Lin Beauty still gave Liu Menglong some face. At the very least, she explained why she was not suited to step in and suppress them.
The reason was simple. This was a commercial matter, and what they were speculating on was not strategic material—not even a livelihood necessity.
Under such circumstances, even the government was not suited to intervene. After all, this was now a market economy.
Team Leader Lin and her people were even less suited to get involved. Given the nature of their work, they absolutely could not abuse their authority. Once such a precedent was set, the consequences would be unimaginable, so she could only watch helplessly.
Still, she was clearly furious. She even told Liu Menglong, "Ask that President Li whether he can uncover the people behind them and their gray-industry chain. If it harms national interests, I can teach them a lesson."
Liu Menglong pondered whether he would become passive again if those two suppliers joined forces.
Before he could figure it out, President Li came looking for him. He said the other side had sent word through his financing channels: they could sell them secondhand equipment in large quantities, though at a slightly higher price. If they wanted to cooperate, they could join forces to manipulate the market—but for any equipment they acquired, Liu Menglong's side would have to buy it at a twenty-percent markup.
Liu Menglong's first reaction upon hearing this was, "Don't even think about it. Even if I quit this business, I won't accept extortion!"
Four months ago, he never would have said something like that. But over those four months, he had earned money that others might not make in a lifetime. Even if it was only one hundred million, putting it in the bank for interest would bring in