dmims Chapter 83 Even if people can talk, they will never be as eloquent as "money".
Chapter 83 Even if people can talk, they will never be as eloquent as "money".
In a stylish club in Washington, Han Zhenhua finally met William Rawls.
This is an American man around fifty years old, with meticulously combed hair, a typical politician look, and sharp eyes with a condescending scrutiny.
"Mr. Rawls, I've long admired your name. I am Zhenhua Keer, a British citizen from Hong Kong. I've come to pay you a visit at the request of Mr. Lu Yunsheng." Han Zhenhua greeted him fluently in English, neither humble nor arrogant.
They also presented several exquisite pieces of jewelry that Han Zhenhua had crafted at Chow Sang Sang Gold Shop in Hong Kong, based on the designs of classic women's gold jewelry gifts from later generations. Moreover, because of the design of this piece of gold jewelry, Chow Sang Sang Gold Shop exclaimed, "This is simply a genius design!" and thus waived all processing fees!
Sure enough, Rawls politely accepted the gift, examined it carefully, and after a moment of surprise, his smile became much more genuine: "Oh! Thank you, these pieces of jewelry are so exquisite!"
I never imagined that Hong Kong's jewelry manufacturing industry was so far ahead of the United States. I think my wife will love it!
On behalf of my wife, thank you! What a delightful surprise! Please have a seat, Mr. Cole.
Oh, by the way, Cole is a common surname among us Anglo-Saxons, and my wife's surname is also Cole! We're family!
The atmosphere was pleasant during dinner.
After a few rounds of drinks, Han Zhenhua got down to business, explaining his plan to acquire a portion of land in Alaska, establish "Hope Land Exploration Company," and conduct "geological exploration" in Alaska.
"Mr. Rawls, I know this sounds a bit risky."
"But I have ample scientific evidence to believe that there are tremendous opportunities hidden beneath that land," Han Zhenhua said sincerely. "I will cover the costs of acquiring the land and the company, as well as the initial exploration, entirely on my own. You don't need to invest a single penny."
All I need is for you to become a 'nominal shareholder' of the company, holding 20% of the shares.
You don't need to pay anything; you just need to allow me to use your name to ensure that my business activities in Alaska are not subject to unnecessary interference and to protect your "rightful legal rights."
Upon hearing this, Rawls' smile faded slightly, and he leaned back in his chair, habitually adopting a politician's posture of deflection: "Mr. Cole, I admire your courage and knowledge."
However, you should know that I am a government official, especially the Director of the Bulk Transaction Division of the Federal Department of Commerce. Although participating in commercial activities is not illegal, it also presents many inconveniences, especially for high-risk investments such as oil exploration, which is very sensitive.
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you.
Han Zhenhua had anticipated this outcome. Without saying another word, he took out a "Standard Chartered Bank draft" that he had prepared beforehand from his suit pocket and gently pushed it in front of Rawls.
The amount on the promissory note was £10,000 (equivalent to approximately $40,000, an astonishing sum in 1938, equivalent to more than twenty years of legitimate income for a high-ranking official like Rawls).
As Han Zhenhua famously said in later generations: No matter how eloquent a person is, they can never speak as well as money!
If you don't know how to hand over a task to someone, the simplest way is to "overwhelm them with money"!
Rawls' pupils contracted instantly, and his breathing became noticeably rapid.
He stared intently at the promissory note, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
Han Zhenhua calmly added, "Mr. Rawls, this is just a small token of my gratitude in advance, and it has nothing to do with the 20% equity stake."
That 20% stake is your deserved "honorary advisor" fee, a form of leveraging your reputation.
I guarantee with my family's reputation that this investment will be a sure thing.
All you have to do is make a phone call at certain crucial moments.
Of course, if you believe that "investment involves risk and caution is advised," then we can take another approach: we can sign another "Agreement."
That means as long as this project is successfully completed, regardless of whether we make a profit or a loss, I will give you the same annual dividend of £10,000, ensuring you "guaranteed profit." How about that, Mr. Rawls? Now you can rest assured, right?
The club's private room was so quiet that only the faint sound of breathing could be heard. Rawls remained silent for a long time, then finally took a deep breath and gave his assistant a meaningful look.
The assistant understood immediately, picked up the promissory note, and quickly left, clearly to verify its authenticity.
Half an hour later, the assistant returned and gave Rawls a barely perceptible nod.
Rawls' face instantly lit up with an incredibly warm smile. He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth, as if his earlier refusal had never happened: "Dear Cole!"
Since you and my wife share the same surname, we are of course family. Family members don't speak like strangers!
Your sincerity and vision have impressed me!
I believe that assisting a promising young scientist in exploration and investment endeavors that benefit national energy security does not violate the ethics of federal public servants, and could even be considered a legitimate endeavor by our Federal Department of Commerce...
Attracting investment is an important task. Our Federation is one of the most enlightened governments in the world, and we welcome people from all over the world to invest in the Federation!
Okay, I accept your proposal! Wishing us a successful collaboration!
Regarding profit sharing, I am personally very interested in Mr. Cole's second proposal!
"A wise choice, a pleasure to cooperate, Mr. Rawls!" Han Zhenhua raised his glass!
With this thought, a huge weight was lifted from my heart. I've finally managed to latch onto this "big shot"!
With Rawls's "protection," things went much more smoothly than expected.
Han Zhenhua, accompanied by bodyguards and officials from the Ministry of Commerce sent by Rawls to promote investment, first went to the area near 70.25 degrees north latitude and 148.38 degrees west longitude on the north slope of Alaska.
With the assistance of officials from the Ministry of Commerce specializing in investment promotion, they located all the land owned by local officials and purchased it for £14 (equivalent to US$64. At the time, Alaska was just a vast ice sheet with nothing. The United States had bought the entire Alaskan territory from Tsarist Russia for only US$780 million, and what they bought was less than one ten-thousandth of the total cost). After completing all the land formalities, they obtained the "rights to extract all underground resources."
He even received a grand invitation from local officials, who expressed their "deepest gratitude," to eat "mammoth meat," a specialty product from "hundreds of thousands of years of permafrost."
This deal is enough to greatly enhance his political achievements and accumulate sufficient political capital for him to be transferred away from this godforsaken place!
He then immediately flew to Texas and found the nearly bankrupt "Hope Land Oil Exploration Company".
The company's owner, John Fred, was a middle-aged man with a haggard face but honest eyes. Faced with Han Zhenhua, a young buyer who came out of nowhere, he did not raise the price on the spot. Instead, he listed all the company's assets, debts, and difficulties in detail, and finally frankly stated that the company's actual value was about $2 (about £5000).
Impressed by John's honesty, Han Zhenhua spoke directly: "Mr. Fred, I admire your character. I offer double the price, £1 (approximately US$4), to acquire all the shares of the company."
In addition, an extra £5000 will be allocated to immediately settle all outstanding wages and bonuses owed to employees.
There's only one condition: you and all your employees must stay. You will continue as the company's general manager, fully responsible for exploration operations, and I will provide you with generous compensation and bonuses.
John Fred could hardly believe his ears; the offer far exceeded his expectations! He was so moved that tears welled in his eyes, and he gripped Han Zhenhua's hand tightly: "Mr. Cole! You...you are the most generous and trustworthy investor I have ever met!"
I, John Fred, assure you, as long as I live, Hope Land Oil Exploration Company will do everything in its power to serve you!
Under the influence of Rawls (and Han Zhenhua's pounds), all the procedures were completed at an astonishing speed.