151: Chapter 151 Two Minutes of News Broadcast!

The final details of the negotiations were finalized with astonishing efficiency.

That afternoon, Qin Yue, head of the Cyber Freedom Republic delegation, and Wang Tao, Director of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of China, solemnly exchanged the signed "Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and the Cyber Freedom Republic" under the flashes of dozens of media outlets.

The communiqué was concise and powerful, announcing that the two countries would officially establish Ambassador-level diplomatic relations, effective immediately.

China would actively support the Cyber Freedom Republic in playing a constructive role in international organizations and provide assistance in areas such as infrastructure construction and agricultural technology.

In response, the Cyber Freedom Republic designated China as its highest priority strategic partner and would engage in deep collaboration with China in areas such as regional security and the digital economy.

The wording of this communiqué clearly demonstrated an unusual level of intimacy.

Everyone could see clearly that this was by no means an ordinary establishment of diplomatic relations between countries; it was a major world power giving the most explicit and highest-level political endorsement to a newly born nation.

At seven o'clock that evening, Lin Zhou, waiting in front of the television, finally saw the scene he had been expecting.

After the familiar opening theme of News Broadcast, the host's voice came through clearly: "This afternoon, our country officially established Ambassador-level diplomatic relations with the Cyber Freedom Republic in Beijing..."

The camera cut to the scene of Qin Yue and Director Wang shaking hands and signing documents, displayed on the screen. On the background board, the flags of the two countries hung side by side, their colors vibrant.

The report lasted for a full two minutes.

From the core interpretation of the communiqué's content to the broad prospects for cooperation between the two countries, and further to China's consistent support for peace and development in Africa.

For News Broadcast, where every second is worth its weight in gold, a two-minute segment was undoubtedly a heavyweight treatment.

This was no longer just a simple recognition; it was a declaration announced to the world.

Lin Zhou leaned back on the sofa, watching the television screen, his tensed shoulders finally relaxing.

It was done.

This path, from the secret meeting in Cairo to the shocking changes in Addis Ababa, and then to the strategic maneuvering at the negotiating table in Beijing, had been accompanied by immense risks at every step.

Now, all the risks and gambles had been exchanged for the most valuable reward—formal recognition from a top-tier world power.

The moment the news aired, Lin Zhou's phone, along with the phones of all the core members of his team, erupted with ringtones and notification sounds.

Calls, messages, and emails poured in, one after another.

There were congratulations from business partners, inquiries from international organizations, and even notes from several countries that had previously held ambiguous attitudes, all sending messages at the first opportunity expressing a desire to "deepen understanding."

Amidst these expected messages, there were also more calls that left him feeling helpless.

A distant relative he hadn't been in touch with for a long time called with immense enthusiasm.

"Hello? Is this Xiao Zhou? It's your third grand-uncle's second cousin! Oh my, my nephew has really made something of himself! You were on News Broadcast! Say... look, does your country need anyone? Can you arrange a cushy job for your cousin?"

Lin Zhou brushed them off with a few perfunctory words, and just as he hung up, another unknown number called in.

"Lin Zhou! Old classmate! Do you remember me? Fatty Wang, who sat behind you! You're awesome, brother! You really pulled it off! That 'Cloud Citizen' status... save one for me, buddy? When I go to Africa in the future, I'll cover you! Hahaha!"

Listening to these calls, where the attitudes had shifted dramatically and the subtext was entirely about asking for favors, Lin Zhou frowned slightly. Just as he was about to turn off his phone, a caller ID popped up on the screen— "Shorty".

It was his younger sister.

His finger, poised to turn off the phone, stopped in mid-air and instead swiped to the answer button, his tone softening as he spoke.

"Brother! Brother! Did you see it! News Broadcast! You were on News Broadcast! Aaaaah! That was so cool!" On the other end of the line was his younger sister Lin Wan, screaming uncontrollably.

Lin Zhou smiled and held the phone a little further away: "I saw it, I saw it. Keep it down, you're going to deafen me."

"I don't care! You are the greatest pride of our family now! My classmates are going crazy, all asking if that founding head of state is my brother! I told them, of course!" In his sister's voice, that pure, unadulterated admiration and joy could reach straight into one's heart.

"Oh right, brother, I have some good news for you! I passed my art entrance exam! My professional score was super high! Now I'm just waiting for the college entrance exam results for the cultural subjects; it'll definitely be fine!"

This news was like a breath of fresh air, sweeping away the gloom that had gathered in Lin Zhou's heart due to those worldly people and trivial matters. The smile on his face became genuine; this was the meaning of all his struggles.

"Really? That's great! Yao Yao is amazing. When brother finishes this busy period, I'll give you a big reward."

"Hehe, the best reward is for you to be safe and successful! Brother, you go ahead and get busy, I won't disturb you! Good luck!"

Hanging up his sister's call, the smile on Lin Zhou's face hadn't yet faded. He exhaled a long breath and finally pressed the power-off button.

The world was quiet for a moment.

Just as he pressed the power-off button, the technical team responsible for operating the official website sent an alert via encrypted communication software.

"Lord! The official website server... has crashed!"

"The traffic for 'Cloud Citizens' registration applications has exceeded the designed peak by a hundred times! The backend database has been completely overwhelmed!"

Lin Zhou looked at this report, shook his head, and found it somewhat amusing.

He could completely imagine how much of a shock it had been to the domestic netizens when that blue-background, gold-edged gear flag appeared grandly on the screen of News Broadcast.

The gold content was maxed out instantly.

"Close the online application channel," Lin Zhou ordered. "Issue an announcement: effective immediately, all applications for citizenship must be submitted in person by the applicant at our embassies in various countries, with written materials submitted for preliminary review."

Of course, after giving a stick, one must also offer a carrot.

"In addition, all Cloud Citizens are exempt from visas when traveling to the Cyber Freedom Republic and will enjoy permanent residency."

This order was a countermeasure after the server was crushed, and also a demonstration of strength by going with the flow.

Before, they were a makeshift operation, only able to recruit people online.

Now, we are a legitimate sovereign state; want to apply for citizenship? Please follow the formal procedures.

The online clamor was still fermenting.

"Holy crap! News Broadcast! Did I see that right?"

"This wave is legendary! From internet celebrity nation-building to official certification, what kind of 'feel-good' novel plot is this?"

"I was just hesitating whether to apply for a Cloud Citizen just for fun, and now you're telling me the website crashed?"

"Forget it, the guy above, didn't you see the announcement? You have to go to the embassy to apply from now on! The class of this has just gone up instantly!"

"Visa-free, permanent residency! Regardless, this is the closest I've ever been to moving abroad."

Amidst this carnival, a new and more debatable topic quickly occupied the hot searches.

"Who will be the first Ambassador of the Cyber Freedom Republic to China?"

This question was not only the curiosity of netizens, but also the answer that everyone paying attention to this newly born nation wanted to know.

This was not just a position; it represented the face of this country and the future direction of its relationship with China.