Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2486 The Game of Power and Money (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

Cedar Club!
For many years, this club has been the top and most secretive club in sEA.

It is almost entirely closed to the public because its membership is fixed.

In a way, it belongs to the first generation of clubs—every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Bastogne, a grand gathering and celebration is held here to commemorate that battle.

This is also what makes him so special – all club members are “veterans” who participated in the Battle of Bastoni.

That is, the first generation in the true sense.

To a large extent, the Cedar Club is the private club of the most elite and powerful people in SEA.

Therefore, he is both mysterious and fascinating.

That is why, for many people, being able to enter the Cedar Club even once is an extremely precious experience.

Such an experience might even become their glory.

Just like now, as the car stopped in the parking lot of the Cedar Club, Li Jiachen took a deep breath before taking out a business card from the invitation.

The white business card features a green cedar tree, and behind the cedar tree is the outline of a church.

This is not because they are religious, but because that church was your headquarters during the war.

Therefore, this is in itself a way of remembering.

This simple business card serves as proof of entry for ordinary people into the club.

Without this business card, they wouldn't even be qualified to enter the club.

"Alright, you only have one chance."

Taking a deep breath, Li Jiachen got out of the car and walked towards the club. After he showed his business card, the manager at the door stamped it.

This means that the business card has become useless.

A business card that has lost its purpose will only serve as a souvenir. Its owner will frame it and place it in a prominent spot in their office.

That's all it does.

Led by a waiter, Li Jiachen entered the club, where the beautiful music kept all the world's troubles at bay.

He entered a private room where a faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, mingling with the distant music that eased his tense nerves slightly. He took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and gently pushed open the door.

The private room was softly lit, creating an understated yet luxurious atmosphere. On the long rosewood wooden table, several exquisite dishes were still steaming, with a simple celadon wine bottle beside them.

Ding Changjie sat in the main seat, slowly and deliberately picking up a piece of crystal pork with his chopsticks, his movements unhurried, as if everything around him was irrelevant.

Hearing the door open, he slowly raised his eyelids and glanced at Li Jiachen with a calm gaze, like a deep pool. There was no surprise or enthusiasm in his eyes, only a knowing indifference.

From that official residence to the local level, from the local level to the cabinet, and now to the Legislative Council.

He has seen too many people and things along the way; today is just a simple meeting.

Faced with such a scrutinizing gaze, Li Jiachen felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately bowed slightly, his posture perfectly bent, and his voice carried just the right amount of respect:
"Chairman, it is a great honor to meet you."

Ding Changjie didn't get up, nor did he gesture for him to sit down. He simply hummed in response, a sound so soft it was almost inaudible, before lowering his head again to continue enjoying his food. His gesture clearly conveyed:

You can sit down now.

Li Jiachen dared not be negligent in the slightest, and carefully sat down in the chair furthest from the main seat, keeping his back ramrod straight.

He knew that every detail was crucial in front of this important figure.

"Tell me, what do you need my help with?"

Ding Changjie's voice was deep and carried an undeniable authority. Without waiting for Li Jiachen's introduction, he went straight to the point.

Li Jiachen wore a perfectly measured smile and spoke sincerely:

"Chairman, this visit is merely to meet you, Minister, and to absorb your aura."

He paused, and seeing that Ding Changjie did not intend to interrupt, he continued:

"Our company values ​​the market potential of your country and plans to establish an investment company here to specialize in venture capital, hoping to inject some vitality into local industries."

Ding Changjie then put down his chopsticks, picked up the warm towel beside him, slowly wiped the corner of his mouth, and then put it down. He looked up at Li Jiachen, his eyes still calm and unwavering.

"Mr. Li, you're too kind. We welcome investment from anywhere, as long as it's legal, compliant, and beneficial to local development."

He paused, his gaze still scrutinizing.

"Chairman."

Li Jiachen continued:
"We highly value Silicon Valley's innovation potential and market vitality, and hope to provide funding and resource support to some promising startups so that we can develop together."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, with Li Jiachen mentioning his optimism about the local investment environment. Ding Changjie occasionally responded, but mostly remained focused on his meal. A moment later,

Ding Changjie said no more, but simply picked up the teacup in front of him, gently blew away the foam, and gestured that the conversation was over.

At the same time, he gestured to the table, and Li Jiachen immediately understood. He stood up, gently placed the business card he had prepared on the table, and bowed again.
"I shall take my leave now, so as not to disturb the Chairman's meal."

Ding Changjie then picked up his chopsticks again, lowered his head, and continued eating, as if the conversation had never happened. The silent order to expel him was all too clear.

Li Jiachen, knowing the situation, bowed slightly again: "Then please enjoy your meal, Commissioner Ding. I won't disturb you any longer." After saying that, he turned around quietly, left the private room, and gently closed the heavy wooden door.

Stepping out of the clubhouse, the cool night breeze finally allowed Li Jiachen's tense nerves to relax completely. He let out a long sigh, feeling that his shirt back was soaked with cold sweat. This meeting, though brief, was crucial.

He knew that he had already made a preliminary impression on this important person, and now it was up to Lin Xue to make arrangements.

Lin Xue is a middleman in Chang'an, and he arranged this meeting.

At that moment, in the parking lot, Lin Xue was bending down to stuff a heavy box of fruit into the trunk of Minister Ding's car.

The box was just an ordinary fruit box, wrapped in fancy gift packaging. Judging by its appearance alone, it was at most slightly more refined.

No one would have guessed that this "fruit" was extremely heavy, weighing over ten kilograms.

Lin Xue breathed a sigh of relief after personally placing the fruit box in the trunk of the chairman's car.

He was a well-known local broker with extensive connections. Li Jiachen was able to meet Ding Changjie entirely thanks to his mediation.

This is precisely what he, as a middleman, does: facilitate communication between different levels and provide various opportunities for all parties to get to know each other.

Lin Xue patted her hand, took out her phone to check the time, and calculated that she should be coming out soon.

As Lin Xue was thinking this to herself, she saw Li Jiachen walk out of the elevator.

"Mr. Li, everything is arranged."

Lin Xue went up to her, her voice very low, and said:
"The fruit box has already been put in the trunk."

During this process, no one knew, yet everyone knew.

Li Jiachen nodded, a knowing smile on his face, and patted Lin Xue on the shoulder:

"I trust Mr. Lin to handle things. I'm very grateful to you this time; I'll definitely thank you properly another day."

"Mr. Li, you're too kind. It's just my duty," Lin Xue said with a smooth smile.

"When doing business here, it's all about meeting in person. The rest is self-evident."

Half an hour later, Li Jiachen watched as Committee Member Ding's car disappeared at the parking lot exit, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Having navigated the business world for many years, he had dealt with the British and numerous officials. He knew all too well that in this country, rules were the overt framework, but beyond those rules lay unspoken rules as well.

These unspoken rules are exactly what businessmen need.

But for an outsider like him, in order to integrate, he needed a guide.

People like Lin Xue are the invisible threads that connect the framework.

That's why this meeting happened, and that "fruit box" came about.

Although the absence of all these factors would not prevent his investment company from being successfully launched, what does he need?

It's not just about opening a company here; it's about establishing a foothold here.

A cool evening breeze blew in from the nearby woods. Li Jiachen straightened his collar and said to Lin Xue:

"Mr. Lin, may I speak with you in private? I would like to hear your suggestions regarding the subsequent procedures."

A hint of a smile flashed in Lin Xue's eyes as she turned to the side, gesturing for him to enter.

"Mr. Li, please, let's find a quiet place to talk slowly."

The two walked side by side toward the car. Of course, they wouldn't enter the Cedar Club, as neither of them had permission to do so.

Even Lin Xue cannot enter the club at any time.

So they left the club by car and went to another place.

Outside the car window, the rainforest shrouded in twilight was rustling in the wind as the car sped along the highway, the two people inside occasionally bursting into laughter.

They continued their journey like this. In the car, as they chatted, Lin Xue looked at Mr. Li beside her and said:
"By the way, I heard that you own an airline, Mr. Li?"

"It's just a minor skirmish."

Li Jiachen humbly replied:

"Its scale certainly can't compare to this place."

"It does not matter."

Lin Xue shook her head, then looked at Li Jiachen beside her and said:

"The military is currently deploying troops to Lebanon, and in order to deploy the troops as quickly as possible, they have leased a lot of civilian aircraft. Mr. Li might want to consider this."

Seeing that the other party had not yet reacted, Lin Xue continued:

"This is a military order, and the military also has a lot of say here. After the war ends, the military will award the cooperating company. Therefore, the company's benefits will not only be the profits from leasing the aircraft, but also the corresponding social honors."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiachen understood why the other party had made such arrangements: to help him integrate into the country, or rather, into the society, as quickly as possible.

So he said quickly:
“I know what to do, but we have never cooperated with the military on this matter before, so please take care of it, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Xue nodded, and then said:
"No problem, no problem. You just need to arrange the planes, and I'll take care of the rest."

(End of this chapter)