Feng Yu turned towards Mayor Zhang and Chief Lee to explain. He wanted Translator Xue to be a double agent spy!
Didn’t this Translator Xue regretted his actions and wanted a chance to change? Why not make use of him in this negotiation?
Zhang Ruiqiang and Chief Lee looked at each other. That’s right. Since the Russian Officials had bribed Translator Xue, why should they still be gentlemen and play by the rules? This deal was for Bing City. At the most, they will get a bad reputation. But most importantly, it was the Bing City’s farmers that would benefit.
Zhang Ruiqiang and Chief Lee decided to follow Feng Yu’s plans.
Feng Yu was happy. This was like war. How can one win a war without using some tactics? But why was Zhang Ruiqiang looking at him in disgust? Zhang Ruiqiang seemed like he had been cheated by Feng Yu. Huh? Did I trick him in the past? Maybe. But I had increased the City Government’s tax revenue and the civilians’ income.
Feng Yu spoke to Translator Xue for a while, and Translator Xue looked at Mayor Zhang. Mayor Zhang nodded: “You can just do what he said. After this negotiation is over, you will surrender the money you had taken from them, and I will let the matter rest.”
Translator Xue was relieved. He only did not have enough money for his wedding. He and his fiancée were working. They could postpone their wedding. But if he had lost his job, then everything will be gone! His fiancée would even leave him!
Furthermore, Feng Yu had told him that if the talks went on as planned, he would teach him a way to let his fiancée marry him.
……
That night, Ivanov and his team were at the Cultural Palace, watching performances. Even though they do not understand Chinese, they still enjoyed themselves.
They felt that the Bing City Government was more inclined towards Russia. If not, why would Bing City Government prepare such performances for them?
They would return back to Russia after the negotiation was over. They would return with a considerable achievement. Australia and Bing City was too far apart. The climate was also different. They felt that Australia was not a threat to them.
After the performance, Translator Xue and Bing City Government Officials sent Ivanov and his team back to their hotel. Translator Xue waited for the Chinese Officials to leave and he secretly returned back to Ivanov’s room. In Ivanov’s room, there was another Russian Official. He was Translator Xue’s classmate.
“Xue, do you have any good news for us?” Ivanov smiled and asked. He was very confident that he would win in this negotiation.
Translator Xue had a troubled looked on his face. Ivanov signaled to his assistant, and his assistant said: “Xue, don’t worry. If your information is useful, we will pay you well. We had corporate twice, and you should see our sincerity. The money we gave you should be enough for your renovation and wedding.”
Translator gritted his teeth and said: “This time I want 100,000 USD!”
“What? 100,000 USD? This is daylight robbery!” Ivanov stood up. 100,000 USD was more than Translator Xue’s lifetime salary. Impossible!
Translator Xue’s classmate tried to talk to him: “Xue, we are unable to give you so much money now. Why not you tell me about the information you got first. If your information were crucial, I would persuade him to give you 2,000 USD.”
Based on the current exchange rates, 2,000 USD was about 10,000 RMB. This was about Translator Xue’s 5-year salary. This was a great offer.
Although the Russian Officials were able to offer more than 2,000 USD, the average income of Chinese was meager. Their offer was based on China’s average income at that time.
Translator Xue shook his head: “No. My information is definitely worth 100,000 USD. You will regret if you do not listen to me.”
Translator Xue was insistent, and Ivanov hesitated. If the negotiation failed, then they would not get any credits at all. They might even be punished by their political rivals. Furthermore, this sum of money was not from his own pocket. They can claim it as expenses from their government.
If they could clinch this deal, their higher-ups will close one eye and let them off. After all, they were doing this for the good of their motherland.
But this Translator Xue was too greedy. He wanted 100,000 USD.
If he agreed to his demands now, then will he ask for 200,000 USD tomorrow for another information?
“5,000 USD. This is the final offer.” Ivanov tested him.
Translator Xue stood up: “Mr. Ivanov, I will leave then. I think you will regret another 2 days’ time!”
“Wait, 10,000 USD!”
Translator Xue did not stop and continue walking towards the door.
“Fine. I agree.”
Translator Xue returned to his seat: “You had made a wise decision.”
“But I will only give you 10,000 USD first. After hearing your information, I will decide if I shall pay you the rest.” Ivanov added a condition.
“Full payment of 100,000 USD. I will tell you once I receive the money.”
“You are not afraid that I will tell your leaders about you receiving money from us?” Ivanov threatened him.
Translator Xue replied: “Then carry on. At most, I will lose my job. You, however, will disgrace Russia for bribing me. You will also be fired, and even the rest of your team members will be punished! I am only one person, and I will drag everyone in your team down with me!”
Ivanov looked at his assistant and said: “Go and get the Rubles.”
“I said that I want USD. Only USD. Once I received the money, I will leave China.”
So, this was his last deal. No wonder he wanted such a big sum of money. But if this information was not worth this price, then Ivanov will not let Translator Xue leave the room!
10 minutes later, Ivanov’s assistant returned and place a bag on the desk. There were 10 bundles of USD. Translator Xue’s breathing became rapid when he saw the bag of money.
Translator Xue reached out for the money, but Ivanov stopped him: “Tell me what information you have.”
“Fine. Are you not curious why Mayor Zhang did not appear for this afternoon’s talks?”
“I thought he had some urgent matters to attend to?”
“That’s right. He was attending to some matters. But did you know where he went to? He went to Shenzhen to meet with the Australian’s agricultural ministry’s team!”
“What? The Australian’s agricultural team is here too?”
Ivanov was shocked. That means China had a backup plan. So tonight’s welcome celebrations were not to foster relationships with, but it was to stall time.
“But so what? We knew about this in the afternoon. This information is not worth 100,000 USD!” Ivanov furiously said.
“What if I told you that Bing City’s actual target is Australia? The talks with Australia had started since last year. They are only using you to pressurize them. The conditions offered by the Australians were much better than yours. If you are going to let this opportunity slip away, then just treat this trip as a short holiday for you and your team.”
Ivanov was shocked. We are……s only the second choice?
