Chapter 227: Win! Win! Win!
On New Hope Space Station, a group of players gathered in the Cangyuan branch in front of a newly purchased computer, savoring the ugly display of the Galan diplomat on the screen.
“We have consulted with the most authoritative artificial intelligence experts, and the so-called Galan defeat video previously obtained by New Hope Space Station’s “Polaris” television station is nothing but a low-quality AI forgery!”
The diplomat, dressed in splendid attire, raised his arm and shouted.
“But aside from Galan, all experts in the Star Alliance do not support this claim,” a media reporter immediately challenged his statement.
“Do you not wish to comment on this?”
“Those people are not professional enough; they can’t compare to the Super Democratic Empire experts we hired. The truth of the matter is that simple!
Galan’s Third Fleet has successfully completed its mission, and the punished Li Star has been reduced to a living hell; its indigenous people have all been massacred by our brave warriors!”
“But your Third Fleet did not install a faster-than-light communication base station!” a investigative reporter squeezed to the front. “Executive Officer, have you forgotten even such basic common sense? How did you obtain front-line battle reports without the ability to communicate? By fortune-telling or psychic powers?”
“Ah—no—I certainly didn’t forget that!” The Galan diplomat awkwardly wiped his face. “No! I mean, the fleet actually has a faster-than-light communication base station; it just wasn’t disclosed to everyone before for secrecy. This is very normal for military operations!”
“So, the Galan fleet can send a communication immediately to prove they weren’t completely wiped out? Can you please ask them to make a video call? Wouldn’t that dispel the ‘rumors’ without effort?”
“No—no! They are still under strict communication control, also for secrecy!”
“Why still maintain secrecy? Haven’t you already won? Hasn’t the joyful news of victory already been sent back? Doesn’t that mean the control was lifted before?”
This reporter intentionally emphasized the word “victory.”
Those who understood, understood. This was to provoke the interviewee.
“...No comment!”
“So the white bull was not sunk, right?” a Human Exploration Federation reporter, intent on making a big news story, asked. “Can all the crew members on board return safely and reunite with their families? Do you dare to give such a guarantee to the camera?”
“Of course! I guarantee it with my noble character!”
“Are you sure they won’t die in a traffic accident on their way home, or be attacked and killed by ‘pirates’?”
“Hahaha—”
All the reporters were amused.
Do you even need to ask? Such “accidents” are 100% bound to happen!
In fact, to make the forgery more believable, the Galan government would even let innocent low-ranking citizens “die with them,” blowing up their own passenger ships is a routine operation for them.
The atmosphere inside and outside the screen was instantly filled with lively air, as spectators never tire of drama.
“Enough!” The diplomat angrily waved his hand.
“Enough! I am a distinguished Galan First-Class Citizen! I will not allow you to humiliate me like this! Hmph, I am here today to tell you that perhaps the previous battle was not as smooth as we had imagined, but the great journey of the Galan Commonwealth will not end here!”
“Do you mean Galan has other military operations? Still the Third Fleet?”
“Of course! But not the Third Fleet, but the Fourth and Fifth Fleets!”
The diplomat looked at the camera, his face regaining the unique confident smile of a Galan High-Class Citizen.
“Free Trade Alliance! We can no longer tolerate the wanton behavior of this organization! These thieves have been operating in the shipping lanes near our territory, and their existence has truly harmed Galan’s commercial interests and must be punished!”
Such words, advocating plunder simply out of envy for others' profits, even in the post-apocalyptic era, only Galan had the audacity to utter them.
“So your next target is the merchant fleet? But merchant fleets serve everyone; isn’t this inconveniencing everyone?”
“You’re right! It’s the merchant fleet!” The diplomat directly ignored the reporter’s second question. “Starting today, Galan will impound every Free Trade Alliance merchant ship that passes through and confiscate all goods on board!”
He looked at the camera again, wiggling his index finger, his expression unusually greasy.
“Free Trade Alliance! Listen up! Pffft—you can try to escape, but you won’t escape!”
The players in front of the screen were dumbfounded.
How despicable can you be...?
Galan’s shamelessness and their nauseating arrogance once again broke new lows.
In the live broadcast, the newly built Galan podium was even larger than before, and its decorations were lavish, with tassels and crystals hanging around the platform.
After this new victory speech ended, the cangyuan coin slightly rebounded in the foreign exchange market.
One can only say that capital has no ethics.
Although Galan’s demeanor was contemptible, the diplomat’s strong stance still injected a shot in the arm into the market, making some foolish investors believe that this force was about to plunder a large amount of wealth from the Free Trade Alliance, enough to compensate for the losses of the previous defeat.
“Amazing, Executive Officer really hit the mark—” Loulan exclaimed, “Galan indeed turned to attack other forces!”
A few hours earlier, Lu Yuan had a conversation with Xian Yu, during which he outlined a line of reasoning.
He believed that President Nadi, who was about to run for re-election, would absolutely not tolerate any major military setbacks in the near future to avoid being questioned and attacked by political opponents during the campaign.
He would definitely do everything in his power to conceal his incompetence, he would definitely try to cover up this mess with a great victory,
He would definitely target other forces to make up for it, thereby shifting the enormous domestic and international pressure.
Xian Yu then shared the Executive Officer’s insights in the player community.
At first, some people felt that this prediction was a bit too abstract.
The anticipated behavior of Galan was too despicable, not something a human could do.
But now, everyone had to admit with a sigh,
It seems Galan is truly a beast. And now, they’ve found their compensation in Cangyuan’s new partner, the Free Trade Alliance.
Perhaps they saw the wealth key help Cangyuan transport oil once, which sparked their resentment.
Or perhaps it was due to multiple successful experiences of bullying the Free Trade Alliance before, leading to an explosion of confidence.
I can’t beat Cangyuan, but I can crush you all?!
“Hmm, very good, this will be a huge business opportunity for us,” Qun Qing patted a player’s shoulder. “Quickly send the video back home; Executive Officer needs to know about this.” “Don’t worry, Sister Qing, it’s already been posted in the community!”
One day later, the Wealth Key merchant fleet arrived in the Li Star System as scheduled.
The massive merchant ship landed on the Desert, and as the cargo bay doors opened, players finally saw the first batch of goods purchased by the branch.
Space mining ships, space cargo ships, and a gaseous giant fuel collection platform.
“It’s much bigger than I imagined!”
The curious players gathered around, and some immediately expressed that the blocky mining ships perfectly matched their aesthetic!
They had a special interest in driving large vehicles, especially those RV-style vehicles with fully equipped cockpits, including beds, toilets, and simple kitchens.
To them, driving such a spaceship alone on a journey, venturing into the vastness of space, and living there for three to five days, was a unique and ultimate romance.
The previous SCVs perfectly fit this hobby, but unfortunately, their numbers were too few, and those chosen as drivers were a rare few lucky individuals with engineering machinery control talent, almost like human octopuses.
Most people didn't get the chance to experience it.
“Everyone, don’t rush!” Black Smoke shouted to the crowd. “First, these mining ships need warp engines installed, otherwise, a round trip to the asteroid belt to mine ore would take at least two weeks, and you’d have a hard time on the way.”
Originally, equipping mining ships with warp engines was an extremely luxurious act.
However, as more players participated in the hunting game on the Emerald Star large dungeon, the quantity of Warp Zero Element extracted from local organisms also became increasingly substantial, allowing Cangyuan to meet this configuration requirement even with a limited number of mining ships.
“And then? Can anyone pilot a ship to the asteroid belt to mine?
“Yes! As Executive Officer said, those interested should sign up first, and then everyone will line up to experience it in the order of registration.
Space mining is an additional value-added labor, and it comes with extra experience and cangyuan coin subsidies! Those who exceed their targets will also receive large bonuses!”
“What? Get paid too? Me, me, me!”
Lu Yuan stood in the distance, quietly watching the players eagerly sign up.
In reality, given the players’ personalities, it’s unlikely they would perform monotonous, repetitive mining operations for long periods; that would be like finding another job in cyberspace, experiencing double the drudgery, which no one could endure.
But it doesn’t matter. When they’ve experienced it two or three times and their interest begins to wane, they can be given another task: to impart their operational experience through classes to those Li Star people who aspire to higher-paying jobs, letting the indigenous people take over.
Afterward, Cangyuan’s space mining industry will truly be established in a continuous and stable manner.
In any industry, players act as early pioneers, while the indigenous people are the main force in the mid-to-late stages. This will be Cangyuan’s basic strategy for future development and expansion.
Lu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back on top of a sand dune, nodding expectantly.
In any case, this massive enterprise has finally begun to truly integrate with the native post-disaster world and operate smoothly. “Executive Officer!”
Just then, the great merchant Hugh, leading a large group of companions, walked over.
“These are all friends from the Free Trade Alliance!” Hugh enthusiastically introduced to Lu Yuan. “They are all very interested in the trade here and hope to survey the local market!”
“Of course. On behalf of all Cangyuan Future Technology, I welcome your visit.”
Lu Yuan, accompanied by a squad of Red Iron Town militiamen, stepped forward, desperately suppressing the upward curve of his lips.
“It’s just that, I’m afraid I have some terrible news for you!”