NOVPUBOver the past week, almost half the world was filled with despair, a week of despair that even the ongoing global economic crisis had not caused such widespread economic depression before.
All countries' currencies had devalued to a pitiful extent, with Venezuela's past dire situation almost being crazily repeated across these 89 countries.
To cope with this situation, their money-printing machines had started working nonstop, and even the paper and ink used for printing money had become national-level strategic materials.
But even so, the speed at which they printed money still couldn't keep up with the pace of currency devaluation and inflation.
In some countries, people even needed to carry baskets to the markets to buy vegetables and use suitcases and cars to transport salaries.
Even the US dollar, which had been the world's reserve currency, had continued to fall to two-thirds of its original value before barely stabilizing.
Because many of these countries were part of the Eurozone, the euro, as their trading currency, also experienced severe devaluation.
Amid such a backdrop, the only country that still stood tall was Huaxia in the East!
When all eyes turned to Huaxia, it suddenly made a shocking decision—to move the world economic summit scheduled for March forward to just two days later.
Initially, all countries were opposed, "You think you can just decide when we start? Who do you think you are? Shouldn't this kind of thing be decided after a meeting and a unanimous vote by everyone?"
The so-called economic summit was nothing more than a chance for countries to showcase their economic achievements in recent years and symbolically discuss the so-called global development situation.
Put simply, it was a large social gathering where wealthy countries flaunted their wealth and poor countries lamented their poverty.
Those poor countries were like individuals suffering from social anxiety, while the wealthy countries acted like they had 'social awesomeness syndrome,' simply put, idiots.
At these meetings, Huaxia had always managed to shock the world with its understated style and high-profile strength.
But this time, everyone's economic development had been severely damaged, and within just a week, the economic level of several countries had regressed to that of ten years ago, and they were still heading toward even worse conditions.
Take urban development, for example, with the decline in currency purchasing power, many construction projects had halted unfinished. What were they to boast about at this economic summit? Their unfinished buildings? Their excavators that they couldn't even afford to fuel?
Everyone knew that Huaxia was the least affected by this disaster, and it had even profited considerably from it!
Just two days ago, Huaxia spent trillions of US dollars to buy almost everything on the international market, from daily necessities to energy and aerospace products.
You don't want to sell? No problem, we have a lot of money; if it comes down to it, we just won't buy. Let's see who can last longer.
You don't want to lower your price? Well, forget it. Just wait until tomorrow—your country's currency will devalue further, and we can negotiate even harsher price cuts!
Under these circumstances, going to Huaxia was essentially throwing their face out there to watch someone else show off.
But at this point, Huaxia burst out with another shocking piece of news. This time, Huaxia had already thought of ways to help other countries solve the economic crisis! If everyone wasn't in a rush, we could proceed with the original plan and hold the economic summit in March, when we would share solutions with everyone.
They could neglect other matters, but not this one!
It had only been a week, and their economies had suffered such heavy damage. Now, for each day that passed, their economic development regressed by several years. If they waited until March, wouldn't everything be over by then?
Although they didn't know what method Huaxia had found, even if it were just a gimmick, they definitely had to check it out this time. What if it were real?
But at this time, Huaxia backed out!
Hey, weren't you unwilling? Then let's stick to the original plan and take our time!
Now all of them were anxious, ready to pay a significant price just for the world economic summit to take place the day after tomorrow!
What? Embassies for foreign representatives?
No need to build one, we'll stay in hotels. There's no need for you to arrange it; we'll pay for it ourselves!
"Included meals and lodging? No need, no need, we're all simple folk, accustomed to living casually. A simple meal is enough as long as it fills the stomach!"
"Private transportation?"
"There's no need for that either. We're here to participate in the summit to gain experience and knowledge, not to be treated like lords. We can take taxis ourselves! If that's not possible, we are fine with walking!"
"Prepare commemorative gifts?"
"Not necessary. We feel the air of Huaxia is the best gift for us!"
Thus, the economic summit commenced according to Zhang Menglong's plans.
The venue was selected at the Jiangnan Exhibition Center in Jiangnan City, and of course, the choice of location was intentional.
Plane after plane landed at the airport in Jiangnan City. The welcoming fleet had already been waiting for them at the airport. Despite everyone saying no need for transportation, we are a great nation, and a great nation must show great generosity.
As for the reception at the hotel, it was also according to international top standards. Although Jiangnan City could still only be considered a quasi-first-tier city, its level of economic development and urban construction was not inferior to those metropolises.
This allowed delegates from all over the world to witness the rise of a new international metropolis.
On the day of the exhibition, all the delegates arrived at the Jiangnan Exhibition Center and, led by receptionists, hundreds of people surged into the venue together.
"What do you think, will they have any methods to help stabilize our economy?"
"I don't know. Our economists have analyzed it already. Currently, only a large amount of US Dollar foreign exchange funds can help stabilize the exchange rate, thereby stopping the further deterioration of the economy."
"Ah, who would have thought our losses this time would be so severe, all because of those idiots' foolish decisions."
...
"Ladies and gentlemen, you are now entering the recently established World Artifacts Exhibition in our exhibition center!" the reception staff announced. "To demonstrate the inclusiveness of Huaxia and the rich diversity of world cultures, we have specifically collected the most representative exhibits from various countries. There is still half an hour before our meeting starts, so you are free to look around."
"This is interesting; I'd like to see what these Huaxia people mean by inclusivity."
"Well, since we're here, let's have a look!"
The representatives from various countries began to wander around the exhibition hall, but when they saw the exhibits filled with the essence of their own countries, their facial expressions suddenly became uglier than if they had eaten feces.
"This... this item isn't this our national treasure? How did it end up here?"
"This is the most important thing in our history; wasn't it previously housed in our National Cultural Exhibition Center?"
The items displayed in the cases turned out to be their most important possessions!
Such as Kaibong's Caoji Sword, such as the Scepter symbolizing the royal authority of Frankfurt...
"How did you get these items? You are robbers!" someone shouted.
"What's going on?" a Huaxia representative came over.
"These are our cultural relics, our national treasures; how can they be in your exhibition hall? They must have been taken by you, all this talk of inclusivity is nothing but deceit!"
"Excuse me, representative, please calm down," the Huaxia representative said in a measured tone. "This item was indeed under your cultural management, but just a few days ago, your country owed a huge sum to a philanthropist from our country, and this item was used by your country as collateral. We have the collateral contract to prove it."
"That's impossible!"
"If you don't believe it, you can certainly ask your superiors if this is the case."
"Oh, and by the way, this philanthropist's surname is Zhang, and his name is Zhang Menglong. He has already donated all these items to us at no cost."
