Scapegoat

Deputy Minister He's expression shifted uncertainly. He could not determine what List truly meant.

Did the capital behind him want limited cooperation, or did List and the Lin Family have other intentions?

He soon let it go. Whatever the reason, it had little to do with him.

He was only cooperating with Maple Leaf Mining, which made things simple and straightforward.

"Pleasure working with you, Mr. List.

"You will not regret today's decision. I guarantee it with my reputation."

Deputy Minister He spoke with great certainty.

A politician's promises were sometimes worthless—when made to the common rabble.

But at other times, they were absolutely guaranteed—when made to capital.

List did not need to worry that he would fail to deliver. He might even welcome it, so he could drag him down with him.

After the secret talks ended, Deputy Minister He resumed the bearing of a senior Federation official.

He finished touring the battleship at ease before returning to the inspection delegation.

It was obvious that many people were looking at him in despair.

Clearly, for these Pegasus Group people, this entire trip had been a complete failure.

It would have been one thing if they had failed to uncover Maple Leaf Mining's dirt. Instead, they had watched helplessly as Maple Leaf Mining began building influence among the Federation's upper ranks. It was simply despairing.

Of course, Deputy Minister He did not care about these people's opinions.

Only the handful of Pegasus Group decision-makers could speak to him directly. Not just any stray cat or dog could influence him.

The Ministry of Commerce was no minor department. In peacetime, it controlled an enormous amount of resources.

The resources in Deputy Minister He's hands actually exceeded those of some capital consortiums.

Now that they had begun preliminary cooperation, he naturally had