Chapter 561: Lawyer's Letter

The scene turned rigid.

Over a dozen gazes shot over in unison, pinning themselves onto Lin Sicheng's face.

There was confusion, suspicion, disdain, and also disapproval.

Everyone had assumed that today's meeting would be a very long process: sharp tongues and swords, give and take, not yielding an inch, with tensions running high. The result, however, exceeded everyone's expectations: it ended as soon as it began, with Lin Sicheng laying his cards on the table directly.

He had no intention of negotiating at all, nor did he give Saishi Company any extra choices: this is the proposal, take it or leave it.

The two leaders were particularly uncomprehending: having been swindled out of so much money, Lin Sicheng's confrontation with Saishi was perfectly understandable. But with the two of them sitting right here, why did Lin Sicheng dare to leave no room for maneuver?

Even if there were several layers of separation, they were still the supervisory department; there would always be a time when they could exert control. Did he not have any concerns at all?

And then again: the matter had to be resolved eventually; one couldn't just watch the table get flipped.

Director Chen of the Arbitration Commission pointed at the Technology Authorization Agreement: "General Manager Lin, President Li, may we take a look?"

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng picked up the Technology Authorization Agreement and handed it to the receptionist.

The female receptionist respectfully delivered it over.

It was very thin, just four pages of paper, plus the front and back covers.

After flipping it open, the two glanced at it and were both stunned in unison: Good heavens, no wonder Li Zhengwu had refused on the spot?

First, look at the compensation amount: one fake, three compensated, meaning four times the damages. Added to the free authorization, training, after-sales, and other supplementary clauses, the total already exceeded 50 million.

Then look at the delay losses: demanding Saishi compensate 10 million USD, which, when converted, was over 68 million.

Added together, a full 120 million.

And how much was the total amount of the procurement Contract?

The total Contract amount was 12 million, meaning Lin Sicheng was demanding compensation entirely based on a ratio of one fake, ten compensated.

Not to mention foreign capital, if given to any domestic enterprise, or even counting across the globe, not a single company would agree.

The reason was simple: Liu Anhua had used this tactic to defraud not just one company, but hundreds. If the first one got ten times compensation, just try giving the second one a cent less?

Even if Saishi dragged its feet and refused to pay, the Court would absolutely follow the precedent and rule: one fake, ten compensated.

Calculate it again: just within the country, how many Refurbished Machines had Liu Anhua sold using fraudulent means?

A full 10 billion RMB; multiplied by ten, how much would that be?

Consequently, for the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, Saishi could forget about earning a single cent in China; even paying out all their profits wouldn't be enough. So, it would be a miracle if Li Zhengwu could agree.

But it wasn't over yet; there was something even more excessive behind it: a public apology in the newspapers.

Seeing this, the two leaders had an urge to laugh.

If Saishi dared to admit it directly, why go through such a grand display, and why invite them here?

If they really dared to publish in the newspapers, Saishi Technology's stock price would fall to a circuit breaker. The losses then would be even greater than ten times the compensation.

Truly, compared to that, the 120 million in the Technology Authorization Agreement didn't even count as a hair.

To say Lin Sicheng was extorting them was absolutely correct.

Secretly turning the thought over, the two exchanged a glance: they had thought they were just coming to go through the motions.

Who would have expected that they would end up having to mediate?

After pondering for a moment, Director Chen tapped the table: "General Manager Lin, President Li, may I say a few words?"

Lin Sicheng sighed inwardly: Here it comes!

He smiled and nodded: "Director Chen, please, your guidance is welcome!"

"General Manager Lin, you are too kind; 'guidance' is not the word, I just wish to speak from a personal perspective and share some thoughts!"

After replying, Chen Jianyan straightened his back and leaned against the chair: "Let me state one point first: as an enterprise, Saishi must bear responsibility for its actions, correct its mistakes, and compensate for fraud; this is the bottom line."

"As the supervisory department, the Ministry of Commerce must correct errors and hold people accountable; this is our duty. As the arbitration department, the National Arbitration Commission must be fair, impartial, credible, and transparent; this is our principle."

"Under the premise of adhering to responsibility, integrity, and fairness, let us look at this case: according to the Exemption Clause, the culprit who caused General Manager Lin's losses was Liu Anhua's personal behavior. Saishi China President Smith appointed people based on favoritism and bears secondary responsibility; Saishi Company had lax supervision and bears joint liability." "If we follow this point, General Manager Lin should first claim compensation from Liu Anhua, then President Smith, and only lastly from Saishi Company."

Chen Jianyan paused specifically to observe Lin Sicheng's expression.

But he discovered that Lin Sicheng had no expression at all: his fingers were interlaced, looking at the pen in front of him, appearing as if he were listening intently.

Director Chen could only continue:

"But the law does not ignore human sentiment. Whether it is the law enforcement department or the arbitration department, the goal is to supervise and enforce discipline, safeguard order, and guide correct commercial behavior."

"Whether it is Liu Anhua or Smith, both are management personnel of Saishi Company. Saishi Company failed to recognize talent and appointed the wrong people, and there are serious loopholes in their management; this is an indisputable fact."

"Secondly, as a superior department, we naturally must prioritize protecting the interests of domestic enterprises. Based on these two points, we fully support General Manager Lin's claim to seek compensation from Saishi Company first..."

"Of course, there must be a legal basis and evidence: how much should be compensated for the equipment, and what is the proof? How much are the delay losses, and what is the basis for them... In short, there must be detailed breakdowns, traceable data, and supporting legal clauses."

"Third, distinguish between primary and secondary: who is the main party, who is secondary, who pays more, who pays less, and what are the respective proportions. This must be reflected in the Technology Authorization Agreement. It cannot be like now, where everything is lumped together; it is completely a muddled account..."

Director Chen pointed at the Technology Authorization Agreement and looked at Tan Zheng on the far side: "Lawyer Tan is experienced and well-known in the industry; you should explain to General Manager Lin the nature of this case: Saishi is Saishi, Smith is Smith, and Liu Anhua is Liu Anhua..."

Tan Zheng puffed out her cheeks but dared not talk back: Chen Jianyan couldn't control Lin Sicheng, but he could control her; if he didn't lecture her, who would he lecture?

The key was that Chen Jianyan was not blatantly showing favoritism, but was starting from legal principles: the Disclaimer Clause signed between the foreign company and the Executive was indeed applicable here. If they sued, Saishi would certainly lose in the end.

But Saishi could push most of the responsibility onto Liu Anhua and Smith. Lin Sicheng knew this point too.

And the reason he cast aside Liu Anhua and made Saishi Company the main subject for compensation, and dared to ask for so much, was simply because he held a handle on Saishi.

Tan Zheng didn't know what it was, but she was certain it was definitely something fatal, yet the kind that couldn't be laid out on the table to be discussed.

While pondering, she looked past Wang Qi Zhi and peered at Lin Sicheng, who was sitting in the very center.

Her gaze was very direct: Lin Sicheng, Chen Jianyan seems to be lecturing me, but in reality, he is warning you: General Manager Lin, quit while you are ahead.

Saishi can pay compensation, but it is absolutely impossible to pay this much.

If you insist, they can apologize to you, but the object of this apology can never be Saishi.

As for publishing in the newspapers, don't even think about it.

Therefore, she was incredibly curious: how would Lin Sicheng respond?

Would he get up and leave, or continue to stand his ground?

Lin Sicheng could of course understand Tan Zheng's hint, but he neither left nor stood his ground.

He took the Technology Authorization Agreement brought by the receptionist and placed it before him, then looked at the opposite side with a smile, his attitude indescribably proper:

"Thank you for your guidance, Director Chen. It is indeed our oversight and negligence in our considerations. After I return, I will certainly study the legal provisions thoroughly, discuss them in depth with Lawyer Tan, distinguish the primary from the secondary, and clarify the proportion of liability..."

"For liabilities that should not be borne by us, we will absolutely not make reckless claims; for those without basis or support from legal clauses, we will absolutely not make reckless demands. Once the plan is redone, we will contact President Li again..."

As he spoke, Lin Sicheng stood up and bowed slightly at the waist: "Thank you again for your guidance, Director Chen, and thank you to President Li and Saishi Company for the reception." The group was stunned again: what did this mean?

Was he backing down just like that?

What about the previous momentum? What about the previous boldness?

It just felt like, all of a sudden, Lin Sicheng had gone from one extreme to the other. It was more like he had been scared off by Director Chen's words? Chen Jianyan thought about it carefully: he felt he hadn't said anything too harsh, just stated facts, and it certainly didn't count as a threat.

But why did Lin Sicheng suddenly retreat?

Zhao Xiuneng and Wang Qi Zhi exchanged a look: Is Lin Sicheng this cowardly?

Nonsense.

When a gun was held to his forehead or he was sitting on a pile of bombs, he hadn't even frowned.

This kid is definitely holding back a move.

Li Zhengwu was somewhat dumbfounded.

It wasn't that they didn't want to talk; on the contrary, Saishi was more desperate than anyone to suppress Lin Sicheng.

As long as they could suppress the first one, the ones after wouldn't be a problem.

It wasn't that Saishi didn't want to pay, but they didn't want to pay this much: over one hundred million, which was no different from Saishi admitting with their own mouth that these fraudulent acts by Liu Anhua were instigated by them.

According to what they had discussed before: re-purchasing, free authorization, training, and maintenance—all these could be satisfied.

On this basis, giving a little appropriate financial compensation was not something they couldn't agree to.

But it absolutely could not exceed fifty percent of the amount agreed upon in the Contract, and it absolutely could not be in the name of compensation.

They had even thought of the reason: Artifact Research sponsorship.

But no one expected that Lin Sicheng would open his mouth like a lion right from the start: 120 million, why don't you go rob someone?

And even less expected was that after you reasoned with him, he could actually listen?

The problem was, he listened a bit too well:

You say I don't distinguish primary from secondary? Fine, I'll go back and distinguish them slowly.

You say I haven't clarified the subjects or the proportion of liability, I'll go back and study it slowly, organize it slowly.

Do you dare say his attitude is bad or that he doesn't respect the leadership?

Chen Jianyan stared at Lin Sicheng, his brows slowly knitting together: he always felt something was not quite right.

Beside him was Director Li from the Ministry of Commerce; the two were not strangers, and he could tell at a glance what Chen Jianyan was thinking.

Sighing secretly, he picked up a pen and wrote a line on the paper:

Director Chen, Lin Sicheng never intended to talk at all. To be precise: he never intended to talk with us present...

Chen Jianyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: Is this kid fooling him?

No, that's not right to say... Lin Sicheng definitely gave enough respect, even if it was just on the surface.

At least, Lin Sicheng responded to every one of the suggestions he, as a leader, gave from a personal standpoint, and his attitude was incredibly good. But the meaning was also very clear: I do not accept any influence at the administrative level; if there is any, I can choose not to talk.

Just like now...

Chen Jianyan was both angry and amused: why is this kid so difficult to deal with?

But thinking about it from another angle: whether they talk or not, or whether they can reach an agreement, it will eventually have to be endorsed by the administrative department.

It's impossible to bypass...

He let out a breath: "President Lin, don't be in such a hurry to thank us. If you have different opinions, we can discuss them!"

"Furthermore, flying back and forth is troublesome. Everyone has work, including you and President Li. So, my suggestion is: even if we can't reach a result today, we can reach a general intention..."

"Director Chen, there really isn't! I am absolutely not saying the opposite, but sincerely accepting Director Chen's guidance..."

Lin Sicheng's attitude was extremely sincere, "I guarantee here: before distinguishing the primary liability, and before successfully claiming compensation from the primary and secondary responsible parties, I will absolutely not contact Saishi through any non-official channels or in any form..."

Chen Jianyan opened his eyes wide.

It could also be seen that Lin Sicheng was not brushing him off: he really had listened, at least he believed that Saishi was not the primary responsible party.

But he didn't understand the second half of the sentence: did Lin Sicheng mean he wouldn't seek compensation from Saishi first?

Then who would he seek it from?

The primary responsible party is Liu Anhua, so he should naturally look for him. But Liu Anhua is currently like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river, unable to even save himself, with pockets cleaner than his face; what could he possibly pay you?

The secondary responsible party is Smith; his outcome might be a little better than Liu Anhua's, but only to a limited extent. The main thing is that all his assets are in the United States; even if you want him to pay, he has to be able to pay.

So, how is this any different from giving up on the claim?

While he was suspicious, Lin Sicheng stood up and walked around the table toward them.

While still several steps away, he reached out his hand: "Thank you, Director Chen, thank you, Division Chief Li, and thank you, President Li, for your hospitality..."

"I previously left my phone number and email with Assistant President Sun. If there is anything that needs to be communicated later, your company can leave a message or notify me by phone. Besides that, I have entrusted Lawyer Tan to handle this case in full; your company can also contact Lawyer Tan..."

Chen Jianyan shook his hand subconsciously, feeling even more suspicious: he's leaving just like this?

It felt like Lin Sicheng had only come to go through the motions today?

Li Zhengwu was even more confused, but his intuition was stronger: he felt that the current result was exactly the result this young man wanted?

But he didn't feel anything was good about it: for both sides, today's peace talks were no different from the talks collapsing.

While suspicious, it was Li Zhengwu's turn, and he grabbed Lin Sicheng's hand: "President Lin, may I ask, what do you plan to do next?" This question was asked very strangely, as if two armies were facing each other, shouting across the air to the enemy: you attack inward next.

But what was even stranger was that Lin Sicheng actually answered: "Send a Lawyer's Letter!"

Li Zhenghao was stunned for a moment: "Who?"

"All responsible parties who participated in the fraud and need to compensate for my losses! From the first to the last, from the biggest to the smallest!" Lin Sicheng emphasized, "Of course, that includes your company too!"

Li Zhengwu frowned: "General Manager Lin, just sending a Lawyer's Letter?"

"Of course not, there might be a lawsuit later, but that has to wait until after the Lawyer's Letter is sent and no one offers compensation voluntarily!"

As if hearing a joke, Li Zhengwu widened his eyes: Voluntary compensation... who do you expect to voluntarily compensate you?

As for the Lawyer's Letter, what difference is there between that and waste paper? It would be better to just sue directly...