I built an armada.

"Regarding the issue of the $50 billion in compensation," Harper's voice turned cold, "our country must reiterate its position: this is a matter between the Eastern Wilderness and your tribe, and we will never allow our interests to be harmed."

"This incident has no direct connection with us, so we request that you guarantee our interests and claims in the Eastern Wilderness!"

"No direct connection?"

Zhang Zhaoxin's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes.

“Director Harper, neither of us needs to play dumb. We both know that the Eastern Wilderness is simply not capable of starting a war, right?”

"Therefore, in our view, your demands for interests are truly ridiculous."

"We haven't demanded that you take responsibility for this war or provide compensation, which is already a great concession. Now you're demanding that your interests be guaranteed to remain unaffected..."

"Don't you think such a demand is ridiculous?"

Harper's pupils contracted slightly.

"and……"

Zhang Zhaoxin pulled a document out of the folder.

"At the start of the war, and during the war itself, did your side really not directly participate in the war, or provide any form of support to the Eastern Wilderness?"

"I don't think I need to answer this question, do I?"

Major General Anderson was about to speak, but Harper raised his hand to stop him.

"This is just military cooperation and exercises."

Harper remained defiant.

"We were unaware at the time that your side was engaged in a real firefight with Donghuang."

"That's normal interaction between our country and its allies..."

"Okay, let's just pretend you don't know."

"Then, let's look at it from a different angle."

Zhang Zhaoxin leaned back, his hands clasped over his abdomen, looking very relaxed.

"Your country has eighty-seven military facilities within the Eastern Wilderness, eighteen of which are large naval and air force bases. Your side only pays a symbolic one dollar per year as land use fees for these bases..."

"What is the purpose of these bases you have established? Surely we don't need to point it out?"

In order to supposedly curb the development of Longxia, the Eagle Tribe painstakingly set up three island chains throughout the Pacific region.

Of course, these three island chains were not initially intended entirely to defend against Longxia. It was only as Longxia grew stronger that the Eagle Tribe changed its objectives.

For this very reason, the existence of these bases has always been one of the main threats to the security of Longxia East China Sea.

All the regional conflicts that Longxia is currently facing are actually conflicts with the Eagle Tribe.

"I'll just say it straight."

Zhang Zhaoxin has a sharp eye.

"If your country believes that it can support a government that provokes a neighboring country and ultimately causes a serious incident without bearing any responsibility, then I think the legitimacy and rationality of these bases need to be reassessed."

"Incidentally, the new government of the Eastern Wilderness has indicated its willingness to conduct a comprehensive review of the existence of all overseas military bases."

Harper turned around and glanced at Taro Kato upon hearing this.

He never expected that Donghuang would betray him at this time.

Clearly, the so-called comprehensive review of the military base was not communicated to the Eagle Tribe.

They don't seem entirely honest either; they also want to drive the Eagle Tribe's military base out of their country's territory.

But now is not the time to settle accounts, so Harper did not get entangled with the Eastern Wilderness on this issue.

Harper knew that the key to solving the problem ultimately lay in Long Xia's attitude.

“Representative Zhang, you are challenging the post-war international order.”

Harper's voice hardened.

The Eagle Tribe's original plan was to relinquish some control of its military bases in exchange for time.

However, they did not expect that Longxia would take the initiative to launch an attack under the pretext of supporting the Eastern Wilderness and using the military base as an excuse.

Taking the initiative to offer something and being forced to give it up are two completely different concepts.

The price the latter would have to pay is something the Eagle Tribe is absolutely unwilling to bear or see!
Harper's face gradually stiffened.

What followed was a series of fierce clashes.

Harper evaded the question, refusing to mention the role the Eagle Tribe played in the war.

They even wanted to define the war as a regional conflict, just a minor skirmish.

However, Zhang Zhaoxin was not fooled at all and stuck to his bottom line, leaving Harper's side with no way to get through.

Seeing that they could not sway Longxia's beliefs on this issue, the Eagle Tribe began to change the subject.

"...In any case, a compensation of five hundred billion US dollars is extremely unreasonable; it's blatant extortion!"

"Mr. Harper, may I assume that you have no further objections to the issue of the military base?"

"If that's the case, then we will soon reach a cooperation agreement with the Eastern Wilderness side. Please also make preparations for withdrawal as soon as possible to avoid any misunderstandings."

Harper's face was very stiff.

"This issue will be put on hold for now, and we need time to discuss the relevant matters."

Zhang Zhaoxin nodded: "Of course."

"But 50 billion in compensation is not much."

How could 50 billion US dollars possibly compensate for the losses that the Eastern Wilderness has caused to Longxia?
Not to mention that this war was started by the Eastern Wilderness.

The related losses and expenses should naturally be borne by Donghuang.

Harper seemed eager to return and discuss matters concerning the military base, and his concessions on this matter were quite evident.

However, he also indicated that he would use compensation to obtain the right to retain the military base.

Of course, this money will definitely come from Donghuang.

How could the Eagle Tribe possibly give Long Xia money?

After some discussion, both parties finally reached an agreement.

The $50 billion in compensation will be paid in full, and there will even be an additional foreign trade order and related investment, bringing the total amount to $100 billion.

Of course, neither the 50 billion nor the subsequent orders and investments can be labeled as compensation. This way, Donghuang's domestic publicity will look better.

One hundred billion might sound like a lot, but compared to a female leader in later years who signed a 550 billion dollar deal that sold out the country, it's really nothing. Furthermore, this one hundred billion in compensation can be paid in installments; the first installment is only five billion dollars, payable within thirty days of the agreement being signed.

The remaining 45 billion will be paid off in ten installments, with the annual interest rate calculated based on the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) rate.

An additional 50 billion yuan in investment and foreign trade orders will also be delivered within three to five years.

What Harper found most intolerable was that Donghuang actually agreed to change the settlement currency from the US dollar to the Dragon Xia currency!
If before they were just cutting blood from the Eagle Tribe's blood bags and draining their blood, this cut has completely severed the Eagle Tribe's lifeline.

It's very simple. After the war, the Eagle Tribe established the dollar's hegemony through military dominance, enabling the Eagle Tribe to reap the world's wealth without lifting a finger.

All international trade worldwide needs to be settled in US dollars. So what should a country do if it doesn't have US dollars? Of course, it can exchange them for US dollars from the Eagle Tribe.

However, please note that the Eagle Tribe is not going to be foolish enough to let you exchange your own currency for the Eagle Tribe's US dollars.

Want US dollars? Sure, trade me some goods!
The Eagle Tribe only needs to pay a little waste paper to exchange for a large number of products and goods, which makes the lives of the people of the Eagle Tribe better and better.

Secondly, if any problems arise within the Eagle Tribe, they can delay the onset of these problems by printing large amounts of currency.

Why can the Eagle Tribe give money to people, while other countries can't?
If other countries actually dare to give money to their citizens, they will immediately face unstoppable hyperinflation.

But the Eagle Tribe uses the US dollar to exploit the world, so their inflation is borne by the entire world.

This move is essentially equivalent to holding the whole world hostage, yet no one can do anything about it.

If the Eagle Tribe were to truly perish, the entire world would be doomed with them. Therefore, if the Eagle Tribe were to encounter any problems, everyone would have to help clean up their mess.

Finally, since everyone uses US dollars for settlement, what should you do if you have a lot of US dollars that you can't spend? Then buy Eagle Tribe's national bonds.

Thus, the Eagle Tribe successfully recovered the US dollars, perfectly forming a cycle.

Of course, the specific situation is much more complicated, and this cycle is not perfect, but it is enough for the Eagle Tribe to seize a lot of benefits and wealth.

Now, Longxia is actually starting to promote the use of Longxia coins for settlement. Isn't this shaking the foundation of the Eagle Tribe?
In fact, for Zhang Zhaoxin, all other conditions were negotiable, but the matter of settling in Longxia coins was one that he absolutely could not compromise on.

Zhang Zhaoxin had originally planned to concede some benefits step by step, but he did not expect that the representative of the Eagle Tribe was far weaker than he had imagined.

Of course, Zhang Zhaoxin felt that this was probably also related to the fact that his side had gained a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Those who lack strength will always find it difficult to have sufficient confidence when negotiating.

For Longxia, pushing for a change in settlement currency would undoubtedly be of great benefit.

Even if the Dragonxia Coin cannot become a globally popular currency like the US dollar in the short term, as long as monetary reforms are promoted in the surrounding areas, the Dragonxia Coin will reap all the benefits that the Eagle Tribe can.

In addition, even the lives of ordinary people will be affected to some extent.

For example, there will be more business opportunities, more job opportunities, and more favorable business partners, which will improve people's living standards.

However, neither of these points is something the Eagle Tribe wants to see.

At that moment, the air in the negotiation room almost froze.

Harper stared intently at Zhang Zhaoxin, trying to find a flaw in his calm face.

But he only saw an unfathomable steadfastness.

Longxia is determined to reshape the rules this time, not just targeting the Eastern Wilderness or the Eagle Tribe, but to change the way the world plays its game.

They want to be the rule-makers of the next era!
However, while they could discuss and negotiate all other conditions, there was no room for negotiation on this one condition.

This is a matter between them and the Eastern Wilderness. They are free to use whatever currency to settle accounts, and the Eagle Tribe has no right to interfere!

But this doesn't mean the Eagle Tribe has absolutely no options.

Having cooperated with the Eastern Wilderness for so many years, the Eagle Tribe's influence and control over the Eastern Wilderness are far deeper than many people imagine.

Not to mention, even now, the Eagle Tribe still has so many troops and military bases stationed in the Eastern Wilderness that they haven't left.

If they really wanted to take action against the Eastern Wilderness, wouldn't it be as simple as saying a few words?
If they are really determined to sabotage this, there are ways to do so.

For example, completely drain the eastern wilderness.

A tribe whose economy has collapsed is naturally not qualified to talk about compensation or investment.

But that would be a completely self-defeating act, and it was not even within Harper's consideration.

Or rather, this is just a backup plan, a last resort. The Eagle Tribe would never use this method against Longxia unless absolutely necessary.

"Your ideas are always so astonishing."

Harper said with a forced smile.

"Now that things have come to this, I think both sides can have an open and honest talk."

Harper said calmly.

“You know, we understand what Longxia really wants to do; you want to challenge the rules of the game set by the Eagle Tribe.”

"So, what price are you willing to pay in exchange for our concessions?"

Harper glanced at Zhang Zhaoxin and raised his palm.

"Stop with the meaningless pleasantries and official jargon; I've heard enough of that these past few days!"

Harper narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You should know that even without resorting to force, we have plenty of ways to prevent you from taking this step!"

Zhang Zhaoxin slowly straightened up and pursed his lips slightly.

"That depends on what you need."

"For example... leaving behind part of the base?"

“Partial base, what do you mean?” Harper asked slowly.

“Based on our initial communication with the new regime in the Eastern Wilderness,” Zhang Zhaoxin gestured to Zhao Liming, who then pulled up a map of the Eastern Wilderness marked with more than a dozen red dots.

"The six bases located in the southwest of Donghuang Island, near the East China Sea, should be closed. As for the bases located in the central part of the island, a certain reconnaissance range can be retained, provided that they do not enter our air defense identification zone."

"Furthermore... these naval bases can be retained, but the carrier battle group must notify us in advance before docking, and no more than one carrier can dock at the same time."

Harper was almost laughing in exasperation.

"This is impossible!"

Anderson blurted out, "This is a blatant interference in our military operations!"

"We will absolutely not agree to such terms!"

"Is this what you call sincerity?" Harper retorted.

This is not a concession to the Eagle Tribe, but a further demand for them to relinquish even more benefits; it is pure threat! (End of Chapter)