60: Happy Ma Wentao

Imperial Capital International Airport, VIP channel.

Ma Wentao stood by the boarding ramp, watching another private jet, emblazoned with the European Continental Union’s insignia, slowly descend.

Champs Elysees Federation’s Minister of Economy, Leclerc; Rhine Empire’s Minister of Science and Technology, Stark; the private envoy of the Crown Prince of the Golden Sand Emirate…

“This is the third batch,” a Foreign Ministry assistant whispered, “we’ve already received seventeen delegations today.”

Ma Wentao adjusted his tie. This was the first time in his twenty-three-year diplomatic career that he didn’t have to memorize a list of taboos for the other country three hours in advance. A slight smile played on his lips: “Tell the State Guesthouse to replace the Maotai with ’82 Lafite; some guests need a little ‘taste of home’.”

In the distance, the Champs Elysees Federation delegation froze as soon as they disembarked. At the front of the welcoming party, eight honor guards, holding blue, white, and red flags, were playing “Horse Racing Tune.”

Because of the ‘Luigi Incident,’ the Western world had no choice but to bow to their voters. They brought as much sincerity as possible to seek cooperation with the Eastern Federation.

As for why they didn't go to Titan? Wealthy individuals flew directly to Mandala; they didn't need to wait for ‘Qingluan.’

State Guesthouse, Conference Hall.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the negotiation table like a mirror. Ma Wentao sat at the head of the table, his fingertips lightly tapping the sample box of Qingluan nanomedicine. Across the table, the heads of the seven national delegations leaned forward in unison.

“The production cost per unit is 500 alliance currency,” Ma Wentao’s voice was unhurried, “If we establish a joint venture factory, the price can be reduced to 400.”

Champs Elysees Federation’s Minister of Economy, Leclerc’s pen clattered onto the documents. The total cost at this price was less than 10% of the Champs Elysees Federation’s medical insurance expenditure.

“We have three conditions.” Ma Wentao brought up a holographic map. “First, the factory must be built within the Eastern Federation’s territory.”

Low German conversations erupted from the Rhine Empire delegation’s seats. Minister Stark pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. Three years ago, they would have stormed out.

“Second,” Ma Wentao’s fingertip drew an elegant arc on the holographic screen, “your country must provide equivalent technology in exchange.” He deliberately paused for two seconds. “For example… the composite material patent for the A380 empty aircraft?”

“Composite material patent?” Stark slammed the table, “This touches upon our national security red line!”

Ma Wentao unhurriedly brought up a video: Outside the Charite Hospital in Twin Iron City, patients in wheelchairs held signs that read “We want health, not politics.” The camera specifically zoomed in on the Iron Cross medals on the chests of several veterans with Sun Flare barbarian faces.

The conference room instantly became so quiet that one could hear the air conditioning. Ma Wentao used the action of raising his cup to drink water to conceal the smile on his lips.

He clearly saw Minister Leclerc clenching his fists under the table.

The Golden Sand Emirate’s envoy suddenly burst into laughter: “We don’t want technology!” He pushed over a document. “As long as you allow us to build a factory in Kaaba, oil prices can be reduced by another 15%.”

A white light flashed across Ma Wentao’s spectacles.

“Hmm… that can be considered,” he feigned contemplation, “However, we need to add a new energy cooperation clause.”

…

Building 18, Diaolyutai State Guesthouse. Ma Wentao stood alone by the French window, holding a small box that Minister Stark had given him at their farewell. When opened, it revealed a Prussian-era Iron Cross medal.

“My father received this after Stalingrad,” the Rhinelander had said at the time, “This represents our respect for technology.”

His phone suddenly vibrated, the screen displaying a new message: The Rainwood Jungle Nation agreed to exchange 20 years of logging rights in the Green Lung Rainforest for nanotechnology. Ma Wentao couldn’t help but laugh out loud; three weeks ago, this same group of people had been accusing the Eastern Federation of environmental destruction at the WOT conference.

He opened the safe and placed the medal next to the golden camel gifted by the Golden Sand Emirate’s Prince. The safe already contained a Galle glass bottle from the Champs Elysees Federation and a painting by Luca Giordano from the Seven Hills Federation…

“Minister Ma,” the secretary reminded softly from outside the door, “the East Ocean delegation has requested an urgent meeting; they are willing to offer semiconductor technology…”.

Ma Wentao took a deep breath, the brilliant lights of Chang’an Avenue outside the window reflecting in his spectacles. Twenty-three years; he had finally waited for this day.

“Fantastic!”

East Ocean Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Takenaka Heizo, knelt on the tatami mat, the screen behind him reflecting two intensely arguing shadows.

“Semiconductor technology is the foundation of the nation!” the voice of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry representative came through the paper door.

“Then just watch your citizens die!” the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare roared, “Cancer patients at Edo Hospital are already…”

Ma Wentao unhurriedly poured sake. When Takenaka saw the news push notification of the Golden Sand Emirate’s Prince entering the negotiation hall, he visibly trembled.

“Ma-san,” Takenaka suddenly said in Chinese, “we can provide the cooling system technology for EUV lithography machines.” He pulled out a cherry wood box. “This is Four Diamond Heavy Industries’ latest…”

Ma Wentao raised a hand to interrupt: “What we want is Konica’s immersion lithography solution.” Seeing the other party’s face instantly turn pale, he added: “Of course, you can propose the price. But whether I agree or not is up to me.”

Takenaka’s phone suddenly lit up with a confidential message from the Prime Minister’s official residence: Imperial Medical Team Emergency Report: His Majesty the Emperor’s condition has worsened.

Federal Center, Roman Palace office.

The President stared at the real-time satellite image; the parking lot of the Eastern Federation Imperial Capital State Guesthouse was filled with the bulletproof cars of the Europa motorcade.

“These traitors!” He smashed his coffee cup. “Immediately sanction all countries involved in the negotiations!”

The Secretary of State gave a bitter smile: “Including the Rhine Empire? Our Rhine military base…”

Stone Sword City, Fog City Privy Council.

The Prime Minister stared at the document in her hand, her face ashen: “Feasibility of exchanging Rolls-Royce’s turbofan engine technology for nanomedicine.”

“The Queen’s Medical College just sent a report,” the Minister of Health said in a low voice, “Without Qingluan’s nanotechnology, the NSH system will collapse within three years.”

Outside the window, the shouts of protesters were faintly audible: “We want Qingluan!”

The Prime Minister, trembling, dialed the direct line to the Eastern Federation Imperial Capital: “Regarding engine technology, we can discuss it further…”

The next day, Federal Center, Roman Palace Press Conference Hall.

The President stood at the podium, a carefully edited video playing on the large screen behind him: the smiling faces of Eastern Federation negotiators alternated with the pained expressions of patients from various countries. Also featured were Minister Ma Wentao’s ‘arrogant words’: “You can propose the price. But whether I agree or not is up to me.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the President’s voice was heavy and angry, “we are witnessing an unprecedented technological extortion!”

The camera zoomed in, giving a close-up of the document in his hand, the Qingluan Nanomedicine Technology Transfer List, which enumerated sensitive items such as empty aircraft patents, Rhine Empire industrial robot core code, and East Ocean semiconductor technology.

“The Eastern Federation is using the lives of people from various countries as bargaining chips to extort our core technologies!” The President slammed the table. “This is not cooperation; this is 21st-century technological colonialism!”

Flashbulbs beneath the stage flickered wildly. A FOXS News reporter immediately asked loudly: “Mr. President, do you believe this is the beginning of a new Cold War?”

The President did not answer directly, but instead brought up a video. On the streets of the Eastern Federation Imperial Capital, a billboard for the Qingluan Medical Center read “Technology Changes Destiny,” while the scene then shifted to cancer patients queuing outside a hospital in Europa.

“When life becomes a bargaining chip,” he said slowly, “the bottom line of human civilization is broken.”

Imperial Capital, Zijin Pavilion conference room.

The Premier paused the Roman Palace’s speech on the screen and looked around at the high-ranking officials present: “The public opinion war has begun; we need a countermeasure.”

Minister of Defense Zhao Tianyu snorted coldly: “The benefits are already in hand; do we still have to bear this infamy?”

“The problem is,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs frowned, “if we release the patent now, will the West renege on the technology they’ve already given?”

Ma Wentao stood up and brought up a set of data: “According to the ‘International Technology Transfer Convention,’ patents that have been delivered cannot be withdrawn. As for future cooperation,” he smiled slightly, “we can change our approach.”

The speech screen switched to a plan labeled Qingluan 2.0.

“Effective immediately, Qingluan’s basic patent will be freely licensed globally,” Ma Wentao’s voice was clear and strong, “We will only charge 5% of the raw material cost.”

The conference room fell silent.

“This…” The Minister of Science and Technology pushed up his glasses. “Aren’t we losing money?”

“No,” Ma Wentao clicked on the global map. “Once the patent is opened, countries will frantically build factories. However, we are the only ones globally who can stably supply the core catalyst raw materials. After all, that production equipment is a huge power consumer.”

“Yes, the power consumption of one production line is almost comparable to a large smelter.” At this point, the Minister of Industry gave a bitter smile. “To keep the nano-factory in Su Province running 24 hours a day, a medium-sized thermal power plant was directly built for it. With these conditions, only we on the entire Blue Star can probably achieve it.”

The Premier suddenly smiled: “So, we just changed the charging point from patent fees to electricity fees?”

“You could say that. Not only that,” Ma Wentao brought up the trade model, “when factories in various countries rely on our raw materials, we also gain more international political leverage.”

“Good, then let’s do it!” The Premier slammed the table, setting the tone.

Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable Headquarters, emergency special meeting.

Zhou Zhengyang stood under the blue dome, behind him were the Eastern Federation flag and the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable emblem. Representatives from various countries held their breath, while the Nova United States delegation looked grim.

“Approved by the Eastern Federation’s highest decision-making body,” his voice spread throughout the venue via the simultaneous interpretation system, “the basic patent for Azure Luan nano-agent is hereby open for authorization, effective immediately.”

The venue instantly erupted in an uproar. The Champs Elysees Federation representative’s tablet fell to the floor, and someone in the Rhine Empire delegation seats abruptly stood up.

“Only a 5% raw material cost fee will be charged,” Ma Wentao added. “At the same time, the Eastern Federation will establish a global medical technology sharing fund, with 20% of all profits used to aid developing countries.”

The large screen lit up, showing real-time footage of Black Continent’s first nano medical center, where children in Tanzania were receiving treatment, and on the wall behind them, “Thank You Eastern Federation” was written in Swahili.

The Nova United States representative suddenly interrupted: “This is nothing but a fig leaf to cover up technological plunder!”

Zhou Zhengyang calmly opened a document: “According to World Intellectual Property Organization records, in the past decade, pharmaceutical companies in the Nova United States have charged 4900% of the cost as patent fees in Black Continent.” He looked directly into the camera, “The word ‘plunder’ should not be used by your esteemed party, should it?”

“What’s more, we have already reached an agreement with Titan. Titan has authorized us to produce their original nano-medicine, priced 20% higher than ours, as a patent fee deduction.”

“You can choose whichever you like~”

A week later, the joys and sorrows around the world were not the same.

Seine Mirror City, Saint-Michel Avenue.

“À bas les entreprises pharmaceutiques! (Down with pharmaceutical companies!)”

Protesters surged like a tide along the banks of the Seine, shattering the glass curtain wall of the Gray Rui Champs Elysees Federation headquarters. University student Pierre held high a photo of his father, a late-stage lung cancer patient, who was being dragged away from the entrance of the medical insurance bureau by police.

“They would rather spend 3 million alliance currency lobbying parliament,” Pierre roared at the BCC camera, “than lower the drug price to 500 alliance currency!”

In a corner cafe, retired pharmacist Jacques trembled as he put down the newspaper. On the front-page photo, a truck from a charity organization marked with the Eastern Federation Azure Luan Medical logo was driving into the Marseille slums, with the headline reading, “They Have Arrived, Bringing Life-Saving Medicine for 600 alliance currency.”

Liya De, Royal Palace Press Conference.

Prince Al, special envoy of the Golden Sand Emirate Crown Prince, attended in a plain white robe, a departure from his usual ornate attire.

“Some people accuse the Eastern Federation of technological monopoly,” his Chinese was even more fluent than last time, “then please look at this.”

Guards carried in a machine covered with a velvet cloth. When the cloth was removed, the entire room gasped.

This was a nano-robot medicine synthesis device.

“Based on the Eastern Federation’s open patent, we achieved mass production within two weeks.” The Prince caressed the Golden Sand Emirate flag on the machine, “Plus, we used Titan’s customized equipment, with no technological blockade, no political strings attached.”

“What we have to pay is just a portion of the raw material costs. And these raw materials are not impossible to produce, it’s just that the cost is a bit high and not worthwhile.”

He suddenly turned to the UNN camera: “As for certain countries, would you rather let patients die than put down your arrogance?”

East Ocean Prime Minister’s Residence, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Heizo Takenaka knelt on the tatami mat, with two documents spread before him: one was a sanction threat from the Nova United States, and the other was a patent authorization letter just delivered by the Eastern Federation.

“Prime Minister…” His voice trembled, “The Royal Medical Team said that if nano medical technology were available, His Majesty’s survival rate could increase to 95%.”

The Prime Minister stared at the cherry blossoms in full bloom in the courtyard, knowing this was a step down offered by his subordinate. After a long deliberation, he finally spoke: “Issue an announcement. East Ocean will join the global medical sharing plan led by the Eastern Federation.”

That night, the pharmaceutical sector of the Edo stock market plummeted, while Connie’s stock price hit its daily limit again; their lithography machines could finally be legally exported.

Charité Hospital Oncology Department in the Rhine Empire, Head Nurse Hannah was distributing cyan medicine boxes to patients.

“These were just airlifted from the Eastern Federation,” she helped Mr. Schmidt open the packaging, “starting today, you’ll use Azure Luan’s medicine, 500 euros.”

The old man tremblingly caressed the mechanical bird logo on the medicine box, then suddenly burst into tears: “My granddaughter… won’t have to sell the house anymore…”

On the corridor TV, the Rhine Empire Minister of Health was announcing: “Effective immediately, the self-payment cap for nano-treatment covered by medical insurance will be 350 alliance currency.” The screen cut to the parliamentary voting site, where Minister Stark, with his head bowed, cast the only dissenting vote among 389 votes in favor.

He knew what he would face, but he had to be worthy of his duty.

Outside Charing Cross Hospital, the NSH director held a press conference in the rain: “The first batch of Azure Luan generic drugs has arrived!”

In the crowd, the mother of Sarah, a child with leukemia, suddenly knelt and wept. Raindrops hit the medicine box, making the cyan logo even clearer.

Not far away, a Rolls-Royce company truck was driving towards the airport. It was loaded with engine blueprints and technical data promised to the Eastern Federation, tightly covered with a tarpaulin.

New Village, Gray Rui Headquarters top floor.

Richard Anderson stared at the plummeting stock price curve, and the crystal trophy in his hand smashed against the television with a “bang.” UNN was broadcasting the Eastern Federation’s patent opening ceremony live.

“Contact the Senate immediately!” he roared at his trembling secretary, “I want that Ma Wentao on the SDN list!”

Suddenly, the board of directors sent an urgent video. The old shareholders on the screen looked livid: “Richard, you’re fired. By the way, the legal department advises you to prepare for a class-action lawsuit.”

Outside the window, the roar of protesters penetrated the bulletproof glass: “6000 eagle dollar a dose? Go to hell!”

Richard staggered to the window and saw people burning his portrait downstairs. In the firelight, an abandoned wheelchair was particularly glaring. Beside the fire, a group of young people in old-fashioned suits stood straight, watching him.

Manderson, Strong Rise CEO’s private residence. Emma Catherine collapsed on the leather sofa, empty wine bottles scattered at her feet. On the TV, the FAD was announcing the emergency approval of Azure Luan generic drugs.

The doorbell rang, and the lawyer handed over a thick stack of documents: “Shareholder lawsuit claiming 12 billion, Department of Justice antitrust investigation, and also…”

“Get out!” She grabbed a vase and smashed it against the fireplace, flames consuming the certificates of honor on the wall. The “Best CEO” award from 2018 curled and blackened, revealing small print on the back: Through lobbying, the price of AIDS medicine was raised from 800 eagle dollar to 4000 eagle dollar.

Her phone suddenly vibrated; it was a message from her daughter: Mom, I’ve joined the Azure Luan International Medical Team, going to Black Continent tomorrow.

New Village, Stock Exchange.

When the news of the Eastern Federation’s patent opening came, the electronic screen of the pharmaceutical sector instantly turned red. Gray Rui’s stock price triggered a circuit breaker within 30 seconds, and Strong Rise’s market value evaporated by 20 billion eagle dollar.

The trading floor was in chaos, and a white-haired fund manager knelt on the ground, his trading slips scattered like snow.

In the corner, a young trader was laughing. He had just shorted the entire pharmaceutical sector.

His phone wallpaper was the Azure Luan Medical logo, and his sister, who had just received a spot for Azure Luan International Aid treatment in the Golden Buddha Federation.