127: The seeds of a new order

As the plane landed at the Donglian Capital International Airport, Lin Mo looked out the window and saw the tarmac was already filled with various luxury cars.

A group of people in suits were anxiously waiting, many of whom Lin Mo recognized. CEOs of top domestic tech companies, heads of large state-owned enterprises, and even several rectors of renowned universities.

"It seems the news spread faster than us." Zhao Mingyuan unbuckled his seatbelt, shaking his head with a wry smile, "These people have noses sharper than a bloodhound's."

As soon as the cabin door opened, an elderly man with silver hair quickly came forward: "Minister Zhao! I am Zhou Zhiming from Oriental Heavy Industry, regarding the Space Garden quota..."

"Mr. Zhou, please calm down." Zhao Mingyuan raised a hand, indicating, "A special meeting will be held tomorrow, and detailed explanations will be provided then."

But the crowd showed no sign of dispersing. A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses pushed his way to the front: "Minister Zhao, I am Zhang Tao from Huawei Electronics. We are willing to invest 500 million credit points, as long as..."

Lin Mo escorted Minister Zhao through the crowd, his ears filled with various offers and promises. It wasn't until they got into the special car sent by the Zijin Pavilion that those voices were shut out.

"Crazy, they're all crazy." Zhao Mingyuan shook his head, "Do these people really think Space Garden quotas can be bought with money? Short-sighted."

"If that were the case, we would truly be throwing away our future with our own hands."

Lin Mo opened the in-car holographic projection, pulling up the data he had just received: "Minister, it's not just our country. According to intelligence, New Union is already in chaos."

The projection showed that in the Songkhla Port Blue Star Stock Exchange, all space-related stocks had hit their daily limit. Even more exaggerated was the Lone Star State, where the queue to buy Militech's initial shares had stretched three kilometers outside their headquarters.

These people in line were not ordinary people; they were wealthy individuals with enormous assets. They only appeared to be middle-class when compared to Militech.

"What about Europa?" Zhao Mingyuan asked with a frown.

"Qilu Corporation's stock price surged by 150% overnight." Lin Mo swiped the projection, "They just announced the acquisition of Europa's three largest Biotechnica companies, forming the 'New Qilu Life Science Group.'"

"Looking at their announcement, their desire to control the Europa Parliament is no longer concealed."

Zhao Mingyuan suddenly smiled: "Interesting. It seems these business giants understand the situation better than their governments."

Inside the Zijin Pavilion emergency meeting room, the Premier was listening to reports from various departments. When the Ministry of Commerce presented data on changes in the global business landscape, gasps filled the meeting room.

"In just three days..." The Vice Minister of Commerce's voice trembled, "The total market value of the world's top 100 companies has increased by 120%, with 90% of that growth concentrated in space-related sectors."

The Minister of Defense pulled up a more worrying set of data: "Even more troubling is that these commercial groups are beginning to form their own armed forces. Militech is even more exaggerated, having recruited 3,000 former special forces members and announcing production plans for heavy weapons, including a new generation of Guardian robots."

"All together, that's at least 20 billion credit points."

"Where did they get the funding?" The Minister of Finance asked incredulously.

"From global capital tycoons." Lin Mo pulled up a capital flow chart, "After the Space Garden images spread, almost all wealthy individuals are frantically investing in companies that hope to obtain Space Garden quotas."

"These people have money and power, but the 'power' is not valued by the company, and their money does not meet the company's standards. As for the 'researcher' special channel announced by the company, they have no chance at all. Therefore, investing in large groups is their only option."

The Premier listened in silence, his fingers gently tapping the table. After everyone had reported, he slowly spoke: "Comrades, we are facing an unprecedented situation. The Interstellar Peace Corporation, through the Space Garden, is reshaping the entire Blue Star's economic and political landscape."

The holographic projection switched to a real-time view of the Space Garden; the silver giant ring suspended in orbit shimmered in the sunlight.

"Premier," Zhao Mingyuan questioned, "Why is the company doing this? With their technical strength, they could completely lead space development directly. Why go through such a roundabout way?"

"Because of efficiency." The Premier's voice was calm, "The company doesn't need a civilization that is led by them, but a vibrant ecosystem. Through this method, they can filter out the most innovative and adaptable groups."

The meeting room fell into a brief silence. Everyone understood that in this new game, traditional national power was being marginalized.

"So how should we respond?" The Minister of Defense asked in a deep voice, "Should we...?"

"There's no need to use that little bit of goodwill on such secondary matters." The Premier stood up and walked to the window: "Since the company has made economics and technology the primary forms of competition, then we will use their rules to win the game."

He turned and gave orders, "According to the production reform plan, the next phase of dismantling and reorganization of North Steel, Southern Aerospace, and Donghai Heavy Industry will be advanced, forming 'Yanhuang Intelligence Group.' Internationally, they will be granted the highest special authority, but state control must be maintained."

"Premier," the Minister of Commerce hesitated, "Won't this alert other countries? If so, it's hard to guarantee that other countries won't flip the table due to a hopeless competition."

"That's why we need 'private enterprises.'" The Premier pulled up a list, "These enterprises are nominally private, but in reality, they all have state-owned backgrounds. Letting them control Starfall will maintain flexibility without losing control."

The meeting lasted until late at night. After everyone else left, the Premier kept Lin Mo alone.

"Xiao Lin, you have the most contact with the company's people." The Premier handed him a cup of tea, "Honestly, what do you think the company really wants?"

"They are clearly trying to lock Western countries on the surface of Blue Star, but now they've opened such a loophole, aren't they afraid of losing control of the situation?"

Lin Mo held the teacup, pondering for a long time: "Premier, I believe the company is deliberately guiding the development direction of human civilization. The Space Garden is not just a residential station, but also a screening mechanism. They want to see how humans will self-organize under limited resources."

"But there's another possibility that I... I'm not too sure about."

"Tell me."

Encouraged by the Premier, Lin Mo made a guess that made the Premier deeply relieved: "The company, or rather 'that one,' wants to completely dismantle the entire existing Western national system before Blue Star civilization fully enters space. As for the Eastern Federation, 'that one' seems confident that we can cope with the impact of his plan."

"He brings about change, and then expects the civilization that can adapt and evolve to be the representative of humanity going to the stars."

The Premier's usually calm face showed a rare expression of surprise. This sentence was spoken by Chen Hao to a select few, including him, before they parted. He hadn't expected Lin Mo to guess so accurately.

The Premier quickly regained his composure and nodded at Lin Mo: "It's not impossible. Then, from now on, you will lead a team to the Space Garden as a special consultant for Starfall Technology. Remember, our goal is not to win a temporary advantage, but to secure a place for the Eastern Federation in the future interstellar civilization."

It was three in the morning when he walked out of the Zijin Pavilion building. Lin Mo looked up at the night sky and happened to see the silver speck of the Space Garden streaking across the heavens.

At the same time, in the plaza in front of Militech's headquarters, the crowd surged like a tide.

The midday sun was dazzling, but the queue still stretched three kilometers to the subway entrance.

These well-dressed investors, who a week ago were financial elites, venture capitalists, and film magnates, now stared like thirsty beasts at the holographic stock price display above Militech's main entrance.

"It's rising again! It's rising again!" A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses excitedly waved his smart device, "Only two hours after opening, the stock price has broken through 5,000 credit points per share!"

Beside him, a young man in a custom Armani suit licked his chapped lips: "I've put all the trust fund my dad left me on this, just waiting for Militech to announce that they've secured access to the Space Garden..."

A sudden commotion erupted in the crowd. Militech's security personnel, all former special forces members in black tactical gear, pushed through the crowd, clearing a path for CEO Teklite.

Teklite stood on the steps, raising his hands, and the crowd immediately quieted.

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice echoed across the plaza through the amplification system, "I am honored to announce that the Lone Star Republic Congress has passed the 'Corporate Security Act,' granting Militech full legal authority to establish its professional security force!"

A deafening cheer erupted in the plaza. People held up their devices, frantically refreshing their stock pages. In just the few seconds Teklite spoke, Militech's stock price soared another 5%.

"Our 'Guardian' security force will expand to a size of ten thousand within three months," Teklite's voice was full of incitement, "We will equip the Lone Star Republic with the most advanced combat robots to defend our nation. More importantly..." He deliberately drew out his tone, "Our access negotiations with the Interstellar Peace Corporation have entered the final stage!"

This vague statement immediately triggered a new round of investment frenzy. Several well-dressed bankers had already started calling to mobilize funds, one of them shouting into his device: "Immediately sell all national bonds! Buy Militech entirely!"

Teklite turned and walked into the building, a smug smile on his face. His personal assistant quickly followed: "Sir, Roman Palace called, the President hopes you will reconsider the matter of independence..."

"Tell him I'm busy," Teklite said without looking back, "The Lone Star Republic is now an independent nation, and as a foreign enterprise, we don't need to explain anything to the New United Federation."

The assistant hesitated: "But the Interstellar Peace Corporation... we haven't actually received any official permission yet..."

"What does that matter? How many commercial groups can meet their standards? Us, Qilu Corporation, and at most North Steel's biomedical. As for the Eastern Federation... that's none of our business."

Teklite suddenly stopped, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes: "Besides, as long as we have enough strength, permission is just a formality. Tell the R&D department to accelerate the mass production of the 'titan' class combat robots."