66: Chapter 66: The free stuff is the most expensive!

In the reception hall of the Apostolic Palace, the scent of stale myrrh drifted from the incense burner.

"Royalty-free licensing?"

Cardinal Parolin's voice suddenly turned sharp and grating.

He abruptly stood up from that expensive walnut chair.

The muscles on his face, usually composed, were twitching slightly.

He suspected he was hallucinating.

As the second-in-command of the Holy See, he had seen countless self-proclaimed philanthropists in his life.

Those people brought checks and wore pious expressions, yet behind the scenes, they calculated how to use the Holy See's tax-exempt policies to launder money.

But he had never seen anyone simply give away a miracle capable of changing the course of human history.

"Mr. Lin, are you sure you know what you are saying?"

Cardinal Parolin stared fixedly at Lin Zhou.

"This technology can make wheat grow in the desert, and could even bankrupt the world's grain oligarchs."

"And you're saying you want to give it away for free now?"

Lin Zhou sat on the sofa, his fingertips gently stroking the edge of his coffee cup.

He did not look at Cardinal Parolin, but instead looked at Pope Fontain sitting in the main seat.

Pope Fontain did not move.

His deep eyes were studying Lin Zhou without moving.

He leaned forward slightly, his entire body tense.

The reception hall was deathly silent.

Qin Yue stood behind Lin Zhou, her palms full of cold sweat.

She could feel an invisible pressure.

"Yes, royalty-free licensing."

Lin Zhou finally spoke.

His voice was soft, but every word carried weight.

"The Cyber Freedom Republic will not charge a single cent in patent fees."

"The Holy See can use this technology to carry out charitable projects in any parish around the world."

"Those starving believers will directly receive God's gift."

Lin Zhou smiled and added.

"Of course, in the name of the Cyber Freedom Republic."

Pope Fontain finally spoke.

His voice was hoarse, carrying the sluggishness accumulated by the years.

"Mr. Lin, the most expensive things in this world are often those that are free."

He slowly fingered the rosary beads in his hand.

"I want to know what price tag is written on the back of this gift."

Lin Zhou put down his cup.

The sound of ceramic clinking was exceptionally crisp in the quiet room.

"There are three reasons."

Lin Zhou held up his first finger.

"First, to make up for a previous regret."

"The atmospheric water generation technology was given to Egypt first; I know there was some resentment within the Holy See."

"This new gift is my compensation to the Holy See."

Cardinal Parolin snorted coldly, clearly not believing such diplomatic rhetoric.

Lin Zhou held up his second finger, his gaze becoming sharp.

"Second, you cannot digest this technology."

This sentence was very rude.

Cardinal Parolin's face flushed red instantly, and just as he was about to retort, he was stopped by Lin Zhou raising his hand.

"Don't be in such a hurry to get angry."

"Biological genetic technology requires top-tier laboratories, massive trial-and-error costs, and a vast industrial system to support mass production."

"What does the Holy See have?"

"Apart from faith and a few ancient churches, you can't even find a decent experimental field."

Lin Zhou's words were direct, piercing the Holy See's facade of dignity.

"Without hardware support, a patent is just a piece of waste paper."

"Therefore, I have already reached a cooperation agreement with Huaxia."

Hearing the two words "Huaxia," Pope Fontain's fingers paused slightly.

"All seed research and development, improvement, and final mass production will be the responsibility of the Huaxia Academy of Agricultural Sciences."

Lin Zhou stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his back to everyone.

"The patent is the core, and it is in my hands."

"Production requires an industrial foundation, which Huaxia will be responsible for."

"And promotion and application..."

He turned around and looked directly at the Pope.

"I need the Holy See's global channels to serve as the flesh and blood."

"This is an iron triangle."

"I have secured the core position, Huaxia has secured industrial upgrading, and the Holy See..."

Lin Zhou paused, his tone becoming extremely seductive.

"You will receive unprecedented prestige."

"When believers eat the drought-resistant wheat provided by the Holy See and watch crops grow miraculously in the desert..."

"Whose credit will they think it is?"

Cardinal Parolin's breathing became completely ragged.

He was a politician, and he knew all too well what such prestige meant.

In this era of increasingly serious secularization, the Holy See's influence was shrinking.

If they could master such a miracle, the Holy See would redefine the global order.

"This is a perfect closed loop."

Lin Zhou held up his third finger.

"The third reason is also a very personal point."

"I hate hunger."

"I hope to see a world where everyone can fill their stomachs."

"I believe this is also a wish you, Your Holiness, often make to God during your prayers."

Pope Fontain fell into a long silence.

He was weighing the options.

He was calculating.

He looked at this young man in his early twenties, and a chill rose in his heart.

It was a calmness far beyond his age, and a near-maniacal game strategy.

Lin Zhou used a bait that Vatican City could not refuse to forcibly bind Huaxia, the Holy See, and his tiny nation together.

In this structure, the Cyber Freedom Republic was relatively weak.

But because he held the source patent, he instead became the core of this structure.

"Mr. Lin."

Pope Fontain slowly stood up.

He refused Cardinal Parolin's assistance and walked toward Lin Zhou with a trembling gait.

"You are not only a genius, you are also a devil."

He extended the hand wearing the Fisherman's Ring.

"But I have to admit, God will also use the devil to accomplish His miracles."

Lin Zhou grasped that hand.

That hand was very old, the skin withered, but the grip was astonishing.

"On behalf of the Holy See, I accept this gift."

The Pope's voice echoed in the reception hall, carrying an unquestionable determination.

"As a return gift."

"From now on, Vatican City formally recognizes the sovereign independence of the Cyber Freedom Republic."

"We will establish ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations."

Cardinal Parolin widened his eyes in the back; he opened his mouth, but ultimately did not dare to speak.

He knew that the Pope was placing a bet.

Betting the Holy See's millennium of reputation to endorse a newborn nation.

"In future international organization votes, Vatican City will always support you."

"I will personally sign a decree calling on all Christian-believing nations to establish friendly diplomatic relations with you."

Lin Zhou felt the warmth coming from the palm.

He knew that he had won this game of chess.

And he had won it thoroughly.

In the seemingly united Western world, he had finally opened a breach.

"Happy cooperation, Your Holiness."

Lin Zhou said with a smile.

"No."

Pope Fontain looked at him deeply.

"It is happy cooperation, Mr. Head of State."

When Lin Zhou walked out of the Apostolic Palace, the sunlight was just spilling onto St. Peter's Square.

Qin Yue hurried to catch up and asked in a low voice, "We just gave them the patent like that? Isn't that too generous to them?"

Lin Zhou stopped and looked back at the magnificent building.

"Generous?"

He sneered.

"In this world, the things that are free are always the most expensive."

"Once the Holy See takes my patent, they must block those greedy countries in Europe for me."

"Once Huaxia takes my order, they must endorse my international reputation."

The core of diplomacy is, in the end, just a transaction.