After concluding their official business, the banquet was filled with clinking glasses and cordial exchanges, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
After seeing Lancelot and his companions off, Lin Zhan and Lin Xiang sat at the tea table, slowly savoring the spiritual tea.
"Zhan'er, you've made a fortune this time. You won't have to worry about resources for the next few years, and you can focus on training your troops with peace of mind."
Lin Zhan shook his head and said, "Grandpa Xiang, the new weapons I've developed are very resource-intensive, but the results are excellent. I've already started researching the second wave of weapons. The more resources, the better. The ten thousand races have too large a population; their combined forces can easily field hundreds of millions of main combat troops, something our human race cannot achieve. Therefore, we can only focus on improving our equipment to enhance our strength."
Lin Xiang shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "Zhan'er, you are truly like your grandfather. Xiao Tian was the most capable general in our entire Lin family. Although Shanhe is a specially approved five-star general by the human race, his skills are far from his father's. Even that kid Jiang Zhongtian would have to concede to Xiao Tian in terms of troop deployment and strategy. But I see Xiao Tian's shadow in you."
Lin Zhan also responded with a wry smile, "Grandpa Xiang, the catastrophe of the ten thousand races is too severe. One misstep and we face tribal annihilation. To quickly resolve this catastrophe, we must slaughter vast numbers of the ten thousand races, thereby weakening their luck and power. Even if their emperors and kings were still alive, it would be useless if their foundations were gone. They wouldn't be able to rise again. Not to mention that our ancestors in Huaxia are not idle."
"Hearing you say that, it sounds like we old folks are not eating, but just drinking porridge. If that's the case, I'll have to accuse you of mistreating the elderly," Emperor Da Yu appeared beside Lin Zhan, saying.
Lin Zhan and Lin Xiang immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Ancestor Da Yu."
Da Yu nodded and said, "Alright, we are all family, so no need to be so formal. Whether it's me or that scoundrel Shang Tang, a few generations further back, we are all descendants of the Emperor Ancestors. You, young man, have grown up, and you've started assigning tasks to us."
Lin Zhan chuckled and said, "Ancestor, you don't want me to go to war with those special zones, isn't it because you suspect they still have ancestors alive? I reckon you old folks have already found out their whereabouts and just want to see what they're up to. Don't say Huaxia doesn't have any backups. Those Great Emperor-level ancestors are still hiding somewhere, and we also have many Human Emperors in Huaxia's history."
Da Yu laughed heartily at Lin Zhan and said, "Kid, when did you figure it out?"
Lin Zhan honestly replied, "I just figured it out moments ago. Originally, I was wondering if there was some shady dealing between those special zones, or if you old ancestors were just reluctant to part with these war resources, which is why you didn't let me deal with them."
"But after tonight's transaction with Great Britain, I was shocked. Good heavens, the resources are equivalent to 400 million Lord-level crystal cores. That's an immense amount! Can Huaxia even reclaim this much in a year of campaigning? Yet Great Britain gave it away directly. No fool would believe that they could acquire such a quantity with just their dozens of quasi-kings."
Da Yu became even happier after hearing Lin Zhan's words. "You're doing alright, kid, your mind is sharp. That's right, after the Great War of the Ten Thousand Races in ancient times, Huaxia entered a period without Human Emperors or Kings managing it. At that time, not only did we all fall into slumber, but even Di Xin was dealt with. If not for the mutual luck of the human race, Di Xin would have been killed by those traitors."
"It wasn't until Ying Zheng awakened the Huaxia Dragon Soul and reignited the beacon of human luck that the human race began to regain vitality. But by then, these other races were already present. We have no idea where these other races came from. Their claim that they evolved from monkeys is something even ghosts wouldn't believe."
"Then, various human factions began to constantly seize territory and compete for luck, fighting until they depleted the spiritual energy of the mother planet. It was at this time that this war of the ten thousand races erupted again."
Lin Zhan curiously asked, "Did they not take any measures back then? Couldn't we have adopted a strategy of the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind?"
Da Yu flicked Lin Zhan's head unceremoniously. "Do you think you're the only one with a clever mind? We also planned to wait and see. But the old forces behind these factions were too ruthless. Even though the human race was in such a state, none of them showed themselves. We had no choice but to let those two mediocre individuals, Di Xin and Ying Zheng, go out to hold the fort."
"Originally, we thought that with someone taking the lead, some old fellows would come out to observe. We didn't expect them to remain completely still. This is also why later it was rumored that my Royal Uncle Hou Yi and I were severely injured and not yet recovered, only able to exert the power of Human Kings. And why the fighting against the ten thousand races has been so difficult all these years."
"Later, as the luck of each race began to fully recover, we couldn't wait any longer during the competition for luck. It just so happened that everyone discovered that you, kid, were a talent. If you can't do anything else, you're most suitable to stir up trouble. After discussion, we decided to let you muddy the waters."
"Unexpectedly, you're also good at fighting and making money. That's even better. We'll hand over the full authority to you. Externally, you fight to your heart's content. Internally, you rake in money to your heart's content. It would be best if you leave those special zones with nothing. Do you know what to rake in next?"
Lin Zhan smiled slyly and said, "I know. Rake in the population. If I can't even handle such a simple matter, how can I be a bandit leader?"
Da Yu said happily, "You grandson is capable. You grandson can accomplish great things."
He then threw two peak King-level crystal cores to Lin Zhan and said, "A reward for you. You made this old ancestor happy today. This old ancestor understands your little tricks. Coincidentally, I'll use this opportunity to see what exactly is behind Great Britain. I'm leaving now. Get some rest, early to bed and early to rise makes a healthy person."
After Da Yu left, Lin Xiang also greeted Lin Zhan and went back to his room to sleep.
Lin Zhan pondered for a while and muttered softly, "These old guys are wicked. I'd better go find my little treasure."
With that, he ran back to his bedroom, took a quick shower, and immediately got into bed. Looking at Zhang Lingxiu beside him, who was pretending to be asleep, he lewdly snuggled up to her.
"Heh heh, wife, I've had too much to drink and lost control of myself."
Zhang Lingxiu gave Lin Zhan a sideways glance. "Then what do you want to do?"
Lin Zhan embraced Zhang Lingxiu and said, "Wife, I brought you some delicious food. Taste it quickly..."