150: Chapter 150 A Return of Kindness! This is a Win-Win Cooperation

Qin Yue shot a look at Chen Yuan and Zhang Zhe beside her. The two understood her meaning and nodded solemnly.

This was the tone Lin Zhou had set before they arrived. They could plead poverty and play the emotional card, but they could never act like beggars who only wanted to take.

"Regarding that strategic gold mine resource mentioned last time," Qin Yue adjusted her sitting posture, her speaking pace steady but her voice lowered a few notches, "we have reached a final decision."

As soon as these words were spoken, two representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance in the opposing delegation leaned forward in unison, their eyes instantly becoming sharp.

"To repay China's generous assistance, the Cyber Freedom Republic has decided to grant full exploration and mining rights for the mining area and its surrounding radiation zone to a state-owned capital holding company designated by the Chinese government, under the name of 'Special Strategic Cooperation.'"

Qin Yue paused, her expression becoming exceptionally serious. "However, given the current complex international situation and our vulnerability in security defense as a newborn nation, this cooperation will serve as a top-secret annex to the 'China-Cyber Economic Cooperation Memorandum' and will not appear in any public joint communique. Externally, we will only declare that both parties have reached an agreement in the 'agricultural technology and infrastructure sectors.'"

Director Wang's fingers trembled slightly; he immediately understood Qin Yue's meaning.

At this critical juncture, if the outside world—especially those sharp-scented Western powers—knew that a gold mine capable of changing the regional economic landscape was hidden beneath this barren Gobi, it would not only attract countless covetous hands within the Cyber Freedom Republic, but China's aid might also be smeared as 'resource plunder.'

This was a tacit secret exchange.

"Under the framework of this secret agreement," Qin Yue continued to lay out chips, "we grant Chinese enterprises exclusive operating rights for ninety-nine years. In addition to the extremely low tax rates promised this morning, we will also designate a fifty-kilometer radius around the mining area as a 'Special Security Zone,' allowing Chinese security forces to move in and coordinate with our National Defense Force for joint protection."

Listening from the side, Chen Yuan felt as if his heart was being squeezed by a hand; every policy made his heart ache with regret.

This gesture was too massive! This wasn't just opening a mine; it was practically handing the nation's 'purse strings' directly to the other party.

But he knew this was Lin Zhou's style and the most correct choice.

Using a dead mine that they currently had no way of developing themselves to trade for a major power's political endorsement, infrastructure construction, and urgently needed military support.

This deal might seem like a loss, but in reality, they were making a killing.

The polite smile on Director Wang's face completely vanished. He leaned back against his chair, re-evaluating the negotiation opponent before him. He had originally thought the other party would at most offer verbal thanks or some discounts on small projects. He never expected that their first move would be such a shocking 'return of favor.'

This wasn't just a repayment; this was clearly upgrading China's aid into a long-term investment that was extremely profitable and held profound strategic significance!

"Dean Qin... you all..." For a moment, Director Wang didn't even know how to evaluate the other party's boldness.

"Director Wang, we are a small nation, a newborn nation. Our most precious assets, besides sovereignty, are these things buried underground," Qin Yue said frankly. "We are willing to share the dividends with our friends. We are confident that as long as this mineral resource can be smoothly converted into a driving force for development, this 'Friendship Road' will become a true 'Golden Road' in the future."

Her words were airtight, expressing sincerity while demonstrating a clear-headed understanding of the situation.

Director Wang's chest rose and fell slowly; he realized he had to re-evaluate this newborn nation. Its leaders possessed strategic vision and political maneuvering skills far exceeding the country's size, and even more so, a ruthless determination to risk everything.

Director Wang leaned forward and tapped the table with his knuckles, producing a clear sound. "Good!" he said with emphasis. "Dean Qin, we have received your sincerity. Regarding the details of the confidentiality agreement, we will immediately report to the highest levels back home. I believe that cooperation built on a foundation of high mutual trust is the most stable."

With this, the framework for the economic agenda was basically finalized.

One provided the road, the other provided the mine.

Both parties' demands were met, and the negotiations achieved a substantive breakthrough.

The subsequent agenda moved into the field of military cooperation.

Irrelevant personnel exited, leaving only He Jun, a representative from the Chinese military, Director Wang, and Qin Yue in the conference room. The conversation inside ceased, and the air grew a bit heavier.

"Minister He," the military representative was a middle-aged officer with the rank of Senior Colonel. He sat upright and spoke in a steady, emotionless tone. "Regarding your request for us to dispatch instructors to assist in training your National Defense Force, in principle, we can agree."

He Jun's back straightened instinctively.

"We will select a group of the most experienced non-commissioned officers and officers from the special operations brigades of various military regions to form an expert advisory group. They will travel to your country to provide a full year of training support, ranging from individual soldier skills to combined arms battalion tactics."

"That's wonderful!" He Jun's voice rose noticeably, unable to hide his excitement.

This was exactly what he wanted most! The training system and willpower of the Chinese military were recognized worldwide as top-tier. With this group of 'masters,' his raw recruits could be completely transformed in the shortest time possible.

"However, two points need to be clarified." The Senior Colonel held up two fingers.

"First, the advisory group is only responsible for training and guidance; they will absolutely not participate in or interfere with any of your country's military operations or internal affairs. Their identities will be kept confidential from the outside world."

"That is only natural," He Jun agreed without hesitation.

"Second, regarding the equipment for that combined arms company you mentioned." The Senior Colonel pulled back his fingers and interlaced them on the table, his expression turning serious. "The nature of this equipment delivery is special and cannot be carried out through conventional arms sale contracts."

"The plan we've studied is that this equipment will serve as part of our military aid. After the 'Friendship Road' is fully connected, it will be delivered to you in batches via land transport. Externally, the name for this equipment will be... 'engineering support vehicles' and 'security equipment' used to assist you in maintaining the safety of the mining area and the road line."

A muscle in He Jun's cheek twitched slightly.

Calling 99A main battle tanks and 04A infantry fighting vehicles 'engineering support vehicles'? Calling Hongjian-12 anti-tank missiles 'security equipment'?

This wordplay was truly played out like an art form.

"However," the Senior Colonel paused for a moment, the content of his words shifting in another direction, "considering your current security pressure and the needs of the upcoming military training, we can provide the first batch of equipment in advance."

"The first batch?"

"Yes. It includes five hundred of the latest model QBZ-191 automatic rifles, matching ammunition and scopes, one hundred PF-97 93mm individual thermobaric rocket launchers, plus a batch of night vision devices, individual radios, and other special operations equipment. These can be delivered directly to Bir Tawil via air transport within a week after the agreement is signed."

He Jun's breathing grew rapid.

Although this first batch of equipment didn't include heavy iron beasts, they were all top-of-the-line small arms, and in sufficient quantities!

With these items, he could immediately arm the newly recruited troops, building combat effectiveness while they trained.

This was simply a timely help in their hour of need!

"On behalf of the National Defense Force of the Cyber Freedom Republic, I thank you for your generosity!" He Jun rose from his seat, faced the Senior Colonel, and gave a standard military salute.

The Senior Colonel returned the salute, his expression solemn: "I hope this equipment will be used in the cause of maintaining peace and justice."

With this, all core issues of the diplomatic negotiations were reached.

A public 'Joint Communique on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Cyber' and a top-secret 'China-Cyber Military Cooperation Memorandum' were placed before the representatives of both parties.