297: Chapter 297 Dawn of the Stars

Su Chen returned to the conference room and said to Lin Wan, "Send out a message: Xingchen Technology announces that its investment in Russia will be increased to 100 billion USD."

Lin Wan was stunned: "Was it 80 billion before?"

"That was the total agreement amount. Now we are adding 20 billion, which will be used to build supply stations, communication base stations, and scientific research stations along the Arctic Sea Route."

"When should we announce it?"

"Now."

Five minutes later, the Xingchen Technology official website updated: "Announcement by Xingchen Technology Regarding Deepening Investment in Russia."

"In view of the superior investment environment and broad market prospects provided by the Russian Federation, Xingchen Technology has decided to increase the total investment in Russia from 80 billion USD to 100 billion USD."

"The additional investment will be mainly used for: 1. Construction of supply stations along the Arctic Sea Route (12 stations); 2. Deployment of communication base stations along the Arctic Sea Route (56 base stations); 3. Arctic climate and resource research stations (3 stations); 4. Supporting living facilities for the Siberia industrial cluster (can accommodate 100,000 employees)."

"Xingchen firmly believes that the cooperation with Russia will bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries and will also inject new momentum into the global multipolar pattern."

Three minutes later, Moscow responded.

Vladimir Sergeyevich's press secretary issued a brief statement: "The President has been informed of Xingchen's investment decision. He stated: We will weather the snow and storms of Siberia together. We will break the ice of the Arctic together. Russia will not betray its allies."

The team, having not slept all night, had bloodshot eyes but high spirits.

Over thirty people were crowded into the conference room; some were leaning against the wall, some were sitting on the floor, and some were walking around holding coffee.

Su Chen stood in front of the conference table.

He was wearing a clean shirt—prepared in advance by Lin Wan, because his shirt from last night was already wrinkled.

"Report the data first," he said.

Shen Nanpeng stood up and brought up the big screen: Results Summary after 24 Hours of Sanctions.

USD Asset Freezing: Loss: 1.2 billion USD. As a percentage of total assets: 0.8%. As a percentage of annual revenue: 1.5%. Bad debts have been provisioned, no impact.

Global Orders: Original orders: None cancelled. Additional orders: Russia 20 billion USD, Iran 2 billion USD (paid in oil), Saudi Arabia 5 billion USD (using rmb).

New orders: Twenty companies from five European countries are in negotiations, with a total amount of about 15 billion USD.

Xingchen Payment: Connected countries: 23. Connected enterprises: 187 on the first day. Transaction volume: 8 billion USD (first day). Pending applications from enterprises: Over 500.

Five European countries: Twenty leading enterprises from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands are applying to connect to Xingchen Payment.

These include: Siemens Healthcare, Trumpf (Germany), Safran (France), ASML (Netherlands), and Finmeccanica (Italy).

Shen Nanpeng put down his tablet and said with a smile: "To summarize: The US sanctioned us, and we lost 1.2 billion. But we added 27 billion in orders from Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. A net gain of 25.8 billion."

Laughter erupted in the conference room.

Su Chen raised his hand to signal for silence.

"Three days ago, we signed for 80 billion in Moscow. Yesterday, the US sanctioned us, thinking they could strangle Xingchen."

He scanned the crowd: "And the result?"

"Twenty-three countries have joined Xingchen Payment."

"Investment in Russia has been increased to 100 billion."

"The European Union is divided, and five countries have leaned toward us."

"USD assets only account for 1.5% of our revenue."

He smiled: "So, what did they sanction?"

Laughter rang out again, louder this time.

The laughter subsided.

Su Chen walked to the window. Sunlight shone in from outside, plating him in gold.

He turned to face the team.

"For the past forty years, the rules of globalization were set by the United States—USD settlement, US technology, US market. Whoever didn't listen was sanctioned."

He paused: "But starting today, the rules have changed."

"Twenty-three countries joining Xingchen Payment is not because they like Xingchen so much, but because they have had enough—enough of being kidnapped by the USD, enough of being monitored by SWIFT, and enough of having to look at the US's face for every transaction."

He walked to the conference table and pressed both hands on the surface: "What we are doing is not confronting the United States. What we are doing is giving the world a second choice."

"Hawk said this is 'technological dictatorship.' Then please tell me—is it freedom to lock up technology, use it only for oneself, and not give it to others? Is it democracy to monopolize the settlement system and cut off whoever doesn't listen?"

His voice rose: "No. This is hegemony."

"Xingchen's choice is: technology sharing, but core autonomy. Settlement independence, but open access. Profit sharing, but without losing sovereignty."

He looked directly at everyone: "This is a truly multipolar world."

Thunderous applause broke out.

It lasted for a full minute.

At 10:00 AM, the new headlines for global media.

CNN homepage: "Xingchen Payment Launched, 23 Countries Join, USD Hegemony Faces Biggest Challenge Since the Cold War."

The article wrote: "Just 24 hours after US sanctions on Xingchen, it encountered an unprecedented counterattack. Twenty-three countries announced they would join the Xingchen Payment system, bypassing SWIFT and challenging USD hegemony. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands publicly opposed the European Union sanctions, and cracks have appeared in Europe. Investment in Russia was increased to 100 billion USD, and the Arctic Sea Route has entered a substantive development stage. This is not commercial competition; this is a geopolitical turning point."

BBC headline: "European Union Divided: Five Countries Publicly Oppose Freezing Technical Cooperation with China."

"German Economy Minister Altmaier stated: 'Europe cannot become a vassal of US sanctions. We need Xingchen's technology, and Xingchen needs the European market. This is mutually beneficial.'"

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung headline: "German Industry Warns: Losing Xingchen Equals Losing the Future."

"The CEO of Siemens Healthcare said in an interview: 'Xingchen's Zhulong AI system is the only option in the world that can replace Nvidia. If we lose Xingchen due to sanctions, Europe will lag behind by ten years in the AI era.'"

TASS headline: "Vladimir Sergeyevich Announces: Cooperation between Russia and Xingchen Increased to 100 Billion USD, Arctic Sea Route Enters Substantive Development."

"The Russian President stated: 'We will weather the snow and storms of Siberia together. We will break the ice of the Arctic together. This is the combination of two great civilizations.'"

Global Times headline: "Seven Days of Xingchen, One Month of Xingchen—How Chinese Tech Companies Are Changing World Rules."

"From Moscow to Kuala Lumpur, from Tehran to Riyadh, Xingchen has used one month to build a new economic circle covering 23 countries and 1.5 billion people. This is not confrontation; this is construction."

The White House press office canceled the originally scheduled "Post-Sanctions Briefing."

Reporters waited for forty minutes and finally received only a short email: "Today's press conference is canceled. We will notify you if there are updates."

Hawk's office did not respond to any interview requests.

But The Wall Street Journal revealed: An emergency meeting of the National Security Council is being held, and the meeting theme is—"Why are sanctions ineffective?"

The report stated: "According to insiders, Hawk was emotional at the meeting. He repeatedly asked one question: 'We sanctioned all their companies, froze all their assets, why can they still fight back?'"

"A Treasury official replied: 'Because they only have 1.2 billion USD in assets in the United States, accounting for 0.8% of their total assets. What we sanctioned is something they no longer use.'"

At 12:00 PM, Su Chen carried his meal tray and lined up with ordinary employees.

In front of him were a few young engineers who were excitedly discussing what happened last night.

"Did you see that list of twenty-three countries? Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia!"

"I saw it. My mom called and asked me, why is Xingchen so amazing?"

Laughter.

Su Chen listened quietly from behind.

The line moved forward.

When it was his turn, the auntie serving food looked at him, paused, and then gave him an extra scoop of braised pork.

"Boss Su, eat more," the auntie said. "You didn't sleep last night, right? You have dark circles under your eyes."

Su Chen smiled: "Thank you, auntie."

He carried his tray and found a corner to sit down.

A few young employees hesitated for a moment before coming over.

A young man wearing glasses gathered his courage and asked: "Boss Su, can we really win?"

Su Chen looked at him and said seriously: "It's not a question of whether we can win."

He paused and put down his chopsticks: "It's a question of to what extent we will win in the end!"

In the cafeteria, laughter rang out again.

Lin Wan pushed open the door to Su Chen's office, holding a tablet.

"CNN just published an in-depth analysis," she said. "The title is 'Xingchen Counterattack: Why US Sanctions Failed'."

Su Chen took the tablet and browsed quickly.

The article listed five reasons: First, Xingchen was prepared. It has been de-dollarizing for the past three years, and US assets only account for 0.8%. The sanctions were like hitting cotton.

Second, the twenty-three countries have needs. These countries have had enough of USD hegemony and SWIFT monitoring, and Xingchen Payment gave them a second choice.

Third, European cracks. Five countries—Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands—publicly opposed the sanctions, and Europe could not form a unified position.

Fourth, Russia's backing. The 100 billion USD investment gave Xingchen strategic depth.

Fifth, technological generation gap. Xingchen's technology is too far ahead, and European companies would rather risk sanctions than cooperate.

The article concluded: "This day may be the turning point for USD hegemony. It may also be the turning point for US global leadership."

Su Chen returned the tablet to Lin Wan.

"Well written," he said. "Send them an interview invitation. Next time they come to Shenzhen, I will host them personally."

Lin Wan smiled: "Okay."

She turned to leave, then stopped: "By the way, regarding Hawk..."

Su Chen looked out the window.

Outside the window, the lights of Shenzhen Bay stretched to the horizon.

Further away were the South China Sea, Malacca, the Indian Ocean, and every shipping route leading to the world.

"Let him continue to be angry," Su Chen said. "Anger cannot solve problems. Only strength can."

Sunlight shone into the office, casting golden light and shadows on the floor.

A new day had begun.