Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2677 Eating Should Be Done Elegantly (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
"...Tehran has once again declared that the so-called 'victorious escape' was a mutiny orchestrated by a group of pilots incited by Western countries, and that all the mutinous elements have now been eliminated..."

"The SEA representative to the United Nations expressed disappointment over the UN's veto of the embargo on Iran, declaring that the UN has become a haven for rogue states, allowing them to hide under the so-called protection of international law and to wantonly abuse and kill their own people..."

Listening to the news on the radio, Li Zhuowei couldn't help but curse:
"Damn it, shut down these news reports right now. All they do is condemn and talk, but they don't actually do anything about it. What else is there to say? Put on some music."

Not everyone cares about politics. In fact, no one cares about these things happening in faraway countries.

Nobody cares until it directly affects their own interests.

In fact, the dramatic changes that have taken place in Iran are directly related to all SEA people. After all, over the past few decades, the National Pension has made substantial investments worldwide, including in Iran. These investments are mostly concentrated in the construction of railways, airports, and ports, as well as some offshore oil wells.

This is because Iranian oil is linked to the nationalization of Iranian oil in the 1950s. The US and UK orchestrated a coup that overthrew the Mossadegh government. After the movement failed, Iranian oil was regained control by international financial groups, with British and American companies resuming control of Iranian oil production, but Iran's share increased to 50%. As a latecomer, the SEA could only watch helplessly; after all, the world always values ​​first come, first served.

But this does not mean there are no other opportunities.

In the mid-to-late 1950s, as SEA and Iran entered a honeymoon period, at the invitation of Shah Pahlavi, SEA Oil Company entered Iran and began to develop offshore oil fields. Although offshore oil fields required a larger investment than onshore oil fields, it was a new field after all, and a new field meant new opportunities.

For Iran, offshore oil exploration meant breaking free from the control of international conglomerates, while for the SEA, it meant developing new oil fields. The two sides hit it off and jointly established the Persian Gulf United Oil Company.

The shareholding structure of this oil company, which holds exclusive rights to all offshore oil production in Iran, is very simple: the Iranian government owns 65% of the shares, the SE National Pension owns 25%, and Sarawak Oil Company owns 10%.

Over the next two decades, the company's annual oil production increased from one million barrels per year to one million barrels per day.

During this process, the National Pension Fund's investments have yielded substantial returns, a significant portion of which is distributed annually as dividends into the National Pension Fund's individual retirement and medical accounts.

However, the unrest in Iran is now affecting the returns of the National Pension and even the retirement accounts of all SEA residents.

Li Zhuowei, a mid-level manager at the oil company, was annoyed precisely because the oil company was in a very delicate situation.

After all, the oil companies' oil fields are all in the Persian Gulf. If they are confiscated, what will happen to the oil companies?
"If they're so capable, let them confiscate it. We can always fight a war!"

At this point, Li Zhuowei even looked forward to Tehran seizing the oil fields. In that case, how could SEA possibly sit idly by and watch those people destroy the "basic international business rules"?
It should be noted that SEA has always been firmly opposed to the so-called "nationalization movement".

"Well, they probably don't have the guts."

Thinking of this, Li Zhuowei thought of those drilling platforms.

Those platforms are still under the control of oil companies, and is it possible that the interim government in Tehran will give up this golden goose?

"They'll make their move sooner or later. Once they do, all the problems will be solved."

Why wait for them to make a move?

Li Zhuowei didn't even consider this question, for a very simple reason.

There's always a reason to hit someone.

In the eyes of most ordinary people like Li Zhuowei, they don't care at all whether there is a reason for hitting someone.

All they care about is profit, since profit is what matters most to them.

"By then, the stock price should have gone up, right?"

As Li Zhuowei pondered this question, he drove into the company. As his car entered the company parking lot, he unexpectedly saw several Iranian-looking people get out of the car and head towards the elevator.

Who are they?

Although he had some doubts, Li Zhuowei soon learned the identities of those people from his colleagues after arriving at the office.

"They are directors from Iran. They met with the manager today to discuss the oil platform issue."

Problems with oil platforms!
After this news spread, everyone turned their attention to the conference room, because they all knew that today would be the moment that would determine their fate.

The reason for this is that they are employees of this company.

In the conference room, Abbas looked at Dong Chijun in front of him. He lit a cigarette, took two puffs silently, and then spoke:
"We want to know your decision."

Then Abbas shook his head again and said:

"No, it's not your decision, it's the official one. It's about whether you will agree to the new leadership entering the company."

Abbas and others who served as directors of the company were appointed by King Pahlavi, who... had long since lost his country.

Half a year has passed, and during this time, Abbas and the others have been living in constant anxiety. After all, their fate is now entirely in Chang'an's hands, and as for the king... he has long since lost everything.

Tehran will certainly appoint a new leadership. In fact, the interim government has already taken over the company headquarters in Tehran, and the company manager has been arrested. The Persian Gulf United Oil Company has now changed hands.

Abbas and his group, sensing the danger, fled Tehran early on, which led to their trip to the company.

In Kuching, there is also the Kuching branch of the Persian Gulf United Petroleum Company. Dong Chijun is the head of the company and also the CEO of the United Petroleum Company.

Faced with Abbas and the others' questions, Dong Chijun remained silent for a moment before asking, "Directors, have your salaries been suspended?"

"This……"

Abbas and his men exchanged glances and said:

"It hasn't stopped, thank you so much for your generosity."

Nodding slightly, Dong Chijun said:

"Chang'an's official stance is very clear: it refuses to engage in any level of official dialogue with the interim government. This is the official residence's basic stance. Moreover, we were the first country to issue an embargo and demand economic sanctions against Iran."

In fact, Dong Chijun was very clear about this official attitude.

"Therefore, it is impossible for us to accept any officials appointed by the interim government. As for the legitimacy of the interim government, our official position is that the Iranian Empire remains the sole legitimate government of Iran. Under these circumstances, we will still uphold all agreements we have signed with the Iranian Empire."

Sometimes, stubbornness isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least in this case, stubbornness doesn't mean it's bad.

Abbas and the others were overjoyed upon hearing this, but at the same time, they still spoke with a hint of worry.

"And what about the oil fields? Those oil fields... What should we do if the interim government in Tehran orders the repossession of the oil fields?"

What they are worried about is not the oil field itself, but their own interests.

As long as their status as directors is recognized, they will continue to receive their salaries, which is the most important thing. However, if the oil field is confiscated, then the company will naturally not continue to pay their salaries.

That's why Abbas and his men are concerned about the oil fields.

“The oil field belongs to the company now and in the future. Since the government does not recognize the interim government, it is impossible for us to hand over the oil field's profits to Tehran,”

As Dong Chijun finished speaking, Abbas countered with a question.

"Does this mean... that the company is refusing to negotiate with Tehran on the oil field issue?"

Dong Chijun then said in an extremely certain tone:

Yes, you could say that.

Although the Iranian Empire effectively collapsed as early as January with the establishment of the interim government in Tehran, oil companies have still not handed over their oil profits to the interim government.

Even though the senior management of the Persian Gulf United Oil Company, which was taken over by the interim government, repeatedly requested to take over the company's funds and accounts, the company still chose to refuse their request.

Moreover, those drilling platforms are also now under the company's control—although the evacuation was carried out, the SEA staff on those offshore oil platforms are still working.

Of course, Iranian oil platform workers also work on the oil platforms, and they continue to travel between the platforms and the land as usual.

However, those SEA oil workers can no longer travel to their inland living areas to reunite with their families as they used to, because most of their families have already returned home.

Now, those oil workers go to Kazakhstan for leisure every now and then.

Those oil drilling platforms in the Persian Gulf continue to produce oil every day, and oil tankers transport the oil they produce to all parts of the world every day.

Even under the trade ban imposed by economic sanctions, the production of the Persian Gulf United Oil Company was not affected.

The official residence has introduced specific measures to allow the Persian Gulf United Oil Company to continue production, as long as they do not transfer profits to Tehran.

“Mr. CEO, we are all very clear that Tehran will not allow the company to control those oil drilling platforms forever,”

Abbas looked at Dong Chijun and solemnly reminded him.

"After all, this represents billions of dollars in revenue every year. How could we possibly allow ourselves to control such a huge sum of money?"

As Abbas finished speaking, Dong Chijun smiled slightly, thinking that one reason why the other party's words were ridiculous was because of the word "us." These people should understand one thing: they are not the ones in charge now, but—us.

Okay, you should at least eat in a more presentable way.

We can't take everything right away. We have to leave something for others. Besides, even though the board of directors is gone, these people represent the major board. As long as they're there, there's no need to consider giving Tehran a share of the profits. In this situation, these people still have value.

It's nothing more than giving them scraps. Of course, this will also create the impression that no matter what, as long as you cooperate with us, even in the event of a regime change, we will protect your interests.

This is the guarantee of future gold medals.

Thinking of this, Dong Chijun said:

"That depends on whether they have the courage."

(End of this chapter)