Xia Fei felt a bit faint. The war with the Death Tri-region had not begun, while any trace of Eden had not appeared, yet the old neighbor of humans was looking to make their move already? Could this be the coming of a turbulent interstellar age?
It was said that the ancients had a vision that the world would descend into an age of chaos, and perhaps it was an inevitable end after thousands of years of peace, for every sign around indicated that this age of chaos was about to arrive.
Lighting a cigarette Xia Fei took a deep drag. “General Williams, since you’ve called me here today, you must have something important to tell me. I’m not someone with loose lips. It’s all quiet here now, so please speak freely.”
“Indeed.” Williams two eyes shone. “Originally, you’d only learn about this some time later, but I consider your circumstances to be rather unique; you’re not too deeply entrenched in the Alliance, so I made the decision to inform you ahead of time so that you’ll be better prepared for it.”
A brief silence passed before Williams said, “Right now, the insectoids’ emissary has already met with the President and the cabinet members.”
Xia Fei was shocked to learn this. “When did this happen? What’s the purpose of their visit?”
Williams smiled. “They claimed that it is to establish trade between the two races. Ever since the thousand-year war, humans and insectoids have been in a state of tense standoff with each other. Aside from the few smuggling cases in the Wild Star Region, there’s hardly been any commercial activity between the two. Now that the insectoids are suddenly suggesting that we reestablish trade, designating the Wild Star Region as a free trade zone, what do you think is the most likely possibility?”
Xia Fei contemplated this information before responding, “Once bilateral trade begins, they will be able to dispatch plenty of spies into the Alliance territory and gather intelligence on us, even directly carrying out military operations on the spot. If I’m guessing it right, this may very well be the prelude to war.”
Williams looked at Xia Fei with satisfaction. “General Tai and I agree with your assessment as well. Do you think that the Alliance government will agree to it?”
Xia Fei replied, “That’ll depend on the conditions offered. The Alliance values trade, and being able to do it with the insectoids is a great choice in the eyes of many businessmen. As long as the conditions set aren’t too ridiculous, the Alliance will surely agree to enact a bilateral trade agreement, though that’ll depend on the military’s attitude toward this. If the military strongly refuses this, the upper echelon of the Alliance will have to consider the relevant stakes involved.”
“Will the military strongly refuse?” Williams asked again.
Xia Fei chuckled. “Of course not. General Tai is a smart man. If the war with the insectoids is unavoidable, then this trade deal will hardly affect the conclusion, so why not use this trade relations opportunity and strike at the insectoids. Of course, the insectoids aren’t about to refrain from capitalizing on the Alliance while it’s in turmoil. In that sense, everyone will start from the same point, and whoever is more ruthless will be the one who holds the upper hand.”
Williams could not help but applaud. “Xia Fei, you’re practically like a parasite in General Tai’s stomach, able to guess everything he’s planning.”
Xia Fei shrugged as he said nonchalantly, “I merely tried imagining what I’d do if I were in his shoes.”
“Yes, it’s exactly as you said. Not only did the military not intervene with this proposal from the emissary, we actually actively endorsed it. Since the enemies have already bared their fangs, all that remains is for us to install our spies right into the belly of the beast,” Williams said emotionlessly.
Xia Fei hummed. “General, what you’ve just said ought to be the most top secret military intelligence, so why did you tell me still? I’m merely a civilian.”
Williams shook his head. “Wrong. You are very much embroiled in this matter.”
“What do you mean?” Xia Fei was puzzled.
Williams answered, “The details of the negotiation are as follows: First, the Wild Star Region will be completely opened up, allowing all businessmen to enter freely. Second, a select portion of our top businessmen will be allowed into their territory and vice versa, going deep into the heart of their region to expand trade.”
Xia Fei responded, “In other words, the Wild Star Region will be designated as a free trade zone, and some businessmen will be given access permits letting them begin developing trade in their territory.
“As such, the Wild Star Region may soon turn into a warzone, where both parties will secretly fight over, making the delegation of businessmen that are first allowed into the insectoid territory the vanguards to the upcoming war.
“You and General Tai held a fairly long discussion with me yesterday; could it be because you wish for me to join this first batch of trade delegates entering the insectoid territory?”
Williams nodded. “Exactly.”
Xia Fei was helpless. “I’m afraid things won’t be that simple. If this is a matter of spying, the military can just send professionals to do it, so why drag people dealing in business along?”
Williams answered, “The highly intelligent insectoids aren’t fools. They requested that the delegates entering their territory should be bosses of their companies, and that stumps us.”
Xia Fei was silent for quite some time. “What a calculated and diabolical move. It’ll be impossible for us to do anything risky easily if the big boss of a top-class company is in their territory, and there are surely a lot of the richest businessmen who will be unwilling to step into insectoid territory, much less get them to develop a spy network or such things secretly, not to mention launching a counterattack on the spot.”
Williams chuckled. “Indeed, we can get our soldiers to act as their entourage when entering the heart of the insectoid territory, but we must first find such top-class businessmen who will be willing to undertake such risks for the military and the Alliance.”
Xia Fei remarked, “Can’t you have men secretly infiltrate the delegation without letting the businessmen know?”
Williams shot the idea down. “It’s not that easy. These delegates will be responsible for trading, so if the insectoids only stay in a place for three days and finish with their work earlier, the spywork, which still needs two more days to finish, will have to be stopped by our intelligence officer no matter what in order to follow the insectoid delegates who’re leaving, and whatever work that’s done, even if it’s close to completion, will have to be abandoned.
“That is why the human delegates will have to be completely aligned with the military, meaning that they must be willing to give up their interests in service of the military.”
Xia Fei said, “Such a request may be too harsh. Since the military has plans to go tit for tat against the insectoids, whoever is being sent deep into insectoid territory will be as good as dead, unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless the benefits are substantial, enough for these tycoons to be willing to risk their lives in helping pave way for the military; otherwise, there won’t be anyone who would be willing to take this risk. Of course, even the powerful military may be unable to match the conditions set by such top-class businessmen per se,” Xia Fei said in a measured tone.
Actually, Xia Fei knew very well why the military triumvirate had set their eyes on him. There was no doubt that Quantum Holdings could be considered as a top business in the Alliance, given that his company was now an list supplier for the military, but the fact remained that they lacked strength. It had not been listed for long, which was why the triumvirate all believed that Xia Fei was among the businessmen who would be willing to help with their undertaking.
Furthermore, he was in quite a special position. Aside from being a businessman, he was also a decent warrior, skilled in martial arts, met the criteria, and had strong insights. All these conditions lumped together were enough for the triumvirate to view him as a key person they would need in the delegation for this secret operation.
“I knew you’re going to say that. From what I’ve gathered, you’re a firm believer of what you give is what you get. As long as the risk and return are proportional, you’ll be willing to do the work. Tell me: What are you expecting as remuneration?” Williams asked.
“I wouldn’t dare. I was just casually raising the question. Still, the insectoid emissaries sure are shrewd. They understand humans’ weaknesses very well, and that the higher the position someone holds, the more they’ll be afraid of dying. Meanwhile, the insectoids are the opposite. As practitioners of primitive feudal rule, they are more than willing to do whatever it takes, forcing their businessmen to spy for them.” Xia Fei changed the subject.
He was, of course, not going to discuss openly his conditions with the triumvirate, and all he could hope was for them to propose a starting price. Aside from the risk and return belief that Xia Fei subscribed to, there was another criterion, and that was the sincerity of the other party. If they lacked any sincerity, Xia Fei would not agree no matter how much they offered. After all, the starting price was one thing, while fulfilling it was another.
Williams asked, “Don’t try and change the subject. I heard that you’re keen on obtaining a territory in the Death Tri-region?”
Xia Fei was mildly surprised. “You know about it, too, General Williams?”
“Hmph. What do you think we in the military do? You may be able to fool others with your small schemes, but you can’t fool us. Still, while we are on this subject, you’ve got quite the keen judgment when it comes to timing. The cabinet shares your line of thinking, only wanting to return the Death Tri-region back under the Alliance but unwilling to spend many resources and funds to develop that barren backwater region. As long as the military gives the approval, your wish can be easily fulfilled. Alternatively, you can forget about it.”
Xia Fei had no choice. “Looks like you’re not giving me a choice, huh?”
“Who said that? I’ve already given you the choice. Do you want Terminus? We’ll give you the entire star region once this is done.”
“The entire star region?” Xia Fei could not believe his ears. He originally only wanted a segment of Terminus, yet Williams had the power to give him the entire star region just by opening his mouth.
“That’s right, but the Alliance won’t give you any monetary aid. How the star region will be developed is entirely dependent on your strength. Of course, that also means whatever profit that star region makes will be yours for the taking. You’re free to govern it as you wish, but if the people become unhappy with your rule and rebel, the Alliance will quickly take back Terminus from you.”
Xia Fei asked grimly, “What do you need me to do?”
There was no way Xia Fei would not be tempted by such a remuneration. He would begin the right to rule a star region when the time came, and no one would be in a position to disrupt him over what he did there in Terminus.
“Tai originally wanted you to just lead men and probe for information, but thanks to our discussion several days ago, Tai changed his plan. You’re not only expected to cooperate with the entire military operation, you will also be in charge of implementing the destruction plan.”
“Destruction plan?”
“That’s right. Once war breaks out, you will have to coordinate with the military, collapse their Golden Tent, and take out the leadership in one fell swoop from within.”
Xia Fei was speechless. This was really as good as shooting himself in the foot, for he was the one who had suggested the plan in the first place.
“I agree.” Xia Fei nodded.
Williams patted him on the shoulder. “I knew that you wouldn’t reject it. Right now, you still have a month to prepare. There’s no need for me to remind you what you have to do, right?”