This Game Is Too Real-Chapter 781: Lend you? Don’t even think about it!

"Wasteland OL" Official Website Forum.

[Announcement: The West Winds Empire borrows ten billion West Winds coins from the South Sea Union. Any company registered in the settlements of the southern sea area, or conducting business locally, can apply. The funds can be used to import raw materials from the West Winds Empire—players, please explore the gameplay yourselves!]

Quit Smoking: "Holy shit!"

Dinosaur Warrior: "The damn planners are handing out benefits again!! I’m so pissed, why aren’t they giving out helmets, I’ve been on the waiting list for a year!"

Thunder Mage Professor Yang: "Damn, I’m so jealous. T.T"

Canyon Escaping Mole: "You don’t even have a helmet to be jealous about. (Sarcastic)"

Thunder Mage Professor Yang: "That’s exactly why I’m crying! By the time you guys have had your fun, there’ll be nothing left for me. T.T"

Night Ten: "(Sarcastic)"

Edge Shoveling: "Ten billion West Winds coins... Has Witch Gu gone mad? Their own people are so poor they’re swimming in the Everflow River. (Sweat)"

Canyon Escaping Mole: "Then your perspective is too narrow. You can only define poverty and wealth where there’s property rights, but livestock don’t have that concept. (Sly smile)"

Fang Chang: "Indeed, but I still want to understand the meaning behind their actions. Even if they have an overload of unsold goods, dumping them somewhere would have a more immediate effect than taking such a roundabout method... Not to mention they aren’t exactly flush with cash."

WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "You might as well stop trying to understand the logic of Wasteland Bro, better analyze what it impacts instead. (Sly smile)"

Fang Chang: "Hmm... there’s not much to analyze, the South Sea Union would definitely convert the free West Winds coins into a more stable currency as soon as possible, like by selling West Winds coins to buy silver coins—possibly a boon for banks providing currency exchange? After all, they can take the chance to have a sip."

WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "Got it! Goblin Bank opens now!"

Tail: "(Copy homework.jpg)"

Edge Shoveling: "Holy crap! That was fast!"

Fang Chang: "...Besides banking, it might temporarily drive up the prices of bulk commodities in coastal areas of Poluo Province, especially for goods priced in West Winds coins, such as soybeans, cotton, sugarcane, flax, etc. It might be a bearish outlook for Jin Jaron Harbor’s oil pressing, textile, and sugar industries etc. After all, they have to pay more West Winds coins for raw materials, and ultimately, the debuff will reflect on the manufacturing profits. But in the long run, it might just be a boon."

Tail: "Oh! Raw materials are more expensive, profits are down, that’s easy to understand... but why is it a boon in the long run?"

Fang Chang: "Because in this game, most NPCs are as smart as real people, not the dumb wood-heads of typical RPGs. On the surface, Witch Gu has opened up a huge credit line for the southern sea area, but in reality, the bill is paid by the survivors of the Thirteen States. If it were places like Cow State or Horse State, it wouldn’t matter since the nobles’ interests align with the emperor’s; even if dissatisfied, they’d just bear it. But not necessarily for places like Tiger State or Leopard State, governed by military factions, where their reliance is on firepower not royal power."

Si Si: "In the long run, regional forces will issue their own money or seek other more stable commodities for equivalent exchange... like gallons or silver coins, right?"

Fang Chang: "Smart! (Thumb up)"

Quit Smoking: "Holy shit, I didn’t get it at all! (Confused)"

Tail: "Ooooh! Worthy of Si... giao! Tail didn’t get it either!(ó﹏ò｡)"

Si Si: "Give it up, Ah Wei, if it’s too hard, just think of our respected planner simply splurging money again, I’ll pick up your share too."

Meat Mountain Big Steamed Bun: "Damn... feeling suppressed. T.T"

Loud Sesame Paste: "Ahahaha...haha."

Canyon Escaping Mole: "There’s another impact though, the rise in raw materials will stimulate the nobility in Imperial provinces to rapidly consolidate free citizens’ land to expand production... damn, it’s illogical, who stabs themselves with a knife?"

Fang Chang: "Actually, it’s not so illogical. Maybe it’s just time. (Dog head)"

Of course, Baiyue Corporation is also partly responsible.

After all, this would have been a gentle and slow process, needing generations, even decades of non-interference from external forces, but the arrival of players accelerated everything.

From the first gunshot in Jin Jaron Harbor breaking the myth of the unbeatable Imperial Army, to the first seed sown in Potato Harbor, growing robust roots and flowers.

Everything continued tempestuously and couldn’t be stopped now...

...

"Lend to you? Hahaha! Don’t even think about it! Actually, in your words, there’s no door for you! Hahaha!"

In Cohesive Mansion.

Cheng Yan, who had just bumped into Duke Garava fresh from a meeting while walking in the corridor, approached with a smile and exchanged a few words before spilling out the tasks Chu Guang had assigned him.

Although he didn’t particularly want to deal with this duke, out of respect for Chu Guang himself, he put in extra effort in handling this matter.

However, to his surprise, Duke Garava not only misread his enthusiasm but was overjoyed and assumed a haughty "it’s your turn today" facial expression, then arrogantly declined.

Admiring the dejected look on Cheng Yan’s face, Duke Garava’s mouth curled into a smug smile, feeling utterly pleased.

Hey, isn’t this the Union’s dim foreign minister? Seeking alms at the Empire now? Such a meek and submissive look doesn’t suit you, eh?

Of course, if he sincerely kneeled and begged, he might consider being magnanimous.

After all, printing how much West Winds coins was just a simple case of His Majesty talking.

Seeing Cheng Yan’s frustrated expression twitch, but still restraining his temper,

this was a public place after all, you can’t stoop down and bite back if a dog bites you.

The respected Manager had asked him to do his best, but he didn’t say to abandon the Union’s dignity, and if the Empire was adamant, there’s no need to insist.

"Alright."

He lightly left those words behind and skirted past the triumphant Duke Garava towards the other end of the corridor.

Watching Cheng Yan walk away, Duke Garava didn’t know how to react, his proud expression momentarily freezing on his face.

What the hell?

Not trying harder?

He wasn’t refusing to lend.

And being the creditor to the Union could actually be a pleasant affair for the Empire.

"Wait..."

He reached out his hand to call for a pause, only to see the figure had already disappeared at the end of the corridor, instantly pulling his hand back in annoyance.

"Ungrateful jerk!"

Duke Garava cursed bitterly and shook his sleeve, walking away from this place of dispute.

Watching Duke Garava walk away, a group of envoys who had just emerged from the meeting room exchanged glances and couldn’t help but mock.

"Did that guy come for diplomacy or to sever ties?"

"Who knows, typical from West Winds."

"I’ve never understood how he got in here."

"Well, you’d have to ask the Weilante People, they brought him in."

Hearing everyone’s discussion, Bennott, with a dark expression, didn’t speak and just waited for Duke Garava to walk a bit farther before leaving the meeting room.

It was indeed he who had brought the man in, but he had not anticipated the man would drag him down to this extent.

The corporate representative seeing Bennott’s face filled with frustration couldn’t resist poking fun.

"Your ally?"

"Get lost."

Bennott turned and glared at the corporate representative who, unoffended, just laughed it off and walked away, leaving Bennott there grinding his teeth.

The friction in the corridor was just a minor episode for all parties of the Cohesive Community and did not affect the proceeding meeting.

After all, the antics of Duke Garava weren’t new to everyone, his consistent blunders were no longer surprising.

It would be interesting if one day he actually made some sense, or if the West Winds Empire suddenly came to their senses and sent a competent person instead.

After the day’s work, Cheng Yan reported the events to Chu Guang, who after listening, merely sighed slightly with regret.

"It’s a shame, they were clever this time."

The Alliance wasn’t the same as before, and indeed it was becoming rather difficult to exploit them using old methods.

Consider this,

If the current scale of the Alliance had been around a year earlier, even the foolish Elder Sid would have had to think twice before lending them money, wondering if he could get it back.

This fleece would be better sheared by the smaller-scale South Sea Union.

Looking at the contemplative face of Chu Guang, Cheng Yan subtly coughed.

"You might be mistaken... maybe Garava didn’t think much after all, just accidentally dodged the trap you set for him. I’m certain, every word he said at that moment went unscreened by his brain."

Amused by this viewpoint, Chu Guang laughed and said.

"Don’t ever say that... and always keep in mind not to underestimate your adversaries. Though they’ve taken some detours now, in the future it’s unpredictable, they might actually do some earth-shattering deeds. At least, I believe the survivors on the Wasteland all have such potential."

Although Cheng Yan did not doubt Mr. Manager’s words, having dealt with the people from West Winds Empire for so long without a shred of good impression, all he could do was sigh lightly.

"Perhaps."

...

At the very moment Cheng Yan was reporting to Chu Guang, another Duke from the Empire, Duke Nihack, was getting drunk at the most luxurious North Island Hotel.

Like North Island Heavy Industries, the North Island Hotel was also a legacy of Charles. Though the civil war wasn’t over yet, he was already fantasizing about setting post-war orders, and this hotel was prepared for hosting guests from various survivor factions.

A month ago, the Asset Auditing Committee had auctioned this asset, which was then purchased by a tourism company registered in Ring Island and had eventually restarted operations.

Being the luxury hotel of North Island and accompanied personally by the war hero, General Li Minghui of the South Sea Union, Duke Nihack naturally enjoyed his drinks to the fullest.

However, the more he drank, the looser his lips got.

"... with General Li’s bravery, it really is a pity not to keep him as president for a few more years."

This startled Li Minghui who promptly responded,

"Let’s stick to drinking; that’s not something to discuss."

Seeing Li Minghui’s tense expression, Duke Nihack laughed and said,

"I know, it’s all because of the Union, right? Let’s leave it then, here, a toast to you!"

Observing those shrewd little eyes of his, Li Minghui inwardly sighed.

How does this guy manage it?

Knowing nothing, yet acting all wise, and then thinking no one can see through his little tricks.

Yet, he did not expose the duke and instead sighed as if he was "burdened with woes," going along with him.

"... It’s different here, people are very petty and ungrateful; they call me ’General’ when they need me, hide behind me as soon as Charles shows up, and when they don’t need me, they start trashing me, wishing they could bury me alongside Charles."

Duke Nihack’s eyes sparkled as he suddenly said,

"For a brilliant and brave general like yourself, it’s a pity not to have the opportunity to display your talents on the battlefield, being restrained everywhere instead. How about this, how about you come to West Winds as a commander in chief? I assure you, if you come to the Empire, my Emperor will treat you well! Command as many troops as you do here, and in our place, you can command five times that amount!"

Seeing Duke Nihack enumerate with five fingers, Li Minghui almost choked on his spit and hastily said,

"That won’t be necessary... But if you’re interested, I can introduce you to a few guys from the navy who can consult for you."

He was just venting, and this guy actually took him seriously.

A joke!

He was, after all, a war hero!

Without surprises, he could have sat in the position of Navy Commander until retirement, but he had no interest in resigning to become a captain at the zoo.

However, he didn’t mind cherrypicking a couple of young fellows from the naval system to foster their development, considering no battles were expected in the southern sea area in the future.

On the other hand, the Empire seemed to have quite a few battles to fight, and once the Imperial Navy was trained, they couldn’t possibly still be fighting with those broken fishing boats bought from Silver Moon Bay, could they?

When the time came, they might as well sell them a few destroyers.

After all, those things with radar, sonar, fire control, and other messy systems removed, are just oversized toys, and he wasn’t particularly worried about any trouble; it would also help solve unemployment problems for the engineers of the South Sea Union, making the representatives there happy.

Duke Nihak was indeed delighted upon hearing this.

"Is that really true?"

"Of course it’s true... um, but the representatives aren’t easy to fool. I have to serve them well before they’ll loosen up."

Li Minghui had said this just as a trial, but unexpectedly, his casual remark had struck a chord with Governor Nihak.

Unable to hide the joy on his face, Duke Nihak slapped his thigh and said,

"That’s easy to handle! I can offer you a loan of ten billion Xilan currency!"

Today he was offering military consultations.

Would he be able to purchase warships tomorrow?

Nihak’s eyes turned red with excitement, seeing a chance to redeem his past humiliations right in front of him!

Li Minghui, unaware of what he was thinking, didn’t expect the Empire to be so generous, slapping down another ten billion.

Astonished for a moment, he then respectfully raised his glass.

"On behalf of the residents of the South Sea Union, I thank you for your generosity!"

"Haha! General, no need to be so formal, it’s just a little token!" Nihak said with a laugh and a wave of his hand, "The Empire is not short of this little bit of money, consider it making friends!"

Watching his unintentionally upturned lips, Li Minghui slightly smiled and clinked glasses with the Duke before considerately downing his drink.

Not short of this little bit of money, eh...

So, am I the beggar here?

Tsk.

But to be fair, this isn’t a shameful meal either.

Though these people speak really darn unpleasantly, when it comes to giving money, they’re incredibly clear-cut—just a string of zeros.

Considering those few hundred million silver coins—oh no, those ten billion Xilan currency—he suddenly found Duke Nihak not so disagreeable after all.

After a satisfying meal, Li Minghui had his secretary drive Duke Nihak to the port area.

The Duke seemed allergic to the Union, insisting on staying on an Imperial ship, adamantly refusing to stay at a hotel onshore.

As for Li Minghui himself, he didn’t move an inch, directly called for the table to be cleared, and then started the next meeting.

One reason was that it saved trouble, another was that it saved money.

And the person he was about to meet wasn’t just anyone—it was the representative of the new authorities of Mammoth State, named Weilu.

This young man wasn’t very old, only in his early twenties, but there was a calm about him uncommon at his age, and his straight posture clearly indicated military training.

To be honest, although the benefits that the Mammoth State authorities brought to the South Sea Union didn’t compare to the twenty billion from Xilan brought by Nihak, Li Minghui found himself favoring this handsome young man over the nouveau riche demeanor of Duke Nihak.

Watching Weilu pouring him a drink voluntarily, Li Minghui faintly smiled and said with interest,

"Aren’t you curious about whom I just met?"

Weilu respectfully clinked glasses with Li Minghui, downing his in one go and placing the glass on the table, he said indifferently,

"There’s no need to ask; it was certainly Mr. Nihak."

Li Minghui laughed and said,

"You’re a Moon Clansman, do you not hate him?"

Weilu’s expression didn’t change as he casually continued,

"There’s nothing to hate. We resolve our grievances on the battlefield, which has nothing to do with our friendship."

Gazing at his expression for a while, Li Minghui suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Haha! Young man, you’ve got spirit! Honestly, I prefer someone like you, Laxi, to those who constantly nag at me, as if they chanted Charles to his demise..."

At this point, he fiddled with his glass for a long time, suddenly sighed and gently shook his head, saying,

"But sometimes, I feel like we really can’t do without those guys..."

"What you say is true, our leader is aware of it. Those people aren’t cut out for battle, but some things necessitate their presence, so they are kept in the military... Your glass is empty; let me pour you another," Weilu respectfully said, picking up the bottle to fill Li Minghui’s glass but was stopped by a gesture from the latter.

"Gifts should be reciprocated."

Seeing the surprised expression on Weilu’s face, Li Minghui smiled, poured drinks for both, casually drank his, and continued,

"You are more likable than Nihak. I’ll give you an extra tip— the Empire plans not only to sell us cement and steel but also to import some naval advisors from us... including naval equipment. I reckon they’re pretty interested in that too."

Weilu’s expression turned somewhat solemn.

He wasn’t wary of the Imperial Navy; those ships couldn’t enter the Tasang River and could at most loiter around Mammoth City.

They had already leased a nearby shoreline area to Silver Moon Bay’s believers, and there were many there with vested interests in the Union. Even if the Empire wanted to bomb the port, they would have to consider the consequences.

In the end, they would have to resolve their battles on land.

What really worried him was another matter—

"Are they already so rich?"

President Li Minghui laughed and said.

"I don’t think so. They’re just putting on a show to look better. The West Winds currency they offered isn’t in high demand either; it takes some effort to offload it. You’re a soldier, and so am I, so I’ll get straight to the point. The banks on the Alliance side have quoted us an exchange rate of 100 West Winds currency for 1 silver coin. The good thing is they can swallow it in one go, but the downside is that the price is too low! We’ve contacted the banks at Jin Galun Harbor too, which are also operated by the Alliance people and their supported forces. Their quote is slightly better, offering 80 for 1, but they only want fifty billion... After all, they just helped Baiyue Corporation offload a batch of West Winds currency, so they are temporarily satiated."

It wasn’t just about helping Baiyue Corporation digest the currency, but also assisting some of the local old aristocracy in exchanging their West Winds currency for gallons, which he learned through his own secretary.

There are many merchants who travel between Jin Galun Harbor and the Baiyue Strait at Potato Harbor. Just sitting at a bar alongside the port or directly asking the staff there could reveal that information.

Weilu’s pupils flickered briefly, sharply picking up on the opportunity that this soldier-turned-president was revealing to him.

"How much do you have left?"

President Li Minghui looked at this sensible young man with a smile and continued.

"We’ve already turned over 4 billion to the private banks on the Alliance side, and another 4 billion were disposed of at Jin Galun Harbor. After cost expenditures on building materials, we still have 1 billion left. However, just moments ago, Duke Nihak sent us another 10 billion, so now we have 11 billion West Winds currency on hand."

Weilu looked troubled and said,

"That’s too much... One billion would still be manageable, but ten billion is a bit challenging for us. We also need silver coins for reconstruction."

The Mammoth State Authority has a reserve of silver coins, including the labor dispatch companies that also settle in silver coins, earning a profit of ten million silver coins a month.

Weilu clearly understood President Li Minghui’s intent; he hoped to settle part of the labor payments with West Winds currency, thus indirectly offloading part of it.

In exchange, Mammoth State could get a cheaper exchange rate, anything better than the 1:100 rate offered by the Alliance’s private banks is negotiable.

Although the neighboring states have imposed an embargo on Mammoth State, the port of Jin Galun Harbor can still offload West Winds currency.

As long as the Empire exists, West Winds currency retains its value, at least stronger than the South Sea Union’s "Federation Currency".

If difficult to understand, just equate West Winds currency to "soybean rolls", "cotton rolls", "sugar rolls", "mining tickets".

The Mammoth State Authority doesn’t have to worry about exchanging for a pile of unusable paper; they could even earn a "profit margin" from it.

However, the only problem is, the primary resources purchasable with West Winds currency are not what Mammoth State needs; lacking a strong military backing, they don’t even have the time to start developing light industries from making shirts, nor even the time to engage in wholesale commodity trading.

Just then, Weilu suddenly thought of something and asked eagerly.

"Can you get favorable prices for cement and steel from the West Winds Empire?"

President Li Minghui nodded in approval.

"Yes... and it’s cement and steel produced by the Army; the quality is impeccable, and the price is outrageously cheap. However, to be honest, we have too much of this stuff that it takes up space. We won’t be able to deplete their inventory quickly unless we decide to build a fourteenth artificial island."

"We need steel and cement!" Weilu said with an intense gaze, "We can pay you in silver coins, and you pay the Empire’s factories in West Winds currency, then just re-ship the surplus cement and steel from Jin Galun Harbor to us."

The transferable assets aren’t limited to money, but also include the privileges included in the loan agreements. The South Sea Union need not contribute anything; they only need to transfer the half-price discount coupon given by the Empire to the Mammoth State Authority, which also needed reconstruction.

Even if there was no profit margin, it didn’t matter; the authority itself was not a profit-making institution and didn’t need to consider making money.

As long as they could quickly convert "West Winds money that was useless in the Southern sea area" into "silver coins for paying employees of the South Sea Union," it would already be considered a remarkable achievement.

Looking at this flexible young man, President Li Minghui’s eyes increasingly filled with approval.

This young man had good comprehension.

It seemed like the Zoo Province could produce a couple of talents as well.

"Well, that settles it. Our bank will provide the infrastructure materials directly at fifty percent of the market price. Actually, that is also the discount the Empire gave us. You have had your disaster, I really cannot justify profiting from your margins... Of course, this agreement presumes the Empire hasn’t revoked our discount, whether the delegates will agree to use the property of survivors in the Southern sea area to subsidize a place they can’t find on the map, I do ask for your understanding on this point."

"Thank you so much!" Weilu’s face showed a surprised expression as he quickly stood up, gracefully holding his wine glass and said, "Thank you for your generosity to the survivors of Mammoth State... please allow me to toast to you!"

Watching Weilu down his drink, President Li Minghui smiled and waved his hand saying, "You’re welcome," then he too drained his glass.

For him, this drink was far more enjoyable than the last.

At the same moment, Duke Nihak, who had just alighted at the harbor district, drunkenly said his farewells to the secretary who had accompanied him, and with the help of his attendant, made his way back to the ship.

As he passed the deck, a chill breeze caressed his neck, making him shiver unconsciously and look around with a wary gaze.

The surrounding was calm waves, and there were no eyes fixed on him, no troops from the Alliance lying in ambush.

Realizing he was being overly anxious, Duke Nihak’s face turned red, but he still muttered under his breath.

"This damn Alliance..."

Elsewhere, the secretary who had seen off Duke Nihak returned to the North Island Hotel and coincidentally saw the President who had just sent off the envoy from Mammoth State Authority.

Upon seeing his secretary return, President Li Minghui got into the car and instructed him to drive to the Presidential Mansion, briefly informing him also about the deal reached with the Mammoth State Authority.

"...Draft the contract as soon as possible, ponder over the details with my staff, see if anything needs to be added."

The secretary nodded solemnly, though his expression still showed some hesitation.

"Signing such a contract with the Mammoth State Authority... isn’t it somewhat unfair to the Empire?"

"Fair?" As if he had heard something amusing, President Li Minghui snorted sarcastically.

"That dog, Si Wen, talks a lot of nonsense, but he was right about one thing. The Alliance is all good, just too kind, it’s good to be civilized to people, but being civilized to animals... is just a waste."

"Even in Ideal City, money isn’t everything. A slave owner has just had a few good days and already thinks he can do whatever he wants with money... Haha."

Looking at the fleeting night view outside the car window, he spoke slowly.

"They said they aren’t short of money, right? Let them buy a lesson then."

Frankly, Nihak should be grateful he was dealing with him, not that Charles who had already been burned to ash by the locals of the Southern sea area.

If Charles had won the civil war, he probably would have poured the wine on Nihak’s head and humiliated him thoroughly, then bombed the Empire’s harbor to ruins with a battleship cannon, burning all the way to his old home in Heavenly Palace to discuss face-to-face what this lack of money really meant.

Just as President Li Minghui curled his lip, dismissing the concerns of the Empire, the recently flood-stricken Mammoth State ignited with roaring flames...