The troops both sides had stationed along the border were simply too numerous!
Such a massive military presence required enormous funding, placing immense financial pressure on both nations.
Now that relations between the two countries were gradually easing, reducing their stationed forces had become an important item on the negotiating table.
Both sides hoped to reduce military deployments along the border, lower military expenditures, and improve bilateral relations at the same time.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chenran's lips curved into a calm, modest smile. He credited all the achievements to the leaders and everyone else, saying without arrogance or impatience, "This was all thanks to the wise leadership of our superiors and the efforts of Old Hua and the others."
"I merely did my part."
Then, smiling, he added, "With the success of the Arctic Shipping Lane project, our 077 Machinery Military Factory will also benefit greatly."
Like a stone thrown into a tranquil lake, those words immediately drew hearty laughter from all the leaders in the study.
The chief leader smiled approvingly, his eyes shining with praise. "You brat, you're quite the clever one. Someone once said you were as sly as a little fox. I didn't quite believe it then, but now it seems they were right."
Lin Chenran pursed his lips and muttered softly, "That's all slander and defamation."
"Is that really called being sly?"
He looked somewhat aggrieved, as though he had been wrongfully accused.
Defamation! He was defaming me!
He was defaming me!
If the Arctic Shipping Lane project succeeded, all parties would profit.
"Because of the Arctic Shipping Lane project, we've grown closer to the Bear. Recently, Eagle Country's warnings toward us have become increasingly obvious," said a senior Flame Nation official with a deeply furrowed brow.
His voice was filled with concern,