Chapter 104

Longxia’s vow to uncover the truth at all costs wasn’t just a declaration—it was a full-scale operation in motion.

“On the morning of February 9th, the pirates released the black box recordings, claiming to hold irrefutable evidence of collusion with major grain corporations.”

“The pirate group Mande Aike has requested a prison transfer, stating: ‘Only Longxia can guarantee our safety.’”

“HHSA has once again issued a statement: ‘HHSA had no knowledge of the hijacking incident.’”

…

As the interrogation of the pirates unfolded, the truth behind the cargo ship case also surfaced—

Between June and December of 3029, the Wyman Pirates struck a deal with HHSA, Gulda, and five other international grain conglomerates. These corporations agreed to purchase grain stolen from the Wyman Strait at rock-bottom prices. Before targeting Longxia’s freighter, the pirates had already hijacked three smaller vessels. However, due to the low profits, they decided to go after Longxia’s ship for a bigger payoff.

Now, with solid evidence of Wyman Pirates’ crimes, and after the Seven Major Grain Enterprises failed to uphold their promise to help the pirates escape, the pirates chose to expose everything. Initially, HHSA, Gulda, and the other grain giants tried to deny involvement, but once the black box recordings were made public, their denials turned into a desperate scramble.

HHSA and Gulda are internationally renowned grain companies, tied to five major superpowers. These corporations generate massive profits for their respective countries, and the five nations unanimously chose to sweep the matter under the rug.

On February 12th, the Longxia Government issued another international statement:

[Longxia strongly condemns the hijacking actions of the Seven Major Grain Enterprises. To ensure the safety of Longxia’s maritime vessels, Longxia will terminate all cooperation with the Seven Major Grain Enterprises and suspend grain exports to the five nations until the hijacking case is fully resolved.]

Since 3028, Longxia has maintained friendly and peaceful relations with the world. Even during its own economic crises, it has done its best to aid weaker nations. But with this statement, the global public suddenly realized: Longxia may be gentle and courteous, but it is by no means a pushover. Longxia has its pride—and its fangs.

“This is an immature food policy!” Within moments of Longxia’s announcement, media from the five nations issued condemnations.

“They hijacked our ship and still expect us to keep supplying them with food? That’s outrageous!”

“Fix your maritime security before talking about cooperation!”

…

Longxia’s netizens were fuming.

Ever since the hijacking of Meteor No. 3, the public had been closely following the cargo ship saga. The hijacking was a premeditated and blatant scheme. Now that the culprits had been identified and their backers were crawling out of the shadows, trying to twist the truth and shield the guilty—this was bullying, plain and simple!

“Let’s just shut our doors. We’ve got meat, vegetables, and grain. We can live just fine on our own.”

“The world’s already in chaos. No need to keep feeding the white-eyed wolves.”

“Honestly, isolation sounds pretty good right now. We’re not lacking anything.”

…

The topic of “closing off” began trending among netizens. With the global ecosystem in shambles, many felt it was better to focus on their own lives than worry about international refugees. One thing was certain—this incident could not be brushed aside or smoothed over.

“February 13th: Longxia terminates its spring contract with HHSA, suspending grain exports to Natal.”

“February 14th: Longxia cancels its 3030 contract with Gulda, halting grain exports to Guqia.”

“February 15th…”

…

Longxia’s statements weren’t just empty slogans. In the three days following the declaration of “strong condemnation,” Longxia cut off grain trade with the five major countries with thunderous speed. As Longxia’s shipping routes came to a halt, the world realized—Longxia was truly angry.

…

“Damn it!”

6 a.m., February 16th. At the procurement market in Florosa City, Natal, James stormed out of the grain store, face full of frustration.

James was the owner of Knight Tart Shop, a bakery that had been serving egg tarts in Florosa for twenty years. Two years ago, a torrential downpour flooded half his shop. After the rain subsided, he used his savings to renovate. Just as the renovations were complete, the Polar Snow Disaster hit…

Now, with the global grain shortage, the price of his egg tarts had risen from 0.5 Nata Coins to 3. Since egg tarts weren’t a necessity, business had taken a sharp downturn, sustained only by a few loyal customers.

That morning at 5 a.m., he went out as usual to buy flour. But as soon as he stepped into the store, the clerk regretfully informed him that the price of flour had jumped from 30 Nata Coins to 50. He visited twenty stores in a row—everywhere, flour was priced between 48 and 55 per bag. The reason for the spike was simple: Longxia had banned grain exports to Natal.

Natal might have ample grain reserves, but grain is not a renewable resource. Longxia’s grain had been stabilizing global prices. Now that his shop had run out of flour, and with the cost of egg tarts too high to justify production, James decided to wait until the international situation became clearer before reopening.

He locked up the shop and stepped out for a walk. After just a few steps, he noticed the pizza place next door had also closed.

“Jerry?” James called out curiously.

“Flour’s too expensive…” Jerry complained, shaking his head. The price hike may have had unexpected causes, but with grain prices changing daily, running a normal business had become impossible.

The two of them vented their frustrations about the Natal government and HHSA. HHSA was Natal’s largest grain corporation, and during this global crisis, it showed no concern for the survival of ordinary citizens, selling grain at outrageously high prices.

They didn’t care much for international politics, but even they knew—this was classic HHSA behavior.

Even when HHSA stole grain, they wouldn’t sell it back at a fair price. And now, because of HHSA’s misdeeds, they were the ones left to suffer the consequences of skyrocketing food costs.

“Damn that Natal…” Jerry grumbled irritably, then pulled out his phone.

He was just about to call home to talk about closing the shop when a news notification popped up on his screen:

[Drew, Cybera, Slanton, and 229 other nations issue joint statement: All countries urge the Shuilan Alliance to handle the Wyman hijacking case fairly and justly, and to restore normal maritime trade…]

Drew, Cybera, and the others weren’t even among the countries banned from importing grain. Jerry stared at the joint statement, momentarily baffled.

He kept scrolling, and finally came across an interview video.

In the video, a woman dressed in traditional Slanton attire stood before the camera:

“I know that to many countries, Slanton is a joke—a symbol of poverty and backwardness. Slanton’s people are seen as stupid, dirty, fit only to live as parasites at the bottom of the world.

I’ve questioned myself more than once—people like me, do we even deserve to keep living? But I’m grateful to Longxia. When I was lost and couldn’t survive, it gave me food. I’m grateful to the Soldiers of Longxia. They told me that even the lowest nations have the right to survive.

I regret that we couldn’t help during Longxia’s time of crisis. But I still want to say this—from the bottom of my heart: it’s because of Longxia that the people of Slanton survived this disaster. If it had been any other country, we wouldn’t have gotten food, wouldn’t have received aid. We might not have even had the chance to buy grain…

I’m appalled by the Wyman freighter incident. I despise what HHSA Gulda has done! The Wyman Pirates didn’t just steal food—they stole the survival chance of three billion refugees!

I can’t imagine a world where Longxia has no food to export, where all grain is sold at exorbitant prices by HHSA. That would be a catastrophe for refugees everywhere…”

The video lasted seven minutes and twenty-three seconds. Posted on an international forum, it had already racked up 2.5 billion likes.

“Thank you, Longxia. My family didn’t starve to death in last year’s disaster because of you.”

“Our village now has a locust farm. Thank you, Longxia, for buying our locusts.”

“HHSA! You’re stealing our right to survive!”

…

The comments section was filled with outrage from people around the world.

Longxia had only banned exports to five countries so far, but what if there was a second hijacking? A third? They couldn’t bear to imagine a world where Longxia could no longer ship out grain. That would be an apocalyptic scenario for them. Even if a global war broke out and Longxia was occupied by the five major powers, those countries would never sell grain to them at low prices.

Only with Longxia holding the grain could they continue to survive.

This joint statement from 232 nations wasn’t just support for Longxia—it was a condemnation of HHSA’s piracy. It was a cry for survival!

…

The impact of 232 nations speaking out was earth-shattering. Over the next three days, another 21 countries joined in.

Speaking out for Longxia. Speaking out for themselves.

This was a silent war for survival.

Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained Hope Tree Fruit: Young Hope Tree Fruit x1.

Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained Hope Tree Fruit: Growing Hope Tree Fruit x1.

Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained Hope Tree Fruit: Mature Hope Tree Fruit x1.

…

As voices from around the world rose in unison, inside the Hope Greenhouse, Qin Yun harvested three Hope Tree Fruits in a row.

Before he could even react, the system chimed again:

[Congratulations, Host! You have accumulated 5 billion reputation points. Farm System is updating…]

This would be the system’s third major update.