Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2728 An Irresistible Temptation (Third Update, Please Subscribe)
Sometimes, newspapers can hide information or opportunities.

Jamaluddin quickly took the newspaper and looked in the direction Antonio pointed. Although this was Greece, because it was a maritime newspaper, it was published in English, which was one of the local characteristics. The headline read:
The oil tanker "Tina Onassis" was acquired by a Hong Kong-funded shipbreaking company and will soon sail to Hong Kong Island for dismantling.

Upon seeing the geographical term "Hong Kong Island," Karim's gaze darkened again, and he asked uncertainly:

"Is this a Hong Kong company? Would they be willing to help us? That's British-controlled; given the current situation, how could they possibly cooperate with us?"

“That place was just a British overseas colony. It would be easier to handle this with the Hong Kong Island Company, because Hong Kong Island is British, and they are also Chinese with very close ties to SEA. No one would suspect them.”

Antonio picked up a cigar and took a light puff. It was a Mindan Old Cigar. After the change of regime in Cuba, not only did the quality of sugar deteriorate, but the quality of cigars also became questionable and inconsistent. In comparison, the taste and flavor of the Mindan Old Cigar even surpassed that of Cuban cigars.

Moreover, some cigar factories in Medan originated from Cuba.

"But why would they cooperate with us? That would offend the SEA!"

Antonio, sipping his cigar, had a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Mr. Karim, have you forgotten what the essence of a businessman is?"
It's about pursuing profit. We don't need their 'help,' we just need to make a deal with them—to bid on oil tankers through their identities, giving them generous commissions and returns. We take those tankers from them at higher prices. They buy these old ships to profit from dismantling them, and cooperating with us will allow them to earn even more, so there's no reason for them to refuse.

He then emphasized:
“I’ve met some businessmen there, and they believe in the saying, ‘People die for wealth, birds die for food.’ Besides, the ‘Tina Onassis’ itself is a 50000-ton oil tanker, so we can test the waters.”

Looking at the news in the newspaper, Karim glanced at the confident Antonio. He paused for a moment, then said:
“Mr. Antonio, please contact this company immediately to discuss cooperation.”

Antonio nodded, and with a smug look on his face, he said:
"Don't worry, Mr. Karim, I will contact them as soon as possible to finalize the details of the cooperation. As long as the price is right and we keep our identities well concealed, those Greek shipping merchants will definitely be willing to cooperate. After all, this world... is a world of money."

Money...it can do everything!
Seeing Antonio's smug expression, Karim nodded and said:

"Then I look forward to your good news!"

……

At the hotel's open-air restaurant, a gentle sea breeze blew by as Zhou Changdong picked up a piece of roasted lamb chop, looking completely relaxed.

"Alright, it'll be hard for us not to make it big this time..."

This trip to Greece was very fruitful for him. He just bought several old ships for his company. For the past thirty years, Hong Kong Island has been the world's most important shipbreaking base, with more than a hundred shipbreaking companies. In addition to civilian ships, the ships dismantled are mostly warships of all kinds. The US military and the British military have sent unwanted warships to Hong Kong for dismantling and destruction. They have even sent aircraft carriers.

Because there are many ship dismantling companies, the competition is quite fierce. For example, there were twelve companies from Hong Kong Island participating in this auction alone.

However, he eventually bought those ships. The most famous of them was the "Tina Onassis," the world's first 50000-ton oil tanker and the world's largest oil tanker at the time. It was ordered from SEA by Greek shipping magnate Onassis more than 20 years ago.

The world's first ship of that year will soon be nothing more than a pile of steel plates. Not only will it be steel plates, but its bilge will also contain a large amount of residual oil. At the current oil price of more than $30 per barrel, the profit from the bilge oil alone will be very considerable.

As Zhou Changdong mentally calculated the gains from this trip, his face was full of pride. After all, being able to stand out among so many companies was a very gratifying thing in itself.

"We can go back to Hong Kong Island tomorrow. I just can't get used to this foreign food... I can only try it once in a while..."

Muttering to himself, Zhou Changdong once again missed the tea restaurants on Hong Kong Island. However, he would be able to go back soon. His return ticket was already booked, and he only needed to rest for a while before returning home with his haul.

Just then, a Greek man walked straight over and sat down opposite Zhou Changdong before Zhou could react.

"Mr. Zhou, excuse me, but I have a business deal that would benefit both of us."

After sitting down, Antonio immediately introduced himself.

“My name is Antonio, from the Martini Law Firm. This is my business card.”

Looking at the nameplate on the table, Zhou Changdong put down his knife and fork, used a napkin to wipe his mouth, and glanced at the Greek man. The man was about 50 years old. What did he want from him?
So he gestured for him to continue.

Antonio didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly:

“I know you just bought some old ships, including two old oil tankers, which I’m very interested in. If you’re willing to sell, I’m willing to pay a 20% premium over your auction price.”

He paused, then added:

“Mr. Zhou, you are a professional in ship dismantling, so you should know very well that the profit margin for dismantling ships is only about 10%. Selling them will allow you to make more profit.”

A 20% premium was indeed tempting, and Zhou Changdong's heart stirred slightly. To make a 20% profit with just one transaction was practically a gift. They usually wouldn't refuse such an offer, after all, they bought these scrapped ships at scrap metal prices; if they could sell them as used ships, the profit would be considerable.

Although the profit margin was large, Zhou Changdong did not agree immediately. He carefully examined Antonio, who seemed very calm. He even called a waiter for a cup of coffee, and while waiting for the coffee, he took out a cigar and lit it.

This is a cunning old fox who has been in the business world for a long time.

There are many maritime lawyers like Antonio in Athens; they are not only lawyers but also businessmen.

The only question is, what is his purpose?
After pondering his true intentions for a moment, Zhou Changdong slowly spoke, saying:

“Mr. Antonio,”

Looking at the other person, Zhou Changdong's tone was tentative:

"Although countries like India, limited by their financial resources, may have their shipping companies buy old ships to reduce costs, there has never been much demand for old oil tankers. Oil tankers are not like ordinary cargo ships; if they exceed their service life, there may be leakage accidents. Therefore, they are not popular in the second-hand ship market, and those who are willing to spend a lot of money to buy such ships must have an urgent need."

At this point, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed intently on the other person:
“Iran? Hmm, I heard that their people have been looking for oil tankers on the international market recently, but they haven’t been able to get any. They probably… maybe they’ve only managed to buy a few hundred thousand tons.”

Nodding slightly, Zhou Changdong seemed to have figured something out and said:

“That’s right. You must be here on behalf of the Iranians. Only they have this urgent need because no shipping company is willing to transport oil for them, so they have to buy their own ships!”

Although he had been exposed, Antonio didn't panic at all; instead, he smiled, his eyes full of approval.
“Mr. Zhou, you are very smart. Now that you have figured it out, you should know the business opportunities and profits hidden here, enough to take your wealth to the next level.”

Zhou Changdong slowly shook his head and said:
"The profits are indeed huge, but the risks are even greater. We all know how severe the SEA's sanctions against Iran are. I'm just a small ship dismantling company. If I get involved in this kind of thing, I'll be torn to shreds."

Then, he looked directly at the other person, his expression growing increasingly serious:
"Besides, I'm from China, SEA... we're on the same side, why should I help you foreigners?"

"What does 'foreigner' mean?"

Although he didn't know the meaning of those two words, Antonio shook his head and said:
"People die for money, birds die for food. Bones have a price too, and I believe my offer is enough to buy your 'bones'."

As he spoke, he picked up a napkin and pen from the table, quickly wrote down a string of numbers, and pushed it in front of Zhou Changdong.

Zhou Changdong looked down, his eyes suddenly narrowed, his composure vanished, and his tone became incredulous:

"This...this is..."

Antonio slowly shook his head, his face full of smugness, and said:
"No, this is the price per 10,000 tons. If you can negotiate a price of 1 million tons, congratulations, Mr. Zhou, you will become a billionaire overnight."

He said the last two words, "Congratulations," with particular deliberation, his eyes brimming with confidence. He was certain that no one could resist such a temptation.

Faced with such temptation, Zhou Changdong's breathing quickened slightly. He gripped the napkin tightly, his mind racing with thoughts, even including the self-discipline among overseas Chinese and the price some in Hong Kong had paid for it.

Just as he hesitated, he heard Antonio say:
“Mr. Zhou, you’re not the only one capable of doing this here, but I think you’re the best candidate. So please seize this opportunity, because you only get one chance!”

This is psychological pressure; it's telling Zhou Changdong that he's not the only option, and if he doesn't do it, there are plenty of others who will.

With his brows furrowed, Zhou Changdong remained silent, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, the sound like the pounding of his heart as he struggled.

During this time, he looked at the price on the tissue again and again, staring at that number. All rationality seemed to be drifting away from him, and he repeatedly weighed the profits and risks in his mind.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his tone complex, but he had already given in:

"Sir, you have indeed made an offer that is hard to refuse."

Seeing the other man's sudden relaxation, Antonio already knew the answer, and his smile grew even wider.

Zhou Changdong's tapping gradually stopped, his gaze falling on the string of numbers, the struggle in his eyes ultimately succumbing to the temptation of greed within him.

When faced with money, who can remain rational?

(End of this chapter)