"We have no choice but to use our trump card."
"Sometimes, people do silly things because they're too full. The best way to deal with it is to let them go hungry, so they won't care about politics."
Wu Ming and Zhou Sen turned to look at Wei Tuozhi, both of them looking very surprised.
Why are you looking at me?
"Team Leader Wei, you should go into politics."
...
The embassy announced sanctions against Zibao three days later!
Having received word of the situation, the grain crocodiles handed over their stockpiles to the Old City forces, transported away the grain, and cut off the grain transport routes from the eastern region and the Old City direction—truckloads of synthetic starch and natural crops.
Food prices in Purple Castle have started to soar!
The citizens' march did not last more than a few days before it disappeared without a trace.
The entire Purple Castle exuded a deathly atmosphere.
Bang!
Yao Yunli smashed the cup, his face full of anger.
"Our reserves are running low. Although the enemy can't interfere with the food supply of Wall One, it can only barely supply 60% of the population of Purple Castle. The remaining 40% will starve to death soon."
"Several factories have already announced shutdowns, and we can't hold on for much longer."
Yao Yunli asked, "What about those grain crocodiles?"
“They have already defected to the Old City. They control the granaries in Sandcastle, the Old City, and other places. They can even cut off the grain transported from Wall One. The farmland we control is not enough to feed so many people. Something terrible will happen.”
As Yao Yunli listened to his secretary's report, his veins bulged.
Unexpectedly, the other party was so tough, willing to let the citizens go hungry in order to force him to cooperate.
How are the negotiations going?
The secretary pondered for a moment, then hesitated and said, "The other party has put forward new conditions. They need us to send technical personnel to the eastern region to help them train talent and build more factories. They have also offered many generous conditions, such as being able to obtain their raw materials at the lowest price. Furthermore, they have found manufacturers and are seeking a new round of cooperation, promising to help them raise funds. They want to build a complete arms factory system in the eastern region."
"As for the final profit, it'll be split 40/60..."
"They have six, we have four."
It’s over…
It's all over.
Yao Yunli slumped in his chair, his eyes glazed over.
Originally, he intended to rely on the inherent advantages of Purple Castle and to unite with merchants in the upstream and downstream of the industry chain to form a huge force to fight against the Old City.
This gives Zibao more leverage in negotiations, allowing them to gain more benefits.
He even instigated protests in an attempt to persuade the Old Town to concede defeat.
Who would have thought they would be so ruthless, preferring to cut off the food supply rather than back down!
Yao Yunli gave a helpless, bitter smile.
It seems the other party is clearly aiming to take over Purple Castle's manufacturing plant.
"Go ahead and arrange our meeting. I will go in person this time."
"yes."
The secretary sighed, knowing that his leader was finally willing to compromise.
Recent protests, strikes, and food shortages have caused widespread panic, and even the military has been deployed several times. All this was for the sake of this negotiation between the two sides, who were throwing cards at each other, with Zibao ultimately losing out.
It was still the familiar council chamber.
The three of them walked in and saw Yao Yunli again.
He gave a wry smile and said, "You have won. Please restore the food supply. My citizens cannot work on an empty stomach."
Wei Tuozhi smiled and said, "Of course, but before that, Mr. Yao might as well hear our terms."
Yao Yunli shook his head and said, "I had already heard about the conditions you offered. However, Ziguang is the culmination of my father and my life's work, and the arsenal system in the southwest region was also built by me. At first, I was indeed unwilling to hand it over to you so easily."
The three of them remained silent, staring at him.
"I agree to all your conditions. If Ziguang can expand into the eastern firearms market, it won't be bad for me either," Yao Yunli said with a wry smile.
"Then, Mr. Yao, it's a pleasure to cooperate with you."
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
...
When the telegram reached the old city, Qin Che was overjoyed.
"I knew it, they would definitely be fine."
Lina laughed and said, "You should be glad that you sent them instead of killing Yao Yunli directly, but instead they actually negotiated properly."
Qin Che: ……
Li Mi laughed and said, "Congratulations, sir. In this way, the southwest region will be ours. With Boiler City and Purple Fortress surrendering, the remaining dozen or so cities will all submit to you."
"Zibao needs to be closely monitored and familiarized with Tsinghua Unigroup's manufacturing plans as soon as possible. The technicians sent to the eastern region should be treated well. As for the manufacturers and suppliers, tell them that as long as they cooperate well, they can all get a share of the profits."
Li Mi laughed and said, "My lord, you hold the power over grain; would they dare to disobey you?"
Qin Che sighed, "Such methods cannot be used lightly, because every time they are used, they touch the red line deep in people's hearts. When they can no longer tolerate it, uprisings will break out all over the desert."
Synthetic starch has now been widely available in the eastern region, allowing many people to have enough to eat and no longer suffer from hunger.
With the support of the old city's robust livestock industry, a food system has been gradually built up in Sandcastle.
It can even rival Wall One and the Oasis Alliance.
Ultimately, the winner will be the new food born from new technologies.
Cutting off food supplies was a last resort.
Rather than a bargaining chip for arbitrary and reckless actions.
Qin Che may stop at nothing to achieve his goals, but if it comes at the expense of countless people's hunger, he will still feel some guilt.
Qin Che stood up and said, "Everything here is settled. I need to go back immediately to take care of some personal matters."
The Black Disaster, the secrets of the Old Spirit King and the First Prince...
He must investigate thoroughly before cooperating with the royal family!
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