Chapter 143
"Mister Zhongli, you're not joking, are you?"
"I'm serious, I'm not joking."
Blake's reaction was entirely within Shi Lei's expectations. He didn't avoid the questioning look in Blake's eyes and solemnly explained:
"I met with the boss of the Lower City today and we've planned a major overhaul of the Slums soon. We'll eliminate the gray market and gangs that threaten public order, clearing all obstacles for the Schwayer Group to move in."
Shi Lei's efforts to eradicate the gray industry chain will inevitably uproot the gangs involved. He does all this entirely out of self-interest, wanting to improve the lives of the people in the Slums. Saying it's for the sake of the Schwayer Group wouldn't be entirely inappropriate.
This is the art of speaking.
Blake had been in the business world for decades; he wasn't a three-year-old. He knew that the more tempting the offer, the more likely it was to hide a trap that wouldn't be made public.
"Oh, Mister Zhongli. I'm truly surprised that you would want to clear obstacles for the Schwayer Group."
Shi Lei knew he wouldn't believe it easily, so he continued:
"The gray market is an abnormal existence that is not protected by law. Not to mention the illegal trade in people and organs, the various pirated goods alone can cause huge losses to manufacturers."
My goal in dealing with these gangs is to encourage your company to set up a factory in the Slums, creating job opportunities for the local people and providing them with alternative livelihoods.
To my knowledge, the cost of setting up a factory in Slums is much lower than in the Upper City. As one of the first companies to move in, you will receive strong support from local forces. They will take time to maintain security around the factory area, minimizing losses your company may incur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Everything is ready now, except for your company's response. Don't worry about the formalities; I've already spoken to the Governor. We can schedule a time soon to sit down and discuss the specific details.
Everyone in Lungmen knows about the Schwayer Group's immense financial resources. Cooperating with your company would be mutually beneficial and a win-win situation. Only if this opportunity truly doesn't exist will I seek to negotiate with other companies.
Blake realized the last sentence was a provocation, but he didn't care. The Lin family, the governor, and Penguin Logistics were all working together to ensure the plan's success. If the Schwayer Group were given the green light to set up operations, the first companies to open factories there would reap substantial profits.
"Mister Zhongli, this project involves a huge sum of money. Let me think about it some more. How about we schedule a time on Sunday so we can all sit down and have a proper discussion?"
"Okay, then it's decided. I have other things to do, so I'll be going now."
Shi Lei readily stood up, shook hands with Blake, then took his leave and turned to leave the conference room.
Texas followed him into the elevator, and only after the elevator doors closed did she ask in confusion:
"You just said the governor has agreed, but we haven't gone to see him yet."
Before a formal contract is established, off-the-books tactics are a personal business strategy.
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei smiled and patiently explained:
"Let's go to the governor now. If he agrees, wouldn't that be considered agreement?"
It's important to understand that businessmen value profit above all else. The Schwayer Group is also the largest family business in Lungmen. As long as sufficient profits are offered, they won't refuse the opportunity to sit down and negotiate.
As for the governor, he governs Lungmen, this Mobile Cities. The amount of money he has is of little significance to him. As a city administrator, the governor values reputation and achievements more. Eradicating the gray market, eliminating gangs in the Slums, and even transforming the Lower City are all things he'd be happy to see.
People have different desires depending on their position. If I cater to their tastes and serve them what they need, I don't believe they won't accept it.
Texas nodded, somewhat surprised by Shi Lei's experienced handling of the situation.
Where did you learn all this?
"In the books, if you're interested, I can recommend a few books on this topic to you later."
Texas shook her head, showing little interest in reading. She stared at the man before her, a hint of teasing in her voice:
"No need, you're enough. I'll ask you for help if I encounter anything I don't understand in the future."
"Hahaha, okay."
Lisa didn't understand any of this, but it just seemed really impressive, so she followed the two to the Underground Parking Lot.
Shi Lei arrived at the Core City and expressed his desire to meet the governor to the front-line guards. But...
Unlike Blake, Wei Yenwu waited more than twenty minutes before approving the request.
The three of them took the elevator upstairs.
When Shi Lei entered the room, he was not greeted by Wei Yenwu, but by a woman.
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207 Family Brother Positions (3K)
A middle-aged noblewoman with vibrant crimson hair and a single horn sat elegantly on the sofa. She was Lady Wei Yenwu, Madam Wen Yue.
Upon seeing the three guests enter the foyer, Wenyue rose and gave a proper bow. She didn't inquire about Shi Lei's purpose, but instead focused her gaze on Lisa:
"This little girl is so cute, she has Nine Tails. I heard that the daughter of a priest in the Higashi is just like you."
Seeing that the other party meant no harm, Lisa replied politely:
"Beautiful sister, do you know my father? He is a clergyman in the Higashi."
Hearing the little girl call her "pretty sister," Madam Wen Yue's previously low mood instantly lifted. It was as if she had been bathed in the warm spring sun and received healing from the light.
With her beast-like face, she was definitely a top-tier beauty among her kind. However, being called "sister" at her age made her feel a little embarrassed.
"Hehe, you have such a sweet tongue."
After saying that, Wenyue gestured for Texas and Lisa to join her.
"Let the men talk about their own business. I made some snacks today; you should try them. Sir, you don't mind if I take them with me, do you?"
Shi Lei smiled and nodded, indicating that he should do as he pleased.
Texas glanced at it, then walked towards the balcony one after the other with Lisa. With him here, there was absolutely no need to worry about any danger ahead.
Moreover, this lady is right. Men's matters should be left for men to discuss themselves.
Seeing the three of them sit down on the balcony, Shi Lei withdrew his gaze and secretly surveyed the interior. The room was elegantly decorated, but the governor was nowhere to be seen. He could only hear the sound of running water coming from the room to his right.
Shi Lei paused for a moment, then stepped forward.
Before he could get close, the sound of flowing water suddenly stopped. The next second, Wei Yenwu's voice came from inside:
"Madam, I've washed the pots and pans, cleaned the dishes, and mopped the floor. Can you please stop being angry?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Yenwu, wearing a white apron, came out of what appeared to be the kitchen. He paused for a moment when he saw the guest standing outside.
This afternoon, Madam Wen Yue, unusually in the mood, cooked a delicious meal and asked Wei Yenwu what he thought. He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he actually gave the evaluation, "Just average, still needs improvement."
This infuriated Madam Wen Yue, and she ignored him for the entire afternoon. Wei Yenwu tried everything to persuade her, but to no avail. In the end, he could only hope to gain her forgiveness by cleaning the house.
Guests arrived without his knowledge. It was obvious that Madam Wen Yue had deliberately intercepted them, intending to make him do more housework as punishment.
Shi Lei had met Wei Yenwu several times, but they had never had a deep conversation. Now, witnessing the middle-aged man's awkward situation, all his prepared opening remarks dried up in silence.
"..."
Wei Yenwu possessed exceptional composure; he naturally removed his apron and placed it in the kitchen. He then returned to the living room and asked, seemingly casually:
"What do you need me for?"
Shi Lei tidied his words and explained his purpose:
"Your Excellency, I spoke today with Old Mr. Lin from the Slums and Mr. Blake, the head of the Schwayer Group. We want to eradicate the gray industry chain in the Slums so that the Schwayer Group can open a factory there and provide enough jobs."
Everything is ready now, except for you. We can arrange to meet on Sunday to discuss the details.
Under normal circumstances, building houses should fall under the jurisdiction of the Lungmen Housing Management Bureau. However, since the Schwayer Group is building more than one factory, it's necessary to inform the city's management authorities.
Wei Yenwu walked to the coat rack, took down his black coat, and put it on. In the instant he turned around, an aura of quiet authority emanated from him. As long as his wife Wenyue, wasn't by his side, he was the dignified Longmen Governor!
"You asked everyone else first, and only then remembered to notify me?"
This statement expresses Wei Yenwu's dissatisfaction and carries a hint of warning.
Shi Lei believes he is doing good deeds and owes no one anything. When faced with ambiguous questions, he chooses to ignore them and only answers the questions that are explicitly stated.
"It is only by coming last that we can highlight your special status, Your Excellency. It is precisely because you are the most important link in this project that we are here last."
Wei Yenwu sat on the sofa and lit his pipe with his bare hands. He stared at Shi Lei's sunglasses, and after a five or six-second silence, asked:
What do you want?
Shi Lei, puzzled, asked in return.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."
Wei Yenwu took a puff and exhaled a wisp of white smoke. He had intended to tap the pipe against the sofa armrest a couple of times, but then, realizing he had just mopped the floor, he withdrew his hand.
"If I remember correctly, you're still Messenger for Penguin Logistics, right? Why waste time and effort doing something that has absolutely nothing to do with you? What are you after? Whether it's money, power, or fame, you must be after at least one of them, right?"
Shi Lei is not short of money now and has no worldly desires for Lungmen Dollars. As for power and fame, he is indifferent to them.
What if I said I didn't care about these things? It's just because...
I wanted to do it, so I did it.
Wei Yenwu believed that there was a proverb in Yan that said, "No one gets up early without a reason."
"Are you ashamed to admit your desires? I don't work with people who have no desires."
These words were not only a warning, but also a test.
Instead of following Wei Yenwu's conversational pace to explain, Shi Lei directly jumped out of the multiple-choice question framework:
"You're right, this matter has absolutely nothing to do with me. I'm not after money, power, or fame for this project. Perhaps my thoughts are the same as Officer Chen's; I just want to make Lungmen a better place."
Wei Yenwu stared at Shi Lei, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of his statement. Whether the other party had taken kickbacks or tampered with the project could be verified.
Thinking of this, he stood up on his own initiative. Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly froze.
Before, when I sat down, my view was blocked by sunglasses. Now that I'm standing up, I realize that Shi Lei actually has golden pupils, which are even rarer than red pupils.
Were his pupils always this color?
However, Shi Lei had no Dragon Horn or tail whatsoever. It was impossible to even determine his race from his appearance.
Shi Lei noticed Wei Yenwu's unusual behavior and quickly realized it was a problem with his pupils.
But now that it's been seen, changing it back to the original would just be a cover-up.
The only option is to perpetuate the mistake and selectively ignore it.
"Governor? What's wrong?"
Wei Yenwu shook his head, instantly forgetting what he had just wanted to say. Instead, he changed his words to:
"Will the meeting be on Sunday? Where? Who will be participating?"
This sounded like the other party was about to agree. Shi Lei wasn't sure at the moment, only guessing:
"The specific meeting place hasn't been decided yet. If all goes well, it will most likely be a restaurant under the Schwayer Group. In addition to you, the participants will include Mr. Blake, the head of the group, and Lin Gerei the Slums."
Wei Yenwu's eyes flickered, and he suddenly suggested:
"You were the one who brought this project together, so how could you not be there when it happened?"
Shi Lei figured he had Sunday off, which was perfect timing since he had nothing else to do. Besides, the entire project was non-profit-making, so the specific details were none of his concern. He could just treat attending the meeting as a free meal.
Shi Lei's role is to integrate resources and build a stage that ordinary people cannot accomplish, achieving the desired goal in the most efficient way.
Eradicate the gangs that commit crimes in the slums and crack down on the gray industry chain. This would make it easier for Rat King Lin Ge Rui to manage his current sphere of influence; there's no reason to refuse.
If the Schwayer Group were to establish a presence in the Slums, it could relocate its factories from other areas. This would significantly reduce transportation costs and boost the company's profits.
There is a significant difference in price levels between the Lower City. The lowest wage standard in the Upper City is considered a high wage in the Lower City, thus reducing wage costs.
Governor-General Wei Yenwu also had no reason to refuse. He didn't need to do anything; simply agreeing would grant him a nominal position, instantly boosting his political achievements and reputation.
Shi Lei wanted to improve the lives of the people in the Slums. He sought the ideal of the benevolent ruler of the Rex Lapis, a spiritual pursuit.
In this way, everyone got what they wanted.
Hello, I'm okay, everyone's okay.
"No problem. Governor, would it be convenient for me to leave my phone number? I'll let you know once we've finalized the meeting place."
The two exchanged phone numbers and reached a verbal agreement. Wei Yenwu hesitated, wanting to speak but not intending to say anything now.
He has plenty of ways to investigate this man.
Shi Lei glanced at the wall clock, sensing it was almost time. He had arranged to meet Lin Gerei at his house for dinner at six o'clock that evening, and he couldn't break his promise.
"Governor, that's all for today. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."