Chapter 26: An Unexpected Surprise

"Did you all receive the message as well?"

"What? The Xia Empire is asking you for steel resources too?"

"What's going on? The Xia Empire is usually an exporter. They’re rich in land and resources, especially steel. Why would they..."

For a moment, all the high-level officials from the participating countries were utterly astonished.

Almost simultaneously, they had each received a message from the Xia Empire. The exact amounts varied, but without exception, all requests were for purchasing steel.

"This is strange," Putin scratched his head in confusion. "What exactly is the Xia Empire up to? I've also received a message—they want to purchase a hundred million tons of steel from the Free States."

"Such a massive purchase... Everyone, please report how much steel Xia has requested from you," Putin said as he picked up his pen and began to jot down the figures.

"The Xia Empire wants sixty million tons from Turtlefield."

"Italy has been asked for fifty million tons..."

One by one, the heads of state reported the numbers sent by the Xia Empire.

After a long while, Putin set down his pen and, gazing at the numbers on the sheet before him, his expression grew complicated.

"In total, one and a half billion tons of steel."

"And this move by the Xia Empire is no accident. The numbers correspond directly to our national strengths. To be frank, even though the Free States' global dominance has waned somewhat in recent years, we still have reserves of a hundred and ten million tons of steel, and Xia just so happens to ask for a hundred million."

"The numbers for the rest of you nearly match your entire national steel reserves as well."

"So... what exactly is the Xia Empire trying to do?" Putin frowned deeply.

"Heh, do we even need to ask?" Turtlefield’s leader, Kameda, sneered. "We were just discussing their intentions!"

"They’re putting on a show!"

"First, they hold a press conference to stir up panic, then they hunt for resources, pretending to prepare for the so-called descent of the gods!"

"If we believe them, we’ll be dragged along by their scheme, our national strength sapped!"

"So, this mass steel acquisition is just another act in their performance, meant to convince us!"

At these words, the other leaders nodded in agreement.

"Exactly."

"The Xia Empire’s wolfish ambitions are plain to see."

"Heh, they’re really going all out with this performance."

Seeing his view affirmed, Kameda continued, "If you ask me, we simply ignore them and see what else they can do."

"As long as we don’t respond or get influenced—"

"—then the only ones losing out will be the Xia Empire!"

"They must know full well we’d never sell them so much steel. They're just trying to heighten our anxiety!"

The room was filled with nods from the assembled officials.

But among them, only John, the head of the United Kingdom, shook his head slightly.

He flipped through the Art of War on the table, his eyes flashing with intelligence. In a deep voice he said, "No, that’s not right."

"Kameda’s proposal is indeed prudent."

"But I think we should simply sell the steel to the Xia Empire!"

A hush of shock fell over the assembly.

"What?!"

"John, have you lost your mind?"

"Do you know how much steel they’re asking for? It's nearly all the strategic reserves of every nation!"

"They claim it’s to resist the gods, but if the Xia Empire gets that steel... who knows what they’ll do with it! If they use it to manufacture weapons and expand their military, their power will only grow stronger!"

"Then we’ll truly be in trouble!"

"Steel resources are vital to a nation, John, you of all people should know that."

"If we hand it over, it’s like arming them to attack us!"

The objections rang out from every corner.

John waited for the room to settle, then spoke quietly, "I understand the importance of steel resources."

"But hear me out."

"What if we insist the Xia Empire pay the full international market value, in equivalent goods or currency? Even if we’re willing to sell, can they afford it?"

"They’ll pay a heavy price."

"And turning steel into weapons takes time."

"One and a half billion tons of steel... with Xia’s industrial capacity, it would take decades to convert it all into military force!"

"So selling them the steel won’t strengthen their military overnight; instead, it will severely drain their resources!"

"If we stand united, even with all that steel, the Xia Empire wouldn’t dare provoke a war in the short term!"

"And if they insist on keeping up the act, buying our steel will only further exhaust their strength."

"At worst, they simply can't afford it! In the end, they’ll just end up shooting themselves in the foot."

Putin, still confused, asked bluntly, "What’s your real point?"

John’s eyes glinted coldly. "If they can't pay the full price, we’ll have a just cause to unite and declare war on the Xia Empire! At that point, other countries, and world opinion, will be on our side."

"After all, as their own proverb says, debts must be repaid—it's only right and proper!"

"And even if they do pay, their military strength won’t soar in the near term; instead, their economy will be crippled by the purchase."

"As for us—even without massive steel reserves, our existing military power won’t decline overnight."

"This is our chance to strike at Xia!"

John stood up, his excitement palpable.

"Gentlemen."

"Steel can always be produced again."

"But the chance to strike against the Xia Empire comes only once!"

A heavy silence fell over the room.

After a long pause, Putin finally tapped the tabletop. "Let’s proceed as John suggests."

"Remind the Xia Empire that they must pay the full international market value."

"If not, we will not hesitate to unite and take military action!"

He smiled coldly. "Heh, the Xia Empire’s performance is about to backfire spectacularly."

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

Shang Weitian, the head of commerce who had previously interacted with Lin Fan, was deep in discussion with Chen Yan.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

Bzzzz...

Shang Weitian answered, exchanged a few words, and then turned to Chen Yan, face alight with excitement. "The other countries have responded!"

"They’ve all agreed to sell us steel at the international market price! And they haven’t reduced the quantities, either!"

"That means, with this one and a half billion tons, plus our own five hundred million tons in reserve, we’ll have enough for the Steel Wall!"

Chen Yan’s eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really!"

"This is odd," Chen Yan said, delighted but still incredulous. "Why would those countries agree to sell us so much steel?"

The surprise was almost too much to process.