71: Chapter 71 A Huge Pie Fell From the Sky!

The wheels screeched against the runway, letting out a piercing roar.

When the private plane carrying Lin Zhou and his group landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, the scene outside the cabin window was completely different from when they had left.

The apron was empty, with no welcoming crowds, only a black Hongqi sedan parked there. The special license plate on the front of the car reflected a solemn light under the sun.

This scene carried more weight than any grand welcoming ceremony.

The cabin door opened, and a familiar figure was already waiting at the bottom of the air stairs.

It was Director Zhou's secretary.

He stepped forward quickly, his face filled with deep respect.

"Mr. Lin, welcome back. Director Zhou sent me to pick you up."

Lin Zhou's footsteps paused for a moment.

Mr. Lin.

Lin Zhou immediately caught the deep meaning behind this form of address. Not "Head of State," nor "President Lin."

This was an incredibly subtle signal.

On an official level, China still maintained a clear boundary with that distant Cyber Republic. But privately, at the level represented by this Hongqi sedan, everything had changed.

Lin Zhou did not go home, nor did he enter the city.

The car sped along, driving directly into a guesthouse that didn't exist on any map, with a terrifyingly high level of security.

Pushing open the door to a conference room, Director Zhou was sitting in the main seat. There were no tea sets on the table as there usually were.

He looked up, his gaze fixed directly on Lin Zhou, skipping all the pleasantries.

"The business in Vatican City was handled beautifully."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it made the air in the conference room tense up.

The expression on Director Zhou's face was complex—there was appreciation, admiration, and a hint of wariness.

"Using the leverage of the Europeans to balance the influence in Africa, you've managed to carve out an independent space for yourself."

"This maneuver, this layout... it doesn't look like something a young man in his twenties could pull off."

Lin Zhou pulled out a chair and sat down, replying calmly, "I was forced into it."

"Cut the act." Director Zhou waved his hand, leaning forward slightly, instantly filling the room with a sense of pressure. "Don't try to play dumb with me. Let's talk business—what exactly is your plan for that Gene optimization technology?"

This was the core of today's meeting.

The air in the entire conference room seemed to freeze because of those words.

Lin Zhou looked at him and spoke out the plan he had carefully considered in Vatican City, word by word.

"The patent rights must remain in my own hands, or rather, in the hands of the Cyber Republic. This is my bottom line; it's non-negotiable."

The first sentence made Director Zhou's brow furrow.

Lin Zhou didn't pause and continued.

"I will grant a royalty-free license to China. All subsequent research, development, cultivation, production, and promotion will be handled by top-tier national research institutions, such as the Academy of Agricultural Sciences."

Director Zhou's brow relaxed halfway.

"At the same time, I will also grant usage rights to Vatican City. They will carry out humanitarian promotion worldwide through the Holy See's global charitable network and religious influence."

Hearing this, Director Zhou's fingers began to tap rhythmically on the tabletop. The "thud-thud" sound was the only noise in the room.

Finally, Lin Zhou presented his core concept.

"China provides the technical platform and industrial capacity."

"Vatican City provides the global channels and sacred prestige."

"And I provide the unique core key."

"The three of us will form a community of interests where everyone needs each other and no one can leave. I will be the fulcrum that maintains the balance."

A long silence fell over the conference room.

Director Zhou said nothing, merely staring at Lin Zhou as if trying to see through him completely.

Director Zhou's mind was racing with calculations.

Lin Zhou's plan was even crazier than the boldest one he had imagined.

For China, this plan had a hundred benefits and not a single drawback. China would barely have to pay any price to obtain a strategic technology capable of rewriting the world's agricultural landscape!

Although it was only usage and production rights, that was enough—it was even the best possible outcome!

What did China need? It was actual productivity, grain that could be held in their hands, and a technological barrier that could be used to put a stranglehold on others internationally!

As for who held the patent itself?

In some international settings, having it in the hands of Lin Zhou, the "Head of State of the Cyber Republic," was actually more useful than having it in China's own hands; it could bypass countless technical barriers and political mud-slinging.

This kid...

This kid is simply a monster!

He had calculated everyone's interests and concerns down to the bone!

"You little..."

Director Zhou looked at Lin Zhou, his tense face suddenly relaxing, revealing an expression between laughter and tears.

"The beads of your abacus are practically flying into my face."

He stood up, walked around the table to Lin Zhou, and solemnly extended his hand.

"On behalf of the country, I accept your cooperation proposal."

"For the subsequent technical transfer, laboratory site selection, and project team establishment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead the formation of a top-level special task force to oversee the entire process. As for the money, you don't have to worry about a single cent; the state will cover it all!"

Lin Zhou also stood up and shook that hand.

It was a firm grip.

Director Zhou's expression became serious again. He stared into Lin Zhou's eyes and said word by word.

"I have only one requirement."

"All progress reports for this project must be sent regularly and directly to my desk. I want to ensure with my own eyes that it is being used in the most correct and necessary places."

"No problem."

The two hands shook firmly.

This technology, capable of changing the nation's destiny, had finally found a platform to land on in China.

Lin Zhou also breathed a secret sigh of relief.

For him, handing over a part of this technology was also a form of liberation.

He understood the principle of "possessing a jade ring becomes a crime" better than anyone.

A newly established cyber-microstate that couldn't even protect itself, holding a trump card that could overturn the global food landscape, was essentially a death warrant.

It could be wiped out at any moment.

Now, he had successfully tied the interests of China and Vatican City together.

The pressure would be borne by everyone together.

With his small stature, he could finally catch his breath and deal with the "minor matters" inside his own country.

Just then, a hurried phone ring broke the silence of the conference room.

Lin Zhou took out his phone and glanced at it; it was from Zhao Li in Egypt.

He gestured to Director Zhou and answered the call.

As soon as the call connected, Zhao Li's excited, distorted roar came through the receiver, his voice even carrying a hint of sobbing.

"Head of State!"

"Head of State! The... the road is finished!"

"Our road... is open!"