NOVEL NEXT Chapter 801: They'll Help Whoever Wins
"Chairman Zheng speaks well, I'll drink first to show respect."
Jin Fan Zhu smiled in agreement, raised his cup and drank it all in one go. What Zheng Xuanyi was thinking, he also thought of.
Moreover, he knows more than Zheng Xuanyi, very clearly aware that Li Zairong's pro-American stance is not firm.
"Chairman Jin, truly straightforward."
Lu Liang smiled, raised the cup and looked at Li Zairong. Seeing this, Li Zairong hurriedly raised his cup as well.
The two exchanged smiles and drank their cups dry.
Li Zairong stared at the empty wine cup, slowly sighed and said, "My father often says, in the world of conflicts, one cannot act freely."
This was his response, unwilling yet powerless. Korea is small in size, with the US military constantly stationed here.
For businesses to thrive and families to last, they must rely on the United States in order to survive and avoid persecution.
Like the incident of Meng Wanqiu being arrested in Canada, if it happened to Samsung, no matter Samsung or Korea, they would surrender without hesitation, leaving the United States to decide.
Because some issues,
cannot be solved just by having money.
Especially when a company reaches the massive scale like that of Samsung.
The strength of a nation's power directly determines a company's development ceiling and position in the international market.
Li Zairong looked at Lu Liang and straightforwardly said, "If you didn't have a strong country behind you, we wouldn't have this meeting."
Whether it was shorting British Pounds, shorting Dow, or now shorting yen and Japanese stocks, Lu Liang operated within market rules.
Rules are important because if everyone fails to abide by them, no industry can develop healthily, but power transcends many rules.
If Neon wants to sanction Lu Liang, it can be done, just like when Crocodile Country sanctioned Soros, not only preventing him from shorting but also swallowing his capital, nearly bankrupting Quantum Fund.
Yet the consequence of such actions today is that although Crocodile Country ranks top three in military strength, its economic situation lags behind even Korea, which acts as goalkeeper for the second tier, ranking twelfth globally.
East Country possesses such strength. Should Neon wish to employ methods beyond rules against Lu Liang, it shouldn't be blamed for acting dishonorably.
Lu Liang's real backing is from a powerful nation, which is why Samsung dares not offend him.
Because in dealing with Lu Liang, they cannot use extra-legal means, and within the rules, he is almost invincible.
"I've always been proud of my identity as a Chinese." Lu Liang beamed, not denying Li Zairong's statement.
On the contrary, he agrees very much. The higher you go, the smaller the circle becomes. Thirty years ago it was the US and Soviet Union, now it's East America.
Lu Liang then asked, "Chairman Li, how much longer do you think East Country needs to truly surpass the United States?"
"Quickly in 20 years, slowly no more than 40 years." After contemplating for a long time, Li Zairong gave a definite answer.
Lu Liang's eyes flashed with surprise and he continued, "Chairman Li, since you have so much confidence in East Country, why not let Samsung choose again?"
Li Zairong's optimism about East Country's development isn't baseless, because East Asia's centralized system, until it globally dominates, is far superior to multi-party electoral systems.
It's due to this system that the four little tigers and dragons emerged last century in Asia where the leader holds absolute power, concentrating forces and achieving twice the result with half the effort.
Hearing Lu Liang's words, Li Zairong fell silent for a long time, even Jin Fan Zhu and Zheng Xuanyi dared not breathe.
The concept of the Free Trade Zone was proposed eight years ago. Once cooperation is achieved, the Three Kingdoms will account for 25% of global GDP.
If further monetary cooperation is achieved, it could even challenge the authority of the US Dollar.
The United States is aware of this.
So once proposed, the Fish Island dispute was reintroduced, and the cooperation advocate met mysterious deaths.
Lu Liang's move was clearly pushing for financial cooperation among the Three Kingdoms.
Though he didn't mention future deep collaborations, just succeeding once will pave the way for countless others.
Perhaps three, five, or seven years later, their cooperation would become a key event in establishing the Free Trade Zone.
Li Zairong suddenly said, "Mr. Lu, this time we only discuss cooperation between Kakao and Hyundai."
Lu Liang furrowed his brow, paused, and then swallowed his words, smiling, "Alright, let's not talk about this matter."
"Come on, let's drink and eat."
Jin Fan Zhu and Zheng Xuanyi acted as excellent supporters, immediately stepping in to adjust the atmosphere when negotiations halted.
After several rounds, Lu Liang received a message from Sun Yutao and began selling Panda's stocks.
He raised the remaining half cup of wine, drank it all saying, "Gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
"Chairman Zheng, Chairman Jin, enjoy your drinks, I'll just see Mr. Lu off." Li Zairong suddenly said.
The two exchanged a glance, understanding that Li Zairong wanted to have a private talk with Lu Liang. Zheng Xuanyi desired to know more since he wasn't Li Zairong's subordinate and didn't have to obey his orders.
"Chairman Zheng, you should accompany Chairman Jin, discuss the details of future cooperation." Lu Liang took a look, stopped Zheng Xuanyi from accompanying, and walked out with Li Zairong.
Under the moonlight, the two walked through a long corridor, their shadows cast on the ground, stretched long.
Li Zairong walked, suddenly asking, "Mr. Lu, do you know what conditions are needed if a fully-loaded truck speeding ahead wants to change direction?"
"I'm all ears." Lu Liang replied.
"First, the curve cannot be too large; second, the speed mustn't be too fast; third, the road conditions must be clear."
Listening to Li Zairong's three conditions, Lu Liang pondered, and after a long while said, "There might be a fourth: securing the main road with good conditions."
"Good if present, but not necessary. On the road, safety comes first." Li Zairong stopped at the door and turned to look at Lu Liang.
He very much wanted to break free from the cage imprisoning two generations, but had to consider the group, at least choosing to support Lu Liang when the path was clear and the outcome was certain.
Samsung Group's size determined that surrendering late was never too late. It's just a loss of some preferential rights, but compared to the group's safety and the Li family's safety, that preferential right isn't worth mentioning.
"Chairman Li, stay here." Lu Liang entered the car, suddenly lowered the window and said with a smile, "I look forward to our next meeting. Hopefully, by then, I get a definite answer."
"Then it depends on Mr. Lu's skills." Li Zairong laughed, no longer as serious and rigid as before, showing a genuine smile.
"Bye-bye."
Through the rearview mirror, Lu Liang saw Li Zairong's silhouette growing smaller until it disappeared.
He rubbed his brow, sighed upward, "It's indeed not possible, they only help whoever can win."
Samsung, after all, is unlike Hyundai. Hyundai supports unconditionally because it's suffocated by Samsung.
In contrast, Samsung dominates Korea, the path ahead is smooth. Even though the United States now slightly shows a hint of fatigue, it's still the undisputed master of the planet.
Until East Country possesses the strength to contend with the United States and holds a clear advantage, Li Zairong won't rashly risk offending the United States.
"But it's not entirely fruitless either." Lu Liang suddenly sat upright, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Tonight's conversation at least revealed to him that Li Zairong harbors dissent at heart, only staying away from danger.
Having thoughts is a good sign.
Tianxing Finance's expansion into the Korean market, Samsung, at least, won't hinder it, and might even provide support.
Meanwhile, at a high-end night spot in Incheon.
"No need for words, everyone gets a Rolls Royce when you return home, no empty promises."
Little Wang, full of confidence, waved a hand, gifting five team members cars in his own name to reward them for securing the first championship for their region.
Just now, US stocks opened.
Panda showcased a sudden surge, rising 25% upon opening, reaching a market capitalization of 11.373 billion US Dollars.
As long as Lu Liang's operations are stable, even after deducting four points of trustee fee, there are still eight-some goals, still Dao Le.
Taking out thirty to fifty million to reward team members, he could mimic Old Wang's carefree style and say, it's just a small gesture.
This statement pushed the atmosphere of tonight's celebration banquet to its peak.
"Principal is great."
"Principal is so generous."
Little Wang squinted his eyes, indulging in the neon lights, the cheers, the praises.
Feeling proud at heart.
This was the treatment he deserved, rather than being an unnoticed side character by Lu Liang.
At this moment, Feng Xi sitting at the bar playing on the phone suddenly received a message, with eyes suddenly brightened, quickly leaving after greeting friends.