Chapter 119: Negotiation

Early the next morning.

It was the same old three things.

Newspaper, coffee, Cigar.

Lu Chen flipped through the newspaper, which had no fresh news, with some boredom.

"Local wars in many places are worsening, maritime routes are being blocked and shrinking..."

Lu Chen's pupils shrank slightly.

This must be the precursor to the cold wave in the shipping industry that Old Shi mentioned, right?

A fleet had seen the wreckage of merchant ships on a certain route.

Although the report was very vague, Lu Chen didn't even know how the route was determined.

But one thing was clear to Lu Chen: the war had escalated, at least in a certain local theater.

"Manager Wang, send a telegram to Xuan Hua, cancel all return itineraries, and wait until there is confirmed news about the war before deciding."

Lu Chen shouted to Manager Wang outside the door.

There was a trace of worry in his eyes.

After all, naval warfare had already begun; who knew if air warfare was far behind? Commercial planes were truly no longer safe!

Planes in this era did not fly directly to Piaoliang Guo; they required multiple transfers. As long as they passed through any area where air warfare might occur, Li Xuanhua could be shot down.

Previously, Lu Chen had agreed to let Li Xuanhua return because the war had not escalated, and normal commercial flights were still possible.

But this news shattered Lu Chen's thoughts; now, the skies were no longer safe either!

Lu Chen sighed slightly and then continued flipping through the newspaper; as long as Li Xuanhua was fine, that was all that mattered.

"I have already sent the telegram to Manager Li. Manager Li replied that he has already canceled the international flights, and all international flights in Piaoliang Guo are currently grounded."

After a long while, Manager Wang returned and stood beside Lu Chen, bowing slightly.

"Mr. Laites called to say he will arrive at the Zhuangyuan in half an hour and specifically requested that our security personnel accompany him."

"Notify Chen Mo and have him handle the reception and supervision."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, stubbed out his Cigar, and stood up to straighten his suit.

"My study has been tidied up, right?"

"Everything is already prepared."

Manager Wang followed behind Lu Chen and said softly.

"All confidential documents have been locked in the safe. The documents you need have been sealed and placed in the drawer, with a single hair as a security seal; you may want to take note of that."

"Notify everyone that no one is allowed on the second floor today. You personally prepare the coffee and Cigar."

Lu Chen gave instructions while walking toward the third floor.

After simply changing into a suit, Lu Chen went straight to the entrance of the Zhuangyuan.

The motorcade had already stopped steadily at the main gate.

Manager Wang stepped forward personally to open the door for Laites.

"Welcome, Mr. Laites, please."

Lu Chen wore a smile, stepped forward, and shook hands with Laites.

They then went into the reception hall, but the two of them just chatted idly.

The staff from the Neutral Tavern skillfully carried large iron boxes and followed Chen Mo toward the second floor.

About half an hour later, the staff came down, nodded slightly to Lu Chen and Laites, and left directly.

"Mr. Lu, our people have performed the most professional inspection for you to ensure that there are no eavesdropping devices in your study or the nearby rooms. Your people watched the entire process."

Laites smoked his Cigar and said softly.

"Now, please have your security ensure that the second floor and the garden, where there might be eavesdroppers, are secured. Of course, our people can also provide guidance to ensure that only the two of us know about this negotiation."

"After we leave, your reception hall will also undergo a comprehensive security scan, provided, of course, that you allow it."

Laites added, and after finishing, he took a light sip of coffee.

"Then I will trouble you, Mr. Laites. Shall we go up?"

Lu Chen smiled, stood up, and gestured.

"Manager Wang, take care of the people from the Neutral Tavern."

He nodded slightly to Chen Mo and walked directly to the second-floor study with Laites.

In the study, Lu Chen poured a cup of coffee for Laites. The Cigar in his hand was not finished, and after closing the door, Lu Chen smoked the Cigar silently.

"Mr. Lu Chen, authorized by headquarters, I am responsible for the full-authority negotiation with you regarding Xianggang affairs. Anything beyond Xianggang will be negotiated with you again by headquarters members after they arrive next month."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, took a puff of his Cigar, and then said softly.

"Mr. Laites, there are only two items regarding Xianggang affairs: first, whether you will relocate and the underground construction technology; second, the establishment of the pharmaceutical laboratory and you sending personnel, correct?"

"Mr. Lu, there is a third item. If your drug experiment is successful, we at the Neutral Tavern invite you to join the Neutral Tavern Global Headquarters Council and become a council member. Of course, this is your freedom."

Laites smiled and added.

"You will not be bound by the rules of the Neutral Tavern; after all, this council member status is more symbolic of honor and the qualification to attend meetings."

"We have investigated your business blueprint. Although this business blueprint was at the Crown and you only showed it once, from Director Wei Er's words, your experimental business entity is indeed very promising, and combining it with our Neutral Tavern would be a wonderful idea."

Laites looked at Lu Chen's unchanging expression and nodded slightly.

He took a puff of his Cigar and exhaled smoke.

"But we also have our own principles, so we will participate in the construction of your business entity, provide funding, and you can even use our security exits, but it will only be our backup plan."

After a few seconds, Laites explained.

"The relocation of the Neutral Tavern is not something that can be achieved overnight. It involves countless secrets and various plans. The establishment of every Neutral Tavern cannot be completed in a day. Becoming a backup stronghold is the best choice for both you and us."

"Mr. Laites, the conditions offered to me by the Neutral Tavern are indeed very good."

Lu Chen nodded slightly; although the Neutral Tavern would not be relocating right at the start, this was actually a rather good choice for him.

"The construction of an underground base does indeed, as you said, require a sufficient amount of time. So, how do you plan to contribute to the construction, and how will you invest?"

"Regarding the construction of the underground portion, we will fund it in full, and after the construction blueprints are designed, we will communicate with you immediately to purchase building materials through your channels; we are, after all, a bit too conspicuous."

Laites glanced at Lu Chen, stubbed out his Cigar, and spoke softly.

"Our idea is to first lay a sufficient foundation and build a three-story underground structure; this is the most cost-effective method in Xianggang. Starting from the third underground level, it will be completely sealed off, and our people will take over to begin the new construction, so you won't need to worry about it."

Lu Chen paused, then asked a question in a soft voice.

"Regarding the issue of the foundation, what you said is a bit vague; if it exceeds the total design weight, it will become a dangerous building."