221 US President’s Suggestion
"Okay, let's move on to the next topic. I believe all of us here are in dire need of resources. Whether it is food, clothes, weapons, or just some daily items. To address this issue, I suggest that we set up an online trading platform. Each country can sell their excess goods at a fair price…"
When the US president was talking about this online trading platform, Arlan thought that it was a great idea.
The president of China suddenly spoke. "How can we make sure that someone will not cheat us? What if they just put up their goods, but they won't deliver them to the buyer? Also, how do we determine the value of the products? We need to set a certain price for the items."
His words made many people nod their heads in agreement. This was also what they were worried about.
The US president seemed to be prepared for this and responded in a calm tone. "I suggest that we use a global currency that we can use to exchange in the trading platform. This will make it easier for us to trade in the future."
"A global currency?" Everyone was taken aback.
"You're not talking about physical money, right?" The Chinese president asked while staring deeply at the US president. It would be troublesome to bring a lot of cash with the world's current situation.
The US president shook his head. "Of course not. I'm talking about an online currency. We can call it Earth Dollar. Let's just say that one Earth Dollar is worth one USD so that you guys will have an idea of its value." When he made the USD as the basis, no one said anything. The USD was the most traded and powerful currency. Everyone recognized this so they didn't comment anything. Even the president of China didn't say anything.
The US president continued. "Each country has to put up resources to the trading platform that is at least worth 1 million Earth Dollars in total. I already made a list of the prices of the items. Please have a look and tell me if you have any questions or suggestions." Everyone received a soft copy of the price list.
Manuel Chavez also received a copy. He opened the file and took a look at the prices.
10 kilograms of high-grade rice = 1 Earth Dollar
15 kilograms of medium-grade rice = 1 Earth Dollar
20 kilograms of low-grade rice = 1 Earth Dollar
2 kilograms of fish = 1 Earth Dollar (prices may vary depending on the type of fish)
1 kilogram of beef meat = 1 Earth Dollar
1.5 kilogram of pork meat = 1 Earth Dollar
Other than food, there were also other goods included in the price list.
100 bullets = 1 Earth Dollar (prices may vary depending on the type of ammunition)
1 grenade = 50 Earth Dollars
1 pistol = 600 Earth Dollars (prices may vary depending on the type of pistol)
1 rifle = 1500 Earth Dollars (prices may vary depending on the type of rifle)
1 battle tank = 500,000 Earth Dollars (prices may vary depending on the type of tank)
1 assault helicopter = 1 million Earth Dollars (prices may vary…)
While everyone was going over the price list, the US president said. "Each country will receive 1 million Earth Dollars if they put up the required goods. To those who can't reach this standard, they will receive whatever their items are worth."
"So how do we get this Earth Dollar? Do you have an online platform system prepared for this?" The president of Russia asked.
The US president nodded his head. "In the past few days, the best programmers in our country have built a system for the trading platform. Everyone will receive a link to the system. You just have to create an account and you will be eligible to trade."
"Is there a limit to how many accounts a specific country can create?" Someone asked.
"Each country can only create one account." The US president said.
Some people also asked more questions and all of them were answered by the US president.
"Other than trading items, the platform can also be used to put up a request. For instance, if your country needs military support, you can request it on the platform and wait for someone to accept it. Of course, you have to make sure that your payment is enough." The US president said.
Hearing this, the faces of some people lit up. Their countries were facing a lot of trouble and unlike the powerhouse countries, they still hadn't taken full control of their nation. Rebel forces and self-proclaimed leaders appeared one after another.
"I don't have any issues with the price list. However, I want to add some more items to the list." The president of China said.
"No problem. Just send the list of items that you want to add and we will discuss their prices." The US president readily agreed.
"Sounds good to me." The president of China nodded.
Arlan was a bit disappointed. He didn't hear anyone discuss the evolved creatures. He wanted to know if someone had already discovered if they were edible. "It seems like I have to find out on my own." He said as he leaned on his chair.
The meeting of the global leaders concluded after another three hours. They discussed the trading platform deeply so it took them a lot of time.
It was already nighttime when the meeting concluded and Manuel Chavez called him again.
"Mr. Roa, the meeting has already concluded. The global leaders decided to set up a trading platform and they also suggested that we use a global currency called Earth Dollars." Manuel Chavez had a serious look on his face when he said this.
"That's a good idea." Arlan pretended that he didn't know about it.
"Yes. The idea is indeed good, but we don't have enough resources to put up for the platform. The other countries might not take us seriously if we don't reach the standard of 1 million Earth Dollars." Manuel Chavez had a sour look.
"You don't have to worry about that" Arlan shook his head. It would be bad if Maharlika lost the trust of other countries. They needed to have some credibility to gain a footing in this trading platform. Even without discussing it with Winter, Arlan already knew the importance of this trading platform.
"Mr. President, I will send you the resources. Don't use the Earth Dollars carelessly. We will first discuss how we would use this currency to our advantage." Arlan said in a stern voice.
"I understand. Oh, there's one more thing. We have to send our researchers to exchange knowledge about the virus. I heard that you have a laboratory in Last City. I wonder if you can send them here to represent us…" Manuel Chavez felt a bit embarrassed when he said this. He was the president of the country, but he didn't even think of studying the zombie virus.
"That's only a minor matter. I'll send our researchers to you." Arlan said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Roa!" Manuel Chavez was sincerely convinced. He still had some misgivings about becoming Arlan's subordinate, but his actions in the past few days convinced him.
Arlan disconnected the call. "I hope that the other countries can provide us with some information about the virus." He muttered as he went out of his room and headed downstairs to have dinner.
***
The next day, in the shelter. Manuel Chavez was awoken by his assistant's excited voice. "Mr. President, Mr. Roa has already sent the items that we will put up on the trading platform!"
Manuel Chavez rubbed his sleepy eyes and slowly got up from his seat (He slept on his chair). "He truly works fast." He uttered with a smile.
"Mr. President, you won't believe it! Mr. Roa actually sent thousands of guns!" His assistant's words made his eyes widen in shock.
"What did you say?!" Manuel Chavez grabbed his assistant's shoulders.
"Follow me. It's better if you have a look at it yourself." His assistant said.
"Alright. Take me there." Manuel Chavez
The two went out of the building. His assistant brought him to an open area where Arlan's men delivered the items.
When they arrived at the place, Manuel Chavez was stunned. "Did he really send this?" He asked in disbelief. In front of him were wooden crates filled with all sorts of guns. They were weapons made from year 2010 to 2020. These were old weapons used by Lieutenant General Rivera and Brigadier General Antonio's men. All of them were properly taken care of so they didn't have any issues.
From Manuel Chavez's estimates, there were over ten thousand weapons inside these crates. If they used the price list suggested by the US president, the weapons in front of him were worth approximately 15 to 20 million Earth Dollars! Just the thought of it made him speechless.
After a moment of shock, Manuel Chavez took a deep breath and said. "Why did he send these weapons? They don't have issues, right?" He was worried that Arlan sent him a batch of failed products.
His assistant replied. "They are weapons used by the army during the last decade. These weapons are properly maintained so they are without problems. As for why Mr. Roa sent these weapons, I have no clue."
Manuel Chavez didn't know what was on Arlan's mind. Maharlika was in dire need of weapons so it was surprising that Arlan was willing to trade these weapons in the trading platform.
Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experience