33: Chapter 33 System Upgrade! The First Citizen Receives a Reward of 100 Million!

Director Zhou closed the folder regarding the citizenship issue, marking the end of the first agenda item.

He picked up his teacup to moisten his throat and steered the conversation toward the next sensitive area.

"Mr. Lin, let us discuss the second issue: funds."

Lin Zhou's heart rate accelerated slightly, but his face remained calm.

"We have noted that after you signed the agreement with Egypt, an overseas trust account associated with you received an influx of over one billion dollars within a very short period." Although Director Zhou's tone was flat, every word carried weight.

This was both a warning and a probe.

The state apparatus had already taken note of the existence and flow of this massive sum.

"Are you referring to the 'Cyber Freedom Republic Founding Fund'?" Lin Zhou replied calmly. "That is indeed my national account."

"Is it… convenient to disclose the source of this massive sum?"

"It is a donation from an enthusiastic 'Founding Duke'." Lin Zhou brought out the excuse he had long prepared. "Specific information involves our internal affairs and citizen privacy, so I am afraid it is not convenient to disclose."

He skillfully used the terms "internal affairs" and "citizen privacy" to draw a line.

Director Zhou looked at him for a few seconds and did not continue to press the issue.

Further questioning would yield no results. Since the other party dared to make the account public, he must have been prepared long ago. This inquiry was merely a formality to demonstrate the Chinese side's stance.

"We respect your country's internal affairs," Director Zhou said, taking the opportunity. "We only wish to remind Mr. Lin that such a massive flow of funds can easily attract the attention of international financial regulatory agencies. We hope you will use this money legally and in compliance with regulations."

"Of course." Lin Zhou nodded. "This money will be used entirely for the infrastructure construction of Bir Tawil and subsequent technological research and development; every cent will be spent where it is most needed."

His candor actually put Director Zhou and the others at ease.

The threat level posed by someone who only wants to line their own pockets is completely different from that of someone who has the great cause of nation-building in mind.

"Very good." Director Zhou nodded with satisfaction, then threw out the question Lin Zhou cared about most. "Then, Mr. Lin, besides resolving the citizenship issue, you must have a more important purpose for returning to the country, right?"

Lin Zhou sat up straight.

"Yes." He did not hide it. "I hope to formally establish diplomatic relations with China, my motherland."

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly sank.

This was the true core of today's meeting.

Director Zhou was silent for a moment, organizing his wording.

"Mr. Lin, we understand your feelings. However, diplomacy is not child's play."

He looked at Lin Zhou, his eyes becoming serious.

"Egypt recognized you because they were extremely eager for your technology, and you paid a huge 'price'. That was an unequal transaction."

"But China is different. Although there is an uneven distribution of water resources, we are not as desperate as Egypt and do not need to trade sovereignty recognition for any technology. We must base the establishment of diplomatic relations with any country on equality, mutual benefit, and compliance with the basic principles of international law."

"More importantly," he emphasized, "the whole world knows that your project was launched on the Chinese internet and your core technology was verified within China. If we were to be your second country to establish diplomatic relations, how would the international community view it? They would think that the 'Cyber Freedom Republic' was a grand drama planned by China from the very beginning. This would bring us unnecessary diplomatic trouble."

These words were straightforward and profound.

Lin Zhou's mood plummeted to the bottom. He had expected it to be difficult, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so blunt.

"Then what must I do to gain the recognition of the motherland?" he asked.

Director Zhou held up two fingers.

"Twenty."

"What?"

"When your 'Cyber Freedom Republic' has obtained formal recognition from at least twenty sovereign states and holds an observer seat at the United Nations, the Chinese embassy in the Cyber Freedom Republic will begin construction."

Twenty countries!

The difficulty of this task was extremely high.

For a micro-nation, having three or five diplomatic partners would already be quite remarkable.

This was equivalent to a polite refusal.

Watching Lin Zhou's furrowed brows, Director Zhou's tone softened slightly.

"Xiao Lin, I am a few years older than you. Let me say a few more words in a personal capacity."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at a patch of emerald bamboo in the courtyard outside.

"You now have leading technology and the capital to establish yourself, but to build a nation, technology alone is far from enough."

"Building a nation requires a sound system and organizational structure. Egypt recognized you only because they valued your technology and hoped that you would always rely solely on technology to survive, making it convenient for them to manipulate you."

Director Zhou turned around and looked at Lin Zhou.

"What you need to do most right now is not to rush into courting a second or third ally, but to first establish the various systems of your own country."

"The national system, form of government, constitution, and basic laws... these are the foundations for your transformation from a technology owner to a qualified national leader. Once you have established and perfected these systems, and let the world see that you are a leader who truly wants to build a civilized order, more and more countries will naturally recognize you."

These words enlightened Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou understood instantly.

His line of thinking all along had been the merchant logic of "technology in exchange for recognition."

But Director Zhou had pointed him toward the royal road of "civilization in exchange for recognition."

An entity with only technology and money is a "company."

Only an entity that possesses laws, systems, and a civilized form can be called a "nation."

"I understand." Lin Zhou stood up and bowed deeply to Director Zhou. "Thank you for your guidance, Director Zhou."

This bow was from the heart.

Director Zhou accepted the gesture calmly, a smile appearing on his face.

Director Zhou was very satisfied with his reaction.

"Go ahead, first solidify your own foundation. We look forward to seeing a truly modern and civilized 'Cyber Freedom Republic' appear on the world stage."

"We look forward even more to the day when the Five-Starred Red Flag can fly alongside your country's flag over Bir Tawil."