Chapter 1089 Compromise

As the video conference fell into a brief silence, the picture from the New Province Construction Corps turned into a static symbol. It was obvious that General Qin Yue, the commander of the New Province Construction Corps, ordered the microphone to be temporarily muted for internal emergency consultations.

On the Western Theater Command side, Wei Jingfang and others also took advantage of this gap to exchange glances in a low voice. The atmosphere was solemn and subtle.

New Province Construction Corps meeting room, mute:

After a brief moment of dead silence, there was an uncontrollable whispered argument.

"48 Y-20s! 12 J-16s! This kind of force...how can we stop it?" A member of the Standing Committee in charge of production said in a dry voice, his face full of powerlessness.

"Are we just going to give away 60% of the profits for nothing? This is the future hope of hundreds of thousands of people in our Corps!" Another member of the Standing Committee was unwilling and clenched his fists.

"What can I do if I'm unwilling?" The third member of the Standing Committee, who was also the leader in charge of safety, asked in a heavy tone:

"You've all heard what's happening over at Heishankou. The troops from the Western Theater have reached our doorstep! And this is just one of the 'lost' troops! Who knows how many more are hiding in the dark? We're like children walking down the street clutching gold bricks. It's a favor that the other side doesn't take them all!"

At this time, a relatively young member of the Standing Committee proposed a seemingly "clever" plan, with a hint of urgency in his voice:

"Commander, everyone, can we... bypass the Western Theater? Contact the Central Plains Theater directly? Ultimately, they're the ones who need the energy, so we can just give it to them, cutting out the middlemen. We can also keep a larger share. More importantly, we can directly connect to the Central Plains Theater!"

"Since you're hugging the thighs, why not just hug the thickest one?"

As the words fell, the proposal made several people's eyes flicker, but soon, it was rejected almost simultaneously by Qin Yue and the security committee member.

"Absolutely not!" the Standing Committee member in charge of security growled, his face stern. "Bypassing the Western Theater? Have you considered the consequences?"

He looked around at everyone present and analyzed in a cold tone:

"Everyone, please don't think that our discovery of the Western Theater's troops was just an accident. Perhaps they did it on purpose as a warning to us!"

"Now that the Western Theater's troops have revealed themselves, if we dare to bypass them now, guess whether they will be furious?"

"Given their current level of urgency, if we dare to confront them in the video, their armored vehicles could arrive at our headquarters by tonight at the latest! By then, it would be a naked robbery!"

"Driven by such huge interests, it is impossible for the Western Theater Command to give up!"

At this point, the Standing Committee member in charge of security lowered his voice again and uttered the most cruel, yet most realistic words. Although he didn't fully state the meaning, the meaning was clear:

"Secondly, do you really think the Central Plains War Zone would care about our 'sincerity'?"

"To them, whoever can deliver oil to them the fastest and most reliably is considered a 'partner.' If we fall out with the Western Theater Command, leading to a disruption in energy access or even a conflict, do you think the Central Plains Theater Command will come to 'enforce justice' for us? Or will they find us in the way and 'clean us out' in favor of a more compliant agent?"

This analysis was like a bucket of cold water poured over one's head, causing the young Standing Committee member who proposed it to turn pale instantly.

Yes, in the face of absolute power, the opportunistic actions of small characters will often only accelerate their own demise.

What the Central Plains Theater needs is stable energy, not a troublesome "partner." No matter how hateful the Western Theater may be, it remains the most direct and effective link in maintaining this supply chain.

Qin Yue had been listening in silence, and finally spoke slowly at this moment, his voice full of fatigue and a kind of resigned sobriety:

"That's enough. The situation is stronger than us. We have no bargaining power left."

He glanced at each of his colleagues. "Accept the terms and give up 60% of your profits in exchange for living space and future supplies. This is the only sensible option right now. At the very least, we can still preserve the remaining 40% and the Corps' core base."

"If we anger the Western Theater, we might not even be able to keep 40% of this, or even..."

He didn't say anything else, but everyone understood the unspoken meaning.

There are many variables and dangers in the end of the world. No one knows whether the terrifying mutant creatures that appear out of nowhere will behead them.

Video reconnected.

Qin Yue's face seemed to age a bit in an instant, but his eyes were resolute. He looked at Wei Jingfang across the screen, no longer hesitant or angry, only the calmness of a negotiator.

"Commander Wei, after urgent consultations, we have agreed in principle to the cooperation framework you proposed."

"The New Province Construction Corps is willing to provide a 60% share of the profits in future energy trade, to be controlled by you and the Central Plains War Zone."

"Please send a delegation to our Corps headquarters as soon as possible to discuss the specific handover details, security guarantees, and material compensation plan."

Qin Yue's words marked a significant concession by the New Province Construction Corps on its core interests, but the additional demands he made immediately afterwards made the nerves of the Western Theater Command, which had just relaxed, tighten again.

Qin Yue's eyes swept over several members of the Standing Committee of the Western Theater Command, and his tone was calm but with unquestionable persistence:

"Commander Wei, everyone, now that the framework for cooperation has been established, we still have a key prerequisite."

He deliberately slowed down his speech to ensure that every word was clear:

"In this tripartite energy cooperation—I mean, the New Province Construction Corps, the Western Theater Command, and the Central Plains Theater Command—we must be an equal participant and directly engage and communicate with the Central Plains Theater Command. We can no longer be isolated from the information flow and merely serve as a 'production unit' providing resources in the rear."

He used a more vivid expression: "We must have our own seat at this negotiation table. We must be able to 'eat at the table' instead of just working in the kitchen."

This request was sudden, but reasonable.

Qin Yue knew very well that if the Corps was completely cut off from direct contact with the Central Plains Theater by the Western Theater, then the Corps would completely lose its voice and autonomy in the future, and its life and death, honor and disgrace would depend entirely on the Western Theater.

Only by obtaining direct communication channels can we ensure that our own interests are not excessively eroded, truly get in touch with that powerful source of power, and strive for a glimmer of future possibility for the Corps.