Chapter 253: Arms Sales Diplomacy
Jubian explained in detail the method and principle of locking the exported weapons, which was very simple.
Battleships and fighter jets would require an authorization code provided by Cangyuan every time their engines or main weapons were activated.
If Cangyuan was really worried about buyers misusing the weapons, they could further raise the security standard, requiring the product to input an authorization code at regular intervals, otherwise, the reactor would be forcibly shut down and the main computer would be forcibly turned off.
The authorization code was quantum encrypted and impossible to crack.
In the worst-case scenario, the Free Trade Alliance might remove the main board and chips used to lock the system, then try to replace them with their own handmade substitutes to achieve a physical reflash and violent override, but this process could not fail to trigger an automatic alarm device, or even a more ruthless self-destruct device.
In any case, Cangyuan would definitely have enough time to take countermeasures after receiving the alarm.
“Hmm—” Black Smoke generally understood. “I have only one last question. Since this arms sales authorization system was already so complete in the 21st century, why didn’t other Star Alliance forces adopt it? Why did they all coincidentally choose not to sell their top-tier weapons, only selling second-rate, third-rate, or even worse goods?”
“Because they couldn’t guarantee real-time transmission of authorization codes, so they couldn’t manage it at all,” Jubian said helplessly.
“The Star Alliance’s superluminal communication technology is very underdeveloped. Quantum communication base stations are expensive and huge, making it impossible for every battleship or every fighter jet to be equipped with one.
“If you send an unlock authorization code, it’s estimated that only battleships docked in military ports can receive it, but you can’t control where these battleships will go or what missions they will perform after leaving the port. Therefore, for the seller, it’s naturally unacceptable.
“If timed locking is set, the buyer must return the battleship to port before it is locked, which is also unacceptable. In short, it’s limited by the speed of light, no chance!”
Cangyuan, however, was different, possessing superluminal communication capabilities achieved through “super game cheating” methods, which were simple and easy to use.
Afterward, Jubian and the comrades of the Keyboard Politburo passionately discussed for two hours, setting down the draft for the security of large-scale weapon sales.
All exported battleships and fighter jets must carry a Cangyuan hibernation pod. This hibernation pod is not used for player login, but only for superluminal communication.
On this basis, exported military products also need to add a complete status monitoring system, constantly monitoring their own parameters, location, surrounding enemy intelligence, operator identity, and other information, and sending it back to Cangyuan headquarters in real time.
After Cangyuan confirms that there are no problems, a quantum encrypted authorization code will be sent every 30 seconds to maintain the normal operation of the weapon.
Otherwise, once an anomaly is detected, a series of countermeasures will be implemented depending on the severity of the buyer’s irregular operation.
These measures include locking the machine, deleting the database, destroying important subsystems, and even detonating the nuclear reactor for complete self-destruction. Besides preventing the leakage of Cangyuan’s exclusive technology, these measures can also prevent buyers from attacking targets Cangyuan does not want to attack, starting wars Cangyuan does not want to see, and helping allies Cangyuan dislikes.
It can be said that the moment a large-scale arms sales contract is concluded, the user who purchases weapons from Cangyuan will have no choice but to follow Cangyuan’s “guidance” on how to use the weapons.
If Cangyuan’s future arms sales grow to the extent that they can take care of a certain force’s defense, then this force will have no choice but to remain in step with Cangyuan in diplomacy and military affairs.
Essentially becoming Cangyuan’s younger brother, they can only support with both hands in the future, not oppose, and not be a double-crosser.
Who to be friends with and who to fall out with will no longer be something they can decide.
Otherwise, all purchased heavy weapons will be locked.
Afterward, there are only two outcomes: either obediently accept Cangyuan’s sanctions, or be abandoned by Cangyuan and annexed by other forces around them who are on Cangyuan’s side.
This also indirectly illustrates the importance of completely independent weapon research and development.
In contrast, Galan—heh heh.
Their troubles are still ahead.
After the meeting, Black Smoke immediately reported the discussion results to the Executive Officer, receiving strong support.
“Good, then I’ll go talk to the merchant fleet now! They’re just unloading goods these days, and the merchants are all feasting over at Devil Mountain!”
“Pure arms sales or leases, I don’t think they will necessarily convince the merchant fleet to participate in the battle,” Lu Yuan, far away on New Hope, typed to Black Smoke.
“You mean, we also need to offer them some practical benefits?”
“Yes. I think we can transfer a portion of future war reparations to them based on the tonnage of Galan warships the merchant fleet sinks in the future.”
“Your move is a bit ruthless. Isn’t this going to develop these merchant fleets into pirates under Cangyuan?”
“You’re right, that’s exactly what I intend.”
That evening, Black Smoke and Xian Yu hosted a banquet for the Free Trade Alliance.
At first, when they proposed leasing battleships and fighter jets in exchange for support for military actions, the merchants’ attitudes were indeed very hesitant. Only the spirited Xiu immediately agreed, saying it was no problem.
Then, when Xian Yu slowly said that they could get a share of the war reparations…
It can only be said that the atmosphere on the scene was instantly ignited!
“This... Although I said the risk was very high before, upon closer inspection, it’s not unbearable! Hahaha—”
“Me, me, me! We’ve repelled pirates before, we have experience!”
A group of merchants shed their sheep’s clothing, transforming into fierce wolves, eagerly signing up.
Previously, a player at the Keyboard Politburo meeting said that merchants valued profit as much as life. Now, Black Smoke realized this was a misunderstanding!
People die for wealth, and birds die for food.
As long as the profit is high enough, what if it means risking one’s life?
I run a business because I think this livelihood is the most profitable and stable? Am I so naive that I don’t know that directly robbing Galan makes money faster?
It’s just that the tools at hand aren’t strong enough!
Those who dare to run a business in this post-apocalyptic era, who isn’t risking their life?
Merchants are not timid and afraid of death; they are just good at eliminating emotional interference and rationally weighing the pros and cons.
This is their survival rule.
And now, the prize pool offered by the Executive Officer was too tempting, far exceeding the expected risk—
Black Smoke finally, following Lu Yuan’s prior instructions, selected Xiu and Li Tao, who had the strongest merchant fleet, and promised to gradually lend them two of the latest “Qinling” and two “Wuyi” within 20 days, until the war with Galan ended.
These two, due to their largest merchant fleet size, had also contributed the most to Cangyuan’s construction so far, and logically, they should be the first to gain access to arms sales.
As for the remaining merchant fleets, Black Smoke stated that as long as they continued to accumulate trade value, they would soon also qualify for leasing or even purchasing battleships. At this stage, they would be lent varying numbers of “owl” type fighter jets based on the frequency of their round-trip trade routes.
The latter is an improved version of the “owl”, with the largely useless dorsal smart missile bay reduced, an Entropy Zero Element Furnace added to further enhance stealth capabilities, and the main ventral missile bay lengthened to carry three Cangyuan-developed warp missiles.
In addition, these merchants could also purchase drones for disguising false targets to increase their own anti-strike capability.
The next day, three modified Apollo warships left the dry dock and joined the Cangyuan fleet for service.
Lu Yuan left their naming rights to the players, and ultimately, “Pipi Shrimp,” “Strong Luck,” and “What Are You Looking At” were selected with high votes, numbered 107-109.
Also launched at the same time were two “Wuyi” class frigates completely produced by giant 3D printers, named “Xianxia” and “Minjiang,” numbered 110 and 111.
Five night heron aerospace planes ascended, docking with them respectively, transporting crew members who had already accumulated ample experience in the trade route escort fleet, and accepting a portion of talented new Sailor players.
Afterward, the three warships immediately flew towards the Jump Point.
At the same time, Xianyang and Chang'an smoothly concluded their initially tough but later soft friendly visit amidst praise from the media and various celebrities, departing from New Hope Space Station.
The two warships headed to the transportation hub, the “Widow” star system, planning to rendezvous there with five warships arriving from Li Star, forming a mixed assault fleet that would proceed along a quiet route directly to Ruins Star.