It was nothing more than an investment disguised as aid.
They were betting on Qin Bei Wang's future rise to power, hoping to latch onto his influence later.
However, as the son of a Marshal, his status was already exalted.
Even if he were to accept aid, it would depend on whether the other party was qualified—he certainly wouldn't accept just anyone.
The forces represented by the Capital Twelve Young Masters were already second only to the very top echelons of the Federation.
Moreover, they had close ties with Qin Bei Wang, knew each other well, and there were no convoluted schemes involved.
Therefore, Qin Bei Wang not only didn't dislike their aid but was quite willing to accept it.
He immediately responded with a smile.
"Then I thank you all, brothers!"
Hearing Qin Bei Wang agree, Han Zongye was instantly overjoyed.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of eager sincerity.
"My family's Quantum Kangyuan Pharmaceutical Company recently launched two new potions.
One is the War Falcon Potion, which can significantly enhance a soldier's physical capabilities in a short time.
It gives them greater explosive power and perception, allowing them to break through their limits in actual combat.
The other is the Lingxi Brain Activator, which similarly speeds up brain information processing in a short time.
Whether it's piloting mechs or analyzing battlefield situations, it doubles the efficiency.
We plan to provide the Pluto Fleet with 3.6 million units of each as the first batch.
And then continue supplying 2.4 million units of each every month!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the private room gasped in shock.
Their faces were filled with disbelief, as if they had heard something earth-shattering.
Aid of this scale was not something ordinary forces could offer.
But Qin Bei Wang frowned, looking somewhat puzzled.
His mind was usually focused on fleet command and battlefield strategy.
He rarely paid attention to the field of potions and didn't understand their specific value.
However, just looking at the first batch of 3.6 million units each, he could guess that this aid was anything but simple.
Even if they were the worst short-term effect potions, 7.2 million units would still amount to an astronomical sum.
At that moment, Luo Hao suddenly gave Han Zongye a thumbs-up, his tone full of admiration.
"Truly worthy of a pharmaceutical business tycoon—the wealthiest in the Federation is still your Han family!
This move is absolutely incredible!"
Tang Jiuxiao beside him quickly chimed in, his tone tinged with awe.
"I remember both of these potions are Grade A, right?
The starting price for a single unit is as high as 30,000 Star Credits. For 7.2 million units, that's a total of 216 billion Star Credits!"
This number struck like thunder, causing everyone present to gasp once again.
Their gazes toward Han Zongye held a bit more reverence.
Such generosity was truly extravagant, fully demonstrating the Han family's strength and sincerity.
But Han Zongye waved his hand, a humble smile on his face.
"This is nothing compared to Brother Xuan's organic food.
The 300,000 tons of organic food he supplies monthly is worth a staggering 1.5 trillion Star Credits."
Lately, I heard the price of single-unit organic food has risen another 30%.
The total value of his aid is probably going to increase quite a bit more!"
However, Chu Lixuan, who was standing nearby, waved his hand with a smile upon hearing this.
His tone was both humble and sincere.
"Old Han, you're flattering me.
You all know as well as I do that the cost of my family's organic food is extremely low.
The profit margin is nearly ninety percent.
How can it compare to your medicinal agents?
Your agents have truly high production costs—that sincerity carries far more weight than mine."
As he spoke, Chu Lixuan turned to look at Qin Bei Wang.
His expression grew solemn, and he spoke with conviction.
"Brother Qin, now that you're the Commander of a Duke-class Fleet,
with a greatly expanded force under your command, the previous monthly supply of 300,000 tons of organic food likely isn't enough to sustain the Fleet's consumption.
From now on, our Chu family will provide the Pluto Fleet with three million tons of organic food free of charge every month.
In addition, we'll include an extra 300,000 tons of supplementary items like cigarettes, alcohol, and beverages.
We'll ensure the brothers eat well and live comfortably!"
As soon as Chu Lixuan finished speaking, the private room erupted in commotion.
Seeing Han Zongye and Chu Lixuan successively raise their offers, each presenting more generous aid than the last,
the other young masters immediately grew restless. They rushed to speak up, afraid of falling behind.
"Brother Qin!
My family is in real estate. For all officers at the rank of lieutenant and above in the Pluto Fleet,
our Xingjian Group will provide housing free of charge.
Whether it's in a second-tier Star System or a first-tier one,
be it a conveniently located school district property or a suburban villa—
they can pick and choose as they like!"
"Brother Qin, my family's main business is civilian starship manufacturing.
We can build auxiliary starships like large transport ships and Supply Ships.
Our technology is even more advanced than the Federation's state-owned Shipyards.
However many your Fleet needs, we'll provide them free of charge!"
...
For a moment, the private room was filled with the sound of everyone eagerly voicing their commitments.
One after another, each offered their utmost sincerity,
practically eager to heap their family's best resources onto Qin Bei Wang.
That night, Qin Bei Wang returned home dragging his weary body.
He sank into the sofa and let out a long sigh, his face unable to conceal the deep exhaustion.
He truly hadn't expected that a simple gathering among friends
would result in these guys shoving so much aid at him—a wide variety, everything one could think of.
Even more absurdly, one young master whose family ran entertainment businesses
actually wanted to issue a complimentary card for foot-washing parlors to every single soldier in the Pluto Fleet.
Fifteen free visits per month, claiming it would let the brothers relax properly after getting tired on the battlefield.
"Enough, enough!
Let them have their way!"
At the break of dawn the next day, Qin Bei Wang rose early.
Without any delay, he first boarded a High-speed Cloud Shuttle, speeding through the high-altitude Navigation Routes of the Capital Star.
Then he transferred to an elevator heading directly to the Near-Orbit.
Finally, he boarded his exclusive private Shuttlecraft and set course straight for Haiyang Planet.
Core departments like the Federal Advanced Technology Research Bureau, which engage in year-round research and experimentation of high-powered lethal weapons,
would absolutely never be located on the Capital Star.
If even the slightest error occurred during an experiment—say, a minor explosion—it could endanger nearby Federation high officials, with unimaginable consequences.
Haiyang Planet, without a doubt, was the ideal location.
The Shuttlecraft was extremely fast, and the distance between Haiyang Planet and the Capital Star wasn't great to begin with.
In less than twenty minutes, the shuttle landed smoothly.
Unlike the Capital Star, which served as the Federation's political center and showcased prosperity and order everywhere, Haiyang Planet resembled a massive military base transformed from a planet.
At the port, densely packed warships shuttled back and forth, taking off and landing in an orderly manner.
The metallic luster of their hulls gleamed with a cold, sharp brilliance under the starlight.
The planet's surface was dotted with massive depressions resembling gun muzzles—traces left behind by past weapons experiments.
Coupled with the fact that nearly the entire surface was covered in steel structures, the place exuded an aura of solemnity and chilling intensity, sending shivers down one's spine.
It was as if the planet itself were a superweapon poised to unleash, ready to unleash world-destroying power in the next second.