Chapter 1125: Yan Xiaosu's Obduracy
"That's good then!" Lin Huiyin beamed. The little princess was straightforward.
"How did you get in here?" Wang Zheng asked bemused.
"First, let me introduce myself. I'm Qian Xuedie. The four of us are Aslan's most famous young-babe battle team of unparalleled beauty!"
Wang Zheng could not help laughing. "No laughing allowed. This is a serious matter. If we entered the competition, there wouldn't even be a slot for Saruman Snake left."
"That's for sure." Wang Zheng smiled. Probably no one would have the heart to battle these cute girls.
"Such a sweet tongue. No wonder all the girls like you!"
Sweat... Where was this going? Wang Zheng had no idea how to respond.
"Miss Dong Er, it's good that you came. I have to trouble you with the matter from before. The Saruman Snake battle team can definitely enter the top eight!"
Yan Xiaosu's call must have been because of this. He must have hit a wall, and Wang Zheng understood. Entering the shipping industry without proper foundations in such a cutthroat region... On their own planet, it might be alright. But once outside, the difficulty was unimaginable. KO Group did not have that ability, and the Solar System did not have that kind of influence.
"Ara, ara, just call me Dong Er. I already told you before that the family is also very interested!"
"Keke, my thanks. But this matter might rouse Prime Minister Kashawen's displeasure..." Wang Zheng felt like he had to warn her.
Dong Er smiled. "You're really fascinating. Since you've said that, would I still dare to help you?"
"Help would be a favor, and not helping would be understandable. Either way, I must thank you," Wang Zheng said.
Dong Er understood why it was difficult to dislike this person. "Rest assured. They are separate things. The Prime Minister is very professional, and this shipping route will be helpful for Aslan as well."
Actually, whether in terms of market control, or improving relations with Tita Star, this was a good project. Besides, the Dong family was independent, and although Kashawen was the Prime Minister, she could not interfere in each family's actual business. As long as Aslan's welfare was not compromised, no one could interfere. If she jeopardized the market for her children's personal relationships, then Kashawen would be naive.
Of course, the Dong family had decided to act not just for the benefits because KO Group's terms and conditions were "unreasonable." The Dong family's real target was... Aina!
Whether the Princess eventually succeeded with Wang Zheng or not, the Princess, the future queen, would definitely remember the "goodwill" of the Dong family.
But such a way of thinking was something that Dong Er herself might not understand. Although Kashawen was in power now, it would eventually be ceded to Aina.
In any big family of this caliber, not one was ignorant.
Battles were everywhere, and Aina's "counter" meant that the major families in Aslan could provide a level of support.
For example, KO Group was a small matter.
"KO Group is currently stuck on Gemini Star's Newcastle. It's very fortuitous that General Keelung, who has led a team to participate in this SIG, favors you. As a result, that matter can be settled," Ouyang Ruoliu said.
Wang Zheng was surprised as well. He did not expect Ouyang Ruoliu to be so well-informed.
"Many thanks. I did not even know that."
"You've thanked the wrong person. It's Her Highness Huiyin who has commanded our help," Ouyang Ruoliu said.
Wang Zheng rubbed Huiyin's head. "Little wench, how can I thank you?"
Instantly the room was hushed. This...
Huiyin's eyes narrowed comfortably. "Treat me to a meal, or sing with me."
"Let's do that together then. After SIG ends, we'll go tour Monta Ellis." Wang Zheng smiled.
"Really? Awesome!" Huiyin replied. The rest were speechless.
Qian Xuedie pulled Huiyin to the side. "Student Huiyin, be serious. You're going too easy on him!"
Ouyang Ruoliu and the rest were also rendered speechless. This person actually dared to call Her Highness "wench," and Lin Huiyin was lapping it up. Unbelievable.
Student Zhang Shan was already paralyzed. This was a true pro.
Huiyin and the rest could not linger for too long. If she had not insisted on coming, the rest would not even have let her.
After Huiyin and the rest left, Wang Zheng breathed a deep sigh of relief. His biggest worry had been that his clash with Kashawen would be a blow to the new KO Group. KO Group represented the life and dreams of Yan Xiaosu and Ye Zisu. It had to become strong. Someday, Wang Zheng was sure that he would face off with Kashawen openly, and he had to become strong for that day.
"Right, Zhang Shan you say that the translocation box will be tested out in this SIG?"
"Yup, that's why the rest are doing extra training. Damn, it's Brother's specialty, and now everyone has it. My days are gonna get tough."
"That instant teleportation is not as fast as yours. On the contrary, your understanding of space will become an opportunity. Everything is double-sided, but this is definitely a chance!"
This was a good chance to elevate the name of KO Group. Although the box project had included Hail Cloud Alliance and other countries in the end, this was the best scientific project that KO Group had created to date.
And at that moment in Newcastle, Governor Bosh was entertaining them.
Laurel's uncle, Mu Lei, had come as well. He looked past 60, and was a very influential person from Lya Sphinx. He had come personally because of Laurel's earnest request.
As for Yan Xiaosu, Mu Lei did not favor him. He was different from Laurel. He had seen much of the world, and had an off feeling from this fatty from the get-go. How to put it? He put on a front, but his quality was lacking. Businessmen had their own way of reading people.
But on this matter, he had investigated the entire project, and it was faultless. He had no idea how they had managed it. But he respected Laurel's thinking in this, to the point of making an unfavorable move. If they failed, it would be a valuable lesson.
"Governor Bosh, it has been a while. The entire Newcastle looks completely renewed."
"Haha, Council Member Mu is too generous. It's still far from your Lya Sphinx. But we do our best!" Bosh smiled.
How could Fairy Federation ever hope to compete with Lya Sphinx? Mu Lei knew this in his heart, but still mouthed the niceties.
"We corresponded with you before, so I'll get right to it. This is about that shipping project that my niece is involved in. Lya Sphinx is in on this as well, and we hope for Governor Bosh's support. It's not easy for youngsters to work." Mu Lei smiled.
Present were Laurel, Bosh, Yan Xiaosu, Jasper, and Gabre. But with the exception of Bosh, the rest were just background props.
"Keke, I heard that this is a company from Earth, but I must accord due respect to a member. How about this, Newcastle will take 40% of this harbor. As for the overall, just 20% will do," Bosh said.
They exchanged looks. Originally, it had been 50%, and now it was lowered by 10%. But to still ask for 20% of the overall, his greed was too much.
Mu Lei did not bat an eye. "Will Governor Bosh let us discuss this?"
"Haha, no rush between old friends. Take your time to consider. The position of Newcastle is most important. Without this link, the route cannot succeed," Bosh said. Before he left, he dropped a parting shot.
The meeting room was sober. Mu Lei lit a cigarette. "He left room for negotiation. Basically, the 40% of the harbor profits are locked. If we just give him 10% of overall, the deal will be sealed. With this breakthrough, the rest of the negotiations will be smoothed."
Having settled the toughest bone, the rest would come easier. After all, there were still benefits from the route to be had. As for the contract terms, as long as it was confidential, all was good. Newcastle had always been secretive as well.
Everyone looked towards Yan Xiaosu. Yan Xiaosu mulled it over, then shook his head. "No deal. We can give him 40% of Newcastle's harbor, but not a single percentage of the overall!"
Mu Lei smiled and flicked his cigarette. "Yan Xiaosu, this is business. Young man, putting on airs will not get you anywhere. If it were not for Laurel, I would not be in these muddy waters with you. You should know that I haven't even mentioned that..."
"Uncle!" Laurel hurried interjected.
"Forget it, forget it. Oh, you. Girls and their outward loyalties." Mu Lei shook his head. He did not know what had overcome the usually logical Laurel, to get involved in such a bad business.
"Brother Yan, Uncle is right. We'll have to sacrifice a little. Take this first, and the rest will come easier," Laurel said.
Yan Xiaosu shook his head. "If we secure Newcastle this way, our entire scheme is ruined. Nowhere else will let us off easy. There aren't enough profits to go around. We can not do the route, but we can't do it this way!"