I Am Extraordinary Alone
Chapter 154 - 152: The Price

Chapter 154: Chapter 152: The Price

Wei Tianyang finished speaking, stood up, and walked toward the small door of the meeting room.

Steijie stood up hurriedly, "If you’ve made up your mind, we can arrange a residence for you in Georgetown!"

"No need, this place is quite nice," Wei Tianyang didn’t turn his head, waved his hand, and disappeared on the spot.

Pelosi was somewhat displeased and said to Steijie in Western language, "Whether he agrees or not, we should prepare in advance."

"I think he has made himself very clear," Zhao Ling said with a smile.

"I believe we must prepare in advance, considering that he will need to travel around the world as a war observer in the future. It’s imperative that the place he resides in is under strict control, the farther from the common people the better," Steijie said as he slowly sat down, speaking seriously.

The two representatives of the Western Alliance nodded frequently.

"So... is that it? He’s also revealed his intentions, hasn’t he?" Helena Mina said with a smile.

She felt good, having relaxed from the tense state before the meeting. Wei Tianyang had decided to join the United Council, which to her was a feat that could trump all competitors. Even if it was just to keep Wei Tianyang stable, the council would allow her to continue serving as the chairperson.

But Steijie didn’t look as pleased; the end-of-year governor election was looming, and Wei Tianyang hadn’t become a bargaining chip for him to persuade the various factions, nor had he benefited from the affairs of Chicken Snake Country. He was under great pressure for re-election.

Zhao Ling was in a somewhat awkward position, as she had failed to persuade Wei Tianyang to join Yin Country, but at least she managed to keep him in the country factually. There was still a chance for a turnaround, it was just a matter of whether the elders of the tri-council would make use of the situation.

The two Western Alliance presidents were there to provide reinforcement; Wei Tianyang fundamentally had nothing to do with them, and only now they were beginning to play their role.

"The matter of Wei Tianyang’s whereabouts is no longer suspenseful, Helena, you have him, Zhao Ling, you as well have him, I think... this seems a bit unfair," Steijie said.

"Frank, you know... I still occasionally think of you..." Helena Mina looked at Steijie, her voice soft.

"Occasionally... just occasionally," Steijie shook his head.

"Old girl, batting your eyelashes isn’t going to erase this issue with a stroke," Pelosi said.

"His joining the United Council isn’t bad for us. However, his decision to stay in Yin Country, we cannot accept," Fogen interjected at this moment.

As he spoke, Steijie nodded, along with Pelosi, looking toward Zhao Ling.

"He’s made this decision; we all need to respect it. And... I never intended to smash this treasure, I don’t want to, and none of you should either," Zhao Ling said.

"Maybe we should establish a review institution, to prevent you from taking advantage of this convenience and misusing Wei Tianyang’s abilities privately," Fogen coerced.

"A review institution?" Zhao Ling laughed.

"This review institution will consist of Western Alliance and Sethiyan Federation people. You must arrange a location near Wei Tianyang’s residence for this institution’s office," President Fatida said.

"You bear the cost, ensure our people are not subject to your laws, and guarantee that there are three to five meetings with Wei Tianyang each week. You’re responsible for vetting the people providing him services through the review institution; your meetings with him will also require our approval," Fogen continued.

Zhao Ling extended her hands and clapped twice.

"Are you awake?" she asked.

"Respectable Emperor Zhao Ling, we are discussing this matter very seriously," Pelosi said.

"Yin Country will not give you these privileges, nor will there be any review institution," Zhao Ling firmly rejected.

"You’re well aware that you can’t catch him. And we won’t let you get the advantage just because you’re closer to the water," Steijie said.

"Why don’t you chime in, Helena? You’ve been silent the whole time," Pelosi tried to bring Helena Mina into the conversation.

She shook her head and said, "I have no other propositions."

"I propose a more practical condition, abolish all tariffs on Sethiyan Federation products, and transfer 50% ownership in all your state-owned enterprises to Sethiyan companies. Additionally, allow us to supervise your financial institutions. How about that?" Steijie said.

"You’re asking for too much," Zhao Ling shook her head.

"Fine, how about a 50% reduction in tariffs and allow our capital to enter your financial institutions? Forget I mentioned the state-owned enterprises’ shares," Steijie added.

Pelosi shook her head.

"No way. I can only reduce tariffs on some products to a reasonable extent, nowhere near 50%. Don’t even think about the financial institutions," Zhao Ling said again.

"You have Wei Tianyang, and this is a threat to the entire world," Steijie said.

"And he wasn’t a threat when you had him?" Zhao Ling replied with a smile.

"We have the self-control of civilized people," Pelosi said.

"Then you’d better take it easy, little sister. If we lose control, the consequences will be serious..." Zhao Ling glared at Pelosi.

"You’ve finally remembered that you’ve lived such a long life... hm? You abuse the power of the Heavenly Falling Objects and with Wei Tianyang in your hands, I can’t even imagine what you might do with him," Pelosi said.

"We will teach him. Let’s not forget he’s still just a 17-year-old boy; he’s just lacking education and guidance, and has also been treated unfairly," Helena Mina interjected at this point.

"Who’s going to educate adults who control power?" Pelosi shook her head.

"Alright Steijie, I’ll exempt all tariffs on civilian goods. Beyond that, we can continue to negotiate," Zhao Ling conceded slightly.

"Your airline’s planes must also be supplied by our and the Western Alliance’s companies, and you must sell us rare earth resources at a price below market value every year. You must agree," Steijie said.

"Don’t push your luck," Zhao Ling got somewhat angry.

"Think it over. The energy storage roads you’ve laid out all over the country use our technology. The Black Medicine extraction technology from the Heavenly Falling Objects is also provided by us and the Western Alliance," Steijie said.

Zhao Ling frowned, closed her eyes and thought for a moment, sighed, and said, "Let’s do it that way, then, Steijie."

At this time, President Fatida said, "I hope you can provide us with high-speed rail technology, and also... our agricultural products currently lack a way to enter the East Continent..."

Zhao Ling opened her eyes and looked at President Fatida. He was in his early forties, appearing quite young among the old politicians, and he was also rather handsome.

"You have to trade something with me," she said dismissively.

The issue of dividing interests was discussed for several more hours by the few of them, until it was time for the evening banquet to disperse. Evidently, Zhao Ling and Helena Mina, both in their own ways, had gained control over Wei Tianyang, but they also had to pay a certain price.

That meaningless and somewhat dull banquet saw the Presidents, who couldn’t attend the latter half of the meeting, hovering around Steijie, Helena Mina, and Fogen, making indirect inquiries.

After the banquet finished, they each returned to their hotels.

At 1 in the morning, Helena Mina stood naked on the hotel balcony, lighting a lady’s cigarette. Thanks to the 22nd-century cosmetic medical technology, the nearly fifty-year-old Helena hardly showed signs of aging, looking as if she were in her early thirties. Her well-sculpted figure still remained enticing.

Steijie leaned against the headboard, still pondering the events of earlier, looking at Helena, wanting to say something, but ultimately gave up.