It turns out to be a fake bull.
However, what's this about domesticating mechanical bulls? Logically, it should be about manufacturing.
Zhou Yi raised his doubt.
Lin Qin explained: "It's not manufacturing, it's domestication. The tribe domesticates mechanical bulls called 'Hooked Horned Bulls', which can produce offspring. They are a type of semi-civilized entity that needs to be tamed before use."
Zhou Yi remained composed, yet his mind was in turmoil.
Reproducible mechanical-electrical life?
He immediately tuned in to ask Red Kestrel.
"That's not reproduction, it's merely replication."
"Some mechanical-electrical lives have the ability to self-replicate, typically the simple structured ones used for repetitive labor."
Red Kestrel said: "If it's a semi-civilized entity, its value in labor is very limited. They can't communicate and their behavior is unpredictable, the risk is uncontrollable, just like that of someone mentally deranged."
"The smaller a self-replicating entity is in size, the more valuable it becomes. If it's small enough, it can perform high precision tasks, enter complicated mechanical equipment for inspection, debugging, and installation. 'Electrician Ants' belong to such a group, nearly indispensable in high-precision mechanical-electrical light imprint."
"The main value of this kind of semi-civilized entity proposed by the other party lies in heavy transportation. But there are better vehicle options for that, more stable, safe, and fast. Hence, they belong to a rather needless group, their practical value is much lower than it appears."
Zhou Yi had a different opinion.
Indeed, mechanical bulls couldn't compete with mature enhanced cars.
But in this era, the price of enhanced cars is still beyond what ordinary people can afford. If it were these continuously replicable mechanical bulls, perhaps they would be a vehicle that ordinary people could own.
He looked at the mechanical octopus: "Show me the actual product."
Lin Qin's digital eye projected a dynamic image on the wall.
Displayed was a square mechanical creature, looking just like an iron barrel. It had horns on its head, four legs, and a full metal structure, robust.
The mechanical bull carried a large number of metal boxes, moving clumsily but steadily.
Zhou Yi immediately decided: "Good. Let's go with this."
Lin Qin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "If that's the case, then let's sign a formal agreement." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⚑fire.net
The ceasefire agreement was notarized and signed through 'Notary City' in Mechanical City.
The parties to the agreement were Zhou Yi and Duke Destructive.
Besides the war reparation clause, the agreement emphasized two points.
One is that after the ceasefire, both sides must not initiate any form of military assault on each other's homeland for the next five years; otherwise, it would be considered a violation of the agreement, necessitating a compensation of 5 million Light Seeds and subject to sanctions and credit downgrades from Mechanical City.
Second, this agreement must be kept confidential externally, revealing its details to a third party is considered a breach.
Taking the war reparations benefited him monetarily; after all, Duke Destructive is the Heavenly Country Governor, deserving some respect.
Red Kestrel confirmed there were no issues with the treaty.
Zhou Yi signed his name.
Due to the high monetary amount involved, the verification process for the entire ceasefire agreement was strict. It first required confirmation of both parties' current status, plus the payment needed to go through Notary City, then transferred to the Wasteland Development Company account.
A few hours later, Notary City sent a white unmanned notary drone.
The notary officer explained each clause of the agreement in detail and strictly, confirming Zhou Yi understood correctly and agreed with the terms specified.
Similarly, Duke Destructive underwent the same procedure.
Throughout the process, Zhou Yi felt like he was being interrogated, more exhausting than fighting a war.
"Do you confirm that you have understood the responsibilities you need to fulfill, and that you will not violate the agreement with Duke Destructive within the agreed period of ten years totaling 3650 days?"
"Do you confirm that regardless of external pressure or internal conflicts, you will not undertake military action against the Shuanghe Region operated by Duke Destructive?"
"Do you confirm that your current mental state is normal, able to take responsibility for your commitments, and will faithfully fulfill your obligations?"
Zhou Yi felt like he was being solemnly questioned by a ceremony officiant, as if he and Duke Destructive were bound till death do us part.
But strictness has its benefits, at least making it hard for both sides to find loopholes.
After completing the entire process, which took three days,
Lin Qin finally took his leave.
40 thousand Light Seeds were credited to Zhou Yi's account, bringing him some relief.
He immediately shared this war reparation with three sea lords, initially covering all parties' losses. The remaining 240 thousand pure war profits were primarily distributed by himself taking the lion's share of 100 thousand, the front-line Shell City receiving 80 thousand, the second defensive line Steel Refining City 40 thousand, and the logistical support Sand Port City 20 thousand.
As an Alliance, risks and profits are shared.
The three sea lords were quite satisfied with this arrangement.
Duke Beidu sent a message: "I didn't expect the war to end so quickly, I thought it would last at least a few years, even preparing for both ground and tunnel warfare. It's unimaginable to have received reparations from Duke Destructive."
The Steel Refining Lord looked more towards the future: "The biggest threat in this region was Duke Destructive, now that Mr. Zhou has thoroughly suppressed him, we have a stable space for development. I must seize the time to rebuild blast furnaces, this time adding a few more to increase production."
Lord Sand Sea, filled with pride, exclaimed loudly: "Everyone thought I was easy to defeat, looking down on me, saying I survived till now by luck!"
"I, Lord Sand Sea, have made it to this day because of my vision!"
After venting, he gradually calmed down and then said to Zhou Yi: "Mr. Zhou, based on past experiences, regions that withstand honor wars usually experience a rapid development phase. People from other places will consider investing or moving here, it's like a massive advertisement."
"With the Development Alliance, this time under your leadership, Mr. Zhou, we have really made a name for ourselves and established a firm foothold!"
After the secret signing of the ceasefire agreement, Duke Destructive's forces completely withdrew, and Shell City and Steel Refining City entered a rebuilding phase, with refugees gradually returning home and various industries slowly reviving.
This war that started in winter, ended quietly at the end of the season.
Two days later, Zhou Yi visited the Mushroom Forest.
He intended to see what discovery Sun Chonglai had talked about in the Mushroom Forest.
Zhou Yi, after many days, once again entered the Mushroom Forest where giant mushrooms towered, was far off greeted by the Black Hand Mushrooms.
They were as warm and cheerful as ever.
Zhou Yi asked: "Is old Sun here?"
"Chairman, the Lord has gone to the hospital."
He was somewhat surprised: "Is old Sun sick?"
The two Black Hand Mushrooms said differently:
One said: "Going to the hospital, he must be sick."
The other said: "No, he might have taken someone else to see the doctor!"
They had differing opinions.
The two Black Hand Mushrooms then brought a chair for Zhou Yi, and fetched a jar from within the giant mushrooms.
"Chairman, please drink this."
Zhou Yi looked at the liquid in the jar, which was clear in color.
The Black Hand Mushrooms explained: "This is snow water, infused with some tender grass stems, tastes very good. Please drink."
The cold water carried a hint of grassy flavor, reminding him of tree leaves he had drunk before from the east.
The two Black Hand Mushrooms seemed very pleased.
Shortly after, Bone Man Sun Chonglai returned.
"Chairman, you're here?"
Zhou Yi noticed that next to the Bone Man stood two strange little figures.
They looked a head taller than other Black Hand Mushrooms, completely white as if they had albinism.
The Bone Man introduced: "Chairman, these two kids are an evolved form of Black Hand Mushrooms, called White Smoke Mushrooms. The biggest difference is that the White Smoke Mushrooms are poisonous but much smarter and more rebellious."
"They emit toxic fog, so it's troubling indeed."