"Our side hopes to end the mutual sanctions and counter-sanctions in various fields between both parties, and your side should cease the cultural and ideological invasion, in order to restore normal trade cooperation."

"The Legal Front is willing to pay your side a compensation fee of 10 million Light Seeds and make a public apology to your company."

Vivian was very straightforward.

The other party was also candid, so Zhou Yi did not hesitate: "Lump sum or installments?"

"Lump sum."

That showed sincerity.

Vivian's silver face lacked features, making it impossible to discern any expression, but it did reflect Zhou Yi's face.

He immediately said, "The Wasteland Development Company has always opposed creating opposition and conflict. Cooperation with Mechanical City for mutual benefit has always been our strategic objective."

"The cultural and ideological invasion you mentioned has nothing to do with the company."

"Your side has always strongly supported the Mechanical Knight Order from behind the scenes; this is an undeniable fact. Without your company's support, they would not have developed to where they are now."

Vivian protested: "Mechanical City had stable order, which was disrupted by the Mechanical Knight Order."

Zhou Yi countered: "Then how were the Mechanical Knights born? Surely, you're not saying our company developed them, too?"

"..."

Vivian was speechless.

"Our company is dedicated to transforming the wasteland, improving people's living standards. Only when everyone's quality of life improves, and incomes rise, can we sell more products and form a virtuous cycle."

Zhou Yi explained, "The company supports the technological development of the Mechanical Knight Order because they are continuously innovating and have gained widespread recognition and use by mechanical life forms. Their long-term goals align with ours."

"On the other hand, I personally admire and enjoy their inventions and creations."

"No matter the group, if they can produce inventions that interest me, I might invest in them."

"Regarding the company's relationship with the Mechanical Knight Order, this is the last time I will address it."

After listening, Vivian said, "Understood."

Zhou Yi raised his right hand's index and middle finger: "Aside from compensation and an apology, there are two more conditions."

"First, publicly recognize the second-generation mechanical life forms awakened by the semi-enlightened bodies. We all know they are the fresh blood you lack most. Mechanical City is always a good choice for them, given their limited survival experience."

"Second, lift the sanctions on the Mechanical Knight Order and acknowledge their positive role and legality."

"Actually, we both know whether you agree or not, these two points are already happening. But I like to handle matters openly and straightforwardly, skipping unnecessary cumbersome procedures."

He didn't make excessive demands.

The Legal Front has never been an adversary target for the company.

Since they have officially backed down, the company will offer a way out. The company has no time to engage in a cold war with the Legal Front; there's more important development that cannot be delayed.

Time must be raced against when dealing with the Heavenly People; growth needs to be accelerated by any means.

After a minute.

Vivian said, "These two items have already passed the review, no problem."

"Then there is no more issue."

Zhou Yi nodded and extended his hand: "Henceforth, let's make money together, elevate technology and per capita income. I always say, we're not enemies."

Vivian's hand was cold and delicate, yet her fingers were very agile and light.

She politely applied slight pressure, then relaxed.

"Thank you."

Vivian added, "If possible, Mr. Zhou, our side hopes to jointly issue a statement formally informing the outside world. That your company within the Development Alliance and the Legal Front have lifted previous mutual sanctions and are cooperating again."

"Of course, the profits from your company's Wise Mushroom patent will continue to be shared."

"The two conditions you proposed, the identity recognition for the second-generation mechanical life forms and the legalization statement for the Mechanical Knight Order, will be announced consecutively."

"Here is a draft version from our side..."

"Red Kestrel will coordinate the details with you later."

Zhou Yi said: "Let's first discuss some new cooperation opportunities."

He was now accustomed to the fast pace of mechanical life forms.

Political changes happen quickly, wars commence quickly, and end quickly. Sanctions are quick, backing down and surrendering are also quick; all processes move in high-efficiency cycles. Once pressure exceeds their tolerance threshold, they change quickly too.

"You are right."

Vivian immediately sat upright: "Currently, the Legal Front has a large reserve of industrial goods, including metal materials, chemical raw materials, machinery and equipment, electronic components, building materials, energy products, environmental safety products, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. As long as your side needs them, we can sell them in bulk at prices below market value."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Mechanical City has a diverse range of goods, and our company's various departments have specific needs. I will have them compile a list. Currently, I am particularly interested in the electric spiders you produce."

"What are the configurations of this device? What is the price?"

The small-sized electric spider can carry an electric cat.

The electric cat can directly control the mechanical spider to move around.

In the city, with the grid network, electric cats move freely, but entering areas without power facilities, the electric spider becomes very useful.

In extreme situations, such as power outages or grid damage, electric cats can still operate electric spiders, unaffected by adverse environments.

Zhou Yi had long coveted these devices.

Although Mechanical City copied the company's operations, they did produce some worthwhile things.

Vivian adjusted her updo hairstyle, and a small electronic eye amidst her hair projected an image on the wall.

It was an electric spider moving about.

"Mr. Zhou, the electric spider is equipped with a solid-state battery to supply power to the electric cat. If necessary, it can also be fitted with an external generator, though this would significantly slow its movement. There is also an internal cat house in the body, where the electric cat can take emergency shelter if it runs out of power."

As Vivian explained, the spider on the wall opened its metal shell, revealing the spherical cat house and square battery inside.

"Essentially, it is a small terminal integrated with an Electric Cat Transcoder, which can directly transmit the electric signals of the electric cat to the work program of the electric spider."

"Currently, the electric spider is divided into Type I and Type II. Type I is the common E-2 grade you see, smaller in size, adaptable to various external environments, and suitable for field operations, but with weaker endurance. It's feasible for emergency repairs, setting up temporary grids, or localized exploration."

"Type II is usually used within cities or as temporary power stations."

Zhou Yi saw that the Type II electric spider was significantly larger, the image indicating it was 120cm wide, 75-80cm long, similar in size to a regular samurai crab.

The resemblance became more apparent.

Except the samurai crab's big pincers had been replaced with mechanical arms.

Vivian said: "You are correct; they were designed based on the samurai crab prototype."

"The samurai crab, modified by years of the Dead Sea environment, is suited for Dead Sea activities. Its structure remains stable under high pressure and high energy impacts, making it an excellent natural mechanical body structure."

So it was true.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but recall that Octopus Brother from Bone Laboratory also drove a machine shaped like a samurai crab to collect and survey various bones of the Shendai remnants in the Dead Sea.

"The Type II electric spider is a D-1 grade, equipped with three floating heart generators, four fuel tanks, and one sugar box to ensure endurance. It serves as a mobile supply station for Type I, consolidating information from various sources, and can coordinate with six Type I electric spiders."

"When the Type I electric spider enters work mode, its average endurance is 12 hours. When fully charged with fuel tanks and sugar boxes, the Type II electric spider can independently operate in the field for 14 days."

Vivian paused: "Price-wise, the standard Type I without a floating heart is 2 Light Seeds each, Type II electric spider is 40 Light Seeds each. The unit module configuration is one Type II paired with six Type I, costing a total of 52 Light Seeds per set."

Zhou Yi asked: "Tell me about lifespan and maintenance."

"The lifespan is at least 10 years, with maintenance once a month and a standard annual maintenance. Type I costs 1 Light Seed, Type II costs 8 Light Seeds. If installation of workstations or high configurations is needed, it will be calculated additionally based on requirements."

Including these supplemental services, it was indeed not cheap.

Zhou Yi immediately took out the Guangna Box, handing out 10,400 Light Seeds: "Give me 200 sets first."

Both parties immediately drafted a trade contract.

The contract specified production services provided by seven factories in Mirror City, to deliver two types totaling 1,400 electric spiders to Jade City within two months, with inspection and handover completed through the Power Department.

Zhou Yi felt quite satisfied.

The Legal Front was now paying more attention to the company, providing equipment from Mirror City's best technologies, which assured better quality and control.

Vivian then said: "Mr. Zhou, we hope to introduce your Working Electric Cats to work in Mechanical City."

"The previous batch of electric cats, after our basic training, can now perform defense and reconnaissance tasks. However, their number is too small and they struggle with high-precision, high-intensity work. We hope to bring in more electric cats, especially A-grade electric cats with work experience."

Fine.

Mechanical City also only wanted experienced professional electric cats, with a preference for high-ranking A-grades.

They didn't want to train new employees either.

Zhou Yi thought to himself, the company only had a few dozen such electric cats. Each had been rigorously selected and was now a key employee in various departments.

The landlord's family also didn't have spare food…

He directly refused.

Vivian compromised: "Then B-grade electric cats will also work. We hope to recruit readily available Working Electric Cats."

"Previously, some of the electric cats went missing or escaped after a few months' work, and some refuse to continue working without holidays. They are difficult to manage."

Zhou Yi shook his head: "Your work style without holidays is tough for them to tolerate."

"Electric cats are life forms born in nature; they enjoy freedom and leisure. You need to provide them with good environments to retain them."

"The introduction to United City was very successful. I heard 24 electric cats are stationed there, with a significant number settling voluntarily. You should look into your methods."

Vivian was helpless: "The Legal Front will try to meet the needs of the electric cats, but we need time to adjust programs and processes."

"Our side is willing to offer an annual salary of 500 Light Seeds. If they have outstanding work capabilities, it can increase, up to a maximum of 1,500 Light Seeds."

This compensation was indeed competitive.

Zhou Yi nodded: "I will speak with the Power Department regarding B-grade electric cats, but whether they are willing to come, depends on the electric cats themselves."

"Thank you. Additionally, we have one more request." Vivian said: "We request participation in the 'Dao' project."

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow.

The main event began.

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