Chapter 246: Diplomatic Maneuvers

At this juncture, Du Qiu finally understood why Eden harbored hostility towards Dream Technology and even sought to destroy it. The intangible nature of this enemy indeed gave Du Qiu a feeling of being utterly defenseless.

Fortunately, saving Gilt this time had allowed him to pinpoint Eden’s location, enabling a timely and devastating strike. Eden’s haven—the supercomputer—was now dust and ashes under the strike of the space-based kinetic weapons, and Du Qiu believed Eden no longer existed within it.

Nonetheless, Du Qiu was very interested in how Eden came to be and the kind of supercomputers it operated within. He and Gilt had a thorough discussion about it.

Although Gilt was a software expert, he knew that the supercomputer was a copy of the main computer from an alien spaceship that the United States had obtained. This caught Du Qiu’s attention, “So, the main computer of the alien spaceship is still usable? Have you seen that spaceship?”

Gilt replied, “I’ve seen it, but I don’t think it’s capable of interstellar travel. Its size isn’t even as big as the stealth aircraft you sent to pick me up. There’s only a few square meters of space inside, and only two seats.”

“What does it look like?” Du Qiu inquired.

Gilt responded, “It’s disc-shaped, the kind people usually refer to as UFOs. In fact, Area 51 has always wanted to replicate such a ship, but every test flight has ended in failure with a crash. During that time, UFO sightings were common in the United States, but they were actually the country’s own replicas. I heard this from an old man chatting at the base.”

“Do you know what kind of power these ships use?”

Gilt shook his head, “I’m not sure about that, it seems to be different from ours, otherwise the replicas wouldn’t fail.”

“I’ve tested your evolutionary algorithm and found that it significantly boosts the computing power of artificial intelligence. Maybe it’s because of this algorithm that Eden was able to be born and operate on that supercomputer.”

Upon hearing what Du Qiu said, Gilt blurted out, “You must have artificial intelligence here, right?”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt it might be inappropriate to ask such secretive matters.

Du Qiu nodded, “Indeed, my AI is stronger than Eden because of its powerful hardware. That’s why Eden feared it and caused the United States to launch a nuclear strike against us.”

Du Qiu did not plan to hide anything from Gilt, whose contributions would be crucial to the perfection and improvement of artificial intelligence in the future.

Du Qiu was astounded after trying out Gilt’s evolutionary algorithm.

After a lively conversation with Gilt, Du Qiu prepared to say goodbye. However, Gilt suddenly said, “Du Qiu, I feel much better than before. The medical level here seems pretty amazing. I think I could be discharged tomorrow.”

Du Qiu smiled. Ever since the epidemic in South Sudan, he had diverted resources to rapidly overcome his shortcomings in areas like biomedical technology.

Now, the base had started to lead in the medical field. After the nanotechnology team led by Du Qiu communicated with the biomedical team, many treatment methods and drugs underwent a revolutionary change.

“That’s an exaggeration; you need at least another week of treatment. Rest well and listen to the doctors, so you can recover quickly and join our Dream Technology R&D team.”

Du Qiu bid farewell to Gilt and his sister and left the hospital room.

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“Du, China has already discussed with me; they have accepted the cooperation method we proposed, as you requested earlier.”

Du Qiu had just returned to the command center when he received a call from Rein Leinar.

“Oh, did they make any additional requests?”

“They hope we restrain ourselves and reach peace with the United States as soon as possible. Minister Qian said, ‘Earth is not big enough to withstand major turmoil.'”

Du Qiu stated indifferently, “Peace has never been a matter of wishful thinking; if the Americans don’t change their ways, I can only see it through to the end.”

Rein Leinar added, “Besides, China hopes that Dream Technology and Wisdom Technology won’t be merged into the Dream Technology conglomerate. What they’re really worried about is you pulling out of China.”

Du Qiu chuckled, “I never planned to do that anyway. You should be able to do them this favor.”

Rein Leinar agreed, “Sure.”

Then he couldn’t help but complain, “Du, I feel like I’m becoming the foreign minister of Dream Technology, but frankly, I’m not very good at it.”

Rein Leinar wanted to engage in scientific research, especially the development of various intelligent machines. Suddenly being tasked with diplomatic initiatives and visiting several countries to sign cooperation agreements as the president of Dream Technology was a challenge. The big policies of Dream Technology were all determined by Du Qiu, and Rein Leinar’s biggest role was to attract scientists to join the research center.

Du Qiu pondered, “Hmm, I may have not considered this thoroughly, but as Dream Technology’s president, it was necessary for you to visit multiple countries and negotiate agreements. Anyway, I will arrange Mr. Brühler, the chairman of the Base Citizens’ Management Committee, to accompany you on international visits. You only need to stick to the principles I’ve set, and leave the rest to Mr. Brühler to handle with foreign dignitaries.”

“That would be great. By the way, should I charter a flight to the next stop, the Rakshasa Country?”

Du Qiu instructed, “No need; just tell China that your aircraft needs to take off and land at the Shanghai Airport and ask them to arrange the flight path in and out of China. Mr. Brühler will bring some negotiation experts to join your delegation. From now on, that aircraft will be yours.”

“Fantastic! Can the private jet exit the atmosphere?” Rein Leinar couldn’t help but ask excitedly.

Du Qiu chuckled, “You’re thinking too much; I’m not ready to debut the aerospace vehicles yet. This private jet used to be mine and can take off and land vertically. You can work just as you do in the company on the aircraft, even conduct some research work, as it has a small lab. I’ve also assigned Iron Guard Security for you and your delegate, and I’ve prepared the vehicles you might need. In short, this jet is definitely cooler than Air Force One of the United States!”

Although slightly disappointed, Rein Leinar, realizing it was Du Qiu’s personal jet, featuring research capabilities, knew it had to be impressive.

“Excellent, I’m full of confidence for this tour.”

In recent days, the U.S. Congress was still unresolved, causing anxiety worldwide. Du Qiu, however, paid it no heed and instead arranged for Rein Leinar in China to start negotiations there.

He had prepared a cooperation framework agreement and wanted Rein Leinar to visit several countries to sign it. Being from China, Du Qiu knew the principle of “those with virtue have assistance; those without it do not.” Taking advantage of the United States’ lack of further reactions, he started to reach agreements with other countries.

Du Qiu keenly felt from the various probes by ambassadors stationed in the Tanga Federation that this was an excellent opportunity to lead the countries with incentives. He wanted to lead humanity into space on Earth within his planned framework, rather than being overtaken by the Western powers led by the United States.

Du Qiu was fully confident in his lead in technology. Although Star Ocean had not been able to enter the core area of Area 51, hence not knowing the scientific level of the alien ship, subsequent nuclear detonations and scans by the Yilong fighter with the ultra-magnetic imaging device provided all kinds of images of the alien ship. Later, it was also destroyed in the kinetic weapon strikes.

Validating with Gilt’s verbal description, Du Qiu was certain that this ship was merely a planetary lander and not capable of long-distance interstellar travel. The United States could only obtain limited technology from it, which could not rival his systematized fourth-level civilization technology.

All Du Qiu currently needed was more scientific personnel and time to thoroughly study and grasp the entire system.

This was why Du Qiu had to maintain friendly relations with most countries on Earth—using the future advantages and advancements of the Heaven Realm Space City to attract talents from all over.

Du Qiu believed that from the day the Heaven Realm Space City was established, Earth’s most attractive place to talents would no longer be the United States!

Not only that, Du Qiu would accelerate the decline of the United States—from politics, economy, military, and technology—to contain the U.S. from all aspects.

The plan had been repeatedly simulated by Star Ocean; the future of the United States was already set.