I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield-Chapter 597 - 466: Negotiation, Oddities

Inside the ice house, the chill was dispelled by the Spiritual Energy Warm Furnace, leaving the air a bit dry.

Soundproof layer activated.

Qin Tian pointed to the chair next to the table and smiled, "My place is humble, please make do."

Zhuge Yu glanced around the room. There were no luxurious decorations, just a wooden table, a few chairs, and a few boxes of supplies piled in the corner, without even a decent ornament.

For a Royal Major General, such a residence was too simplistic.

He had seen many people of high rank and power, even those stationed in the borderlands would decorate their residences lavishly to show off their status, but clearly, Qin Tian was not one of them.

"The environment is quite nice, much tidier than I imagined." Zhuge Yu put away his feather fan and sat down first, followed by Dongfang Haoyue, who quietly observed the room without much conversation.

At that moment, the door was gently knocked, breaking the brief silence with a "knock-knock-knock" sound.

"Come in!" Qin Tian responded.

The door opened, and the Poisonous Widow walked in with a tray, which held a set of exquisite tea utensils and a sealed can of tea leaves.

She was dressed in a tight black outfit, and as she bent down to place the tray, her curves became even more pronounced, her enchanting face bearing just the right amount of respect: "Boss."

Qin Tian nodded, gesturing for her to leave.

As the Poisonous Widow turned to leave, Dongfang Haoyue’s peripheral vision caught her profile, and he frowned almost imperceptibly.

After the Poisonous Widow had left, Qin Tian picked up the teapot to boil water, and Dongfang Haoyue finally spoke, his tone carrying a hint of probing: "Qin Tian, who was that just now?"

"She’s one of my subordinates, also the logistics supervisor at Ice Extreme Pass." Qin Tian said frankly while washing the tea set, "She used to be a Star Thief, tried to assassinate me once, but I captured her. I saw she had good abilities, so I kept her around."

"Oh? Isn’t that like a secretary?" Zhuge Yu suddenly interjected jokingly, "By the way, is there some unspeakable rule between you two?"

Qin Tian glanced at him speechlessly, "I’m not like you noble family young masters, always pondering such nonsense."

"Hey, I have to clarify!" Zhuge Yu immediately waved his hands, "I’m very upright, don’t throw mud on me."

The conversation between the two gradually eased the doubts in Dongfang Haoyue’s mind.

To be honest, anyone who saw the seductive appearance of the Poisonous Widow couldn’t help but think in the wrong direction.

He had seen too many people of high rank and power, glamorous on the surface but depraved in private.

With Qin Tian’s status as a Tier Six Powerhouse and Royal Major General, even if he kept a woman by his side, no one would say much.

But as Dongfang Mingyue’s brother, he still hoped the man his sister liked wouldn’t disappoint her.

After the jokes, Zhuge Yu put away his playful demeanor and spoke seriously, "Qin Tian, we’re friends, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’m here to discuss cooperation—the Senate will soon draft a plan to increase investment and construction on Mingwang Planet, with the first projects focusing on Ice Extreme Pass. We hope to get a share in the development of Ice Extreme Pass and Mingwang Planet."

These words were straightforward and undisguised, yet Qin Tian wasn’t surprised.

Zhuge Xin’s inspection team had just left, and Zhuge Yu brought Dongfang Haoyue over, claiming it was a coincidence would be self-deception.

He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for each of them, then lazily asked, "Are you so sure that the Senate will pass this plan?"

"Of course." Zhuge Yu picked up his teacup, rubbing the rim with his fingertips, smiling confidently, "Don’t forget, the chief of the Senate is the Great Elder of my Zhuge Family."

Qin Tian understood—it was like the officials responsible for city planning having family members who learned of the development focus in advance, setting up before the policy unfolded, making a surefire profit.

According to rules, this behavior was clearly a violation, but if the violator had the backing of the Senate chief, who would dare to pursue?

Yet, on second thought, the fact that Zhuge Yu told him this meant he truly considered him a friend. Otherwise, if this information leaked, it could become a weapon for the political opponents of the Zhuge Clan.

"No problem with cooperation." Qin Tian put down the teapot, with a solemn expression, "But I want to know, what can you offer me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yu and Dongfang Haoyue exchanged glances, both showing smiles—Qin Tian’s question indicated he had agreed to cooperate, and now it was time to negotiate terms.

"Let me answer." Dongfang Haoyue took over the conversation, speaking steadily, "Qin Tian, the key to the rapid development of Mingwang Planet lies in the ability to cultivate and reproduce Cold Trees on a large scale. In this area, no one in the entire Empire has more advantages than our Dongfang Family."

Qin Tian nodded in acknowledgment.

Although he had the [Sovereign of the Verdant Wilds] talent, which could accelerate plant growth, in terms of specialized plant cultivation technology, the Dongfang Clan was recognized as unrivaled.

If he were to propagate the Cold Trees alone, he’d be exhausted, unable to meet the demand for Mingwang Planet’s development. However, if the Dongfang Family joined in, it would become much simpler.

"Moreover, our technology can ensure that the Cold Trees possess ’uniqueness’—even if someone stole the seedlings, they wouldn’t succeed in cultivation," Dongfang Haoyue added, with a confident look in his eyes.

"No need for that trouble." Qin Tian smiled lightly, "Currently, without me, no one can keep the Cold Trees alive."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yu and Dongfang Haoyue’s eyes both flickered—it seemed they were being redundant, for Qin Tian had already insured the Cold Trees.

Dongfang Haoyue didn’t dwell on the topic but continued, "Besides Cold Tree cultivation, we can provide funds, talents, channels, and policy support. Ice Extreme Pass covers a vast area. Building a city there in the future will require endless funds, and relying solely on higher authorities’ allocations is far from enough. I know you’re wealthy, but in a project of this scale, that money is just a drop in the bucket."