48: The shock of the Purple Gold Pavilion

"Esteemed leaders, please allow me to report from three dimensions," Lin Mo's voice was more stable than expected. "Technology, economy, and geopolitics."

The presentation of the technical section caused the first round of shock.

"This is impossible!" The Commander of the Air Force pointed at the projection. "This vertical take-off and landing technology is still in the laboratory stage even in the Nova United States! That 'Osprey' that barely touches the edge is almost becoming the second 'Widowmaker'!"

Lin Mo did not respond immediately, but instead brought up a set of comparative data: "Commander, please look at this. The nightingale aircraft displayed by Titan has an overall thrust-to-weight ratio of 15:1 during take-off, far exceeding any active vertical take-off and landing aircraft. As for the engine data, it is probably even more exaggerated. More importantly..." He switched to the next chart. "According to our analysis of secretly filmed test flight footage, its noise in hover is only 78 decibels, equivalent to a regular household car."

The Minister of Science and Technology suddenly interjected: "This is not the most astonishing thing." He pointed to a set of molecular structure diagrams on the screen. "For the ceramic-gold composite material technology they provided, our laboratory made a small sample overnight. The performance data is completely consistent with what they provided, and some performances even exceed the upper limit of our instruments. The density is only one percent of titanium alloy, but its tensile strength is 120 times greater. If used in aircraft manufacturing..."

"It could triple the range of existing fighter jets," the Commander of the Air Force immediately interjected, his eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and worry. "No, this material is enough to let us directly skip the concept of fifth-generation fighters."

"How can a single company possess such immense technological power, spanning so many fields like materials, biology, and aviation?" The Minister of Science and Technology was very puzzled. The Eastern Union relies on a vast education system and educated population to achieve its current rapid technological progress. A single company? How?

"But this is the reality." Lin Mo switched the screen, displaying a comparison between the technology showcased by Titan and the current domestic level. "According to our calculations, Titan's overall technological lead might be 10-15 years. In some specific fields, it's highly possible to be over 30 years, or even a generational gap."

The economic report caused deeper concerns. The GDP growth curve of Mandala Province was almost vertical; the construction speed of the New City District was ten times that of a normal city; and the income gap between Titan employees and local residents had already formed a de facto "two-tier economic system."

"Within three months, Mandala Province's per capita income increased by 300%, and investment increased by 800%. Likewise, none of these data have been publicly released," Lin Mo's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet conference room. "What's more noteworthy is that Titan has established a complete economic ecosystem."

He brought up the New City District's planning map: "Everything here uses Titan's own standards. They build their own power plants, water plants, and even issue 'credit points' that are only circulated internally among official staff. However, there's no more specific information about what these 'credit points' are."

"This is simply..." The Minister of Finance frowned.

"Economic sovereignty." The Premier suddenly spoke, pinpointing the key with a sharp observation. "They are establishing a parallel economic system."

The air in the conference room instantly solidified. Lin Mo timely displayed a set of photos, secretly taken during their second entry into the industrial city: the dazzling array of goods in the Titan employee-exclusive supermarket, the brand new employee residential area.

"The most dangerous thing is this talent absorption mechanism." Lin Mo showed photos of the recruitment site at Mandala University. "They are using high salaries and career development prospects to siphon off all STEM talents from the Emerald Principality. If they wish, this scope could easily expand to the entire Emerald Ocean, then to the Central Ancient Continent, and even... the entire Blue Star."

The geopolitical section plunged the conference room into dead silence. Titan's military presence in the Emerald Principality, its control over ports, and its secret manipulation of the Emerald Principality's government painted a disturbing picture.

"They seem to be referencing the model of Holy Key City, but using technology instead of religion," the Minister of Foreign Affairs suddenly said. "Exchanging economic prosperity for extraterritoriality, ultimately forming a state within a state."

The Premier listened in silence until Lin Mo displayed the last slide. It was Titan's hall, filled with the classical ambiance of the Eastern Union, and Ms. Emerald's words in the hall: "Although Titan possesses cutting-edge technology, it never forgets its cultural roots."

"What does this 'cultural root' mean?" The Premier finally spoke.

Lin Mo took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. "I asked Ms. Emerald, the director of Titan Group, why she would say that, as she doesn't appear to be an Eastern Federation person. Her exact words were, 'I am not, of course, but my boss is.'"

"That is to say, the true power holder of this mysterious Titan Corporation is an Eastern Federation person."

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze for several seconds; even breathing became audibly clear.

"An Eastern Federation person?" The Minister of Defense was the first to break the silence, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure?"

Lin Mo nodded: "Yes."

The Minister of Science and Technology suddenly stood up, his chair scraping loudly across the floor: "This explains why their technical documents always have a strange sense of familiarity!" He quickly walked to a computer and brought up a highlighted document. "Look here, the formula for the prestress compensation coefficient is written exactly in the style of our engineering community!"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs narrowed his eyes: "So, there are Eastern Federation Engineers in Titan's technical team?"

"I'm afraid it's more than just the technical team." Lin Mo clicked the remote control, and the screen switched to the planning map of Titan's Mandala New City. "Their urban planning concepts, including the design of underground utility tunnels, the layout of the transportation network, and even the distribution ratio of green belts, are highly consistent with the construction standards of first-tier cities in the Eastern Union."

"Not to mention, the entire Titan only uses Chinese in its work. Even though there are many foreign faces, their Chinese is quite proficient."

The Premier's fingers tapped gently on the table, the rhythm slow and heavy: "A super enterprise controlled by Eastern Federation people has established a highly technologically and economically developed 'state within a state' in the Emerald Principality..."

The discussion continued until noon. Waiters silently brought simple meals, but almost no one touched their chopsticks. Finally, the Premier put down his teacup; the crisp clink instantly silenced the conference room.

"Comrades, we face a fundamental problem." The Premier's gaze swept over everyone. "The strength displayed by Titan has already exceeded the scope of an ordinary enterprise. They have already formed their own system."

He pointed to the image of the New City District on the projection screen: "Look at this. A modern city built in three months, the economic structure of an entire region reshaped in half a year, and a first-tier city conjured out of thin air in the Emerald Principality within a year... This is not commercial behavior; this is a state-level social governance experiment."

The air in the conference room seemed to solidify.

"I propose activating the emergency plan," the Minister of Defense broke the silence. "Deploy three rapid response brigades to the southwest border."

"Inappropriate." The Premier shook his head. "A military response would only lead us into a trap. Titan chose the Emerald Principality precisely because of its buffering nature." He turned to Lin Mo. "Comrade Lin Mo, what do you think their true demands are?"

All eyes focused on Lin Mo. He felt cold sweat on his back, but his voice remained steady: "They are looking for partners, Premier. But not business partners, rather political partners. I don't know if this guess is correct, this was my first reaction after learning that Titan's true power holder is an Eastern Federation person."

A glint of surprise flashed in the Premier's eyes at this answer. He motioned for Lin Mo to continue.

"It can be seen from the selection of technology transfers." Lin Mo brought up the list provided by Ms. Emerald. "Ceramic-gold materials are key for infrastructure, medical technology improves people's livelihoods, and energy systems boost production capacity. What they gave us is precisely what we need most, not necessarily the most advanced."

"The 'fish farming' theory," the Minister of Science and Technology suddenly interjected. "Give us secondary technology first, and then give us more advanced ones once we've digested and absorbed it."

"Not only that." Lin Mo clicked the remote control, and the screen switched to a Chinese language training class on the streets of Mandala. "They are simultaneously promoting cultural integration between the Emerald Principality and the Eastern Union. All Titan employees must learn Chinese, and the schools in the new city adopt bilingual teaching..."

The Premier suddenly stood up, and everyone immediately followed suit. "Today's meeting concludes here. Comrade Lin Mo stays, everyone else go prepare detailed response plans."

When only the two of them remained in the conference room, the Premier motioned for Lin Mo to come closer. "Young man, do you know why the roof of the Zijin Pavilion is greenish-blue?"

Lin Mo was stunned, not understanding the meaning of this abrupt question.

"Because greenish-blue represents vitality." The Premier looked out at the glazed tiles through the window. "Dynasties have changed throughout history, but only this land has endured. Now, a genius compatriot has arrived with a commercial group equivalent to a nation..."

He turned and looked directly into Lin Mo's eyes: "I want you to serve as a special liaison, to directly communicate with Titan. Go to the Emerald Principality yourself, and be sure to directly contact Titan's high-level executives. It would be best if you could ask them for a place that can serve as a liaison office."

Lin Mo's heart rate accelerated: "Premier, my rank..."

"Rank is not an issue." The Premier took a seal from his drawer. "From now on, you have special authorization from the Zijin Pavilion. I want to know their true intentions, and who exactly that 'boss' is."

As Lin Mo walked out of the Zijin Pavilion, the midday sun was so bright it made him squint, and the Premier's last instruction echoed in his mind: "Remember, this is not a diplomatic negotiation, but a dialogue of civilizations."

At this moment, thirty-six thousand kilometers above Lin Mo's head, Chen Hao stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his study, looking down at the Blue Star under the sunlight.

"How is the information unlocking going?"

"It's already done, one." Bronya's holographic image floated beside him. "As per your instructions, the SIA has received real intelligence from the past year. However..." She tilted her head. "I've slightly processed it to make them believe there was an internal mole in the Emerald Principality branch."

Chen Hao's lips curved slightly: "How's the reaction?"

"Within the expected range." Bronya brought up real-time monitoring footage, showing the SIA headquarters in a state of chaos. "They are contacting the Roman Palace and Starlight Command. According to calculations, within 48 hours, the Nova United States will submit a motion to the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable, requesting an investigation of the Emerald Principality on the grounds of 'developing weapons of mass destruction'."

"Huh? Really just one trick? That's so low-level." Chen Hao walked towards the control panel. "What about the Eastern Federation?"

"The inspection team has returned, and intelligence from the Market Development Department indicates that their report and they themselves have entered the Zijin Pavilion." Bronya blinked. "Interestingly, they seem to think you are some 'lost overseas' Eastern Federation genius."

Chen Hao chuckled: "Haha, well, it's not entirely wrong. Other than that, this Lin Mo really has something."

Chen Hao's internal monologue: "Xiao Jixiang, get ready, the show is about to begin~"

"Yay~ o(*≧▽≦)ツ"