Chapter 148 [0146] Secret Meeting

The atmosphere at dinner was quite lively.

Whether it is a steaming hot pot or a young man who has just ushered in a new stage of life and is guiding the country, it is easy to arouse people's emotions.

When he was with these young people, Victor even became a lot more cheerful, and he also told them some interesting things he had experienced.

(During this period, Victor mentioned that he had made many wind-up toys, such as wind-up boats, which made Skye’s eyes shine.)

However, when everyone was almost full and full and started organizing "after-dinner activities", the atmosphere suddenly changed.

Amid the astonishment of Victor and Skye, the others began to look for excuses in unison.

"Ah, my stomach doesn't feel right..."

"We will be on patrol tonight."

"I still have academic meetings to hold..."

Even the most honest Clegg raised his hand to indicate that there was a safety inspection at the construction site - everyone seemed to avoid this after-dinner activity.

what's the situation?

Are after-dinner activities scary?

Just when Victor and Skye were wondering, Ike finally stood up and said sternly, "Let's talk about your after-dinner activities next time. After all, there are guests here this time."

Bao Bao finally glanced at Victor and Skye angrily, curled his lips and did not mention this issue again.

As for Victor, although he was a little curious, he did not continue to ask.

After simply cleaning up the public dining room, everyone went to Ike's room, spread a blanket on the floor, and started the after-dinner tea party.

There was no theme, just continued chatting about everything.

Well, if I have to say it, it’s mainly because Milo is bragging and Blast is exposing his bullshit.

In the past three years, Mero has specially studied the Shurima language (and many dialects that are almost minor languages ​​- the kind that can be spoken but not written). Not long ago, he just followed the official caravan on a trip. Nasramei is the most knowledgeable among them all.

But knowledge is knowledge, and this guy's habit of bragging has not changed at all. He often starts to be unreliable when he talks, and whenever this happens, Bangbao will stand up and use impeccable logic to pierce his bullshit.

Every time at this time, Ike would show a helpless expression, while Wei would smile heartlessly.

As for Craig... this guy is obviously very big, but surprisingly lacks presence. All his attention seems to be on the nuts that Ike prepared in advance, and he eats them happily.

It was as if the guy who ate nearly two kilograms of meat at night was not him.

It was almost midnight before everyone left.

At this time, it was too late to return to Piltover, and since Ike said that the special application would be resolved soon, Victor and Skye simply stayed in Zaun.

……………………

After settling Victor and Skye, Ike let out a long breath.

He did not return to the youth dormitory to rest, but quickened his pace and ran towards the city hall.

Most people in the city hall have gone off work, and only a few offices on the upper floors still have lights on. After Ike registered at the security office, he strode straight towards the lights. He had made an appointment to meet Lux in the afternoon. .

"Ike, did you submit a special application this afternoon?" When he opened the door and entered the room, Lux seemed to be maintaining her sword. "Did something happen?"

"I did meet something unexpected, Miss Lux." Ike nodded, then sighed softly and sat down on the chair opposite Lux, "I met Victor today."

"Victor? Come to Zaun?" Lux was a little surprised, "Mrs. Piltover is willing to let him come to Zaun?"

"That's because Mr. Victor probably doesn't have much time left." Ike no longer had the joy of being with his friends before. "Last time he inhaled too much poisonous gas in the mine, his entire respiratory system suffered from serious complications. question……"

Then, Ike briefly told Lacus about Victor's situation - after hearing about his current state, Lacus couldn't help but frown.

Speaking of which, Lux has a very positive sense of Victor.

Although it would be a bit of a "traitor" to say that a person born in Zaun ended up working for Piltover, but to be honest, Zaun at that time was indeed not a place where Viktor could display his talents.

Moreover, judging from how he later went to the mines to rescue people with Jace and Ike, it was not that there was no place for Zuan in his heart.

Under this situation, even if Victor and Jess released Lux's pigeon for better experimental conditions, Lux would be understandable.

But having said that, Victor's identity is indeed a bit sensitive now.

Piltover's vigorous development of Hex Technology cannot be hidden from others.

And Victor is undoubtedly the core person of this technology. When such a person comes to Zaun, what Ekko sees as a friend is that he is asking for help in a short period of time, but Lux sees more.

In addition to resorting to alchemy technology, there may not be any temptation from Piltover behind Victor's actions.

Realizing this, Lux silently rubbed the hilt of her sword, and Ike was not in a hurry, just quietly waiting for Lux to give an answer.

……………………

In Ike's eyes, Lux was thinking.

But in fact, Lux was not only thinking, but also secretly discussing with Kalya.

"Is this a test by Piltover?"

"It must be." Kalya's tone was extremely certain, "If it was really just to treat him, Piltover would have let him down long ago."

"But I don't understand." Lux was a little confused. "What can Victor explore? Ike just said it. He maintains his professional ethics and does not reveal anything about Hex technology or inquire about alchemy. The principle of technology is to simply seek technical support.”

"What's testing...maybe it's our attitude towards Hex Technology." Kalya quickly thought of the core of the problem, "Do you remember what I said, defeat in Noxus is a foregone conclusion. Now, Piltover actually needs Zaun more. Without our cohesion, they won’t be able to survive.”

"So they want to use Hex Technology as bait?" Lux said a little surprised, "This is impossible... that is the lifeblood of the people of Piltover."

"The bait will be eaten when fishing, but the float will not." Kalya chuckled, "The people of Piltover don't know the nature of our rune tree. In their eyes, what is Zaun's core competitiveness now?"

"It should be the emerging alchemy industry, right?" Lux blinked, "After all, our products are sold under the banner of [alchemy products]."

"The people of Piltover don't know that the scale of our industry has just started. If you were a member of the Piltover Council, what do you think Zaun should look like?"

"What if I were a member of Piltover..." Lux began to think according to Kalya's thinking, "Zuan should be a city that exports high-quality alchemy products in exchange for food and other necessities."

"Then tell me, in your eyes, is Zu An poor?"

"Of course I'm poor. I'm so poor. If I hadn't just signed a cooperation agreement, I wouldn't even be able to eat meat."

"Would such a city crave rich commodities?" Kalya continued, "Would it crave more golden hexes that could buy more external products?"

"It's natural to desire it." Lux replied naturally, "That's actually the case."

"Look, it's okay." Kalya laughed again, "Piltover has everything you mentioned."

"You mean, the benefits that Piltover really intends to give away are abundant commodities that can meet the needs of the Zaun people?" Lux was a little confused, "Hex Technology is just showing it to us?"

"If I were the Gray Lady." Kalya's tone seemed to have understood everything, "I would definitely bundle Hex technology with rich commodities and conduct trade negotiations with Zaun - and then when it is implemented, Use goods to please and attract the Zaun people, and send the lowest possible Hex technology.”

"How can I possibly accept this kind of negotiation agreement?" Lux's tone was a little more unbelievable. "Then wouldn't Zuan have to be the same as in the past?"

"First of all, not everyone is aware of this." Kalya's tone was a little more inexplicable. "Secondly, once communication begins, Piltover's products will cause extremely serious damage to Zaun. Impact - As long as they are willing to invest heavily to occupy the market, the Zaun people will only vote with their feet."

"..."

"Although the people of Zaun now have enough to eat, the daily necessities are actually quite poor. It is difficult to compete with Piltover's products or products from other regions that are imported through Sun Gate and then resold to Zaun." Kalya continued. , “Piltover has a huge advantage in this regard.”

Lux was stunned.

As Kalya said, according to a recent survey, after the completion of the three-year plan, Zaun's food supply has been basically guaranteed and its basic living needs have been met, but that's all.

Zaun's textile industry, daily necessities industry, agricultural and sideline food processing industry, furniture and household facilities manufacturing industry and other industries are still in the "barely usable" stage.

Although looking at Runeterra, compared with those areas in feudal society or even primitive society, the living standards of the Zaun people are actually quite good, but this does not prevent Piltover from absolutely crushing Zaun in these industries. .

If Piltover is willing, it can indeed directly cause a dimensionality reduction blow to these industries in Zaun through price wars.

But what's the point of doing this?

Monopolize these industries and then extract profits?

Is a mere market in Zaun worth so much effort?

Although she vaguely felt that this might have a big impact on Zaun, Lux obviously didn't realize what this impact meant.

But Kalya knew.

He explained it to Lux very seriously.

When it comes to consumption, once the gate is opened, it cannot be closed later - it seems that Piltover's excellent products have entered Zaun, but in fact, along with the products, there is also demand.

The people of Zaun have no reason to refuse a more comfortable life, and it is impossible for Zaun to suppress their desire.

And it stands to reason that a more comfortable life requires more golden hexes.

As long as Zaun needs Golden Hex, then Piltover will be able to make its demands openly.

As for what the requirements are...

There is no need for Kalya to say anything here, Lux also knows: they hope that Zaun will also become a part of the Hex Technology production line.

In other words, return to where you once were.

On the economic level, Zaun is still not capable of competing with Piltover - even if we take into account the runestone industry that the people of Piltover don't know about, the result is the same.

"So, what should we do?" Lux hesitated, "Just refuse?"

"Why should we refuse directly?" Kalya said in a cheerful tone, "Remember your investigation in Piltover? The people of Zaun have a need for a better life, don't the people of Piltover have a need for a fairer life?"

Hearing this, Lux's eyes finally lit up.

Then, she suddenly realized a serious problem.

"Have you thought about this a long time ago?"

"Ah? Which one?"

"About the communication between Zaun and Piltover." Lux gritted her teeth, "Have you thought about this a long time ago?"

"Yes." Kalya affirmed, "I have thought of some plans a long time ago."

"Then why didn't you tell me before?!" Lux clenched his fists, "I stayed up late last night to prepare so many ideas, and now I have to start all over again, because they don't take into account the product issues you just mentioned!"

"Oh this." Kalya whistled, "I may have been immersed in I was so caught up in that beautiful story that I forgot to remind you for a moment..."

"Karl! Ya!" Lux barely maintained her dignity on the surface, but her heart was almost hysterical, "Can you be more narrow-minded?"

"This is not narrow-minded." Karya said innocently, "I can't always think for you... and to be honest, the negotiation draft you prepared is still very desirable..."

"Shut up!"

After a while, Lux, who had sorted out her mentality, smiled again and looked up at Ekko.

"About Viktor, maybe we should have a good talk with Piltover." Lux chose her words, "How about this, I will prepare a letter tomorrow, you give it to Viktor on my behalf, and let him pass it to the Gray Lady in Piltover... After all, it involves the cooperation between Alchemy Technology and Hextech Technology, and Viktor's identity is sensitive, so it's better to be careful."

After hearing this, Ekko finally let out a long sigh.

Although the plan has not been confirmed to be feasible, judging from Lux's attitude, it is at least feasible.

That's enough - as the youngest alchemist in Zaun, Ike knows very well what stage Zaun's "alchemy" has developed to.

Victor... is saved!

Karya's small class: jokes about Zaun products:

In Zaun, there are many jokes about products circulating recently. These jokes are varied, but without exception, they all illustrate one problem - Zaun people have daily necessities available, but the quality is quite unreliable.

PS. Extra update 5/30, a genuine 4,000-word extra update.