The World Online

Chapter 824 – Moral High Ground

3rd month, 5th day, King City.

In a secret room in the city Lord’s Manor, Xiong Ba and Xunlong Dianxue were discussing the final negotiations. They chose to hold the negotiations in King City to avoid the eyes of Shanhai City.

In the past few days, both sides had already gone through four rounds of discussions, and they had basically nailed all the basic cooperation matters. Now, the two of them were having a final meeting to make the final confirmation.

Xunlong Dianxue took the lead, “I will quit the Shanhai Alliance. After joining Yanhuang Alliance, I must obtain a similar treatment and position to Wandering Magic.”

As the only commoner Lord in the Yanhuang Alliance, Wandering Magic had become the standard of cooperation for other Lords in their dealings with Yanhuang Alliance.

Who knows what Wandering Magic would think if he knew about this?

“Sure.” Xiong Ba nodded in agreement.

Xunlong Dianxue continued, “If things are revealed, and Shanhai City attacks Xunlong City, you all have to assist me and cannot use excuses to avoid the matter; this must also be written into the agreement.”

Based on the secret agreement between the two, Xunlong City did not need to rush to betray Shanhai City. First, this could numb Shanhai City; secondly, they could also use the chance to spy on Shanhai City’s secrets.

If Xunlong Dianxue did this well, he could obtain advantages from both sides.

Yanhuang Alliance also did not need to rush. Since Silver Hand had agreed to help, they would assist them in clipping Shanhai City’s wings while also lessening the gap between the two.

When Xunlong Dianxue betrayed Shanhai City and all of them obtained the relevant technologies, not only would King City build a new navy squadron, but Zhan Lang would also build a navy in Donghai Province’s Haizhou Port. Meanwhile, Di Chen would train his navy in Haijin Port. Even Chun Shenjun, who was located inland, would build a navy in Changjiang.

Hence, Yanhuang Alliance would take control of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East Sea, forming a north and south face off against Shanhai City’s navy.

Apart from that, Yanhuang Alliance would also start the industrialization process. Using the foundations of the aristocratic family and their massive talent repository, they would not be too far behind Shanhai City.

But all of this needed time.

Hence, before they were completely confident about the matter, Yanhuang Alliance did not want to have a head on confrontation with Shanhai City. To bury this hidden chess piece within Shanhai City was undoubtedly a good choice.

Xiong Ba smiled as he replied Xunlong Dianxue, “Naturally. We are allies, so we will not let you die. Furthermore, if they take down Minnan Province, they will be facing off against my Jiangnan Province. Do you think I will let Shanhai City get away with that?”

Xiong Ba’s reply left Xunlong Dianxue with nothing else to say.

One must not look at Xunlong Dianxue being so determined. Deep in his heart, he was filled with fear toward Shanhai City. Without Yanhuang Alliance, and even Silver Hand supporting them behind their backs, he would not have the thought of betraying Shanhai City.

Xunlong Dianxue continued, “In the future, when I back out of the Shanhai Alliance, the Four Seas Bank will stop its loans to Xunlong City. If that happens, Xunlong City will collapse, so the Huitong Bank needs to continue with these loans.”

“That is no problem either.” Xiong Ba quickly agreed, “Do you have any other requests?”

Xunlong Dianxue’s expression froze as he understood what Xiong Ba was trying to say, ‘Do not take things too far.’

Thinking about that, Xunlong Dianxue said, “Why don’t I try to ask my good brother Gong Chengshi to betray them?”

“How much confidence do you have?”

“At least 50%.”

Xiong Ba shook his head, “Without being fully confident, it is best you remove this thought from your mind. You’re more certain than me about what kind of opponent Qiyue Wuyi is. Do not alert him.”

When Xunlong Dianxue heard that, his expression looked somewhat depressed.

Xiong Ba suddenly smiled, patting Xunlong Dianxue’s shoulder, “Do not be too despondent. With Silver Hand as a shield, we will make Gong Chengshi betray them.”

Xunlong Dianxue nodded.

When Xiong Ba saw that, “Since we have come to a consensus, let’s just sign the contract so that you can get the technology earlier?”

Xunlong Dianxue took in a deep breath, tossing aside all the random thoughts in his mind, “Let’s sign it!”

From this moment on, Xunlong Dianxue had no way out.

************

3rd month, 6th day, the China region Lords were stunned by three successive notifications.

“System Notification: Steam Engine Making Technology has been given to more than five territories, officially released to the entire wilderness, congratulations Lords!”

…

“System Notification: Sewing Machine Making Technology has been given to more than five territories, officially released to the entire wilderness, congratulations Lords!”

…

“System Notification: Man O’ War Battleship Crafting Technology has been given to more than five territories, officially releasing to the entire wilderness, congratulations Lords!”

The Lords all subconsciously thought that it was Shanhai City that released these three key technologies.

However, at basically the same time, Yanhuang Alliance announced on the forums that they had bought these three core technologies from America for a high price and had given them for free to the China region Lords to break the technology tree barrier and raise the overall China region strength.

In their announcement, they emphasized that they did so to raise the strength of the China region to help them in future country wars.

They did not forget to mock Shanhai City and say that they were too selfish. Shanhai City had obtained the western technologies extremely early on but decided to keep it to themselves and not share it.

This time, Yanhuang Alliance had obtained the moral high ground.

To increase the believability, Yanhuang Alliance also released relevant photos.

The evidence was solid.

When the Lords saw that, they instantly fell silent.

Yanhuang Alliance actually played this matter beautifully, spreading the technologies that Gaia would forcefully provide to players and taking the credit for doing so.

The Lords of the wilderness were not fools and understood the reason behind it. However, understanding was one thing, and being able to obtain some benefits from it was another.

In their eyes, Yanhuang Alliance blaming Shanhai City was naturally logical.

“That’s right. Why can Yanhuang Alliance share it the moment they obtained it, but Shanhai City obtained it so early on and even treated their own allies differently? Wasn’t it to prevent the technology from becoming widespread?”

Shanhai City could not find a way out this time. If it were not because of the many battles that caused less than a hundred Lords to remain, Shanhai City would have become the public enemy.

Through the Satellite City battle and this technology spreading matter, Yanhuang Alliance had turned around the negative situation after the Battle of Yunnan.

All this happened because of Silver Hand.

…

Shanhai City chose to keep silent about this matter.

Being slapped in the face like that really hurt.

Ouyang Shuo did not expect that Yanhuang Alliance could get these core technologies so quickly. He did not want to release these three pieces of technology so early so as to guard against Yanhuang Alliance.

After all, Ouyang Shuo was extremely clear that the moment Yanhuang Alliance got the technologies, with the talents they possessed, Shanhai City would have no advantage in the industrialization battle.

The matter had already developed to such a stage, exceeding his control and putting him on the back foot.

If one had it rough, everything he did would not go smoothly.

Ouyang Shuo was wondering if Shanhai City was in such a pit.

“We still need to be calm.” Ouyang Shuo knew that he could not panic at such a time. Ouyang Shuo’s strength was placed right there. As long as Ouyang Shuo did not panic, the enemy could not do anything to Shanhai City.

…

Ouyang Shuo was surprised while someone else was furious.

This person was Xunlong Dianxue.

Xunlong City, City Lord’s Manor.

The moment he heard the notification, his entire brain stopped. After a short while, the humiliation and anger he felt from being played rose in his heart.

“A bunch of jerks!”

Xunlong Dianxue raged, smashing vases, scrolls, and other items onto the ground.

“Xiong Ba, I’ll get at you back for this!”

Xunlong Dianxue’s eyes were blood red, and he wanted to seek an explanation from Xiong Ba. However, the moment he stepped out, he calmed down, and his face turned ashen white.

The agreement had already been signed, so what could he do even if he found out?

That day, Xunlong Dianxue locked himself in his room and did not meet anyone. He even chased away the maidservant who brought him his lunch.

The entire Lord’s Manor was anxious and covered in a terrified atmosphere.

And all of this was seen by someone, taking it all in.

************

Shanhai City, Nanjiang Governor-General Manor.

In the reading room, Ouyang Shuo had a complicated expression, “Is the intel confirmed?”

The one sitting at the right hand seat was Shen Buhai, “It has been confirmed. Xunlong Dianxue has been frequently visiting King City, and the two have been talking a lot. Yesterday, he even left alone. When he returned, his expression was weird. Along with his performance today, I suspect the worst has occurred.”

When Xunlong Dianxue shouted for Xiong Ba, everyone outside had heard his words loud and clearly.

Ouyang Shuo nodded.

Long ago when Xunlong Dianxue was throwing a tantrum, Ouyang Shuo had already started defending against Xunlong City. When the Battle of Red Cliff ended, they had already created a full reactive plan.

He did not expect that this day would come so quickly.

“It’s the Silver Hand again?” Such a thought flashed across Ouyang Shuo’s mind. Maybe only this would make Xunlong Dianxue reach a decision.

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