Chapter 105: First Reap a Wave, Then Talk

Exchange conditions?

Hadesen, as the representative of Yingjiang Guo, cleared their throat and was the first to break the silence.

He tried to maintain the dignity of a major-country representative, but his furrowed brows still betrayed his inner anxiety.

"Minister Cao, we are willing to allocate one trillion US dollars to purchase five million work robots from your country, along with the supporting production line technology."

He paused, then added:

"In addition, we can also open up part of our biomedical patents for exchange."

As soon as Hadesen finished speaking, the representative of Gaoliji immediately followed up.

"We are willing to give Yanhuang Guo the highest priority treatment in agricultural technology and luxury market access."

Immediately after, the representatives of Hansmao and the island country also spoke up, each throwing out their own chips.

Nothing more than money, markets, and some technology patents they considered valuable but not the most core.

Their only common point was that they all mentioned wanting to purchase a complete 'production line'.

Obviously, they didn't just want to be consumers; they wanted to master production capability.

Cao Fanrong listened quietly, the smile on his face unchanged.

He waited until everyone had finished speaking, and only after the conference room fell silent again did he slowly lift his teacup and gently blow on the steam.

This unhurried action lifted the hearts of all the diplomats present to their throats.

"We have received your goodwill."

Cao Fanrong set down the teacup, making a soft sound.

"But..."

He drew out his tone, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Talking about money whenever we discuss cooperation is too hurtful to feelings."

He revealed a smile full of implication.

"Why don't we talk about resources?"

Upon hearing this, Hadesen and the others' faces slightly changed.

Cao Fanrong gave them no chance to ask questions, sitting up slightly straighter and his tone turning stern.

"The production line and robots can be sold to all of you."

This opening remark refreshed everyone's spirits.

"But the core technology is not for sale."

"All sold robots and production line equipment have our core protection agreement built in; any unauthorized disassembly, imitation, or reverse engineering will trigger it."

Saying this, Cao Fanrong's face immediately turned stern.

"If any of you violate the cooperation agreement, the cooperation will be terminated; as for the consequences… I think you'd better not try."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured onto the little thoughts in everyone's hearts.

Cao Fanrong continued to put forth the real conditions.

"We do not accept any paper money payment."

"If you want to introduce our production line and products, there are only a few exchange routes."

"That is to exchange with rare resources."

"For example, large amounts of gold, helium-3 reserves for controlled nuclear fusion, aerospace-grade high-purity titanium alloy, carbon nanotube materials, or other rare minerals listed on our list."

"Of course, if you have some high-tech that interests us, such as technical data still in the laboratory stage, these can also be discussed."

A list was projected onto the big screen in the conference room,

It densely listed the resources and technology Yanhuang Guo needed, and its stringent nature made everyone present suck in a breath of cold air.

This is fundamentally not a trade; it is using the technological gap to conduct a targeted strategic resource 'bloodletting' on the whole world.

"Impossible!"

The Hansmao representative was the first to stand up, speaking excitedly:

"Many of the resources on this list are our country's strategic reserves; they cannot be used for trade!"

"Exactly, this condition is too excessive; we cannot accept it."

Another representative from a small country also echoed.

For a moment, the conference room buzzed with discussion; many national delegations showed difficult expressions, even began to whisper privately, preparing to leave.

For them, the domestic populace already enjoyed a high standard of living and comprehensive social welfare; although they envied it, it was far from the point where they needed to exchange their nation's lifeblood.

However, Hadesen and the representatives of a few other countries stared fixedly at that list, their faces uncertain.

Their countries were on the brink of social conflict erupting.

The people's protests and demonstrations were increasing, and they could be swallowed up at any moment.

Compared to the turmoil of the entire nation, the cost of these strategic resources seemed not unbearable.

Cao Fanrong quietly watched all this, knowing that the fish had already taken the bait.

Finally, the delegations of several countries led by Hansmao, after expressing regret, chose to abandon the introduction and leave first.

Inside the conference room, only the representatives of seven or eight countries led by Yingjiang Guo remained.

Hadesen seemed to have been drained of all strength, slumping back in his chair, his voice hoarse as he spoke.

"We… agree."

This decision was extremely difficult, but they had no other choice.

The representatives of the remaining countries also expressed their agreement one after another.

The smile on Cao Fanrong's face finally gained a hint of sincerity.

"A wise choice, happy cooperation."

Finally, one after another, resource exchange agreements capable of changing the world order were formally signed.

Yanhuang Guo, using the technological trump card in its hand, gained some of the resources needed to advance into interstellar civilization without bloodshed.

The news of Cao Fanrong's victory on the diplomatic front was transmitted back to the capital almost immediately.

In the office, Luo Lao merely glanced calmly at the briefing; for this result, he seemed not at all surprised.

Setting down the documents in his hand, he turned his gaze toward the several people sitting opposite,

Qin Hao, Zhang Yunfeng, and Cheng Haitang.

"They made their choices faster than I imagined; it seems the domestic pressure they face has indeed reached a critical point."

Zhang Yunfeng spoke slowly.

"That's natural; when their people personally see the possibility of another way of life, any delay or obstruction will only backfire, leaving them no choice."

Luo Lao then took up the conversation, a smile rising on his face:

"Intelligent robots are not just a commodity; they are an irresistible weapon—bloodless yet capable of undermining people's hearts. However, robots are merely an appetizer."

He picked up another document marked confidential from the table and handed it to Qin Hao.

"Take a look at this."

Qin Hao took the document dubiously, and Cheng Haitang's gaze also swept over it at once.

Upon opening the document, Qin Hao's pupils contracted sharply.

The document's title is simple, just six characters—Universal Health Project.

"Universal Health Project?"

Qin Hao whispered it aloud.

Luo Kan nodded, his expression filled with an irrepressible excitement.

"Do you still remember the soldier serum and nanorobot technology you replicated back then?"

"Of course I remember." Qin Hao answered immediately.

"Our genetic scientists and nanotech team have been trying to fuse the two over this period, and unexpectedly they actually succeeded!"

When Qin Hao and Cheng Haitang heard this, their eyes filled with joy; before they could speak, Luo Lao's voice came again.