Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The construction of the route was even more complex than imagined. Titatitan Star was a new planet, so everything was a blank slate. No matter what they did, they had to start from scratch. The imminent challenge for Yan Xiaosu and the rest was far more complex than they had imagined.
They had indeed acquired the permit from the Milky Way Alliance authorities. But this did not mean that the transport route could begin construction immediately. There were many more intermediary processes to cross, and there was no way around them. The regulations and formalities regarding a transport route was no simple matter of drawing a line on a planetary map. They had to follow the rules.
It did not mean that the Milky Way Alliance’s permission meant a free pass on legality issues. No matter where the route passed, if it infringed on local planetary rights or there was a possibility for collision with other routes, then confirmation and negotiations needed to occur.
Everything was good in their minds. The new transport route’s profits should have been smooth and unobstructed!
But in real operations, they would soon discover that inconveniences and profits often came hand in hand. Not every country along the route was interested. Some were conservative planets, and were worried that the new transport route would disrupt their orderly lives. Throughout the history of humanity’s development, there was much that could not be judged by the common value system of humanity. On a closer look, there were still many who were satisfied with what they had and resisted change.
Very quickly, Yan Xiaosu was coming to realize that such matters required a professional and experienced export company to manage matters. If he did it himself, one planet alone would be enough to worry them silly. And this was a planet which was interested in the new transport route. All kinds of requests and tactics would be employed to eat all his profits. If there was any disagreement, at least a few months of negotiations would be required before proceeding.
Many export countries had come knocking on their door, but they were unsuited. Either they were hungry lions treating Yan Xiaosu and the rest like inept idiots, or they were amateurs without the appropriate resources.
Find a problem, solve a problem. Yan Xiaosu did not throw his weight around. With Jasper, Laurel, and Gabre, they reflected on their actions. It had been his miss to not arrange with an export company. Their blind arrogance had overestimated the attractiveness of the new trade route. Sometimes, benefits did not mean unobstructed access. Most of the time, it was a trap instead.
Jasper and the rest were feeling abashed. The way they looked at it, Brother Yan was faultless. Brother Yan had already handled the most difficult Milky Way Alliance permit. What more could they ask of him? The company belonged to everyone, and the profits were fairly split. The sum that Brother Yan had given them had far exceeded the number they had expected.
These were small things which they should be able to handle. If everything had to be brought to Brother Yan, then what were they for? In the past, they could still say that they had investors and investments. Did Brother Yan lack for these things now?
When they thought about it seriously, it was quite a scary thing. If they did not prove their own value further, then how could they stand in Brother Yan’s inner circle? In the Titan chamber of commerce, there were others who did their best to cosy up to Yan Xiaosu. Those who were capable and also fawners were too many to count.
For the sake of friendship? For old times?
Brother Yan did value his relations deeply, but their emotional link would dry up. They had to earn their own dignity, not have it handed to them on a plate.
But such a matter was indeed not something that could be solved in an hour and a half.
The average shipping company did not have the capability to make a transport route. But the huge shipping companies capable of the work would skew the negotiations. It was a long-term balance. In the short-term, there would be little that could change.
But the transport route would wait for nobody. And this was not just Titatitan Star’s problem. Maklou’s side was pushing for progress as well, and some “good news” was trickling in. This was welcome, and everyone was glad that the construction of the route was progressing in some ways. But their own side was stalling, and it was painful to hear every time.
Yan Xiaosu was actually also completely at a loss. He had started this too fast. Besides Titatitan Star and the old Solar System home, there was no real human network. Besides, Wang Zheng was pushing so fast that it was difficult to keep up even if one flew.
But exactly at these times, he had to be calmer than the rest, and look as though he was in control.
But the more he appeared composed, the more Jasper and the rest wanted to perform.
Laurel looked at Yan Xiaosu. Actually, given her background and networks, there definitely was a way. But as a woman, she was not as simple-minded as Jasper and Gabre.
But no matter how she looked at it, she could not tell if Yan Xiaosu actually had a trump card.
If needed, she would play her cards. She would not pass up on the profits from a transport route. But now was the crucial time. If they succeeded, they would be rolling in the money. Not only her, but her entire family would be red-eyed with passion.
Laurel smiled and said, “Difficult or not, I feel like we have to go proactive.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to. But people from these major shipping groups are like body parts on a dragon. Within the company, all of them are mouthpieces with no real decision-making power.”
Gabre shook his head. In these two days, he and Jasper had gone looking. The problem was that they could not find anybody. They could only wait for news.
They were also very clear that the opponent had caught them in a painful spot. They had purposely trapped them, and they felt obvious resistance.
Laurel looked at Yan Xiaosu again, and still kept her gentle smile. She did not hesitate, but pulled out a prepared invitation. “In a few days, there is a special government meeting in the capital of Lya Sphinx. If everything goes according to plan, a few chairpersons of some major shipping companies will be present. I’m a little familiar with the chairperson of New Time Shipping Company. I could introduce everyone at that time. Hopefully things turn for the better.”
New Time Shipping Company! Lya Sphinx’s largest shipping company, with profound experience in developing shipping. Their networks were far-reaching, and also one of the companies that Jasper and Gabre would dearly love to speak with. After all, this transport route needed a superpower as a backer. It was naive to think that Genesis Coffee Club alone would suffice.
In the end, everyone looked towards Yan Xiaosu. Go or not? His decision.
Yan Xiaosu felt like their ship had fortuitously straightened at the river bend. He nodded. “Another option is always welcome. Laurel, we’re counting on you this time.”
“Keke, Brother Yan is very serious. We’re in the same boat, and I can’t just stand by.”
“Keke, good. I like it!”
Yan Xiaosu nodded decisively. He looked at the invitation. He knew that this invitation was an important one, but… Laurel was still hiding things from them. To think that she already had this solution prepared but had kept her mouth shut all the while.
In truth, Tyrant Su did not like this way of doing things. It was fine if people were bragging. But to steal business from him was not welcome. KO Group’s leadership and authority was not something he could give up. Jasper and Gabre were already under his thumb, but Laurel, honestly, was more worldly, and this much was insufficient to convince her.
Yan Xiaosu had no intentions of kicking Laurel out, because KO Group needed such strong allies if it wanted to take off. And for those capable ones like Laurel, it was only to be expected if she was not fully on board yet.
If she was not swayed, then he would find a way to sway her!
