Galaxy Domination Guide

The next day, Bai Zhongqi returned to Ruyi City on a BiBo type spacecraft. C country also organized a special farewell event, nothing special, I won't dwell on it.

Noteworthy, following Bai Zhongqi's departing spacecraft, was an orbit shuttle, the same type that a thirty-person delegation had ridden earlier. This shuttle was carrying personnel from C country, who were heading to Ruyi City to conduct inspections and negotiations.

The admission negotiations of C country with the United Empire were complex and had many facets. They would be divided into several steps and locations.

Anting, appointed by Bai Zhongqi as the United Empire's ambassador to C Country, who was actually a bionic human, stayed in the Imperial Capital to preside over the admission negotiations there, and also coordinated the completion and use of the United Empire's embassy.

Xiang Fei followed the negotiation inspection team and boarded the orbit shuttle to participate in the negotiations being held in Ruyi City. Along with him was the student of Academician Ding, the young physicist Ye Qing.

The entire inspection team had more members than the previous global delegation, reaching up to a hundred and sixty people. These members were from varied departments and fields; some even sneaked in to enjoy the ride as public-funded interstellar travelers, although nominally they were there to assist in logistics and coordination for the team.

Xiang Fei, having been stifled by Bai Zhongqi the previous day, was also feeling subdued. He was actually one of the aforementioned "public-funded interstellar travelers," although his task was still very challenging, headed primarily by the negotiation to introduce Iridium Star Technology for smog treatment.

"Secretary Xiang, Secretary Xiang?" Ye Qing called a few times; Xiang Fei was so lost in thought that not until Ye Qing nudged his arm did he respond.

"Ah, Dr. Ye." Xiang Fei apologized bashfully, "I was lost in my thoughts, sorry about that."

Ye Qing joked, "Secretary, you're really something, everyone is marveling at the features of this spacecraft and here you are, so absorbed in thought that you zone out, really consumed with care and concern for the state and its people."

Flustered, Xiang Fei said, "The burden of responsibility is heavy, I can't help it."

Out of curiosity, Ye Qing asked, "Is it about the smog treatment?"

Ye Qing was also in the office for extraterrestrial contact, thus he was naturally well informed.

Xiang Fei saw no need to hide it from him and nodded, "Indeed, it might appear to be about smog treatment, but it's actually part of the entire admission negotiation.

Although I'm not sure whether it's directly planned by their Chancellor Bai Zhongqi or if he has advisors behind him crafting strategies, it's clear that the Iridium Star people are quite seasoned in their tactics and they understand very well how to operate in a manner Earth does."

Not surprised, Ye Qing commented, "After all, they share the same language with us and have strong cultural similarities. Our country has always prized schemes; it makes no sense if they lacked any."

Xiang Fei agreed, "Indeed, the Iridium Star people have remarkable technology and are not short on strategies either. But this also makes us more comfortable, as we both play similar games, they can make their moves, and we can counter them."

Ye Qing inquired, "So what moves did the Imperial Chancellor play?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Helplessly, Xiang Fei recounted to Ye Qing, "He said yesterday that once he returns to Ruyi City, he will take back the smog removal equipment used in the Imperial Capital over the past two days. According to the weather these two days, our experts estimate that once he leaves, within three days, the air pollution index will rise back above 200, putting us under great media pressure.

The series of smog removal plans proposed by Iridium Star essentially ties in with joining the United Empire. However, they did offer a transitional plan of providing emission purification systems that would significantly prevent the production of exceeding respirable particulate matter.

Plus, he temporarily leaves six large smog removal aircraft in the Imperial Capital, though not as immediately effective as before, but overall, they can still maintain air quality at a good level. For this collaborative plan, Iridium Star will charge a fee."

More curious, Ye Qing asked, "What do they need money for? They shouldn't have use for it."

Xiang Fei explained, "I must say, the Iridium Star people are very thorough in their considerations. Iridium Star isn't planning on purchasing any of our products for now, but that doesn't mean they won't in the future. Additionally, a clause tied to the smog removal plan is our agreement to provide service labor to Iridium Star, and obviously, to employ our people, they would need RMB.

Moreover, maintaining the regular operations of their embassy in the Imperial Capital definitely requires RMB. They did exchange a sum from the compensation they previously received from the United States."

Xiang Fei continued, "Even more impressive, the Iridium Star embassy accepted media interviews that very evening, revealing the huge costs of their smog removal methods, thus earning a significant amount of goodwill. In the end, they expressed their anticipation for further collaboration with us in smog removal and environmental management.

This essentially shifted the pressure back onto us; if there are no tangible results soon, people will inevitably question why the collaboration on smog removal isn't progressing. Even if we say that Iridium Star is using the admission as leverage, it wouldn't be effective as people care about issues directly affecting them."

Ye Qing then asked, "So what exactly is the price tag that Iridium Star has set?"

With a slightly odd expression, Xiang Fei stated, "Actually, the markup isn't considered high, a total smog treatment contract worth 15 billion RMB, including the current leasing cost for the large smog removal spacecraft, producing tens of thousands of emission purification systems, deploying personnel to assist in installation, and some other miscellaneous measures.

The additional clause is opening up the export of service labor to Iridium Star."

Ye Qing nodded in assent, "It really isn't high. Our country currently invests a hundred billion RMB in smog treatment annually, and just in the Imperial Capital, we've spent 36 billion in three years. If 15 billion can solve the problem, and moreover, if the labor output costs can flow back into our citizens' hands, this deal can be considered all gain and no loss."

Xiang Fei was aware of these figures, but in politics and negotiations, the objective was always to secure as much as possible. He said, "There are actually two considerations from above. On one hand, our intention is to join the Union, so after joining, could we save this 15 billion? On the other hand, our current strategy with Iridium Star is more focused on increasing contact.

Opening up labor services so quickly, and determining how much to open and its impact on the domestic job market and overall economy, still require research."

Ye Qing scoffed lightly, "Research? By the time some results come from that, the internet might have already exploded. We don't fully grasp the intelligence; whatever the Iridium Star people give us, what changes will ultimately occur because of it, relying on a bunch of scholars to calculate this and that—it's frankly useless.

When the time comes, the difference will still be the same, we will be facing a new era, our way of understanding the world will also be radically altered. Now is not the time to look hesitantly but to broaden our view so that when the time comes, we won't be overwhelmed."

Considering Ye Qing's remarks, Xiang Fei also found them quite reasonable. These issues, after all, make little difference whether delayed or not; since the Iridium Star people have emerged on the world stage, the only option is to proceed relentlessly forward.