Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2588 Each Gets What They Need (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

Hong Kong Island at night is a vibrant spectacle of lights, with dazzling neon signs painting the night in a kaleidoscope of colors, and crowds thronging beneath those neon-lit signs.

As usual, Jin Liangming chose a Cantonese tea restaurant and selected a private room by the window, which was very quiet compared to the hustle and bustle outside.

While waiting for his guests, he picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea was Pu'er tea. After taking a sip, he looked out the window at the dazzling neon lights.

Then he turned his gaze back, sometimes closing his eyes to ponder certain questions, and sometimes looking out the window.

A smile only appeared on his face when he saw a black BMW.

Alright, the guests have arrived.

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the private room. It was a waiter from the tea restaurant, who whispered to him:

"Director, our guests have arrived."

Jin Liangming nodded.

Although it looks like a very ordinary tea restaurant, it belongs to them.

This is a very special occasion.

He usually chooses this place for unofficial contacts.

Because this place is one of their work sites.

A few minutes later, the guests arrived.

After a few polite exchanges, the two chatted casually for a while, talking about the weather and business.

However, neither side got to the point, even though they both knew this was not a simple business meeting or a simple dinner.

Finally, Jin Liangming's gaze fell on Song Guoqiang across from him—this famous boss of Hong Kong Island, whose identity was never just that of the owner of Wing Wo.

Only a very few people know that being the president of Yonghe is just one of his identities.

On the other hand, he represented the official Chang'an government.

This is the fundamental reason why they are facing off here.

Because this is unofficial.

At this moment, Song Guoqiang was leisurely poking at the char siu buns on his plate with his fork, as if the two were just ordinary friends catching up.

But that is clearly not the case.

"A 72-hour ultimatum,"

Jin Liangming broke the silence first, looking at the other person and asking:

Does the so-called "all measures" include military action?

His gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed on Song Guoqiang's eyes, unwilling to miss any subtle expression.

Song Guoqiang put down his chopsticks, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

He didn't answer directly, but leaned back in his chair, his tone calm, yet his attitude seemed very firm:
"It means all measures literally."

This statement is ambiguous; it neither denies the possibility of a military strike nor provides a clear answer, leaving all the speculation to Jin Liangming.

Jin Liangming frowned slightly. He put down his teacup and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

Then he looked at the other person and said:

"Have you forgotten the losses the Americans suffered in Vietnam?"

His voice carried a hint of sarcasm, after all, at that time the whole world had witnessed America's failure.

"Ten years, hundreds of billions of dollars, tens of thousands of soldiers' lives—in the end, wasn't it all for nothing?"

This seems like a reminder, and it also seems like a warning. It all depends on how they interpret it.

"This time, that time."

Song Guoqiang interrupted him, his tone firm. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Jin Liangming, and said, word by word:

"I believe we will definitely achieve final victory."

When he said the word "we," he emphasized it, drawing out the last syllable slightly, as if to stress or remind them that although they had differences, they shared a common goal.

Jin Liangming's heart sank. As his brows furrowed, he picked up his teacup but didn't drink. He simply stared at the tea leaves in the cup and fell silent.

After a moment, he raised his head and looked at Song Guoqiang, his expression now solemn:

"Our position is very clear: we support the Treaty of Paris."

This statement is like a watershed moment. It neither echoes Song Guoqiang's "we" nor directly rejects him, but clearly draws its own bottom line.

Upon hearing this answer, a barely perceptible hint of relief flashed across Song Guoqiang's face, for this was exactly the answer Chang'an needed.

He picked up his teacup and raised it to Jin Liangming:
"Have some tea. This Pu'er tea tastes good. By the way, Pu'er tea is from Yunnan Province, right?"

In recent years, Shan State's economy has developed very well, and once the Mengdong Hydropower Station is put into operation, their sea access project will also be completed soon.

"It'll be incredible that container ships weighing tens of thousands of tons can directly reach the Shan Plateau!"

Song Guoqiang seemed to have transformed into a businessman again, he said there.

"Even more incredible is that its annual transport capacity is planned to exceed 3 million tons—this is the world's largest power station lock. At that time, not only will goods from Shan State be able to enter the Indian Ocean directly through the Salween River, but even specialties from places like Yunnan Province can be transported to overseas markets through Shan State."

That will definitely boost the economic development of the southwest region, don't you think?

"Indeed."

Jin Liangming nodded, and then said:

"I never expected you would build such a large hydroelectric power station there. You are a world leader in hydroelectric technology."

We are currently developing hydropower, but our technical capabilities are very weak, and much of our equipment is outdated. If our two sides could cooperate in this area, I believe it would bring substantial returns to both of us.

Then, Jin Liangming said:

"What do you think?"

"Ah, I think so too. I heard you're going to build a hydroelectric power station on the Yangtze River."

Perhaps we can collaborate in this area. You know, the ODA project of the Agency for International Development is very supportive of projects in the fields of transportation, ports, and energy.

Why are you interested in projects related to transportation, ports, and energy?
Because the returns on these projects are practically 100%, there's no doubt about it. Besides the investment itself, the safety of the investment must also be considered.

Then Song Guoqiang emphasized:
"Moreover, we are also far ahead in the technology field. If we cooperate in this area, you will not only receive corresponding financial support, but also technical assistance."

Jin Liangming nodded hurriedly and said:

"That would be wonderful. Mr. Song, could you act as a go-between?"

"Of course, after all, Yonghe has also participated in some USAID projects, so I can certainly act as a go-between. But usually, USAID only collaborates with friends."

"Of course, after all, only friends help each other. If they are enemies, how could they possibly help each other?"

The two of them stood there seemingly discussing business. In reality, they were negotiating.

They didn't talk about another issue, but in fact, everything revolved around it. It's just that while focusing on that other issue, they were both revealing some of their cards to each other.

This is one of the most basic rules in House of Cards – you must have cards in your hand.

You are only qualified to sit at the card table if you have cards in your hand; otherwise, you can only watch from the sidelines.

The music in the tea restaurant flowed softly as the two continued to chat about business, friendship, and tea.

The neon lights outside the window still flickered, and the city remained bustling. To the endless stream of pedestrians on the street, they had no idea that in this seemingly inconspicuous tea restaurant, in a seemingly inconspicuous private room, two people were playing cards from time to time.

The atmosphere in the private room grew increasingly tense as they played their cards.

They all had smiles on their faces, and it seemed that as card players, they were all very satisfied with the cards they had.

They were all very satisfied with their situation.

In fact, they were both very aware that there were too many hidden meanings in their words to each other, and that every decision they made was not just a statement of a position.

Rather, they are determining the future, and this future doesn't just belong to them, but also includes all other aspects.

In this seemingly silent game, there are no winners; both sides are simply there, playing their cards according to their hand, and each getting what they want.

Finally, both of them left satisfied.

After saying goodbye to Jin Liangming, Song Guoqiang sat in the car with a half-smile on his face.

He even unconsciously crossed his legs and tapped his fingers lightly on his knees.

The secretary, sitting in the passenger seat, saw her boss's appearance in the rearview mirror and said with a smile:

"Boss, it seems you are very satisfied with the outcome of this meeting."

Song Guoqiang shook his head, then said:

"Not just very satisfied, you could say extremely satisfied."

Song Guoqiang emphasized his words, then looked at his secretary and said:

"This time... we have gained a great deal, in every aspect."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to the outside of the car window and then said in a rather relaxed tone:

"It's spring now, so the harvest season is coming next."

Hearing this seemingly nonsensical remark, the secretary simply smiled.

He knew what the boss meant by "gain".
Yes, the harvest season is just around the corner.

After speaking to his secretary, Song Guoqiang took out his mobile phone and dialed a number.

After the call connected, they chatted briefly like ordinary people, and Song Guoqiang said with a smile.

"The weather is nice now, it's a bright and sunny spring day, um, what a beautiful day! Time to harvest."

The person on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then said:

"Yes, it's time to receive the goods."

After hanging up the phone, Song Guoqiang looked out the window, a smile still on his face...

(End of this chapter)