218: The country also joins in the fun

After the press conference, Lin Shixiong grabbed Director Zhang, who was about to leave. "Director Zhang, let's be frank. How do we get this slot?"

Director Zhang looked around. Chen Yansong, Zhao Mingyuan, and several other business magnates had gathered, their eyes gleaming with the same desire.

"Auction," Director Zhang said softly. "Starting bid is 100 billion credit points. The highest bidder wins."

Chen Yansong's pupils contracted slightly. "That expensive?"

"I think it's fine," Director Zhang shrugged. "Given your net worths, it shouldn't be impossible to come up with that much money, right?"

Chen Yansong suddenly leaned in, lowering his voice. "Director Zhang, considering our years of cooperation, could you give us a hint? How many slots are there?"

Director Zhang smiled and pointed at the ceiling. "That depends on the higher-ups."

While the press conference was ongoing, Director Emerald, representing Interstellar Peace Corporation, began negotiations with the Eastern Federation's high-level officials.

Or rather, the Eastern Federation's high-level officials initiative sought her out to request cooperation.

Director Emerald sat at one end of the conference table, her slender fingers gently tapping the surface. Across from her, Eastern Federation Minister of Finance Li Zheng guo looked solemn, with several high-ranking military and Ministry of Science and Technology officials standing behind him.

"Minister Li," Director Emerald smiled slightly. "I didn't expect you to come personally."

Li Zheng guo skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. "Ms. Emerald, the Eastern Federation wishes to participate in the Star Gate Project Two."

Director Emerald raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How do you wish to participate?"

Li Zheng guo pushed over an encrypted data pad. "The Eastern Federation is willing to bear 50% of the Star Gate construction funds in exchange for the right to use a dedicated channel."

The data pad displayed an astonishing figure: 4 trillion credit points.

This figure far exceeded the actual quoted price for Star Gate Project Two. Director Emerald was slightly puzzled, but after seeing the detailed data, she understood the reason. The Eastern Federation seemed to have estimated the cost based on the first experimental Star Gate and also considered the cost changes brought about by Interstellar Peace Corporation's advanced technology.

However, unfortunately, Interstellar Peace Corporation's current technology was several levels higher than they imagined.

Director Emerald had a plan in mind, but some things still needed to be probed. Her fingertip lightly traced the data pad. Director Emerald softly said, "Minister Li, this figure doesn't seem like a simple investment to participate, does it? You should know that Star Gate technology is Interstellar Peace Corporation's core asset."

"Director Emerald, after so many years of dealing with each other, I think we can skip this unnecessary process."

"We don't want the technology," Li Zheng guo said in a deep voice. "We only want exclusive usage rights."

"And I think the price we've offered should be enough to secure a 'long-term free' discount, shouldn't it?"

The military representative behind him added, "Additionally, we hope to purchase a batch of advanced cargo Starships at a preferential price."

The conference room fell into a brief silence.

A hint of playfulness flashed in Director Emerald's eyes. The Eastern Federation's appetite was not small, but the conditions they offered were indeed tempting.

To be honest, she had a pre-judgment of what the Eastern Federation truly wanted.

Although national will is complex, it was not difficult in this matter.

In the interstellar era, travel time is inversely proportional to the speed of civilization's development. The Star Gate in Interstellar Peace Corporation's hands was undoubtedly the 'Wind Spirit Moon Shadow' of the real world. A Star Gate that could cross several light-years in tens of seconds was no different from 'electricity' during the Industrial Revolution.

The Eastern Federation, of course, knew that Interstellar Peace Corporation could not release the Star Gate technology, but as a fallback, the Eastern Federation's high-level officials' idea was that they should at least first get on Interstellar Peace Corporation's development fast track, use the Star Gate to rapidly develop national strength, and make ample preparations for climbing the relevant technology trees.

"I need to consult with the chairman," she stood up. "Please wait a moment."

In the holographic communication room, Chen Hao's phantom listened to the report, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Agree to them, but with two conditions."

"First, the Eastern Federation's exclusive channel can only be used for civilian cargo transport; second, the Starships they purchase must have Interstellar Peace Corporation's navigation system installed."

Director Emerald nodded understandingly. "Understood."

Conference room.

"The chairman has agreed," Director Emerald returned to her seat. "But there are two requirements."

She explained the conditions one by one. Li Zheng guo and the military representative exchanged a glance, then finally nodded. "Acceptable."

"Happy cooperation." Director Emerald smiled and extended her hand.

Outside the Interstellar Peace Corporation headquarters building in Donglian Capital, a huge holographic projection floated on the exterior wall of the building, continuously broadcasting the joint announcement from the Eastern Federation Government and Interstellar Peace Corporation.

【Eastern Federation Interstellar Post Group Officially Obtains First Batch of Usage Rights for Star Gate Project Two】

【Interstellar Peace Corporation Will Provide Preferential Price Cargo Starships】

【Barnards Star System Development Plan Fully Launched】

The streets were packed with onlookers, and reporters' long and short lenses were aimed at every official and businessman who walked out of the building.

"Unbelievable!" A financial anchor excitedly shouted into the camera. "Eastern Federation Interstellar Post purchased 200 'Hamster-class' cargo Starships at a price 30% lower than the market price in a single transaction!"

His partner added, "Even more astonishing is that these Starships will be Interstellar Peace Corporation's self-use models, with performance far exceeding the current domestically produced 'Sky Whale-class' cargo spacecraft!"

In the chairman's office at the Eastern Federation Interstellar Post Group headquarters, the first chairman, Yang Xin, stood in front of the holographic star map, looking at the newly received Starship data, his face beaming with unconcealed excitement.

"200 'Hamster-class' Starships," he said to the executives gathered there. "Each can carry 5 million tons of cargo, equipped with the latest generation of warp engines and particle engines. Theoretically, a round trip from Blue Star to Barnards Star System only takes 2 hours."

"Even with cargo transfer and regular navigation time, it's only 36 hours, hahaha!"

The Minister of Transport couldn't help but interject, "Director Zhou, this price..."

"It's a great deal," Director Zhou laughed. "You don't know yet, do you?"

He pulled up an encrypted file. "Thanks to Minister Li and the others, we've secured permanent usage rights for the Star Gate's exclusive channel. Each time we pass through, we only need to pay a symbolic energy fee."

A low gasp of astonishment immediately rippled through the conference room.

Only need to pay an energy fee? In the fusion era, an energy fee? That was indeed symbolic.

"Notify all departments," Yang Xin put away his smile. "Immediately formulate the 'Reclamation Plan.' We must establish the first permanent colony on Barnard One within three months of the Star Gate's activation."

"Alright, you all go get busy." Yang Xin suddenly thought of something and issued a 'dismissal order.' After the executives filed out and closed the door, Yang Xin shook his wrist, humming a triumphant laugh, and called his 'old rival.'

"Hey, Old Lin, have you eaten yet?"

...

Pierpoint, Strategic Investment Department conference room.

Director Emerald looked at the order Eastern Federation Interstellar Post had just signed, nodding with satisfaction. "200 Starships, a total of 1 trillion credit points, earning 300 billion more than expected."

Topaz raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we agree on a preferential price?"

"It is a preferential price," Director Emerald chuckled. "The market price for one Starship is 10 billion, and we only charge 5 billion."

"Although the actual manufacturing cost for each Starship is less than 500 million, compared to the original price of 10 billion, the price we gave them looks like a preferential price no matter how you look at it."

Topaz couldn't help but shake her head. "The boss is right, you're truly ruthless when it comes to business."

At the Eastern Federation Stock Exchange, stocks in the interstellar transport sector were all soaring, and Eastern Federation Interstellar Post's stock price hit its limit within ten minutes of opening.

In the trading hall, investors wildly waved their fists, scrambling to buy any stock related to interstellar development.

"They're crazy, completely crazy!" An old investor muttered, looking at the constantly fluctuating numbers. "This is even more exaggerated than the dot-com bubble back then!"

His companion stared intently at the screen. "It's different! This time, you can really dig for gold!"

On another screen broadcasting news, the Barnards Star System resource exploration report was scrolling.

【Currently Proven Gold Reserves: 120 million tons】

【Rare Metal Reserves: Can meet humanity's current development rate for 300 years】

In a high-end private club, Lin Shixiong slammed his wine glass onto the table. "Damn it, that old geezer Yang Xin got ahead of us!"

"Isn't it just relying on a state-owned enterprise? If you've got guts, come out and compete with me on your own!"

His partner cautiously asked, "Chairman Lin, are we still participating in the auction?"

"Of course we're bidding!" Lin Shixiong stood up abruptly. "And we must get a slot!"

"Notify the finance department to immediately gather all liquid funds, and contact the bank. I want to mortgage all my assets!"

"All in!"