Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 768 - 486 The Entrance to Inner State_3

During Xiao Zhenggong’s tenure as Balancer, the negotiations were interrupted. The official reason was that the Inner State’s overly pressing demands had shaken the foundation of the negotiations.

Da Boyins sighed and said, "Some words from the Outside Provinces are quite profound. What are these ’overly pressing demands’ you’re referring to?"

"The Inner State was eager for the Outside Provinces to help them thoroughly decrypt the Boundary. However, the Outside Provinces did not agree. They reasoned that if the Inner State were to invade Puluo State on a large scale, it would inevitably affect their interests there. Of course, they could have continued negotiations despite the conflict. The real reason the negotiations were suspended was mainly attributed to Xiao Zhenggong stirring up trouble."

"Xiao Zhenggong?" Da Boyins was quite surprised. "Did he play a role in this matter?"

Dick Chen smiled and said, "According to the Outside Provinces, Xiao Zhenggong is the most inactive of all the Balancers. Almost all of his communications with the Inner State had to go through the Saint. During the plague on Sage Peak, some messages even had to be relayed through us.

"Many people thought Xiao Zhenggong didn’t want to get involved in the conflict between the Inner State and the Outside Provinces, believing it was a self-protective measure on his part.

"That is a misunderstanding of Xiao Zhenggong. He isn’t that timid; he’s a risk-taker. He has been actively undermining communication between the Inner State and the Outside Provinces.

"The Inner State relies on the Outside Provinces to dissolve the Boundary, and Xiao Zhenggong is also researching how to decrypt it. If the Inner State no longer depends on the Outside Provinces but instead relies on Xiao Zhenggong, he will potentially become the master of Puluo State in the future."

Da Boyins fell silent.

Dick Chen asked, "Why the silence?"

"I am shocked. I had not expected Xiao Zhenggong to have such a grand scheme."

Dick Chen smiled and said, "When you first collaborated with him to establish the Flying General Camp, you should have seen that he is a very scheming person."

Da Boyins shook his head and said, "I knew too little about him. After hearing your description, I am extremely shocked."

Was Da Boyins truly that shocked? No.

He was Puluo State’s finest private detective and had acted as a go-between for Xiao Zhenggong and Dick Chen during their alliance.

Da Boyins had already made a fairly accurate conjecture about some of Xiao Zhenggong’s plans.

What really concerned him at the moment was Dick Chen’s purpose. Why had he suddenly said so much? Was he testing me?

Dick Chen was indeed testing him. "Da Boyins, there’s no need to feign ignorance in front of me. We don’t need this kind of pretense between us.

"We’re comrades with a common objective. From now on, I’ll tell you more secrets. I hope my honesty will be met with your growth.

"Stop relying on those who shouldn’t be relied on. Lu Xiaolan looks a bit like you, and you can find another way to protect her."

...

In Greenwater City, inside a civilian house, Dumpling changed into a deep blue floral-patterned cheongsam and put on light makeup, preparing to work at Xiaoyao Lodge.

She did not go to Hai Chi Ridge, nor did she intend to go to Li Qi’s ancestral home. That mansion had been searched too many times, and no valuable clues could be found.

Yesterday, she applied for a job at Xiaoyao Lodge and succeeded in becoming a singer.

With her current level of performance, she did not have the ability to perform solo. She could only sing in a chorus with other new singers or provide backing vocals for other stars.

These were not important to Dumpling. What was important was that she had to seize this investigative opportunity.

After removing her Glasses, Dumpling put on a pair of Earrings.

These Earrings allowed her to disguise herself, and even colleagues from the Dark Star Bureau might not recognize her if they stood right in front of her.

She gave herself the stage name Little Red Peach.

She set her time limit to one month.

She knew she was not foolish like Light Bulb, who got caught by Li Qi after just one day, but if she delayed for too long, she might also be suspected by Li Qi.

One month was just right. Dumpling had planned every single day, and as long as she calmly and carefully investigated, she was sure to find clues that others had missed.

...

Inside the Defense Agency, Dick Chen handed over a scroll to Liao Zihui in a secret room.

Liao Zihui knew it was a letter from the Inner State. He gave the scroll to the technicians for deciphering. After learning the letter’s content, Liao Zihui openly praised Dick Chen, saying, "Chen, this letter’s arrival is quite significant. Our negotiations with the Inner State, suspended for many years, have finally resumed."

Dick Chen smiled. "That’s why I said I wanted to do more meaningful work. Trivial matters like those Li Qi handles should no longer be brought to me."

Liao Zihui, maintaining restraint and smiling, said, "The letter has already been sent to the Outside Provinces. I expect a response within a few days.

"But don’t get your hopes up too high. The prospect of completely decrypting the Boundary between the Inner State and Puluo State in a short time is probably impractical."

Dick Chen shook his head. "I don’t think the Inner State harbors such an impractical idea either. What they hope for, presumably, is for the Outside Provinces to help them expand part of the passage.

"The existing natural passages have already exhausted this year’s quota. With more than half a year left, it’s become very difficult for the Inner State to send more people to Puluo State. If we’re willing to build them a road, I think it would ease the relationship between both sides considerably."

Liao Zihui nodded and said, "I will submit your suggestion upwards. I believe it will be accepted."

"My suggestion..." Dick Chen said with a smile, "Well, thank you, Chief Envoy."

Dick Chen was well aware of the Outside Provinces’ way of doing things. Although he was the intermediary and had re-established the connection between the Inner State and the Outside Provinces, his opinion was worth nothing to his superiors. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

His sole purpose in doing this was to hope he could secure a foothold in the position of Balancer.