Chapter 236 Are they doing very well now?
On the other side, a week had passed since the joint conference concluded. However, the Dragon Kingdom remained unmoved, offering no response to the various commotions from the outside world.
This had the USA in a state of extreme anxiety, pacing around like ants on a hot pan. Someone couldn't help but complain: "They aren't just trying to muddle through this, are they?" "If they do that, we must bring this up at every meeting. We have to make them face condemnation from public opinion!"
President Biden heard this and said angrily: "Condemnation from public opinion?" "Why do you always want to use the tactics that the Dragon Kingdom used against us in the past to deal with them?" "What? Has the offensive and defensive balance shifted?" "Besides, do you think the Dragon Kingdom would care about these things?" "Only the weak care about public opinion and the views of others; the strong simply make the voices of opposition disappear!"
President Biden was furious. He sat behind his large desk, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water. The Secretary of State couldn't sit still either. He paced back and forth in the office, his brows tightly locked. After pondering for a moment, he decided to send someone to the Dragon Kingdom's embassy to inquire about the situation. "We cannot just sit here waiting for them to come to us. This time, we must stick to them like a plaster; we must force them to give us an explanation!" The Secretary of State gritted his teeth and said viciously.
Inside the Dragon Kingdom's embassy, there was an atmosphere of quiet busyness. Representative Gu Chuanwen, the Dragon Kingdom's representative to the joint conference and ambassador to the USA, was sitting upright in front of a large desk, focused intently on handling various documents. He would occasionally frown in thought or pick up a pen to annotate, his every movement exuding a sense of composure and capability, displaying the demeanor of an envoy from a great power.
Just then, a staff member knocked gently on the office door and reported softly: "Mr. Ambassador, the US Secretary of State wishes to see you." Upon hearing this, Representative Gu Chuanwen's lips curled slightly, revealing an imperceptible smile. He nodded slightly, signaling the staff member to bring the US Secretary of State to his office.
Before long, the US Secretary of State, guided by a staff member, walked into Representative Gu Chuanwen's office. Their gazes met, each carrying a sense of scrutiny and conjecture. Then, they shook hands ceremoniously; that seemingly ordinary handshake seemed to be a subtle contest of strength. After the handshake, Representative Gu Chuanwen smiled and asked the Secretary of State what brought him there. His tone was calm and polite, yet it faintly revealed an aura that could not be underestimated.
The Secretary of State made no attempt to conceal his intentions and stated the purpose of his visit straightforwardly. "I am here regarding our proposal from the joint conference earlier." The Secretary of State puffed out his chest slightly, putting on a look of full confidence. "We value the Room-temperature superconductivity technology in your possession and are well aware that once this technology is fully developed and applied, it will be a groundbreaking and great achievement for all of humanity." "Therefore, we are willing to provide funding and technical support to your side!" "I think this is truly a wonderful proposal for all of humanity."
At this point, the Secretary of State paused. He frowned slightly, pondered for two seconds, and continued: "However, up until now, we haven't received even a single reply!" "We really want to know your stance—are you willing to accept our help for the future of all humanity?" His words seemed to carry a sense of urgency and dissatisfaction, as if the Dragon Kingdom not responding immediately was an act of irresponsibility towards the future of all humanity.
Representative Gu Chuanwen sneered inwardly, unable to help but think to himself: They always bring up "all of humanity" to pressure us—are they here to cooperate, or to force our hand? However, he kept that calm smile on his face and said unhurriedly: "So, Mr. Secretary of State, you are here to ask for our stance. Of course, no problem." "In fact, we have also seriously considered cooperating with your side."
Representative Gu Chuanwen paused slightly, looked at the Secretary of State with a meaningful gaze, and continued: "However, as you know, both of our countries are suffering from an energy crisis caused by some foolish country! I don't know which one." "Your domestic financial situation must not be good either!" "How could we let you spend money and effort to help us?"
Upon hearing this, the Secretary of State's mouth twitched involuntarily. He immediately felt like he had just been insulted by Representative Gu Chuanwen, but he couldn't get angry, let alone retort. If he were to really blow up, wouldn't that confirm that they were indeed the fools who caused the energy crisis? Helpless, he simply pretended not to hear the sting in Representative Gu Chuanwen's words and forced a smile in response: "No, no, no. Our country is under God's protection. We foresaw this potential energy crisis early on, so we reserved quite a lot of energy in advance." "Compared to us, your situation must be much more difficult!"
As the Secretary of State spoke, he felt secretly pleased, thinking that his rhetoric had skillfully avoided Representative Gu Chuanwen's sarcasm while highlighting the USA's advantages. Upon hearing this, Representative Gu Chuanwen couldn't help but snort coldly in his heart. Still putting on an act, talking about God's protection... Aren't you afraid that God will poke your rear end for telling such lies? However, his face remained calm, and he just raised his eyebrows slightly.
The US Secretary of State did not notice this subtle change in Representative Gu Chuanwen's expression. He continued to talk incessantly: "Therefore, with our help in funding and technology, we will certainly be able to realize the application of Room-temperature superconductivity technology at the fastest speed." "When that time comes, it will not only be the glory of the Dragon Kingdom, but also the well-being of all humanity!" The Secretary of State spoke with great excitement, as if he had already envisioned the wonderful scene of Room-temperature superconductivity technology quickly bearing fruit with their help.
Representative Gu Chuanwen chuckled upon hearing this, a look of seeming surprise appearing on his face. He deliberately drew out his tone and said: "Oh? Is that really true?" Then, as if recalling something helpless, he sighed softly and said: "Sigh... I might as well tell you the truth!" "You might not know this, but because of the energy crisis, our country is truly in a precarious situation right now!" "We no longer have any extra money to conduct research and development on Room-temperature superconductivity technology!" "If your side wants to help, there might be considerable pressure regarding funding. I advise you to wait a bit!" "How about we discuss this cooperation again after this energy crisis is over?"
Upon hearing Representative Gu Chuanwen's words, the Secretary of State was dumbfounded. He cursed inwardly. Great power diplomacy is truly full of pits! The Dragon Kingdom's ambassador actually said they are in a precarious situation—is that something that can be said? Is this true or false? Although we previously guessed that the Dragon Kingdom must be struggling to hold on, you actually just exposed yourselves like this! The Secretary of State, who had suffered many losses at the hands of the Dragon Kingdom, did not dare to easily believe these words. But if this was false, then it would mean the Dragon Kingdom is doing just fine??? They are doing just fine????