Chapter 229: Drawing a Big Picture

In the conference room, the leaders of various merchant fleets, dressed in diverse attire, passionately promoted themselves, one after another.

Lu Yuan listened carefully, then took a deep breath, controlled his expression, and stood up from the head of the conference table.

He pressed his hands down, signaling the guests to quiet down and not be so agitated.

“Cangyuan will not temporarily provide fleet escort services originating from its home territory, nor will it temporarily sell military supplies. These war materials are equally crucial to us.”

A wave of disappointed sighs echoed.

“However, this does not mean I am unwilling to help everyone.”

Lu Yuan motioned for the guests to sit down and calm themselves.

“I think you should have noticed that Cangyuan currently has technology and resource reserves, but lacks production capacity and logistics, and lacks manpower, which results in our speed of producing military industrial products not being fast enough!

“Therefore, my suggestion is for everyone to work together to build this foothold that can provide security for everyone; the stronger Cangyuan’s industrial strength, the higher the possibility of providing escort services and advanced military fire to all of you, naturally.”

Hearing this, hope rekindled in the merchants’ hearts.

Regardless of what this man’s ultimate goal was, at least what he said sounded reasonable and logical. If executed well, it might truly solve the problem!

At the current stage, the Free Trade Alliance and Cangyuan have aligned interests, making cooperation natural. Mutual suspicion would be detrimental to both sides.

Everyone understood this point.

They were just waiting for one side to break the ice and proactively extend an invitation for cooperation.

Of course, achieving this situation was also largely due to the series of wise operations by the Galan, which could be called the best assist.

“Specifically, how will this cooperation proceed?”

Li Tao’s eyes were sharp, clearly having taken in the words.

“Providing long-term freight services for Cangyuan is a good proposal.”

Lu Yuan’s tone was steady, neither humble nor arrogant.

“I will offer you a freight price that just covers operating costs, so that the merchant fleet’s capital chain does not break.”

“Then—what about the profit margin?” Hugh pressed.

Merchants pursue profit. As soon as this proposal was made, many merchant fleet leaders immediately shook their heads, finding the price unacceptable no matter what.

“The profit margin belongs to Cangyuan, to accumulate trust and gradually unlock service items.”

This was essentially a VIP membership system. Lu Yuan was open and honest, with clear pricing.

“After completing a certain number of freight runs, our strength will also greatly increase with your help. By then, we will have enough surplus production capacity to produce weapons for you.”

“Don’t you think such terms are a bit overbearing?”

Li Tao also didn’t hold back, frankly expressing his true feelings.

“I admit, at first listen, it does sound a bit overbearing.”

Lu Yuan smiled and nodded.

“But please understand, as a technological leader, Cangyuan has concerns about advantageous technologies being acquired by enemies. If I decide to help you all, then technology leakage is a risk I must bear.

“Therefore, before cooperating, I need you to demonstrate your sincerity through practical actions, and have enough conviction to protect your own fleets and fight against the Galan to the end!

“This, I’ll be direct: this is not just a transaction, but an alliance; I will absolutely not choose a group of submissive cowards as allies. No matter how high the price, I will not sell them any advanced weapons, and then watch them hand them over to the Galan in vain!”

Lu Yuan spoke these words with a heavy tone, seemingly valuing his “unique skills” greatly, fearing they might be learned by enemies.

But in reality, he knew that without the key research data from Emerald Star, and the BUG-level “gadgets” obtained through the system, Cangyuan’s leading technologies were not that easy to replicate at all.

For example, with the heavy electromagnetic cannon, even if a complete sample were placed in front of the Galan, they would simply be unable to solve the series of technological and material science problems involved.

Literally, you can copy it, but you won’t understand how.

But Cangyuan was different.

With the help of advanced scanners and atomic-level 3D printers, it was now incredibly easy to counterfeit a “Moras” missile, whose technology originated from the Super Democratic Empire.

And with more time, after thoroughly understanding the technology, even the 3D printer could be omitted.

However, the Free Trade Alliance did not need to know any of this.

It’s a business negotiation, after all. You always need to keep some cards hidden, and information asymmetry should always be converted into profit.

The merchant fleet leaders began to discuss in low voices.

“I think we can consider it. The reasons he gave are actually very sufficient. Even if other forces had technology that could suppress the Galan, they would never be willing to share it with us for fear of technology leakage!”

“Yes, our luck is good, don’t hesitate anymore!”

“But, aren’t the conditions he’s offering asking us to work for free—”

“Yes, at this stage, it’s just an empty promise!”

“Then what do you want? To hide with the Federation? Won’t it be the same as working for free there?”

“No, it’s still different. At least I think the Federation is stronger, and the Galan wouldn’t easily invade the star systems they control. It would be safer to hide there.”

“Coward! What is your basis?! The Federation has never made any promises about our safety! They would even kick us when we’re down, taking the opportunity to raise the prices of fuel and other supplies.”

“Yes, I actually don’t want to say this, but I think Executive is a strong leader with sufficient goodwill, and also sufficient responsibility and ambition, plus he doesn’t shy away from using force. Such people are very rare after the apocalypse, truly! We shouldn’t ignore him!”

“The Wealth Key will need three days to be fully loaded with crude oil,” Lu Yuan told everyone.

“You don’t have to give me an answer now. You can stay here during this time, rest from your journey, and then think it over carefully.

“Three days later, Cangyuan’s two warships will accompany the Wealth Key to New Hope. I will make a declaration there, offering protection to all Free Trade Alliance merchant ships along the Li Star-New Hope route, but only limited to this single route, as the beginning of our cooperation.”

Oh!

The merchant fleet leaders’ eyes lit up.

This was a powerful and responsible statement.

The appearance of two warships capable of massacring the Galan in the core area of the Star Alliance would bring many changes.

“But—is it just a statement? If the Galan gather a new fleet at New Hope, will you unhesitatingly open fire on them?”

You said you couldn’t stand us being cowardly, but you can’t be cowardly yourself either.

“Cangyuan and the Galan are still in a state of war, what do you think?” Lu Yuan said with a smile.

This question was actually very tricky.

Who knew how many forces the Galan would gather at New Hope in 12 days? Would they seek a truce? At that time, tactics would need to change flexibly according to the actual situation.

If the Galan gathered a small number of forces at New Hope and were still being provocative, then he wouldn’t mind putting on another fireworks show in the prosperous area of the Star Alliance.

“In short, after that, Cangyuan will purchase a large amount of goods in the Star Alliance. If any of you are interested in cooperating, please help us transport these goods.

“For specific transport details, you can contact our branch in New Hope. That’s all I have to say today.”

That evening, Hugh borrowed a sky-plane and a pilot from the Executive Officer and took his companions to Devil Mountain, finding the newly completed shopping and food street in the canyon, heading straight for a restaurant that specialized in roasted meat feasts.

This was premeditated!

Ever since Lu Yuan mentioned his plan to develop this dish last time, Hugh, who loved meat, had been longing for it and couldn’t wait even while on the ship.

He had only experienced roasted meat a few times when visiting primitive planets, hosted by local natives.

Although the alien meat roasted at that time was not suitable for Fenrir or human palates due to its ammonia and sulfur content, it remained Hugh’s fondest memory.

Now, Cangyuan was roasting genuine Earth-bred livestock, a delicacy from the center of the universe, which had to be experienced!

It proved that nothing could lift spirits more than a good meal, especially for Star Alliance people who were used to protein blocks, artificial mashed potatoes, and even cockroach paste.

In the Star Alliance, various factions usually met the public’s demand for animal protein through the cheap method of insect farming, and cockroaches were the easiest to fatten among them—

As for whether it was disgusting, one could only say that one should try not to think too much about it while eating.

It was definitely disgusting!

In contrast, the large chunks of charcoal-grilled beef and lamb provided by Cangyuan were indescribably wonderful; any words of praise, however effusive, seemed so soft and powerless at that moment.

Under the catalysis of delicious food and wine, many merchants made an immediate decision: this was the perfect future foothold and supply point for the Free Trade Alliance.

As long as the port facilities were well-built, places like New Hope or Paradise Island simply couldn’t compete!

Some even expressed willingness to reside there permanently.

“This street will be my home from now on, haha!”

They burst forth with courage they hadn’t previously possessed, agreeing to Lu Yuan’s cooperation agreement at the dinner table.

All intelligent beings have herd mentality. Driven by these individuals, the remaining hesitant merchants also decided to try helping Cangyuan transport goods for free a few times.

Consider it a compliment to this roasted meat!

The next morning, with Hugh and Li Tao, the leaders of the two largest merchant fleets, as representatives, a letter of agreement signed by all merchants was presented to Lu Yuan.

Thus, by leveraging the war stirred up by the Galan, Cangyuan seized the opportunity to “gain” enormous transport capacity and a promising potential arms market for the future.

For a considerable period in the future, Lu Yuan no longer had to worry about logistics issues.

The frequent visits of merchant fleets to Li Star would also boost consumption here, bringing more income to players and indigenous residents, and making the civilian economy more prosperous.

“Very good.”

Lu Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

“Please allow me to salute your courage.”

The issue of cargo transportation was finally perfectly resolved. Now, he could focus on the fleet’s visit to New Hope!