74: Chapter 74 How about we take out a loan?

The excitement and joy on Qin Yue's face froze the moment she saw Chen Yuan's financial report.

On the screen, the lines of glaring red deficits and the bolded words "National Bankruptcy Crisis" at the end made her calm down completely.

"Th-this... how is this possible?" Her voice was somewhat dry. "Didn't we just get two hundred million USD in achievement rewards? There should be over three hundred million in the national treasury..."

"That's right, over three hundred million." Lin Zhou leaned back in his chair, his voice tinged with fatigue. "But look at the speed at which we're burning through money."

He swiped his finger across the screen, revealing terrifyingly high figures to Qin Yue.

Last quarter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spent nearly thirty million USD on travel, public relations, and aid commitments for establishing diplomatic relations.

For Zhang Zhe's Legislative Yuan, the combined three-month salaries of those international legal experts who charge by the hour amount to an astronomical figure.

Wang Dong just acquired Shanyue Technology and is building a global e-commerce platform; the initial construction of servers, logistics, and overseas warehouses involves huge investments for every single item.

And then there's Lin Wan's newly registered Royal Entertainment Company. Although Chen Yuan hasn't approved it yet, a budget report for one hundred million USD is already sitting in the Ministry of Finance's pending review list.

Not to mention the expenses for establishing embassies in ten countries around the world—venues, personnel, security... every item is a bottomless pit that keeps burning money.

The more Qin Yue read, the more alarmed she became.

She had just been happy about her passport project with an eight-million USD budget, but now it seemed like a drop in the bucket.

"According to Minister Chen Yuan's model, if we don't immediately find a new, stable, and large-scale source of income, this three hundred million USD won't last more than half a year." Lin Zhou's voice was calm, but Qin Yue could hear the immense pressure behind it.

Half a year.

After half a year, this newborn nation, which had just gained a little fame internationally, would face the most primitive and fatal crisis—bankruptcy.

By then, all previous efforts would be in vain, and all promises would become jokes. The Cyber Freedom Republic would become the biggest international joke of this century.

The air in the office was so stifling it made it hard to breathe.

Qin Yue's brain worked at high speed, trying to find a solution.

Sell more titles? No, that would destroy the value of nobility; it's a superficial fix that doesn't address the root cause.

Urge Wang Tao's factory to speed up production and sales? Too slow; the profit-sharing cycle for patent licensing fees is very long and wouldn't be in time.

Raise funds from citizens? We already did that once; the effect was limited, and it would consume national credibility.

She thought of several plans, but she rejected them one by one.

She realized that in the face of a true state apparatus, these methods she thought of were completely useless.

"It's useless." Lin Zhou seemed to see through her thoughts. "These are all small-scale antics. What we need is a huge sum of money—start-up capital that can get us through the most difficult initial period until our various industries can make money on their own."

"Then... what should we do?" Qin Yue's voice sounded a bit shaky.

Lin Zhou did not answer immediately.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling traffic of Beijing below.

This city represented the strength and prosperity of a mature nation, while his nation was still struggling for survival.

After a while, Lin Zhou turned around, looked at Qin Yue calmly, and spat out one word.

"A loan."

"A loan?" Qin Yue was stunned. "A loan from whom? The World Bank or the International Monetary Fund? Our legal status..."

"No." Lin Zhou shook his head, interrupting her. "We aren't looking for those international financial institutions. The procedures are cumbersome, the political vetting is strict, and by the time they approve it, we'll have already gone bankrupt."

He paused, his eyes becoming sharp.

"We will take a loan from a country. We will conduct a sovereign loan."

Qin Yue's heart skipped a beat. A sovereign loan is usually a method adopted only when nations conduct huge economic aid or cooperation; the interests and political maneuvering involved are far more complex than commercial loans.

"Who are we looking for?" she asked subconsciously.

A meaningful curve appeared at the corner of Lin Zhou's mouth.

"We are looking for our neighbor, the one who was just played by us... the Pharaoh."

"Egypt?!" Qin Yue's eyes widened. "Head of State, this... we just bypassed them in the Vatican City matter; they are probably hating us right now. How could they lend us money? We just scammed them, and now we're going to ask for a loan?"

"No, you don't understand." Lin Zhou's train of thought was exceptionally clear. "That is exactly why we must be the first to approach them."

He held up three fingers.

"First, a scam? That's called a brilliant business negotiation. Our cooperation with Vatican City showed Egypt our value. When we sit at the same table as the Holy See, our weight is different. Their emotion toward us now is wariness."

"Second, this loan is the best opportunity to repair our relationship. We take the initiative to visit, lower our stance, give them a way out, and give them a chance to regain influence through us. This feeling is what they need the most."

"Third, and this is the most important point." Lin Zhou's voice lowered a bit. "Chen Yuan reminded me that joining the Universal Postal Union is a key step in the normalization of a nation. And voting in such international organizations requires the support of regional powers. We are the only land neighbor of Egypt, and their support is crucial. This loan is a test of using money to exchange for support."

Qin Yue was stunned by Lin Zhou's series of analyses.

Only then did she realize that while she was still stuck at the level of "how to get money," Lin Zhou had already planned this crisis into an operation that factored in financing, diplomacy, and political exchange.

She looked at the man in front of her, who was even younger than she was, and felt nothing but admiration.

"I understand." Qin Yue nodded heavily. "What do you need me to do?"

Lin Zhou returned to his desk and picked up the phone.

"Your task is heavier; stand by for now."

He found Zhao Li's number in his contacts and dialed it directly.

The call connected quickly, and Zhao Li's iconic booming voice came through: "Head of State! Are you looking for me?"

"Old Zhao, the road is open; thank you for your hard work. Now I'm giving you a more important task." Lin Zhou's tone was indisputable.

"Please give your orders, Head of State!"

Lin Zhou looked out the window.