บท 35: Chapter 35: Yun Jian Starport
"Hello, I'd like to inquire about the current situation among the Flame Raiders, the Elves, and the Bisi tribe. How much for the information?" Feng Mo asked.
"Your Excellency, as a Viscount of the Yunshan Empire in the Human Federation, you'll receive a twenty percent discount at Yun Jian Starport. The cost is only 8,000 star coins."
Feng Mo nodded. The price was fair. He transferred 9,000 star coins and said, "8,000 for the information, and the extra 1,000 for something I wouldn't find on any report."
The attendant smiled sweetly, bowed slightly in gratitude, and then said:
"Your Excellency, the current situation is quite grim. At the border between the three factions lies a resource-rich planet containing special materials essential for constructing T4 starships. Both the Flame Raiders and the Bisi tribe are determined to claim it, and even the Elves have been drawn into the struggle.
"The border region has essentially become a massive meat grinder. Six of the nine Flame Raider bosses are engaged in the conflict, with the Ninth Boss guarding Flame Planet and the First Boss leading the front lines. His flagship, a modified T3-class Leopard Battlecruiser, has been equipped with a powerful T4 ion laser cannon. It's slower now but packs a devastating punch.
"The three factions have been at a standoff near Resource Planet P459 for nearly a week, frequently clashing. As of now, I haven't received the latest updates."
Hearing this, Feng Mo's mind sparked with an idea: the Flame Raiders' home base was left vulnerable, making it the perfect time to seize it and establish a stronghold. However, he'd need to negotiate with the Bisi and Elven tribes, ensuring they kept the Raiders' main forces occupied. The resource planet could be a strategic bargaining chip.
"I also need detailed information on Flame Planet. What's the price?" he asked.
The attendant paused to think before replying, "This information is complimentary. Yun Jian Merchant Guild wishes to form an alliance with you, Your Excellency. We also offer to act as intermediaries to negotiate with the Elves and the Bisi tribe on your behalf."
What a stroke of luck! Feng Mo was impressed by the attendant's perceptiveness. With only two questions, she had grasped his intent and offered her support.
"Oh? You have the authority to represent the Yun Jian Merchant Guild? And I'm not entirely convinced of your guild's influence," Feng Mo said skeptically.
The attendant straightened up, her posture confident, and waved her hand to activate a holographic projection. It displayed a live video feed of a stunningly beautiful woman reclining elegantly on a plush bed, her eyes filled with curiosity as she studied Feng Mo.
"Allow me to introduce myself: Chu Yunjian, a member of the Chu family from the Radiant Empire. I've long heard of a young starship engineer and Viscount of the Yunshan Empire, and it seems your reputation is well-deserved," the woman said.
An impressive background indeed. The Chu family held a status equivalent to that of the Yue family of the Tianqi Empire, both having contributed immensely to the establishment of the Human Federation over thousands of years. It made sense that such a powerful family could build a major starport here and have such comprehensive information.
With that in mind, Feng Mo decided to be upfront about his plan.
"Miss Chu, if you can persuade the Elves and Bisi to ally with me, I'll agree to jointly mine Resource Planet P459 with them. I'm willing to take a smaller share, only 30%, while they split the remaining 70%. If the plan succeeds, you'll be rewarded."
Chu Yunjian's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement. "Viscount Feng Mo, you're straightforward. I'll ensure it happens. In return, Yun Jian only asks for an alliance with you. The Federation is vast, and Ms. Zhang Yue's starship trade company only dominates the Yunshan Empire.
"I hope you'll facilitate an introduction so the Yun Jian Merchant Guild can acquire the building rights to the T2-class Zebra and Black Bear starships. And if you ever wish to sell the blueprints for any new starship models, please consider our guild."
It was a fair request. If Chu Yunjian hadn't asked for something in return, Feng Mo would've been suspicious. Now that her intentions were clear, he felt reassured. The T2-class Zebra Destroyer and Black Bear Frigate were in high demand within the Yunshan Empire, drawing considerable envy from other factions. However, Zhang Yue, Old Wang's aunt, had been stringent about licensing and had only granted building rights to the Yue family of the Tianqi Empire, thanks to Yue Xiaomeng's influence.
Of course, the Yue family was far more powerful than Feng Mo or the Wang family, but they had expanded their network through this deal. After discussing with Old Wang, Feng Mo decided future starship sales wouldn't be one-off deals; he'd earn a cut of the profits.
"Alright, I accept your terms. Once the two tribes agree, I'll hand over the building rights to you, Miss Chu."
"Call me Yunjian. You'll have their response within an hour. Meanwhile, here's a detailed report on the Flame Raiders, including starship models, numbers, planets under their control, and population statistics—complimentary," Chu Yunjian said coolly.
"Thank you, Yunjian. Feel free to call me Feng Mo," he replied.
Chu Yunjian nodded and ended the call.
With business concluded, Feng Mo returned to the Storm's command center and projected the Flame Raiders' information onto the main display, studying it closely.
Currently, only the Ninth Boss and his fleet remained on Flame Planet. He commanded twenty-three T2-class warships: one battlecruiser, six destroyers, and sixteen frigates. For added security, the First Boss had assigned him a T3-class White Eagle Destroyer, a ship Feng Mo knew well—Old Wang and Mo Xue both had one.
Additionally, Flame Planet was fortified with a complete T2-class defense system, including ground-to-air laser cannons and a star net defense grid. Several hundred T1 civilian ships were present as well, but they posed no threat since they lacked long-range weapons.
"Ai Er, notify the fleet commanders to prepare for departure. Plot a course that avoids the central battlefield and heads straight to Flame Planet," Feng Mo ordered, marking the target on the star system's holographic map.
"Yes, Commander," Ai Er replied.
She brought up multiple holographic screens, her slender fingers deftly inputting coordinates and data. Seeing her hard at work, Feng Mo couldn't resist reaching out and gently caressing her cheek. Ai Er's face flushed with a rosy hue, and her typing faltered.
Feng Mo chuckled at her reaction, feeling a pang of longing. At 23, he still hadn't experienced the pleasures of life, and it felt unbefitting for a noble. Reflecting on his celibate days, he decided it was time to change that once Flame Planet was successfully captured.
A notification chimed on his terminal. Chu Yunjian's message had arrived.
"The matter is settled, and the distribution terms are agreed upon," she wrote, attaching two communication contacts: the Elven Queen's and the Bisi King's.
"Ai Er, se
t course for Flame Planet. Storm Fleet, move out!" Feng Mo commanded.
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