110: Oil, the company wants it all

The hovercar slowly descended into the leisure area at the northwest corner of the Return to the Void. As Abdul stepped out of the car, a breeze, a mix of salty sea air and fresh pine, greeted him. His footsteps suddenly halted, the scene before him rendered even this well-traveled Crown Prince momentarily speechless.

The golden sand of the artificial beach glittered under the sun, a stark contrast to the majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance. Even more astonishing, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains was an exquisite Eastern Federation Jiangnan garden, with pavilions and towers nestled among ancient pines and emerald cypresses, and small bridges spanning winding streams. Three utterly different landscapes merged perfectly here, as if defying the laws of nature.

"This..." Abdul's Adam's apple bobbed. "How was this done?"

Aventurine's lips curved slightly, and his finger traced an arc in the air: "The beach is 30 degrees, the garden 24 degrees, and the snow mountain minus 20 degrees. Simple temperature field control technology. No technical barriers, just pure power consumption. But, the Interstellar Peace Corporation doesn't need to consider energy consumption issues."

"You understand."

He made an inviting gesture, "Your Highness, please follow me."

They walked along the cobblestone path through the garden, the melodious sound of a guqin drifting from afar, intertwined with the tinkling of melting snow from the mountains.

"We've arrived," Aventurine stopped in front of a hexagonal wooden pavilion. The pavilion had upturned eaves from which copper bells hung, chiming crisply in the breeze. Tea sets were already prepared inside the pavilion, and a tea artist dressed in traditional Eastern Federation attire was warming the cups.

"This is..." Abdul's gaze was drawn to an exquisite device on the tea table. It was a miniature model of a snow mountain, with fine snow drifting from its peak.

"The gold coins are my personal gift, and this is the Interstellar Peace Corporation's welcome gift to Your Highness," Aventurine gestured for the Crown Prince to be seated. "You can keep it on your desk to play with."

Abdul carefully took it, the icy touch on his fingertips confirming that it was real snow. "Your Interstellar Peace Corporation's technology... is truly impressive."

"It's nothing, the geniuses in the Technology Research and Development Department also have hobbies, like making models."

The tea artist elegantly poured the first brew. Aventurine watched the Crown Prince across from him staring at the distant snow-capped mountains, then raised his teacup and inhaled its aroma: "Your Highness has traveled a long way; I presume it's not just to admire the scenery."

Abdul's gaze returned from the snow-capped mountains. He put down his teacup and clasped his hands on the table: "Mr. Aventurine, I'll be direct. According to our calculations, the Space Garden project will require at least 8 billion tons of fuel. The Jinsha Kingdom is willing to fully open up its oil fields for extraction; the Interstellar Peace Corporation can build as it pleases. The oil produced, we can supply exclusively to the Space Garden project at 60% of the market price."

Aventurine's eyebrows raised slightly; the Crown Prince's boldness somewhat exceeded his expectations: "This price... given the Interstellar Peace Corporation's technology, you'll probably lose a lot of profit, won't you?"

"In the short term, that's true," Abdul's gaze turned to the distant snow-capped mountains. "But in the long term, we won't lose out. Our proposal is that if we can obtain two technologies—ecological transformation and basic aerospace technology—the price can be lowered further."

Aventurine leaned forward slightly: "Interesting. May I know the reason?"

"It's simple," Abdul brought up a set of holographic data. "After the advent of the nuclear fusion era, the energy value of oil will inevitably approach zero. Although there will still be demand for oil as a chemical raw material, under conditions of infinite energy, technology will inevitably find new methods. Rather than passively waiting for death, it's better to actively transform."

"In the future, humanity will eventually go to space. If we can master ecological transformation and space construction capabilities, Jinsha will be able to secure a place in space development," He pointed to the junction of the garden and the snow-capped mountains. "Just as your Interstellar Peace Corporation can perfectly integrate different ecosystems, we also want to find our place in the new era."

"But with all due respect, even if the Interstellar Peace Corporation provides the technology, with your country's current technological foundation, let alone digesting and absorbing it, even imitation is not very likely," Aventurine stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Only being able to repair and produce by module probably doesn't meet your country's needs, does it?"

"That's why we need the Interstellar Peace Corporation's help even more," Abdul's voice was firm. "The Jinsha Kingdom can provide a stable supply of fuel, the acquisition and transit of materials, and..." He paused. "If necessary, we can mobilize the entire country to participate in the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Space Garden project."

Aventurine suddenly laughed, not in mockery, but in approval.

Abdul didn't know, and outsiders didn't know, but Aventurine was in the know. The Interstellar Peace Corporation didn't need to use traditional chemical rockets to build the Space Garden space station; the Whale Sea-class transport ships were sufficient to complete the entire project, but he still admired the Crown Prince's boldness.

This kind of high-stakes gamble, betting the future of his country, was very much to his liking. After all, for him, it was always 'nothing or everything.'

Aventurine leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxed: "Your Highness is trading resources for the future; that's courage."

"Precisely," the Crown Prince's gaze was firm. "Rather than guarding oil that will eventually depreciate, it's better to use it to buy a ticket to space."

"A well-reasoned gamble, I like it," Aventurine reached out and pulled up a projection of an agreement. "Deal. The Interstellar Peace Corporation can provide basic aerospace technology training and assist your country in establishing an ecological technology research institute."

"Of course, in exchange, the Interstellar Peace Corporation will fully exploit all unexploited oil fields within your country's territory. In addition, your country will also need to provide 70% of its original oil production for the Space Garden project. Of course, all at 50% of the market price."

Abdul quickly scanned the terms. When he saw the "Technology Transfer" clause, his fingers trembled slightly: "This... is even more generous than we expected. Can we really get complete ecological technology?"

"Naturally, the Interstellar Peace Corporation always favors sincere collaborators. And I wasn't exaggerating earlier; the technology your country desires is indeed nothing to the Interstellar Peace Corporation," Aventurine raised his teacup. "So, shall we toast to our cooperation with tea instead of wine?"

"Of course! Cheers!"

Two teacups clinked in the air, making a crisp sound.

Outside the pavilion, someone began to speed-descend from the peak of the artificial snow mountain. Abdul was drawn by the shouts and turned to look, seeing a faint rainbow and the future of the Jinsha Kingdom in the swirling snow mist.

In the afternoon following the agreement's signing, a dazzling golden light suddenly illuminated the holographic projection screen in the central square of the Return to the Void.

The Interstellar Peace Corporation's logo slowly rotated, then split into two parts. On the left was the national emblem of the Jinsha Kingdom, and on the right was a model of the "Space Garden" orbital station.

"Breaking news!" The holographic presenter's voice trembled with excitement. "The Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Jinsha Kingdom have reached a strategic cooperation agreement!"

The crowd in the square instantly fell silent, everyone looking up at the huge holographic projection. The projection detailed the agreement's content:

The Jinsha Kingdom will fully open up all oil field exploitation rights within its borders; the Interstellar Peace Corporation will use the latest technology to increase production to three times the original; the new output will be entirely used for the "Space Garden" project; the Jinsha Kingdom pledges to provide an additional 70% of its original production capacity of oil for the 'Space Garden' project; Jinsha will receive basic aerospace technology transfer and support for the construction of an ecological research institute...

"Oh my god!" A financial analyst's data pad clattered to the ground. "This is equivalent to an increase of nearly 30 million barrels in supply every day!"

The financial market after the agreement's announcement was like a depth charge had been dropped, the ripples sweeping across the globe.

At the Golden Serpent Street Stock Exchange, before the opening bell had even faded, crude oil futures prices began a wild roller coaster ride. On the large screen, WTI crude oil prices first plummeted by 9%, then quickly rebounded by 12% after the Interstellar Peace Corporation released its "long-term procurement commitment" statement.

In the trading hall, traders in red vests scurried around like headless chickens.

"Buy! Buy everything!" A white-haired fund manager roared into his communicator, his glasses reflecting the constantly flickering numbers. "The Interstellar Peace Corporation has underwritten ten years of future production; this is a damn sure-fire deal!"

Meanwhile, in the adjacent technology sector, aerospace concept stocks collectively hit their daily limit, with many companies' stock prices soaring by 45% within 15 minutes, forcing the trading system to temporarily halt trading.

The energy giants of Twin Iron City urgently convened a closed-door meeting. In the holographic projection, the CEO of Chevron's face was distorted: "How can they accept 50% of the market price? This completely destroys industry rules!"

"Rules?" The Shell representative sneered, pulling up an image: the sunken joint fleet and the procurement demand announced with the agreement. "Look at this. Now, the Interstellar Peace Corporation is the business rule."

The meeting room suddenly fell silent. All of them chose to stare at the astonishing figure: a stable demand of 50 million barrels per day, locked in for ten years.

In the Capital of the Jinsha Kingdom, in the square outside the Royal Palace, citizens spontaneously gathered to celebrate. Young people held up portraits of the King and the Crown Prince, along with banners proclaiming "Space Age," while businessmen were already calculating how to invest in the emerging aerospace support industries.

In Five Ports City, Usmanov stared intently at the news footage. His fingers dug deeply into the armrest of the leather chair, his knuckles white from the effort.

"This is impossible..." His voice was hoarse, unlike his own. "Has the Jinsha Royal Family gone mad? Accepting such terms?"

Minister of Energy Petrov's holographic projection flickered nearby: "We just received news that the Interstellar Peace Corporation's engineering team has already departed. According to sources, the Interstellar Peace Corporation has provided brand new extraction technology, which is said to increase single-well production by five times..."

"Сука блять!" Usmanov violently smashed his wine glass to the ground, glass shards and red wine splattering everywhere. "These desert monkeys, they've ruined my big plans! Contact the Interstellar Peace Corporation immediately! Tell them... tell them we're willing to supply fuel at 45% of the market price!"

The assistant nervously reminded him: "Sir, at that price, we'd be operating at a complete loss... Our extraction costs are much higher than Jinsha's..."

Usmanov's expression twisted instantly. He turned to look out the window; the distant refinery was brightly lit, but it could no longer illuminate the gloom in his eyes.