211: Chapter 211 Whispers in the Tent!

As night fell, a campfire was lit at the mountain campsite. The dancing flames dispelled the darkness, casting flickering light and shadow across their faces. He Jun and two bodyguards stood tall and sturdy in the shadows on the perimeter of the camp, scanning the surroundings alertly. They had declined Lin Xi's invitation to the barbecue, saying they had already eaten their dry rations.

Lin Zhou sat on a folding chair by the campfire, holding a skewer of freshly grilled chicken wings and taking slow, deliberate bites.

Lin Xi's skills were quite good; the meat was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, with the fragrant aroma of cumin and chili powder wafting through the air.

"How is it? Good, right?" Lin Xi tilted her head proudly, her brush never stopping as she brushed oil onto another skewer of beef.

"It's alright," Lin Zhou commented indifferently.

Su Wanqing sat to the side, holding a cup of hot tea, quietly watching the two interact with a faint smile on her lips. She carried herself with an elegant grace, looking very much like the lady of the house as she enjoyed this rare moment of peace.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Xi brought a Bluetooth speaker from the car and played some soothing folk music.

The mountain breeze carried the fresh scent of pine, and the galaxy of stars overhead was brilliant. Such an atmosphere could indeed make one lower their guard.

"Lin Zhou, let's talk," Su Wanqing put down her teacup and spoke softly.

"About what?"

"About the future." Su Wanqing's gaze drifted toward the distant darkness. "The current state of your country is like this campsite; although there is light and fire, the surroundings are still filled with endless darkness and the unknown. What plans do you have for its future?"

As soon as Su Wanqing finished speaking, Lin Zhou knew that the small talk was over.

He didn't answer directly, but asked instead, "In your eyes, what should it be like?"

"Of course it should become the most unique country in the world!" Lin Xi interjected. "It should have the coolest technology, the tallest buildings, and the wealthiest citizens! Then, as the Lord, you should live in the most luxurious palace in the world!"

She grew more excited as she spoke, her eyes shining, and she leaned forward involuntarily.

Su Wanqing gave her a reproachful glance before taking over the conversation, though her meaning was much the same as Lin Xi's. "Lin Xi might be exaggerating a bit, but the logic is sound. A country needs symbols, and a leader needs a residence and prestige befitting their status. This isn't just about personal enjoyment; it's an expression of national dignity and majesty."

Her words were very clever, packaging personal desires as national interests.

"While it's convenient for you to be in Beijing, you are ultimately living under someone else's roof. Your cabinet members are also scattered across the world, working remotely via the internet." Su Wanqing's analysis hit the nail on the head. "Over time, there will be issues with cohesion. You need a true capital, a political and administrative center. And you need a real home, a palace of your own."

She paused for a moment, her gaze locked onto Lin Zhou. "Don't you want to follow the example of ancient monarchs and build a Forbidden City of your own?"

These words made everything clear to Lin Zhou.

The true intentions of these two women became crystal clear in his mind.

What they wanted had already transcended the realm of money. For people at their level, money was just a number. What they truly craved was status, identity, and that kind of "noble" title deeply bound to power that could be passed down through generations.

To become the women beside the head of an emerging nation—perhaps even the 'Queen' or 'Noble Consort' of this country—and to possess their own fiefdoms and official residences; this was what they, or rather the people behind them, truly desired.

Thompson had sent Lin Xi to get close to him not just to plant an informant, but to play a long-term game of chess. If Lin Xi could become his woman, the Thompson family would effectively gain the status of "imperial relatives" in a rising nation with unlimited potential.

This benefit was far more enticing than any amount of money.

It was just unclear whether this was their own idea or instructions from those behind them.

However, persuading Lin Zhou to return to his country for permanent residence aligned well with American intentions, as it would reduce the Cyber Freedom Republic's dependence on the Great East.

Looking at their expectant eyes, Lin Zhou wasn't repulsed; instead, he laughed inwardly.

He had originally been troubled about how to explain to the cabinet and the citizens why he wanted to spend vast sums of money on large-scale construction in the desert to build "flashy but impractical" palaces and government buildings.

Now, these two had actually delivered the perfect reason to his doorstep.

"What you've said makes sense," Lin Zhou finally spoke, responding directly to their suggestion for the first time.

As soon as he said this, Su Wanqing and Lin Xi's eyes lit up with brilliance.

"A country cannot be without a capital. A leader cannot always live in hotels." Lin Zhou's words were clear and distinct in the quiet night. "I do indeed have a preliminary concept."

He stood up, walked to the campfire, and picked up a branch to draw a circle on the ground.

"This is our core settlement, and also the future capital."

He drew several squares next to the circle.

"The National Research Institute, data centers, agricultural zones, industrial zones... all of these will be laid out around the capital."

Finally, in the center of the circle, he sketched a grand and complex architectural outline.

"This will be my official residence, and also the administrative heart of the entire nation. I will build it into a palace that fuses classical gardens with future technology. All government institutions—the Privy Council, the Ministry of Revenue, the Grand Marshal's Office, and the Chief Justice's Office—will be built around it."

He looked up at the two women, who were already listening in a daze.

"Once this city is completed, I will immediately return to the country to officially work and live there."

His words sent a huge shock through Su Wanqing and Lin Xi's hearts.

They hadn't expected at all that Lin Zhou not only already had this intention, but had planned it in such detail and on such a grand scale.

This wasn't just an official residence; this was clearly a complete blueprint for building a nation!

"Then... then when can it be completed?" Lin Xi asked impatiently.

"Soon." Lin Zhou threw the branch into the campfire, and sparks burst out. "Our most advanced desert transformation technology has entered the practical stage. Before long, the desert will become fertile land. The speed of the city's construction will far exceed your imagination."

Looking at the two women's sparkling eyes, a brand-new plan had already formed.

He could satisfy their "noble dreams."

But the prerequisite was that they had to pay a sufficient price for this dream first.

For example, by mobilizing the resources behind them to contribute to the construction of this city of the future.

After the "serious business" talk was over, the atmosphere became a bit subtle.

Lin Xi's lips moved, but just as she was about to speak, she was stopped by Su Wanqing's gaze.

"It's late, let's get some rest," Su Wanqing stood up. "We still have to travel tomorrow."

Lin Zhou nodded and walked alone toward his tent.

He was certain that tonight's conversation would soon be transmitted back to Washington and into Thompson's ears through some channel.

And that was exactly the result he wanted.

He wanted everyone to understand that he, Lin Zhou, was going to build a royal city of his own in the desert.

And for those who wanted a piece of the pie in that royal city, it was time to prepare their bargaining chips.

Entering the tent, Lin Zhou immediately put on his headphones, and Jack's voice sounded.

"Lord, a miniature satellite communication device was just activated in their tent. The signal is encrypted and is currently uploading data."

"Can it be cracked?"

"It will take some time, but it can be done."

"Very good." Lin Zhou lay on his sleeping bag, cushioning his head with his arms. "Record their communication content exactly as it is."

He closed his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up silently.

This game of cards was getting more and more interesting.