Chapter 560: Are You Not Doing This Business Anymore?

Saishi had arranged quite a few people: some to welcome, some to guide, and even some specifically to operate the elevators.

Smith and Lin Sicheng walked at the very front.

The big-nosed foreigner wore a smile, his tone laced with flattery: "I knew Mr. Lin was very young, but I didn't expect him to be this young. At this age, to have such a large enterprise, it is truly a rare sight in China."

Lin Sicheng smiled: "The President is too kind!"

When one humbles oneself to treat others with respect, there must be something they seek; if necessary, foreigners will say pleasant things too.

"I have specially invited a few friends today; I will introduce them to Mr. Lin shortly!"

Lin Sicheng's heart stirred, and he nodded: "Good!"

He could roughly guess the nature of these so-called friends of Smith.

As they spoke, the elevator reached the tenth floor, and the receptionist led them to the Reception Room.

Only four bodyguards came up, with two remaining in the car below. Having been instructed in advance, Zhu Heng did not go in, staying outside with three colleagues. Smith saw this too, but as an American, he was accustomed to it.

He had even specifically instructed Sun Rui to arrange personnel for the reception.

The group entered the Reception Room, and the few people sitting on the sofa stood up.

Four men and two women, none of them young.

Three of them were foreigners, and the leader was quite young, in his thirties, looking somewhat like the star Pitt.

He was the first to extend his hand; his Chinese was not very fluent, a bit stiff, but basically understandable: "Hello, Mr. Lin, I am Li Zhenghao, President of the Asia Region for Saishi Technology!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment.

What he found strange was not that an American had a Chinese name. Many foreigners did this: upon arriving in China, they followed local customs and adopted a Chinese name. This was especially true in consular institutions and diplomatic circles.

What Lin Sicheng found strange was: Li Zhenghao had announced himself as Saishi Technology, not Saishi Company.

The former provided analytical instruments, reagents, and consumables, with products covering scientific research fields such as life sciences, medicine, pharmacology, and materials science.

The so-called technology giant, a World Top 500 company, referred to Saishi Technology.

The latter was merely a purchasing agency, responsible for only a very small part of Saishi Technology's business: instrument procurement, software services, after-sales maintenance, and technical training.

If one were to make a comparison: the Saishi Company that Smith was responsible for was merely a regional branch under a subsidiary in a relatively peripheral industrial sector of Saishi Technology.

Therefore, this President Li Zhenghao before him was the true Saishi Executive, a figure who could directly participate in decision-making, influence the decisions of Saishi headquarters, and even affect Saishi's stock price.

To be honest, it was indeed somewhat unexpected.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Lin Sicheng extended his hand: "President Li, nice to meet you!"

After shaking hands, Li Zhenghao turned to the side: "Mr. Lin, let me introduce you!"

"This is Division Chief Su Bingnan of the US Consulate Commercial Office..."

"This is Mr. Gaina, the representative of the US-China Economic and Trade Joint Committee in China..."

"This is Director Chen Jianyan of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission..."

"This is Division Chief Li Xian of the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Outward Foreign Investment..."

Lin Sicheng shook hands with them one by one, inwardly sighing: each one's background was bigger than the last?

The US Consulate Commercial Office, full name the Commercial Office of the Consulate General of the United States of America in Shanghai, was dedicated to providing services for American companies exporting goods and services to China.

If it were a Chinese agency in the US, if they said Division Chief, they would certainly be a Division Chief. But in a US agency in China, this Division Chief was at the very least a Deputy Consul General. The reason was simple: the United States is a capitalist country, and all institutions serve capital.

The second one was not bad either: the US-China Economic and Trade Joint Committee was a US organization established specifically for trade with China, dedicated to promoting the development of US-China relations and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Although it was a non-governmental, non-profit organization, and this person was only a representative in China, if necessary, he could directly appeal to the Ministry and could reach the leaders of relevant ministries by phone at any time.

The reason lay in the final sentence: dedicated to promoting the development of US-China relations and economic and trade cooperation...

The third person was a leader of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, also known as the Arbitration Court, which specialized in resolving commercial disputes between domestic enterprises and foreign capital. The competent department was the City Government, but it only provided administrative guidance and did not interfere with specific coordination and case rulings.

This institution had extremely close cooperative relationships with the judiciary and the Court.

The fourth person was an official from the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Outward Foreign Investment; although Li Zhenghao did not mention it, Lin Sicheng could guess: this person was likely a leader from the Investment Promotion Division or the Regional Economic Development Division, specifically responsible for foreign investment dispute issues.

Therefore, the level of this meeting was already extremely high. After all, Lin Sicheng was only the Person in Charge of a small private organization with registered capital of no more than twenty million. The amount involved this time was even lower: just over ten million.

To be honest, there was no need for so many high-level leaders to show up; even a listed company wouldn't need this, and at most, they would send a clerk to resolve it. Someone like him simply didn't reach the level of these institutions.

At first glance, it was formal enough, fair enough, Saishi was sufficiently attentive, and the relevant departments had given enough attention.

But Lin Sicheng knew very well that these people could not possibly stand on his side. To put it bluntly: they were invited by Saishi to pressure him.

But since he was already here...

After the introductions, both sides took their seats.

Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in the other's eyes.

They hadn't expected today's lineup to be so grand, with so many leaders coming, and at such high levels?

They weren't worried that Lin Sicheng couldn't handle it: when they were in Guangzhou, the situation was even bigger, but Lin Sicheng was calm and composed, as steady as Mount Tai. What they were worried about was: where did these people's loyalties lie?

You say one, they insist on telling you two, and after a few twists and turns, they could lead the topic into a ditch.

With a mix of coaxing and intimidation, they would propose a settlement plan that seemed fair but was actually ridiculously biased—would you sign it or not?

If you don't sign, they go to arbitration or a lawsuit: not to mention anything else, the Shanghai Arbitration Commission had cooperative relationships with the Judicial Bureau and the Municipal High Court. Their opinions could directly influence the final verdict.

The US Consulate Commercial Office and the US-China Economic and Trade Joint Committee influenced even higher levels: never mind who was right or wrong, I ask you, is the label of "affecting US-China economic and trade cooperation," or even "affecting relations between the two countries," a heavy one?

No matter who took this case, their scalp would go numb...

While pondering, Wang Qi Zhi looked at Tan Zheng. He had originally wanted to ask her for ideas, but when he turned back, he realized Tan Zheng's expression was not right. And it was complex and inexplicable: excitement, anxiety, hesitation, unease...

What was exciting was that Saishi's level of attention was much higher than she had anticipated: the Asia Region President of Saishi Technology, the US Consulate Commercial Office, the representative of the US-China Economic and Trade Joint Committee, a Division Chief from the Ministry of Commerce, and the Director of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission.

What did this mean? It meant that Saishi Company treated this meeting entirely as a major international dispute case.

Thinking again of the one hundred million Lin Sicheng had proposed, it didn't even come close. Adding a zero, or two zeros, would be about right.

What was unsettling was: the level was too high, high enough to make one uneasy.

So, how big must the leverage in Lin Sicheng's hands be to make Saishi put on this kind of display?

Involuntarily, Tan Zheng thought again of those bodyguards outside the Reception Room, and her heart couldn't help but tremble...

Seeing her stunned expression, Wang Qi Zhi paused: "Aren't you a Gold Medal Lawyer? Are you stunned too?"

But it was not strange: just looking at this level, one could tell how much Saishi Company valued this.

Thinking again of the bodyguards Lin Sicheng had hired: if the talks collapsed today, it might be even more serious than Lin Sicheng imagined.

Using some methods on her, this acting Lawyer, was just a matter of convenience...

He sighed inwardly and gave a look: "Lawyer Tan, how should we talk later?"

Tan Zheng shook her head.

Lin Sicheng had said nothing, which meant she knew nothing; how could she know how to talk?

To be precise: for today's peace talks, Lin Sicheng had not prepared to let anyone intervene. The reason he brought them along was just to go through the motions. Subconsciously, she thought again of the bodyguards outside the door: so, Lin Sicheng not telling them was not out of precaution, but to protect them? For a moment, Tan Zheng felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say.

Immediately, a waiter brought tea, and Li Zhenghao leaned forward, looking at Lin Sicheng:

"General Manager Lin, don't misunderstand. The leaders coming today are just here to listen in. It will not affect the outcome of the peace talks, nor will they express opinions..." "After all, this is the first case of its kind in the country, and we are just summarizing some experience."

Lin Sicheng responded politely, while Wang Qi Zhi watched coldly: these people sitting here represented their own stance just by being here; there was no need to say it. If the talks could not be settled, or if they faced a collapse, they would then give some "opinions" at the appropriate time.

But there was one point: if, as Lin Sicheng said, what Liu Anhua confessed had already become an open secret, then why did Saishi Company still invite so many high-level departments to intervene and apply disguised pressure?

The key lay in the phrase Li Zhengwu said: the first case in the country.

It was not that it happened for the first time, but that it was discovered for the first time, and their weak spot was caught.

Just to say one thing: if they paid Lin Sicheng a lot, it would be impossible to pay the others less later.

Whatever name they used to compensate Lin Sicheng, that would be the name used for the hundreds of others that followed.

To put it bluntly: as long as they could suppress Lin Sicheng, no matter how many companies followed or how much power they had, not a single one would be able to jump up. The more critical point lay in two words: "name." What is said in private is one thing, but facing the public, or even the public stance of arbitration institutions, is another matter entirely.

Privately using permissions to defraud customers and initiating the manufacturer's authorization to illegally reserve a Backdoor—these were not even mentioned yet; just consider the four words "knowingly selling fakes": if a Court judgment is passed and a written announcement is formed, this would be ironclad evidence.

Saishi Company could certainly carry this burden, but Smith and Li Zhengwu could not.

The best, best result: the former resigns in disgrace, the latter goes to prison. And they would have to go to prison at least twice: once in China, once in the United States. It was even possible they would end up like Liu Anhua.

Therefore, his purpose in setting up this formation today was very simple: first, pay less money.

Second, control it at the business level as much as possible, and try not to use legal means.

Wang Qi Zhi could figure it out, and Lin Sicheng could figure it out even better.

He had also anticipated that Saishi Company would send high-level executives to negotiate and even invite "friends" to exert administrative influence. He just didn't expect the Person in Charge of the Asia region to come.

This showed that Smith had already reported all the circumstances in full detail.

This was a good thing...

After saying a few polite phrases, roughly along the lines of "please give more guidance" and "please take care of us," Lin Sicheng took a document out of his bag. This was the compensation Agreement drafted by Lawyer Tan yesterday, in duplicate; Tan Zheng's bag also contained a copy.

He handed it over: "President Li, please take a look!"

Li Zhengwu was somewhat surprised; he did not expect Lin Sicheng to be so direct.

China is a society based on official rank; with so many leaders present, shouldn't they get to know each other first, chat, and build some connections?

Leaving some personal favors this time would mean both sides had a relationship, and who knew when it might come in handy.

Yet Lin Sicheng got straight to the point: after only a few polite words, he handed over the negotiation Agreement directly?

But the problem was, we haven't even talked yet, and you want me to sign an agreement?

A bad premonition arose in Li Zhengwu's heart: this young man was not influenced by these people at all.

"If you think we can talk, we'll talk; if we can't, then I'll leave..." That was what he meant.

Li Zhengwu had stayed in China for quite a while, and this was the first time he had encountered a businessman who was not influenced by administration and not swayed by officials.

And he was so young?

Secretly surprised, Li Zhengwu took the Agreement, and just after one glance, he subconsciously froze.

First, look at the terms in the Agreement:

One, re-procurement.

Two, free authorization, free training, free after-sales service.

Three, triple compensation.

Four, compensation for economic losses due to delivery delays.

Calculate the amount: the cash portion alone exceeded one hundred million. And that didn't even count the Software authorization, technical training, and after-sales maintenance.

But that wasn't all; there was one more item: a public apology in the newspaper.

Seeing these four words, Li Zhengwu was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud.

If Saishi Company could apologize in the newspaper, why would they need peace talks?

There would be no need to urgently send him to China, let alone have him make a big splash, use every means possible, and create such a massive formation.

Therefore, there was no need to look at the rest...

He closed the Agreement and pushed it back: "General Manager Lin, I apologize!"

"President Li, it's no problem!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and picked up his Tea Cup, "Then let's make an appointment another time!"

Everyone was stunned: the so-called "raising the tea to send off the guest"—how could there be another time?

So, this was... the talks had collapsed?

How could it be so fast?

No, it was that they hadn't even talked at all.

Li Zhengwu was also a bit dazed: "If you think we can talk, we'll talk; if we can't, then I'll leave..." It was exactly what he had thought.

But he didn't expect that Lin Sicheng could really do it: was he not afraid of offending the two government leaders present?

Since the talks had collapsed, would they have to go to court? And given that it involved a foreign-invested enterprise and the consulate had already been notified, the Court would inevitably seek the opinion of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission.

Secondly, the Ministry of Commerce: Smith had conducted an emergency background check; the main business of Lin Sicheng's Center was antique and Cultural Relics appraisal, followed by Cultural Relics protection technology Research, and it also included art trading.

And as long as it involves antiques or Cultural Relics, it inevitably involves international transactions: for example, auctions.

This part happens to fall under the review of the Ministry of Commerce: without the approval of the Ministry of Commerce, imports cannot come in, and exports cannot go out.

There is an even more important point: technology export.

Regardless of what the technology is, including Cultural Relics Protection materials, such as Lin Sicheng's "BTA Slow-Release Technology," if one wants to license it externally, it must pass through the Ministry of Commerce. Li Zhenghao could not quite figure it out: are you still going to do this business or not?