Chapter Summaries

Lin Qi arranged a cautious sell-off of Galil holdings while warning clients about the currency’s risks, then persuaded Gefra to accept social and cultural exchanges with the Federation. As negotiations progressed into April, a newspaper from Nagaril caused a major stir.

• Lin Qi told Lyme to warn clients about holding Galil and quietly sell their own holdings through multiple accounts.
• Lin Qi arranged overseas accounts and concluded that international hot money was driving Galil’s abnormal rise ahead of the negotiations’ outcome.
• Lin Qi argued that cultural exchanges would help the Federation and Gefra build public support for closer cooperation.
• Gefra approved social and cultural exchanges after two days, subject to censorship of cultural products distributed there and reciprocal exports to the Federation.
• In the second week of April, a newspaper from Nagaril caused a major stir in Nagaril.

As sanitation and literacy improved in Nagaril, newspapers spread accusations that the Ruling Class had kept the country backward while its people suffered. The resulting anger brought demonstrators to the palace, where the Old King chose not to disperse them and planned to issue a statement.

• Nagaril’s sanitation improved, and free literacy classes promised graduates jobs in exchange for a share of their early wages.
• A newly literate young man read an article titled “Who Is Harming Us,” which blamed the Ruling Class for Nagaril’s long stagnation.
• A follow-up article, “Who Is Doing What,” contrasted ordinary people’s hardship with the Nagaril royal family’s luxurious lives, fueling public fury.
• Nagaril people spread the newspaper stories and their own accounts of suffering, drawing demonstrators to the palace.
• The Old King rejected his subordinate’s suggestion to disperse the crowd and decided to let them vent before issuing a statement.

Federation agents engineered a riot outside the Nagaril royal palace, prompting the Old King to recognize the conspiracy and prepare a nationwide address. The next day, Provincial Governor Drag weighed Lin Qi’s demand that he either accept a diminished role or lead Mengwu Province toward independence, and he remained undecided.

• Federation gentlemen watched the palace crowd and sent more than two hundred Nagaril People disguised as Kingdom Guards to attack the civilians.
• The Old King realized the attackers were impostors, ordered genuine guards to identify themselves and arrest them, and prepared to address the nation.
• Civilians resisted the disguised attackers, and fighting broke out with the Kingdom Guards who emerged from the palace as reporters recorded the riot.
• Provincial Governor Drag received Lin Qi’s letter offering him a choice between keeping his post without further cooperation or advocating independence for Mengwu Province.
• Drag struggled to choose, knowing he could lose the advantage of being first to advocate independence, and slammed his fist onto the table.

Provincial Governor Drag asked his third son to judge a letter urging action over the United Kingdom, and the son advocated leaving as the Federation’s influence reshaped Nagaril. Drag signaled that he would prepare to step down, while the High Priest announced a selection that would pass his position to a new religious family.

• Provincial Governor Drag gave his third son the letter and asked what they should do; the son urged them to be the first to advocate leaving the United Kingdom.
• The third son explained that the Federal People had transformed Nagaril, and Drag realized the Federation’s influence had made the old rulers’ choices increasingly irrelevant.
• Drag told his third son to have the tailor prepare his clothes, signaling that he was preparing to step down; the son left delighted.
• The High Priest told the province’s priests that the deity would choose a new High Priest from among them and instructed each to send a Golden Idol.
• The priests recognized that the High Priest’s announcement opened the way for a new religious family, and they became eager to secure the position with offerings of gold.

Lin Qi secured Provincial Governor Drag’s support for Nagaril’s independence, while Drag planned to hand power to his son and retire to the Federation. As international outrage and financial speculation over Nagaril intensified, Lyme sold his Galil commodities and moved closer to his goal.

• Provincial Governor Drag told Lin Qi he had chosen the second option and would announce his decision to the country by telegram before the end of the week.
• Drag said he planned to let his son take over his duties and then move to the Federation, and Lin Qi agreed that he could go.
• Newspapers worldwide reported that the Nagaril Royal Family’s guards had killed seventy-one people and injured more than a thousand, provoking widespread condemnation.
• The Federation’s spokesperson promised to help stabilize Nagaril and condemned speculators, while rumors that the Federation’s Second Fleet was heading there fueled a surge in Galil prices.
• Lyme sold all his Galil commodities in Bu Peien as buyers eagerly snapped them up.

International speculators watched Galil’s rapid rise and expected the Federation’s market to make them rich again, but their plans were shattered when a Nagaril province declared independence. The chapter left a panicked speculator in the hospital, learning that the Federation would not intervene to help the Nagaril royal family.

• International speculators discussed whether Galil’s rising market would crash and recalled how they had profited from the Federation’s financial crisis two years earlier.
• An assistant woke the speculator to report that a provincial governor had declared independence as the Mengwu Neutral State.
• The speculator fainted from shock and woke in a hospital, where he asked whether his assets had been liquidated and where the Federation’s fleet had reached.
• The assistant reported that the Federation’s Foreign Affairs Minister had announced that the fleet would protect Federation citizens and deter the Nagaril People, but would not help the Nagaril royal family suppress the rebellion.

Lin Qi’s strategy to destroy Galil through currency competition and Nagaril’s fragmentation began unfolding as provinces declared independence and abandoned the currency. Mr. Truman condemned the Nagaril royal family’s violence at a press conference and warned that the Federation might use force to protect its citizens abroad.

• Lin Qi’s plan called for weakening Galil with the Federal Sol, giving Nagaril’s ruling class a chance to exchange their holdings, and shifting the Federation’s losses to international speculators.
• After Provincial Governor Drag declared independence, two more provinces seceded, rejected the Central Government’s authority, and made the Federal Sol their sole legal currency.
• Galil fell by more than thirty percent as people realized the seceding provinces would no longer accept it.
• Mr. Truman told a press conference that more than eighty-three people had died and over a thousand had been injured in the royal forces’ crackdown on demonstrators.
• Mr. Truman said the Federation would not help Nagaril’s Central Government suppress its people and urged the King and rulers to negotiate peacefully.
• Mr. Truman warned Nagaril that the Federation might use force or other means if its citizens’ lives or property overseas were harmed.

At a Federal Government press conference, Mr. Truman answered questions about the upheaval in Nagaril, the Federation’s role, and its investments there. He defended the Federation’s policies forcefully, then faced a question about potential losses from its Galil reserves.

• Mr. Truman selected a prominent female reporter, who asked whether changes in Nagaril’s government or independence movements would threaten Federal interests and investments.
• Mr. Truman said the Federation would respect any government changes, pursue relations with new authorities, encourage peaceful negotiations, and protect its interests without being the first to use force.
• A reporter asked about claims that the Federation had meddled in Nagaril, and Mr. Truman dismissed them as baseless slander and warned that the Federation might seek justice.
• A Federal reporter asked whether Nagaril’s crisis and Galil’s decline could make the Federation’s foreign exchange reserves worthless and leave taxpayers with enormous losses.

Mr. Truman explained that the Federation could reclaim its Galil reserves from Nagaril under a memorandum clause if Nagaril’s political stability collapsed, while denying that the Federation would intervene in another country’s affairs. As unrest intensified in Nagaril, Federal officials discussed Lin Qi’s growing security force and his ties to Truman and the military.

• Mr. Truman said the Federation would retrieve its money held in Nagaril until the country’s situation stabilized, because the memorandum allowed either side to suspend its terms during political upheaval.
• Mr. Truman declared that the Federation would not interfere in Nagaril’s internal affairs, even if its authorities requested political or military assistance.
• Nagaril’s scandals and bloody clashes fueled demonstrations against the royal family, while more Provincial Governors opposed the rulers.
• A Federal gentleman said Lin Qi had sent another group of armed employees to Nagaril, bringing Blackstone Security’s force there to more than two thousand.
• A Federal gentleman explained that Lin Qi’s men could enter Nagaril because Lin Qi had a good relationship with Truman, who had many connections in the military.

The Old King urged his eldest son, the Crown Prince, to lead the Nagaril Youth Party in overthrowing the Royal Family so their relatives could survive and retain influence. As Nagaril’s political crisis deepened and Galil plunged, Akumali received a phone call.

• Federal officials discussed waiting before intervening in Nagaril, while the Royal Capital remained in chaos and provincial rulers declared independence.
• The Old King revealed that his eldest son had returned in disguise as the Nagaril Youth Party Leader.
• The Old King persuaded the Crown Prince to overthrow him, promising that the Royal Family would stage suicides and face trials under the law.
• The Crown Prince agreed to gather people within three days and lead them into the palace.
• Akumali read about Galil’s fall from ninety-seven to one Federal Sol to one hundred twenty-one to one, then was told he had a call.

After concluding cultural exchange negotiations with Gefra, Lin Qi met with Mr. He Bosi, whose fortunes had collapsed along with Nagaril’s currency. Mr. He Bosi asked to end their contract early and reclaim his share of the money, but Lin Qi refused, leaving his plea unanswered.

• Lin Qi concluded cultural exchange negotiations with Gefra, including plans for joint films featuring Jenia.
• As Nagaril’s crisis worsened and the Galil exchange rate plunged, Mr. He Bosi visited Lin Qi to seek a way to reduce his losses.
• Mr. He Bosi asked Lin Qi to terminate their deal early so he could recover part of his capital.
• Lin Qi refused, arguing that their contract remained binding and that ending it would cause him substantial losses.
• Mr. He Bosi pleaded that he was too old to withstand the financial blow and promised to compensate Lin Qi as much as possible.

Lin Qi rejected Mr. He Bosi’s plea to end their contract early and explained that he was retaliating for an earlier deal that had nearly ruined his plans. After driving He Bosi toward bankruptcy, Lin Qi offered to lend him money, leaving He Bosi wary but tempted as he asked how much Lin Qi had.

• Mr. He Bosi offered Lin Qi property and other assets as compensation if Lin Qi would terminate their contract early.
• Lin Qi recalled how an unexpected person had forced him to spend an extra million and nearly derailed his plans, making He Bosi realize Lin Qi was referring to him.
• He Bosi accused Lin Qi of seeking revenge over less than a million, and Lin Qi said He Bosi had to survive the financial crisis to earn his friendship.
• Lin Qi refused to terminate the contract but offered to lend He Bosi money without interfering with his plans.
• He Bosi suspected Lin Qi’s offer might be another trap but asked how much money Lin Qi had.

Lin Qi arranged for Mr. He Bosi to borrow ten billion Galil in physical currency so he could short the currency before its expected collapse. The deal was set to proceed through Jinhui Bank with collateral, while Mr. He Bosi eagerly planned to keep the short-selling profits for himself.

• Lin Qi called Lyme and learned that clients still held ten to twenty billion Galil, after wealthy clients ignored warnings and bought the currency.
• Lin Qi praised Lyme for selling off their Galil holdings and called Mr. Truman to request authority to mobilize ten billion Galil in physical currency.
• Mr. Truman agreed to provide the funds for three months in exchange for a 9.5 percent return settled in Federal Sol, and Lin Qi told Mr. He Bosi the loan was ready.
• Mr. He Bosi accepted the terms and planned to short-sell the borrowed Galil without telling others, intending to keep the profits for himself.
• Lin Qi gave Mr. He Bosi the Jinhui Bank loan department head's number, then called ahead to say someone would arrive within two days.

Lin Qi arranged for a bank to appraise and secure the assets Mr. He Bosi planned to use as collateral for a government loan, leaving him trapped but hoping to recover through a separate bet agreement. Mr. He Bosi gave the Minister of Finance the Crown of Crane for one dollar and then began asking for help with his remaining plan.

• Lin Qi arranged for a bank to appraise Mr. He Bosi's assets and hold the records and items before the Federal Government issued a collateral loan.
• Mr. He Bosi ordered his companies to prepare his asset documents and brought a lavish gift to the Minister of Finance, hoping to get the Gefrans to reject Lin Qi's bonds.
• Mr. He Bosi presented the Crown of Crane to the Minister of Finance, who admired it and agreed to buy it for one dollar.
• The Minister of Finance accepted the crown and asked Mr. He Bosi what else he wanted, and Mr. He Bosi began explaining his request.

Mr. He Bosi asked the Minister of Finance to intervene in the matter of Lin Qi’s bonds, while negotiations between the Federation and Gefra concluded smoothly. Lin Qi met the Gefra Emperor, rebuffed his mockery, and was asked how he planned to resolve the problem in the Amelia Region.

• Mr. He Bosi pleaded with the Minister of Finance to help with the bond matter, and the minister promised to try while warning that the Imperial Emperor could overrule him.
• The Federation and Gefra nearly completed their business negotiations, reaching agreements quickly and preparing for government bidding sessions.
• The Vice Minister accompanied Lin Qi to the palace and cautioned him about meeting the Gefra Emperor, while Lin Qi said the president knew about the summons.
• The Gefra Emperor mocked the Federation’s past military weakness, and Lin Qi answered by recalling Gefra’s near-defeat in a naval battle.
• Lin Qi told the emperor that the Federation would defend its rights and urged him to address the Amelia Region problem instead of wasting time on intimidation.
• The Gefra Emperor asked Lin Qi how he intended to resolve the problem in the Amelia Region.

Lin Qi presented Gefra’s military failures to the Emperor and proposed that Blackstone Security take on its most difficult combat missions. He promised to prove the company’s speed within twenty-four hours, while an Army Major in the Amelia Region received his call.

• Lin Qi told the Emperor and ministers that Gefra’s Army could not win, outrun its enemies, or find them, and the Emperor urged him to continue.
• Lin Qi proposed broad cooperation between Gefra and the Bayer Federation, then introduced Blackstone Security as a legal company offering international security contracts.
• Lin Qi offered to handle Gefra’s dangerous combat missions with Blackstone Security employees for a lower cost than deploying Gefra soldiers.
• When the Army Minister asked how fast the company was, Lin Qi requested a telephone and promised to prove it within twenty-four hours.
• Lin Qi called a number in the Amelia Region, where an Army Major on leave was watching television.
• The Major and other Blackstone Security employees in the region were Army elites placed there to demonstrate the Army’s capabilities.

Lin Qi demonstrated to the Gefra Emperor that he could capture an anti-government leader within twenty-four hours, using forces he secretly controlled. After Lin Qi left with the Royal Steward, the Steward described him to the Emperor as shameless.

• The Major received Lin Qi's call and found a newspaper article featuring Mr. Petrel, leader of the Amelia Independence Front.
• The Gefra Emperor learned how elusive Mr. Petrel was, grew furious with the Army, and demanded his capture within twenty-four hours.
• Lin Qi called the Major and ordered him to capture or kill Mr. Petrel and his organization before the next day.
• The Major assembled his soldiers and sent them toward Mr. Petrel's known location, which Lin Qi had arranged to target.
• Lin Qi told the Emperor that his people would succeed, then asked to remain in the palace; the Emperor sent the Royal Steward to escort him.
• The Royal Steward questioned Lin Qi about his confidence and interest in Amelia, then returned to the Emperor and called Lin Qi shameless.

Swallow outlined the Isolated Island Strategy to Resistance leaders, but Major’s forces attacked the meeting and captured him alive. The governor was awakened by a ringing telephone as the assault’s aftermath began to reach him.

• Swallow urged the Resistance Organizations to isolate Gefran-held cities and build their influence outward from a captured city.
• Major led his men through the hidden sentries and prepared to attack the Independence Front’s cave base.
• Two visiting Resistance members noticed a missing sentry and raised the alarm, disrupting Major’s plan.
• Major launched a direct assault, and his forces killed most of those in the caves after using poisonous smoke.
• Major’s men captured the wounded Swallow, and Major knocked him unconscious when he asked who they were.
• The governor was jolted awake by a ringing telephone.

The Amelia Governor learned that Blackstone Security had captured Haiyan and key Amelia Independence Front figures, easing the crisis in the province. The Emperor celebrated the news and eagerly prepared to meet Lin Qi, convinced that Lin Qi could resolve Amelia’s remaining problems.

• The Amelia Governor received a report that Blackstone Security had delivered Haiyan and other Amelia Independence Front figures to an outpost after destroying the group and seizing supplies.
• The Governor recorded the report, ordered the prisoners cared for, and called the Emperor with the news.
• The Emperor revealed that he had expected Haiyan’s capture, praised the Governor, and told him to make arrangements for the Federation people.
• The Emperor slept soundly and dressed early the next morning, eager to see Lin Qi before the scheduled meeting time.

Lin Qi met with the emperor and ministers after his men captured Haiyan and dismantled his organization in Amelia. He admitted to trading with Resistance Organizations under Federal law, then turned the discussion toward a possible contract to restore security in Amelia Province.

• Lin Qi finished breakfast and joined the emperor and ministers in the Ruler's Hall.
• The emperor asked how Lin Qi's people had found and defeated Haiyan's organization so quickly, suspecting Lin Qi had supported Resistance Organizations.
• Lin Qi admitted to having connections with the groups and defended his trade as legal under Federal law.
• Lin Qi pointed out that Gefra also supported the Preton Pirate Group through its navy, prompting the emperor to cough and end the accusation.
• The emperor set aside the past and asked what Lin Qi would charge to resolve the security problem in Amelia Province.