Chapter 2803
The Right to Say No
Chapter 2803 The Right to Say No
In Mr. Chen's office.
After Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, he paid attention to Old Chen's expression. However, Old Chen was a veteran of many battles and had managed to remain calm and composed despite his inner turmoil. Yang Xiaotao couldn't tell the outcome at all.
Just as Yang Xiaotao was pondering Old Chen's attitude, Old Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I'll report this matter to my superiors. Of course, regarding the money..."
Yang Xiaotao stretched his hips, and Old Chen paused deliberately before continuing, "I can pay for this for you, but there needs to be an explanation."
"Explain?"
Yang Xiaotao was initially delighted, but then became wary and asked in a low voice, "Sir, what instructions?"
Old Chen nodded, then tapped on the report again, "Hand over the grain, give up half of the machinery and equipment, and you also have to contribute some of the other things."
"what?"
"Why don't you want to?"
Old Chen raised his voice, and Yang Xiaotao immediately shrank back.
There's no way around it; a higher-ranking official can have absolute power.
What's more, this person is still the old superior of the Ninth Department, whom he has completely under his control.
Yang Xiaotao looked up with a pitiful expression, "Boss, you can't do this."
"You promised us back then that whatever we bought would be ours, it would all be from our Ninth Department."
"Why do you want to share the profits as soon as you hand it over?"
"And what you're asking for is way too much. I had to go through a lot of trouble to negotiate this."
"Besides, we're just having a temporary cash flow problem. We can manage to scrape together the profits after the New Year..."
Yang Xiaotao felt deeply wronged, because Old Chen had personally promised him that.
But as Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, he felt a pang of anxiety when he saw Old Chen's ambiguous smile.
Whether or not money is given is entirely in this person's hands.
Seeing that Yang Xiaotao promptly shut up, Old Chen put away his smile and nodded seriously, saying, "That's right, I said that whatever you buy is yours."
“But you don’t have enough money right now, so I’ll cover the extra part for you. It’s my money that’s being spent, so naturally that thing is mine.”
"Is there a problem?"
Yang Xiaotao blinked, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Is that even possible?
I'm just here to "borrow" money, not to ask for it back.
But Yang Xiaotao didn't dare to say it; he couldn't argue with the powerful, so he could only nod and say, "No problem, absolutely no problem!"
"If there's no problem, go back to work. You've ruined my good mood for the New Year by giving me such a big task so early in the morning."
As she spoke, she tried to urge Yang Xiaotao to leave, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Yang Xiaotao could only see through it but not say anything. He obediently got up, but when he turned around, he still said, "Boss, everything else is fine, but you have to keep those ten computers for us. I need them urgently."
Old Chen waved his hand, "They're all yours."
Yang Xiaotao then laughed, and then turned and ran out.
Who knows what might happen if we stay here any longer?
Just as Yang Xiaotao ran out of the office building and drove away, Old Chen looked out the window and watched the car drive away, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
At the door, Secretary Guo couldn't help but laugh when he heard the laughter coming from inside the house.
However, he understood it in his heart.
Old Chen's intervention, while seemingly taking advantage of Yang Xiaotao, was actually protecting him.
As the saying goes, "The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind."
Especially recently, due to the commotion during the Chinese New Year, the Ninth Division has been making headlines.
Even some departments have complained that the people below them are becoming difficult to manage.
There's no way around it; the problem isn't poverty, but inequality, and this applies even to construction and revolution.
Although the current Nine Departments are no longer saplings, they cannot be blown away by ordinary winds.
But there's also a saying, "A hero needs three helpers," right?
These things that Old Chen brought were naturally not kept hidden away, but distributed to his subordinates.
What would the people below think if they heard that this was obtained from the Nine Ministries?
Even if one is not grateful, one is bound by gratitude for what one has received, and thus will be inclined to favor one's way in dealing with the issues concerning the Nine Departments.
Otherwise, who would dare to befriend someone who picks up chopsticks to eat but then throws them away and curses?
This is Old Chen paving the way for Yang Xiaotao and the Ninth Division.
Secretary Guo has been by Old Chen's side for a long time. What kind of people haven't he seen and what kind of things haven't he experienced?
He saw through Old Chen's plan perfectly.
That's why they think highly of Yang Xiaotao.
There's no other reason than that anyone who can get Old Chen to take the initiative to pave the way for them must be extraordinary in the future.
Just as Secretary Guo was lost in thought, the office door opened, and Old Chen walked out with a solemn expression.
"Chief!"
Secretary Guo quickly stepped forward.
"Get the car ready, we're heading to the fancy hotel!"
Hearing the hint of anger in Old Chen's voice, Secretary Guo immediately suppressed his smile and nodded, "Okay!"
Minzu Grand Hotel.
After reaching an agreement with Yang Xiaotao, Dawson immediately went to Faisal's room, picked up the satellite phone, and made the call.
I briefly explained the situation over the phone, and Kate on the other end was very happy.
After repeatedly urging Dawson to finalize the deal as soon as possible, he hung up the phone.
After handing the phone to Faisal, he joked that he was leaving soon.
However, Faisal shook his head. "Sir, I have already received an invitation and will attend the celebration here."
"I think we might not be able to leave until after the New Year."
At this point, Dawson said helplessly, "Oh my God, this is a very, very big deal of mine, and I can't afford to delay it even for a day."
Faisal gave him an apologetic look, then, as if remembering something, said, "However, sir, this hotel has a telegraph room. If you need it, you can send a telegram back to have it prepared in advance."
"Don't worry, we will definitely set off in three days."
Dawson shrugged. "That's all we can do for now."
"Do you need me to show you the way?"
"No need, I still need to think about the contents of the telegram."
"Okay, sir!"
After saying that, Dawson left the room and returned to his room.
Just as Dawson entered the room, a figure flashed out from not far away, walked back and forth in the corridor as if nothing had happened, and finally returned to the room.
The third floor of the hotel.
Pavel was standing by the window, looking at the cold wind blowing outside, his expression equally serious.
When he first arrived here, he had no illusions about this operation.
After all, this is the other party's technological foundation, just like the mother machine of a country's industry.
Who would be willing to do that?
He couldn't refuse the orders from above, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go.
However, now that they're here, they must uphold the spirit of the alliance.
We cannot tarnish the prestige of the alliance.
During these days of exchanges and discussions, he repeatedly emphasized the alliance's determination and the impact behind this matter.
This is why the exchanges between the two sides have progressed very slowly.
However, he also sensed that the other party was softening.
In his heart, the strength of the alliance was deeply ingrained.
No one can refuse the alliance's goodwill.
unless…
Thinking of the two figures he saw yesterday, and the results of his investigation last night, Pavel's heart sank.
That person is from the United States. That one identity alone is enough to tell the story.
Moreover, the presence of people from the desert acting as intermediaries suggests that the two sides are in secret contact.
Especially since the people he was in contact with were people of Yang Xiaotao's status and position.
This is not good news for the league.
Especially now, China is no longer the weak and impoverished little brother it once was.
Today's China has the confidence to speak with authority.
Pavel gazed at the cold sky in the distance, pondering the future relationship between the two.
At the same time, I was also thinking about how to determine the other party's purpose.
If it's simply a performance to make him back down, then it's actually good news for him.
What I fear most is that my guess will come true.
So, how will the alliance position itself?
call…
Looking down at the branches of trees ruffled by the cold wind, even though it wasn't as frigid as Siberia, the wind was still bone-chilling.
bang bang
A knock sounded at the door, and Pavel turned around to see a servant enter. He then said respectfully, "Sir, they've arrived!"
Pavel took a deep breath, then put on a smile and walked towards the door.
In the hotel's small conference room, as Mr. Chen watched Pavel walk in, he stood up and went over to give the two of them a warm hug.
Old Chen disliked this kind of foreign etiquette, but there was nothing he could do; it was just what he did.
"Chen, I'm so sorry to bother you at this time."
Pavel released Old Chen and reached out his right hand to hold Old Chen's hand again.
"Haha, Pavel, this doesn't sound like something you would say."
Old Chen joked, and the two shook their hands vigorously before sitting down to the side.
Secretary Guo sat to one side with Pavel's attendant, each holding a notebook.
"Chen, this is quite lively!"
"Haha, isn't the New Year just around the corner? The Spring Festival is an important holiday for us, so let's all be festive."
Old Chen could guess why the other party was in such a hurry to call him over.
It's definitely still for the extraction technology of high-purity silicon.
But this technology is also their 'treasure', how could they easily give it away to others?
"You can go out for a walk during this time. There are many programs celebrating the Spring Festival on the streets, as well as some local delicacies."
Seeing that Pavel wasn't getting down to business, Old Chen started chatting idly.
Pavel congratulates Mr. Chen on the upcoming New Year and wishes that our friendship will reach new heights.
While expressing his gratitude, Mr. Chen also hoped that both sides could have more understanding and less estrangement.
It wasn't until Pavel couldn't sit still any longer that he asked with a grin, "You didn't call me here just to tell me it's lively here, did you?"
Pavel thought to himself, "You were the one who kept saying how lively the Spring Festival is."
I just politely started, and you went on and on.
"Yes, I called you here today because I have something very important to tell you."
At this point, Pavel straightened his clothes and sat down solemnly in the chair.
Old Chen also adopted a serious expression, his tone solemn, "Please speak."
Pavel nodded, then explained, "We received information that the United States is undertaking a new round of lunar landing programs."
"Moreover, this time they announced that they will build experimental instruments on the moon."
"However, our people have confirmed that these experimental instruments are not scientific research instruments, but are very likely instruments equipped with some kind of lethal weapon."
Upon hearing this, Old Chen's expression changed.
He knew that the alliance had no reason to lie about this matter.
Since the other party said so, it is very likely that it exists.
What kind of weapons will they research?
Old Chen frowned and asked.
Although plans like space-based weapons and Star Wars are subjective speculations, who knows if they can be realized in the end with technological advancements?
Everything is relative.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, the moon above seemed impossibly far away.
But when you stand on the mountaintop, you feel that the moon isn't that far away.
Today, humanity has set foot on the moon.
What can't we do in the future?
Old Chen remained silent, as did Pavel.
There was silence in the conference room.
"Chen, we are very sincere!"
After a long silence, Pavel finally spoke.
His expression suddenly turned serious, and he placed his hands under the table. "Of course, we are also aware of the importance of this technology to your company."
"But you must also understand the importance of this technology to the great proletarian revolution."
"The evil United States, under the guise of democracy and freedom, has declared war on us."
"They want to take the whole moon for themselves, and they want to plant their flag on our heads."
"Chen is the common enemy of our entire proletariat, an enemy we must defeat..."
Pavel suddenly became excited, raised his arms, raised his voice, and stared intently at Old Chen's face.
However, Old Chen remained as usual, which made Pavel's heart sink.
"Chen, the entire alliance is one family."
Pavel's eyes were piercing, and he slammed his hands on the table. His tone softened, losing its seriousness, but still carrying a deep, cold indifference.
"We're family, right?"
Old Chen looked up at Pavel, vaguely sensing the meaning behind the other's words.
"I need to consult with my superiors about this matter."
In the end, Old Chen neither directly refused as he had done before, nor did he directly agree.
Pavel nodded. "Okay, but please decide as soon as possible."
"They are making rapid progress, and we need to speed up, otherwise the gap will only widen."
Old Chen stood up, his face ashen.
"I will give you a reply as soon as possible."
Pavel also stood up. "Chen, I hope you can consider the overall situation. At this time, it is even more necessary for us to unite closely and jointly defend the fruits of the revolution."
Mr. Chen nodded gently. “Mr. Pavel, rest assured, our position is firm and beyond question.”
"But we also have our own considerations, and we hope you can understand."
After saying that, Old Chen turned and left.
Pavel stood at the doorway, watching the slender figure gradually disappear, and his face suddenly turned dejected.
"gentlemen."
Seeing that Pavel was standing still, the servants behind him went up to ask him what was wrong.
Upon hearing this, Pavel sighed deeply, then shook his head. "Let's go."
After saying that, he walked towards the room, leaving behind even more helplessness.
The China of today is no longer the China of the past.
It is no longer the China that needed the strength of the entire nation to move westward, nor is it the China that survived in the cracks.
Now, they have the right to say no to them.
Dear experts, another chapter is still being revised and will be released later.