Chapter 929 - So What?
Verbal threats were the weakest weapon. The higher the level of negotiation, the more the statement pertained.
When Ye Yunfei intentionally or unintentionally used a threatening tone to point out the forthcoming United Nations summit on the rational development of outer space, it was nothing more than stating an implied point—”If you don’t cooperate, we won’t cooperate in the summit when issues of the space elevator are brought up.”
However, would Jiang Chen be afraid of this?
Even if the United Nations ordered him to hand over the space elevator and co-manage it with the international community, he possessed the ability to refuse. More specifically, the United Nations wouldn’t make such a shameless demand. If there was no legal basis, it wouldn’t be possible to set a precedent for daylight robbery.
Jiang Chen placed great importance on the upcoming United Nations summit because it represented the view of the international community. However, the summit wasn’t that crucial that he felt he had to make concessions before it happened.
“So?”
Jiang Chen nonchalantly rebuked and Ye Yunfei’s expression froze.
So? Therefore, if you’re aware of the situation, it’s best to cooperate with us! Leasing the space elevator is the bottom line of our negotiation. The price can be discussed, but the principle isn’t negotiable…
However, the sentence already formed in her brain was stuck in her throat. A drop of cold sweat dripped from her forehead and instantly cooled her feverish brain.
If she did really say that, the negotiation between the two sides could be concluded. Prematurely setting a bottom line for themselves would threaten the outcome of the negotiation. It would be great if the negotiation was a success. But if it failed, then it may lead to a strained relationship.
Of course, she wasn’t stupid enough to determine whether or not he was really cautious about the summit from his expression, but Jiang Chen’s calmness already made her uncertain.
What do I do?
Put everything on the table? But the negotiation is just beginning. Is it too early?
And if it fails, this responsibility…
A second drop of cold sweat rolled down. Jiang Chen smiled at Ye Yunfei, intentionally or unintentionally exerting pressure on her.
Watching his granddaughter’s tense and indecisive expression, Elder Ye sighed in his mind.
He knew about his granddaughter’s temper. She did possess the ability, but she was too proud. She emphasized quick success too much! She wasn’t a special case. Most of the younger generation of families who returned from studying abroad more or less all shared this trait. They thought they obtained a lot of knowledge on the outside, and they thought they could make a splash when they returned.
Originally, he thought that since she had already interrupted, he would give her this opportunity to finish the sentence and see if she could do something. But looking at this state, Elder Ye knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
Anyway, she just completed her task…
Elder Ye stood up and motioned to Jiang Chen.
“I think that’s it for today. Since your side is dissatisfied with this method of cooperation, it would be futile if we continued to speak in this manner. I need to consult with the head and I hope Mr. Jiang will understand.”
Elder Ye then paused for a moment and continued with an apologetic tone.
“I’m very sorry about my granddaughter’s abruptness. She is only an assistant, and she doesn’t have any diplomatic authorization. I also hope Mr. Jiang won’t take her words to heart. Her words do not represent the position of the nation. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiation, Hua and your country share the same stakes. We attach great importance to friendly relations and the origin of our blood.”
Elder Ye’s words were very interesting. Although he didn’t make any promises, he pulled the relationship between the two parties closer. The subtle emphasis on their mutual origins established a foundation for the next negotiations to be friendly.
“No, I didn’t mind at all.”
Jiang Chen smiled. Without looking at Ye Yunfei with a complex expression, he politely took the two of them outside Future Building.
Watching the black car driving away, Jiang Chen returned to the parlor room.
Hot air lingered over the teacups. Since the negotiations didn’t last long, the three didn’t even have an opportunity to touch the tea on the table.
Looking at the rising white mist, Jiang Chen repeatedly recalled the details of the negotiation, a hint of enlightenment suddenly emerging on his face.
“This old man isn’t simple.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?” Xia Shiyu, who already finished her work, walked into the parlor room and sat next to Jiang Chen as she asked with intrigue.
“He knows his granddaughter the best. I’m afraid that his granddaughter would have said everything even without his direction, he was expecting her to act this way,” Jiang Chen explained while still in thought.
Without any special purpose, would he bring a new assistant to participate in this level of negotiation? Anyone who had some experience wouldn’t make such a thoughtless statement. Ye Qinghua just wanted to use Ye Yunfei’s mouth to emphasize the stakes of the United Nations summit.
However, he was about to be disappointed. Jiang Chen would never agree to lease the space elevator.
Celestial Trade didn’t need money now and wouldn’t need money in the future. Cooperation? Of course that was welcome, but this so-called cooperation might not include the lease of the space elevator itself.
“What are you going to do during the next negotiation?” Xia Shiyu poured a cup of tea for herself. She looked at Jiang Chen. “In your plan, Hua is an essential player.”
“Yes, but not exactly.” Jiang Chen leaned back in his chair as a confident smile emerged. “Negotiating with Hua isn’t something we have to rush. They won’t easily give up their interests in outer space. And they will never lose sight of what the space elevator means and the prospects for the development of the universe’s resources. There’s only one space elevator, and this will be the only one in the next few decades. There’s no doubt that the negotiating power is on our side.”
“The usefulness of the space elevator is definitely not as simple as making satellite launches cheaper. Our asteroid capture program is at its most critical stage, and the research team led by Kevlin is making final adjustments to the manual orbit adjustment scheme. The majority of the production line of the Stingray X-1 spacecraft has also been completed at the Ange Island Industrial Park. According to the drawings, the first-generation prototype manufactured by industrial-grade 3D printing has entered the testing stage.”
“The next step is asteroid mining, and we will hollow out the entire Bennu asteroid! Then, we’ll use the almost infinite amount of ores to destroy the Jewish consortium that monopolized the traditional mining industry as their economic backbone. With ores cheap beyond imagination, Rothschild’s Vale will go bankrupt!”
While explaining, Jiang Chen stopped the conversation and smiled at her.
“Excuse me, I’ve gone a bit off topic.”
Xia Shiyu grinned and elegantly took a sip of her tea.
“That’s okay. You look handsome when you’re confident.”
“Am I?” Jiang Chen took a second to process that information and immediately touched his face. “I thought I was always handsome.”
Cough.
Her shoulders were shaking and Xia Shiyu covered her mouth while coughing. The other hand put down the teacup she was holding. She was amused by Jiang Chen’s remark and didn’t manage to contain herself. She laughed with tea in her mouth and almost choked.
Jiang Chen didn’t expect her to be so easily amused. He quickly reached out and patted her back. After her cough eased up, he asked with concern: “Do you feel better?”
Xia Shiyu rolled her eyes at Jiang Chen and used a handkerchief to wipe the tea at the corners of her mouth to restore her dignified appearance.
“Well, let’s be serious. Natasha called me. Her work in Moscow has ended early and she’s going to return tomorrow.”
Jiang Chen’s expression changed.
“So you mean…”
Xia Shiyu nodded.
“Yes.”
Russia was also eyeing the space elevator. Natasha’s sudden return now must be related to the elevator, and this was why Xia Shiyu was worried. She heard Natasha and Jiang Chen’s personal relationship was good. If Russia planned to use this card…
“In other words, in the future… I have to restrain myself?” Jiang Chen frowned.
“…”
Xia Shiyu looked speechlessly at Jiang Chen’s regretful expression. She planned to pretend not to know this improper guy for the next ten minutes.