656 The Gloom to the North

In early September, because of the dumping event, Jiang Chen's return was delayed by a month. But following the conclusion of the Federation election, everything returned to peace.

With the leadership of Ji Yucheng, Federation and NAC signed a more cooperative alliance agreement, officially marking the complete control of Hucheng by NAC.

Jiang Chen personally visited Zhonghe City and witnessed the commercial hub of Jiangyou Province highly praised by people.

To be frank, after seeing the actual city, it fell short of his expectations. The city known for its freedom and prosperity was indeed much prosperous than Qianshan Town, but compared to the Sixth Street in Wanghai, it was lackluster.

But after observing the local industries, Jiang Chen noticed a few interesting things.

The membrane filtration technology of Zhonghe City was more advanced than Wanghai's technology. It was no surprise that the price of nutrient supply there was lower compared to other places.

Their genetically modified Carm trees not only produced tree sap of similar quality compared to Shenxiang, but the production was also 20% higher per tree. They also possessed artificial intelligence for AI, improved graphene production technology and an array of technology…

Following Federation joining NAC's jurisdiction, their secretly-guarded technology flowed into NAC territory through trade routes.

From this point of view, the cost of merging Federation was negligible.

Wu Qian, from Gear Chamber of Commerce, accompanied Jiang Chen on the tour.

Just as the people of Federation witnessed, Wu Qian utilized her exemplary diplomatic tactics to mediate the conflict between Federation merchants and NAC and facilitated a partnership between both parties. The fact that both leaders could walk side by side together successfully proved the point.

Of course, their relationship wasn't as simple as what the public saw.

During the multi-day visit to Zhonghe City, Jiang Chen walked out of Wu Qian's private mansion feeling refreshed.

And during the same period of time, Wu Qian went to work with dark circles around her eyes and her mind constantly slipped when she was working and in meetings, clearly overworked. The employees of the chamber of commerce didn't notice the abnormal behavior of their female boss. Instead, they thought she was working too diligently for the company, which caused her to be sleep-deprived…

If the people who envied her figure knew she was being "trained" every night by a man, would their worldview collapse?

Jiang Chen occasionally entertained that thought.

...

But whenever he mentioned that to her, Wu Qian would "beg" him not to do that or her image would be completely destroyed.

Jiang Chen definitely wouldn't do that since he needed Wu Qian to act as his representative to maintain the stable operation of Gear Chamber of Commerce. He did purchase the company with half a million credit points; it would be wasteful if he just allowed it to erode.

But that didn't stop him from mentioning it.

Jiang Chen's inner sadist pleasure was completely pleassed by Wu Qian's desperate pleas.

Of course, it might've had something to do with Wu Qian being a sadist herself.

…

Their pleasure aside.

On the last day of the tour, Jiang Chen went to see Ji Yucheng at the Presidential Palace in Zhonghe City.

After seeing Ji Yucheng again, it appeared he no longer had a defeated spirit. In a clean and fitted suit, his hair was styled and he was accompanied by an advisor.

The former president Jiang Ming left Zhonghe City at the end of the election for another city. He knew that once he lost, Ji Yucheng, who was the victim of his deceitful tactics, would not let him go easily.

But his previous advisor Xu Chengwei wasn't so lucky.

Because he was late by a few steps, evidence of unlawful transactions was presented against him and former owner of Gears Chamber of Commerce, Liu Hong, was then arrested to await trial. The judge already hinted to Ji Yucheng that Xu Chengwei could get a sentence of at least ten years.

With a taste of power, Ji Yucheng was naturally loyal to Jiang Chen because he knew everything he enjoyed was due to that man. If Jiang Cheng wanted him to lose everything, it would only take a sentence from him.

Jiang Ming, who fled, and Xu Chengwei, in prison, were all perfect examples.

"Currently, we're discussing the proposal to join NAC's economic zone. We already explained to the public that it doesn't mean we're surrendering to NAC, and it doesn't mean we're being controlled by NAC. It's only a method to facilitate cooperation between the two parties. NAC's merchants can have easier access to investments in Federation, and we will no longer need to pay for our defense budget; the budget can go to more meaningful things."

"Is there anyone who objects?" Jiang Chen asked casually.

"Of course, but only a small number." Ji Yucheng's eyes shifted. His fingers crossed on the table and in an assuring voice, he said, "We'll convince them."

"No need to be so anxious," Jiang Chen took a sip of his tea and leaned on the sofa. "I said I'd make you the president and it became reality. I also said that as long as you listened to me, you would continue to sit on the throne."

"Of course I trust you. I'm just not used to it yet." President Ji let out a long breath. His tense shoulders loosened slightly.

"Try to get used to it."

"I will."

Jiang Chen nodded. After a brief pause, he continued.

"Did you discover anything about who sent the letter?"

Jiang Chen was still curious as to who leaked the password to Federation.

Since it wasn't Doctor Sun, who else was connected to Fallout Shelter 072? The survivor of the "disaster" mentioned by Sun Jiao? The perpetrator of the attack? Or some other person?

"We have some information now. From Xu Chengwei's mouth… the former advisor, we obtained some insight through some special methods." Ji Yucheng grinned.

"That's fine. I don't want to ask about the details of your interrogation. Get to the point," Jiang Chen said with irritation.

Ji Yucheng immediately replied:

"The Northern Alliance Area."

"The Alliance Area… did they reach this far already?" Jiang Chen's brows furrowed as he muttered to himself.

Ji Yucheng didn't disrupt Jiang Chen's thought and waited for him to continue.

"Where did they go?"

"They?"

"The Northern Alliance Area people."

Ji Yucheng shook his head with regret.

"I sent people to search for their whereabouts, but the trail ended ten days ago… Ten days ago, they left the Dad of Death Claws Hotel in Zhonghe City then no one saw them again."

[Dad of Death Claws?]

Jiang Chen's eyebrows jumped. [What kind of name is this - isn't Death Claws a matriarchal species…]

"Ten days ago, the second day of your presidency."

"That's right." Ji Yucheng nodded.

"Then can we interpret that to mean they took away former president Mr. Jia Ming?" Jiang Chen said in an undertone.

"That's also what my advisor and I thought, but… we couldn't find any evidence that proved a connection." Ji Yucheng forced a smile.

"Evidence is only one part of the equation. I'm not a judge and sometimes I trust my instincts more. Just like how the media can't find evidence for the 'connection' between us when we do have a connection." Jiang Chen tapped the back of his neck with his finger.

Ji Yucheng gulped.

He was injected with an "honorary chip" and was officially a knight of NAC; it just wasn't disclosed to the public. Once Federation officially joined the NAC big family, Jiang Chen would give him an emblem.

Seeing as Ji Yucheng was silent, Jiang Chen thought for a moment and continued to delegate tasks.

"Compared to Wanghai, you're closer to the Northern Alliance Area. I only have one recommendation: closely monitor their activities. Do you understand what I mean?"

"You mean… the Northern Alliance Area is plotting against us?" Ji Yucheng's face looked somewhat pale.

Although he had never been there, based on the merchant fleets, he could experience the powerful influence of the Northern Alliance Area. Compared to that place, the areas along the coast and river were more like barren land from the destruction of war.

It was the reason why the Northern Alliance Area viewed themselves as the true rulers of this piece of land.

"That's right," Jiang Chen said concisely.

"But they're 1300 kilometers away from us. It'll be a problem just to reach them," Ji Yucheng said with a bitter smile.

"It's only 1300 kilometers, two times the distance from Wanghai to Hucheng. A long time ago, they declared war on us. It's just that after ten years, the fated invaders never arrived, but we never forgot about their declaration."

"Hopefully they forgot about it," Ji Yucheng said.

"I'll never dare to imagine that our enemy forgot about us." Jiang Chen stood up, paused, and looked at Ji Yucheng sternly. "If they ultimately fulfill their declaration of war and clash against us, it will be a war between civilizations."

A war between two civilizations was far more tragic than a war between barbarians and civilization.

"I understand." Ji Yucheng nodded with difficulty then continued to ask while looking at Jiang Chen, who was standing up, "Are you planning to leave?"

"That's right. I'll return to Wanghai tomorrow. I'll have to count on you for affairs in Federation."

Ji Yucheng took a deep breath and said with sincerity:

"Leave it to me."