novelCompletion of Project Marchena
| ← Ch.1556 | Ch.1558 → |
The activities of globalists continued to heat up.
Eliminate borders, global free trade, unified currency, global constitution...
If these absurd slogans were chanted a few years ago, most people would sneer, and would completely ignore them. However, with the establishment of Heavenly Palace City, the Europa cooperative colonization plan of the Earth Defense Alliance, and the increasingly intensive contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, these slogans were no longer so remote and illusory.
Coupled with the continued escalation of global conflicts before, where the military conflict between Xin and the UA almost triggered World War Three, many people were tired of war.
To some extent, the anti-war sentiment played a certain role in promoting the globalist movement. After all, there seemed to be only one way to fundamentally eliminate all conflicts, and that was to completely eliminate the subject of war.
Jiang Chen was very pleased to see that the seed he planted had already sprouted.
...
In December 2021, the end of the year arrived in a blink of an eye, and Project Marchena, which lasted nearly a year, had finally come to an end.
Jiang Chen visited Ecuador by plane and met with the President of Ecuador, a group of senior officials, and local industry representatives. At the same time, in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, the Ecuadorian government arranged a grand completion ceremony for this space elevator located in the western hemisphere.
The people that attended were not just the upper class of South America, but also influential entrepreneurs from other countries in South America, and even North America. After all, it was impossible for a small South American country like Ecuador to monopolize the benefits of the space elevator. Even if it was built in their country, all they could do was to take a sip of the soup from the space resources development trend.
If Ecuador dared to take a bite of the meat, those international capital predators prepared countless ways to make them spit out what they just ate. The financial short-selling methods could easily teach the country a lesson.
However, the Ecuadorian government was obviously very self-aware and sent about a hundred invitations to Manhattan a month ago. Most of them were sent to bankers on Wall Street, but there were also financial giants like Loki.
They were the main force behind the development of space resources. For a small country like Ecuador, they did not even have a decent space company.
As soon as Jiang Chen got off the plane, at the exit of the Quito International Airport, he received a warm welcome from the citizens of Quito. He smiled and waved at the enthusiastic citizens. Although the act was more of a show, it was possible to see the admiration and gratitude in their eyes were not faked.
Since the Global Grid was connected to Ecuador, not only did the cost of electricity drop significantly but more job opportunities were created. The capital of Ecuador also grew at a speed visible to the naked eye.
There were many countries hostile to Celestial Trade, but a third world country like Ecuador was definitely not amongst them.
Jiang Chen smiled and waved at the crowd, sat into the vehicle that awaited him, and headed to the Xin Embassy in Ecuador. At the door of the embassy, he met the newly elected President of Ecuador. Although it was the first time they met, the two men quickly engaged in a conversation with the president's effort to please.
"When can the space elevator go online?"
"It'll be ready at the beginning of next year, " Jiang Chen said with a smile, "I just don't know if your country is ready for the new era. Don't say I didn't remind you, after Port Marchena is completed, cargo ships from the entire Americas and even European ones across the Atlantic will flock to Ecuador. This is not only an opportunity but also a challenge."
"We are ready to meet all challenges." The President of Ecuador looked at Jiang Chen eagerly and laughed, "You can rest assured!"
"I don't need to be rest assured, you just have to be prepared." Jiang Chen nodded.
"We have prepared a formal banquet for you at the Hilton Hotel to welcome your visit. I wonder if you have time to attend this evening?" The President of Ecuador respectfully invited.
"Of course." Jiang Chen smiled and nodded.
The banquet was held at the Hilton Hotel.
Early in the morning, the place was surrounded by the Ecuadorian Army and carried out a carpet search. In order to ensure everything was foolproof, a special forces brigade was even mobilized to the blocks nearby and blocked the streets that led to the hotel.
The President was very concerned and meticulous about this banquet. But even without these security measures, Jiang Chen didn't take the safety issue too seriously. Not to mention that there were Ghost Agents and Lilith nearby to protect him. Wherever he went, there was an orbital airborne force of dozens of people on standby at all times.
On this planet, something that could threaten him did not exist.
At the banquet, Jiang Chen saw many acquaintances.
Although the Ecuadorian authorities only sent about a hundred invitations to Wall Street, many capital predators who smelled blood, even if they did not receive invitations, came uninvited by different means and squeezed into the banquet hall.
"Greetings to you, dear Mr. Jiang Chen, " Leslie, who elegantly carried her skirt and dressed in a long evening gown, greeted Jiang Chen. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with charm, "It's been more than half a year since we last met, I really do miss you. How have you been?"
"Very good..." Jiang Chen gave Miss Leslie an ambiguous look after he slightly raised his glass, then he said with a smile, "We can discuss this issue later."
Leslie chuckled after she understood the message, then she gave him a seductive look before she turned around and headed to the dance floor in graceful steps.
"Leslie Garcia, the princess of Wall Street, " Loki said as he walked to Jiang Chen and brought him a glass of champagne. He smiled, sipped the red wine in the glass, and said in a casual tone."It seems that my son has encountered a difficult opponent."
"Oh?" Jiang Chen smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"Don't mind, I mean, I will let him know. If my incompetent son dares to pester Miss Garcia, I will personally break his legs, " Loki toasted with Jiang Chen, squeezed his eyebrows, and said in a pleasant tone.
"Not that serious, I'm still confident about my charm." Jiang Chen laughed.
"Haha, being young is great."
"Want to be young again?" Jiang Chen said as he smiled.
"Who doesn't want to, " Loki sighed and said with some emotion, "It's an honor for me to witness the rise of a great era in my lifetime."
"What if you have a chance to regain your youth?"
"You're kidding." Loki chuckled.
"I'm not really kidding, " Jiang Chen smiled, and continued in a casual tone, "It's impossible to rejuvenate the aging part, but it's okay to let you live a few more decades."
The moment he finished the sentence.
Clunk.
The wine glass fell on the red carpet...
| ← Ch. 1556 | Ch. 1558 → |