Translator: _Min_ Editor: Caron_
It was soon mid-July. Although the island experienced summer all year round, it was located south of the Equator, Coro Island was still hotter compared to other areas.
Since Natasha told Jiang Chen that the Freemasonry would send the “Gatekeeper” to Asia, Jiang Chen reduced unnecessary travels. Although he wasn’t worried that someone could pose a threat to himself on the island, he did so under strong urging from Ayesha.
At the same time, the Ghost Agents also conducted investigations on the so-called “Gatekeeper.” Unfortunately, not everything could be solved by technology. So far, Ghost Agents hadn’t yet been able to confirm the identity of the Gatekeeper.
Future Group withdrew its European assets and the EU economy had been overshadowed by strong local protectionism. Celestial Trade’s space activities were still ongoing, the Turkish civil war continued, and the situation on MLL Island began to deteriorate.
On MLL Island, Country F and Moro’s military forces were in a tense state. It was no exaggeration to say that it was probable war would erupt in the next second, and the trigger could be that a sentry’s rifle accidentally fired because he forgot to close the safety.
From public opinion, the two sides were also fighting a war there.
Aquino IV accused Santos of corruption and treated the Country F citizens living on MLL Island unfairly, and the delay in dismissing the war measures was equivalent to contempt for human rights. Santos, in turn, accused Aquino IV’s deployment of tens of thousands of troops on the border of preventing him from dismissing war measures. The MLL Island people had to lift their weapons to fight against possible aggression.
Discerning people could see that Country F was propping up public opinion for a war.
In Port d, north of MLL Island, Jiang Chen walked out from his Gulfstream private jet, accompanied by more than ten bodyguards wearing kinetic skeletons. Standing next to him, in addition to the bodyguards, was Ayesha in a suit. The eyes behind the electronic sunglasses continuously scanned the edges of the airport.
Jiang Chen’s visit to MLL Island wasn’t for vacation but to make a deal with Russia.
The fleet sent by Santos took him to the hotel. At three in the afternoon, Jiang Chen met with the Russian military officer, Shatov, at the same warehouse in southern MLL Island, which acted as a warehouse for Celestial Trade.
The burly Russian, whether it was his face or demeanor, seemed to possess a great amount of force. After seeing Jiang Chen, he extended his right hand.
“I am very glad to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is very long. According to the language habits of the Han people, you can call me Mr. Shatov, or Lieutenant Colonel Shatov.”
Contrary to Jiang Chen’s expectations, the Russian was very good at Han. He even had an accent of the northeast region.
Jiang Chen also made a simple self-introduction after shaking hands.
“Jiang Chen, President of Celestial Trade.”
Shatov nodded and got straight to the point.
“I heard you plan to do a deal with us. The Kremlin is putting a lot of pressure on this. So, what is your proposal?”
“Send in two divisions to enter the Crimea Peninsula. I hope you will exert pressure on the EU on the Ukrainian issue,” said Jiang Chen.
Shatov took a moment to process this. He obviously didn’t expect that this abrupt request would be made. Ukraine was the bottom line for NATO on the issue of Eastern Europe. If Russia continued to push forward, it was likely that it would ignite gunpowder barrels throughout Eastern Europe.
A direct collision with Russia wasn’t in the interests of NATO or the other Western countries. But in the same way, Russia wouldn’t want to clash with its enemies now. No matter whose perspective it was from, if war really broke out, Russia’s chances wouldn’t be good.
“Comrade Brzezinski once said that a Russia without Ukraine wouldn’t be able to become a big country. I don’t believe you’re willing to give up this century-long opportunity. And now this opportunity is before you.” Jiang Chen fixed on Shatov’s eyes then he suddenly smiled. “Let’s put this aside for now. Let’s talk about compensation.”
“I am afraid that your proposal won’t be accepted,” Shatov replied reluctantly.
“Not necessarily,” Jiang Chen said, snapping at the bodyguard next to him.
The bodyguard, who understood, walked to the soldiers guarding the warehouse. After briefly communicating, the two guards turned their backs and quickly opened the door to the warehouse.
A dry smell blew out. Looking at the dark warehouse, Shatov frowned slightly.
“Follow me.” Jiang Chen took the lead into the warehouse.
Shatov hesitated and followed him in.
From the outside, the warehouse was very unremarkable, but when he walked into the warehouse, he was surprised to discover that the warehouse was astonishingly large. Soon the soldier turned on the lights and the incandescent lamps at the top brightened the interior space. Shatov blinked and saw a lone object lying in the middle of the warehouse.
“This is…?” Shatov stepped forward, tapping on the circular tube.
“Remember the Madagascar incident that happened last month?” Jiang Chen smiled.
Shatov’s pupils contracted slightly and he retracted his hand.
“This is a nuclear warhead?”
“No, this is a conventional weapon,” Jiang Chen said with a smile and walked to the side of this round-tubular device. “But its power is more astounding than nuclear weapons, especially in modern society.”
When Jiang Chen said this, Shatov didn’t understand for a moment. But when he chewed repeatedly, his face suddenly became quite emotional and his fingers began to tremble.
“Could it be an… electromagnetic pulse weapon?”
“Yeah, we call it EMP and it’s a strategic EMP, which is a little bigger than the ones used on Mayotte.” Jiang Chen nodded and tapped his fingers on the tubular device. “The Sword Shuttering-1’s combat components can be mounted on intercontinental missiles. Only one missile is needed and it will indiscriminately eliminate unprotected electronic equipment without any pollution in a 100,000 square kilometer zone.”
While he said this, Jiang Chen stopped the conversation and looked at Shatov, who was frozen there. He smiled.
“Now do you still think my proposal won’t be accepted?”
“…you’re willing to sell us this weapons technology?”
“We never sell technology, but we’re happy to sell our products. The components of TEN Sword Shuttering-1s should be enough,” said Jiang Chen.
EMP weapons belonged in the lab at the experimental stage for any country. However, aside from high-altitude nuclear explosions, no one had yet developed “environmentally friendly” electromagnetic pulse excitation methods. If this Sword Shuttering-1 was really as powerful as Jiang Chen stated, its presence would completely reverse the situation in which the Russian military lacked confidence against NATO.
“…I can’t give you a definitive answer, but I’ll ask the Kremlin,” Shatov replied cautiously.
“No problem, I look forward to the next time I meet with you. I hope I’ll be hearing good news.” Jiang Chen smiled.
