409: Transaction completed

The storm triggered by the attempted kidnapping in New Chang'an City on Mars had been surging in the undercurrents for three days.

During these three days, the group of nouveau riche led by President Wang, who had rapidly accumulated massive wealth by riding the dividends of the Great Interstellar Expansion era and were becoming increasingly arrogant, initially did not realize that disaster was imminent.

In their private club located in the top-tier luxury residential district of New Chang'an City, a small-scale gathering was underway.

Under the crystal chandelier, the smoke of cigars mingled with the aroma of fine wine, and the focus of the conversation was naturally the incident at the bar a few days ago.

"President Wang, I heard that A-Qiang, who works under you, really hit a snag this time, didn't he?" A pot-bellied mining tycoon swirled his wine glass, his tone laced with a hint of schadenfreude.

President Wang's face darkened. He took a hard drag of his cigar and exhaled a thick ring of smoke: "Damn it, that useless piece of trash! Couldn't even handle a simple task properly and got caught red-handed! However…"

He changed his tone, "At the end of the day, it was just an attempt, and it was his own personal action. At most, I'll be accused of lax supervision, fined a bit, or detained for a few days—that's the worst of it."

"The higher-ups can't just wipe us out, legitimate businessmen, because of some screw-up by a lackey, right? We pay a significant amount of taxes every year!"

Another tycoon involved in interstellar logistics chimed in: "President Wang is right. Besides, aren't they just a few alien Fox People? No matter how powerful the Interstellar Peace Corporation is, would they really fall out completely with us, their 'best buddies' in the Eastern Federation, over a few beasts? If you ask me, it'll definitely be all thunder and no rain—they'll just go through the motions and offer some pacification to settle things."

"Even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes. What's the relationship between the Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Eastern Federation? We're brothers! Would they really go out of their way to destroy their own people for the sake of outsiders?"

"Exactly! Who knows, this might even be a good opportunity." A lean financial broker narrowed his eyes, "By using this incident, we can get the authorities to step in and talk to the Interstellar Peace Corporation, and set some rules for the introduction and management of these alien 'resources' in the future."

"It's not like we're asking for special treatment, but at least we should establish who's the master and who's the guest, right?"

This group of people was immersed in their fixed mindset and wishful thinking, believing that their own wealth and their intricate connections with the authorities were enough to resolve this storm, and perhaps even profit from it.

They completely underestimated the severity of the incident and misjudged the determination of the Eastern Federation's top leadership and the attitude of the Interstellar Peace Corporation.

Their good days came to a definitive end three days later, the moment Lin Mo returned to Blue Star from Pierpoint.

The highest level of the Eastern Federation quickly issued orders, and a large-scale investigation campaign targeting the illegal and undisciplined behavior of the emerging wealthy class, sweeping across the entire territory of the Eastern Federation, especially the Mars colony, was launched with thunderous momentum.

The charge was not a simple public security or economic issue, but a terrifyingly new charge: "Suspected of endangering interstellar diplomatic security."

While President Wang and the others were still holding fair-skinned women and dreaming beautiful dreams, heavily armed special operations team members had already broken down the doors.

It was not until the cold shackles locked around their wrists that they realized in terror that the sky had collapsed.

Time rewinds to three days ago, Pierpoint, the headquarters of the Interstellar Peace Corporation, in a small conference room.

Without too much pleasantry or formality, several core figures of the Strategic Investment Department of the Interstellar Peace Corporation, including members of "Ten Stonehearts" such as Jade, Topaz, and Opal, sat opposite the Eastern Federation special envoy, Lin Mo.

Lin Mo stood up first, turned to face Yukun, who was sitting beside the main seat with a calm expression, and bowed deeply: "Director Yukun, first of all, please allow me to represent the Eastern Federation and express our sincerest apologies to you, and to the frightened and injured Young Miss Xingye and her companions, for the vicious incident that occurred in New Chang'an City, Mars. This is a serious failure of oversight by the Eastern Federation, and we bear an undeniable responsibility."

He kept his posture very low, prepared to accept the other party's furious rebuke or even more severe negotiations.

However, to Lin Mo's surprise, Yukun did not show the explosive anger he had expected. She just nodded slightly, her voice calm: "Mr. Lin, we have received your sincerity, but an apology cannot erase the harm that has already occurred. What we need is a guarantee that such incidents will not happen again, not just an apology after the fact."

Lin Mo, of course, did not know that for Yukun, this matter was truly not enough to make her show anger.

Compared to the dark history of the Fox People of the Xianzhou being enslaved and humiliated by the Borisin, the encounter of the Geze Fox People this time, while infuriating, could indeed only be considered "dwarfed by comparison."

This traumatic memory rooted deep in her Bloodline gave her an extraordinary sensitivity and vigilance toward such events, but it also allowed her to view the present with a more macroscopic and calmer perspective.

Jade, elegantly crossing her legs, spoke up.

"Mr. Lin, there is no need to be overly self-reproachful. In this Universe, there is no such thing as a purely benevolent civilization. In even the largest base of kindness, it is inevitable that a small handful of 'human-shaped trash' will breed."

"To some extent, the Interstellar Peace Corporation also bears some responsibility for this. The relationship between us and the Eastern Federation is too close, perhaps even somewhat blurred, which has caused certain people to develop a sense of wishful thinking they shouldn't have."

"They might naively think that by relying on so-called 'brotherly friendship,' they can do whatever they want in the gray areas, and even treat the allies of the Interstellar Peace Corporation as 'outsiders' who can be manipulated at will, fantasizing that the Interstellar Peace Corporation would 'favor our own over reason' without principles."

Jade's words accurately dissected the mentality of people like President Wang. Lin Mo felt a chill in his heart, knowing that the other party had seen through everything.

Opal, on the side, flicked the brim of his hat and chimed in: "I have always absolutely implemented the decisions of the Amber King."

"The will of Preservation allows for controversy and disagreement, but it cannot tolerate even the slightest stain."

Hearing the words "Amber King," Lin Mo was deeply shocked. He instantly understood that in this matter, the attitude of the Interstellar Peace Corporation was the intention of Chen Hao.

Obviously, in this matter, that person had the idea of "making a mountain out of a molehill" to further an agenda. However, in what direction was this agenda heading?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Lin Mo's mind like lightning.

He quickly chewed over the words of Jade and Opal, and a bold, even startling, conjecture gradually became clear.

The Interstellar Peace Corporation was tacitly approving, or even guiding, the Eastern Federation to treat this matter as if dealing with a national entity.

Once the Interstellar Peace Corporation is viewed as a "nation," the nature of this attempted kidnapping case undergoes a fundamental shift!

It is no longer an ordinary criminal case, but a serious diplomatic incident targeting the citizens of another country!

Thinking of this, Lin Mo's breathing could not help but quicken.

Compared to the behemoth that is the Interstellar Peace Corporation, which spans the sea of stars, the East India Company of Blue Star's Age of Discovery, which once possessed national privileges such as minting currency, building armies, and concluding treaties, and left a significant mark in global colonial history, was simply as insignificant as a village kiosk.

(Historical Trivia: Historically, the East India Company did indeed exercise some national sovereign functions in certain periods and regions, such as managing colonies, collecting taxes, waging wars, concluding treaties, and issuing currency, possessing almost all the characteristics of a sovereign state.)

Defining the incident as a "diplomatic incident," while superficially expanding the impact and attracting more attention, actually becomes "simpler" from the perspective of handling it.

The Eastern Federation can rightfully use state power, citing "endangering interstellar diplomacy" as the reason, to thoroughly liquidate those lawless parasites who rose to power during the wave of the Great Interstellar Expansion.

This "big hat" being placed down is enough to crush any counter-attacks in public opinion that attempt to use "commercial disputes" or "suppression of private enterprises" as excuses, allowing for the efficient and thorough removal of internal malignant tumors without triggering unnecessary economic shocks and social controversy.

This is a move that seems like a concession but is actually extremely brilliant. The Interstellar Peace Corporation has provided a path that can both severely punish criminals to serve as a warning to others, and maximize Preservation of each other's face and internal stability.

Lin Mo raised his head, looking at Jade with complex eyes, his gaze filled with inquiry and a desire for confirmation.

Jade met his gaze, the corners of her mouth curling into a meaningful arc. She did not answer directly, but instead gently pushed over a document that had already been prepared.

Lin Mo took the document and quickly scanned it; the content was a formal invitation.

It invited the Eastern Federation to establish a formal diplomatic-level office within the new headquarters that the Interstellar Peace Corporation is planning and building. The office area is not small and the location is excellent. The Interstellar Peace Corporation waives the rent, but the renovation costs must be borne entirely by the Eastern Federation.

A supplementary clause was attached, stating that if the Eastern Federation is willing to pay a symbolic annual rent, the renovation costs can be shared equally between the Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Eastern Federation.

Seeing this, a smile of relief finally appeared on Lin Mo's tense face, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

He understood completely. This was the handiwork of that person, and it was indeed that style. The so-called "rent" was likely an under-the-table "deal," a tacit gesture.

The 50/50 split on renovation costs was the condition for turning the page.

"Fine," Lin Mo closed the document, his voice returning to a relaxed tone. "Fifty-fifty it is."

"It seems we have reached a consensus." Jade also smiled.

"No time to lose, I will return immediately."

"Sigh, what's the rush, Old Lin? It's been a long time since we gathered. It's a rare opportunity, let's have a drink. It's a good chance to get to know our 'new' member." Aventurine stopped Lin Mo, who was in a hurry to leave, and issued an invitation to eat.

"This… is that appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? You can just send a message back first." Aventurine shrugged, casually putting his arm around Lin Mo's shoulder. "I happen to be on vacation recently, so let's hang out for a couple of days."

"Letting certain people relax for two days will give them enough time to prepare, which makes cleaning them up easier. By the way, I'm also providing you with some convenience."

Seeing Aventurine's raised-eyebrow expression and the "Yin and Yang" sarcasm in the word "convenience" at the end, Lin Mo rolled his eyes at him in annoyance.

"I wasn't kicked down here, you know; that was a different arrangement. However, you did remind me; I really can tighten the screws on certain people."

"Then…"

"Let's go!"