Chapter 579: What If You Refuse to Acknowledge the Debt?

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "Director Liang, I have many friends!"

"I know!" Liang Shiya looked behind her, "For example, Professor Wang, for example, General Manager Zhao."

"But General Manager Lin, I must remind you: both of these individuals are on the Prohibited Directory!"

Hearing this, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng were both stunned.

Tan Zheng had explained before: individuals with official backgrounds like Wang Qi Zhi were investors explicitly prohibited by the United Association. No matter how wealthy he was, Lin Sicheng could not borrow from him.

But they did not understand: why was Zhao Xiuneng also prohibited?

Seeing the two staring at each other in confusion, Liang Shiya explained: "General Manager Zhao, it is not that I am intentionally targeting you, but that you have repeatedly engaged in criminal activities explicitly prohibited by the laws of China, your asset structure is complex, and your sources of funds are unclear."

"Therefore, if General Manager Lin raises large sums of capital from you, we have to suspect: are you engaging in money laundering or other criminal activities under the guise of Artifact Research!"

Zhao Xiuneng's eyes bulged: Damn it.

He had grave-robbed, and he had served time in prison, but how many years ago was that?

As for his money and assets, the public security bureau hadn't said anything, so what right did this woman have to say the source was unclear?

He took a step forward, just about to say something, when Lin Sicheng shook his head.

It wasn't that whatever Liang Shiya said was the absolute truth. But the Technology Authorization Agreement did indeed contain relevant Financial Clause:

The transferee must guarantee that all funds required for the Artifact Research do not involve proceeds from any suspected or convicted illegal activities.

And promise: before accepting any loans or similar financial support provided by any natural person, a reasonable background check will be conducted to ensure that said natural person has no relevant criminal record.

Therefore, let alone the fact that Zhao Xiuneng had served over a dozen years in prison, even if he had only been criminally detained, this money could not be borrowed.

Lin Sicheng spoke unhurriedly: "Director Liang, I have other friends!"

"I do not doubt that!" Liang Shiya's expression was stern, "But General Manager Lin, the transferor (Party A) has the right to require the transferee to provide reasonable documents and relevant proof regarding the source of funds."

"If the transferor has reasonable grounds to suspect that the transferee has violated the Financial Guarantee Ordinance, they have the right to suspend the performance of authorization obligations under this agreement." "Of course!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "Director Liang, I have memorized the agreement very well."

What is the use of memorizing it well?

The question is, will you actually execute it?

Liang Shiya shook her head: "General Manager Lin, I think it is better to be rigorous. If possible, could you submit a Financial Plan as soon as possible?" "When?"

"Preferably Monday, at the latest no later than next week!"

Today is Friday, only two days of time?

But Lin Sicheng did not refuse: "Okay!"

Liang Shiya nodded with satisfaction: "Thank you for your cooperation, General Manager Lin, then we will see each other next week!"

"Okay, I will see you out, Director Liang."

Saying this, the group walked toward the elevator.

Lin Sicheng did not go downstairs, but instead let Li Zhen see her off on his behalf.

Across the elevator, the two nodded in farewell. The cabin doors slowly closed, and the two's lines of sight were cut off.

Seeing the elevator go down, Zhao Xiuneng frowned: "Why is this woman so difficult to deal with?"

Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: She is indeed very difficult to deal with.

"I suspect that this Director Liang's technical level might not be inferior to Liu Anhua's."

"That's unlikely, right?" Wang Qi Zhi said, "If the two are evenly matched, why isn't Liu Anhua the CTO of the Asia region?" After all, Liu Anhua and Li Zhengwu had a very good personal relationship.

"Because her sense for the market is sharper, and her analysis of target customers is more precise! Secondly, she is from Hong Kong and has a better understanding of the Chinese market. Whereas Liu Anhua grew up in the United States..."

Lin Sicheng explained, "One plus one plus one is definitely greater than one!"

"Then what should we do in the future?" Wang Qi Zhi looked distressed, "It can't be that this woman will personally watch you and look at you doing experiments every day, right?" If, as Lin Sicheng said, this woman's technical level was on par with Liu Anhua's, how could Lin Sicheng still pull any tricks?

Even if he were given an answer key, could he openly copy it in front of the proctor?

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "It shouldn't come to that!"

Wang Qi Zhi was relentless: "What if it does?"

It wasn't that he was worrying unnecessarily, but that the other party was acting legally and compliantly: the so-called inspection team's primary task was to trip Lin Sicheng up, and their secondary task was to supervise him. They wouldn't even need twenty-four hours; if this Director Liang came to the laboratory once a day to look at the research progress and then look at the data results, she could deduce the entire experimental process.

To put it bluntly: whether your data is copied or researched by yourself, she can tell at a glance.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, "If this Director Liang really does that, then I have no choice!"

The stage has already been set; the protagonist cannot delay his appearance just because he is afraid of making a fool of himself, right?

And there has never been a play where the supporting role sings from beginning to end.

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: "That's true!"

If it really reached that point, it wouldn't be a problem for Lin Sicheng to worry about; the ones with the headache would be those departments above.

Wang Qi Zhi let out a breath, but before he could finish, Lin Sicheng added: "Although this Director Liang is difficult to deal with, she shouldn't be the most difficult; the even more difficult one is yet to come!"

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned: "That Financial Director who didn't come?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes!"

Being able to serve as a CFO in a World Top 500 enterprise is definitely not as simple as just being a Financial Director.

It can be said: every loophole you can think of, he can plug them all for you. Even before you are ready to act, he has already blocked you. It's not that the new Director Chen at the Center isn't professional, but the national conditions are different: China's financial market is relatively conservative and laws and regulations are relatively complete, while abroad it is the exact opposite.

Especially in Hong Kong and Singapore, as international financial hubs with completely free capital flow, there are many loopholes and even more patches.

Some financial operational methods have never even been heard of domestically.

If it comes to experience, this Director Guo is much richer. It is almost impossible for the relevant departments to bypass his surveillance and transfer funds into Lin Sicheng's account without anyone noticing.

You say you borrowed it from a friend?

You can, but you must have sufficient reasons: who did you borrow it from, how much did you borrow, what are you using as collateral, and why would they lend you so much? What, relying on your character?

Don't fool an idiot.

Zhao Xiuneng had a sudden thought: "Then is there any way to make him unable to check? Or even better, not let him check?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Senior Brother, that won't work!"

The reason lies in the last clause Liang Shiya mentioned:

The Transferor has the right to require the Transferee to provide a reasonable explanation regarding the source of funds, as well as relevant supporting documents, and the Transferee must cooperate unconditionally. If the Transferor has reasonable grounds to suspect that the Transferee has violated this guarantee, they have the right to suspend the performance of obligations under this agreement.

The key lies in "reasonable grounds for suspicion": if you don't let her investigate, she naturally has grounds for suspicion.

Then, by following the path of least resistance, she can suspend the performance of all agreements, or even terminate the authorization.

"No... isn't this just playing dirty?" Zhao Xiuneng hissed through his teeth, "Who agreed to this clause?"

Lin Sicheng sighed: "I did!"

The attitude of the six companies was clear: if he did not accept the Financial Clause, they would refuse the authorization. Never mind nineteen technologies, not even one would be transferred. The reason was simple: they knew Lin Sicheng had the support of higher-level departments; if they didn't impose restrictions, it would be equivalent to handing these nineteen technologies over to Lin Sicheng for free.

It couldn't be called playing dirty, but it was truly strict.

Not to mention renting the building, renovations, and buying equipment, the License Entry Fee of twenty million USD alone was enough to give Lin Sicheng a headache.

To raise over one hundred and thirty million within just thirty days—this was clearly forcing Lin Sicheng to find loopholes.

But to be honest, isn't that General Manager Guo who hasn't appeared yet just for show?

He is just waiting for Lin Sicheng to find a loophole...

"Let's make the plan first!" Lin Sicheng sighed, "This is needed even more urgently, there are only two days!"

Wang Qi Zhi realized belatedly: "Lin Sicheng, if the source of funds does not match the Financial Plan, does that count as a breach of contract?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "It does, and then the agreement is automatically terminated!"

Wang Qi Zhi looked strange: "Then how dare you agree to submit the Financial Plan on Monday?"

If he could drag it out until the weekend, he could at least discuss countermeasures with Division Chief Chen. If that still didn't work, he could seek support from even higher-level leaders. The point remained: a confrontation of this magnitude was simply not something Lin Sicheng could resolve with his own personal ability.

Lin Sicheng laughed: "Teacher, don't worry yet, I didn't say that what I'm submitting on Monday is the complete Financial Plan."

It could be for one month, that is, a plan for raising the twenty million license funds. It could also be for half a month: I'll tell you first how I'm going to raise half, which is ten million.

It could even be for one week: I'll raise five million first, and we'll talk about the rest later.

If that really doesn't work, I'll submit a Financial Plan to you every other day, that should be fine, right?

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned for a long while: "Isn't that the same thing?"

When all is said and done, Lin Sicheng must raise twenty million within one month.

"Dragging it out one day at a time!" Lin Sicheng's gaze was firm, "There will be a way when the cart reaches the mountain, we'll talk about it then!"

Wang Qi Zhi froze for a moment, his lips twitching, looking as if he wanted to say something but didn't dare.

Just as he was hesitating, Lin Sicheng's phone rang. After he answered, the voice of Branch Captain Zhao of the Economic Investigation Detachment came through:

"Teacher Lin, two people claiming to be financial personnel from the Foreign Investment United Company, an accountant appointed by Lixin Certified Public Accountants, and a lawyer from Haiwen Law Firm have gone to the Tax Bureau with the financial agreement signed by you."

"They are demanding to review that Center of yours, as well as all financial Information related to you: including registered capital, bank deposits, past tax payment records..."

"Thank you, Branch Captain Zhao!" Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation, "Let them check!"

This had all been agreed upon in advance, and it was written in the agreement: Lin Sicheng needed to cooperate unconditionally.

When necessary, he could be required to appear in person.

After thanking him, Lin Sicheng hung up the phone and looked at Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng again:

"Teacher, Senior Brother, I need to go back to the building to work on the plan, do you want to come along?"

"We wouldn't be able to help if we went back, you go ahead!" Wang Qi Zhi shook his head, "I'll make a call home to see if I need to go back for a trip!" Lin Sicheng wanted to say something but stopped: at this stage, the role that the personal level could play was already negligible.

What's more, Wang Qi Zhi was already explicitly listed on the restricted list.

But Lin Sicheng didn't say anything, just nodded: "Alright, then sorry to trouble you, Teacher!"

After saying this, he entered the elevator. Watching the numbers jump on the panel, Wang Qi Zhi bared his teeth as if he had a toothache.

Zhao Xiuneng was confused: "Professor Wang, are you really going home?"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: "Of course!"

But he wasn't going home to complain to anyone.

Because complaining wouldn't have any effect, and would instead hold Lin Sicheng back.

"I'm going home to touch base with someone and see how to persuade him!" Wang Qi Zhi sighed mournfully, "Did you see the look on his face at the end, when he gritted his teeth and said 'there will be a way when the cart reaches the mountain'?"

Zhao Xiuneng nodded subconsciously, then froze.

Based on his understanding, whenever this expression appeared, it meant Lin Sicheng had made up his mind to go all out.

In the urban village of Xijing, when he blocked that group of Grave Robbers in the tunnel, Lin Sicheng had worn this expression.

At school, when he pushed a bunch of Tongchuan leaders to the point of being speechless and ashamed, Lin Sicheng still had this expression.

In Shanxi, when he was preparing to make those departments and leaders who snatched the Hejin Kiln taste what regret felt like, it was the same expression. And in Wang Chun's basement, when he was laughing and joking while preparing to pry the battery out of a bomb, it was still this expression...

Zhao Xiuneng thought it felt more and more wrong: "What is he planning to do, pay out of his own pocket?"

Wang Qi Zhi retorted irritably with two words: "Nonsense!"

He wasn't angry at Zhao Xiuneng, but at Lin Sicheng.

"But he has no money left, right? The twenty million for the Center was already scraped together by him. Now, let alone over one hundred million, he can't even take out one million..." Zhao Xiuneng counted on his fingers, "And besides you and me, who else could lend him that much money?"

Wang Qi Zhi shook his head: "General Manager Zhao, if I had one hundred million, would I still be here worrying?"

"He really doesn't have that much money, and he really has nowhere to borrow it, but he can take out a loan!"

A loan?

Zhao Xiuneng half-understood: "Didn't Lawyer Tan say, even for a loan, there must be proof and evidence. The joint party won't recognize a loan without collateral!" "General Manager Zhao, who said he has no collateral?"

Wang Qi Zhi sighed, "Think carefully!"

Zhao Xiuneng was stunned, and suddenly, a light flashed in his mind.

He wished he could slap himself: who said Lin Sicheng had no collateral?

Not only did he have it, but he had a lot of it. Raising one hundred million shouldn't be a problem.

Zhao Xiuneng finally understood what Wang Qi Zhi was worried about: this was serious scientific and technological research, not some small-scale tinkering like the Cultural Relics Protection technology.

The capital investment for each technology ranges from hundreds of millions at the least, to over a billion or several billion at the most. How much does it add up to for nineteen technologies?

If these women refuse to leave and keep staring, can Lin Sicheng really keep scraping the money together himself? He might be able to scrape together one hundred million, but could he really scrape together over ten billion? Zhao Xiuneng was struck with a sudden shock: That's right, what if these women never leave?

Even the relevant departments wouldn't dare to fill the hole for Lin Sicheng.

Unless the Technology Authorization Agreement is completed, or terminated... Termination would be fine, but if it is completed, that would be five years from now...

"Professor Wang, will this money go down the drain?"

Wang Qi Zhi did not speak: Who can say for sure what will happen five years from now?

What if the policy changes, or some leader is replaced, and they refuse to honor the agreement?