96: Chapter 96 Aid! Tug-of-War! The Final Preparations for the Universal Postal Congress

Lin Zhou's $100 million decision caused a massive shock in the international medical industry circles. The first to be hit were China's medical giants.

When Wang Dong, as the representative of the Cyber Freedom Republic, placed a $100 million cash purchase order on the desks of several domestic medical group CEOs, the meeting room fell into a dead silence.

Several CEOs, each worth tens of billions, stared at the numbers on the document, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

"President Wang, are you sure you're not joking?" one CEO picked up the document, his hands trembling slightly. "One hundred million US dollars, all in cash?"

It wasn't that they hadn't seen large orders before, but they were almost always paid in installments. This was the first time they had seen a direct cash transaction like this.

Wang Dong's tone was flat.

"Cash, full payment. Only one requirement."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

"Speed. I need the fastest speed possible."

"I don't care if you clear out your inventory or run your production lines around the clock; within seventy-two hours, I want all supplies delivered to the two major airports in Beijing and Shanghai."

The meeting room suddenly erupted into a frenzy.

Everyone was shocked at first, then they couldn't suppress their excitement.

This wasn't just an order; it was practically a gift of money.

"No problem, President Wang, rest assured!"

"I'll call right away; all our group's broad-spectrum antiviral drugs will be allocated immediately!"

"Our production lines will run twenty-four hours a day without stopping; never mind negative pressure ambulances, if you want tanks, we can find a way for you."

A mobilization of medical supplies driven by money began to play out frantically within the country.

Negative pressure ambulances, with their paint not even fully dry, were driven directly onto large transport vehicles and shipped to the airports overnight.

Major pharmaceutical factories cleared their stocks of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs; ventilators, protective suits, and test kits piled up like small mountains.

The task originally set for seventy-two hours was completed ahead of schedule by these manufacturers in just forty-eight hours.

One hundred million dollars worth of medical supplies filled the cargo areas of the two major airports in Beijing and Shanghai, a truly spectacular scene.

But this was only the beginning.

Lin Zhou activated a superpower—Summoning Motherland!

After paying a hefty rental fee, he coordinated over a dozen chartered planes.

These planes converged from all directions.

Within seventy-two hours, over a dozen transport planes temporarily painted with the Cyber Freedom Republic's national emblem and the Red Cross logo took off from China one after another, crossing the Indian Ocean toward West Africa.

When the first chartered plane landed at the capital airport of Liberia, the hardest-hit area of the epidemic, with a deafening roar, the whole world saw this shocking scene through a live satellite broadcast.

Previously, the international community had only paid lip service to their concern, with very little actual aid. No one expected that this newly established Cyber Freedom Republic could deliver such a large-scale substantive aid so quickly.

Media outlets around the world immediately focused on this young cyber nation; reports were no longer filled with curiosity and mockery, but with respect and confusion.

AFP: "Salvation from the Virtual World: Cyber Republic Donates Half its Treasury to Aid West Africa"

Reuters: "A New Player at the Table: Lin Zhou Uses $100 Million to Knock on the Door of African Politics"

And in Africa, the shock caused by this aid was even more intense.

When the brand-new medical supplies were rushed to hospitals on the verge of collapse, many doctors and patients on the brink of despair wept while holding the supplies.

Presidents of several recipient countries delivered televised speeches overnight, expressing their highest gratitude to the Cyber Freedom Republic and its head of state, Lin Zhou, in the most emotional language.

"In our darkest hour, it was our new brother, the Cyber Freedom Republic, who reached out to us!"

"We will never forget this kindness, more precious than gold!"

"This aid is not just supplies, but hope. It proves to the world that human conscience and compassion can cross any borders and politics!"

For a time, the name "Cyber Freedom Republic" reached an unprecedented height of prestige on the African continent.

...

Cairo, General Mubarak's office.

Deputy Minister Saleh placed the latest public opinion report on the general's desk, his voice carrying an admiration he hadn't even noticed himself.

"General, just as you expected, our little friend is now a hero across all of Africa."

General Mubarak picked up the report and flipped through it; the only sound in the office was the rustling of paper.

He had originally set this test to probe Lin Zhou's trump cards and vision, and also to make him pay a high price for entering the African political circle.

Mubarak hadn't expected that Lin Zhou would not only pay but do so with such decisiveness and grace.

One hundred million isn't much, but by estimation, this was basically half of the Cyber Freedom Republic's treasury.

Anyone would hesitate to donate half their net worth directly, but to think Lin Zhou would be so resolute and fast.

Throwing down this $100 million bought not just supplies, but also people's hearts and prestige.

More importantly, Lin Zhou used this action to announce to all of Africa that he had enough strength and determination to occupy a place on this continent.

General Mubarak put down the report and looked out the window.

"We might have... personally raised a young lion."

Saleh's heart tightened: "Then our next step..."

"Proceed as planned." A meaningful curve appeared at the corner of General Mubarak's mouth. "Their lifeblood has always been in our hands; there's no need to fear them causing a major upheaval. Their joining international organizations is also a good thing for us; perhaps this extra vote will bring unexpected benefits later."

He turned around, his eyes shining.

"Go, tell the other member states of the African Union that we, Egypt, think very highly of this new friend."

"Regarding the membership vote for the Cyber Freedom Republic at the upcoming Universal Postal Union Congress..."

"I hope everyone can give us, Egypt, some face."

With that command, a wave of political influence originating from Egypt began to operate across the entire African continent.

At this moment, Lin Zhou was making final preparations for his upcoming trip to Bern, Switzerland.

The list for the delegation had been finalized.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Yue would serve as the head of the delegation, responsible for diplomatic mediation and key speeches.

The newly appointed Director of the State Post Bureau, A Niu, would serve as the deputy head, responsible for technical and infrastructure issues.

In addition, there were several young elites proficient in multiple languages.

This was a young but spirited team.

They would represent the Cyber Freedom Republic, standing on the world stage for the first time to strive for a legal identity for their nation.

At the airport, in front of the chartered plane.

Lin Zhou personally saw them off.

He looked at Qin Yue in her formal suit and A Niu, who was so nervous his palms were sweating, and spoke.

"Remember, standing behind you is a sovereign state with land, citizens, and friends—a state that has just contributed its strength to the world."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried weight.

"So, keep your backs straight."

"We are going to take back what rightfully belongs to us."

"Go."

Lin Zhou waved his hand forcefully.

"Let our national flag fly over the skies of Bern."

Qin Yue and A Niu nodded heavily; all their tension and unease turned into high spirits at that moment.

They knew that for this trip, only success was allowed, not failure.

This wasn't just a ticket to an international organization; it was the first stepping stone to the African Union and the United Nations.

This is the battle for the founding of the nation.