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The American representative took a deep drag on his cigar, slowly exhaled the smoke, and was the first to calm down.

"Gentlemen, anger won't help! That man surnamed Shen clearly wanted to give us a hard time, and he certainly did."

He paused, his eyes sharpening: "Since he 'generously' allowed us to visit, then let's go and take a good look."

"Let's see for ourselves what gives him the right to be so arrogant!"

"How many bargaining chips does he have that are worth the price we pay?"

The English representative scoffed, "They just want us to see their 'spoils' so they can inflate the prices of their junk! What a childish trick!"

The German representative also said, "Since we came in, apart from the strange clothes and gun of the guard at the door, we haven't actually seen any of the so-called 'new weapons' he mentioned."

"Let's go see! Let's see what 'good stuff' these people living in mud and wood houses can come up with!"

"right!"

The English representative found an outlet for his anger, and his tone became sarcastic again.

"This ignorant land doesn't even have a decent brick or stone building of more than three stories!"

"Do they even know what reinforced concrete is? Do they know what modern industry is? They probably can't even afford electric lights, can they?"

"With just these, what truly good stuff could there be? I think that guy surnamed Shen is just bluffing!"

The delegates chimed in, each trying to regain their psychological advantage by belittling the environment, encouraging each other as they decided to "take a good look."

These foreigners naturally understood what Shen Wang meant; he simply wanted them to see for themselves so they could raise the price.

To be honest, since they arrived in Zhicheng, they haven't even glanced at those so-called weapons.

How can you offer a price if you don't even look at it?

Of course, no matter what the final price is, they will never agree to the condition proposed by Shen Wang!

Absolutely not!

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the conference room door, which was then pushed open.

A cadre wearing a plain gray Eighth Route Army uniform, glasses, with a refined and scholarly appearance, but with an upright posture, walked in.

"Distinguished delegates, good afternoon."

"I am Zhao Gang, political commissar of the Independent Regiment of the Jin-Southeast Military Region of the Eighth Route Army. By order of Advisor Shen and the leaders of the Military Region, I will accompany you on a tour of Zhicheng and its surrounding areas."

"If you have any questions or anything you'd like to see, please feel free to ask me."

The person who arrived was Zhao Gang.

This was also a task that Shen Wang specifically assigned to Zhao Gang before he left.

Accompanying someone and introducing them to others also constitutes a form of "supervision" and "guidance."

Seeing that the visitor was just an ordinary political cadre of the Eighth Route Army, the arrogance of the representatives, which had just been suppressed by Shen Wang, unconsciously rose again.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes a sense of "finally, someone we can communicate with normally has arrived," and a scrutinizing look of "we need to see what you really have."

The American representative dusted off his cigar ash, stood up first, and said in a condescending tone, "Political Commissar Zhao, is that right? Very well! Then we'll... go along with the host's wishes, and trouble you to give us a proper 'tour' of your... city."

"Especially,"

The English representative emphasized this point, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Those 'advanced equipment' and 'powerful strength' that give Mr. Shen so much confidence... please don't let us down."

Zhao Gang seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in their words, maintaining his polite smile and gesturing for them to proceed.

"Of course, distinguished delegates, this way please."

. . .

Leaving the stuffy meeting room, Zhao Gang led the representatives from the four countries along the rammed dirt road toward a large training ground on the outskirts of the city.

Throughout the journey, the foreigners kept talking.

It wasn't necessarily that they lacked manners or were impatient; rather, since stepping into the territory of Zhicheng, a series of "cold receptions" had severely shattered their long-held sense of superiority, making them feel uncomfortable and compelled to speak out.

They were used to being fawned over and treated like honored guests wherever they went.

Even in the rear areas of the Eighth Route Army, they could enjoy the best possible treatment.

But what about here?

Coffee? No!

A decent snack? No!

All we had were cold, hard steamed buns and overly salty pickled vegetables!

Even that guy surnamed Shen dared to leave them hanging, demonstrating his dominance in a way that was almost humiliating!

This is utterly outrageous! Barbaric! Uncivilized!

The representatives cursed inwardly, determined that once they completed this damned mission and got what they wanted, they would file a complaint with the international community and with every channel that could exert influence!

We must make these ignorant and arrogant peasants understand that the dignity of the great powers cannot be challenged!

They could not withstand the iron fist of the great powers!

Zhao Gang, walking ahead, ignored the suppressed grumbling and occasional foreign swear words coming from behind him.

He works in political affairs, and what he values ​​most is patience, meticulousness, and emotional stability.

If it were Li Yunlong, he would probably have yelled "Damn it!" or used more "vivid" local dialect to let these foreign devils know why the flowers are so red.

Soon, the group arrived at the edge of a vast earthen training ground. Dust billowed, and shouts of battle and commands could be faintly heard.

At first, the representatives from the four countries were somewhat dismissive, even looking at them with a critical eye.

Soldiers? Training? What's so interesting about that?

What they wanted to see were the legendary "new equipment," not these Eastern soldiers who, while perhaps brave, were clearly weaker than their Western counterparts in physique and average height.

Faced with absolute power and "civilization level," individual bravery seems insignificant.

However, this nonchalant attitude froze on their faces the moment they saw the troops training on the field, and then turned into unbelievable astonishment!

From a distance, it appeared that about a company of soldiers were training in basic tactical maneuvers.

The training itself is nothing special—crawling, leaping, covering, charging…any modern army practices these.

What truly stunned these well-traveled delegates was the soldiers' attire!

Although they weren't as heavily armed and futuristic as the sentry at the conference room door, the uniforms these soldiers wore were equally unusual!

Of course, it's the complete set of equipment for the Type 69 Class A Division brought by Shen Wang!

Clothes, pants, military boots, helmets, and all sorts of accessories!

Moreover, all these clothes were re-dyed, turning into the unique "Eighth Master Gray" of North China!

The representatives from the four countries were dumbfounded when they saw such neat military uniforms!