67: Chapter 67 Joint Communiqué! Why are we called a Republic?

Over the next two days, the entire Vatican City began to operate at an unprecedented, frenetic pace.

Pope Fontain personally issued the order, and the officials of the Holy See's Department of State worked through the night without sleep.

In just twenty-four hours, a draft of the "Joint Communiqué between the Vatican City State and the Cyber Freedom Republic on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations," still warm with the scent of fresh ink, was delivered to Lin Zhou.

The contents of the communiqué carried immense weight in every word.

First, the Vatican City State officially recognizes the sovereign status of the Cyber Freedom Republic as an independent nation, and both parties will immediately establish Ambassador-level diplomatic relations!

Second, the Vatican City pledges to unswervingly support the Cyber Freedom Republic in obtaining its legitimate seat within the United Nations and any other international organizations!

Third, in return, the Head of State of the Cyber Freedom Republic, Lin Zhou, will grant the Catholic Church a royalty-free license for his personally owned "Genetic Optimization and Rapid Growth Technology (Plant Version)," specifically for global charitable work and humanitarian aid!

This communiqué would be released to the world simultaneously once officially signed by both parties!

One could only imagine the colossal waves these few short pages would stir up in global politics!

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

The team of legal experts led by Zhang Zhe finalized the terms of the communiqué word by word.

"This word, 'assist,' isn't strong enough. We suggest changing it to 'full support'!"

"Regarding the scope of the technology license, it must be clearly limited to plants and must not be used for any commercial profit. This clause needs to be bolded!"

They raced against the clock, ensuring every term was as precise as a blade, leaving no room for ambiguity.

On the other side, Qin Yue led the diplomatic team in repeated communication with the Holy See's protocol department to finalize every detail of the signing ceremony.

Everything proceeded at high speed and in an orderly fashion.

During a break in negotiations, Cardinal Parolin carried two cups of coffee over to Lin Zhou, who was standing by the window.

The expression on his face was somewhat complex, carrying respect mixed with a hint of confusion.

"Mr. Lin, please allow me to ask a personal question. This matter... has been troubling me for the past few days."

Lin Zhou took the coffee. "Your Eminence, you are too kind. Please, go ahead."

Parolin chose his words carefully, having clearly thought about this for a long time.

"According to our study of your country's constitution, your political system is an 'absolute monarchy.' You are a monarch with absolute power, correct?"

"That's right," Lin Zhou nodded.

"However..." Parolin frowned slightly. "Your country's name is the 'Cyber Freedom Republic.' As far as I know, 'monarchy' and 'republic' are two diametrically opposed systems of government. This... if I may be blunt, is a massive contradiction in itself."

The question hit the nail right on the head!

Lin Zhou's heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes!

He couldn't exactly tell the Cardinal in front of him that the country's name was forced through by a bunch of rebellious netizens back home who just wanted to watch the world burn, could he?

They had even threatened him, saying that if he dared change the name, they would collectively renounce their citizenship!

If word of that got out, the Cyber Freedom Republic would instantly transform from a mysterious emerging nation into a laughingstock of internet performance art!

What would happen to his dignity as the founding Head of State?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, but Lin Zhou's expression became incredibly solemn, even taking on a hint of profundity.

He set down his coffee cup and looked at Parolin.

"Your Eminence, you see the present, but I see the future."

This single sentence left Parolin stunned.

Lin Zhou's voice was steady and powerful.

"You are absolutely correct! At this current stage, the Cyber Freedom Republic does indeed practice an absolute monarchy. Because our nation was built upon ruins, like a fragile infant."

"During such an 'infancy,' the nation needs a strong central core to concentrate all power and resources for the most efficient construction! Therefore, through a referendum of all citizens, we chose 'absolute monarchy' as a transitional political system."

He gazed at Parolin, his tone incredibly sincere.

"But this is by no means our final destination!"

"It is written in our constitution that once the number of citizens exceeds one hundred thousand and the preliminary infrastructure is completed, a constitutional process will automatically begin immediately!"

"At that time, we will hold a national referendum for all citizens to decide whether to transition to a constitutional monarchy, or..."

Lin Zhou paused slightly, each word landing heavily on Parolin's heart.

"...transition directly into a true republic!"

"Therefore, we solemnly wrote the word 'Republic' into our national title from the very first day of our founding! This is to announce our ultimate goal to the world; it is a promise we made to all our citizens, and to the future!"

"What we pursue is a realm of freedom and equality that truly belongs to all citizens!"

"And I, Lin Zhou, as the founding monarch, see my historical mission not as enjoying power, but as leading my people to achieve this great goal. When the day that goal is reached arrives, that will be the moment I return power to the people!"

These words were spoken with such resonance and passion!

Half-truth, half-lie.

The roadmap of "centralized development first, followed by democratic constitutionalism" was indeed what the citizens had supported back then.

But Lin Zhou had cleverly swapped the concepts, elevating "constitutional monarchy" directly to the ultimate ideal of a "republic"!

This explanation was logically self-consistent, filled with idealistic brilliance, and precisely hit the "democracy and freedom" political correctness sweet spot of Western society!

Cardinal Parolin was completely dumbfounded!

He stared blankly at the young man before him, his previous confusion having long since vanished.

In its place was a heartfelt, indescribable sense of shock and admiration!

A monarch holding absolute power, thinking from the very first day of his reign about how to personally end his own power in the future!

What vision and magnanimity!

"So that's how it is..." Parolin let out a long breath and bowed slightly to Lin Zhou. "Mr. Lin, please forgive my previous shallowness. Your vision and character are truly admirable! You are a true founder of a nation, not a monarch clinging to power."

Lin Zhou smiled modestly.

In his heart, however, he was already making a mental note to deal with those rebellious netizens.

"Just you wait! Once the country is stable, let's see how I settle the score with you one by one! I'll have to make you go dig potatoes in Africa for two years!"

This small interlude made the already harmonious atmosphere between the two parties even more intimate.

Two days later.

Vatican City, Apostolic Palace, Clementine Hall.

This was the highest hall where the Pope received heads of state.

Under the personal witness of Pope Fontain and the focus of dozens of top global media outlets, Lin Zhou and Cardinal Parolin solemnly signed their names on the joint communiqué.

As the tip of the pen finished the final stroke.

As their two names appeared side-by-side on the state document.

Standing behind Lin Zhou, Qin Yue could no longer suppress her emotions, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Scene after scene flashed before her eyes.

From that unclaimed land in Africa where yellow sand filled the air, to the crowded small office in Beijing; from being heartlessly mocked as a laughingstock by the business world, to today, standing at the center of the world's faith, sitting as an equal with the supreme leader of the Catholic Church!

The hardships, grievances, sweat, and tears along the way were known only to them.

It had been far from easy!

Meanwhile, at the moment he shook hands with Parolin, Lin Zhou was thinking of something else.

The agreement had been signed, and in three minutes, the joint communiqué would be released to the world simultaneously through the official channels of the Vatican and China!

He could almost imagine the expressions on the faces of the leaders of the great powers when this document appeared on the desks of the White House, 10 Downing Street, and the Kremlin—it would be like they had seen a ghost!

A nation that had just been born, with no territory and no permanent population, had actually obtained the joint endorsement of both the Eastern giant and the Western spiritual leader in a single day!

This was practically magical realism!

Lin Zhou knew that from this moment on, a political storm sweeping across the globe was about to begin!

And all of this was merely the beginning.