142: Chapter 142: Who's in favor? Who's against?

"Become flower fertilizer."

These four words were spoken lightly, as if discussing the weather.

But to everyone in the conference hall, they sounded like a clap of thunder.

Everyone subconsciously glanced outside the dome at the "Blazing Vines" looming in the clouds—vibrantly blooming plants said to be capable of firing three-thousand-degree fireballs.

A chill rushed from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads.

They had no doubt that the woman before them would do exactly what she said.

A fine layer of cold sweat had already broken out on the forehead of Secretary of State Gino of Country M.

With trembling hands, he clicked open the holographic document before him titled "Cooperation Framework Agreement."

The content of the agreement was long and complex.

But the core terms were so simple and blunt that they made his eyelids twitch.

Article 1: Recognize Xia Country's absolute leadership in the global psionic technology field and acknowledge all technical standards for psionic technology development, application, and safety formulated under Xia Country's guidance.

(Translation: From now on, if you want to use psionics, you play by my rules.)

Article 2: Signatory nations are obligated to fully open their geological, mineral, hydrological, and other related data to Xia Country and cooperate with Xia Country's exploration teams in surveying spirit veins and special resources.

(Translation: If I take a liking to your mines, you have to let me dig.)

Article 3: Based on the principles of "peaceful utilization and common development," Xia Country will selectively provide "construction assistance" for psionic infrastructure to signatory nations. This includes, but is not limited to: small Spirit Gathering Arrays, Psionic Purification Stations, and Psionic Agricultural Demonstration Zones.

(Translation: You can use my technology, but I call the shots on what gets built for you.)

Article 4: In exchange for "construction assistance," signatory nations must provide corresponding resources, technology, or market access to Xia Country. The specific list of returns will be negotiated separately. Xia Country reserves the right of final interpretation regarding the value of these returns.

(Translation: I set the price. It's worth whatever I say it's worth, no arguments.)

Article 5: All signatory nations will automatically become members of the "Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." Within member states, the "Psionic Credit" issued by Xia Country shall be the primary settlement unit to jointly maintain the stability of the global psionic financial system.

(Translation: US Dollar hegemony? That's a relic of the last century. From now on, everyone uses my money.)

...

As he read through each article, Gino's heart sank deeper and deeper.

How was this a "Cooperation Framework Agreement"?

This was clearly a... "Plaza Accord for the New Era"!

No, it was a hundred times more overbearing than the "Plaza Accord"!

This was intended to turn all signatory nations into Xia Country's economic, resource, and even political... vassals!

"This... this is absolutely impossible!"

Gino stood up abruptly and shouted hoarsely, "This is colonialism for a new era! We, the United States of M, will never sign such a humiliating treaty!"

His voice echoed through the vast conference hall.

But this time, no one echoed his sentiment.

The representatives of the E-Union kept their heads down, pretending to study the details of the agreement intently.

The representative of Country R sat perfectly still, eyes downcast, as if they had fallen asleep.

Representatives of other small nations wished they could curl into a ball to minimize their presence.

What a joke.

Who would dare follow Country M and court disaster now?

Their Sky City was hanging right over their heads.

Their giant energy cannons had just turned a ten-thousand-ton destroyer into a sieve.

If you, Country M, want to be stubborn and become flower fertilizer, we have no intention of joining you.

Seeing the reactions of his allies, Gino's heart went cold.

He knew the situation was hopeless.

The old order, dominated by Country M for nearly a century, was being completely crushed today, right here, by this woman named Jiang Ning in the most unreasonable manner possible.

"Colonialism?"

Jiang Ning sneered at the frantic Gino.

"Mr. Gino, I think you've misunderstood one thing."

"Colonialism is the plundering of the weak by the strong."

"And this agreement I'm giving you today..."

She paused, scanned the room, and said word by word:

"Is my... charity to you."

"I have given you a chance to keep up with the new era. A chance to let your people live longer and better lives."

"Of course, you can also choose to refuse."

"I won't force you."

As she spoke, she sat back in the main seat and picked up her teacup.

"I will give you ten minutes to consider."

"In ten minutes, those who have signed can get on their planes and go home."

"Those who haven't signed..."

She didn't finish the sentence.

But the implication of her unspoken words made everyone shudder.

A deathly silence fell over the conference hall.

Only the countdown numbers on the wall ticked away silently.

[09:59]

[09:58]

...

Every second felt like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of the representatives.

To sign, or not to sign?

Signing meant handing the future destiny of their nations over to someone else.

Not signing meant they might not even survive the day.

This was a choice that required no choosing at all.

"We... we, France, are willing to sign this agreement!"

The first to break the silence was the representative of Country F from the E-Union.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Ning.

"We believe that under the leadership of Xia Country, human civilization will surely move towards a more glorious future!"

His words acted as a signal.

"We, Germany, also agree!"

"We, Italy, agree!"

"We... the E-Union, as a whole, agree to this agreement in principle!"

After a brief but intense exchange of glances, the E-Union representatives made their final decision.

Next was Country R.

Then came the countries that had previously remained neutral or wavered.

"We agree!"

"We sign!"

"We fully support the new global psionic order with Xia Country at its core!"

Voices of agreement rose one after another.

Within just a few minutes, almost every country at the conference table—except for Country M and its few most loyal followers—chose to... submit.

Gino watched this scene, his face ashen.

He knew he was now standing alone.

When the wall is about to fall, everyone gives it a push; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

This was the truest depiction of international politics.

[01:00]

Only one minute remained on the countdown.

Jiang Ning set down her teacup, her gaze landing on Gino's face.

"Mr. Gino, your time is running out."

Gino's body jolted.

He glanced at the few followers beside him, who were equally pale.

He looked up again at the woman in the main seat, whose eyes were as calm as still water.

Finally, he closed his eyes, all the strength seemingly drained from his body.

"We... will sign."

He squeezed these words out through gritted teeth.

"Very well."

Jiang Ning nodded.

She stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and looked at this group of "new allies" who had just sworn their allegiance to her.

Her gaze slowly swept across each of their faces.

Finally, she spoke, asking the last and only truly meaningful question of today's summit.

"Regarding my proposal."

"Who agrees?"

"Who opposes?"