101: Chapter 101 A Desperate Counterattack! A Mysterious Gift from the East!

"Director Zhou, are you saying... it's done?"

Lin Zhou's voice rose slightly.

At this moment, the matters of the Egyptian garrison and political calculations were completely cast to the back of his mind.

This news was what could truly decide the nation's fate and allow him to gain a firm foothold in the desert.

"It's done."

On the other end of the phone, Director Zhou's voice was steady, but his tone carried a hint of excitement.

"The first batch of gene-optimized crop seeds—drought-resistant and salt-alkali tolerant—has been successfully cultivated. They have passed all safety tests and are ready for mass production."

"That's great! Fantastic!"

Lin Zhou slammed his fist onto the desk.

This news couldn't have come at a better time.

"This achievement includes five types of crops in total." Director Zhou sounded quite satisfied, and his speaking pace quickened: "Super wheat, drought-resistant corn, salt-alkali land potatoes, sandy land peanuts, and a high-protein forage specifically for cattle and sheep."

"According to our previous agreement, all patent rights for these technologies belong to you personally. We have the right to use and produce them free of charge."

"Now, we are ready for the final and most crucial step—large-scale field planting trials."

Lin Zhou's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately caught the key point.

"No problem! Whatever you need me to do, just say the word!"

"We need trial fields and real data from extreme environments," Director Zhou stated the core requirement directly. "We plan to set up two sites. One will be in the northwestern desert region of China. The other..."

He paused, speaking each word deliberately.

"...will be right there in your Bir Tawil!"

Lin Zhou's breath hitched for a moment.

This was truly a case of 'ask and you shall receive.'

He had been worrying about how to make that desert turn green quickly, and now the national team was taking the initiative to bring technology, resources, and a team right to his doorstep.

"I couldn't ask for more! On behalf of the Cyber Freedom Republic, I welcome you wholeheartedly!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself; there's a procedural issue," Director Zhou said. "As you know, our government hasn't officially recognized you yet, so this cooperation cannot go through official channels."

Lin Zhou's mind whirred, and he understood immediately.

"I understand! We'll use a commercial cooperation model!"

"Talking to smart people really saves effort," Director Zhou praised. "Register an agricultural technology company in China as soon as possible. We will have an enterprise under the Academy of Agricultural Sciences complete this trial in the form of technical cooperation and investment."

"Rest assured, we will bear all the costs for the equipment, personnel, and funding required for the trial. You only need to provide the land and necessary cooperation. Once the trial is successful, all technical data will be shared among the three parties. We will inform Vatican City of this simultaneously."

"Thank you, Director Zhou! Thank you so much! I'll get on it right away!"

"Good, the sooner the better. In three days, we will organize a three-party meeting in Beijing. Vatican City will send a representative, and you should come too. We'll finalize all the specific cooperation details in person."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Zhou let out a long breath of turbid air.

The pressure brought by the Egyptians had lightened considerably because of this good news.

Egypt wants to station troops? It doesn't matter.

You station your troops, and I'll grow my food.

As long as this desert can produce food and create wealth and value, those hundred or so Egyptian soldiers won't amount to much.

They cannot shake my foundation.

Without hesitation, he immediately picked up another phone and called Wang Dong directly.

"Old Wang, go register a company for me immediately! The name will be 'Genesis Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.'! Get all the procedures done at maximum speed!"

After handling this top priority, he then unhurriedly dialed He Jun's number.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Head of State, at your command," He Jun's voice was crisp.

"Old He, two things."

Lin Zhou's tone was very calm.

"First, the Egyptians are coming."

In the briefest terms, he explained Egypt's plan to station troops.

There was silence on the other end for several seconds.

He Jun might not understand politics, but as a security expert and former special forces soldier, he understood what this meant instantly.

A sense of killing intent could be felt even through the phone line.

"Head of State, this is like putting a knife directly to our throats."

"Exactly," Lin Zhou's voice also turned cold. "That's why I need you to do the second thing."

"I want you to immediately, right now, initiate the expansion plan for the national Police Force."

"I want to see a Police Force of at least one hundred and fifty people within two months. Furthermore, this entire force must be stationed in the Oasis One Settlement."

One hundred and fifty.

He Jun sucked in a breath of cold air.

This number was too large.

The only capable fighters he had right now were those five veterans who had stayed behind.

Going from zero to one hundred and fifty people in two months and forming a preliminary combat capability was extremely difficult.

"Head of State, where will the people come from? Our citizens... are all technicians and scientists; hardly any of them have ever touched a gun."

"Recruit globally!" Lin Zhou said resolutely.

"No restriction on nationality. Prioritize recruiting veterans from various countries with military or security experience. Match the compensation directly with the French Foreign Legion; money is not an issue. What I want are people, loyalty, and combat effectiveness."

"Understood!"

He Jun didn't ask further.

His soldier's instinct led him to choose to execute the order.

"Mission will be accomplished!"

Lin Zhou's instructions continued.

"This force will be police in name, responsible for settlement security and patrols. However, all training standards and equipment must follow the specifications of a light paramilitary unit."

"I want that company of Egyptian soldiers to not even dare breathe loudly in front of our one hundred and fifty police officers, and to put away any ideas they shouldn't have."

He Jun on the other end understood instantly.

"Understood, Head of State. It's an army wearing police uniforms."

"Exactly, that's what I mean."

After arranging these two major tasks, Lin Zhou felt much more at ease.

He picked up the diplomatic note from Egypt again, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He took his pen and quickly signed his name at the end of the document.

"Someone, come in."

The secretary walked in.

"Formally reply to the Egyptian Embassy with this document through diplomatic channels."

Lin Zhou handed the document over with a warm smile on his face.

"Tell them I agree. Furthermore, to demonstrate the strong bond of friendship between our two nations, our Cyber Freedom Republic will cooperate fully and with maximum speed with the Egyptian Military in the surveying, design, and construction of the camp."

...

On the other side, in Cairo.

In the Ministry of Defense building, General Mubarak and Deputy Minister Saleh of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon received the reply from Bir Tawil.

"He agreed! And very readily, without any bargaining."

A look of triumph was on Saleh's face.

"It seems he really liked the two gifts we sent—the ISO and the African Union observer status. This young man is still a bit green; give him a little sweetness and he loses his sense of direction."

But there was no look of ease on General Mubarak's face.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk, his gaze sharp.

"Don't underestimate him, Saleh."

His voice was deep.

"The faster he agrees, the more it shows he has something to fall back on. I'm willing to bet this young man must be preparing a countermove."

"Have our people watch him closely; I want to know his every move. I want to see what kind of tricks this young man, who has caught the attention of both a great Eastern power and Vatican City, is planning to play."

Three days later, in Beijing.

In a club that couldn't be found on any map.

Lin Zhou straightened his suit and pushed open a heavy wooden door.

Several people were already seated in the room, led by Director Zhou. Opposite them sat a blonde, blue-eyed white priest, dressed impeccably. The cross on his chest indicated he was from Vatican City.

As Lin Zhou entered, everyone's gaze focused on him.

An important secret meeting was about to begin.