In the apocalypse, I hoarded goods and handed over my storage space to the government.

(Word count for the previous chapter complete)

Su Ran pulled out the chair in the main seat and sat down directly.

Ye Xiao was completely at ease and sat down to the side as well.

"Since you broadcast across the entire frequency band, you should be very clear about the rules for establishing files and registering impoverished households in Daxia, right?"

Su Ran tapped her fingers on the table, getting straight to the point.

"A detailed list of all awakened individuals and a list of existing supplies and resources in the camp should be submitted."

The Great Xia's Pangu supercomputing system will conduct unified calculations and then, based on the rating, distribute corresponding resource quotas and crystal core weapons and equipment to you.

Old Luke took the coffee from his son and placed it in front of Su Ran and Ye Xiao.

"Yes, I understand completely. We have compiled all the data into a booklet, and we can enter it at any time."

Old Luke paused for a moment, then turned to look at Hunter.

"You go out first and stand guard outside the door. No one is allowed to approach this conference room without my permission."

Hunter paused for a moment, but when he met his father's gaze, he immediately nodded, strode out of the conference room, and closed the door behind him.

Only three people remained in the large room.

The official smile on Luke's face gradually faded.

He walked around the table and sat down opposite Su Ran.

"Mr. Su, let's not beat around the bush."

Old Luke lowered his voice, revealing a deep, unsettling quality characteristic of ambitious men seeking power.

"The fact that Great Xia sent you, its highest advisor, in person shows that Great Xia sees the value of the Beacon of Freedom. We are useful to Great Xia."

Su Ran picked up the steaming cup of coffee, smelled it, but didn't drink it. She then put it back on the table with a crisp sound.

You've got one premise wrong.

He looked at the ambitious president with eyes as cold as knives, "Great Xia only values ​​obedient forces."

Old Luke paused, surprised that Su Ran spoke so bluntly, without any attempt to conceal anything.

"Mr. Su, we are absolutely loyal! I am a devout Christian, and I swear to God!"

He pressed his chin firmly against his chest, staring intently at Su Ran.

"We used full-band broadcasting to announce to the world the establishment of a beacon of freedom, not to provoke the authority of Great Xia, much less to seek equality with Great Xia."

He swallowed hard. "On the contrary, we are here to better integrate into the Great Xia system."

It's to prove to the Great Xia that we have the ability to unify this chaotic continent!

Su Ran tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The rhythm was slow, yet it felt like it was pounding on old Luke's heart.

"continue."

Old Luke took a deep breath and delivered his carefully prepared speech.

"North America is too vast. Mutated creatures roam freely, and zombies are everywhere. It's impossible for Great Xia to station troops in every corner."

He leaned forward, his eyes fervent, "But we can."

"As long as Great Xia is willing to accept us, the Beacon of Freedom is willing to assume the responsibilities of the North American government."

We will gather all the survivors, we will organize an army, we will wipe out those damned mutated beasts, and we will rebuild civilization.

"And then?" Su Ran asked.

"We are willing to be the sword of Great Xia in the Americas!"

Old Luke looked at Su Ran's cold face and revealed his trump card.

"We need the crystal core weapons of the Great Xia, and we need the Great Xia's development of supernatural abilities."

In exchange, Great Xia has priority access to every inch of land conquered and every crystal core harvested by the Beacon of Freedom.

The meeting room fell silent.

Su Ran leaned back in her chair, looking at the ambitious middle-aged man in front of her.

"Take the weapons of Great Xia, use the systems of Great Xia, and go fight on your own territory."

He scoffed, "Finally, we rightfully secured our position as the dominant power in the Americas."

"Da Xia knows very well what you want to do right now. But I can tell you clearly right now, Da Xia, I disagree."

The moment the word "no" was uttered, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head.

Old Luke's body suddenly slumped, as if all his strength had been drained, and he looked ten years older in an instant.

It’s over.

Without the official endorsement of the Great Xia Dynasty and without its weapons support, their force of 200,000 people, no matter how much they expand, will ultimately remain just a mob huddled together for warmth!

There is simply no way to make the transition from a "survivor's camp" to a "state power".

Or in other words, only a regime that receives the approval of the Great Xia can be called "legitimate" in the future wasteland!

Seeing the almost hopeless despair in Old Luke's eyes, a glint of light flashed in Su Ran's eyes.

We've suppressed them enough; it's time to offer a little something sweet.

"Just because Great Xia disagrees now doesn't mean it won't agree in the future," Su Ran said with a light laugh.

Upon hearing this, old Luke's previously lifeless eyes lit up with renewed fervor!

"So... the Great Xia doesn't oppose our founding of a nation?!"

He frantically pondered and deduced in his mind.

I neither oppose nor support this, and I will not express any opinion.

This is the true attitude of the Great Xia at this stage!

"Great Xia hasn't given up on us! They're testing us!" Old Luke thought to himself with wild joy.

If the law is unknowable, then its power is unpredictable!

The same logic applies to Daxia's attitude towards the Freedom Beacon Alliance!

The lack of a clear rejection is a way of giving you a chance to prove your worth!

Having grasped this logic, Old Luke's mind instantly became clear.

"Mr. Su!"

Old Luke spoke excitedly,

"I know that Great Xia's current strategic focus is on integrating the global wastelands. North America is too far away from Great Xia, and Great Xia does need time to prove our loyalty."

He took a deep breath and threw out the chip he had prepared long ago.

"As long as you can persuade the Great Xia Central Government to recognize our legitimate status after the catastrophe ends and civilization is rebuilt."

The 200,000 citizens of this beacon of freedom, and all the survivors to be incorporated into this continent in the future, will regard you as their guiding light.

He looked at Su Ran and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"We are willing to have it enshrined in our constitution as the 'Father of the Nation,' the beacon of freedom!"

Ye Xiao, sitting next to Su Ran, raised his eyebrows sharply upon hearing this.

Su Ran was also taken aback for a moment, her eyes filled with astonishment.

This foreigner... he's really damn outspoken!

Founding Father?

In order to curry favor with a powerful figure, they directly want to recognize Su Ran as the founding father of the nation?

Old Luke felt no shame; on the contrary, he became more and more excited as he spoke.

"Not only that."

Once the letter of establishing diplomatic relations is issued, all the old scientific research data, rare metal veins, and even the century-old wealth hidden in underground shelters by old tycoons on the North American continent will be available!

Everything! Completely and unconditionally available to you personally!