Rongping Star, Dingzheng Mountain.
To call it a mountain was an exaggeration; it was merely a small hill situated on the western avenue of the capital city.
The magnificent white stone building stood atop the hill, looking down upon the entire capital city. This was the Rongping Star administrative building, also known to the populace as the Governor's Mansion.
The road leading to the summit was lined with numerous fences and checkpoints. The outermost fence was always open, allowing tourists to take photos at the foot of the mountain. However, the second fence was guarded by mechanical soldiers armed with weapons, and the security became increasingly stringent the further one went.
The convoy slowly ascended the mountain, passing through checkpoints without any hindrance.
Jiang Ye kept looking out the car window. He noticed many guards staring intently at their vehicle, and a sense of unease settled in his heart. Logically, the guards should have stood at attention and saluted, not stared at the car.
However, customs varied from planet to planet, so he didn't say anything.
Finally, the convoy stopped in front of the Governor's Mansion.
The car doors opened in unison. Jiang Ye and Zhang Qiongshi alighted first, followed by their retinue, who then proceeded into the building in a grand procession.
The interior of the building was not overly luxurious but exuded an air of grandeur. It was constructed with large slabs of polished stone bricks, and many busy staff members rushed about carrying documents. Upon seeing Jiang Ye and Zhang Qiongshi, the scurrying staff members stood at attention along the corridors.
They proceeded directly to the top floor, to Zhang Qiongshi's office.
The office was approximately two hundred square meters, bathed in bright natural light, and furnished with low tables and comfortable sofas. A three-meter-tall red pine tree grew in a corner, adorned with many pinecones.
Jiang Ye and Zhang Qiongshi sat on opposite sofas, followed by a host of attendants. The discussion commenced regarding the division of Pingdao Star.
The primary objectives of both parties had long been established: Zhang Qiongshi desired the mining rights for all of Pingdao Star's mineral resources, while Jiang Ye sought sovereignty over the entire planet.
From a broad perspective, their goals did not conflict.
However, the finer details required protracted negotiations.
Jiang Ye hoped that after his troops arrived on Pingdao Star, Zhang Qiongshi's side would provide military funding. Zhang Qiongshi would sell the initial mineral extraction at a low price to Jiang Ye's army, enabling the establishment of a military factory on Pingdao Star. As for the planet's sovereignty, it should be transferred as soon as possible for a nominal fee of one dollar, ideally before the army's departure, to avoid legal complications and to provide a legitimate pretext.
Zhang Qiongshi, on the other hand, wished for Jiang Ye's army to swiftly tackle the giant lizards on Pingdao Star. Mineral sales could be negotiated, but not at excessively low prices. Military funding should be borne by Jiang Ye's army. The fee for sovereignty transfer should not be too low, ideally at least five trillion.
In essence, both sides aimed to gain the upper hand.
The negotiations proceeded intensely, and the representatives quickly found themselves arguing heatedly, yet they still had to maintain a semblance of a polite smile.
Zhang Qiongshi's subordinates implied, through their words, that Jiang Ye's side was merely trying to seize resources, and such favorable terms were unrealistic. They accused Jiang Ye of bullying.
Jiang Ye's subordinates, in turn, subtly suggested that they were coming to work for them, and it was illogical for workers to bear their own expenses. They positioned themselves as the disadvantaged party.
As the arguments escalated, both Jiang Ye and Zhang Qiongshi felt that the atmosphere was becoming strained. They proposed temporarily shelving the negotiations for Pingdao Star, allowing everyone to take a break and reconsider, and instead, focusing on cooperation between their respective planets.
There were numerous areas of cooperation, including the opening of commercial shipping routes, mutual factory construction, financial market integration, sister city relationships, university exchange programs, and academic conferences.
These were generally win-win initiatives that would benefit both parties.
Consequently, the atmosphere shifted to one of pleasantness, and documents were signed rapidly.
Throughout this process, the busiest individuals were actually the subordinates of both sides, while Jiang Ye and Zhang Qiongshi remained relatively idle, observing from the sidelines with composure. As the paramount leaders of their planets, maintaining a cordial appearance was essential. Furthermore, the specific details of the negotiations were best understood by their subordinates, thus negating the need for their direct involvement.
Soon, it was time for the luncheon.
The chef arrived with menus, distributing one to each person along with a pen, for them to circle their desired dishes.
"What do you like to eat?" Jiang Ye asked Zhang Qiongshi.
"Me?" Zhang Qiongshi smiled shyly and handed over her completed menu.
Jiang Ye took it and chuckled. Zhang Qiongshi had ordered a double chicken leg burger, french fries, calamari rings, and popcorn chicken. One might have thought a fast-food restaurant was catering the Governor's Mansion banquet.
Jiang Ye, adhering to his usual habits, ordered cornmeal porridge, potato and beef stew, and cabbage with vermicelli. Having consumed an abundance of delicacies, Jiang Ye now preferred down-to-earth, home-style cooking.
After a twenty-minute wait, the dishes were served.
A peculiar sight unfolded.
On Zhang Qiongshi's side, the dishes were exclusively fast food: various fried french fries, fried chicken pieces, cod burgers, beef burgers, and chicken leg burgers, all accompanied by carbonated beverages.
On Jiang Ye's side, the spread consisted entirely of home-style dishes: stir-fried shredded potatoes, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried greens, rice noodles, noodles, steamed buns, and flatbreads, all accompanied by plain congee.
Both sides looked at each other's food and couldn't help but chuckle, finding the situation quite amusing.
...
Ten o'clock in the evening.
The day's negotiations had concluded, progressing slower than anticipated. It was estimated that another full day of discussions would be required.
Jiang Ye was staying in a VIP guest room within the Governor's Mansion, while his retinue occupied an entire row of rooms.
The room was not large, perhaps a hundred square meters. Upon entering, Jiang Ye first scanned the area with his equipment to ensure there were no listening devices or other suspicious apparatus. The bookshelf in the room was filled with novels. After washing up, Jiang Ye picked up a book titled "A Century of Romance" and sat on the bed to read. The content of the book was entirely consistent with its title, and Jiang Ye soon found himself blushing profusely, thinking, "The Governor's Mansion of the esteemed Rongping Star actually has such a book?"
If he were to take a photo and post it on social media, the impact would be explosive!
Jiang Ye suppressed the urge to escalate the situation into a diplomatic crisis. After reading a few dozen pages, he lay down and fell asleep.
Just as his consciousness began to drift, a sudden commotion erupted in the corridor outside, accompanied by the sound of dense footsteps.
Jiang Ye felt something was amiss. Why was the Governor's Mansion in such disarray in the middle of the night? This was highly improper.
A fleeting flash of light illuminated the window, followed by a muffled thud, like distant thunder.
Jiang Ye jolted upright in bed and looked out the window. He saw the first sentry post at the foot of the mountain engulfed in flames, and a convoy of dark armored vehicles was slowly advancing!
The door to his room was violently knocked upon.
Jiang Ye's heart rate surged. "Who is it?"
"Sir, it's An Xiawen!" a panicked voice called out.
Jiang Ye quickly walked over and opened the door. An Xiawen stood at the threshold, clad in a fluffy pajama set, her hair still damp with traces of shampoo foam, her expression one of utter panic.
Jiang Ye glanced down. She was barefoot in slippers, her legs visibly wet and covered in foam. It was clear she had received some news while showering and had rushed over in her pajamas without even drying herself.
"It seems there's been a mutiny, Sir!" An Xiawen stammered, her voice trembling. "The capital city's guard force has sealed off the nearby streets and is gathering at the foot of the mountain!"
"What's all the fuss about? Calm down," Jiang Ye said unhurriedly, frowning. "Go back to your room, change your clothes, pack what you need, and then gather here. Even if the sky falls, there's no need to panic."
An Xiawen uttered a few incoherent words, her face deathly pale, and then she sprinted back to her room.
Jiang Ye sighed. He had intended to cultivate new talent by having An Xiawen accompany him on this trip instead of Su Yueming, but she was indeed too young and easily frightened by unexpected events.
However, it was truly unfortunate. Why did this mutiny have to occur at such a time?
Did they not know I was visiting? Are they showing such disrespect?