49: Laundry detergent is back!

Two days later, Lin Mo’s private jet landed on the newly constructed runway at Titan Industrial City.

Through the porthole, he saw three nightingales circling at low altitude, their tailfins emblazoned with the Titan Group emblem.

“Team Leader Lin, welcome back.”

Ms. Emerald stood at the bottom of the gangway, today wearing a well-tailored wisteria-colored lady’s trench coat-style dress.

Behind her stood twelve security personnel in black uniforms, each with a Titan work badge pinned to their chest.

“It seems our itinerary is well within your company’s grasp.” Lin Mo walked down the gangway, his gaze sweeping over the newly installed radar arrays around the tarmac.

Ms. Emerald smiled faintly: “In business, the most important thing is to master information asymmetry.” She made a gesture to invite, “Please follow me, everyone; pre-Qingming Longjing tea has been prepared in the reception room.”

The design of the reception room was impressive.

Modern minimalist decor cleverly incorporated Eastern elements.

Dynamic ink paintings on the walls changed patterns as visitors moved, and a holographic projection in the center of the conference table was demonstrating the molecular structure of a new type of nanomaterial.

“This is…” Academician Wang from the Ministry of Science and Technology stared at the projection, his spectacles reflecting the flickering data stream.

“Our latest developed industrial ceramic.” Ms. Emerald lightly tapped the table, and the projection immediately magnified, “70% lighter than traditional ceramics, with a 300% increase in strength.”

Section Chief Li from the Ministry of Commerce quietly wiped his sweat.

This seemingly casual technical display was, in fact, a carefully designed declaration of strength.

Looking at the delegation’s PPT was one thing; seeing it with one’s own eyes was quite another.

“Ms. Emerald,” Lin Mo went straight to the point, “the main purpose of our visit is to establish a more direct channel of communication.”

Ms. Emerald nodded slightly: “My boss greatly appreciates the efficiency of the Eastern Federation government.

In fact…” She brought up a holographic map, “we have already purchased the Rupar Mandalar Resort Hotel in Mandalay and made some slight modifications to use it as the site for a joint office.”

A modern high-rise glass building appeared on the map, its roof design subtly echoing the curves of traditional flying eaves.

“My boss specifically instructed that cooperation must be built on mutual respect.” Ms. Emerald’s fingertip traced the projection, “The first floor is an exhibition hall, the second to third floors are reserved for restaurants and entertainment rooms, and the remaining fourth to ninth floors can be used for offices and residences.

The top floor has a direct holographic communication encryption terminal to Mandalay.”

Lin Mo noticed a subtle flicker in her eyes when she said “boss.”

“This design is not simple; nine is the extreme number, with flying eaves above.

Even native Eastern Federation people don’t have a deep understanding of these things.” Counselor Zhao tentatively asked.

Ms. Emerald picked up a teacup; the four small characters “Industry Revitalizes the Nation” were faintly visible at the bottom of the celadon cup: “My boss started his career in manufacturing.

He said that things passed down by generations of craftsmen must possess an essence that transcends aesthetic perception.

Therefore, what he loved to do most on weekends during university was to drive himself to admire the Six Harmonies Pagoda, especially when it was raining.”

The reception room suddenly fell silent.

Everyone caught this key information: the helmsman of Titan was an entrepreneur who started in manufacturing and lived near Hangzhou.

At least, he did before.

“We look forward to deepening cooperation with your company.” Lin Mo carefully chose his words, “I wonder if we would be so fortunate…”

“My boss is currently not in Emerald Principality.” Ms. Emerald preemptively cut off his question, “but he asked me to convey, ‘True cooperation is never about a piece of paper.’”

This sentence stunned all the Eastern Federation officials present.

Not the content itself, but Ms. Emerald’s accent when she spoke the sentence, which clearly carried the unique intonation of the Jiangnan region.

“Additionally,” Ms. Emerald took out a paper document from a folder, which seemed particularly out of place in the digital age, “this is a cooperation proposal written by my boss himself.”

“We will study it carefully.” Lin Mo carefully put away the document, “Please tell your company’s boss that the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City will always have a place reserved for our descendants.”

“My boss will know.” Ms. Emerald replied with a smile, lightly tapping her earbud.

Federal Center, Roman Palace War Room

On the oval conference table, the projector’s light illuminated a topographic map of Emerald Principality, with red dots marking suspected military facilities.

President Jackie Brown crossed his arms, his gaze stern as he swept over every high-ranking official present: Minister of Defense Grayson Mitchell, Secretary of State Elizabeth Carter, National Security Advisor Mark Reynolds, and SIA Director Robert Hayes.

“So, you are certain this intelligence is credible?” The President’s finger tapped the table, his tone questioning.

SIA Director Hayes brought up a set of satellite images, zoomed in on an industrial area outside Mandalay in Emerald Principality.

“Our reconnaissance shows that the Emerald Principality military is cooperating with Titan Group, and a batch of new light weapons equipment is being delivered to the Emerald Principality military.

Thermal imaging analysis indicates abnormally high-temperature reactions in Titan Industrial Park in Mandalay, consistent with the characteristics of a nuclear power plant.”

Minister of Defense Mitchell took over, his voice deep and firm: “If Emerald Principality is truly developing weapons of mass destruction, we cannot stand idly by.

The stability of the Emerald Ocean is critical to the global strategy of the Nova United States.”

Secretary of State Carter frowned: “But the international community will not easily believe us, especially after the Bloodsand Federation.”

“Then we will make them believe it.” The President sneered, his gaze turning to National Security Advisor Reynolds, “We need a ‘proof’ that is shocking enough that the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable cannot ignore it.”

Reynolds was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: “We can replicate the strategy of 2003, creating a ‘threat’ that cannot be immediately disproven.

As long as the aircraft carrier is in position and public opinion is shaped, by the time the truth comes out, we will have already controlled the situation.”

Minister of Defense Mitchell nodded in agreement: “Emerald Principality is a key node in the Eastern Union’s ‘economic diplomacy.’ If we can establish a military presence here, we can not only cut off the Eastern Union’s influence in the Emerald Ocean but also directly threaten their energy channels.”

The President stood up, hands braced on the table, making the final decision: “Good, let’s do this.

The SIA is responsible for packaging the ‘evidence,’ and Starlight Command will immediately deploy the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group into the Emerald Reef Sea.

We need to make the whole world believe that Emerald Principality is an imminent threat.”

He looked around at everyone, his tone cold and resolute: “This time, we will not only take down Emerald Principality but also make the Eastern Union understand that our Nova United States is still the master of this world.”

One month later, New Village, Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable Headquarters Building.

William Howard, the Nova United States Permanent Representative to the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable, stood before the podium, his expression grave.

The large screen behind him lit up, displaying a series of satellite images and intelligence analysis reports.

“Mr. Chairman, distinguished representatives.” His voice was deep and serious, “The Nova United States has conclusive evidence that activities violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty exist within Emerald Principality.” The screen showed blurry images of industrial facilities, “This proves a serious threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction within Emerald Principality.”

“Especially the lack of oversight over technology transfers by certain multinational corporations.” He motioned for his assistant to carry a sealed metal box onto the podium, which, after entering a password, revealed a bottle of colorless liquid with a biohazard warning symbol on the label.

“This is a sample of a highly dangerous chemical agent we intercepted at the border of Emerald Principality.” Howard put on gloves and carefully held up the bottle, “Analysis by the MIT laboratory confirmed its composition is highly similar to VX nerve agent.”

The conference hall instantly fell silent, and the expressions of the national representatives grew serious.

Zorin, the Northern Steel Federation representative, frowned as he flipped through documents, while Zhou Zhengyang, the Eastern Union representative, calmly took notes of key points.

“Not only that.” Howard switched screens, displaying a 3D model of underground facilities, “The Emerald Principality military is collaborating with certain multinational corporations to secretly construct facilities that can be used for weapons research.” He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, “If the international community does not take immediate action, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Masso, the Champs Elysees Federation representative, raised her hand to ask: “Can the Nova United States representative provide a more specific chain of evidence?

For example, independent verification reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency?”

Howard shook his head: “Due to obstruction by the Emerald Principality government, international verification mechanisms have not been effectively implemented.

However, our intelligence sources are highly reliable.”

Zhou Zhengyang pressed the speaking button, his tone calm but firm: “Has the ‘evidence’ mentioned by the Nova United States representative been verified by a third party?

If not, is it in accordance with international law to take action against a sovereign nation based solely on unilateral accusations?”

Howard’s response was strong and direct: “When national security is threatened, the Nova United States will not wait for disaster to strike before acting.” He looked directly at Zhou Zhengyang, “History tells us that the cost of hesitation is often war.”

The Fog City Islands representative immediately expressed support: “If the Emerald Principality government truly has nothing to hide, it should allow the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable investigation team immediate entry.”

Zorin, the Northern Steel Federation representative, sneered: “Here we go again, a rerun of the 2003 script?

Back then, they also said the Bloodsand Federation had weapons of mass destruction, and what was the result?

Last time it was washing powder; what, this time it’s laundry detergent?”

Howard ignored the ridicule from many national representatives below and instead turned directly to the Chairman of the General Assembly: “Based on the existing evidence, the Nova United States formally proposes that the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable Security Council should immediately adopt a resolution authorizing a comprehensive arms embargo and sanctions on key materials against Emerald Principality.

At the same time, we reserve all necessary means to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

His last sentence instantly tightened the atmosphere in the hall.

“All necessary means,” in diplomatic terms, meant that military options were on the table.

Just half an hour after the meeting concluded, the Emerald Principality Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a global communiqué:

“Official Statement of Emerald Principality”

The Emerald Principality government has never developed, possessed, or proliferated any weapons of mass destruction.

Titan Group is a legitimate multinational enterprise, and its operations strictly comply with international law and the laws of Emerald Principality.

Emerald Principality is willing to accept international verification but firmly opposes any country interfering in its internal affairs under the pretext of false accusations.

Imperial Capital, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Special Conference Room.

Immediately after the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable meeting, Lin Mo received orders to take a connecting flight back to the country.

Lin Mo pushed open the heavy mahogany door; the conference room was already full of people.

In addition to several high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were also representatives from the National Security Bureau, Military Intelligence, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

A subtle tension permeated the air, as if everyone was holding their breath.

“Xiao Mo, sit.” Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Mingyuan pointed to an empty seat, his voice low and steady.

Lin Mo nodded in greeting, his gaze sweeping across the conference table.

His eyes finally rested on a middle-aged man in a dark grey Zhongshan suit.

The Director of the National Security Bureau, Zhou Zhenguo.

“Comrade Zhou Zhengyang has already reported to us on the situation at the United Nations.” Zhang Mingyuan went straight to the point, “The Nova United States’ move this time is faster than the ‘Bloodsand Federation’ incident.”

Lin Mo frowned slightly: “This time they’re not using ‘washing powder’ but ‘laundry detergent’; only a ghost would believe it.”

A few sneers echoed in the conference room.

“The problem is not what they use as evidence.” Zhou Zhenguo slowly spoke, his voice as low as sandpaper rubbing, “but that their target this time is not just Emerald Principality.”

Lin Mo’s heart tightened: “The Nova United States knows about Titan’s news?”

“Yes.” Zhou Zhenguo nodded, “Titan’s technology has exceeded the Nova United States’ tolerance.”

“But why now?” Lin Mo raised his doubts, “For over a year, the SIA branch in Emerald Principality hasn’t been able to send back any information.

Given the information technology Titan possesses, it’s absolutely impossible for SIA agents in Emerald Principality to have found a loophole.”

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly stagnated.

Zhou Zhenguo and Zhang Mingyuan exchanged a glance, then slowly nodded: “You’re right.

Our understanding of Titan is not yet specific enough; we really didn’t think of this layer.”

“Xiao Mo, what do you think of this matter?”

Considering that Lin Mo was the only one present who had personally visited Titan Industrial City, and was also the special liaison appointed by the Premier himself, Zhang Mingyuan decided to hear his opinion.

Lin Mo lowered his head in thought, his mind racing, classifying and sorting all information related to Titan one by one in his mind.

When he added a timeline, Ms. Emerald’s last words before standing up during the first negotiation struck him like a bolt of lightning, piercing through his mental palace.

In a field of ruins, only two words remained: ‘within two months,’ ‘sincerity.’

Lin Mo’s pupils instantly dilated, his eyelids trembled, and then he slammed the table without warning, “This is a setup!

Titan is testing the international community’s reaction! And also testing our reaction!”