Chapter 382: Peace Talks

The atmosphere in the conference room became terrifyingly heavy in an instant.

"This... this is impossible!" Johnson stammered, "Manufacturing a Mushroom requires a massive amount of fissile material; how could Long Country possibly have prepared several of them so quickly?"

Military Advisor Thompson said in a deep voice: "Have you forgotten? This Li Mingyuan seems to always be able to create miracles. Our scientists believe he may have invented some kind of more efficient fissile material extraction technology."

Just then, the embassy guard reported that the Beijixiong Guo Special Envoy Kovalyov requested a meeting with the Star-Spangled Country delegation.

Laiteli reluctantly agreed.

Kovalyov entered the conference room and saw at a glance the frustration and anger of the Star-Spangled Country delegation.

He feigned a sigh and said: "It seems Long Country's conditions are indeed difficult for you all to accept."

Laiteli sneered: "Difficult to accept? This is simply blatant robbery! Mr. Kovalyov, as the mediator, shouldn't Beijixiong Guo stop Long Country's unreasonable demands?"

Kovalyov shrugged: "I understand how you feel, but the fact is, the momentum of Long Country's technological development is now irreversible."

He lowered his voice, as if telling a secret:

"Our intelligence shows that Li Mingyuan has not only mastered the Modan Jishu, but is also pushing forward a series of advanced technological projects. Their Computer technology, rocket technology, communication systems... the speed of development is daunting. If a peace agreement is not reached as soon as possible, the consequences will likely be unimaginable."

Laiteli stared into Kovalyov's eyes: "Are you advising us to surrender?"

Kovalyov shook his head: "Not surrender, but strategic adjustment. Historically, the strong set the rules, and the weak follow them. This is the iron law of international politics."

He paused, then added meaningfully: "Of course, Beijixiong Guo will not sit by and watch Long Country become the sole hegemon. Once peace is restored, we will privately provide the necessary support to Star-Spangled Country to maintain regional balance."

After Kovalyov left, the Star-Spangled Country delegation fell into deeper contemplation.

"We should immediately report Beijixiong Guo's hints to the leader," Robinson proposed.

Laiteli nodded, but signs of compromise were already showing in his eyes: "It seems we really have no other choice."

General Pakesen retorted unwillingly: "Are we really going to bow to Long Country? Just because of one Mushroom?"

Laiteli gave a bitter smile: "It's not just one Mushroom, General. It's a change in the entire strategic landscape. Our front lines have collapsed, the domestic economy cannot support a longer war, and our allies are beginning to waver. If Beijixiong Guo also stops supporting us..."

The conference room fell into silence, with everyone digesting this painful reality.

……

Two hours later, the Star-Spangled Country delegation returned to the negotiating table, barely maintaining expressions of diplomatic courtesy on their faces.

The Long Country delegation had been waiting for a long time. Li Mingyuan was looking down at some technical documents; seeing the Star-Spangled Country representatives enter, he only slightly raised his head and then continued his work, as if this negotiation concerning the fate of the world was merely a small interlude to him.

Beijixiong Guo Minister of Foreign Affairs Novikov presided over the meeting: "Welcome back to the negotiating table. Does the Star-Spangled Country delegation have a new position to state?"

Laiteli took a deep breath, suppressing the sense of humiliation in his heart: "After careful consideration, in the spirit of upholding world peace and the common future of humanity, Star-Spangled Country is willing to accept most of the ceasefire conditions proposed by Long Country."

He deliberately emphasized "most," hoping to gain some room for concessions.

Long Country Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Zhang smiled: "We are happy to see Star-Spangled Country showing a willingness for peace. May I ask which terms your side has objections to?"

Laiteli tried hard to remain calm: "Regarding the compensation amount, we believe fifty billion Star-Spangled coins is too harsh; we hope to reduce it to twenty billion and extend the repayment period to thirty years."

Minister Zhang shook his head slightly: "The compensation amount is calculated based on actual losses and is not negotiable. However, the repayment period can be considered for an extension to twenty years, with the interest rate remaining unchanged."

Laiteli then proposed: "Regarding technology transfer, three hundred patents and five hundred experts are also too harsh. We suggest reducing it to one hundred patents and two hundred experts."

This time, Li Mingyuan put down the documents in his hand and spoke:

"Mr. Johnson, you are a technical expert; you should understand that technology transfer is a systematic project. If only a small portion of patents are transferred without enough experts to guide them, these technologies cannot truly be implemented at all."

Li Mingyuan's tone was unquestionable: "We can adjust the number of patents to two hundred and fifty, but the number of experts must remain above four hundred; otherwise, the technology transfer will be meaningless."

Johnson wanted to retort, but in the face of Li Mingyuan's professional and calm analysis, he could not find the appropriate words.

In the following few hours, the Star-Spangled Country delegation tried to fight for concessions on every clause, but with little success.

The Long Country delegation always maintained a smile, occasionally making small concessions, yet insisted on their principles regarding the Hexin clauses.

Finally, Laiteli received the latest instructions from home—accept Long Country's conditions and end the negotiations as soon as possible.

His shoulders seemed to slump all at once, and a trace of imperceptible humiliation and anger flashed in his eyes.

"For the sake of world peace, and to avoid more senseless sacrifices," Laiteli's voice was somewhat dry,

"The Star-Spangled Country government has decided to accept all the conditions proposed by Long Country, hoping to sign the ceasefire agreement as soon as possible and end this unfortunate conflict."

Novikov immediately expressed his welcome: "This is a victory for the international community! A victory for peace! I believe history will remember this day."

Minister Zhang smiled and signaled his assistant to take out the already prepared ceasefire agreement text:

"Many thanks to Mr. Laiteli for his rational decision. This is indeed a great step forward for human civilization."

The agreement was ready in just half an hour, with the main content almost exactly the same as the conditions initially proposed by Long Country, with only minor adjustments to the repayment period and technology transfer details.

The moment Minister Zhang and Laiteli signed the agreement, the entire venue erupted in warm applause and camera flashes.

Reporters scrambled to take photos, wanting to capture this historic moment.

Laiteli's hand trembled slightly while signing, while Minister Zhang was composed and unhurried, even showing the signed document to the reporters after finishing.

Li Mingyuan stood to the side, only nodding slightly, yet a wisdom far beyond that of ordinary people flickered in his eyes.

Novikov announced loudly: "The ceasefire agreement is officially in effect! From now on, the armed conflict between Long Country and Star-Spangled Country is officially over! This is a major victory for world peace!"

More enthusiastic applause erupted in the venue, but the applause from the Star-Spangled Country delegation was clearly perfunctory and reluctant.

Laiteli wore a professional smile on his face, but in his eyes was humiliation and anger that could not be concealed.

That evening, this news spread across the globe via telegraph and radio.