"Since everyone has accepted this arrangement, let us use these vote counts to settle certain matters."
"Any participating nation may submit proposals, which will then be put to a vote for approval or rejection."
"Longcheng, the British Empire, and Germany shall each temporarily hold veto power!"
"It seems this conference has achieved something after all. Let us maintain these rules for the time being."
"The United Nations headquarters will be provisionally established in Xinguang City. Does anyone have any objections?"
When Ming Cheng finished speaking and saw the restlessness below, he was not surprised.
Nobody was a fool. A governing body of this magnitude — wherever it was housed — would bring enormous advantages to the host nation. Who wouldn't want to fight for that?
So Ming Cheng continued, producing his backup plan. "Fighting is going on everywhere in the world right now. Nowhere is safe except Longcheng. Only Longcheng has sufficient strength, and we give our absolute guarantee never to fire the first shot at anyone!"
"Placing the United Nations here is the safest option, ensuring that communication between all parties proceeds without any problems whatsoever. Once the two sides have finished fighting, the matter can be revisited then."
"And if any of you later feel your strength is sufficient, you are welcome to submit a proposal."
Everyone found this reasonable. If the United Nations were placed somewhere else and an enemy nation invaded the next day, what then? What would become of the United Nations? Better to accept this arrangement for now.
"Wait a moment — don't you hold veto power?"
Ming Cheng was not pleased to see the American representative speaking up. How many years have you even been independent? Your ambitions are as plain as Sima Zhao's — obvious to every passerby. Have you even taken stock of your own strength?
"Very well. Special proposals may be excluded from the scope of veto power. Let this proposal count as one such instance."
Everyone nodded in agreement — now that was fair. Well done, American ambassador!
Ming Cheng allowed himself a smile. You clever little thing — now that you've chosen this place, don't ever dream of moving it away!
"Now that the United Nations has been established, each nation must station representatives of sufficient standing and authority here on a permanent basis."
"This will facilitate communication on important matters between all parties."
"In order to provide everyone with a stable environment for dialogue, we have decided to construct an embassy for every represented nation — each capable of accommodating at least several hundred people!"
"And fully equipped with various amenities, including automobiles."
A wave of commotion swept through the hall. Longcheng was obscenely rich — handing out embassies just like that!
Ming Cheng smiled again. Look at you all, so easily dazzled. What of it — a few embassies?
The moment the United Nations was established and settled here, this place would become the center of world power. What were a few courtyard compounds and some automobiles worth in the grand scheme of things?
"I reiterate once more: Longcheng is not a nation. We have no territorial disputes with any of you. Our vision is a united world for all mankind!"
"That concludes today's session. Thank you all for your efforts. This meeting is adjourned."
As Ming Cheng watched the delegates file out one by one, the smile at the corner of his mouth curved ever deeper.
"When things go unspecified, people naturally follow established convention as though it were their due."
Did the chair of a meeting not hold invisible power? The United Nations had established no official language — so what would the working language of its documents be in years to come?
These were things of tremendous consequence.
The founding of the United Nations had taken the better part of a month to negotiate to a conclusion, and in doing so it had dramatically elevated Longcheng's influence.
A three-day recess gave the ambassadors time to rest, and to wander and explore the beautiful city of Guangxin — to experience the allure of the world's most advanced and civilized place.
But the mood of several ambassadors was rather less cheerful. They made their way voluntarily to the security office to serve the remainder of their custodial sentences.
Those released on bail who failed to complete their remaining sentences as required would face heavier penalties.
And if word got around — what face would they have left to show here?
Besides, the detention facility was decent enough. They couldn't come and go freely, but they were ambassadors after all — their meals and accommodations were hardly disagreeable.
They might as well treat it as a few days of proper rest.
After the break, on the fourth day, the conference reconvened.
The topic this time was energy — though in substance it was mainly Longcheng announcing a technological breakthrough: extraction efficiency for petroleum had improved dramatically, and they could now supply it to everyone at consistently low prices!
There was no need for nations to keep traipsing around the world searching for oil. Better to concentrate on fighting their wars. Finding oil was such a bother.
Most nations received this news with great satisfaction. A few, with a keener sense of strategic vulnerability, went their own way regardless — the United States among them.
After energy came the next item: the World Games.
"In recent years, football has spread widely around the world and proven itself a wonderful sport. We believe it deserves further promotion."
"And not only football — other sports as well."
"Longcheng intends to sponsor and host a World Games and a World Cup, tentatively to be held once every three years."
"The first edition will take place next year!"
"Athletes from all nations are welcome to register and compete, with all expenses covered!"
"Furthermore, everyone who wins a medal will receive a special reward from Longcheng."
"These rewards are tied to Longcheng's wage system!"
"A bronze medal earns a lifetime bonus of one times the standard wage."
"A silver medal, a lifetime bonus of two times!"
"A gold medal, a lifetime bonus of four times!"
"For football, every member of the team receives the same reward! This is glory for one's country! Let us look forward to seeing which nation will be crowned world champion next year!"
My, whoever won a gold medal would be reaping honor, glory, and tangible reward all at once — an irresistible prospect for ordinary people.
The many ambassadors in the hall, who had been listlessly indifferent a moment before, were suddenly electric at the mention of which nation would be the best in the world, buzzing with excitement as if injected with adrenaline.
Longcheng's purpose in organizing these Games was entirely to expand its own renown and influence.
For more often than not, recognition is influence.
And with influence comes a greater population.
And with that, more opportunities.
And the acceleration of this world's development.