473: Chapter 473 Visit of the Austro-Hungarian Federation

Council Building.

"Since no one is speaking, I'll start," Baili Ji broke the silence.

"Facts have proven that the four Military Region Commanders' views are correct. I apologize to you for my attitude last time!" Baili Ji stood up and bowed deeply.

The four Military Region Commanders quickly stood up, all standing ramrod straight.

"Please sit!" Baili Ji straightened up and said.

The four Military Region Commanders sat down again.

"Councilman Yan was right last time. In the past, we were overly wary of the Huatong Chamber of Commerce. Facts have proven that they have accomplished what the Assembly could not, and they are heroes of Huaguo."

"I think it's time to loosen their restraints."

"Therefore, I propose that the Huatong Chamber of Commerce be awarded the title of Official Cooperation Unit of the Huaguo Assembly, and that Chairman Niu Xingwang be appointed as a Special Consultant to the Civil Affairs Department. What do you all think?" Baili Ji asked.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

Many councilmen nodded in agreement.

Liu Feiying of the Military Political Department and He Jinghui of the Security Department kept their heads down, not speaking throughout the meeting.

"Alright, then it's settled!"

"Another matter, I think it's necessary to make some adjustments here in the Capital as well. From the outbreak of the virus until now, to stabilize public morale, the Capital has never set up a Settlement. But now that the weather is turning cold, the common people's lives will probably be difficult. So I propose entrusting Huatong Construction to build a large underground survival base in the Capital. What do you all think?"

"That's great! Agreed!"

"I agree!"

The councilmen were all very excited to hear this.

They all lamented that Baili Ji had finally come to his senses.

"Alright, then it's settled!"

"There's one more thing. The main framework of the Mosang Ark Base is not yet completed. How should we handle it next? Everyone, please express your opinions."

"I believe the Mosang Ark Base must be built. Its significance to the entire Huaguo is not just survival, but heritage. The material and cultural heritage accumulated by Huaguo over thousands of years must be preserved completely."

"It definitely has to be built, but it's about how it's built. I think it's better to let the Huatong Chamber of Commerce take over. It's clear we don't have enough time to do it ourselves, and our technology isn't mature either."

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

"Alright, then it's settled!"

Today's meeting essentially set the tone, tightly binding the future destiny of Huaguo with the Huatong Chamber of Commerce.

But Yan Zhengping always felt something was off.

It seemed like Baili Ji's choice was a reluctant compromise, but he felt that he conceded too readily, too quickly.

But where exactly it was wrong was truly baffling.

...

November 3, 2056 AD.

The Okshung Federation sent a diplomatic note to Oriental Chen, hoping for a meeting.

Oriental Chen agreed.

On November 5th, the Okshung Federation's diplomatic delegation arrived in the Ulan Neutral Zone.

To Oriental Chen's surprise, these diplomats came in mechs.

"We are very sorry, Mr. Dongfang, we cannot directly expose ourselves to the air, so we can only meet in this way," the envoy said in broken English.

Oriental Chen hadn't considered this point.

"I see, that's fine, please come in!" Oriental Chen made a welcoming gesture.

More than a dozen mechs followed Oriental Chen into the reception room of the underground base.

Fortunately, the mechs they were wearing this time were not too tall or large, otherwise they might not have been able to enter the reception room.

"Mr. Dongfang, we are here primarily to express our apologies."

"Oh? Express apologies? What apologies?" Oriental Chen asked, squinting.

"Last time we inadvertently entered the territory of the Ulan Neutral Zone, it was truly a misunderstanding. At that time, we were ordered to conduct reconnaissance in the North Siberia region, and we landed on the west bank of Lake Baikal in Brit State for rest. But we did not know that it had already become your country's territory."

"Oh, you mean that. I remember you even issued a statement at that time, saying that the Olos Country government was not legitimate, and you didn't recognize it!" Oriental Chen said sarcastically.

"Perhaps you are not aware, the capital of Olos Country has been occupied by our side. So the purpose of issuing the statement was primarily to refute them, and we did not pay attention to their intention in doing so."

"Then what was the intention of Olos Country?"

"It was clearly to sow discord between our two countries."

"What you said makes a lot of sense, but the conflict has already occurred, so what now?" Oriental Chen didn't press him. Because everyone knew in their hearts that these were just formalities.

"We can compensate," the envoy said without hesitation.

"How will you compensate?" Oriental Chen smiled. It seemed Okshung must have something to ask for this time, otherwise they wouldn't actively offer something under such a pretext.

"Take a look at this." The envoy handed over a metal box.

Oriental Chen took the box but did not open it.

He used his Digital Eye to order Xiao Lin to arrange for nanobots to investigate inside.

It's always better to be careful with things given by unfamiliar species.