Chapter 782: Borrow from You? Don't Even Think About It!

Chapter 782: Borrow from You? Don't Even Think About It!

"Wasteland OL" Official Forum.

[Announcement: The Xilan Empire has loaned ten billion Xilan dollars to the South Sea Alliance. Any enterprise registered in the southern sea settlements or conducting related business there may apply. The funds can be used to import raw materials from the Xilan Empire. Players are encouraged to explore the relevant gameplay!]

Quit Smoking: "Holy crap!"

Tyrannosaurus Warrior: "The damn dev are giving out welfare again!! It pisses me off, why don't they give out helmets? I've been on the waiting list for a year!"

Professor Yang, the Thunder Mage: "Damn, I'm so jealous I could cry. T.T"

Mole in the Canyon: "You don't even have a helmet, what's there to be jealous of? (Ridiculous)"

Professor Yang, the Thunder Mage: "That's exactly why I'm crying! By the time you guys have your fun, what's left for me to play when I get in? T.T"

Night Ten: "(Ridiculous)"

Edge Paddler: "Ten billion Xilan dollars... Isn't that Wutuo guy crazy? Their own people are so poor they're swimming in the Yongliu River. (Sweat)"

Mole in the Canyon: "That's a narrow view. Only with property rights can you define poverty and wealth. Livestock don't have that concept. (Squinting smile)"

Fang Chang: "True, but I still can't figure out what they're trying to achieve. Even if they have so many unsold goods they can't store them, dumping them somewhere would be more direct than this roundabout way... Besides, they're not that rich."

WC There Really Are Mosquitoes: "You'd better stop trying to understand the logic of the wasteland's third brother. Just analyze the impact. (Squinting smile)"

Fang Chang: "Hmm... there's not much to analyze. As long as the South Sea Alliance isn't stupid, they'll immediately try to convert this free Xilan currency into something more stable, like selling Xilan dollars to buy silver coins. That would benefit banks offering currency exchange services, right? They can take a sip of the soup."

WC There Really Are Mosquitoes: "Got it! The Goblin Bank is opening for business!"

Tail: "(Copying homework.jpg)"

Edge Paddler: "Holy crap! That fast!"

Fang Chang: "...Besides the banking industry, in the short term, it might drive up commodity prices in the coastal areas of the Brahmin Province, especially those priced in Xilan dollars. For example, soybeans, cotton, sugarcane, flax, etc. This could be a negative for the primary manufacturing industries in Golden Gallon Port, like oil pressing, textiles, and sugar refining. They'll have to pay more Xilan dollars for raw materials, and the final debuff will reflect in manufacturing profits. But in the long run, it might not be a bad thing."

Tail: "Oh! Raw materials are more expensive, profits drop—that's easy to understand... Uh, but why is it a good thing in the long run?"

Fang Chang: "Because most NPCs in this game are as smart as real people, not the dull wooden figures in typical RPGs. On the surface, Wutuo has opened a large credit line for the southern seas, but in reality, the survivors of the Thirteen States are footing the bill. If it were places like Ox State or Horse State, it wouldn't matter—the nobles' interests align with the emperor's, and even if they're dissatisfied, they have to endure. But for warlord-controlled regions like Tiger State or Leopard State, it's different. Their reliance is no longer on imperial power but on gun barrels."

Sis: "Over time, local forces will issue their own currency or seek other more stable equivalents... like Gallons or silver coins. Right?"

Fang Chang: "Smart! (Thumbs up)"

Quit Smoking: "Holy crap, I don't get it at all! (Confused)"

Tail: "Oooh! As expected of Si... giao! Tail doesn't get it either! (ó﹏ò?)"

Sis: "Give up, Awei. If you really can't understand, just think of it as... our esteemed dev daddy scattering money again. I'll pick up your share for you."

Meat Mountain Big Steamed Bun: "Damn... I feel oppressed. T.T"

Ao Ao Sesame Paste: "Ahaha... haha."

Mole in the Canyon: "Actually, there's another impact: rising raw material prices will accelerate the annexation of freemen's land by nobles in the imperial provinces to expand production... Damn, that doesn't make sense. Why would they stab themselves?"

Fang Chang: "It's not that illogical. Maybe the time has just come. (Dog head)"

The Baiyue Company certainly bears some responsibility.

After all, this was originally supposed to be a gentle and slow process, requiring dozens or even hundreds of generations to push forward without external interference. But the arrival of players has strapped a rocket to it all.

From the first gunshot at Golden Gallon Port, which shattered the myth of the Imperial Army's invincibility, to the first seed planted in Fries Town, which grew into sturdy roots and blossoms.

Everything has been racing forward without stopping...

...

"Borrow from you? Hahaha! Don't even think about it! No, to use your words, not a chance in hell! Haha!"

At the Conclave Building.

By chance, Cheng Yan ran into Duke Garava, who had just finished a meeting. With a smile on his face, he approached and exchanged a few pleasantries before laying out the matter entrusted to him by Chu Guang.

Though he wasn't keen on dealing with this duke, out of respect for Chu Guang himself, he put his full effort into handling the task.

But to his surprise, Duke Garava not only misinterpreted his enthusiasm but also put on a smug expression as if to say, "Look who's come begging now," before arrogantly refusing.

Enjoying the look of frustration on Cheng Yan's face, Duke Garava wore a triumphant smile, feeling immensely pleased.

Oh, isn't this the Alliance's foolish foreign minister? Come begging to the Empire? That humble demeanor doesn't suit you, does it?

Of course, if he sincerely knelt and begged, he might graciously consider it.

After all, printing Xilan dollars was just a matter of His Majesty's lips moving.

Seeing the petty triumph of this man, Cheng Yan's brow twitched violently, but he restrained his temper.

This was a public place after all. If a dog bit you, you couldn't bite back on all fours.

The esteemed Administrator had asked him to do his best, not to throw away the Alliance's dignity. Since the Empire was taking this stance, there was no need to force it.

"Very well."

With these light words, he bypassed the smug Garava and walked toward the other end of the corridor.

Watching Cheng Yan walk away, Garava was momentarily at a loss, his arrogant expression freezing on his face.

What the hell?

Wasn't he going to try harder?

It wasn't that he wouldn't lend.

Besides, becoming the Alliance's creditor would be a fine thing for the Empire.

"Wait—"

He reached out to call him back, but the figure had already disappeared at the end of the corridor. He withdrew his hand in annoyance.

"Ungrateful wretch!"

Garava cursed angrily, shook his sleeve, and left this troublesome place.

Watching Duke Garava walk away, the envoys who had just emerged from the meeting room exchanged glances and couldn't help but mock.

"Is that guy here for diplomacy or to break off relations?"

"Who knows. Xilan."

"I've never understood how this fool got in."

"You'd have to ask the Vlandians. They brought him in."

Hearing the chatter, Benoît remained silent, his face dark, waiting for Duke Garava to get farther away before leaving the meeting room.

He had indeed brought the man in, but he hadn't expected him to be this useless.

The representative from the Enterprise, seeing Benoît's grim expression, couldn't resist poking fun.

"Your ally?"

"Get lost."

Benoît turned and glared at the Enterprise representative, who wasn't offended. Laughing heartily, he walked away, leaving Benoît grinding his teeth alone.

For the parties of the Conclave, the friction in the corridor was just a minor episode, not affecting the course of the subsequent meetings.

After all, Duke Garava's blunders were nothing new. Everyone had grown accustomed to his consistent performance.

When the day comes that he behaves normally, or the Xilan Empire suddenly wakes up and sends someone sensible, that might be worth pondering.

After the day's work was done, Cheng Yan reported the news to Chu Guang, who listened and said nothing, merely sighing with a faint regret.

"A pity. They were clever this time."

The Alliance was no longer what it had been; indeed, trying to fleece them with old tricks was proving difficult.

It made sense, when he thought about it.

Given the Alliance's current scale, even a year ago, the foolish Lord Hide would have hesitated to lend them money, wondering if he'd ever see it back.

Better to let the South Sea Alliance, that smaller player, do the fleecing.

Watching Chu Guang's wistful expression, Cheng Yan cleared his throat with a subtle cough.

"You might be mistaken... Perhaps that Galava wasn't thinking that far; he just stumbled into avoiding the trap you set. I'm certain every word he said was off the cuff."

Amused by the remark, Chu Guang laughed heartily.

"Don't say that... And never underestimate your opponents. They may have taken a wrong turn now, but who knows about the future? They might yet do something earth-shattering. At least in my eyes, the survivors on this wasteland all have that potential."

Though he had no doubt about the Administrator's words, Cheng Yan, after dealing with the Xilan Empire for so long, had failed to form a single good impression. He could only sigh softly.

"Perhaps."

...

At the same time Cheng Yan was reporting to Chu Guang, another duke of the Empire, Nihak, was drinking himself into a stupor at the North Island Grand Hotel, the most luxurious establishment on the island.

Like North Island Heavy Industries, the North Island Grand Hotel was part of Charlas's legacy. Though the civil war wasn't over, the man was already dreaming of post-war order, and this hotel was meant to host guests from various survivor factions.

A month ago, the Asset Liquidation Committee auctioned off the property, and it was bought by a tourism company registered on Ring Island, reopening for business.

At the finest hotel on North Island, with General Li Minghui, the war hero of the South Sea Alliance, personally accompanying him, Nihak was drinking with abandon.

But as his spirits soared, so did his loose tongue.

"...With your valor, General Li, it's a shame you won't serve a few more years as president."

Startled, Li Minghui quickly said, "Let's just drink. Don't say such things."

Seeing Li Minghui's tense expression, Duke Nihak laughed heartily. "I know, it's because of the Alliance, isn't it? Fine, I'll say no more. Come, let me toast you!"

Watching those shrewd little eyes, Li Minghui sighed inwardly.

How did he manage it?

Utterly clueless, yet pretending to see through everything, and thinking no one noticed his little game.

But he didn't expose the duke. Instead, he sighed as if burdened, playing along.

"...Our situation is different from yours. People here are petty and ungrateful. When they need me, they call me 'General'; when Charlas shows up, they hide behind me; when they don't need me, they badmouth me, wishing they could bury me with Charlas."

Duke Nihak fixed his gaze on Li Minghui and suddenly spoke.

"A brilliant general like you, unable to shine on the battlefield, constantly held back—it's truly a pity! How about this: come to Xilan and be our commander? I can promise you, if you come to the Empire, His Majesty will treat you well! Whatever force you command here, you can have five times that there!"

Seeing Nihak's five raised fingers, Li Minghui nearly choked on his own saliva. He coughed dryly and said hastily, "That's not necessary... But if you're interested, I could introduce a few young naval lads to you. They'd make fine advisors."

He was just venting; did the man really think he was so marginalized in the South Sea Alliance?

Ridiculous!

He was a war hero, after all!

Barring accidents, he'd serve as Navy Commander until retirement, with no interest in quitting to become some zoo's captain.

But he didn't mind picking a couple of young men from the naval system to send over. There wouldn't be much fighting in the southern seas from now on.

As for the Empire, they'd likely have plenty of battles ahead. And once their navy was trained, they couldn't keep sailing those broken fishing boats bought from Silver Moon Bay, could they?

He might as well sell them a few destroyers later.

Strip the radar, sonar, fire control, and all that clutter, and they'd just be oversized toys. He wasn't worried about trouble, and it would help employ idle engineers from the South Sea Alliance—the Representative Council would be pleased.

Duke Nihak's face lit up with joy.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course... though the Representative Council isn't easy to fool. I'll have to keep them happy before they agree."

Li Minghui had said it casually, testing the waters, but his offhand remark struck a chord with Governor Nihak.

Unable to hide his delight, Duke Nihak slapped his thigh. "That's easy! I can offer you another loan of ten billion Xilan dollars!"

If they could get military advisors today, couldn't they buy warships tomorrow?

Nihak's eyes reddened with excitement; the chance to redeem himself seemed within reach.

Li Minghui had no idea what he was thinking, but he hadn't expected the Empire to be so generous, throwing out another ten billion on the spot.

After a moment of stunned silence, he raised his glass with newfound respect.

"On behalf of the residents of the South Sea Alliance, I thank you for your generosity!"

"Haha! No need for formalities, General. Just a token of goodwill!" Nihak waved dismissively. "The Empire doesn't lack this money. Consider it a gesture of friendship!"

Watching that ecstatic grin, Li Minghui smiled faintly, clinked glasses with the duke, and downed his drink in one go, showing his appreciation.

Doesn't lack this money, huh...

So I'm the beggar?

Tsk.

But to be fair, this begging wasn't so shabby.

Though these bastards talked like nails on a chalkboard, when it came to handing over cash, they didn't hesitate—just a string of zeros.

For the sake of those hundreds of millions in silver coins—oh, that ten billion Xilan dollars—he suddenly found the duke a bit less insufferable.

After eating and drinking his fill, Li Minghui had his secretary drive Duke Nihak to the port district.

The duke seemed allergic to the Alliance, insisting on staying aboard the Empire's ship, refusing to set foot in any hotel on shore.

As for Li Minghui, he didn't even move from his seat. He called a waiter to clear the table and started his next meeting.

It saved trouble and money.

The man he was about to see was none other than the representative of the new Mammoth State authorities, named Weilu.

The young man was barely over twenty, but his face bore a rare composure for his age, and his upright posture marked him as a trained soldier.

Frankly, though the Mammoth State authorities brought far less benefit to the South Sea Alliance than the two hundred billion from Xilan, Li Minghui found himself preferring this handsome young man over Duke Nihak's nouveau riche demeanor.

Watching Weilu pour him a drink, Li Minghui smiled faintly, intrigued.

"Aren't you curious about who I just met?"

Wei Lu respectfully clinked glasses with Li Minghui, drained his drink in one gulp, set the cup down on the table, and said with an air of indifference.

"No need to ask, it must be Mr. Nihark."

Li Minghui smiled.

"You're a Moon Clan man—don't you hate him?"

Wei Lu's expression remained unchanged as he continued in a casual tone.

"There's nothing to hate. We settle our conflicts with them on the battlefield; that has nothing to do with our friendship."

Li Minghui stared at his face for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Haha! Young man, you've got backbone! To be honest, it's your Laxi who's more to my liking. Me, I'm sick to death of those chatterboxes who drone on in my ear all day, as if they could talk Charas to death..."

At this point, he clutched his wine glass and stared off into space for a long while, then let out a sigh and shook his head gently.

"But sometimes I feel I really can't do without those bastards..."

"You're right, sir. Our leader knows full well that those men aren't cut out for fighting, but some things can't be done without them, so he keeps them in the army... Your glass is empty—allow me to toast you again." Wei Lu said respectfully, picking up the bottle to refill Li Minghui's glass, but the latter pushed his hand away.

"Courtesy demands reciprocity."

Seeing Wei Lu's surprised expression, Li Minghui smiled at him, poured a glass for each of them, downed his casually, and continued.

"You're more likable than that Nihark, so I'll give you a little extra hint: the Empire isn't just planning to sell us cement and steel—they also want to import some naval advisors from us... including naval equipment, I think they're quite interested in that too."

Wei Lu's face grew slightly somber.

It wasn't the Empire's navy he feared—that couldn't sail up the Tasan River, at most it would loiter near Mammoth City.

They had already leased a stretch of land near the coast to the believers of Silver Moon Bay, and many there had ties to the Alliance. Even if the Empire wanted to bomb the port, they'd have to weigh the consequences.

In the end, the outcome would still be decided on land.

What truly worried him was something else—

"Are they already that wealthy?"

Li Minghui laughed heartily.

"I doubt it—just putting on a brave front. Their Xilan currency isn't exactly hot property; we'd have to go to some trouble to offload it. You're a soldier, and so am I, so I won't beat around the bush. The Alliance banks offered us 100 Xilan coins for 1 silver coin—the upside is they can take it all at once, the downside is the price is ridiculously low! We also contacted the banks at Golden Gallon Port, which are actually run by Alliance people and their puppets. Their quote is a bit better—80 to 1—but they'll only take 5 billion... after all, they just helped the Baiyue Company digest a batch of Xilan coins, so they're temporarily saturated."

In fact, it wasn't just the Baiyue Company—they'd also helped some local old nobles convert Xilan coins into Gallons. He knew all this through his secretary.

At Fries Port, many merchants traveled between Golden Gallon Port and the Baiyue Strait. You could just sit at a bar near the docks or ask the waitstaff, and you'd find out.

Wei Lu's pupils flickered as he keenly sensed the opportunity this soldier-turned-president was offering him.

"How much do you have left?"

Li Minghui, still smiling at this perceptive young man, continued.

"We've already transferred 4 billion to private banks in the Alliance, and another 4 billion at Golden Gallon Port. After deducting what we spent on construction materials, we have 1 billion left. But just now, Nihark sent us another 10 billion, so now we're holding 11 billion Xilan coins."

Wei Lu looked troubled.

"That's too much... 1 billion would be manageable, but 10 billion is difficult for us too—we need silver coins for reconstruction."

The Mammoth State authorities had a reserve of silver coins, and the labor dispatch company also settled in silver coins, with a monthly profit of 10 million silver coins.

Wei Lu understood exactly what President Li Minghui meant: he wanted to pay part of the wages in Xilan coins, effectively offloading some of them.

In exchange, Mammoth State could get a favorable exchange rate—anything better than the Alliance private banks' 1:100 was negotiable.

Though neighboring states had imposed an embargo on Mammoth State, the port of Golden Gallon could still offload Xilan coins.

As long as the Empire existed, Xilan coins held value—at least far more than the Southern Ocean Alliance's "Federal Currency."

If that was hard to grasp, think of Xilan coins as "soybean vouchers," "cotton vouchers," "sugar vouchers," or "mineral tickets."

The Mammoth State authorities didn't need to worry about ending up with worthless paper; they could even make a "spread" from it.

The only problem was that the primary resources Xilan coins could buy weren't what Mammoth State needed. Without a strong military backing, they had no time to develop light industry from making shirts, let alone to flip bulk commodities.

But just then, a thought struck Wei Lu, and he asked eagerly.

"Can you get the Xilan Empire's cement and steel at a discount?"

Li Minghui nodded approvingly.

"Yes... and it's produced by the legions—flawless quality, ridiculously cheap. But honestly, there's so much of it that it takes up space. We can't possibly digest their inventory in the short term, unless we decide to build a fourteenth artificial island."

"We need steel and cement!" Wei Lu said, eyes gleaming. "We can pay you in silver coins, you pay the Empire's factories in Xilan coins, and then reload the surplus cement and steel at Golden Gallon Port to ship to us."

What could be transferred wasn't just currency, but also the preferential terms attached to the loan agreement. The Southern Ocean Alliance didn't need to do anything—just pass the Empire's half-price coupons to the Mammoth State authorities, who also needed reconstruction.

Even if they made no profit on the spread, it didn't matter. Government agencies weren't profit-driven; they didn't need to think about making money.

As long as they could quickly convert "useless Xilan coins in the southern seas" into "silver coins to pay Southern Ocean Alliance employees," that would be a remarkable achievement.

Watching this flexible young man, Li Minghui's eyes grew increasingly approving.

This lad had good instincts.

It seemed the Zoo Province could produce a couple of talents after all.

"Then it's settled. Our bank will provide you with infrastructure materials at 50% of market price—actually, that's the same discount the Empire gave us. Since you've suffered a disaster, I'd be embarrassed to skim any profit from you... Of course, this deal depends on the Empire not canceling our discount. Whether the Council will agree to use the property of southern sea survivors to subsidize a place they can't find on a map—please understand that."

"Thank you so much!" Wei Lu's face lit up with surprise. He quickly stood, holding his glass with both hands respectfully. "Thank you for your generosity to the survivors of Mammoth State... Allow me to toast you!"

Seeing Wei Lu drain his glass, Li Minghui smiled, waved his hand saying "You're welcome," and then raised his own glass and downed it.

For him, this meal was far more enjoyable than the last.

At the same time, Nihark, who had just gotten out of the car at the port area, was drunkenly bidding farewell to the secretary who had accompanied him, supported by his attendants as he returned to the ship.

As he passed the deck, a cool breeze brushed his neck, making him shiver involuntarily. He glanced around warily.

All around was calm waves; no one was watching him, and no Alliance guard regiment lay in ambush.

Realizing he was being paranoid, Nihark's old face flushed, but he still muttered a curse under his breath.

"This damned Alliance..."

Meanwhile, the secretary who had seen off Nihark returned to the North Island Grand Hotel and happened to meet the president downstairs, who had just seen off the Mammoth State envoy.

After his secretary returned, Li Minghui got into the car and, while instructing him to drive to the presidential palace, briefly explained the agreement reached with the Mammoth State authorities.

"...Draw up the contract as soon as possible. Discuss the details with my advisors to see if anything needs to be added."

The secretary nodded seriously but hesitated.

"Is it fair to the Empire to sign such a contract with the Mammoth State authorities?"

"Fair?" As if hearing something hilarious, Li Minghui gave a cold, mirthless snort.

"That bastard Siwen talks a lot of nonsense, but one thing he said is absolutely right. The Alliance is good in many ways, but too merciful. Being civilized to people is fine, but being civilized to animals... is a waste."

"Even in Ideal City, money isn't everything. Yet a slave owner, after just a few days of good living, thinks money can buy anything... Hmph."

Watching the nightscape flash past the window, he said slowly.

"They said they don't lack money, did they? Then let them learn a lesson."

To be honest, Nihark should count himself lucky that he was dealing with him, and not with that Charas, who had been burned to ashes by the southern sea residents.

If that guy had won the civil war, he'd probably have poured wine on Nihark's head on the spot, humiliated him thoroughly, then bombarded the Empire's port to rubble with naval guns, set fire all the way to his hometown in Tiangong, and asked him face-to-face just what "don't lack money" really meant.

Just as Li Minghui curled his lip and cast aside the affairs of the empire, the recently flood-ravaged Mammoth Province burst into raging flames once more...