompleteness has something to do with Captain Hong.

If he wants to buy a gun, he doesn't need to go to the sea goods dealer at all. In a word, Bai Side and I can help with it.The city strike committee even banned the pocket knives worn by immigrants from Xinjiang Province, obviously to avoid providing an excuse for the alliance's military control, and it didn't make sense to rush to buy weapons.

Wait and see, I contacted the sea goods merchants to meet at night and have a chat, first find out why they are so eager to take such a big risk, and then I will know if there is any problem. "

Mrs. Xiushan understands this matter from another angle. She, or the group of foreign survivors behind her, are no strangers to sea goods merchants. She doesn’t need to know other information, and she can already tell from the transaction mode and timing unusual.

"Okay, don't wait any longer, let's see who's here!" Was it right? Feihu tilted his head and looked out the window, and seemed to have an answer.

"You two old men, something big happened. It's so interesting, it's amazing!" A few minutes later, Bai Side, who was full of fat, walked in quickly, wiped the sweat from his face, picked up the tea on the table, and poured it into his mouth. Filling, after putting down the teacup, he started to run around the room, chattering, feeling extremely excited.

"Boss Bai, sit down and talk slowly, what happened, my blood pressure can't help it!" Feihu's face turned red again, wishing he could throw the empty teacup on the half-talking fat man's head.

Chapter 1060 One after another 3

"What's the big deal? You listened to the broadcast just now. It's not too big? I just came out of the three-ring club and had morning tea with Jiro. This time it's not me looking for him, but he took the initiative to make an appointment. I just said one thing, the weapons and ammunition seized in the new security zone have nothing to do with them!"

If he could sit still, Bai Side wouldn't have left the entertainment city without even returning home and ran here, almost soaking his underpants.He has a more accurate source, fresh from the oven.

"It doesn't matter if he says it doesn't matter? Who do you think he is, and he's doing business with a good navy to kill his head? It's a bit late to worry now!" Who is Jiro Sun Feihu may not know, even most people don't know, but Xiushan Madam knows.

That guy is also a Japanese survivor, called Saito Jiro, who used to be a member of the Alliance Navy and served as the captain of the Tianjin Port Anti-Smuggling Team.Later, he was found out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs because he had repeatedly accepted bribes from smuggling ships, and he was expelled from the military for half a year in a labor reform.

After he was released, he managed seafood in the Great Ocean Road Seafood Market. The business was tepid, but his life was not tight.The reason is not that the cost control is reasonable, nor is the profit high, but that what he is doing is not seafood trading at all, and he has become the agent of the seafood merchant group in the Great Ocean Road Market.

Where can I find sea goods merchants if I want to buy weapons and ammunition?The answer is that they can't find it at all. The group is very closed and never has business contacts with outsiders easily. Even the Ministry of Internal Affairs can't find it. How can ordinary people find it.

But it doesn't matter, you can go to Saito Jiro, he is the general agent of the sea goods merchant in the safe zone of the capital.After identity screening, he will arrange for you to meet with the sea goods merchant only after he feels that there is no problem.He doesn't care about the specific price, quantity, model, trading place and time, let alone the payment for the goods.

The advantage of doing this is safety. Customers he does not know can inquire through other merchants in the Great Ocean Road Market, and will not proceed to the next step if there is anything suspicious.Don't touch money, don't touch goods, and you haven't obtained the stolen goods as a legal person, even if you know what he does, you can only stare blankly.

"It may not be too late. He intends to ask me to introduce him to Section Chief Wang, who is in charge of investigating the case of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to explain the source of the goods in person. It seems that the sea goods merchants are really in a hurry, and they don't want to become an official because of this incident. Focus on the target.

He also told me about the specific situation. About four or five years ago, sea cargo merchants discovered a strange phenomenon. There were always ships from India conducting secret transactions with a group of people in Jinmen Port, and then suddenly popped up. Batches of guns and ammunition were sold to them at a higher price.

After more than two years of undercover investigation, they discovered the mystery.In addition to normal cargo, these foreign cargo ships will also carry some children or standard guns and ammunition, and exchange prohibited cargo with the group in Jinmen Port for antibiotics and special medicines produced by the alliance.

The group of people who smuggled guns and ammunition into the new security zone this time did not go through the channel of the sea goods merchants at all, but only traded in the name of the sea goods merchants. "

Bai Side shook his hand, and mysteriously told the inside story that he had just heard.Not only did he feel that he had benefited a lot, but Mrs. Xiushan and Feihu Sun also listened very seriously.

If it weren't for this incident, no one would have known that a few years ago, someone used the alliance's scarce medicines to exchange children, guns and ammunition.

"How did they get antibiotics and specific medicines?" Mrs. Xiushan had a sharp mind and immediately found the key to the problem.

Antibiotics have always been a hot item in the safe zone, and she can only get doses for one or two people at a time through her contacts.Don't even think about the special medicine, that thing has never appeared in the safe zone, and the official residents can't get their turn, so how can they be used by the refugees.

"That's the problem! If there were no antibiotics and special medicines, those people would have been thrown into the sea by the sea goods merchants to feed the fish. Sea goods merchants are not willing to turn against those who can get these medicines easily, for fear of getting into big trouble .

Besides, although the firearms and ammunition that have been transferred are more expensive, they can't stand up to the large number. As long as they can be transported to a safe area, they are still very profitable. Who can't live with the money.Until last night, the two sides had always maintained a non-interfering cooperative relationship. "

As if waiting for Feihu Sun to ask a question, Bai Side slapped his thighs and spit, as if he was there and saw the whole process, and he spoke happily.

"Boss Bai, I just talked to Feihu, listen to the analysis, is it right..."

But Mrs. Xiushan became more and more serious as she listened, and she didn't discuss the topic of real and fake sea goods merchants. Instead, she repeated the previous analysis, incorporating the new clues provided by Bai Side.

"Could it be that that group of people is..." Bai Side listened, the sweat that just fell out again seeped out of his pores, he stretched out a finger and pointed to the roof, expecting to be denied.According to Mrs. Xiushan's analysis, the group of people in Jinmen Port who specialize in exchanging scarce medicines for children and weapons are probably not ordinary refugees.

Who has the ability to get a lot of antibiotics and specific medicines?Don't think about it, there is only one answer, the high level of the alliance is not just an ordinary high level, it must be a high level with real power.

The people in Jinmen Port are just doing dirty work for the high-level. Similar people, groups and companies can be seen everywhere in the safety zone, such as Sun Changzhong of the transportation company, and Jiang Menshen of Antong Machinery Company.

Now the high-level dogs go to the new security zone to smuggle weapons. It's okay to say that money is the simplest and safest.Now it seems that it is definitely not for money. Compared with the old safe zone, the financial resources of the new immigrants in Xinjiang Province are not enough.

It is interesting to be willing to take great risks not to make money.What else is there in the new safe zone besides money?The most famous person should be one person, Hong Tao!

The high-level dogs probably went to the new security zone because of Hong Tao, but they were reported by immigrants from Xinjiang Province, so they probably weren't from Hong Tao's group.

After pushing this logic through, things that were originally clueless immediately became simpler.Someone in the upper echelon planned to use the crime of illegal arms trading to intimidate Hongtao, and the reason was naturally that he didn't want to see him messing around in the new security zone.

As long as immigrants from Xinjiang Province participated in the illegal arms trade and were caught on the spot, Hong Tao would not be able to tell if his body was covered in radio stations.The military control of the new security zone must not have left. The strike will end without a problem, and everything will return to the original state, as if nothing happened.

However, it was not easy to set Hong Tao off. Not only did he not succeed this time, he also lost his army.Hong Tao did not know where he got the news in advance, and then brought the Ministry of Internal Affairs into it.

With a clever trick, only a small informer is needed, and the immigrants from Xinjiang Province have changed from pure criminals to meritorious whistleblowers. They are not guilty, and Hong Tao will naturally be fine, unless he goes to the trading market in person. The possibility is too small.

To lure the snake out of the hole, besides getting rid of his own troubles, Hong Tao also used the intervention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to force out the enemy forces hidden behind him.

Why did the Ministry of Internal Affairs appear at the transaction site together with the security team and the army? This matter was not mentioned in the rumors or on the radio.Now it seems that this very abnormal phenomenon is the key to the whole incident. It is very likely that the intensive gunfire is not killing the smugglers, but that the three government departments are annihilating each other.

Why hasn't it been mentioned? The government definitely won't talk about scandals to the outside world. If a tooth falls out, it has to be swallowed with blood.I didn't say anything about the illegal radio station. Maybe it was because I didn't know it, or maybe it was because I didn't want to completely tear myself apart from the government, and I saved some face for it.

"...[-]% can't be wrong. Captain Hong's game of chess is a bit big. I can't figure it out with my ability. Let's wait and see how the government responds." Mrs. Xiushan nodded, affirming Bai Side's guess, but to There is no prediction of the development of the situation at all.

"Then how should I reply to Taro?" Bai Side hurried over, not intending to understand the impact of this incident on the government, but he was not sure whether to help Taro spread the word.As a result, after getting such an inference, I felt a little guilty, for fear of being involved in a fight between the gods.

"This time he is lucky, he can help as much as he can. Donating charcoal in the snow has always been a matter of less investment and more profit. We will use them in the future." Mrs. Xiushan agreed without thinking, like them The refugee forces have never had an endless demand for weapons and ammunition. It is a great favor to be able to sell seafood to merchants. There are only advantages and no disadvantages.

Chapter 1061 Limited Self-Management

"That's right, you guessed right, we've been fooled again! Damn it... yes, it's death, tell the person surnamed Jiang, I want to see the corpse within ten days, it's either that person or him and his subordinates! "

Facing Ah Jing who was full of exhaustion and panic, Gao Tianyi barely resisted the urge to throw something.But venting anger is small, and solving problems is big.Now that he has no way out, he must desperately find a solution once and for all, otherwise another decade will be wasted.

Although he is not yet fifty, he seems to be getting closer to that face.When I was 35 years old, I saw the same face. It has basically remained the same for ten years.If it goes on like this, it's hard to tell who is consuming more energy, and it must be resolved quickly!

"Once he dies, will the military and the Ministry of Internal Affairs fall to the royalists?" Ah Jing didn't move. She was a little worried about the political situation of the alliance after hearing Gao Tianyi mention it often.

In order to allow Hong Tao to go ashore with peace of mind and not immediately lose the support of most of the navy and air force, a secret agreement was formed among the top management of the alliance.No one is allowed to use any excuse to unilaterally detain, house arrest, or threaten Hong Tao's life, and all act in accordance with the rules of the alliance.

Now Gao Tianyi is about to kill Hong Tao, which is a clear violation of this agreement. No matter whether he can find out who did it after the fact, as long as it is proved that the death was not natural, the reformists will be unable to escape the blame.The consequence of this may be a catastrophe. As long as Jiao Qiao and Lin Na fall to the royalists, everything will be over.

"Ah Jing, for the sake of our children, we must take a risk. I don't want my son to start all over again. Every day, he and thousands of people of the same age work hard for work, houses, furniture and food. We must leave something behind.

But with him, I will always be a loser, just like Liu Quanyou, except for a slightly higher salary, I may not be able to leave anything.Winner and loser, if I could have been more ruthless back then, the history of the alliance would have been rewritten, and he should be the loser!

This kind of mistake cannot be made again, and now is the best opportunity.The one named Jiang is just a cover-up, and it is very difficult to get rid of that guy with his ability.But we still have another trump card, we can use both methods to see if he can still be invulnerable! "

Seeing Ah Jing hesitated, Gao Tian stretched out his arms to hug the woman and began to do ideological work, which may also be from the bottom of his heart.In fact, his idea is also correct. If he is willing to chat with Hong Tao openly, there is a high probability that he will get support.

No one jumps out from the cracks in the rocks, there are all kinds of emotions and desires, and it is a very human requirement to want to live better than others, eat more and enjoy some privileges.If no matter how much you do or how little you do, you will receive the same treatment, and if you don't distinguish between high and low contributions, then human beings will still not be able to progress.

It's a pity that he, like many people, has too much prejudice against Hong Tao, or is afraid to face it from the bottom of his heart, so he takes Hong Tao's proposition for granted as a poison that seals his throat when he sees blood.

Of course, there are also some people who are really greedy and attached to power, and they are unwilling to let go after death, hoping that it will be passed down from generation to generation.In their eyes, Hong Tao is a stumbling block and a stumbling block. They must be overthrown and completely eliminated, otherwise they will not be able to sleep at night without food.

"Brother Tian, ​​you are the best, and our child will be as outstanding as his father in the future!" Ah Jing deeply agrees with this confession. She is not as ambitious as Zhou Yuan, but she is a bit like Lin Na. Family members and children are impatient, willing to risk their lives for the sake of future generations.

"Immediately cut off all contact with the surname Jiang, and don't meet them again. You may also be targeted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Don't go back to our home for the time being, and live in the dormitory. I will send someone to take care of the child, and wait for the surname Hong to die. , no one cares about these things.”

After warming up on the sofa in the office for a while, Ah Jing got up and straightened her clothes and hair, preparing to deliver new instructions.At this time, Gao Tianyi thought of something again. Since Qin Hongwei was exposed, Zhou Dunhu, who was on the line, would probably be exposed as well, and it was not safe to bring Ah Jing.

Although there is no evidence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has nothing to do with the inspector of the council, but if it finds out about herself, her nest and children, and it spreads to Chu Qiu's ears, it will also be a catastrophe.

"I understand, take care of yourself and rest more!" Ah Jing did not feel sad because she didn't see her son for a while, and she was used to this kind of life since she was sent to Antong Machinery Company.

In the meeting room of the government building, the meeting of ministers is in progress.What was different from usual was that there were more people attending the meeting this time. In addition to the principals and deputies of various departments, there were also principals and deputies of the safety zone management offices and security team chiefs and deputies.

They were specially recruited for one purpose, to make suggestions on whether partial self-regulation could be tried in the safe zone.Of all the Union officials, only they know the life of the refugees and the real face of the safe zone best.

Not completely independent, is a compromise name that Randy racked his brains to come up with.In fact, it is to return part of the power belonging to the management office to the refugee organization. Under the premise of accepting the management of the alliance government, the refugees will manage the areas where they live and live.

Why do you do this, two words, nothing!The strike has not been resolved, and another shootout broke out inside the new security zone.Arms smuggling gangs and a group of foreign immigrants from Xinjiang Province faced the arrest of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and carried out an armed confrontation after their illegal transactions were exposed.In the end, some were killed, some chose to commit suicide, and some were captured.

It sounds normal, but this is the caliber of external propaganda. In fact, it is far more than the Ministry of the Interior, smugglers and foreign immigrants participating in the war, at least the local garrison and the security team of the new security zone must be added.

If you look more closely, you will find that at the beginning of the battle, the guns of the local garrison and the security team were not aimed at the smuggling gangs and foreign immigrants, but were the first to shoot at the execution team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which triggered a scuffle.In the end, the Ministry of the Interior had to use armored vehicles and machine guns to solve the problem, causing unnecessary casualties.

It didn't end here, and more interesting details emerged bit by bit as the site survey progressed.