93: Chapter 93 The Power of Points: A Strategic Chess Game of Binding Major Powers

Bangkok Camp, top-floor office.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled in through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, stretching Zhang Cheng's shadow long and casting it upon the giant map marked with the overall situation in Southeast Asia and the draft plan for the China-Myanmar railway.

He held a glass of red wine in his hand, gently swirling it. He was not in a hurry to drink, but instead looked at the modern new city rising from the ground outside the window, filled with tower cranes, his eyes deep and distant.

In his mind, the system's pale blue light screen was flickering with a charming glow—a string of numbers that would drive anyone crazy.

[Technical Data Exchange: Heavy Main Battle Tank (Codename "Rock") Full Technical Data Package (including composite armor formula, 125mm smoothbore gun technology)] [Total consumption for this exchange: 35,000 points.] [Current point balance: 1,243,000 points.]

"35,000 points..." A playful smile curled at the corners of Zhang Cheng's mouth as he downed the red wine in his glass. "It bought the full support of China, it bought the frantic cursing of the Eagle, and it finalized the strategic passage to the Indian Ocean. This deal—even the shrewdest investment bank on Wall Street couldn't produce such a high return."

This was more than just a technology exchange; it was a pledge of allegiance, a protective amulet, and, even more so, a strategic shackle binding China—he had given China the hope of breaking its maritime blockade, and now China had to accompany him to the end of the road to unify Myanmar.

With over a million points in his hand, Zhang Cheng felt his spine straighter than ever before.

"Old K." Zhang Cheng called out softly.

From the shadows, Old K's figure emerged like a phantom, still wearing that cold, stern face: "Master, please give your orders."

"The 'Kunlun' project over in China has started, right? Those armor experts are probably pulling an all-nighter huddled over the tank blueprints right now." Zhang Cheng turned around, his fingers tracing through the void and landing on the road planning line from Ruili to Pangkham on the map. "Since it's a partnership, there must be some sincerity. Tell Zhao Gang that as a supplement to the 'Kunlun' project, I can offer an additional 'Tank Fire Control System Optimization Scheme' to boost their new tank's hit rate by another ten percentage points."

A red light flashed slightly in Old K's eyes: "Understood. Exchanging this data package requires 5,000 points. Confirm?"

"Confirm." Zhang Cheng didn't hesitate. 5,000 points was peanuts. But for China, this was the key to a leap in the combat capability of their armored forces; it would not only allow them to digest the "Rock" tank technology faster but also make them more eager to advance the infrastructure in Northern Myanmar—after all, railways and roads were the lifelines for material transport once the tanks were deployed.

"Additionally, have their infrastructure engineering regiment arrived?"

"The first batch of the 5,000-strong engineering regiment and two hundred geological and railway experts have already arrived at the border assembly point. The supply convoy stretches for ten kilometers—it's an impressive sight. They are expected to fully enter Pangkham within 72 hours. Chief Li Lanzhi is currently arranging reception and billeting, and has simultaneously organized personnel to assist the experts in surveying the road route for the Ruili-Pangkham section."

"Very good." Zhang Cheng walked over to the giant sand table, his fingertips extending along the virtual route from Pangkham to Kyaukpyu Port. "Tell Li Lanzhi that she can take bolder steps. It's not just the road; the preliminary survey for the railway must also be pushed forward simultaneously. Align it with China's railway technical standards—have them prepare the rails, sleepers, and electrification equipment all to the highest specifications. I want the railway from Ruili to Kyaukpyu Port to become the busiest strategic passage in Southeast Asia in the future."

He paused, then added: "Also, education and healthcare must be fully aligned with Chinese standards. I want the children here to learn Chinese, use the Renminbi, and watch CCTV. I want Northern Myanmar to become China's de facto 'strategic outpost,' so they can rest assured enough to pour their infrastructure and technology in—after all, the future of Kyaukpyu Port is in our hands."

After handling these matters, Zhang Cheng sat back in his boss chair, his consciousness sinking into the system once again.

This time, he didn't look at those conventional weapons but went straight to the "Future Technology" category, which was flickering with a mysterious purple light, his gaze locked firmly on armor-related technology.

["Thor's Hammer" Electromagnetic Railgun Tank (Experimental) Full Technical Data: 500,000 points.] ["Shadow Dancer" Full-Spectrum Stealth Individual Combat System (Conceptual Version) Technical Data: 300,000 points.] ["Rock-2" Main Battle Tank (Upgraded Version) Blueprints (including unmanned turret technology): 1,000,000 points.]

Looking at those staggering strings of zeros, the ambition in Zhang Cheng's eyes burned like a raging fire.

"The 'Rock' tank technology is good, but in my eyes, it's just for China to catch up, and it's a stepping stone for me to pave my own path to unification. By the time they have digested it, it will be time for me to upgrade." He muttered to himself, "It will take at least three to five years for China to digest the tank technology and complete the border road. And these three to five years are the perfect window for me to pacify the various factions in Myanmar, establish a generational advantage in armored forces, and truly control the outlet to the Indian Ocean."

"Old K," Zhang Cheng suddenly ordered, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes, "Split the 'Tank Active Protection System Basic Framework' and 'Unmanned Reconnaissance Turret Principles' into two sub-packages from the 'Rock-2' tank blueprints. These two aren't expensive, adding up to about 100,000 points. Once the 'Kunlun' side has mastered the mass production process of the 'Rock' tank, throw these two to them."

"It's like fishing," Zhang Cheng smiled, using the analogy while his fingers tapped lightly on the desktop, "The bait must be scattered bit by bit so that the fish will keep circling you, unable to stop. By the time they are addicted to the upgraded tank technology, I'll bring out the electromagnetic railgun tank... Hehe, by then, the bargaining power for the cooperation on Kyaukpyu Port will be entirely in our hands."

He didn't just want to be a warlord; he wanted to be the mastermind behind the scenes who controlled the strategic passages of Southeast Asia, held advanced armored technology in his hands, and forced great powers to cooperate with him with all their might.

The Eagle was still busy hunting for moles all over the world because of the rise of armored forces in Northern Myanmar, creating chaos for itself; China was still ecstatic and celebrating nationwide over the breakthrough in tank technology and the planning of the outlet to the sea. And he, Zhang Cheng, was already standing at the door of the future, holding the key to unlocking a new strategic landscape in Southeast Asia, watching the changing winds and clouds of this world with a cold eye.

"Unify Myanmar, open up the Indian Ocean passage—my journey has only just begun."