Jiang Beilu sighed and remained silent.

Through numerous clues, they discovered Ren Pingsheng's channels for contacting the World Chamber of Commerce via telegram.

However, Ren Pingsheng was very good at hiding things. They had found the channels, but they didn't know where they led.

“There’s a traitor among us… the Chamber of Commerce’s eyes and ears.”

"Hehe, you've even taken a seat in the Grand Secretary's seat. You're really good at hiding your talents."

"What do we do now? The desert people have misunderstood and think we're planning to steal their technology."

The three of them started discussing it.

Yuan Lingyi snorted and rolled her eyes, saying, "The desert people's technology is not complete either. If we have that incomplete technology, we'll have to contribute."

Jiang Beilu said, "It doesn't seem that simple. Our envoys have gathered a lot of information. They say that their research institute has been acting suspiciously lately, and we can find out from the Executive Yuan that they have started a lot of new projects."

Chen Chizhang asked, "Didn't the document say anything?"

Jiang Beilu shook his head: "They didn't reveal any new information. It seems like they're reorganizing and restructuring the original project research, which suggests they're planning something big."

Yuan Lingyi frowned and said, "No way... do the desert people want to develop their technology independently?"

"It must have been dug out from some underground shelter again," Jiang Beilu sighed heavily.

Because of the 'Reboot' plan, there are shelters everywhere in the desert, just like their 'Wall No. 10,' which used to be an ecological park for those in blue coats to live in. For two centuries, the desert people and those in blue coats have been from the same ancestor, sharing the same lineage.

The cabinet members know something about the restart plan.

It's simply that after the catastrophe, humanity tried to preserve the essence of their civilization.

Beneath every shelter lie many good things.

Technology, culture, history... and so on.

It's impossible to say they don't want it.

Previously, the desert people intended to open up their technology, but the South China Sea wanted more benefits, so they delayed the negotiation date. Now that they have gone back on their word, the deal has fallen through, and the South China Sea has suffered a huge loss.

The deal fell through.

Then the Chamber of Commerce arrived.

This disrupted the elders' plans...

"Even if that's true, the desert people don't have the ability to develop and research independently. Their technology is too backward. It would be impossible for them to develop on their own in less than several decades."

Chen Chizhang's stance remains one of seeking cooperation.

At the very least, the South China Sea can help desert dwellers establish a complete technology chain.

They have the support of the Chamber of Commerce, and after so many years, they have a complete technology chain, which can be used as leverage to take over the country.

“What if they refuse again?” Yuan Lingyi asked.

Jiang Beilu pondered, "The Chamber of Commerce has already headed south, and their team is probably on their way. It should only take them a few days to get here. If they refuse again, it will be an opposition to the Chamber of Commerce. At that point, our position will be very awkward, and the relationship we've built with the desert for so long will be shattered."

Yuan Lingyi and Chen Chizhang exchanged a glance.

One is a hawk, the other a dove.

They might not necessarily not want to see that day.

The Garden of Gods is a fertile land. Qin Che helped them clear out the raiders, so they couldn't very well ask for anything.

The arrival of the Chamber of Commerce will change everything.

The two of them sighed in unison.

Yuan Lingyi smiled and said, "Then let nature take its course."

Chen Chizhang shook his head with a worried expression, then got up and left.

Jiang Beilu said, "I'll send someone to handle the negotiations."

“I’m in charge of investigating the mole within our ranks, and I’m very curious to know who he might be,” Yuan Lingyi said meaningfully.

"You probably already have someone in mind, don't you?"

At this moment, even a fool could guess who this youngest Grand Secretary suspected...

That person's face had already appeared in both of their minds...

Because it is the most reasonable and in his best interest for him to do this.

...

After some time had passed.

Beneath the ring bridge, an army appeared outside the city, landing in jet-powered aircraft.

This aircraft is not any particular type; it is rectangular and strip-shaped with only two short wings extending from the sides, giving it a very mechanical feel. Various nuts and steel bars are welded together, and two pilots sit inside the front window.

With a hiss, the hatch opened, releasing a cloud of steam.

A group of people jumped down from above, all dressed in the same black uniforms, with the Chamber of Commerce's emblem on their chests. It was the logo of a multinational corporation in the old world, a huge company. After centuries of changes, the mysterious emblem emitted a faint metallic luster.

They carried long black guns, very advanced weapons, and each of them was serious and stern as they surrounded a middle-aged man as he disembarked from the aircraft.

The Grand Secretary came to pick him up personally.

Chen Chizhang, leaning on his cane, walked up to him, shook his hand, and said with a broad smile, "Welcome, envoy, to the south."

"Grand Secretary Chen, it's been years since we last met. Your legs..."

"Hehe, I'm old and useless now," Chen Chizhang said with a laugh, waving his hand self-deprecatingly.

This middle-aged man is named Yin Xuan, an important member of the Chamber of Commerce. His grandfather was from Nanhai, but his father's generation started doing business. After accumulating capital, he joined the Chamber of Commerce and, through the efforts of two generations, finally became the general manager.

Yin Xuan is now over fifty years old, but in front of the Grand Secretaries, he is still a young man.

Yuan Lingyi was also among the crowd.

Yin Xuan looked at him with great curiosity and smiled, "I've long heard that the cabinet has selected a promising young talent, is that you?"

Yuan Lingyi nodded slightly, behaving quite politely.

Even a high-ranking official would still treat the envoy sent by the Chamber of Commerce's president with great courtesy.

They are guests.

Chen Chizhang said, "Envoy, please come with us. We have prepared a guest room for you, the one with the best view from the top of the bridge. Don't leave now, stay for a couple more years."

Yin Xuan chuckled: "I came here on a mission, and I'd like to stay longer, but I'm afraid you'll find me annoying."

The elders remained silent.