Alien Arms Empire.

Chapter 1871 1872 Everyone Knows

Neverwinter, the port city that was taken away from the Tang Dynasty by Dorne, has always been like a pearl inlaid in the southern end of the East Continent, emitting an alluring brilliance.

There is a wide dock area here, where giant gantry cranes swing their steel arms to load and unload boxes of goods onto ocean-going cargo ships. The busy scene shows the vitality of the city. The streets are full of traffic, and people of all colors are shuttling between them. The prosperity brought by trade is visible to the naked eye.

As the largest and most advanced port in the southern part of the East Continent, Neverwinter is the undisputed economic engine of the Dorne Empire, continuously delivering wealth to the empire. It used to be more prosperous, but the frequent bombings by the Tang Empire Navy in the past two years have cast a shadow over the city.

Despite this, Neverwinter still stood firm, with a population of more than 700 million people working hard on this land day after day, contributing their own efforts to rebuilding their homes. Numerous factories roared day and night, and various industrial products were shipped from here to every corner of the Dorne Empire, supporting the empire's war machine.

Among the many companies, the most eye-catching one is the radar design and manufacturing company. This company has the most advanced radar technology in the Eastern Continent and has provided a large number of radar equipment to the Dorne Empire, greatly improving the battlefield perception capabilities of the Dorne army. Not only that, this company has also manufactured many advanced electronic technology equipment for the Dorne Empire, which are used in military and civilian fields and are an important driving force for the Dorne Empire's scientific and technological progress.

Because of this, Mr. Pan Yiping, the owner of this radar technology company, has become an important figure in the Dorne Empire. He is rich enough to rival a country and has great power. In Neverwinter, a word from him can determine the fate of countless people. His influence is unimaginable.

At this moment, the Lord of Neverwinter appointed by Dorne was rubbing his hands together and said to Pan Yiping with an embarrassed smile, "Sir, you must have a lot of connections in the Tang Empire, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get so much advanced radar technology..."

"Don't say that. After all, I am just a person who relies on my son-in-law." Pan Yiping still looked like he was doing his job in a professional manner. He didn't even raise his eyelids and spoke slowly, as if he was mocking himself or telling an insignificant fact. He casually put himself in the position of a dependent, as if all his achievements were only due to the help of others, not his own efforts.

"You are too modest." The city lord smiled. He knew Pan Yiping's strength and his skills. This seemingly harmless businessman was actually an extremely shrewd and ruthless character.

"No, no, I'm telling the truth." Pan Yiping waved his hands, a meaningful smile on his face, "Without my son-in-law's support, how could I have achieved what I have today?"

"You are right, you are right." The city lord nodded repeatedly, not daring to answer. He knew that Pan Yiping was warning him, reminding him not to forget who was supporting him from behind.

Pan Yiping's eyes swept over the city lord with a barely perceptible contempt. He knew that the city lord was just a chess piece of his, a puppet that he could manipulate at will. The reason he supported him to the position was because he was obedient and could be used by him.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore." Pan Yiping put away his smile and his tone returned to calm, "Let's talk about business."

"You must have some connection with the Tang Empire..." The city lord hesitated and cautiously asked, with a subtle nervousness and expectation in his tone. He observed Pan Yiping's expression, hoping to catch a clue from his calm face.

"I just hope that you can... help me introduce someone at the appropriate time, so that I can have the opportunity to get in touch with the Tang Empire and ensure the safety of me and my family..." The city lord's voice became lower and lower, as if he was talking about an unspeakable secret.

"Dorne is in a national crisis right now, you can't accuse me of treason." Pan Yiping's face darkened, and he interrupted the city lord sternly. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, as if he had heard something incredible.

"How could I have any connection with the Tang Empire? Don't talk nonsense, be careful of your mouth!" Pan Yiping said firmly, and did not hesitate to distance himself from the relationship. He certainly would not admit that he had any "connection" with the Tang Empire.

Even though he had always been the Tang Empire's biggest undercover agent in Dorne, and even though the technology he provided was actually intended to allow the electronic technology on the East Continent to develop according to the Tang Empire's design, he would never admit it.

"How could it be, how could it be possible." The city lord was startled by Pan Yiping's sudden anger. He waved his hands in a hurry to explain, and said incoherently: "Sir, you misunderstood, I didn't mean anything else, I, I just came to find a way out for myself."

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and tried to calm himself down. "You know, Dorne is already in this state. The Tang Empire has crossed the border. As the city lord, I have really reached the end of my rope."

There was a hint of bitterness and helplessness in the city lord's voice. He slumped weakly in the chair, as if he had lost all hope.

"I heard that the Tang Empire doesn't make things difficult for law-abiding people, so you don't have to worry too much..." Seeing the panicked look of the city lord, Pan Yiping raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He slowed down his tone, as if he was comforting a frightened child.

"As long as you haven't done anything against the law, the Tang Empire will not make things difficult for you." Pan Yeping's tone was full of confidence, as if he really understood the policies of the Tang Empire.

"How can I not worry?" The city lord smiled bitterly, his tone full of helplessness and bitterness. "You know, for me to be a city lord like this, my family must have some money..." When he mentioned the word "little money", his tone was a little awkward and unnatural. Everyone knew that to be able to get the position of city lord in Neverwinter City, it must have cost a lot of money, and much of this money was obtained through improper means.

Pan Yiping looked at the city lord calmly, sneering in his heart. He had actually already done a thorough investigation. The city lord of Neverwinter in front of him was named Carl, a great noble of the Dorne Empire. Not only did he have a strong background, but his family also had great influence. Carl's ability to become the city lord of Neverwinter was naturally inseparable from his family's support, and of course, his own "efforts".

"People like me value life more..." City Lord Carl sighed and continued, with a hint of self-mockery and helplessness in his tone: "I have definitely never done anything bad. I just hope to live my life in peace and stability."

He raised his head and looked at Pan Yiping earnestly, his tone full of requests: "Sir, sir, please help me put my hanging heart at ease. I will definitely be grateful to you for the rest of my life."

When he mentioned the word "gratitude", he deliberately emphasized the tone. It was obvious that this gratitude must have a price, and the price must be not low.

"Sir, do you think this will work..." City Lord Karl carefully observed Pan Yiping's expression and said tentatively: "I don't ask for anything else, I just want..."

He paused, as if he was organizing his words, and after a while he made up his mind and said, "I just want to leave here safely with my family, to a place where no one knows us, and live the rest of my life in peace..." The city lord sighed, pretending to be full of loneliness and helplessness, and began his performance: "You also know that people like me have been running around for fame and fortune in the first half of my life, but in the end I found that those things are fleeting, and only family is the most important..."

He raised his head and looked at Pan Yeping earnestly, with a hint of pleading in his tone: "Sir, please have pity on me and my family and help me..."

As he spoke, he took out a check from his pocket and handed it to Pan Yiping with trembling hands: "This is a small token of my appreciation. It's not just a token of respect, but please accept it..."

Pan Yeping did not move, nor did he expose the other party's performance. He just sat there without moving.

Karl, the mayor of Neverwinter, observed Pan Yiping's expression and added cautiously, "I am also willing to donate 300 million gold coins... I know that this amount of money may not be a big deal for the Tang Empire, but this is a small token of my appreciation..."

He took a deep breath, as if he had made a major decision. "Also, I'm donating all my properties in the East Continent... land, real estate, shops... I only ask you to... introduce me to someone who can speak for me in the Tang Empire..."

In fact, 300 million gold coins were not a lot. The Karl family definitely had more than that. But the real bargaining chip he brought out was the large piece of land and various assets in Dorne owned by the Karl family. Pan Yiping was not interested in the pitiful 300 million gold coins, because he had seen much more money than this. What he wanted was the complete Neverwinter City and to take over this rich industrial area without bloodshed!

Pan Yiping slowly stretched out his hand, and his slender fingers tapped the table lightly, making a crisp sound, as if knocking on the heart of City Lord Carl. He casually picked up the check on the table, without even looking at the number on it, and put it directly into his pocket.

"My Lord City Lord is so generous," Pan Yiping smiled slightly, his tone was indistinguishable from joy or anger, "I am also kind-hearted, I cannot bear to see people suffer, and I cannot bear to see my family and children separated. It's just..."

He deliberately dragged out his voice, staring at Karl sharply, observing the changes in his expression.

“Just what?” Carl’s heart skipped a beat and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"If the Tang Empire's army really came to the city," Pan Yiping said calmly, but with great force, "what choice would the garrison here make?"

“This…” Carl was stunned for a moment, then he patted his chest and assured, “Of course I surrender! Which madman would resist the heavenly soldiers? I will be the first one to not spare him!”

"Your Excellency the City Lord has misunderstood," Pan Yiping waved his hand, still with an unfathomable smile on his face, "I was just saying if. After all, no one can predict the outcome of a war."

"Don't worry, don't worry!" Karl wiped the sweat from his forehead and said hurriedly, "I have already arranged for the city guards. It will be absolutely foolproof! They will all stand... stand..."

Karl suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing, and quickly changed his words: "They will all stand on our side! Our side!"

"Don't say that, Lord City Lord. They are on your side," Pan Yiping corrected calmly, "I'm just a businessman. The war has nothing to do with me."

"Yes, yes, you are right, you are right." Karl nodded repeatedly, but secretly groaned in his heart.

"Since the Lord City Lord is so sincere," Pan Yiping stood up and straightened his clothes, "I will try my best to see if I can introduce someone who can speak for him in the Tang Empire."

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" Carl was overjoyed and immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you very much! Carl is very grateful!"

Pan Yiping ended the conversation because he was really busy now. Not only the city lord Carl, but also many nobles of the Dorne Empire wanted to meet him and ask for a guarantee of safety from him.

In fact, everyone knew that he had a secret connection with the Tang Empire, but in the past he pretended to know nothing.

Carl had been in Everwinter City for such a long time, and he had never done anything immoral. With Pan Yiping as a huge mountain pressing down on him, there was no chance for him to make any waves. Moreover, after reaching the position of "mayor" like Carl, he really had no interest in the ordinary people. He had no reason to bully men and women, and there was no need for him to do evil himself.

The Tang Empire would still be somewhat tolerant of such people. Although it was not to say that they would forgive the past, as long as they did not have an exaggerated dark past, they would generally not be completely liquidated.

This is why Pan Yeping is willing to give such a capitulationist a chance to cooperate: as long as the other party is willing to preserve a complete Neverwinter Harbor, then at least there is a way to atone for his sins, and his life safety can be guaranteed at least.

One day later, Neverwinter City announced its surrender and accepted the rule of the Tang Empire. Hundreds of thousands of garrison troops laid down their weapons and handed over the city they were guarding to dozens of Tang soldiers who arrived at Neverwinter City Airport by helicopter.

Unexpectedly, the civilians of Neverwinter did not cause any commotion. Instead, they lined the streets to welcome the Tang army troops that entered the city. Up to this point, the total number of Tang troops that arrived by helicopter did not exceed one battalion.

Almost all the areas around Neverwinter changed sides in an instant, changed their flags and became controlled by the Tang Empire, while the Dorne Empire did not make any moves at all, as if it did not care about these things at all.