Chapter Summaries

After Neil left, Lin Qi stayed with Sera and shared a home-cooked dinner that brought back memories of their past. Sera’s fitness instructor Koman arrived, and Lin Qi warned him to treat her sincerely and give up his former relationships, leaving Koman to consider the demands of a future with her.

• Sera apologized to Lin Qi for what had happened, and he told her he respected her choices and did not expect an apology.
• Sera cooked dinner with Lin Qi, and they ate steak with her family’s tomato-onion sauce while reminiscing about his childhood.
• Sera’s fitness instructor Koman arrived during dinner, and Sera explained that he was pursuing her.
• After Sera left them alone, Koman revealed his excitement at learning Lin Qi was her son, and Lin Qi warned him not to deceive Sera.
• Lin Qi told Koman to end his past relationships, keep treating Sera well for as long as she wanted him, and accept work that would let him maintain a respectable life.

Koman chose to stay with Sera rather than confess his doubts to Lin Qi, while Lin Qi returned to the Federation and traveled to Bu Peien after Mr. Truman invited him to meet someone. At the Presidential Palace, the President greeted Lin Qi with unusual warmth, signaling the importance of their meeting.

• Koman decided to follow his heart, but when Sera returned, he helped her and told Lin Qi they had been discussing the Joint Military Exercise.
• Lin Qi asked the Sergeant to investigate Koman, then recalled that the abandoned construction site had once been his land and had stalled after Hart’s fraud.
• Mr. Truman called Lin Qi and invited him to Bu Peien, where someone wanted to speak with him and he could make a donation.
• Two days later, Lin Qi traveled to Bu Peien, and Mr. Truman told him he had been promoted because of the Joint Military Exercise.
• Lin Qi pointed out that Mr. Truman’s promotion depended on the President and capitalists continuing to support him, dampening Mr. Truman’s pride.
• At the Presidential Palace, the President stood to welcome Lin Qi and greeted him warmly.

Lin Qi met with the president to discuss conditions for supporting the Progressive Party, including immigration and tax changes. He ended the conversation by emphasizing that his tens of thousands of partners supported the party.

• The president welcomed Lin Qi and asked him to describe the real situation in Nagaril.
• Lin Qi explained Nagaril's development, and the president asked whether the Federation could help address the problems Lin Qi had described.
• Lin Qi proposed changes to immigration policy that would let foreign workers live, study, and work in the Federation, and raised tax concerns.
• The president asked about Lin Qi's workforce, and Lin Qi clarified that he had more than fifty thousand partners rather than employees.
• Lin Qi told the president that his partners firmly supported the Progressive Party and were willing to contribute to its cause.

Lin Qi negotiated a large campaign donation with President Truman and learned that Jenia had arrived in the Federation as part of Gefra’s effort to ease tensions over the proposed Joint Military Exercise. He visited Jenia, and after their reunion, he openly admitted he was fishing for information.

• President Truman implied that Lin Qi should donate based on his workforce, and Lin Qi offered to contribute up to ten million Federal Sol to Truman’s campaign.
• Lin Qi invited Truman to meet again at the victory celebration party, then left the Presidential Palace.
• Truman told Lin Qi that Jenia was in the Federation, and Lin Qi understood her visit as a political signal from Gefra ahead of the Joint Military Exercise.
• Jenia opened her hotel-room door to Lin Qi, then shut it when she recognized him; half an hour later, Lin Qi joined her in the room.
• Jenia accused Lin Qi of fishing for information, and he admitted it before joking that he could be even more shameless.

Lin Qi attended a cocktail party with Jenia, where he reunited with Little Fox and learned how his support had protected Little Fox’s position at Fox Film. Little Fox introduced screenwriter Sean and his much younger wife, while Sean pitched a new film about a bankrupt man who rebuilt his life.

• Lin Qi and Jenia arrived together at the cocktail party, posed for reporters, and joked about how the Federation’s newspapers would describe them.
• The delegation’s Deputy Head separated Jenia from Lin Qi to discuss something with her.
• Little Fox thanked Lin Qi for intervening when Fox Film’s Board of Directors tried to force him out and take his shares.
• Little Fox introduced Sean, a new screenwriter, and Sean’s young wife to Lin Qi.
• Sean pitched Sunny Future, a story about a bankrupt Middle Class man who started a business, found success, and built a new family.

Lin Qi praised Sean’s inspirational screenplay, persuaded Little Fox to fund a film adaptation, and advised him on managing Sean and seeking government support. After Little Fox left, artists and gallery directors crowded around Lin Qi, hoping to benefit from his fame.

• Lin Qi called Sean’s story inspirational, and Sean became excited, believing Lin Qi understood his work.
• Lin Qi argued that literature should connect with ordinary people and said Little Fox should fund the film project.
• Lin Qi proposed a new title, and Sean hurried away to revise his screenplay after Little Fox agreed to let him go.
• Lin Qi told Little Fox the project could be made cheaply, advised him to find a literary-film director, and suggested applying for a government subsidy.
• Little Fox left for other social engagements, and artists and gallery directors approached Lin Qi to seek the publicity his presence could bring.

Lin Qi discussed a possible anti-war film co-production with Jenia, then welcomed Drag to the Federation after Drag gave up his political power and moved there. He told Drag that television crews would soon feature him discussing his decision to settle in the Federation and Nagaril’s past problems.

• Jenia returned to Lin Qi, and they discussed the Federation’s arts season and his film production company.
• Lin Qi and Jenia talked about co-producing films between the Federation and Gefra, and Lin Qi proposed an anti-war film.
• Jenia stayed with Lin Qi for three days, but he learned no deeper purpose behind the delegation’s visit.
• Lin Qi met Drag at the port and welcomed him after he arrived as a retired citizen with his family.
• Lin Qi explained that television stations would feature Drag discussing why he chose the Federation and Nagaril’s past problems.

Drag reunited with his family in Bu Peien City and warned his eldest son against seeking political influence, urging him to build connections for the next generation instead. The National Security Committee then arranged his security and television appearances as the Federal Government prepared to use his testimony to win public trust.

• Drag arrived at his new home, reunited with his family, and learned that his eldest son and the rest of the family had adjusted to life in the Federal Government.
• At dinner, Drag's eldest son praised how money could buy comfort and political help, but Drag refused to spend their wealth pursuing influence.
• In the study, Drag warned his eldest son that immigrants and minorities could not hold important government posts and advised him to build relationships with powerful families so his child could succeed.
• The National Security Committee arranged double protection for Drag and asked him to appear on television programs to help persuade Federal Government citizens.

After Jenia left with the visiting delegation, Lin Qi returned to work at Blackstone Capital and learned that a university research project he funded had made a breakthrough in miniaturizing electronic components. He met Vera for dinner, where she told him Gefran brands were gaining popularity in Bu Peien.

• Jenia began touring the Federation with the visiting delegation to explore cultural differences and arrange later exchanges.
• Lin Qi returned to Blackstone Capital, where Vera explained the company's finances and he invited her to dinner.
• A professor from York State University told Lin Qi that his funded research had solved a key problem in miniaturizing electronic components, and Lin Qi arranged to meet him.
• Lin Qi and Vera had dinner together, and Vera described how Gefran brands and shops were becoming popular in Bu Peien.

Lin Qi explained to Vera why Gefran fashion brands had become popular among Federation elites and took her to order custom clothes. They returned to the villa late, where Vera’s son greeted them before going back to bed.

• Vera told Lin Qi that Gefran clothing brands were popular because their imperial-family connections appealed to Federation customers.
• Lin Qi explained that Federation elites wanted to use aristocratic goods to overcome their country’s short history and lack of tradition.
• Lin Qi persuaded Vera to order clothes at a Gefran shop, where staff recognized him as Baron and gave them exclusive service.
• Vera selected styles for three seasonal outfits while the tailor measured her and recorded her details.
• Lin Qi and Vera returned to the villa after ten, and Vera’s son wished them good night.

During the Joint Military Exercise, Lin Qi raised the possibility that a ship might accidentally attack the Federation fleet, prompting Mr. Truman to warn the President that the Federation had too few ships to withstand such a blow. The President ordered preparations for an immediate response as the chapter ended with him calling the exercise command.

• As the exercise began, Lin Qi asked Mr. Truman and the military officers what would happen if one camp accidentally fired on a ship from the other.
• Mr. Truman explained that the exercise was scripted and the opposing fleets were operating in separate sea zones, but Lin Qi noted that the Federation had only one fleet.
• Mr. Truman called the President and a Navy Admiral to warn them that an accidental strike could devastate the Federation's limited naval forces.
• The President approved Mr. Truman's request to place the front-line Commander on Level Two War Status and authorize an immediate retaliation if the Federation came under shellfire.
• The Navy Admiral told the President that the Federation's remaining ships were obsolete training vessels and that its new fleet was still under construction, so the President called the Joint Military Exercise Operations Command.

As the Federation and Gefra fleets adopted wary defensive formations during the joint exercise, Lin Qi discussed future warfare with Mr. Truman and argued that aircraft would eventually end the age of battleships. He left the officers skeptical but remained confident that his aircraft company would help lead the coming age of the sky.

• The Federation fleet changed to a defensive formation and cut parts of its exercise, prompting the Gefra commander to monitor its submarines and adjust his own fleet's formation.
• Other countries grew wary of a possible clash between the Federation and Gefra, and some withdrew from the exercise while their leaders made urgent contacts.
• Lin Qi, Mr. Truman, and military officers discussed the long timelines for new warships and the Army's improving standardized equipment over barbecue and beer.
• Mr. Truman asked Lin Qi what future wars would be like, and Lin Qi predicted that warfare would extend from land and sea into the air.
• A Navy officer and other soldiers mocked the idea that aircraft could defeat warships, but Mr. Truman seriously questioned Lin Qi about their future capabilities.
• Lin Qi explained that advancing technology would enable aircraft to carry specialized bombs and torpedoes, and he said he was confident his aircraft company would succeed.

Lin Qi visited the research institute he had funded and reviewed its developing aircraft engine and plane designs. The researchers had designed a powerful engine and several aircraft configurations, including one intended to carry howitzer shells, but Lin Qi questioned their reliance on biplanes.

• Lin Qi entered the research institute and learned that workers were installing a temperature regulator for testing materials in controlled conditions.
• The Research Institute Director showed Lin Qi the engine research, explaining that the team had theoretically pushed its first-generation engine above one hundred horsepower.
• Lin Qi asked why the proposed aircraft was a biplane, and the independent aircraft scientist explained that its design prioritized stability and structural strength.
• The director and the scientist described three aircraft designs, ranging from a single-seat plane with a five-hundred-kilometer range to one carrying six 105-millimeter howitzer shells for about one hundred and fifty kilometers.

Lin Qi reviewed the Research Institute’s ambitious engine projections and learned that its researchers did not know what a wind tunnel was. He then visited State University, confirmed that his commissioned research had produced registered patents, and funded the next stage of work on a pager system.

• Lin Qi questioned the Research Institute Director and the civilian scientists about their engine figures and asked whether they knew what a wind tunnel was.
• Lin Qi reflected on the patent fees and barriers that made buying licenses preferable to independently developing around established patents.
• Lin Qi arrived in Kuli Lan City and met the unnamed State University professor, who confirmed that the project’s patents had been registered under Lin Qi’s name.
• Lin Qi agreed to fund the next stage of the university research with one million dollars.
• The professor explained that the next stage would develop radio terminals that responded selectively to messages, a system Lin Qi recognized as a pager and a step toward mobile communications.

Lin Qi paid a professor a million yuan to advance the second stage of their research, then encouraged an apartment manager to pursue a life he wanted instead of settling for a lifeless job. He visited Catherine, whose delighted reaction left them reunited at her apartment door.

• Lin Qi gave the professor a million-yuan check and urged him to complete the second-stage research as soon as possible.
• The professor accepted the research funds and promised to move the work forward, hoping to earn a substantial share of the remaining budget.
• Lin Qi told the apartment manager that their handshake was the result of his effort and urged him to pursue his ambitions; inspired, the manager decided to resign and embrace the future.
• Lin Qi went to Catherine's apartment, where she opened the door, recognized him, and pounced on him in delight at his surprise visit.

Lin Qi reunited with Catherine after her first term ended and decided to arrange a Presidential Palace internship for her. He began planning how to use the opportunity to give his political contacts something useful to do, imagining Catherine as a future female president.

• Lin Qi visited Catherine, and they caught up about her studies and upcoming internship requirements.
• Lin Qi offered to recommend Catherine for an internship at the Presidential Palace, and she admitted she was interested but intimidated.
• Lin Qi decided to arrange the internship anyway and took Catherine out to buy clothes and books to prepare.
• Lin Qi considered how to put his political contacts’ influence to use and imagined Catherine becoming a future female president.

Lin Qi prepared Catherine for her internship at the Presidential Palace by buying her reference books and suitable clothes. After spending several days helping her get ready, he left, and Catherine’s classmates began gossiping about their relationship again.

• Catherine worried that the gap between her and Lin Qi had grown, but Lin Qi reassured her as they went to buy books about the Federation’s states, cities, and geography.
• Catherine and Lin Qi ran into Jane and Kevin at the bookstore, where Kevin recognized Lin Qi as the youngest Hundred Billion Mr. and regretted that Jane might not be able to get a recommendation letter through Catherine.
• Lin Qi bought Catherine clothes suitable for the Presidential Palace, and the two spent the day together before returning to her apartment.
• Lin Qi stayed with Catherine for several days to explain how she should prepare for her internship, then left.
• The old gossip about Catherine’s boyfriend resurfaced, and a female classmate visited to warn Catherine not to let Lin Qi deceive her again.

Catherine told her best friend that Lin Qi had arranged an internship for her at the Presidential Palace, then Lin Qi negotiated with Adelaide about Catherine's future government work and York State's need for a new manufacturing enterprise. Lin Qi left the possibility open, planning to consider building a manufacturing base after the New Year.

• Catherine told her best friend that she could not take an internship at her father's company because Lin Qi had arranged one for her at the Presidential Palace, and she warned her to keep it confidential.
• Lin Qi visited Ferral in Sabine City and then met Adelaide in the state capital to discuss Catherine's possible work at the State Government after her internship.
• Adelaide asked Lin Qi to establish a major manufacturing enterprise in York State to create jobs, increase tax revenue, and support the governor's political ambitions.
• Lin Qi said the company would be too expensive to operate alone, but agreed to consider the proposal after the New Year when government subsidies might help.
• Lin Qi donated money to the Women's Rights Protection Association and left a message for Ms. Tracy identifying himself as the donor.

The Gefra Emperor backed a risky naval plan to reverse the empire’s decline as the Joint Military Exercise’s submarine showdown began. When the Federation’s Commander-in-Chief expected an easy victory, an unknown sight disrupted his confidence.

• The Gefra Emperor warned the Navy Minister that failure would bring severe consequences and prepared to carry out the plan called "Race."
• The joint exercise’s final event began, with both camps racing to sink target ships using submarines.
• Gefran and Federation observation balloons rose as the submarines submerged, leaving observers unable to spot them.
• The Federation’s Commander-in-Chief dismissed the Gefrans’ chances and ordered his forces to wait.
• The Commander-in-Chief’s confidence faltered when he saw an unbelievable sight.

Gefra appeared to outpace the Federation in submarine warfare during a joint exercise, alarming the Federal President and prompting him to seek assurances from Shep Shipbuilding. The apparent advantage was a deception: Gefra had secretly substituted hidden submarines and planned to lure the Federation into an expensive arms race.

• Three Gefran submarines surfaced near the Target Ship and launched torpedoes, making the Federation's commanders realize they had reached their attack positions ahead of the Federation submarines.
• The Gefra Emperor and Navy Minister celebrated the apparent success, while the Federal President learned that Gefran submarines seemed faster and asked Shep Shipbuilding whether the Sea Wolf II Type could surpass them.
• Shep Shipbuilding's president assured the Federal President that the Sea Wolf II Type could outperform the Gefran submarines, although the engineers had said it could at best match them.
• The Federal President ordered Princess Jenia's delegation to receive a warm welcome and added Lin Qi to the reception staff after hearing about their rumored affair.
• Three concealed Gefran submarines withdrew beyond the exercise area after taking the place of the submarines that had actually surfaced, completing Gefra's staged demonstration.
• The Gefra Emperor and his ministers planned to exploit the deception by provoking the Federation into a costly competition over military specifications as part of the Race Plan.