Chapter 1516 - An Incisive View (1/2)

The meeting on the first day ended.

Everyone needed time to think and discuss internally. It was impossible to make a decision over a few hours of meeting on such an important matter.

Jiang Chen proposed a plan for colonizing Himalia to all participating member states.

The principle of the plan was that Celestial Trade would provide the equipment and solve the technical barriers while all the other countries would provide people and funding. Based on the contribution, the colonization index each country received was different, and this index also determined the “shares” held in the Himalia colony.

The major energy companies would participate in the development of Himalia resources as developers. They would purchase equipment from Future Heavy Industries, pay land taxes to the colony, as well as fees for oxygen, free water, and other necessities. The manufactured black alkane would be shipped back or sold to other countries based on internal policies.

Regardless, the transportation of the black alkane had to rely on the Seagull-class transport ships.

In any case, Celestial Trade was set to win on this plan.

As they walked down the corridor outside the conference room, Lu Wei asked Wu Changfeng.

“What do you think of Celestial Trade’s proposal?”

“Cunning.”

It was Wu Changfeng’s evaluation of Celestial Trade, or Jiang Chen himself.

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Lu Wei asked with a smile.

“Don’t you think we are like miners working for him?” Wu Changfeng grinned and looked at the President of PetroHua, who was walking not far away and was engaged in a passionate conversation with the foreign minister, and continued, “They found a gold mine, and then provided us with equipment, shelter, and even the railway to transport the ‘black gold’. Then he shouted to us to come, so we are going.”

Lu Wei took a second to process the analogy, then he laughed out.

“Your thought process is very novel, but it does make sense now that I think about it… But do you think our country will agree?”

“Of course. We will soon become the world’s largest energy importer. The natural gas resources on Himalia are dispensable for Russia, but they are too important for us.” Wu Changfeng smiled and walked towards the PetroHua boss not far away, then raised his chin and pointed at him. “Don’t you see how happy my guy is? Before colonizing Himalia, we are relying on Russian imports for natural gas, but after colonizing Himalia, we might even have natural gas left over to export.”

“Then do you think Russia will support Celestial Trade’s plan?”

“Why not?” Wu Changfeng shrugged. “Not only will they, but they will do everything they can to get more shares than us at tomorrow’s meeting, and then continue to secure their status as a major producer of natural gas. The importance of black alkane is much greater to them than to us.”

It was foreseeable that Gazprom and PetroHua would compete fiercely at the meeting tomorrow.

Lu Wei smiled, and chose not to continue on this topic, but after they walked forward for a while longer, he suddenly asked a question.

“What do you think about the task that the leader gave you?”

“Since you have asked me so many questions, do I get to ask you one?” Wu Changfeng chuckle, then turned his head to look at Lu Wei, “How about you answer this question first?”

Lu Wei smiled, pondered for a second, and continued.

“From my personal observation, the Earth Defense Alliance is transforming from a United Nations-like organization to a political union.”

Wu Changfeng raised his eyebrows.

“Oh? Why do you say that?”

“I thought you had noticed it,” Lu Wei said with a smile, “It not only has 50,000 standing force, but it also has its own fleet. Although there is only one Envoy-class, it is now the largest starship in the entire solar system. And now, it even has its own territory.”

Wu Changfeng’s eyes flashed with a hint of splendor.