Chapter 398: Selecting Yangcheng

Katero flipped through the weapons catalog, his eyes lighting up: "These weapons... are exactly what our guerrillas need! Lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain."

The Special Envoy nodded: "Not only that, we can also provide training and logistical support to ensure your troops can fully utilize the performance of these weapons."

"What about the steel and machine tools?" Katero asked with concern, "Our country also needs to develop industry."

The Special Envoy was full of confidence: "A thirty percent discount, installment payments, and we can even accept goods as payment. Long Country is willing to help your country build a complete industrial system."

Katero gripped the Special Envoy's hand tightly: "Tell your country's leaders that we will send a delegation of the highest level to attend the trade fair. This will be a new starting point for the friendship between our two countries!"

On the European continent, the situation was much more delicate. At the Wajiaobu of Yuegongniu, a secret meeting was underway.

"We cannot openly engage with Long Country; it would provoke Star-Spangled Country," the Foreign Minister said cautiously, "but privately... we do need to consider the opportunities Long Country is offering."

The Ministry of Industry representative nodded in agreement: "The thirty percent discount on steel prices is crucial for our post-war reconstruction. Not to mention those Advanced Numerical Control Machine Tools, which are said to have three times the precision of our existing ones!"

The Ministry of Defense representative shook his head: "But this is a political issue; we are an ally of Star-Spangled Country..."

The Finance Minister interrupted him: "The post-war economy is difficult, and every penny must be calculated carefully. If Long Country can provide more competitive prices, why not consider it?"

Finally, the Foreign Minister made a decision: "Send an 'unofficial' commercial delegation to attend the trade fair in the name of private enterprises. We will make a decision after understanding the situation."

Similar discussions were taking place simultaneously in European major powers like Gaul Chicken Country and Rierman Guo. Although these countries expressed reservations about the Long Country trade fair in public, privately, they all sent delegations of various forms, prepared to get to the bottom of it.

At the Long Country Wajiaobu, Li Mingyuan was listening to a report on the reactions from countries around the world.

The Wajiaobu intelligence analyst reported excitedly: "As of now, 78 countries and regions have confirmed they will send delegations to the trade fair, 43 of which are ministerial-level delegations or higher. There are also at least 20 countries participating in the form of unofficial or commercial delegations."

Li Mingyuan nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, even more enthusiastic than I expected."

Deputy Minister Liu of the Wajiaobu added: "Especially in the Asia, Africa, and Latin America regions, the response is exceptionally strong. Some countries have even proposed wanting to sign preliminary agreements before the fair to ensure they can obtain the first batch of supplies."

"What about Beijixiong Guo and Star-Spangled Country?" Li Mingyuan asked.

The intelligence analyst smiled: "They have publicly expressed 'cautious concern,' but privately they are as anxious as ants on a hot pan. Our intelligence shows they have already met secretly to try and discuss countermeasures, but they clearly haven't reached a consensus."

Deputy Minister Liu took over: "The military-industrial tycoons of Star-Spangled Country are pressuring their government to take measures to stop our trade fair. But due to the restrictions of the armistice agreement, they dare not act openly."

Li Mingyuan was thoughtful: "They will find ways to cause trouble; we must be vigilant. Especially the security work during the fair; it must be foolproof."

The intelligence analyst nodded: "It is already being done. The exhibition area will implement the highest level of security, and all visitors will undergo strict screening."

Li Mingyuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the exhibition hall under intense construction in the distance: "This trade fair will be the first step for Long Country to step onto the world stage. We want to let the whole world see that Long Country not only has the determination but also the capability to become an industrial power."

Admiration flickered in Deputy Minister Liu's eyes: "Chief Engineer Li, your vision is admirable. If this trade fair is successful, it will completely change the international landscape."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "This is just the beginning. The Long Country of the future will redefine the world order with its technological and industrial strength."

Just like that, within a short month after the news of the Long Country trade fair was released, countries around the world fell into unprecedented anticipation and restlessness. For those countries that had just gained independence or were striving for it, the weapons and industrial equipment provided by Long Country were like a lamp illuminating the darkness, pointing them toward a new path to break free from the control of major powers.

For those countries undergoing post-war reconstruction, Long Country's thirty-percent-discount steel and Advanced machine tools were a stimulant to accelerate recovery.

Even the traditional allies of Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo began to stir, attempting to get a piece of the pie from this brand-new international trade revolution.

As the date of the trade fair drew near, the Long Country government finally determined the exhibition location—the southern trade hub, Yangcheng.

Li Mingyuan personally participated in the site selection decision: "Yangcheng is the most ideal location," he explained at the meeting, "on one hand, the transportation is convenient, and we can welcome delegations from various countries by sea and land; on the other hand, there is a large enough venue here to accommodate all our exhibits; most importantly, it is far from the capital, making security control more flexible."

Minister Zhang expressed agreement with this choice: "It is indeed suitable. Yangcheng has a long history of foreign trade, and the locals are more friendly and open to foreigners."

After the location was determined, in the following two months, Yangcheng set off an unprecedented construction boom. A large area that was originally the old wharf district was quickly transformed into an exhibition venue, with thousands of workers working day and night to build pavilions, pave roads, and install power and communication facilities.

Li Mingyuan flew from the capital to Yangcheng almost every week to inspect the progress, each time bringing new revisions and higher requirements.

"The entrance to the exhibition area needs to be more spacious," he said, pointing to the blueprints, "the first impression is crucial. Increase the height of the main exhibition hall by another two meters to make it look more magnificent. The light weapons display area needs to add a shooting range so that customers can actually test-fire them. The heavy weapons area must have enough space for live-fire demonstrations."

The chief commander of the project wiped his sweat and smiled bitterly: "Chief Engineer Li, your requirements change every time, but the construction period remains the same."

Li Mingyuan patted him on the shoulder: "I believe in your abilities. Remember, this is not just a trade fair; this is a stage to showcase the strength of Long Country to the whole world."

As the date of the fair approached, delegations from countries around the world arrived in Yangcheng one after another. The reception staff at the airport and ports were busy beyond measure, hotels were almost completely full, and the figures of visitors from various countries could be seen everywhere on the city streets.

One week before the opening of the fair, the Sakura delegation was the first batch of important guests to arrive.

When Defense Minister Fujita stepped off the plane, he was clearly shocked by the scale and order of the airport.

"Not a bad impression," he whispered to his accompanying staff, "much more modernized than I imagined."

The Long Country Wajiaobu sent a deputy-minister-level official to greet him personally, a courtesy that caught Fujita quite by surprise.