A win-win

"It probably crawled out of the ground."

Qin Mengjin's voice carried a hint of unease.

Kang De let out a soft breath. "What are the specifics? How far are the surrounding towns? What did the higher-ups say?"

Before Qin Mengjin could answer, Kang De felt a Xiaoman tremor in his shoulder. Xiaoman groggily raised her head, rubbed her eyes, yawned, and then showed a pained expression, touching her neck.

She asked blankly, "What time is it?"

Kang De reached out and gently pressed her thin, soft neck, saying into the phone, "Wait a moment."

Qin Mengjin paused for a moment, then said, "Just woke up?"

"Not asleep yet."

Miss Qin fell completely silent; heaven knows what she was imagining.

Kang De pinched Xiaoman's cheek. "Go to bed."

Xiaoman was still dazed and fell into Kang De's arms.

Helpless, Kang De picked her up in his arms, wrapped her in the living room's air-conditioning blanket, opened the door, went to Xiaoman's house, entered the password, and carried her to the bed, covering her with the blanket.

The girl rolled around in bed, clamped the blanket between her legs, rubbed her face against it, and fell asleep.

Kang De looked at her for a moment, then left Xiaoman's room, which was filled with figurines and posters. He closed the door, went to the Wang family's kitchen, opened the refrigerator, took out eggs and sausages, and then took out some flour.

As he mixed the paste, he turned on his phone's speakerphone and placed it on the table. "Go ahead and say it."

Qin Mengjin immediately replied, "I've already sent you the map. The towns with the largest population disappearances are about fifteen kilometers away from Zhuerban; they're all satellite towns around the capital."

Kang De frowned and asked, "Was there no evacuation?"

The liaison officer said calmly, "That's Africa, and it's Gambia, and Gambia where the national government has disappeared. The rich can drive away, while the poor don't even know where they're going."

Kang De sighed softly.

Upon hearing the sigh, Qin Mengjin immediately comforted her, "Don't blame yourself too much, it's not your fault..."

"Huh?" Kang De exclaimed in surprise, "Of course it's not my fault, why would you say that?"

The liaison officer was also taken aback. "No, I mean, oh, it's good that you think that way..."

Kang De understood the other person's good intentions, but this government official didn't know much about his life. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but Miss Qin, I don't believe in the saying 'With great power comes great responsibility.' If I were to feel guilty and blame myself for everything I couldn't do, I would have gone mad long ago."

If he had arrived at the Battle of Danfeng Lucerne earlier, could he have saved more Goth People? If he hadn't left Valentan, would more people have been spared death? If he had done more at the Battle of Moyani, would more Comora People have been spared?

If you didn't want to understand these things, you would have become withdrawn and died long ago.

Do your best, and you will have no regrets. Be responsible only for your own actions, and let your own morality and soul bear all the consequences, thus putting your will and beliefs into practice.

Therefore, we do not tolerate criticism, forgive accusations, or forgive misplaced anger.

On the other end of the phone, Qin Mengjin's eyes showed surprise. She was caught off guard because Kang De's personality and answer were unexpected, which made her revise her assessment again.

While communicating with Kang De, she was also typing a message on her computer.

"A moral compass that matches one's abilities, mature and stable, with an unconventional heart of stone, or rather, a heart of diamond—hard and brilliant—possesses a certain danger because such a person will not compromise on matters of principle and will resort to the most radical strategies when necessary, such as what they did when rescuing their father."

Each new discovery was added to Kang De's personal evaluation file.

She wrote and chatted at the same time, while also secretly complaining and grumbling.

Whether in terms of ability, personality, or glorious deeds, Kang De was clearly the most dangerous.

Unable to inspire or win him over through spiritual and spiritual means, and relying solely on money and material things is not very safe, plus he's a seasoned veteran, sounding like he's been through countless battles, yet he's also extremely dangerous. According to his file, he's a harmless, helpful, and responsible young man, but he went insane after his father was captured in Comora.

They went on a killing spree, a brutal and cruel massacre, not solely for the purpose of eliminating enemies, but for extracting confessions, intimidation, and even venting their anger. The scene was described by colleagues who cleaned up afterward as "an extremely serious case of antisocial personality disorder; immediate detention is recommended."

Yet, it was precisely this kind of person who stepped forward when innocent civilians in Moyani suffered a catastrophe.

She had always found this strange; humans are complex beings. But now she understood that this young man, who had only recently come into the national spotlight, already possessed a mature and stable moral compass and life beliefs that would not be swayed by external factors.

I really don't know where he, a mere 20-something-year-old, developed such a temperament.

She rallied her spirits and continued answering Kang De's questions.

After inquiring about the extent of the affected towns and briefly confirming the locusts' activity range, Kang De immediately asked his next question, "When will the troops of the five permanent members of the United Nations be deployed?"

--See? You're a seasoned pro.

Qin Mengjin pursed her lips.

Upon hearing about this, instead of feeling remorseful or rushing to the scene to find a way to make amends and search, his first reaction was to ask when the gang of thugs from the Five Big Thugs would arrive.

Shouldn't a hero save the world single-handedly?

Qin Mengjin was both amused and exasperated, thinking to herself that he was quite sensible.

But they don't understand the essence of politics.

She sighed, "The news just arrived; apparently, an emergency teleconference at the leadership level is needed, but reaching a consensus will still be very difficult..."

Kang De frowned and said, "Why? The locusts are starting to spread, and there will be more and more victims."

"But it's Africa after all, a million miles away from everyone's territory, right?" Qin Mengjin said calmly. "Countries usually prioritize their own interests. Interfering in the situation in Gambia involves issues like how to cooperate, how much to invest, what weapons or methods to use, how to coordinate, who should bear the main responsibility, who should shoulder the most burden, who should be in command, and how to coordinate... These things will take at least a month to argue about."

In one month, West Africa was completely eaten up.

But only when West Africa is completely devoured, and the secret can no longer be kept, will the countries, embroiled in endless internal strife and mutual distrust, truly unite... After all, countries on this planet with different regions, races, and languages have never truly united to do anything together.

Instead, they continue to plunder, to be hostile, to oppress, to scheme, and to inflict suffering.

There is no fundamental difference from thousands of years ago.

It's just more efficient.

To truly unite and do something... ha, if that were possible, humanity would have colonized Mars long ago.

Qin Mengjin continued, "Moreover, compared to Gambia's predicament, the nations are more concerned with other matters."

"What?"

"An explanation is needed," the liaison officer said helplessly. "Whether it's launching a nuclear missile at Gambia, bombing it with long-range firepower, or even sending troops to clean up the mess, this matter can't be kept secret. Although Gambia is a backward Africa country, Zhuerban is a tourist city, and more than a thousand tourists are among those who have gone missing. If this matter blows up and the news spreads, how will the government explain what happened in Gambia to the public?"

"A mutated, man-eating locust has appeared and devoured an entire city's inhabitants? This will cause global panic... You should understand the consequences."

"Or to put it bluntly, our world has changed recently?"

"This will also cause greater panic and a series of unpredictable and uncontrollable upheavals."

"After all, you know, the things humans excel at are: first, overthinking; second, scaring themselves; and third, blindly following... Although it's not nice to say it like that, the less they know, the better. After all, from the very beginning of government institutions, whether in the East or West, ancient or modern, their duty has been to maintain stability."

Kang De reminded him, "Water meter, water meter."

The atmosphere lightened a bit, and Qin Mengjin laughed, "We're the only ones who get to check other people's water meters."

Kang De exclaimed with delight, "Can I investigate this too?"

We will let you know if there is any news.

"That sounds just like a perfunctory response from a job interviewer."

"Hey, it's better to see through it than to say it."

Based on Kang De's performance in Comora... they wouldn't even dare let him easily check the water meter.

If someone is so fiercely opposed to evil that they start a bloodbath, you can't very well talk to them. They'll be unhappy and unruly. But if you don't talk to them, things will get out of control, and it'll be ugly for both sides.

We can't afford it, we can't afford it.

This brief chatter, while somewhat lightening the somber atmosphere, did not diminish the locust plague threat. Sadly, the tradition of human infighting and the political antagonism of the global landscape were simply wasting time.

The situation hasn't deteriorated to the point where the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should abandon all hostility and cooperate sincerely. Therefore, they are still arguing over the details because everyone is waiting for a responsible major power to step forward and take charge of the matter.

United States consider themselves the world's policeman and should rightfully assume that role.

But United States are incredibly shrewd. They believe Hollywood blockbusters are all lies. They show aircraft carriers, missiles, B-2 bombers, and militias. Not only do they spend money, but they also have to wear hats. They portray you as bombing the territory of a sovereign nation, nuking the capital of a sovereign nation, harming innocent civilians, and launching a massacre.

And then, all for the sake of defending the peace of a small, dilapidated Africa country and the lives of its people.

I'm bored.

Black lives matter? That's a myth. Black lives in Africa aren't valuable at all. They die and come back to life in complete silence. What kind of Black lives are valuable? Only Black lives that can make a sound are valuable.

If the United States is unwilling to do it, China certainly won't either. If it did, the US, UK, and France would all cheer and applaud, watching you save the world, and afterwards they would smear you with accusations of bombing sovereign territories and harming innocent civilians.

Kang De sighed, "Is there any other way?"

"It's possible, but it will take time," Qin Mengjin comforted him. "The biological research institute is dissecting and analyzing the locusts you brought. They can try to use the research results to prove the danger of these insects and urge other countries to take immediate action... There's no way around it; the larger the country, the slower they are to act, because they have to consider many things, not to mention the internal strife and disputes between nations."

"And there are only two ways to speed up this process."

Kang De asked, "What?"

"First, it makes the other nations feel an imminent and immense threat."

"Second, make them feel that there is profit to be made."

Kang De remained silent upon hearing this.

Qin Mengjin slowly said, "Kang De, I know you care about the lives of the Comora People. You proposed the Great Migration Plan to concentrate the Comora People in the capital Moyani, also in an effort to protect them."

"But given the destructive power, mobility, and stealth of locusts, I'm afraid I have to say that you can't fight this alone, and getting the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to act quickly is a very difficult task."

"So... you'd better hurry up and do what you want to do."

Kang De was taken aback at first, then slowly revealed a cold smile, "Is this your purpose?"

"We always believe in win-win situations."

Qin Mengjin's voice was calm and composed. "We will guarantee the safety of your family, and we can even send a special plane to rescue your father, the King of Comora, and even a small group of Comora People, but that's all. You are China, and you should know that it is completely unreasonable to ask your motherland to risk international pressure to fully support a small Africa country, or even directly use force to protect it."

Kang De nodded and said, "I understand, that makes sense, that's indeed the case."

"It's great that you understand," Qin Mengjin said sincerely. "Given the current situation, you either need to make plans early, wait, or take the initiative to do something. What you did yesterday was excellent, and we will reward you handsomely. But if you want more, you also need to do more... We want to know more information."

"For example?"

"For example, what exactly is beneath Zhuerban... we want to see."

Kang De described his experiments and conjectures in detail yesterday.

The locusts devour inorganic matter and collect food, all of which is transported underground. The burrowing ability they displayed last night clearly demonstrates that these insects can move freely underground. He even boldly speculated that perhaps the people who disappeared overnight did not become food for the insects.

But this is just speculation; seeing is believing.

Clearly, governments around the world are very curious about this strange insect and the secrets hidden behind it, and the China government is no exception.

However, China's development started late, and it lost the initiative in global layout in its early years. Its influence in Africa, especially on the West Africa coast, is limited. After all, West Africa is France's West Africa, and the coast is the coast of the Atlantic Ocean is United States's bathtub... It is difficult for China's power projection to reach there.

Regarding the secrets beneath Zhuerban, the France, United States, and even the United Kingdom were able to deploy firepower and even troops relatively quickly and efficiently, and find ways to conduct research and exploration.

Regardless of success or failure, or how feasible it may be, they at least have the capability.

China today lacks this strategic projection capability, especially its ability to project power to countries along the West Africa coast, and it is even lagging behind the United Kingdom.

China's biggest advantage is that Kang De, one of its own, is in Comora.

Moreover, he has the ability to enter Zhuerban with ease, his methods are superb, and he appears and disappears like a ghost.

This is our only advantage, and also our chance to gain the upper hand.

In fact, it was through this advantage and opportunity that they obtained locust specimens several hours ahead of Britain, the United States, and France, and quickly began experiments... This was a win-win situation.

Qin Mengjin said solemnly, "Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything; we'd like to see more."

"The weapons and equipment I requested earlier?"

"Except for the specially customized ones, which are still undergoing firing and testing, the others are ready."

"You've already seen the blueprints for the parts I asked Uncle Wang to make, haven't you?"

"Yes, after all, you told Mr. Wang that there was no need to hide it from the country."

"Please make it for me using the best materials and alloys as quickly as possible, okay?"

"No problem at all, the aerospace group has taken over."

"Good."

Qin Mengjin wisely refrained from asking what Kang De needed those parts for.

Anyway, there are professional engineering experts who will analyze it.

Kang De had already chopped the scallions, carrots, and other side dishes, rolled up the egg pancake, put one portion in the microwave to keep it warm, and then took a bite himself.

He gently opened the door to Xiaoman's bedroom; the girl was fast asleep, oblivious to everything.

Kang De smiled, closed the door, and with it, closed his peaceful and leisurely life.

Why is life so hectic even on Earth?

He took a bite of his breakfast. "Then I'll go take a look."

When he left Gambia, he left a coordinate point, which appeared directly there. Thirty kilometers to the west was Zhuerban. Referring to the map, he planned to first visit several villages and towns that had suffered significant population losses.

Whether they captured or ate people, they would leave traces after crawling out from underground.

Release the Himo's Eagle and fly for about twenty minutes. Below us is the town furthest from Zhuerban. Looking into the distance from the air, you can see the silver light reflected from Zhuerban. After eating for a day and a night, that city must have been gnawed quite a bit... If this were a city girl game, it would at least be a medium-damaged one.

Looking down from Phoenix Vision, the area was completely deserted. It was unclear whether everyone had vanished or some had fled in fear... The low, earthen-yellow buildings, dilapidated and old, were now empty.

Only desolation remains.

Kang De leaped down, randomly picked a room and went inside. He went around the kitchen and found no food. It was spotless, even the stains had been gnawed away.

It's Big Bob Cleaning Company.

Kang De crouched down, pressed his hand against the ground, and channeled his spiritual energy. He could sense many soft areas that were different from the surrounding soil; the insects had clearly dug their way from here.

This is a good opportunity.

In Zhuerban, to avoid alerting the insects, he didn't Extraction or extract anything along the way to see what was inside, because that was the insects' lair, and he might accidentally be discovered and then eaten by the flower-eating insects.

Tracing the trail from here seems to be a more discreet approach.

He rested his chin on one hand and began to ponder.

Extraction so much soil is, after all, a physically demanding task.

So here's the question.

Could Iron Son's freely movable iron head be transformed into an impact drill and dug all the way down?

The old father can no longer hoe the field, so the son should take care of him, right?

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PS1: Update... It's snowing, lots of snow, too bad we can't play...