“The Skyline, is it...?”
Connecting this to his earlier discussions with Hu Kan and the current state of affairs across the Outer Ocean, Chen Chuan had a pretty good idea of why the two had come.
He said, “I know a bit about this.”
Gu Haiting and Song Yuan exchanged a glance. Song Yuan spoke up again, “Director Chen, may we borrow the field screen in your home?”
“Certainly,” Chen Chuan replied. He tapped his boundary credential, casting a beam of light from the ceiling of the living room, and granted them informational access.
Song Yuan tapped his boundary credential to interface with the local field information. After a moment, the beam of light flickered several times and displayed a map of the Eastern Continent. It soon zoomed out slightly, primarily showing the islands across the Outer Ocean, while Great Shun's eastern coastline receded to the periphery.
Still, one could see that stretching from the Cold Sea in the far north down to the Vast Sea in the south, the entire expanse along this side was Great Shun's territory. In terms of administrative divisions, at the very top lay the vast, boundless, and sparsely populated Haixi Dao, followed by Hedong, Jibei, Huainan, Jiangdong, and the other daos.
Looking solely at the eastern coast, only four daos possessed a coastline: Haixi, Jibei, Huainan, and Jiangdong. Haixi Dao alone accounted for more than half the territory on the map. However, because Haixi was so vast, its Center City was not located in the coastal zone. The dao situated closer to the eastern coast and the others was Hedong Dao, northwest of Jibei Dao.
Yet with the intensifying collision between the two worlds and major advances in biotechnology, grain production had surged, and the population climbed year after year. Consequently, the number of Center Cities had steadily increased over recent decades, and Haixi Dao was very likely to be subdivided to form a new Center City.
On the map, every Center City was indicated by a glowing icon, and the peripheral cities radiating outward were also marked.
Nonetheless, the map primarily showcased the expanse of the Outer Ocean. Within it, only a single location held a glow akin to the various Center Cities, though by comparison, it was not very bright at present.
Song Yuan said, “Director Chen, this is the Center City we are about to establish. It is situated on Pigu Island, which occupies a hub position in the Outer Ocean, and has now been officially renamed Kaiyang Island.
“The conditioned field creature has already been delivered there. Over the coming months, it will grow rapidly to support the foundation of our Center City.
“Its scale will not be very large at first, but it will continually expand over time. In the future, it will integrate resources across the entire Outer Ocean, serving as the economic and technological center for the various island nations out there.”
At this point, he traced several lines on his boundary credential, connecting Kaiyang Island with the Center Cities of Jibei, Huainan, Jiangdong, and other daos.
“If we can link the information networks of these Center Cities together, the exchange of information, goods, and technology will leap forward by several tiers, and resources can be utilized on a massive scale. The benefits would be immeasurable.”
Gu Haiting chimed in from the side, “Director Chen, according to the documents our company's leadership showed us, there have long been definitive reports within the state laying out a series of data to demonstrate the advantages. Once the Skyline Project is implemented, the boost to the development of the Center Cities and national strength will be immense.”
Chen Chuan nodded slightly. Whether it was competition between nations or confrontation with the other world, everything boiled down to the struggle over and utilization of resources. This was true in the Melded Lands, and equally true in the real world. If the Center Cities could integrate their information, supply each other's needs, and share technology, resource efficiency would increase drastically.
Yet even setting aside the grand strategic vision of connecting Center Cities across the entire world, merely attempting to implement the Skyline domestically had met with immense friction in every country. To date, no nation had achieved meaningful progress in this regard.
Moreover, it was not just domestic resistance; external powers actively interfered and obstructed as well. They knew full well that if another nation succeeded, it would very likely give rise to one or even several megacity clusters.
And once one such cluster emerged, a second would likely follow, and then more and more. That would mean the interest groups around the world that had already carved up their spheres of influence would face a major reshuffling—something far too many people did not wish to see.
Gu Haiting said, “A senior executive at our company once mentioned that the Capital has actually been looking for ways to advance this plan all along, but it cannot afford to ignore the opinions of the local Center Cities. Especially given how vast our country is, with the Great Impact looming at any moment and so many foreign competitors watching, the slightest turbulence could spark massive unrest. If that were the consequence, the higher-ups would rather stay their hand.”
Chen Chuan understood this. Order, no matter how imperfect, was always preferable to disorder. Furthermore, this was not the affair of a single Center City. Even if the state forced it through in one place using government power, once the other Center Cities witnessed it, their vested interest groups would surely band together in opposition.
If foreign powers intervened as well, it would very likely cause the initiative to fall apart halfway, ending in compromise—a pointless bout of internal depletion.
Song Yuan said, “Yet right now, an opportunity has presented itself—one that may serve as a breakthrough point.”
He looked toward the map display. “Once our Center City in the Outer Ocean is established, because it carries no historical baggage and there are currently no major powers among the Outer Ocean islands capable of rivaling us, we can choose to open communications with the mainland Center Cities. However, this likewise requires the backing of the various Center Cities.”
Chen Chuan interjected, “Allow me to interrupt for a moment.” He looked at the two of them. “What is the Linax Federation's reaction? Will they attempt to obstruct this?”
Affairs in the Outer Ocean could never be viewed in isolation from the Linax Federation. Although their influence had suffered heavily following Ferris Wheel's defeat, they still retained interests and spheres of influence near the Federation's western coast. No matter how one looked at it, they would never sit idly by and watch this proceed smoothly.
Gu Haiting said, “Here is the situation. The state has maintained infiltration and covert arrangements within the Linax Federation for a long time. Just as they seek to disrupt our development, we work to divide and undermine them. Over the past few years, we have achieved some success. Recently, two states along the Linax Federation's western coast fell into turmoil. Until that is quelled, they will not have the bandwidth to concern themselves with us. That buys us at least several months to half a year.
“So right now is the ideal window.”
Chen Chuan nodded. Although Great Shun was fraught with internal conflicts just like any other nation, its external operations agencies were certainly not dead weight and had produced considerable results. He said, “Please, go on.”
Song Yuan said, “Haixi Dao's Center City is too far away, and most of the surrounding waters are rather cold, so we are setting it aside for now. As for Jiangdong Dao, we sent representatives to approach them, but their stance remains ambiguous; though they are willing, they don't want to be the ones sticking their necks out.
“We are working on persuading Huainan Dao. Their interest is relatively keen, and progress has been made, but things are currently stalled due to resistance from their local council.
“Here in Jibei Dao, however, the situation is far better than in the other two daos. If we push forward now, we believe the higher-ups will back it vigorously.”
Chen Chuan understood. While the upper echelon wanted to advance this agenda, they were mindful of pushback on multiple fronts, so for now, they were merely having the state enterprises and municipal governments take spontaneous initiative. Without question, Jibei Dao currently offered the best prospect.
After several rounds of suppression, the Municipal Council's influence had waned and was not as deeply entrenched as in other Center Cities. Furthermore, the Government Affairs Department had recently enacted several new ordinances advantageous to itself, which indeed provided strong support and momentum for this initiative.
Gu Haiting said, “When it comes to Jibei Dao's government administration, the Decision-Making Group determines the course of policy. Director Chen is a member of that group, so we hope Mr. Chen can champion this plan during the Decision-Making Group meeting.”
Song Yuan added, “Both of our companies have collaborated with Director Chen in the past, and our leadership holds Director Chen in high esteem. We believe this collaboration will likewise prove mutually beneficial.”
This was an intimation of benefits.
Chen Chuan knew that the two were effectively lobbying him.
Had he been a politician, he might not have rushed to give a definitive answer, choosing instead to make them play more cards. But he was a martial artist. In certain matters, he felt no need to conceal his thoughts. Thus, he said plainly, “As for the Skyline, I am personally in favor.”
Both Song and Gu were greatly encouraged, joy flashing across their faces.
Chen Chuan said, “Because this matter is genuinely beneficial to us, I will do what I can to help bring it about at the meeting. However, you two must understand that even if the Government Affairs Department sets its mind to it, pushing this through will still be fraught with difficulties.”
Their expressions grew solemn. Gu Haiting said, “We are well aware of that, Director Chen. This concerns the state's grand strategy. Our two companies will spare no expense and cooperate fully.”
Chen Chuan nodded. These two state enterprises were indeed formidable in strength. If the Government Affairs Department committed itself and joined hands with them, their chances were far from slim.
Having obtained his explicit commitment, Gu and Song sat for a short while longer before taking their leave.
Chen Chuan remained where he was, reflecting for a moment. After finishing his tea, he went to the training hall to cultivate.
That evening, he received a notification from Fumu: the Center City Decision-Making Group meeting was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on the twenty-first, and his presence was requested.
He gave it some thought. The twenty-first was the day after tomorrow. That meant he could depart for the Outer Ocean to search for the He siblings after the meeting; leaving on the same day would still give him plenty of time. Thus, he reported his travel plans upward and briefly packed his belongings for the trip.
Two days later, at 9:50 in the morning, inside the Director's office of the Defense Department, Chen Chuan activated the field screen. After a moment,
one figure after another arrived upon the informational platform. Administrator Qi Weizhao, Defense Ministry Commissioner Liang Guanghai, and Melded Lands Garrison Supervisor Qiao Weiting appeared on the screen. Additionally, Director Qian Shushan of the Esoteric Cult Examination Bureau was in attendance this time. However, like Director Wei Huan of the Disposal Bureau, he historically possessed only non-voting observer status, with no power to make proposals or decisions.
With Chen Chuan present on behalf of the Defense Department, there was no need for Wei Huan to appear unless Chen Chuan happened to be absent for some reason.
Qi Weizhao spoke up, “Members of the Decision-Making Group, first I must make an announcement. Because Principal Yao must remain stationed in the Melded Lands, he is unable to attend today's meeting. Therefore, invoking Article Four of the meeting regulations, he has entrusted his voting power for this session to Director Chen, authorizing Director Chen to exercise decision-making authority on his behalf.”
……
……”
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Chapter 836