70: Chapter 70: The Iron Abacus's Approval! Royal Entertainment Company Established!

"As for the money, I'll find a way."

Chen Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the meeting room looked at him.

Chen Yuan was the nation's 'Iron Abacus.' Usually, he would argue for half a day over a tiny bit of budget, but now he didn't show the slightest hint of opposition. Behind his reading glasses, his eyes were frighteningly bright.

Everyone was surprised, watching Chen Yuan stand up and walk over to Lin Wan's side, patting her on the shoulder as if to encourage her.

"Head of State, Her Royal Highness's proposal is excellent."

Chen Yuan turned to Lin Zhou, his voice aged but powerful.

"This is simply a stroke of genius."

He turned and walked toward the world map on the wall, picking up a red marker and pressing it heavily onto the tiny block of color representing the Cyber Freedom Republic.

"Our country's current predicament isn't a lack of money or technology."

Chen Yuan's voice grew louder.

"It's a lack of legitimacy; it's a lack of recognition from ordinary people around the world."

"Right now, only a few countries recognize us. In the eyes of most people, we're just a joke, an internet meme."

"This deep-seated prejudice will act like poison, corroding the foundations of our nation."

The red pen in his hand drew a harsh circle on the map, encompassing several major Western powers.

"But the 'Nation-Building through Culture' strategy proposed by Her Royal Highness is a blade that can bypass political and economic blockades, influencing people's hearts in a soft, direct way."

Chen Yuan turned back and looked at the stunned Lin Wan with great approval.

"Think about it, everyone."

"A real princess starring in a movie about her own country's founding—who can compete with a gimmick like that?"

"A sci-fi series set against the backdrop of our technological utopia, showing the world our future life—who can resist that attraction?"

"She will become a global icon representing rebirth and freedom. This kind of influence is more useful than giving a hundred speeches at the United Nations."

"These cultural products will shape a new, positive, and charismatic image for our country."

In the meeting room, everyone was stunned by the future Chen Yuan described.

Lin Zhou's brow furrowed. He had to admit, Chen Yuan had elevated Lin Wan's whimsical plan to a strategic height he hadn't considered.

But...

"Elder Chen, everything you said is correct. But what about the money?" Lin Zhou's voice was a bit dry. "Where is the money coming from?"

"Money?"

Chen Yuan smiled.

"Head of State, have you forgotten how well the commemorative banknotes and stamps on our website are selling?"

Lin Zhou was stunned for a moment.

That was almost the national treasury's only source of income at the moment.

"We can establish a Royal Cultural Development Fund," Chen Yuan's voice was very persuasive. "We won't use money from the treasury; we'll solicit public donations from all over the world."

"We can sell more national merchandise, like commemorative gold coins with Her Royal Highness's image. We can pre-sell limited citizenship qualifications. We can even... package Her Royal Highness's entire plan as a 'Global Princess Cultivation Project.'"

"Princess Cultivation Project?" Lin Wan whispered, her face turning red.

"Exactly," Chen Yuan nodded heavily. "Call it the Princess Cultivation Project. I believe countless wealthy people and fans across the globe are willing to pay for this unique plan. With every penny they spend, they can see with their own eyes how a conceptual nation step-by-step becomes a real utopia."

"This won't just avoid draining the treasury," Chen Yuan's voice was certain, "it will actually open up a brand new, massive channel of fiscal revenue for us."

"Head of State, this isn't burning money; this is practically printing money."

Chen Yuan's words made everything click for Lin Zhou.

The older, the wiser.

With just a few words, Chen Yuan had turned Lin Wan's idea into a clear-headed business plan that was essentially creating something out of nothing.

Lin Zhou no longer had any lingering concerns.

He saw his younger sister's expectant face and sparkling eyes, and he couldn't bring himself to say no.

Ultimately, he nodded heavily.

"Fine, I agree."

He turned to Qin Yue, his voice regaining its stability.

"Minister Qin, draft the documents to officially establish the Cyber Free Republic Royal Entertainment Company, with Her Royal Highness Princess Lin Wan serving as the Honorary Chairperson."

"Yes, Head of State."

Qin Yue suppressed a laugh and accepted this task that sounded a bit absurd but could potentially decide the nation's fate.

"Brother, you're the best!"

Excited, Lin Wan suddenly jumped up from her chair and rushed over to hug Lin Zhou's arm.

"Don't get happy too soon." Lin Zhou intentionally kept a straight face and tapped her forehead. "If you don't get into the Film Academy, the company will be disbanded on the spot."

"Don't worry, mission guaranteed." Lin Wan made a face and stuck out her tongue. "I'll go back and study like my life depends on it."

A serious meeting concluded in this warm and slightly humorous atmosphere.

Seeing his sister regain her vitality, Lin Zhou felt a warmth in his heart. He thought that this was perhaps how a country should be: possessing both an iron will and a soft heart; having grand goals while also caring for every specific individual.

...

The next day.

A piece of news shocked the entire world.

The Holy See of Vatican City and the Cyber Freedom Republic jointly released a communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

As soon as the news broke, every major mainstream media outlet in the world reported it on their front pages immediately.

《God's Approval? The Pope Recognizes an Internet Nation!》

《The Handshake of the Century Between Technology and Faith! Mysterious Head of State Lin Zhou Knocks on the Doors of the Holy See!》

《A New Geopolitical Player Enters the Field! Backed by Europe's Spiritual Leader, the International Landscape May Shift Dramatically!》

Everyone was astonished.

No one could have imagined that the cyber kingdom, once treated as a joke, would actually obtain recognition from Vatican City.

The Pope's recognition, though it cost not a single soldier, had more influence than ten aircraft carrier battle groups.

This was no longer a joke.

This weak, newborn regime had used brilliant diplomatic maneuvers to achieve a massive turnaround.

When the news reached Qin Yue's team, who were struggling with diplomatic negotiations worldwide, they immediately felt the change.

Those diplomats from small countries who had previously been demanding exorbitant prices did a complete 180-degree turn in their attitude.

"Hello? Is this Minister Qin? Oh, Minister Qin. Regarding the establishment of diplomatic ties, I think we can discuss it more deeply... The amount of aid isn't an issue; it's mainly for the deep friendship between our two peoples."

"Ms. Qin, my God. On behalf of my government, I apologize for the unreasonable conditions last time. We are willing to make the maximum concessions, just to establish diplomatic relations with your country as soon as possible."

The phones that had previously been ignored were now ringing one after another with proactive calls.

This was the power of Vatican City.

The Pope's approval gave Lin Zhou, this cyber king, a sudden divine aura.

In the VIP lounge of the Rome airport.

Qin Yue hung up the phone and walked quickly to Lin Zhou, her cheeks flushed and her voice trembling slightly.

"Head of State, three more countries have agreed to establish diplomatic relations unconditionally."

"Now, there are already ten sovereign states that officially recognize us."

"We... we're halfway there."

Lin Zhou's expression was calm; he only nodded slightly, as if he had expected this result long ago.

He looked through the floor-to-ceiling window at the private jet returning home, his gaze fixed on the East.

The first move on the European chessboard had been made.

Next, it was time to go home and deal with that gift that could change the future of the world.