Half an hour later, on the edge of the solar system.
A warship hung quietly in the starry sky, its pure white hull elegant and flowing, gentle and natural.
Not far in front of the white ship, several wormholes opened simultaneously. A Flame-class warship emerged from a wormhole, facing the white ship from a distance.
Both warships sent communication requests, and a direct communication was quickly established. Through the screens, the representatives of both sides met.
The representative of the Giants was a woman with a slender figure. Although her clothing and hairstyle did not conform to mainstream human aesthetics, her demeanor was very dignified.
Ou Zhanpeng couldn't help but mutter in his heart, what on earth were these descendants of prehistoric civilizations doing?
"I am the plenipotentiary representative of the Glorious Empire, Duke First Class Misha," the woman on the screen said.
She spoke in the common tongue. The name Misha was just a phonetic transliteration according to human habits. In reality, it could sound like Bi Sha, Bing Sha, or Bing Sha.
Ou Zhanpeng couldn't help but grumble: An empire? And a noble at that?
"I am the plenipotentiary representative of Earth, Gong Yiding." Director Gong was dignified, his clothes neat, and even the tips of his hair were perfectly in place, without a trace of disarray. He looked as handsome as if he had walked out of a painting.
This was the attire he had specifically prepared for the negotiation, just finished printing, so it was naturally impeccable!
The military's original negotiation representative was Shan Qiuyu, but the language barrier was a hurdle that neither side could bypass.
Although the military had arranged for many people to learn the common tongue, and with the help of translation equipment, there were no obstacles in daily communication, for such a formal occasion, they couldn't always stare at the translation equipment.
As a last resort, Gong Yiding, who had a mechanical body, was temporarily apprehended by the military and became the negotiation representative.
Gong Yiding intended to exchange pleasantries according to human customs, but Misha, unfamiliar with human customs, spoke directly, her tone implying dissatisfaction: "Your Excellency Gong Yiding, I have been entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire to establish formal alliance relations with Earth, but I do not feel your sincerity."
Gong Yiding was very displeased with Misha's aggressiveness and retorted calmly, "What kind of sincerity would Your Excellency Misha like to see?"
"At the very least, it shouldn't be here. There should be a formal negotiation venue, even if it's in Earth's orbit!"
Gong Yiding smiled slightly: "I'm sorry, that's impossible. Including your side, we have had several unpleasant conflicts with alien civilizations. The appearance of your warships in Earth's orbit is very likely to cause unnecessary chaos. I believe Your Excellency Misha can understand our concerns."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Misha said.
"Don't prehistoric civilizations know how to be tactful?" Gong Yiding asked.
A mechanical body had many advantages. Not only could it deal with the provocative Misha from the front, but it could also communicate with Ou Zhanpeng via radio from behind.
"Perhaps the common tongue doesn't allow for tact. Can you?" Ou Zhanpeng asked curiously.
"No," Gong Yiding replied regretfully and turned back to Misha. "Your Excellency Misha, your arrival was too sudden, and we were not prepared in advance, hence the slight negligence. However, where we negotiate does not affect the alliance between our two parties, does it?"
"I expect to be treated with the respect I deserve!" Misha insisted.
"Let's not waste any more time," Gong Yiding insisted as well.
After a moment of stalemate, Misha finally relented: "Alright then." She was still displeased but no longer pressed the issue. "The Empire intends to form an alliance with Earth. What are your intentions?"
Gong Yiding immediately adopted an official tone: "Based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, and cooperation for win-win results, our side agrees to form an alliance with your side."
"Very good!" Misha finally showed a smile. "Then, let's discuss the terms of the alliance."
"The guest is here, you first!" Gong Yiding took a step back gentlemanly.
It wasn't that he didn't want to speak first, but the military couldn't figure out the other party's purpose and had to deduce the true intentions of the Giant civilization through their statements.
Misha knew nothing about politeness: "First of all, we are all humans, with a common origin and enemies. Therefore, we must cooperate fully in military and economic matters. What are your opinions?"
"Agreed!" Gong Yiding said concisely.
These words were pure nonsense. Who would have thought the Giants didn't understand pleasantries?
Misha finally showed a hint of a smile: "Then, the Empire hopes that Earth will open its ports to promote trade between the two sides. Are there any problems?"
"No!" Gong Yiding said.
Even if they didn't form an alliance, it was a good thing to engage in trade with an advanced interstellar civilization. There was no reason to refuse.
"The Empire needs a piece of land to establish an embassy. In exchange, the Empire will also provide a piece of land to establish an Earth embassy. Are there any problems?"
"No!" Gong Yiding said again.
An embassy, what's there to hesitate about?
"We hope to hire humans to serve the Empire. Are there any problems?"
This time, Gong Yiding did not answer directly: "How will they be hired? How will they serve?"
"Simply put, we intend to hire a group of humans and take them away from the solar system to serve the Empire directly."
Gong Yiding's previously relaxed brows furrowed again. After considering for a moment, he said, "In principle, we agree, but it must be on a voluntary basis. Personal safety, payment of remuneration, and other details must also be carefully discussed."
He wasn't really considering, but rather seeking the opinion of the Earth side.
The higher-ups had differing opinions on this matter.
If the treatment was adequate, this would be no different from ordinary international labor export. However, if the other party harbored ill intentions, the hired humans would likely become slaves controlled by the Giants.
This was a result that no one wanted to see, so caution was paramount. Even a slight risk could not be agreed to.
"No problem!" Misha thought this was an agreement and even showed a hint of excitement. "We have enough warships, but we have always lacked personnel. I believe humans are a good supplement."
Gong Yiding's pupils contracted: Well, mercenaries? Then this matter needs to be discussed properly.
The higher-ups on Earth were also very surprised and hesitant.
Did this silly woman just reveal the answer so directly? It seemed a bit abnormal. Was she deliberately misleading everyone's thoughts?
Misha continued: "We also hope to obtain mining rights!"
"No," Gong Yiding said without thinking. "We can sell you whatever you need, but mining rights are not negotiable."
Misha thought for a moment: "Alright, let's remove this item!"
As long as they could obtain those rare minerals, it didn't matter much if they couldn't get mining rights.
"And freedom of navigation. Both warships and civilian ships can freely travel between the planets of both sides, with priority docking for refueling. Are there any problems?"
Freedom of navigation?
These words were like a surge of super-pressure electricity, touching Gong Yiding's most sensitive memory.
"Yes!" he responded in unison.
Misha was very surprised: "What's the problem with freedom of navigation?"
"We have no plans to open up all airspace," Gong Yiding said. "Ships traveling to the solar system can only dock at designated locations. Without permission, no ships, warships, or other aircraft are allowed to enter the solar system without authorization, nor are they allowed to approach Earth. Otherwise, our side has the right to destroy them!"
Are you kidding me? Do you think I don't know what attitude the shallow cloud star has towards alien ships?
Besides, their four administrative planets and several generations of civilization, how many warships and ships would they have? If they could dock freely, the solar system would be filled in less than three days. Wouldn't all arrangements be seen by the other party then?
Misha was completely taken aback: "Are you kidding me? I already said that our ships need priority docking for maintenance and refueling. Can't you even do such a simple thing?"
"Maintenance is fine, refueling is also fine, but it must be at our designated location!" Gong Yiding was unyielding.
Misha roared in anger: "Damn primitive people!"
This sentence was not in the common tongue, so no one could understand what she said, otherwise, the negotiation would have been immediately terminated.
After taking several deep breaths, Misha managed to calm down: "Alright then, the location will be designated by you, but you must guarantee the absolute safety of our aircraft!"
"I cannot guarantee it," Gong Yiding said.
Misha was stunned, wondering if her ears had malfunctioned.
Gong Yiding continued: "We can only guarantee the safety of alien ships within our capabilities. If it exceeds our abilities, we can only apologize."
Misha kept comforting herself, primitive civilizations were just so petty. After a while, she suppressed her anger: "If you cannot even guarantee the most basic safety, then we can send a fleet to protect Earth!"
What?
This time, it was Ou Zhanpeng's turn to think his ears had malfunctioned: "What does she mean? Is she planning to station troops in the solar system?"
Gong Yiding's anger flared up: "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
The higher-ups on Earth had the same sentiment.
"What kind of interstellar joke is this? Since the founding of the nation, we haven't lost an inch of land, and now we're talking about stationing troops? Do you think this is the old society?"
"What aliens? Do aliens have more than one head? If we really let aliens station here, how will we face our ancestors in a hundred years? I can't bear to lose face!"
Gong Yiding's strong reaction made Misha bewildered: "Why? If you don't have enough strength, isn't it normal to have troops stationed here?"
"No, it's not normal!" Gong Yiding glared, but he quickly noticed that Misha's expression did not seem feigned. There seemed to be some misunderstanding here. "Why do you think stationing troops is normal? Do you think an alliance means incorporating Earth into your empire?"
Misha retorted in confusion: "Isn't it?"
"Of course not!" Gong Yiding was so angry he almost jumped up.
Ou Zhanpeng also understood. So, the so-called alliance was not an alliance, but joining the Glorious Empire. It meant federalization.
"Well, if we really join, wouldn't we have to obey the orders of that emperor?" Ou Zhanpeng said with sarcasm. "My knees are hard. I only bow to heaven and my ancestors. I won't bow to emperors and generals!"
Countless martyrs shed their blood and sacrificed their lives to overthrow feudal rule and build this country. Joining the Glorious Empire would be like turning back history.
Just giving a little benefit, and Blue Star becomes your territory. Are you dreaming?
Gong Yiding and Misha argued for a while before making the other party understand the difference between an alliance and accession. As a result, Misha also became furious, and they argued incessantly on this issue. Their gazes clashed intensely. If it weren't for the screen, Ou Zhanpeng would have feared they would spark fire.
A full half hour later, Gong Yiding finally convinced Misha, but she was on the verge of exploding.
Misha's tone was extremely unpleasant: "We plan to set up factories nearby to manufacture advanced equipment to improve the overall environment for Earthlings. Are there any problems?"
Since stationing troops was not allowed, she didn't expect humans to agree to this point. It was just a formality, to give the Emperor of the Empire a plausible explanation.
Gong Yiding's eyebrows raised. Isn't this just investing and setting up factories?
"No problem!" he said.
Misha was stunned. Why did they agree again? She really didn't understand the thought process of these primitive people!
"Also, we hope to obtain the technology or data of the Prophet, all of it."
Gong Yiding said decisively: "Impossible!"
Misha was furious. The most important purpose of this trip was to obtain the Prophet's data. How dare these damn primitive people refuse?
She immediately launched into a tirade, engaging in a fierce back-and-forth with Gong Yiding on the issue of the Prophet.
However, neither side could convince the other, and they parted ways unhappily.
The Earth side highly affirmed Gong Yiding's performance. Afterward, the higher-ups had a long discussion about the various conditions proposed by the Giant civilization, deciding which conditions could be slightly relaxed, which could absolutely not be conceded, and which could be tightened a bit, providing Gong Yiding with accurate opinions.
Both sides had their own demands. No matter how anxious or angry they were, they had no intention of interrupting the negotiations. Before long, they rescheduled a time to continue discussions.
This time, the discussions were much more detailed. Gong Yiding and Misha used their respective strategies, each refusing to yield, and the result was another breakdown.
Thus, after several times of breaking down and talking, the terms of the alliance gradually became clear.
Simply put, after the alliance, Earth would nominally be part of the Glorious Empire, but this was only for external purposes. Internally, things would remain as they were. The Empire would have no ruling power over Earth, only the title of an autonomous region.
The Imperial fleet was obligated to ensure Earth's safety, but this clause was nominal due to the refusal to allow Imperial fleets to be stationed.
Apart from military and economic and trade matters, other issues were minor details. When it came to this point, it was no longer decided by Gong Yiding and Misha alone. Both sides gradually introduced negotiation teams, engaging in repeated clashes over various detailed issues.
Misha couldn't help but speak out her exasperation, accusing humans of being too stingy and pedantic.
Gong Yiding retorted unceremoniously: If you're not stingy and pedantic, then you make concessions!
"With people like this, there's no need to be polite!" Director Gong said to Ou Zhanpeng afterward.
Ou Zhanpeng was deeply impressed.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it had been half a month, and both sides had basically reached an agreement and were about to formally sign the alliance treaty.
However, just as the alliance treaty was about to be formally signed, the Starship again issued an alarm. When Ou Zhanpeng rushed to the main control room, he was astonished to see more than a dozen wormholes appearing simultaneously at the edge of the solar system, and warships with pure black hulls emerged from them.
Ou Zhanpeng felt as if he had been doused with a basin of ice water, and he roared uncontrollably: "Alarm, sound the alarm, maximum alert—"