51: Chapter 51 Joining the Hidden Faction
The three of them went to the adjacent room, and the commander got straight to the point: "Academician, what do you think?"
The Old Academician gave his opinion without hesitation: "Commander, regarding controllable nuclear fusion technology, we have at least fifty years of work ahead of us! It would cost hundreds of billions..."
"Not to mention, this is miniaturized, zero-radiation, and capable of stable power supply!"
"I don't know how Tony invented this technology, but he's right about one thing: this technology will change the world's energy structure!"
"Once the Eagle Sauce applies miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion to the military field, they will be miles ahead of us."
Although Zheng Xian didn't think Tony would hand over the miniaturized arc reactor technology to the military, he feared the one-in-a-million chance.
Science has no borders, but scientists do.
Furthermore, the other party was a businessman!
However, Zheng Xian still voiced his concern: "The origin of these technologies is unknown, and the other party's warship can block all our radars. What if there's a backdoor hidden in the technology?"
The Academician shook his head decisively: "Impossible. There's simply no room for manipulation. Even with the Powered Armor, as long as we use our own programs and chips, there's no way for outsiders to invade or control it!"
"Commander, we cannot refuse! Controllable nuclear fusion and Powered Armor technology are opportunities that can't be sought out by choice!"
"So what if they want production lines? Once we have the core technology, we can build it ourselves and even upgrade it in the future. This is an incredible bargain!"
Zheng Xian nodded in agreement: "We must take the technology. He wants three thousand mass-produced units; we can use this process to thoroughly understand and master the entire set of technology."
The Commander was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking: "We can agree to the production lines and the canned food."
"But for the intercontinental supersonic missiles, we can only provide the technology. Combat warheads... even ordinary ones, we absolutely cannot provide."
"This involves too many sensitive issues. If word gets out, it will invite criticism and cross the red line of national defense."
Half an hour later.
The smile on Fu Haoran's face remained unchanged; he had long anticipated this.
But from the beginning, what he wanted was the technology—such as the missile bodies, propulsion systems, and guidance methods.
As for the warheads...
"The moral compass over on the Maozi's side isn't quite so high."
Fu Haoran didn't dwell on it, simply saying calmly: "Fine, I only need the technology and production processes."
"But the production lines and canned food must be implemented as soon as possible. I don't have time to wait; I'm only giving you sixty days. When the time is up, I must leave."
"So, either we complete the cooperation within sixty days, or I take the technology and look for others willing to cooperate."
Such a hurry?!
The Old Commander frowned slightly, clearly surprised by this extremely short deadline.
Fearing the negotiation might collapse, the Academician quickly smoothed things over: "No problem! We will coordinate the production lines immediately and transport the canned food overnight. We won't delay a moment!"
"One last question." The Commander looked at Fu Haoran. "What specific processes are needed for the production lines you want? And will you really cooperate throughout the implementation of the Powered Armor technology?"
Fu Haoran was prepared: "For specific process parameters, my technical officer, Father Karen, will coordinate with your engineers throughout the entire process."
"Good," the Commander agreed readily, "As long as the technology is in place, the canned food is not an issue."
Little did the Commander know that the seemingly simplest part of the trade was actually the only trap.
Seeing the Commander's straightforward manner, the smile at the corners of Fu Haoran's mouth deepened.
Even for a thousand people, it would be a thousand tons of canned food a day, and thirty thousand tons a month.
"They can't possibly think that the technology of the warhammer universe is something they can master in a short time."
As Fu Haoran left the meeting room, a pale blue light screen flashed before his eyes.
[Congratulations to Reincarnator 976756, Fu Haoran, for reaching a deep technical cooperation with this world's Eastern authorities. Successfully unlocked the 'Eastern Faction' exclusive plotline. Currently the only Reincarnator involved in this hidden plotline.]
[Faction: Great Eastern Faction]
[Faction Contribution: 0/10000]
[Faction Victory Condition: Bring the world-line deviation rate of the faction to over 50% and become the final victor of this session of the Heavens War]
[Mission Difficulty: S-rank (Hell-level)]
[P.S.: Fine, fine, fine, you kid like to exploit loopholes, don't you? If I don't turn up the difficulty, you won't know the meaning of danger. If you don't seek death, you won't die.]
[Current World-line Deviation Rate: 32.1%]
Fu Haoran glanced at it and calmly closed the panel.
"First to join?"
"It seems the other Reincarnators have all swarmed toward Tony and S.H.I.E.L.D."
That's fine; fewer people here makes it easier to operate.
After returning to the cobra-class destroyer, Lucifer offered her assessment in a leisurely manner:
"Using technology from the interstellar era to trade for mortals' canned food and production lines—only you could come up with that."
Fu Haoran smiled: "The Tithe is my top priority right now. Besides, since I'm already here, it wouldn't be worth it if I didn't trade for something to take back."
"Furthermore, this technology doesn't have to be sold just once. It can still be used as a bargaining chip in other worlds."
Seeing Fu Haoran's carefree attitude, Lucifer couldn't help but throw cold water on him: "Aren't you afraid that after you leave, the balance of this low-level civilized planet will completely collapse?"
"Why should I worry? After I'm gone, let the floods rage; that's the planet's own business."
Lucifer had no objection to this. A planetary civilization was but a fleeting spark in the galaxy; only this human would take such trifles to heart.
However, what Lucifer didn't know was that Fu Haoran hadn't mentioned that he had thought of ways to manage the 'flood.' As for where the flood would come from?
Don't ask.
If you ask, the answer is 'I don't know.'
In short, Fu Haoran had already planned to start a few big projects in that final half-month.
For instance, certain Helicarriers that were nearing completion, or perhaps a certain African tribe hiding many treasures.
These were all fat sheep in his eyes. If he didn't fleece them before leaving, it would be a crime against heaven.
...
Meanwhile, when Fu Haoran met with the Eastern authorities, the faint energy fluctuations released by the cobra-class destroyer inadvertently penetrated the local shielding and were captured by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s global energy monitoring network.
Aboard S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier.
Nick Fury stared at the energy peaks at Canglan Military Port on the screen. That abnormal energy fluctuation was neither a conventional weapon nor any technology known to S.H.I.E.L.D. He said deeply to Hill beside him:
"Lock onto the target and send a quinjet over quietly. Do not reveal your position. See what exactly is happening there, and find out the origins of that man named Fu Haoran and that giant warship."
"Director, that's Shenmao Bureau territory. Won't it be inappropriate for us to go there like this?" Hill voiced her concern.
"Don't worry about them. I know the Shenmao Bureau; besides protesting, they'll only issue strong condemnations." Nick didn't take the matter to heart at all.
"Besides, as long as we aren't caught, even if they know, they can't do anything to us."
Hill nodded slightly: "Yes, Director."
The Helicarrier's bay doors slowly opened, and two quinjets activated their optical cloaking, quietly flying out and speeding toward Canglan Military Port.