Chapter 397: I Can't Live Like This Anymore

A single cannon shot shattered the tranquility of Eastern Europe, and the flames of war spread like wildfire, instantly engulfing the entire global landscape.
For those European countries heavily reliant on the natural gas and various mineral resources of major powers, this was tantamount to being punched in the temple, leaving them dizzy and disoriented.
The logic is simple: you can't simultaneously shout "Justice will prevail," wielding the stick of economic sanctions,
while shamelessly pleading, "Um... please continue supplying natural gas as usual; we're waiting to cook."
"The most critical issue is that our country has always played the role of an 'energy transit point' between major powers and European nations—practically the central hub!"
A grave-faced aide reported heavily to the German Prime Minister,
"Compared to other European countries, we've taken the deepest hit, bleeding the most!"
Indeed, with the natural gas supply cut off, the first to cry out in despair was Germany.
That super-pipeline, hailed as the "Nord Stream" lifeline, connecting the Great Power and the De Nation like a major artery, is now completely shut off with a single sanctions order.
In an instant, natural gas, supplying 70% of the nation's energy, has simply…cut off!
"How...how much will we actually lose?" The De Nation's prime minister's voice trembled, his face ashen.
"The report is out," an aide's voice carried a hint of despair,
"If the Great Power's natural gas supply is completely cut off, we'll be forced to buy it at three times the exorbitant prices on the market. In the next one to two years, we anticipate direct economic losses of approximately…300 billion euros!"
"300…billion euros?!"
The De Nation's prime minister felt as if something had exploded in his head, his vision blurring.
These figures hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him breathless for a long time.
This is almost equivalent to De Nation's entire annual national budget!
So...all for nothing?
Before, they operated on this pipeline, acting as middlemen, using the natural gas themselves while distributing it to other European countries, living a very comfortable life.
But now, this cash cow has been uprooted!
"This is just the beginning, Mr. Prime Minister," the aide continued,
"This will trigger a domino effect, impacting every corner of our country's economy, from industry to people's livelihoods, nothing will be spared!
Ultimately, it will snowball into an unbearable, enormous loss!"
"You mean...we, the country, have to take the blame?" The Prime Minister's voice was filled with resentment and anger.
“Yes, Mr. Prime Minister.” The aide bowed his head.
“In this grand drama of war and sanctions, our country is destined to be the one that bleeds the most and suffers the most damage.”
Just thinking about it is enough to make one's liver ache, yet they still have to grit their teeth and supply weapons and all sorts of provisions to those small countries, money flowing out like water.
It's like when it rains, it pours; this is unbearable!
“Could we…delay the negotiations with Fanghuan Investment?” The Prime Minister of Germany rubbed his temples, looking incredibly conflicted.
“Making us pay three times the price for their natural gas is blatant robbery, outright extortion!”
“We have no choice, Mr. Prime Minister,” his aide shook his head bitterly.
“Those countries less dependent on natural gas are all acting like nothing’s wrong, keeping quiet and hoping we sign quickly to avoid any trouble.
But they’ve been flirting with Fanghuan Investment for a while now, and negotiations are in their final stages!”
Among these bastards, the French are especially despicable!
These grandsons, back when Germany and other European countries were vigorously pursuing a “nuclear-to-electricity” movement, they went against the grain, not only not dismantling their nuclear power plants but secretly building several more.
As a result, France now boasts the highest percentage of nuclear power in the world, and they’re incredibly powerful.
“So, the Gallic people aren’t like us, frantically worried about a natural gas supply disruption.”
The aide’s tone was full of disdain.
“On the contrary, they seem… to see this crisis as a golden opportunity.”
“An opportunity?” The Prime Minister’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes. According to the latest intelligence, the Gallic president has ordered all nuclear power plants to operate at full capacity, frantically stockpiling energy in preparation for export!
They internally predict that Gallic energy exports will reach a record high in the next two years!”
While the Gallic people also use natural gas, their consumption is negligible compared to that of the Germans.
Therefore, while they feign indifference towards natural gas, they are actively pushing for negotiations, eager to sign an agreement immediately.
“Don’t forget, Fang Huan Investment holds more than just natural gas; they also have massive amounts of wheat and nickel ore! Especially the wheat, the problem is extremely serious.”
The aide reminded him,
“Although Gaul is a major grain producer in Europe, they also suffered a rare crop failure last year, and even the wealthy landowners don’t have much surplus grain.”
“But they are still the highest grain producer in Europe, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. So the conclusion is that Gaul, which is currently leading the negotiations, will suffer negligible losses in this war, both already incurred and potentially incurred.
In fact, they will most likely profit handsomely!”
The Gallic president has been acting like he’s on steroids lately, making headlines.
He’s been giving impassioned speeches in the media almost daily, denouncing the atrocities of the major powers, and his political prestige is soaring.
Within the European Union, he’s also been actively involved, adopting a “savior” persona, claiming he will lead the negotiations and quickly quell the chaos in Europe.
All of this is driven by naked calculation.
"The Gauls are about to have their general election, aren't they?" the aide pointed out incisively.
"The Gauls' president is desperately trying everything to secure re-election.
His approval ratings had actually plummeted, but this war has been like a windfall!
It's given him daily opportunities to appear on television and deliver impassioned speeches, which has somehow managed to pull his approval ratings back up."
Hearing this, the Prime Minister felt even more suffocated.
He remembered that Gallic president vividly—the way he had looked at Fang Huan with such utter hatred when the investment was mentioned.
Now, for his own political future, he was actually eagerly climbing on Fang Huan's toes, clinging to his coattails, chatting and laughing.
He wanted to portray his success in resolving the energy crisis in European countries as his own great achievement, using it as a stepping stone for his re-election!