Chapter 412.1: Eclipse, This Is Our Opportunity!

Zhao Yongxu finally had the opportunity to talk with Chu Guang as night fell.

In the City Hall of Dawn City, a group of people sat formally around the conference table.

Facing the administrator of the New Alliance across the table, Zhao Yongxu had expected tough negotiations, but the reality was beyond his expectations.

He hadn't anticipated reaching a consensus with the New Alliance so quickly.

"... The five major corporations plan to set up offices in Dawn City. We intend to plan a street for embassies in the eastern district. If you're interested, we can allocate a plot of land, 50 by 50 meters for your consulate."

Zhao Yongxu heard the proposal from across the table, surprising the envoys from Boulder Town.

"When did they negotiate this..." A militia officer muttered under his breath, echoing the confusion of many.

The envoys from the inner city exchanged looks and whispered among themselves, likely exchanging opinions.

Zhao Yongxu's expression remained unchanged.

To be honest, he thought 250 square meters was a bit small, but it wasn't unacceptable. After all, he wasn't going to live there.

Moreover, having the consulate next to the Enterprise’s offices was only beneficial for Boulder Town.

Clearing his throat, he pondered for a moment before nodding. "I think that's possible... Additionally, I'd like to discuss..."

"Regarding the Heart of Steel, we will not enter your airspace, but we reserve the right to freely navigate within our own airspace," Chu Guang continued firmly. "The residents of Boulder Town need security, and so do the residents of Dawn City. The New Alliance will not become anyone's vassal. Equality is the premise of our dialogue."

Zhao Yongxu's brow twitched, and he took a deep breath. "At the very least, you must limit the use of 400mm cannons in the city center."

He didn't even realize he had softened his tone to speak to Chu Guang.

Tapping his finger lightly on the table, Chu Guang thought for a moment and replied. "Agreed, but not during the period of a Tide."

The production cost of a 400mm shell was equivalent to 100 100mm shells. He had no intention of wasting ammunition.

In fact, even during the surge, using a 400mm main gun was far from economical.

In the complex urban terrain, the effectiveness of large-caliber artillery was significantly diminished by marginal effects. Even if a deep hole was blasted in a street, the adjacent buildings might not be affected.

And Slime Mold, like the undead skeleton soldiers and players, had no concept of morale, so the psychological deterrence of heavy artillery was ineffective.

As for the Tide that would come once a year... Rather than testing cannons, it was better left as a server event for players.

"... Alright, except during the Tide, since Slimd Mold are our common enemy." Having reluctantly made a concession, Zhao Yongxu finally felt a weight lifted off his shoulders after discussing the sensitive issue...

The second agenda item also reached consensus. The most contentious issue was resolved quicker than he had expected.

Just as he was about to raise the last issue he brought to the New Alliance, Chu Guang already voiced what was on his mind. "Additionally, regarding our future relations..."

Surprised, Zhao Yongxu instinctively sat up straighter.

Chu Guang paused briefly, then continued, "To enhance trust between us and to eliminate suspicions among neighbors, we plan to convene a Survivor Union Conference on the last day of December each year."

It was just before New Year, which could be combined with the New Alliance's New Year's Eve party.

It was a date they chose after discussions with other important members of the New Alliance.

Zhao Yongxu, having never heard of such a thing, asked subconsciously, "What is that?"

Chu Guang patiently explained, "It's a high-level summit covering politics, economy, culture, diplomacy, military, and more. Simply put, we tell you what we plan to do next year. You can also tell us what you plan to do. If we happen to have the same ideas, we'll work together. If not, no worries; we seek common ground while reserving differences. We’ll do our own things without interfering with each other."

It sounded interesting, and Zhao Yongxu formed a clever idea. He started to rub his chin as he sank deep in thought.

Politically, he was not very knowledgeable, but from a military standpoint, the value of intelligence was undeniable.

Although he couldn't make the decision, he believed the city lord would gladly accept the administrator’s proposal.

Thinking of the implications, Zhao Yongxu nodded generously and said with a smile, "That's a good idea! I will convey it to the city lord."

Chu Guang smiled faintly. He could roughly guess what Zhao Yongxu was thinking but chose to not point it out. After a moment, he asked again, "Anything else?"

"Yes..." Zhao Yongxu opened his mouth to speak but suddenly realized he had nothing left to say.

He only had three issues he had to deal with.

The issue with establishing his embassy was resolved.

The security issue was addressed with the New Alliance's commitment not to use 400mm cannons in the city under non-essential circumstances.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Although it was a typical platitude, expecting further concessions was unrealistic. Even he, who supported a hardline approach to the New Alliance, couldn't think of a better outcome.

The issue of long-term relations was settled with the establishment of a permanent communication mechanism. The plan proposed by the administrator was clearly better than what Dulong proposed.

Zhao Yongxu suddenly felt slightly confused. He felt like he had been seen through.

Can this guy read minds?

Gulping, he quickly changed his tone. "Okay... That’s all."

"It seems we've reached a consensus." Chu Guang nodded, closed the notebook he had barely written in, and looked towards one of the nearby attendants..

Understanding the cue, the member approached and distributed a letter to each of the six people sitting across the table.

Zhao Yongxu frowned as he looked at the letter in his hand. "What is this?"

"A banquet invitation."

"A banquet?"

Seeing Zhao Yongxu's bewildered expression, Chu Guang smiled faintly and explained, "It's a custom of our shelter. Regardless of the outcome of our discussions, we can't let our guests leave on an empty stomach. There's a banquet at 6:00 tonight in the New Alliance's main hall. If you're not in a hurry, you might as well have some food before heading back."

The envoys at the table exchanged surprised glances and whispered among themselves.

It was especially so for the nobles from the inner city. For them, it was a novel experience.

"A banquet? The northerner bumpk... Survivors actually also hold banquets?"

"What's so strange about that? But I am curious about what they'll bring out at the banquet."

"Grilled lizard tails?"

Banquets were not rare in Boulder Town. Bored nobles often used them to pass the time, whether for birthdays, celebrations for obtaining rare and expensive collectibles, or even just to enjoy a bottle of wine. However, an official banquet, especially one held for diplomatic purposes, was a novel experience for them.

Until a few months ago, they didn't even have a formal Foreign Affairs Department, and all matters concerning the outside world were handled by the city hall of the outer city.

Zhao Yongxu didn't care much about what he would eat later. He was more interested in another matter.

"Will the Enterprise’s representatives also attend?" he asked earnestly.

"Of course, it's actually prepared for them," Chu Guang paused, feeling that his directness might seem a bit blunt, so he added as naturally as possible, "If you had told us in advance, we would have prepared it for you guys as well.”

However, the commander sitting opposite him didn't seem to care about such minor details at all.

His eyes sparkled, and without a half-second's hesitation, he nearly yelled out in excitement, "We will attend!"

He wasn’t alone.

Both military officers and three nobles from the inner city seated beside him were the same. Their eyes were all ablaze with excitement.

Watching their expressions, Chu Guang fell into thought.

It seems he had underestimated the

North African tycoons' yearning for Paris

.

Shit I fuck ed up. If I had known... I would have charged them to attend!

The New Alliance's hall was located in the heart of the main urban area of Dawn City, just across the street from the city hall and players' save point.

The square building, completely constructed of concrete, looked like marble but was actually just coated with a layer of milk-white plaster.

The five-meter-tall archways, large enough for a Deathclaw to enter, were adorned with gear emblems, part of the New Alliance flag and also the most awarded medal by the New Alliance Army.

The simple and majestic aesthetics shared similarities with the New Alliance's weapons, but the interior decoration of the building was another world entirely, nothing vague like the LD-47's machine casing.

The mason's tiles reflected the dome's glittering chandeliers, with several marble sculptures placed in corners. These decorations, scavenged from the wasteland and re-polished and waxed, looked as good as new...

The spacious main banquet hall could accommodate 1,000 people dining simultaneously if all the long tables were set up.

This building and the New Alliance's city hall were constructed at almost the same time, but it was only recently completed and had just been used the night before.

The decorations prepared for the victory celebration hadn't been taken down yet.

Upon receiving the news of the guests for the banquet, the staff of the Hospitality Department immediately gathered people to bring in 12 round tables, removing most of the communal long tables, leaving only two rows along the walls for self-serve drinks, desserts, and cold dishes.

The band that had just attended the celebration the previous night was invited back to perform the same repertoire again.

Sitting at a round table... A corpulent nobleman looked at the menu in his hand, surprised, and scratched the back of his head.

"These blue coats are quite particular."

He had assumed that the food of those northern bumpkins would be as trashy as the fly-infested eateries outside Boulder Town, but it was entirely beyond his expectations.

The dinner menu was diverse.

Cold dishes included sliced chicken, thinly sliced double-headed beef, and garlic cucumber strips were listed, among some others.

Hot dishes included fried fish, braised meatballs, and roast duck...

And a dozen creative dishes, such as salt-baked lantern fish, oil-fried battleship shrimp, Crackleclaw crab cakes, sheep butter potato mash, and monster meat chops would also be served.

The variety was dazzling.

Additionally, there were freshly baked desserts. There were chocolate-sprinkled mushroom clouds emitting a buttery fragrance, little cakes, and seemingly ordinary cookies with hidden surprises...

Standing by a long table on the side of the hall, Sid was astonished, not by the dishes but by the bottle of red wine on the table.

Then, an unfamiliar voice came from beside him. "Judging by the gold embossing on the bottle, this red wine should be from the Gloway Vineyard, its price at least three times its weight in gold. The West Coast is famous for its red wines and dairy products, just like the slaves it produces. Anything they produce rarely crosses the desert to the east... I guess it must be General McClennan's collection."

Sid turned to see a somewhat familiar-looking man standing beside him, but he couldn't quite remember where he had seen him.

Raising an eyebrow, Sid asked, "And you are?"