127: Chapter 127 Signing the Contract! The Exercise Plan Begins to Take Off

Beijing, the eighth day of the first lunar month.

The streets still held the lingering atmosphere of the New Year, but for Lin Zhou's team, a business negotiation that would decide the fate of their nation was far more important than any holiday.

In a highly secure conference room, there were no media, no camera flashes, and no superfluous pleasantries. As the pen made its final stroke on the documents, Lin Zhou and Schwartzman, representing the Cyber Freedom Republic and the Blackstone Group respectively, formally concluded their alliance.

The terms of the agreement were clear and explicit: The Blackstone Group would inject one billion US dollars in the first phase as special funding for the energy infrastructure of the "Oasis One" data center. In return, Blackstone would receive 32.75% of the net income from future data center hosting fees.

"Leader Lin, happy to be working with you." Schwartzman stood up and proactively reached out his hand. The smile of this Wall Street tycoon did not reach his eyes, which held only pure calculations of profit.

"Happy to be working with you, Mr. Schwartzman." Lin Zhou's return handshake was steady as usual, his tone flat.

He was well aware that this one billion dollars was merely an appetizer; the clause behind the agreement stating that "The Blackstone Group will utilize all its resources to assist the Cyber Freedom Republic in integrating into the international community and lifting unreasonable diplomatic restrictions" was the true value of this deal.

The post-signing banquet was equally low-key, with only core members from both sides present.

After a few rounds of drinks, a Vice President of the Blackstone Group, who was also the specific person in charge of this lobbying operation, unobtrusively leaned close to Lin Zhou and said in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Your Excellency, Leader, we have already begun operations in Washington. That Assistant Secretary of State you mentioned may receive some 'suggestions' in the near future, encouraging him to focus his energy on more worthwhile matters."

"I appreciate your efficiency." Lin Zhou raised his glass in acknowledgment.

"This is the foundation of our cooperation." The Vice President raised his glass in return and chuckled, "You understand our boss's style; he only invests in certainty. Clearing political obstacles for you is clearing obstacles for our own investment. We expect to see results before long."

Lin Zhou nodded, saying nothing more.

He understood that this group of capital believers would always be more practical than politicians. They did not believe in ideologies, only in profits. To ensure that the future 32.75% return could be safely pocketed, they would be more proactive than anyone else in safeguarding the "sovereignty" of the Cyber Freedom Republic.

After the banquet ended and Schwartzman and his party were seen off, the emotions that Chen Yuan and Qin Yue had been suppressing for so long finally burst forth.

"Leader, we made the right move!" Qin Yue's voice rose slightly with excitement, "With Blackstone charging ahead on the front lines, the blockade the United States has imposed on us has essentially been torn open from the inside!"

Chen Yuan pushed hard on the glasses on the bridge of his nose. Usually composed, his eyes behind the lenses were startlingly bright: "The one billion dollars in special funding is just a drop in the bucket for the entire project, but it is a signal! A signal that global top-tier capital is willing to place a bet! This is more effective than us spending ten billion on publicity ourselves!"

"Now is not the time to celebrate." Lin Zhou's words calmed the two excited individuals, "The money is earmarked for specific purposes. We must build up our energy infrastructure as quickly as possible, otherwise the data center will be a castle in the air. As for diplomacy, Blackstone can pry the door open, but we must walk the road ourselves in the end."

His gaze turned to He Jun, who had been quietly following behind him.

"Minister He, come with me for a moment."

The two walked one after another into a lounge nearby.

The door closed, shutting out the hustle and bustle outside. Lin Zhou did not speak immediately; the silence in the room accumulated weight before he laid out the entire plan involving the Egyptian opposition.

Upon hearing this plan, the fingers He Jun used to hold his teacup stiffened, and the swirling steam from the cup blurred his expression.

Lin Zhou stood up and added some hot tea for He Jun, allowing him to calm his emotions: "In Bir Tawil, regarding Egyptian affairs, are you confident?"

He Jun held the teacup, feeling the warmth in his palms. He remained silent for a moment, weighing his words.

"Leader, if I may speak frankly, I am not confident." He finally spoke, his voice dry, "I was just an ordinary soldier before, and this current position has already exhausted me. Aren't you overestimating me by asking me to orchestrate something like this?"

He was just a former special forces soldier who later led a security company. Now, nominally the Minister of Interior and Security of a country, he had at most the strength of a reinforced company at his disposal. Asking him to participate in a coup in a foreign country was completely beyond his knowledge and capabilities.

"I know it is difficult." Lin Zhou stared at him, "But we have no retreat. Egypt is our land neighbor; it is currently choking our diplomatic and military rights. If we cannot take them back, we will forever be a colony! This is our best opportunity to break free from all of this, and we must seize it!"

He Jun looked up, staring directly at this Leader who was much younger than himself. Lin Zhou's face was devoid of ripples, but in those eyes, there was something unshakeable, so firm that it made one's heart tighten.

"Leader, I am worried... that I will mess things up and get all the brothers killed."

"I am sending you, not to charge into battle." Lin Zhou's tone softened significantly, "Fatah is the protagonist; we are just providing a stage and acting as audience members. Your task is to cooperate with him to play this part well."

Lin Zhou stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the bustling traffic of Beijing.

"You must hide a real simulated raid within what appears to be an ordinary joint exercise. After it is done, we will wait and see. If it cannot be done," Lin Zhou turned around and said to He Jun, enunciating every word, "immediately withdraw with your men back to China! Remember, I don't care how things turn out in Egypt; you and your troops must return to me without losing a single person!"

"Don't foolishly try to hold any position; our roots are not here."

Hearing these words, He Jun's tense back relaxed involuntarily. The Leader was not thinking of using them as cannon fodder, but had arranged a clear way out for everyone.

"I understand." He Jun stood up, his figure as straight as a spear, "I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."

"Go, return to Bir Tawil, and make contact with Fatah. Remember, maintain confidentiality. Apart from us few, no fifth person can know about this."

He Jun paused for a moment, then said, enunciating every word: "I apply to join the nationality of the Cyber Freedom Republic!"

Lin Zhou looked at him, his eyes filled with a bit more approval. He certainly understood that this was not a momentary impulse, but He Jun using his own future as collateral, binding his life and fortune completely to this ship with an uncertain future.

A smile appeared on Lin Zhou's face as he said: "Welcome! Citizen Number Three. I will find time to communicate with Director Zhou regarding your domestic Five Elements Card! Go and get to work!"

He Jun nodded vigorously and turned to leave the room.

Lin Zhou stood alone by the window, watching the endless river of lights outside, remaining motionless for a long time.