"A magnitude ten earthquake in Los Angeles, USA?" Liu Hui was startled, his first thought being how many people must have died in America this time, and then, inexplicably, he began to feel a surge of happiness.

It wasn't that Liu Hui was cold-blooded and didn't care about the suffering of the American people, but rather that the American government had truly pushed things too far this time, posing a very serious threat to the Starry Sky Group. Since the American government was elected by the American people, Liu Hui found it difficult to have any favorable feelings toward them, and naturally, he felt a sense of schadenfreude regarding their suffering.

A magnitude ten earthquake striking American soil, and what's more, centered on their second-largest city, Los Angeles—this meant the US government's attention would immediately shift from overseas concerns back to its domestic crisis. Before they could deal with the lingering aftermath of this super-magnitude ten earthquake, they would have no energy left to handle the conflict with the Starry Sky Group.

Simply put, Liu Hui was grateful for the super-magnitude ten earthquake that struck Los Angeles; it had arrived at the most opportune moment. This very disaster fundamentally reversed the dire situation facing the Starry Sky Group. Having suffered a huge loss at the hands of the Starry Sky Group in the Gulf region, the US government was forced to swallow its pride and retreat home to manage the mess now confronting it. For the foreseeable future, the possibility of another intense conflict with the Starry Sky Group was virtually nil; instead, the highest probability was that both sides would sit down at the negotiating table for talks.

Thus, although Liu Hui felt his gloating over the American earthquake was somewhat ungracious, the Starry Sky Group had won a vital respite thanks to this disaster, and he couldn't help but be extremely pleased. After all, it’s better for a neighbor to suffer than for oneself; the American people had nothing to do with him.

According to the television news reports, the epicenter of this super-magnitude ten earthquake in Los Angeles, USA, was right in the downtown area of the city. Since all communication with Los Angeles had been severed, and given that it was late at night, satellites couldn't capture clear images of the situation, and rescue teams had not yet entered the city, the precise extent of casualties in Los Angeles remained unknown.

"What exactly does a magnitude ten earthquake mean? The great earthquake that struck Huaxia back then was only magnitude eight, and its epicenter was deep in the mountains, yet it caused such tragic loss of life. I wonder how many people in America will be affected this time?" Liu Hui marveled.

Chen Changsheng, standing beside Liu Hui, sighed, "This could be considered a human catastrophe. Even with America's extremely sturdy building codes, the casualties will inevitably be devastating."

Liu Hui nodded. "Indeed. You must remember that once an earthquake reaches magnitude eight or nine, every subsequent decimal point increase in magnitude exponentially multiplies the total energy released. This magnitude ten quake, its total energy is..." He paused, suddenly unable to recall the exact magnitude of the total energy release for a level ten quake, feeling a moment of awkwardness.

"Liu Hui, the total energy of a magnitude ten earthquake is about one trillion tons of TNT equivalent, which is fifty million times the energy of the two twenty-kiloton atomic bombs the US military dropped on Nagasaki at the end of World War II," An Qi remarked from nearby.

Liu Hui chuckled dryly. "Heh heh, An Qi is truly amazing, deserving of the title genius among geniuses. You pull up these figures so effortlessly."

An Qi replied, "It's just a matter of different specializations. I am proficient in scientific data, whereas your strength lies in corporate management. To be honest, I am also deeply shocked. You realize my hometown is also within the affected zone of this massive earthquake!"

Liu Hui blinked, suddenly remembering that An Qi was from California, USA, and the earthquake currently striking Los Angeles would certainly impact her home region. He asked, "An Qi, why don't you go check on your parents? They must have many friends in California; go ask them if they are safe."

An Qi was visibly shaken. She forced a smile. "Luckily, my parents came to Hong Kong to see me during the summer vacation, so they weren't in California. Otherwise, given the intensity of this earthquake, Caltech would surely have been severely affected. I just don't know how my classmates and friends are doing?"

Liu Hui comforted her. "An Qi, don't worry. Your classmates and friends in California will likely be fine. They are blessed to have good fortune watching over them."

An Qi nodded and said, "Liu Hui, I need to go be with my parents now. They have many friends and students staying in California, and we still don't know if they are safe!"

Liu Hui responded, "Of course you should. Go spend time with your parents and don't worry about work matters. Furthermore, since your homeland has suffered such a calamity, I will certainly find ways to help those affected."

Hearing Liu Hui’s words, An Qi’s eyes suddenly reddened. She whispered a soft "Thank you," and quickly left the laboratory to be with her parents.

Watching An Qi’s sorrowful expression, Liu Hui inexplicably felt a sudden pang of sympathy, an urge to pull her into his embrace. However, Liu Hui immediately recalled the peculiar sensation that occurred when he made physical contact with An Qi, so he awkwardly retracted his hand, which had already started to reach out, and looked away.

"Boss, you also think An Qi is quite remarkable, don't you?" Chen Changsheng asked with a smile from the side.

"Yes, she is truly exceptional—possessing both noble character and great intellect. She is a rare and remarkable woman," Liu Hui praised.

Chen Changsheng sighed. "Such a wonderful woman—it would be heartbreaking if one day she became someone else's wife, wouldn't it?"

Liu Hui paused, asking, "Director Chen, what do you mean by that? Have you perhaps developed feelings for An Qi?"

Chen Changsheng laughed. "I am an elder; by age, I could be An Qi's grandfather. How could I possibly have feelings for her? I regard An Qi as my own granddaughter. So, as long as An Qi is happy, I will be delighted no matter who she marries. It's just that I worry some people will be sad and shed tears when An Qi eventually marries, won't they?"

Liu Hui rubbed the back of his head, muttering, "I really don't know what you're trying to get at."

Chen Changsheng then spoke seriously. "What I mean to say is that since a super-magnitude ten earthquake has occurred domestically in the US, the conflict between them and us surely cannot proceed. Our Starry Sky Group has managed to weather this crisis."

Liu Hui asked curiously, "On what grounds do you believe the American side will cease harassing us?"

Chen Changsheng said mysteriously, "Back when I was in China, I studied some knowledge of military strategy. Though I didn't master it completely, I am rarely wrong about major strategic matters. With domestic instability in the US, their military strength will have to be redeployed home. This isn't just for disaster relief; it's also to prevent internal upheaval. You must remember, there are countless nations and organizations envious of America's wealth or holding grudges against them. Therefore, at a time like this, the conflict between us and America will naturally be relegated to the bottom of their priorities. I believe the most likely outcome is that the US will disengage militarily from us and send negotiators to resolve this military conflict through dialogue. After all, whatever their issues with us, they are not as critical as their domestic problems. Even if the US government is unwilling but intends to resume military conflict with us, it will take at least several years. And by then, once our strength has developed, will we still fear them?"

Liu Hui was taken aback. He hadn't expected this old fellow, Chen Changsheng, to also grasp the current mindset of the US government. It was exactly the same conclusion he had reached through his own calculations. Indeed, the wisdom of the elderly should never be underestimated. Although Chen Changsheng had become younger, his wisdom and experience showed no obvious decline.

Liu Hui left the Starry Sky Science Research Institute and proceeded to the headquarters of Starry Sky Security. At the security headquarters, over a dozen dedicated security personnel were maintaining constant communication with the desalination ships in the Gulf region.

Liu Hui walked over and called out for Ah Huo, who quickly connected with him.

"Boss, what are your orders?" Ah Huo sounded delighted. They had repelled the American military's attack today, achieving an unprecedented victory. His mood was jubilant; such a grand achievement had been unimaginable to him before.

"Ah Huo, a magnitude ten earthquake just struck the US. Their troops will certainly be redeployed back to America, so they should temporarily lack the capability to attack you. Your current mission is to maintain strict defense and absolutely avoid proactive strikes or unnecessarily escalating conflicts with the US military. Based on my estimate, the American government will soon send negotiators to engage the Starry Sky Group in talks and dialogue regarding this conflict," Liu Hui instructed.

"Ah! Boss, something that serious happened in America? Does that mean we won't have any more fighting to do?" Ah Huo was momentarily stunned.

Liu Hui smiled. "Ah Huo, the purpose of possessing weapons isn't to fight more battles. It's to avoid fighting altogether and ensure our own safety. Not having a war while still maintaining our safety—isn't that the best possible outcome? Oh, and make sure you take good care of those American prisoners of war. Nothing must happen to them; we need to return them to the US government intact!"

Over the next twenty-four hours, the US military indeed failed to appear near the desalination ships in the Persian Gulf, nor were there any retaliatory actions. The Gulf region suddenly fell quiet.

Meanwhile, on the television news, reports continuously detailed the horrific scene of the Los Angeles earthquake in the US. In the footage shot by reporters, the super-metropolis of Los Angeles was visible as a mass of ruins. The earthquake had created a deep chasm running through downtown LA, and seawater from the Pacific Ocean was flooding into the city center, which had now become a vast ocean.

In this devastating earthquake, there were bodies everywhere, people severely injured awaiting rescue, and countless trapped individuals buried beneath the rubble. The sheer number of affected people made it impossible to calculate an exact count in a short time. However, based on estimates from field reporters, the number of injured and dead in this great earthquake would be counted in the hundreds of thousands, while the collapsed structures were countless. As for economic losses, they were astronomical figures.

Other nations around the world began contacting the US government, offering aid and dispatching their own rescue teams to assist the trapped disaster victims, and the US government was currently considering these aid requests.

In response to this unprecedented disaster, Liu Hui also began preliminary preparations. After all, as a world-class super-corporation, the Starry Sky Group needed to set an example.

It was at this juncture that the US Consul General in Hong Kong arrived with several Americans to meet him. Liu Hui knew their purpose immediately and arranged a meeting.

In a secret conference room at the Starry Sky Group headquarters, on one side of the long table sat Mr. Delson, the US Consul General in Hong Kong, flanked by three middle-aged white men. Liu Hui sat opposite them, with Wu Yuanjia of the security company and Liu Wenqi, the legal counsel, seated beside him.

"Mr. Liu Hui, the three gentlemen behind me are from the White House. This is Mr. Kaim, this is Mr. Torella, and this is Mr. Mikohawk. They will be representing the US government to discuss and dialogue with your esteemed company on certain matters," Mr. Delson of the US Consulate General began, introducing the parties briefly.

Liu Hui replied, "Welcome to the Starry Sky Group, gentlemen. First, please allow me, on behalf of the Starry Sky Group, to express our deepest condolences to the American people who tragically lost their lives in the great earthquake that struck your country."

The middle-aged man named Kaim appeared to be the leader of this negotiation team. He spoke solemnly, "Thank you for your concern regarding our people, Mr. Liu Hui. Frankly, this is a moment of profound sorrow for all Americans. We should be at home assisting our compatriots, but we have encountered disagreements and unpleasant conflicts with your company on certain issues. Therefore, we have had to come to Hong Kong to reach a consensus with the Starry Sky Group on specific matters."

Liu Hui said, "Mr. Kaim, you are clearly a straightforward man. Then let us dispense with pleasantries. What consensus does your US government hope to achieve with us?"

Kaim stated, "We have already clashed twice, so I will skip the nonsense. For us to cease hostilities and restore normal relations with the Starry Sky Group, your company must meet the following four conditions: First, allow our American businessmen to acquire shares in the Starry Sky Group, with their total holdings not less than 20% of the total shares. Second, the Starry Sky Group must share its water desalination technology with the US government and must not transfer this technology to any other organization or country without permission. Third, the Starry Sky Group must compensate our US government for five hundred billion US dollars in economic losses. Fourth, immediately and unconditionally release the US military personnel you have captured. If you fulfill these four points, the US government will immediately cease hostilities with the Starry Sky Group and continue to maintain a good cooperative relationship with you."

Liu Hui picked his earlobe, asking doubtfully, "Mr. Kaim, did you win the war in the Middle East?"

Kaim sneered, "Although you have gained a temporary upper hand, do you honestly believe we cannot defeat you?"

Liu Hui responded, "So you didn't win. Since you didn't win, why is your tone as if you are the victor?"

Kaim inquired, "Then the Starry Sky Group disagrees with the above proposal?"

Liu Hui laughed heartily. "Of course, we disagree. Do you really take me for a sheep? Even if we were sheep, do you think we would be that foolish?"

Kaim retorted sharply, "Are you not afraid that America will completely blockade all Starry Sky Group products? Within the US and among our allies, we can ensure your products have no sales outlet. Will you still be so tough then?"

Liu Hui countered with a cold laugh. "Then why hasn't your US government done so? Setting aside the dire domestic situation you currently face—whether you can even survive it is uncertain. Even if you could block our products, do you think your own citizens would agree to such an action? Open your eyes and see! Starry Sky Group products are deeply integrated into this world; they have changed it. Since the advent of Starry Sky Group's goods, this world no longer has nearsightedness, Hepatitis B patients, diabetic patients, or obesity. Our gourmet restaurants have also transformed your dietary habits. Furthermore, as you sit before me now in a formal suit in this summer heat, surely you are wearing our cooling underwear underneath? Our company's products have fundamentally changed the world; the world has long been dependent on them. Do you truly believe your citizens will abandon their immediate self-interest for some minor political gain on your part? You must understand one thing: our Starry Sky Group products are not common cabbage; they are not ubiquitous. They are all highly sought-after, indispensable commodities. The moment our company cuts off supply to the US market, immediate problems will arise domestically, and your citizens will rise up to oust you. And now you talk about a blockade? That is truly laughable."

Kaim became furious, standing up abruptly and pointing at Liu Hui, "You... you..."

Liu Hui sneered, "What 'you'? Did I say something wrong?"

Kaim roared in anger, "You are twisting logic! If that is your stance, then we will continue the war with you. Do you think our nuclear weapons are just for show? Your tiny Starry Sky Group is nothing more than an ant before our nuclear arsenal."

Liu Hui also became enraged, retorting, "Is this your final stance? Resorting to nuclear threats when you can't argue effectively? But why don't you try it? I'd like to see what vehicle you plan to use to deliver your nuclear weapons—our laser weapons can destroy every single one."

At this point, Mr. Delson, seated nearby, noticed the escalating tension and quickly stood up, saying, "We can discuss things, we can definitely discuss them!"

Liu Hui coldly stated, "How do you propose we discuss? Your US government coveted our water desalination technology and openly deployed troops to try and seize our desalination ships. Worse still, you even attempted to impersonate terrorists to kill our personnel. After all these actions failed, you dared to defy world opinion by sending regular troops to attack our desalination ships, and after suffering a shameful defeat, you still have the audacity to present us with terms and demands like victors?"

The American negotiator named Torella immediately interjected, "Mr. Liu Hui, you cannot speak like that! When did we ever attempt to impersonate terrorists to kill your staff? It is you who shamelessly launched a sneak attack on our military base in Saudi Arabia, capturing Major General Morrison and Major Karl. I think you look much more like actual terrorists."

Liu Hui gave a cold laugh. "Mr. Torella, I warn you not to slander us. General Morrison and Major Karl at your base surrendered themselves to us; they came entirely of their own free will. It has nothing to do with us; we did nothing."

Torella responded furiously, "If you did nothing, then why are Major General Morrison and Major Karl in your custody?"

Liu Hui smiled. "I believe Major General Morrison and Major Karl might have felt extremely guilty and uneasy about the actions detrimental to the Starry Sky Group that they had taken, and under the guidance of your God, they voluntarily sought us out to confess their sins, perhaps? If you don't believe us, we can show you how they are confessing."

With a signal from Liu Hui, Wu Yuanjia stepped forward, plugged a portable hard drive into the computer on the table, and clicked play. A video immediately began displaying on the computer screen.

The person in the video was none other than Major General Morrison. He appeared to be in excellent condition, without any visible injuries. He was seated in a chair, holding up a document—the top-secret file with the designation 998.

Major General Morrison began by stating his unit designation and rank, then pointed to the top-secret file, serial number 998, and commenced a detailed explanation of how he commanded the clandestine operation targeting the Starry Sky Group’s desalination technology. Major General Morrison elaborated on the entire plan with such meticulous detail, supplemented by the confidential file in his hand, that the entire account carried an undeniable weight of persuasion.

The American negotiating team, including Delson, could only stare in stunned silence. They had never expected Major General Morrison to so candidly confess the classified mission he had executed. His deposition was incredibly thorough, leaving absolutely no room for critique. Furthermore, his demeanor was excellent; he showed no outward signs of having endured any inhumane torture.

Kaim was the first to recover. He jabbed a finger toward Major General Morrison on the screen. “Fake! All of this is fake! You fabricated all of this! We won't fall for it.”

Liu Hui gave a cold laugh. “Whether it’s real or fake, you know the truth deep down. But this time, God is clearly not on your side. Besides General Morrison, who directly commanded these actions and has surrendered to us, Major Carl and the action team members under his command have also successively turned themselves in. If you still refuse to believe us, you can watch the next video.”

Wu Yuanjia then proceeded to play the interrogation videos of Major Carl and the two captured American soldiers under his command. In these videos, Major Carl and the two American soldiers provided detailed confessions about exactly how they executed the plan, including the strategy of impersonating terrorists and framing them.

After presenting the original confidential operational plan file, the testimony of the commander of this top-secret plan, and the confessions from the specific individuals responsible for execution and the soldiers, the chain of evidence had become exceptionally comprehensive, detailed, and complete. Anyone who viewed these materials would inevitably reach the conclusion that the US government, coveting the Starry Sky Group’s technology, had prepared to commit murder for profit and then lay the blame elsewhere.

To the reader Night Bright, thank you for the 500-coin reward and for submitting 7 votes for the 9000-character updates. However, I sincerely apologize that today’s update can only reach 6000 characters.

Thanks to readers Lone Wild Goose and Wind’s Bart for your monthly ticket support! And thanks to reader Shipu Ren for his two monthly tickets. Yesterday, I received 5 monthly tickets in a single day—the most this book has ever received—a truly joyous occasion.

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