Elder Zhou, who was closest to Zhang Tianyuan at the scene, refused to help, leaving Thomas to suffer in silence.
He had been worried about this when he first met Zhang Tianyuan.
Young and ambitious leaders are often more emotional, especially when they need something from the other party.
Sometimes, it might just be that your kneeling posture is a little too reserved, and the other person will treat you coldly.
These young people don't care about logic or consequences when it comes to saving face.
That's why Thomas felt that his own future, and even that of Western civilization, would be difficult before he even entered the meeting room.
Even in his most optimistic estimation, Zhang Tianyuan is a hawk, albeit a restrained one, and one with a humanitarian spirit.
Thomas knew that when dealing with this kind of person, he could only go along with him, and even have to push his demands to show his obedience.
Therefore, his only option now is to escalate the conflict based on Zhang Tianyuan's intentions.
Not only does it emphasize that the allocation of Spacetime Tunnel will be based on the principles of fairness and justice, but it also guarantees that its own country will wait until the last echelon to migrate.
He himself would be the last person in their country to pass through the Spacetime Tunnel.
Only then did Elder Zhou speak with a smile, "I think Mr. Thomas is very thoughtful, that's good. Chairman, please be lenient."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianyuan nodded, easing the awkward atmosphere.
Thomas wiped his hand on his thigh, secretly wiping away the sweat.
Although he vaguely sensed that the two seemed to be putting on an act, there was nothing he could do about it.
He can't afford to gamble.
Now Zhang Tianyuan is his "superior". It's a favor for the leader to put on an act in front of him. If he doesn't take the act, then he's disrespecting the leader.
He offended Zhang Tianyuan, and the consequences were something he couldn't afford to bear.
Leaving aside distant doomsday migrations, their country also has nine carrier strike groups on its east and west coasts!
Thomas felt incredibly bitter.
What's even more disheartening is that this is a carrier battle group from their parallel universe brother nation...
It's wrong for outsiders to use your brother's equipment to attack you.
What's going on here?!
Suddenly Zhang Tianyuan started talking again, and Thomas dared not let his mind wander any longer, so he listened attentively, even though he couldn't understand Chinese.
Zhang Tianyuan was referring to what happened after they migrated to No. 2 Spacetime.
"During the relocation, you must assist the Mutual Aid Society in sealing off most of its weapons and equipment, leaving only what is needed to maintain national order."
"Furthermore, you must destroy any weapons of mass destruction on site."
"After entering No. 2 Spacetime, obey the arrangements and management of the Mutual Aid Society, and coordinate..."
"Live and work in a good resettlement location, and do not disturb other countries."
"Of course, you will still be in charge of managing your own people in the resettlement areas."
"Once the disaster in your timeline has passed, you will need to begin the evacuation process and return to rebuild in this timeline."
Thomas knew the main event was about to begin.
This is restricting one's own actions.
He tentatively asked which countries they would be relocated to.
Elder Zhou took out a world map of the Legend Spacetime and pointed it out to him one by one.
When Thomas saw that these countries were all sources of raw materials, a wry smile appeared on his face.
Sure enough, he knew things weren't that simple.
This means they're going to be forced into hard labor.
Those elites who used to sit in Wall Street offices may now have to lose their jobs and go to mine coal, mine oil, or dig for oil.
What's this called?
Labor reform?
Thomas wanted to negotiate for better terms, but he was afraid that if he spoke up again, he would displease Zhang Tianyuan, so he could only force himself to hold back.
Then I heard Elder Zhou talk about how society operates after the migration.
Simply put, it means moving away from the abstract and towards the concrete.
All migrants participated in labor, mining various raw materials, which were then manufactured into various necessities by domestic or other industrial centers to sustain people's daily lives.
In a world that has already collapsed, maintaining the daily lives of 7 billion people is by no means an easy task.
Especially after the migration, the market economy would collapse along with it, so these things could only be rationed through planned distribution.
In addition to these, issues related to healthcare and pharmaceuticals also need to be addressed.
Then we need to gather the resources to rebuild...
These tasks are extremely demanding.
Zhang Tianyuan listened silently from the side.
On the contrary, after briefly explaining the division of labor, Elder Zhou patiently explained why the labor was divided in this way.
Sending Thomas's people to mine for raw materials wasn't a targeted attack on them; it was a deliberate act of making them do hard labor so that the people at home could enjoy a better life.
In the 2012 timeline, everyone is striving for the grand goal of returning and rebuilding.
In contrast, the division of labor among the Chinese population is mainly focused on industrial production, which allows them more space for activities and a slightly freer lifestyle.
However, this space exchange was made after Elder Zhou and the others discussed it with Tong Wenshi.
And there's another reason--
The Legend World also possesses an extremely complete industrial chain, which naturally allows for the centralized production of a large number of goods to supply the global population that has migrated there.
What good would it do to give Thomas and his people the same treatment and send them to Otis?
Release hundreds of millions of people
Are they going to eat tornadoes on the North America continent, where there are hardly any factories? Or are they going to let them continue playing the financial game up there, and then they'll be able to make a living?
If they do this, these people will not only fail to create any value, but they may also starve to death or be killed by the Darkseekers.
Therefore, the only division of labor for these people was to mine, striving for industrial production and reconstruction.
Once this matter is laid out openly, Thomas understands.
His ordinary subordinates, who usually just enjoyed welfare and a life of carefree education, were of little use in the apocalypse.
This situation is a perfect storm of favorable timing, location, and people, but I have none of these advantages.
Thomas had no choice but to accept it.
only...
Thomas sighed and said, "I doubt any of our own country or our Soyuz would accept such terms."
He's lying flat now.
But that doesn't mean his arrogant allies will be satisfied.
The various forces within his country are unlikely to cooperate willingly.
The only way to get those people to voluntarily give up everything they already have is probably to kill them.
That's why he was so cautious during this visit.
Zhang Tianyuan and Elder Zhou had anticipated this.
Elder Zhou chuckled and made his move directly:
"What they hope for most right now is to maintain social order before the end of the world, and then pray that the end of the world doesn't come."
"But what if I tell them we won't help build the ark, and that the Mutual Aid Society and we'll soon be announcing the end of the world to the whole country?"
"Furthermore, after the announcement, we must strictly control economic production to prepare for the great migration..." xS12
Thomas suddenly shuddered.
Undoubtedly, as long as Elder Zhou and his group announce that the end of the world is coming.
Global social order will soon be thrown into chaos, the economy will collapse instantly, and even countries will crumble.
At that time, the money of those powerful figures will become worthless, and their power will become worthless.
The power and money they hope to maintain now are nothing but illusions, which will all vanish with a single speech by Elder Zhou...
The question is, would Elder Zhou and his colleagues really do that?
Yes, the time-travel railway is ready.
Can we stop Elder Zhou from doing that?
It might happen when those giant crocodiles sink all nine teleporting fleets surrounding his territory.
So, whether the Earth is in chaos or not is actually up to the Mutual Aid Society to decide?
Thomas only just realized it now!
These countries, along with their upper classes, want to maintain the existence of their nations and preserve their power and wealth.
There was no other option but to go all in with Elder Zhou and the others!