The Great Worm Lich 519 Devising a Stratagem

Some of these mines were involved in the energy sector, while others were purely industrial raw materials. However, although China Energy Company Limited had a variety of industries in the name of energy, it engaged itself in many different sectors. This was also the practice of large state-owned enterprises in China, so it was not too surprising.

"In the oil sector, the federal government has opened up its control policy because 'Noah' has discovered at least a dozen oil fields with recoverable reserves of 5 billion tons. Quartz mines and well, quartz itself can be found almost everywhere in the desert, so mining it would be effortless. This kind of ore would not have value anyway. Silica is an indispensable 'blood vessel' in electronic products. Unfortunately, as long as we remain humble, something will replace it soon. This is me judging from the advanced superconducting technology used by Atlantis and the increasingly good attitude they have towards Earth…" Tina looked and carefully studied the contract with her scrutinizing gaze. After a long time, she shook her head and said, "I don't see anything unusual. This is a very reasonable underwriting agency contract. I haven't received most of the mining rights of my company, so I plan to start my move only when the Chinese people have made their advanced payment. So far, if the Chinese do not trade with us, they can also work with other companies. They are well-known and well-funded, so they don't have to be worried about having no business partner..."

"Tina, when you said that you haven't received most mining rights yet, do you mean that you already have some of the mining rights?" Zhang Lisheng suddenly interrupted his girlfriend as he asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, baby, but those are a speculative business. The price of mining rights is not high, so the use of ore is naturally minimal. Some of them even work as collection only. Yeah, take this rich water calcium magnesium silicate, for example, other than those people in your hometown who will like this, it has no other usage at all. Its mining cost is high. If it's not for the fact that China Energy Company Limited is willing to entrust the mining to us, one could consider it valueless."

"Calcium magnesium silicate? I've never heard of such a strange name before. What's that? Is there any common name for it?" The young man sat on a wicker chair, staring at the tablet on his knees as he casually asked in curiosity.

"Of course, the company's engineers once told me that this mineral is called 'jade' in China. Oh wait, I know that it also has a prefix. Something like…"

"Hetian? Is the 'rich water calcium magnesium silicate' that you said is called Hetian Jade in China?" Zhang Lisheng froze as he looked up at his girlfriend.

"That's right, it's called Hetian Jade. Why? Is there anything wrong with it?" Tina could hear the abnormality in her lover's tone. Stunned, she asked, "Don't tell me that this useless, handicraft, raw material has made you fallen into a dilemma?"

"Impossible, right?" Trish, who had been listening all this while by the side, also said in shock.

"I'm afraid it has." The young man fell into a moment of silence before saying in a grave expression, "Tina, Trish, the meaning of this jade in China is not just a handicraft material as you thought. In ancient times, it was a symbol of monarchy. In the Middle Ages, it symbolized the noble gentleman. Recently, it has evolved to represent 'good luck.' Ever since the birth of the Chinese civilization, jade has always been a totem of 'good things.' In a narrow sense, only the ore produced in Lantian can be called as 'jade' when it's polished. I can't believe that the exact same mineral could actually be found here in Noah…"

"But even if jade represents 'good luck,' what does it have to do with you, Lisheng?" Sheila asked in confusion.

"Of course, it has to do with me." Zhang Lisheng's thoughts had been straightened out. Thus, he gradually became calmer. "But all valuable things will have its unique value, like gold. It's precious because it can serve as a general equivalent. Salt is precious because it can bring a healthy body to strengthen humans. The steel that has been sharpened by special techniques is valuable because it can be forged as weapons that can destroy the enemy. So how come a jade doesn't have a reason to be precious? It's just that it has never crossed my mind that it's actually because it can bring great power to Dao cultivators. This is the reason why it's recognized as a symbol of 'monarchical power' in ancient times and continues to be precious until now."

"Lisheng, you mean the 'rich water calcium magnesium silicate' is essential to those pagan followers? Just like how the 'original light stone' is vital to the Atlanteans?" Trish was the first one to understand and asked in astonishment.

"It's not entirely true, but it's almost similar." Zhang Lisheng smiled, "I've read the same sentence from many ancient Chinese books before—a person can turn into a deity if he eats jade. According to 'The Literature of Taoism,' one must possess the four elements of 'wealth, companion, Tao, and law' if one wants to cultivate Taoism. Jade is what they referred to when they said 'wealth.'"

"It's no wonder that they would set a trap to attack you. A potential enemy has controlled such an important strategic resource. Launching a powerful terrorist attack to solve this difficult problem before any unexpected situation happens is the best choice," Sheila shrugged and said.

"You're right, Sheila. To those barbaric religious people who don't know what law is, violent destruction is a timesaver to solve the problem. Still, they've chosen the wrong target this time. Tomorrow—no, today, I'll immediately arrange for my men to blow up that damn jade mine into pieces, so they'll get nothing! They'll get absolutely nothing…" Tina gritted her teeth loudly and picked up her phone. Inadvertently, she actually crushed her phone into pieces.

"Oh, Tina, although 'sage' is a profession in Dungeons & Dragons, it has indeed increased your strength a lot." Watching his girlfriend throwing the phone fragments and beginning to contact her henchmen on the tablet, Zhang Lisheng smiled and reached out a hand to cover the tablet screen. "But why did it make you so irrational now? Destroying a trump card in your own hand is not something a wise person would do."

"Baby, I'm a businesswoman. To me, most of the things can be negotiated and traded to get some kind of compromise based on interests, but this will never include your safety. Those religious madmen have stepped on my baseline." Tina stared into her boyfriend's eyes and said without hesitation. "I can understand your dignity as a man if you want to avenge yourself. Still, I hope that you can also understand that, as your lover, I must make those people who have or intended to hurt you pay a heavy price too."

"Oh Tina, please calm down and listen to me," Zhang Lisheng's girlfriend's words rendered him speechless for a while. After a moment of silence, he said with a wry smile, "Those Taoist priests are not zealots. They are not insensible lunatics, but a group of people who understand how to compromise and give in. How should I put this in words? Hmm, they can be regarded as invisible politicians. A group of politicians who possess supernatural power and are bound by certain laws of a similar religion. Since ancient times in the political arena of China, they have played an important role that is scrupled by the rulers who wanted to make full use of them. Their power is far above your imagination. Since there's a difference in our civilizations, it may be difficult for you to understand this, but please understand. I want you to believe in my judgment. When we're faced with such an enemy, it's wisest to compromise and maximize the benefits before we have the power to destroy it in one fell swoop. My dear, the power that I've mastered is exponentially increasing. In two years at most, I will master the Hellfire Archipelago in the Shrimp World No. 2. By that time, with 10 million square kilometers of fertile territory and over 300 million devout believers, they can provide me with 60 million fully armed elite troops. Although the weapons that they use are not as advanced as those used by Earthlings, they have a strong body that is incomparable to soldiers on Earth. They also have a tenacious will, for they are willing to fight to their deaths. They also have magical, powerful war 'partners' and the leadership of the officers who master supernatural power. I believe that their combat power will not differ from the federal army too much. Imagine the power of a military force that is equivalent to a quarter of the entire US population brainwashed by religion under dictatorship can be?"

"Lisheng, w-why are you talking about all these? Y-You don't intend to lead your native army to invade the Earth to avenge yourself, right?" Sheila heard how the tone of Zhang Lisheng, who was originally trying to comfort his girlfriend, turned extreme. When she realized that the things he said were gradually becoming bloodcurdling, Sheila blurted out immediately.

"Of course not!" The young man was taken aback. He pulled himself out of his excited state. He replied, "What I'm saying is that the potential of the Hellfire Archipelago is enormous and is enough to fight against those enormous mainland countries in the Shrimp World No. 2. As long as I'm given enough time, conquering the entire foreign world is no longer a dream. By the time I have the faith of an entire world as a support, my energy could then crush the Gate of Dao easily. By that time, I'll be able to seek my revenge. Why do I have to risk my position by provoking them?"

"Oh baby, your idea of revenge is really torturous. You scared me just now!" Sheila said with a pout, "But it's indeed much wiser than Tina's rash approach."

"Then we're just gonna let it go like that?" Tina glared at Sheila and looked at her boyfriend in dissatisfaction.

"Of course we can't just release those Taoist priests easily," When Zhang Lisheng saw that his girlfriend eased a little, he smiled with satisfaction. "You can take advantage of the ambush that I encountered and lay it on the table in front of the Taoists mixed in the China Energy Company Limited to extract more benefits. I believe that in terms of money, they won't be able to offer you a number that makes you happy. Still, they must have many antiques that can bring amazing power to ordinary people. I'm just giving you some suggestions. Actually, you're the real expert in this aspect, so I believe that you will be able to make those Taoist priests pay sufficient price at the negotiating table."

Chapter end