Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
X testing reflected one’s overall control and potential of Ability X. Wang Zheng’s rollercoaster fluctuations had been a real change for Wang Zheng himself.
Wang Zheng had always known that he would be enlightened in the Five Elements, but he needed the opportunity, or some planet with the Five Elements. But he had not thought to suddenly encounter both on Aslan, and also pull off his first Five Elements cycle. The waft of good feeling was indescribable.
Mutually complementary and advancing. This was the real condition for Primordial Regression Technique. Comprehensive and holistic mastery was a world of difference compared to the singular mastery of one.
Metal and Earth were only basic masteries, and far from Earth-rank. They could not even be used in any useful attacks in battle. But as a supplement, they were fearsome enough.
As for this championship, Wang Zheng had gained another few points of confidence.
Although these external figures counted for nothing, the real terror was inside. He had undergone significant metamorphosis this time around, and completed it even without realizing.
Speaking of that, besides that old hag Kashawen, his luck with Aslan seemed pretty good.
Wang Zheng’s luck was not bad, but Yan Xiaosu was in hot soup.
The ups and downs of human life were just like that. The route from Tita Star to Maklou, if completed, would be a huge gold mine. They had already been allowed to proceed with mining, but had not found a professional miner. The problem was that the miners they had been in contact with all had unreasonable demands.
There had been no news from Wang Zheng’s side. Yan Xiaosu really wanted to come to Lya Sphinx to try his luck. At least through Laurel’s connection, they would definitely give him some face, wouldn’t they?
Lya Sphinx’s governmental credibility was AA in the Milky Way Alliance. This was a natural attraction for businessmen. Those arriving at the venue were of increasing importance.
At this moment, Laurel and Jasper were standing by Yan Xiaosu’s side, softly introducing those entering. Status, background, and some character analysis.
Yan Xiaosu smiled slightly. Laurel’s card had been played beautifully. This was also the first time that Laurel had shown her true powers in front of him. He would not slight these soft introductions – after all, weren’t they all bosses of big companies? But a close listen yielded details and secrets that ordinary people would not be privy to.
The power of information could not be measured. Understanding one’s character during negotiations, instead of going in blind, could make a world of difference in the direction of the discussions.
Laurel was thorough. She might not know the depth of Yan Xiaosu’s character, but his ambition for advancing was clear to her. Only her sensitive instincts were telling her that there was something off about this fatty. Although he had delivered time and again… the risks were great. One slip up could see everything of the past collapse.
“And that is the real stock controller of New Time Shipping, Zou Lin. If he says the word, New Time Shipping will comply. They are also the most suitable partner for us at this point in time.”
Laurel welcomed everyone in. Walking up to Zou Lin, she gave a familiar smile. “Uncle Zou.”
“Oh, it’s Laurel. I haven’t seen you in a few days, and you’re prettier already. And this is…” Zou Lin smiled, his gaze resting on Yan Xiaosu.
“Uncle Zou, let me introduce you. This is Yan Xiaosu, the chairman of Titan Chamber of Commerce. This is Jasper from the Tadinger Group, and this is Gabre from Maacah Republic’s CK Group.”
“Keke, what a bunch of heroic youngsters. Laurel, is your father well?”
“Thanks to you, my father’s illness is much better, although he still needs rest and quiet.”
“Mm. I’ve been too busy. Help me look after him.”
“Uncle Zou, this time too we have something on our minds…”
Zou Lin raised a hand to cut off Laurel’s opener. “No rush. Let’s get something to drink over there first.”
Clearly, he wanted to control the speaking dynamic. Negotiations were often a competition of patience. He was in the shipping business. When he heard of the Titan Group, he already knew what they wanted.
Yan Xiaosu smiled and nodded acquiesce as well. The fatty had already mastered his airs. His smile was firmly fixed in place, his expression unconcerned.
After sitting down, Zou Lin took his time getting to it. “For you to come to me, it must be about the mining corridor route between Titatitan Star and Maklou, am I right? Hehe, Laurel, you know that you’ve made a grave mistake and bitten off more than you can chew. The greatest problem for this route is not even the process and building, but in offending people. That’s why, no matter who takes this project, they must demand sufficient profit. Are you willing to give that up?”
At this point, Zou Lin paused with a smile. He exuded persuasive power.
No financial magnate was a seat warmer. Zou Lin had his own unique charm and persuasive power.
Yan Xiaosu smiled but did not comment.
“Uncle Zou, we have invested heavily on this route. If we have no leadership position, we’ll lose too much,” Laurel said.
Zou Lin nodded with satisfaction. “That’s business. I don’t know about the small shipping companies, but when we do things, we must have controlling interest. At least, it’s usually a 30-year monopoly. After that, we can still retain one-third. But from the way your preparations are going, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.”
Jasper hastened to explain, “This route is very special. A rare mineral corridor route. Even if it’s more modest than the example, the profits are still very substantial. And we can guarantee stability.”
Stable profits held enormous attraction.
Zou Lin was unmoved. “Stable is good, but overall, what we must pay and the risk we must undertake is not remunerated proportionally. You are not in the circle, and I’m afraid you are ignorant. This new route has already affected the current profits of other routes, and the risks are great.”
Yan Xiaosu smiled slightly. “Mr. Zou, why don’t you give us your terms?”
“Keke, everyone is straightforward. Half the stock for 50 years, and no lower, or I cannot answer to the board.” Zou Lin stretched out five fingers. He was asking for half straight away, and with no room for negotiation.
Jasper looked at Laurel, who shook her head. She had expected that Zou Lin’s opening bid would be high, but who would have thought half!
Yan Xiaosu smiled. “We will consider Mr. Zou’s terms seriously.”
Half from the get go, and for 50 years. That was unreasonable.
They could only place their hopes with others now.
Zou Lin smiled. “You won’t find better terms than mine. That’s right. I forgot to ask. Does your Titan Group have some kind of misunderstanding with Margate Interstellar Airline? They have long opened an offer. 80 percent for 50 years.”
Out of all that Zou Lin had said, this last piece of information was the most serious. He was not the first to make the offer, but the other party. If he did not play by the rules, then how could he survive in this circle? Although the competition was intense, price wars were to be avoided. If both parties were battered, the fat prize would only fall to a third pair of hands. That he was only asking for half was already a show of respect.
Margate Interstellar Airline?
Back then, they were an investor in the space program. But because they had set their sights on the controlling interest of the space program, they had been gradually removed.
After which, there had been no news for a long while. Who would have thought that they would suddenly cause trouble now?
But on second thought, that was normal. How could such a major company just lightly swallow their resentment? They had simply been biding their time.
“Keke, Old Zou, I’ve been looking for you the whole day. What are you doing here?”
Just then, a portly man walked over.
“Haha, Fuller. It’s never good news when you come knocking. Shoo shoo, let’s go talk over there.” Zou Lin laughed and ushered him aside with no intention of introducing him.
But Fuller had not really come to look for Zou Lin. He looked over at Yan Xiaosu. “Keke, let me introduce myself. Fuller from Margate Interstellar. This must be Yan Xiaosu. Must be good to be young and carefree. I hear a new route is coming. Any problems? Need my help? After all, we had a working relationship before, right?”
Fuller’s smile was warm and friendly, as though really concerned.
“Are we friends? Get your pudgy face out of mine.”
Yan Xiaosu said mildly. He knew what the other guy was up to, and there was no need to waste time. This was not affected cooperation, but a blatant taunt.
Who would have thought that Yan Xiaosu would not even spare him courtesy? Fuller’s face darkened, but he did not mind. That the boy had lost his cool spoke more about his lack of composure.
Luckily, the government meeting had officially started, and everyone took their places. The content of the meeting focused on government announcements of economic plans, in the hopes of fostering better relationships with businessmen. At the same time, they announced the governments’ targets, purchases, and contracts in the new term.
The meeting was not long, but each piece of news was momentous, and the business opportunity was great. Besides, an AA grade government had trust, and everyone wished to have such a secure project.
But Yan Xiaosu and the rest did not have their hearts here.
After the meeting, there would still be governmental invitationals, coming from all sorts of businesses and sorted by industry. They would talk in the hall, and shipping was also its own circle.
Under Laurel’s influence, Yan Xiaosu came into contact with Lya Sphinx’s shipping magnates, but without exception, the old foxes were fishing. They had already reached some sort of agreement. This shipping line was a hot potato. Anyone who undertook it would have to ware their agreements with the others. Of course, whether it was profitable enough was another thing, but what they asked for was like handing over their own success away.
This was the world of investment. Perhaps KO Group had won much in the past, but if this was not handled well, then all their spent blood would not count for anything.
Actually, Laurel felt that Yan Xiaosu firstly needed to swallow his pride. That was a sign of attitude, and only with attitude could chances flourish. Of course, for this project to come this far, they had already entered a closed fight within the industry. They had thought too little of this. In business, knowing how to advance did not count for much. What mattered was when to retreat.
Jasper and Gabre did not have much say on these matters – it was for Laurel and Yan Xiaosu to decide. But there was something festering between them. Laurel did feel like those who had nothing to lose feared little, but once you had something, you should be more conservative to protect it.
