Ch. 203Real Business Wars Are Often Plain and Unadorned
Topaz used Belobog’s looming Geomarrow crisis to pressure Bronya into accepting the Interstellar Peace Corporation’s deal, but Cocolia introduced Wang Lei as an alternative. Wang Lei demonstrated that he could heat Jarilo-VI by creating artificial suns, winning the crowd’s support and leaving the planet’s sale and debt unresolved.
- Topaz presented genuine Geomarrow reserve data to Belobog’s residents and used their anger to pressure Bronya into accepting the corporation’s terms.
- Bronya admitted Topaz’s claims were true and said the government had found a new Geomarrow vein, but the crowd refused to believe her without evidence.
- Topaz argued that the corporation would evacuate Belobog’s residents if the cold wave proved impossible to solve, while Bronya questioned whether the corporation would truly protect them.
- Cocolia appeared onstage and proposed that Wang Lei take over Jarilo-VI, claiming he could solve its problems without restricting its residents’ future.
- Wang Lei created several artificial suns above Belobog, demonstrated his ability to control the weather, and explained that he could address the cold wave within five years.
- Belobog’s residents called for Wang Lei to become Great Guardian, but he deferred the planet purchase and said he still needed to negotiate with Bronya and Topaz.