82: The giant god has come to harvest the fruits

Golden Summit Holy City, Prime Minister's Office.

Surayut slammed the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable resolution document onto his desk. The teacup rattled, and tea splashed onto the document, soaking the cold numbers.

The Golden Buddha Confederation Government only received 10% of the shares.

"This is outright robbery!" Surayut's voice echoed in the Prime Minister's Office conference room. "The Siam Strait runs through our territory, yet we only get scraps!"

The Minister of Defense's face was grim: "What's worse, the Serum Warriors in the Southern Four Provinces are still stubbornly resisting. Even with the special tranquilizers, it will take at least three months to completely quell the rebellion."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs wiped cold sweat from his forehead: "The Eastern Federation Ambassador just called, hinting that we could increase our share through 'other means'..."

"What other means?" Surayut sneered. "Should we lease Phuket Island to them too?"

A soft knock suddenly sounded on the conference room door. The secretary hurried in and whispered a few words into Surayut's ear. The Prime Minister's expression instantly became complex.

"Let him in." Surayut straightened his tie. "I want to see what brilliant ideas this Titan executive has."

Ains walked into the conference room with a composed stride, followed by two Titan security personnel. He had changed into a light gray suit today, and the Titan emblem on his tie glinted coldly under the lights.

"Prime Minister, I apologize for the intrusion." Ains bowed slightly. "I believe we might be able to find a win-win solution."

Surayut gestured for the others to leave, keeping only Bawei and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Speak, what else do you want?"

Ains waved his hand gently, and a holographic projection unfolded in the center of the conference table, displaying a detailed map of the Southern Four Provinces. "Titan is willing to return 10% of the shares to the Golden Buddha Confederation Government."

Bawei narrowed his eyes: "Conditions?"

"The construction rights for the Southern Four Provinces." Ains's finger traced over the rubber plantation and tin mine markers on the projection. "And a thirty-year right to use the resources."

Surayut suddenly stood up: "You are trying to carve out our territory!"

"Titan does not need territory." Ains brought up a video showing Serum Warriors burning, killing, and looting in villages. "Without Titan's help, the Southern Four Provinces will eventually become independent. But we can ensure it remains within the Golden Buddha Federation's borders."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs suddenly interjected: "What about the other 10%?"

Ains revealed a mysterious smile: "That 10%, your country can use to 'borrow flowers to offer Buddha'." He brought up a new data stream. "For example, 5% to the Eastern Federation in exchange for infrastructure investment, 3% to the Nova United States in exchange for protection commitments, 2% to North Steel in exchange for energy concessions..."

Bawei sneered: "What a clever way to get something for nothing. You Titans don't have to pay anything, and you make us curry favor with the great powers?"

"Minister, you exaggerate. It should be called a responsible major power." Ains pressed a remote control, and the screen switched to the Siam Strait's revenue forecast. "Just this 10% stake alone can bring the Golden Buddha Federation over 600 billion eagle dollars in revenue over the next thirty years. As for the resources of the Southern Four Provinces... frankly, for Titan, they are just icing on the cake."

Surayut stared at the numbers on the projection, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. 600 billion was enough to repay all of the Golden Buddha Federation's foreign debt, with a substantial surplus.

"How do you guarantee that the South will not become independent?" Surayut finally asked.

Ains took out the Mandala construction agreement signed by the Emerald Principality government at the time from his briefcase and gently placed it on the table: "Mandala is a very good template. As of now, Mandala provides the Emerald Principality government with 5% of its past tax revenue every month, and no one in Mandala has proposed wanting to secede from the Emerald Principality."

The conference room fell into a long silence. Surayut walked to the window, looking out at the prosperous night view of Golden Summit Holy City. He knew that this decision would change the fate of the Golden Buddha Federation.

"I need a cabinet vote." Surayut finally said.

"Of course." Ains stood up gracefully. "But I remind you, the canal project signing ceremony will begin soon. Your time is not much."

Golden Summit Holy City, Prime Minister's Office Cabinet Meeting Room.

Prime Minister Surayut looked around at the solemn faces of his cabinet members, the projector's light casting shifting shadows on their faces. Outside the window, the faint shouts of the Rocla people and protesters could be heard.

"Let's vote." Surayut's voice was hoarse. "Those who agree to accept Titan's terms, please raise your hand."

One by one, arms slowly rose, like prisoners being sentenced. Minister of Defense Bawei was the last to raise his hand, his arm muscles taut, knuckles white.

"Unanimous approval." Surayut announced tiredly. "Inform Titan, we accept their terms."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs suddenly spoke: "Prime Minister, the Eastern Federation Ambassador has requested an emergency meeting."

"Let them wait." Surayut rubbed his temples. "First, deal with Titan's matter."

Ains seemed to have anticipated this outcome. He quietly walked into the conference room with a team of technical personnel. Two assistants quickly set up the holographic projection equipment.

"Thank you for your wise decision." Ains's voice was calm and strong. "This is the preliminary plan for the Southern Industrial City."

A three-dimensional model of a futuristic city appeared in the projection: towering glass curtain wall buildings, crisscrossing elevated tracks, and factory parks nestled among green plants. Most striking was the giant medical center in the city center, its design style identical to Titan's headquarters in Mandala.

"The first phase of the project will invest 20 billion eagle dollars." Ains's finger traced over the hologram. "It will create 500,000 jobs and bring at least 3 billion eagle dollars in tax revenue to the Golden Buddha Confederation Government annually."

The Minister of Finance gasped: "This is equivalent to three times the current GDP of the Southern Four Provinces!"

"Not only that." Ains brought up a new data stream. "The industrial city will be equipped with the most advanced seawater desalination systems, vertical farms, and Titan's nuclear power technology, achieving complete self-sufficiency in water and electricity."

Bawei suddenly slammed his hand on the table: "It sounds wonderful, but what's the cost? Your private currency? Or your armed guards?"

The conference room instantly fell silent. Ains's gaze met Bawei's head-on.

"Golden Buddha Federation laws still apply." Ains said slowly. "But to ensure investment security, the industrial city will implement special public security management regulations." He paused. "As for armed forces, Titan will only retain basic security within the industrial city, such as daily patrols and fire fighting. As for the borders and areas outside the industrial city, the main defense work will still be the responsibility of the Golden Buddha Federation military."

This concession allowed Bawei to slightly relax his tense shoulders.

Surayut carefully examined the planning map: "You are going to build a deep-water port in Songka Province?"

"That's right." Ains zoomed in on the port area. "This will link with the Siam Strait, making the Golden Buddha Federation a trade hub for the Spice Sea - Yongning Ocean. As for Thousand Sails Strait, that will become a backup route."

Upon hearing this, a complex joy appeared on the faces of the executives in the conference room.

The conference room door suddenly burst open, and the secretary ran in frantically: "Prime Minister, the Ambassadors from the Eastern Federation, the Nova United States, and North Steel are all in the reception hall, they said..."

"I know." Surayut waved him off. "Tell them to wait ten more minutes."

Ains's lips curved slightly: "It seems our friends are very concerned about the future of the Golden Buddha Federation." He put away the projection equipment. "If there are no problems, we can sign the Memorandum of Understanding now. The formal agreement will be announced at the canal signing ceremony in three days."

Surayut looked at his cabinet members, and after receiving their silent assent, he nodded heavily.

Prime Minister's Office Reception Hall.

Eastern Federation Ambassador Zhou Zhengyang, Nova United States Ambassador Carlson, and North Steel Ambassador Petrov each occupied a corner of the reception hall, forming a subtle three-way standoff. A waiter served refreshments, but no one touched them.

"It seems we were all a step too late." Zhou Zhengyang was the first to break the silence, taking a sip of jasmine tea. "Titan has already convinced the Golden Buddha Federation people."

Carlson sneered: "Haven't you Eastern Federation people been in cahoots with Titan for a long time?"

"The feeling is mutual." Petrov said sarcastically. "Didn't the Nova United States get its transit preferential policies through Titan's connections?"

Zhou Zhengyang put down his teacup: "Gentlemen, instead of blaming each other, why don't we think about how to get a piece of the pie in this industrial city project?"

The three present exchanged a knowing glance. They all knew that at this point, Titan's entry into the Southern Four Provinces was a foregone conclusion.

So the best option was to ensure they also benefited from it.

Golden Summit Holy City, Titan Industries temporary headquarters.

The night was as dark as ink, but the top floor of Golden Summit Holy City's tallest skyscraper was brightly lit.

Ains stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the sleepless city.

Behind him, Zhou Zhengyang, the Eastern Federation Ambassador, Carlson, the Nova United States Ambassador, and Petrov, the North Steel Ambassador, each occupied a corner of the conference room, a scene from the afternoon reception hall replaying itself.

"Ambassadors, visiting so late at night, I presume it's not just to enjoy the night view." Ains turned around, a professional smile on his lips.

Carlson was the first to speak: "Mr. Ains, your company's plan to establish a 'Special Zone' in the Southern Four Provinces will cause an uproar at the United Nations."

"Indeed." Zhou Zhengyang leisurely sipped his tea. "A commercial entity having such extensive autonomy is unprecedented in modern international relations."

Petrov sneered: "Unless, it has the endorsement of a Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable council member."

Ains lightly tapped the table, and the conference room lights suddenly dimmed.

A faint blue holographic projection materialized before everyone, and the elegant figure of Ms. Emerald, dressed in a dark green cheongsam, appeared.

"My apologies for interrupting your pleasant evening." Ms. Emerald's voice was as melodious as a clear spring. "Mr. Ains's authorization level is insufficient to handle this topic.

From now on, I will conduct the negotiations on his behalf."

The three ambassadors exchanged surprised glances.

They all knew that, apart from the mysterious Titan boss, Ms. Emerald was virtually the de facto decision-maker for Titan.

"The terms are simple." Ms. Emerald's projection gently waved a hand, and a 3D model of the Southern Industrial City unfolded in the air. "After the Siam Strait opens, the new industrial city will possess the best deep-water port in the Emerald Ocean and even the entire world.

And within the newly constructed industrial district, Titan is willing to offer the right to use 24% of the New City District's land.

In exchange, the three nations must endorse the Industrial City Special Zone at the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable and ensure that the main European Union countries do not interfere."

Nova United States Ambassador Carlson narrowed his eyes: "Right to use? Not ownership?"

"Thirty years rent-free." Ms. Emerald tapped the table, and the holographic image immediately broke down into three golden areas. "The Eastern Federation Zone is adjacent to the main canal channel, the Nova United States Zone connects to the intercontinental logistics center, and the North Steel Zone leads directly to the dedicated oil and gas terminal."

Zhou Zhengyang suddenly put down his teacup, the clink of porcelain exceptionally clear in the silent conference room: "Ms. Emerald, this level of concession, I'm afraid, requires more substantial returns."

Ms. Emerald's lips curved into a slight smile.

This was exactly what she was waiting for.

"Swish—"

The conference room suddenly plunged into darkness, then lit up with a starlike glimmer.

Countless holographic data streams intertwined in the air, finally coalescing into three different contract documents.

"The Eastern Federation will obtain permanent use rights for 10% of the industrial city's area." Ms. Emerald's voice echoed through the data stream. "As well as three 400,000-ton berths adjacent to the main port area."

North Steel Ambassador Petrov's breathing noticeably quickened: "We need full operational rights for the oil and gas terminal!"

"Agreed." Ms. Emerald snapped her fingers, and the North Steel contract immediately had a clause added. "But Titan will charge a 15% transit fee."

Carlson stood up abruptly: "This is unfair! Nova United States businesses..."

"Your side will own 49% of the logistics center's equity and 30% of the dividends." Ms. Emerald interrupted him. "Plus the lowest fees for the AI customs."

A strange silence suddenly fell over the conference room.

The three ambassadors all knew that this meant they could control one-third of the entire Blue Star's ocean trade.

If combined with the growth brought by Titan's technology, this proportion could very likely increase to half.

Zhou Zhengyang suddenly chuckled: "Ms. Emerald, you intend for our three nations to counterbalance each other in this new canal."

Ms. Emerald's projection suddenly moved closer to Zhou Zhengyang, her voice extremely low, "You must understand, gentlemen, that after the canal opens, this place will become the new Thousand Sails Gorge.

Titan has no intention of participating in politics, nor does it wish to be disturbed by politics."

At this moment, from an angle invisible to the other two, a new projection was generated.

The projection read: "Director Lin Mo is waiting for you in Mandala."

Zhou Zhengyang's pupils widened slightly, then returned to normal: "Indeed, mutual checks and balances are necessary for long-term stability.

On this point, the Eastern Federation has no objections."

Seeing that the Eastern Federation's representative had already agreed to this distribution plan, the representatives from North Steel and the Nova United States also knew that they had secured the best terms.

Soon, six paper agreements were delivered to the conference table.

With twelve names signed, the landscape of the Emerald Ocean entered a new chapter.

Mandala, Titan Industrial City.

At 3 AM, Zhou Zhengyang and his entourage, who had secretly flown from Golden Summit Holy City to Mandala, switched to vehicles provided by Titan and quietly drove into the underground garage of the headquarters building.

Lin Mo was already waiting at the dedicated elevator, uncharacteristically dressed in a formal suit today.

"Ambassador, please follow me." Lin Mo's voice was calm with a hint of excitement.

They passed through layers of security and finally arrived at an unassuming laboratory.

On the central experimental bench, a metal box was placed.

"The complete technical data for the Xingtian Armor and its dedicated power battery." Lin Mo entered the password, and the box lid slowly opened. "It only requires rare earth worth one billion dong yuan, which is practically free."

Zhou Zhengyang's fingers trembled slightly.

He, of course, knew that Titan possessed two terrifying individual combat weapons, and the Xingtian Armor was one of them.

To be honest, with the Eastern Federation's current technology, building an exoskeleton similar to the Xingtian Armor wouldn't be too big of a problem if energy issues were disregarded.

It was simply that mature combat software and electromagnetic rifles were still lacking.

But it was precisely the energy issue that currently constrained many of the Eastern Federation's military equipment from theory to reality.

And the battery provided by Titan, with its energy density forty times that of the Eastern Federation's existing technology, was enough to change the entire military industry landscape.

"Why?" he couldn't help but ask.

Lin Mo smiled: "Ms. Emerald said this is in gratitude for the Eastern Federation's 'overall consideration' in the Siam Strait project." He paused. "Of course, it's also a transaction."

Golden Summit Holy City, Nova United States Embassy.

When Carlson returned to the embassy, he found Robert Wu waiting for him.

"Did you reach an agreement?" the SIA station chief asked eagerly.

"8% of the land, plus equity and dividends in the logistics center." Carlson collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. "But... I always feel that Titan is planning something bigger."

"I will expedite the establishment of a new intelligence network." Robert nodded, agreeing with Carlson's opinion. "Since they are building a new industrial city, I will find a way to get people in."

Five Ports City, Birch Palace.

At the same moment, the North Steel President was listening to the Minister of Foreign Affairs' report.

"Titan agreed to grant full operational rights to the oil and gas terminal?" Grand Duke Winter suddenly looked up. "Are they crazy? That's tens of billions in revenue!"

"But Titan will charge a 15% transit fee." The minister cautiously added. "However, the trade team and technical team believe that this springboard can be used to capture more markets while acquiring more Titan technology."

A hint of greed flashed in Grand Duke Winter's eyes: "Tell Peter to acquire more technology at all costs.

If necessary, we can sacrifice some of our proxies in the Southern Four Provinces."

The next morning, Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable Headquarters.

When the council convened an emergency meeting again, the atmosphere was completely different from the previous days.

The representatives of the Nova United States, the Eastern Federation, and North Steel uncharacteristically stood on the same side, strongly supporting Titan Industrial City's "Special Economic Zone" proposal.

"This is an innovative model for promoting regional stability." Nova United States Ambassador Johnson's statement was forceful.

"It aligns with the spirit of multilateral cooperation." Eastern Federation representative Zhou Zhengyang smiled and agreed.

"North Steel fully supports it." Petrov's statement was concise and powerful.

Representatives from other member states exchanged bewildered glances.

The Ganges Republic Ambassador couldn't help but question: "Before, you were still arguing endlessly, but now..."

"Technological progress requires special policy support." Johnson interrupted him. "Just like the tax incentives Silicon Valley enjoyed back then."

The Fog City Islands and Champs Elysees Federation representatives exchanged confused glances.

"We need more time to study this proposal..." The Fog City Islands Ambassador had just begun to speak.

"Time is money." Johnson interrupted him. "Every day of delay, the global industry loses billions of eagle dollars."

"Fog City Islands companies can, of course, also participate in joint ventures." Zhou Zhengyang added meaningfully.

The vote passed with an overwhelming majority.

The moment the gavel fell, Ms. Emerald's projection in the Titan headquarters monitoring room showed a satisfied smile.