Chapter 1402
Chapter 1402 - 1398: Additional Investment
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8 min read
"Your Excellency, how does the taste feel? Do you think it suits the palate of the people over there?"
Lu Ping’an put down his chopsticks, thought for a moment, and took another piece of Wanjing roast duck for himself.
Not bad, fatty without being greasy, and there was a faint scent of wood. He had never tasted such authentic Wanjing roast duck in his past life.
And on this table, there were mostly dishes of this grade... whether in terms of quality or cooking, they were all at a master’s level. Lu Ping’an felt that they were using "common ingredients" as much as possible, just that...
"...It won’t work; their tastes aren’t that refined. Moreover, it’s too greasy for the Long Hand Clan and too bland for the Fishman. If you are mainly doing business with humans, hehe, my ’hometown cuisine’ restaurant would almost go bankrupt."
"Really... How about you try this?"
The official before him was very friendly, not only personally inviting Lu Ping’an to a feast but also being accompanied by some big company bosses.
Did they not know the tastes of the ethnic groups over there? Did they really need to have Lu Ping’an personally taste-test?
"...National Grain Group has some interest over there and is likely to join in the investment. Probably within half a year, the first batch of more than twenty chain enterprises will have established themselves there, at least with over six hundred stores. It’s just the first phase to see how the profits are like; if you’re interested, you could invest..."
Finally, the main course arrived, but hearing this, Lu Ping’an just gave a wry smile.
I, Lu, know you have good intentions in planning to increase investments in Mercury 42, not only to enhance the Eastern Country’s stance over there, but also as a favor to me.
But to invest in National Grain and its hundreds of stores? Am I suitable... well, in terms of strength, I probably am, but tossing in my little fluid capital wouldn’t even make a splash, and my own financial chain would break and lead directly to bankruptcy.
"We need some extra protection on this end. If you could use your ’hometown cuisine’ brand, we would give you a 10% share in the business. Management and routine security, they can handle themselves. Of course, if you could lend a hand when necessary, that’d be even better; we would compensate you additionally then."
At this, it was Lu Ping’an’s turn to be utterly astonished.
This generosity was far too significant.
This wasn’t just about money. Developing a region’s "civilization", capital might be the least important... During the Great Voyaging Era, those who were mere losers daring to venture into the unknown seas under unclear and high-risk conditions... Adventurers, they were the most valuable assets.
In a situation stable enough to generate profits, sailors and captains would come incessantly. But now, Mercury 42 was still in the midst of war, and making large-scale investments at this time was indeed a valuable "gift."
Probably, this was the result after much consideration... With the current openness of the civilization in Mercury 42, if you were to broadly establish yourself there, doing infrastructure would be like giving it away for free. Heavy and light industries have already been localized there for a decade; new entrants would need time to adjust and adapt, but entering the food and food production industries en masse could become tangible assets.
Having chain companies under state-owned groups send out "managers" to bloom everywhere would instantly resolve the most troublesome human resource issues.
And just by nodding, Lu Ping’an could have a potentially vast industrial cluster spread across countless regions... This wasn’t merely about making money, but Lu Ping’an’s Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Eastern Country’s officials, could directly enter all territories of Mercury.
Even if you were "a large group", you wouldn’t expel a management business owned by the Eastern Country. Lu Ping’an might also obtain a vast intelligence network and significant influence through this.
And as long as accompanied by the industrialization of the food industries spreading extensively, Lu Ping’an would naturally become, in some respects, the de facto controller of Mercury 42.
"...May I?"
"Of course, you may. Naturally, if you have time to help us train the security personnel there and enable the local salespeople to have a better capacity for self-protection, that would be ideal."
This was undoubtedly a trade of interests... But the other party proposed these conditions also considering Lu Ping’an’s advantage in "cultivating talents," and if he truly cultivated a new era of key groups, then Lu Ping’an, this "mentor," would naturally possess a broader influence.
𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Perhaps by that time, Lu Ping’an, the titular Major General, would become the actual commander of the military region.
Salvation Army wanted to build a new nation, but as support, the Eastern Country was doomed to control part of that new nation’s industries. They expected Lu Ping’an to get involved in food, considering he was a top Gardener...
"...Uh, okay, I am professional in cultivating talents. As for the local food production and improvement, I can only say I’ll do my best."
"That’s enough..."
After finishing that meal, Lu Ping’an’s journey had just begun. He was invited to accompany the Mayor of the Ancient City on a visit to a state-run naval shipyard and related heavy equipment manufacturing industries in Wanjing...
"Very impressive, truly remarkable."
Major General Lu... when he was invited to speak and offer his insights, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say a few words.
"I can’t stay in Wanjing any longer... Time to pack up my bags and leave."
Originally, Major General Lu was just an accessory of his eighth-tier disciple, a "middleman" in the delegation—a mere participant in the development between the two places.
But now, having truly eliminated Bane and demonstrated his combat powers, he had become a genuine "local lord."
Now, with the Eastern Country planning to invest and develop on Mercury 42, the responsible heads of those related enterprises naturally came over to pay their respects.
Not to mention various gifts, there were also many direct stock offers which Major General Lu dared not refuse... By connecting mutual benefits, the parties invest more willingly, expecting him to stand up for their interests when needed.
This time, alliances and treaties had already been signed, but Major General Lu’s performance had won him even more... Beyond the paperwork, many higher-level investment pursuits had been added. An originally small restaurant had now become a branded chain, what was once a craftsman’s shop had now turned into a large factory.
However, these added "investments" naturally required Lu Ping’an, the "host," to review... which made him so frustrated that he wished he could just run away.
Speaking of which, the Mayor of the Ancient City had even suggested that he irresponsibly run away.
It wasn’t really about poaching talent... Major General Lu’s position was quite stable. First came the Ancient City, second the Eastern Country, third humanity, and that was it.
"If you’re here, you can’t escape it; you must nod or at least tacitly agree. If they truly ignore you, they might offend you, so they must get your approval... If you run away, they might also feel relieved."
Speaking of which, that was really the case, and Lu Ping’an sighed.
For a moment, he hadn’t realized it was not that he lacked experience or intelligence, but that he lacked the heart... He knew he couldn’t devote too much energy to politics, business, or agriculture, and with his rapid growth and high status, he naturally had to face these harsh responsibilities.
"Catherine..."
"100 points a week..."
"Leave it all to me, I’ll become your best representative."
By passing the troubles in Wanjing to her, Lu Ping’an once again disappeared.
In fact, he still had more important things to deal with... Official investments and support were one aspect, the development of the Heavy Commerce Association was another aspect, and Lu Ping’an’s own "progress" was yet another matter.
His powers formed a complete system. Just mass-producing pollutants along the craftsman’s path required massive amounts of materials and resources.
The industrial layout of the Rebirth Commerce could be handled by others, but the astronomical purchase orders for his own ability kits could only be calculated by him.
Not to mention afar, just creating a set of equipment and a weapon for each core member of his group, he had to personally search for the materials.
After evolving, Major General Lu’s capability limit had significantly increased, thereby benefiting not just himself; many members of the group were eagerly watching, yet...
"...So expensive, why so expensive."
The strength gained through promoting not only brought about a higher level of material consumption, involving Rule-level and above materials, how could it come cheap?
— End of Chapter 1402 —