Chapter 380: This is Not a Negotiation, This is Extortion!

Laiteli spoke with a distinct "boss" aura, seemingly implying that Long Country should be grateful that Di Guo was willing to sit down and negotiate.

However, the tension and unease in his eyes were keenly captured by Li Mingyuan sitting opposite him.

Long Country Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Zhang wore a smile, took a slow sip of tea, and then spoke slowly:

"First, I would like to thank Beijixiong Guo for their mediation efforts. Regarding the principles of 'equality' and 'no mutual compensation' proposed by the Di Guo representative, forgive my bluntness, but this seems to ignore a basic fact—who started this war? Who was burning, killing, and looting on the territory of Sun Country? Who bombed their cities and factories?"

Although Minister Zhang's voice was calm, every word was like a knife, pointing straight to the heart of the matter:

"If Di Guo is truly 'responsible,' it should take responsibility for its own actions. Today, we have brought the peace terms of the Long Country government, and we hope the Di Guo side will consider them seriously."

After finishing, he signaled for his assistants to distribute the documents.

When the Di Guo delegation received the documents and began to flip through them, the atmosphere in the venue instantly became tense and hostile.

Laiteli opened the first page, and his face immediately turned ashen.

He forced himself to remain calm, but his fingers had already begun to tremble slightly.

Minister Zhang did not give him time to think and directly began to state the first condition:

"First, Di Guo must pay Long Country war economic reparations totaling 50 billion Star-Stripe Dollars, to be repaid over 30 years with an annual interest rate not exceeding 2%. This compensation includes: 20 billion in direct war losses, 15 billion in indirect economic losses, 10 billion for the reconstruction of civilian facilities, and 5 billion for personnel casualties."

There was an uproar in the venue; reporters recorded frantically, and camera flashes went off incessantly.

Laiteli almost jumped out of his chair: "This is not in line with international practice! 50 billion? This figure does not conform to any precedent for war reparations at all!"

Minister Zhang's expression did not change, and his voice remained calm: "Then, when Di Guo bombed the industrial zone of Sun Country, did you consider international practice? When your country's planes dropped Incendiary Bombs and burned their civilians to death, did you think about international practice?"

Laiteli was choked into silence, his face flushed red.

Seeing this, Novikov coughed quickly, attempting to ease the atmosphere:

"Everyone, everyone, please calm down. These are just preliminary conditions; I believe that through consultation, both sides will surely find a mutually acceptable plan."

Minister Zhang nodded and continued: "The second condition is resource supply and low-interest loans. Di Guo must supply Long Country with strategic resources such as oil, rare earths, and special metals at a price 30% lower than the market price for a period of 20 years. At the same time, provide low-interest loans totaling 30 billion Star-Stripe Dollars, with an interest rate no higher than 2%, to be used for Long Country's post-war reconstruction."

The Di Guo delegation looked at each other; Laiteli's face turned from red to green, and finally, he couldn't help but slam the table and stand up:

"Long Country is simply being greedy! This is not peace talks, this is extortion!"

Novikov hurriedly stood up to mediate, but Li Mingyuan spoke slowly; this was his first time speaking during the negotiations:

"Mr. Laiteli, please calm down. There is a saying in business: 'It is only right and proper to pay back what you owe.' Either pay the money or use resources to offset the debt; you have to pay back the debt, right?"

Li Mingyuan's tone was relaxed, as if he were discussing an ordinary business transaction, which only made Laiteli more annoyed.

But under the persuasion of the Beijixiong representative, he eventually sat back down, the anger on his face almost overflowing.

Minister Zhang did not give the other side a chance to catch their breath and continued to state the third condition:

"Third, key technology transfer and the dispatch of expert teams. Di Guo must unconditionally transfer 300 dual-use high-tech patents, including but not limited to fields such as aviation Engines, precision machine tools, communication systems, and synthetic materials. At the same time, dispatch no fewer than 500 technical experts to assist Long Country in digesting and absorbing these technologies for a period of no less than five years."

Laiteli widened his eyes, almost unable to believe his ears.

His deputy, technical advisor Johnson, couldn't help but interject:

"This is technological plunder! Pure technological plunder! These technologies are the crystallization of decades of hard work by Di Guo enterprises and scientists; how can you just say 'transfer' and have them transferred?"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Mr. Johnson, technology has no borders. In the face of disasters facing all of humanity, science and technology should progress together. Besides, these technology transfers are also a form of compensation for your country's past actions, aren't they?"

Laiteli's lips began to tremble; he turned to Novikov, seemingly seeking support, but the Beijixiong representative merely shrugged, indicating he was powerless to help.

Minister Zhang struck while the iron was hot and continued to read the fourth condition: "Fourth, Di Guo must withdraw from all military bases in the region, including but not limited to military facilities in Sakura Country and Taiji Tiger Country, and promise to never again interfere in the affairs of this region."

This point completely broke Laiteli's line of defense.

He stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over: "Don't even think about it! These bases are part of the sacred treaties between us and our allies; they are the key force for maintaining regional security! Long Country has no right to interfere in our agreements with other sovereign states!"

Minister Zhang remained unmoved: "Then, has Di Guo considered Long Country's sense of security? Dozens of military bases surround our country, hundreds of warships cruise near our coastline, and thousands of fighter jets can attack our territory at any time. If you put yourself in our shoes, could your country accept such a threat?"

Laiteli was speechless but still refused to concede: "This... this is a necessity for international strategic balance!"

Novikov stepped in to mediate again: "Please, both sides, calm down and continue talking. Perhaps we can find a compromise."

Laiteli barely calmed down, but his fists remained tightly clenched, his knuckles white.

Minister Zhang then read the fifth condition: "Fifth, the Di Guo government must publicly apologize at the assembly, admit responsibility for the war, and compensate for the personnel casualties caused by the war, in an amount no less than 30 billion Star-Stripe Dollars."

The Di Guo negotiation team was almost collectively stunned; Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Robinson shouted in exasperation: "This is an insult! A naked insult! Di Guo is the leader of the Freedom world; we will never kneel to any country!"

Minister Zhang calmly countered: "An apology is not kneeling; it is taking responsibility for history. Article One of the Sun Convention clearly stipulates that aggressors should be held responsible for acts of war. Does your country intend to deny even such an international consensus?"

Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, Novikov quickly signaled for both sides to calm down.

But Minister Zhang added: "If the Di Guo delegation believes these conditions are unacceptable, we can end the negotiations at any time; Long Country is already prepared to restart military operations."

This sentence was like a bucket of ice water poured over the heads of the Di Guo delegation.

Laiteli and his team looked at each other, a flash of panic in their eyes. The shadow of the Mushroom hung over everyone's heart; no one was willing to take that risk.

Just as the atmosphere eased slightly, Minister Zhang unexpectedly continued to read the final condition: "Sixth, Long Country will enjoy priority procurement rights and pricing power for all major export commodities of Di Guo on a global scale for a period of five years. The specific list of commodities includes but is not limited to oil, grain, mechanical equipment, medical supplies, etc."