188: Chapter 188: The Wasteland is Pacified, and the Dragon Kingdom Gains Resources from a Planet

Dawn City, Imperial Palace.

Although it was called an imperial palace, it was actually just a metal fortress that had been dug out of the ruins and simply repaired.

Traces of laser burns still remained on the walls, and the smell of gunpowder in the air had not yet dissipated.

But at this moment, a signing ceremony that would change the fate of two worlds was taking place here.

On both sides of the long alloy table sat two groups of people with completely different styles.

On the left was the Dragon Kingdom delegation led by General Qin Weiguo.

They were dressed in uniform deep green military uniforms, sitting straight with solemn expressions, with steaming thermos cups on the table.

On the right was the Wasteland leadership led by Jiang Wanqiu.

Grand Commander Lei Zhen was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, the scientist Zero had a mechanical head, and there were several legion commanders wearing power armor.

In front of them sat something generously sponsored by Jiang Chen—Master Kong Braised Beef Noodles.

"Slurp—"

Grand Commander Lei Zhen couldn't help himself.

Taking advantage of the lull while the documents were being translated, he took a huge slurp of noodles, making an extremely discordant sound.

"So delicious..."

This exclamation became the best footnote to this serious meeting.

Jiang Chen sat in the main seat.

As the only "middleman" and "double-sided negotiator," he tapped the table, looking helpless:

"Alright, stop being so restrained."

"Since everyone is 'family'... ahem, since everyone is related by marriage, let's speak plainly."

He picked up the thick "Blue Star - Gaia Star Region Mutual Assistance Treaty" and flipped through it:

"The terms are simple."

"The Dragon Kingdom will be responsible for solving the food and clothing problems in Dawn City."

"Rice, flour, pork, and padded jackets—there will be plenty."

"In addition, we will send an engineering corps to help you rebuild the city, restore water and electricity, and build a few decent hospitals and schools."

Upon hearing the word "plenty," the eyes of the generals on the Wasteland side turned green, and their Adam's apples bobbed wildly.

In their view, how was this a set of terms?

This was simply an admission ticket to heaven!

As long as they could get enough to eat, let alone sign a treaty, they would sell their lives to the Dragon Kingdom if asked!

"As for the Wasteland side..."

Jiang Chen turned to look at Jiang Wanqiu, his eyes much gentler:

"Wanqiu, bring out your sincerity."

"Yes, Father God."

Jiang Wanqiu stood up; her tattered battle armor did not diminish her majesty.

With a wave of her hand, the scientist Zero behind her immediately produced a heavy metal box and placed it solemnly in front of General Qin Weiguo.

"General Qin."

Jiang Wanqiu's voice was cold but carried an air of boldness:

"This is the first batch of the technology transfer list."

"It includes the complete industrial blueprints for the 'Anti-gravity Engine', the assembly line manufacturing technology for 'Individual Exoskeletons', and the miniaturization plan for 'Controlled Nuclear Fusion'."

General Qin Weiguo's hand shook, and he almost dropped his teacup.

These things...

Just taking out any one of them would be enough for scientists on Earth to study for a hundred years!

And now they were being packaged and given away just like that?

"There's more."

Jiang Wanqiu pointed outside the window, her tone as flat as if she were talking about gifting a few local specialties:

"Regarding the resource planet codenamed S-778."

"I have signed the highest-level transfer order."

"From today on, all the gold, Helium-3 oceans, and rare mineral veins on that planet belong to the Dragon Kingdom... ahem, belong to Father God."

"You can mine and transport them as you please."

"We in Dawn City will only be responsible for the labor, as long as we are paid our wages daily... well, that is, instant noodles and ham sausages will do."

"Pfft—"

The chief of staff behind General Qin Weiguo couldn't help it and spat out a mouthful of water.

Using the resources of an entire planet in exchange for instant noodles?

Is this actually a real trade?

This is practically a scam!

And it's the kind of scam where the scammed party is crying and shouting "Thank you!"

"What? Not enough?"

Jiang Wanqiu frowned, thinking the other party felt it was too little, and her hand subconsciously moved to the hilt of her sword.

"If it's not enough, I'll go attack a few more settlements and grab their stock!"

"Enough! Enough!"

General Qin Weiguo quickly stood up, pressed his hand on the box, his expression extremely complex.

Excited?

That was certain.

But more of it was a sense of... unreality.

"Mr. Jiang..."

General Qin Weiguo turned to look at Jiang Chen, his voice trembling, "Is this... is this appropriate? Are we... taking advantage of their plight?"

"What do you mean, taking advantage of their plight?"

Jiang Chen curled his lip, looking completely righteous:

"This is called 'getting what you need' and 'mutual benefit'."

"In their eyes, gold is just a pile of soft metal with good conductivity, not even worth as much as a box of compressed biscuits."

"Helium-3 is everywhere, and no one knows how to use it."

"We are using useless food to trade for their useless rocks."

"Isn't this a fair trade?"

What the hell kind of fair trade!

This is treating the Wasteland like fools!

But looking at the happy expressions of Grand Commander Lei Zhen and the others, who were clutching their instant noodle cups as if they were the Holy Grail, General Qin Weiguo had to admit—under this bizarre supply and demand relationship, this really was a fair trade.

"Alright, sign it."

Jiang Chen handed the pen to General Qin Weiguo, "Once signed, the transport fleet outside can start working."

"Swish, swish, swish."

As the names were signed, the fate of the two worlds was bound together at this moment.

"Old Zhao! Open the cargo bay!"

Jiang Chen shouted into the communicator.

"Rumble—"

On the open ground outside Dawn City, the hovering luan niao starship slowly opened its massive belly cargo bay.

The engineering machinery and transport fleet, which had been waiting for a long time, drove out like a torrent of steel.

But this time, they weren't unloading bombs; they were unloading bags of grain labeled "Wuchang Rice," boxes of emergency medicine, and bundles of rebar and cement for building houses.

And in exchange, the workers of the Wasteland were shouting slogans as they sent cart after cart of heavy supplies into the cargo bay.

The first cart was gold.

The natural gold nuggets, unrefined and still carrying the fragrance of soil, were shoveled into the containers just like coal.

The second cart contained sealed tanks of blue liquid.

That was liquid Helium-3; one tank was enough to light up a city, but now it was being transported by the ton just like mineral water.

The third cart contained various strange-looking black technology remains excavated from ruins.

General Qin Weiguo stood on the balcony of the palace, watching this bustling scene.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, trying to calm his heart that was about to explode.

"Commander, our deployment this time..."

The chief of staff next to him swallowed, looking at the mountain of gold, his voice dry:

"The military expenditure is about 5 billion yuan."

"But..."

He pointed to the first batch of cargo about to be shipped back to Earth:

"This ship of gold alone is worth more than 200 billion."

"And that's not counting the priceless technical data and energy."

General Qin Weiguo exhaled a cloud of smoke, looking at the giant ship swallowing cargo, his eyes misty.

He had fought battles his whole life.

He had always seen money being spent like water; when had he ever seen making money by fighting a war?

And making such astronomical amounts?

"This isn't fighting a war..."

General Qin Weiguo shook his head with emotion, a smile that was both absurd and extremely satisfying appearing on his face:

"This is clearly..."

"Going out to stock up on goods."