“Your party’s firepower left a deep impression on us. Since the despicable Empire and mutated humans are eliminated, why don’t we redefine the boundaries, each take a step back, and remain at peace?”
In the conference room beside the palace, Jiang Chen met the ambassador from Federation.
“So your proposal is?” Jiang Chen smiled.
“With Gan River as the boundary, the territory west of Gan River will belong to Federation and the territory east of Gan River will belong to NAC. The borders will be open with an open trade policy in effect and no customs set in place?” the ambassador proposed with a smile.
Their terms made Jiang Chen extremely surprised.
He previously assumed they would have to engage in intense debate on the negotiation table or be involved in an intense standoff that could even escalate into military conflict, but negotiations went surprisingly smooth. Federation, who already crossed the Gan River, took a step back and was willing to retreat?
Jiang Chen’s finger tapped the armrest of the chair while he contemplated the real intentions of Federation.
But regardless of what they thought, the terms brought by the ambassador gave him no reason to reject them.
After a brief silence, he casually said.
“Looks like we’ve reached an agreement.”
A smile appeared on the ambassador’s face. He took half a step back and bowed courteously to Jiang Chen.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to reach an agreement with your party, honorable Mr. General.”
Since they reached an agreement, the two parties signed the agreement that symbolized their friendship.
Without staying for much longer, the ambassador took the copy that belonged to them and departed.
Once the ambassador left, Jiang Chen looked to Han Junhua, who was standing by the side silently.
“What do you think?”
“If NAC needs a market and supply base, Federation’s proposal satisfies our needs,” Han Junhua replied.
“I share the same perspective as you, although I don’t think it’s as simple as it looks.” Jiang Chen nodded.
It didn’t take long before Ji Yucheng finally reached the arena. But before he stepped into the conference room, the ambassador already left.
Jiang Chen had a helpless expression, looking at Ji Yucheng, who was gasping for air.
“You’re late. The Federation ambassador already left.”
“Th-that quickly? You reached an agreement?” Ji Yucheng stood up with his back straight and asked Jiang Chen in shock.
“Of course. We agreed to set Gan River as the boundary with free trade established… This is the exact agreement.” Jiang Chen nonchalantly tossed the agreement they just signed into Ji Yucheng’s hands. “Unfortunately, you can’t be the president. How about being a diplomat?”
Ji Yucheng scanned through the agreement before putting it down.
“This is a trap.”
“Oh?” Jiang Chen curiously examined Ji Yucheng.
“Although Federation’s forces have outstanding abilities, the strongest part of Federation isn’t its soldiers.”
“What is it then?”
“It’s the merchants,” Ji Yucheng replied.
Jiang Chen almost burst out laughing.
Ji Yucheng looked at Jiang Chen, puzzled, not understanding why he found it funny. Empire was afraid of Federation’s merchants and hence established many rules and boundaries within its market. They increased tariffs and established protection policies to support the economy on the brink of collapse.
“Looks like you have hopes to become the president.” Jiang Chen didn’t bother explaining to Ji Yucheng. He just stood and laughed as he patted Ji Yucheng on the shoulder. “But I want you to first return to Federation. Only then can you participate in the election.”
Ji Yucheng shook his head and gave Jiang Chen a pleading look. “No! I don’t want to go back! They’ll kill me… The president won’t spare me with his forces behind him!”
“Don’t worry, you won’t die.” Jiang Chen comforted him. “You’re returning as a NAC diplomat; they won’t dare to kill you. Also, you’ve been out here for too long. It won’t make sense to kill you to protect the password anymore.”
As long as the president of Federation wasn’t blind, he would see that Fallout Shelter 071 is now under the control of NAC.
“But…”
Jiang Chen dismissed his comment with irritation. “No buts. If you want to become the president, listen to me or else I’ll choose someone else—”
“What!” Ji Yucheng immediately stopped blabbering.
[You certainly recognize the situation.]
Jiang Chen glanced at the guy, paused, then continued.
“Once you return to Federation, just do your job as a diplomat. You don’t have to do anything. Just wait for my orders.”
Ji Yucheng nodded and carefully remembered Jiang Chen’s words of caution.
“Also, keep an eye out for me on one thing.”
“What thing?”
“That letter – who sent it to you?” Jiang Chen said.
Ji Yucheng, with a troubled smile, said, “Didn’t I say? It was Doctor Sun—”
…
“He didn’t send it, although it was sent under his name.”
“I swear I didn’t lie to you. It’s Doctor Sun’s handwriting. I delegated people to verify his writing before…” Ji Yucheng assumed Jiang Chen suspected he was lying.
“I know you’re not lying to me, but you’ve been lied to,” Jiang Chen said. “The name on the letter may not represent the person who actually sent the letter. He has a clinic and signs how many forms a day? It’s not hard to forge his writing.”
“How do you know he didn’t write the letter?” Ji Yucheng rebutted.
“Because I met him and I confirmed that he didn’t have the intention of doing that,” Jiang Chen said.
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye out.” Ji Yucheng nodded.
…
After sending Ji Yucheng off, Jiang Chen left the affairs of Qingshan Town to Superintendent Chen Ling and exchanged a few words with the newly-appointed Director Cai Xuan, then he boarded Order to return to Golden River Farm.
Inside the farm were already a few tractors plowing the land. Bundles of Carm saplings were stacked on the side with a few new farmers cooling off on the side.
The merchants of Sixth Street not only brought capital; they also brought advanced technology.
Disregarding everything else, the farm tractors plowing the farm were the products of Sixth Street factories.
In the near future, NAC technicians would build a communication base station. Once established, Hucheng would be included in the credit EP payment system. At the same time, data exchange between Wanghai could be accomplished through the network.
After he arrived at the command post, Jiang Chen found his private force captain, Captain Li Wang, and inquired about the mission he delegated to him.
“Did you find the quantum computer research institute?”
“We already confirmed a few suspected targets and I sent the brothers of the private force to search for them. I’ll have an accurate reply in three days at the most.”
“Excellent. I’m glad I entrusted this task to you.”
“It’s my pleasure to share the General’s burden.” Li Wang saluted him.
Jiang Chen nodded, pleased.
“I have another thing I want you to do.”
“What is it?”
“Head to the Donggang Plantation for me and convince the survivors there to join us.”
“Roger that.” Li Wang headed out.
“Wait.” Jiang Chen suddenly stopped him.
He stopped and turned around.
“Anything else I can do?”
“You’ve been with me for a while, and I’m pleased with your loyalty. But regarding your abilities, I still need to test you. I won’t give you any hints in this mission and I don’t have any expectations regarding which method you use to convince them. Your actions and the final result will be used as part of the assessment. If you pass the test, you’ll become the captain of Order.”
Li Wang’s heart trembled uncontrollably as he looked at Jiang Chen with great emotion.
He took a deep breath, calmed the excitement in his mind, and eventually said:
“I definitely won’t disappoint you, General!”