Chapter 684: 680. Cooperation Must Not Mean Betrayal (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for Zhang Ran to agree so readily; Weimusi had personally experienced Zhang Ran's tendency to seek revenge for the slightest grievance.

If he hadn't found the true mastermind and learned that they had also been used by others, Zhang Ran would not have been so easy to talk to.

One could tell from Zhang Ran's retaliation back then that he was definitely not someone easy to talk to, nor was he someone who could be swayed by profit; otherwise, he wouldn't have paid such a high price for revenge back then.

Zhang Ran said noncommittally, "Back then, you were all stupid yourselves; you were used by others and still haven't figured it out to this day. I really don't know how you've managed to keep going for so many years."

Zhang Ran mocked them without giving them any face at all.

Weimusi was not angry, only asking, "Did you really have no intention of getting involved in the oil business back then? Also, was there really no one behind you back then?"

Zhang Ran knew what he meant and sneered, "Oil? Why would I bother getting involved in oil?"

"Also, someone behind me? Do you have brains or not? To actually think I would bother getting involved in the oil business—I don't want to look for trouble."

Zhang Ran was also moved to tears by how stupid these people were; was the oil business something anyone could just walk into?

Of course, given Zhang Ran's strength and the circumstances at the time, he could have completely intervened, it would just have been a lot of trouble.

But Zhang Ran also had the qualifications to do so.

What's more, he came from Huaxia, and back then, no one knew if Zhang Ran had the backing of Huaxia.

Coupled with some information they received and certain signs from Zhang Ran at the time, they started their move without waiting for a thorough investigation.

At first, they were just targeting him normally and making some moves, but the situation soon began to spiral out of control.

These things happened too quickly, leaving them no time to react or prepare.

"You weren't even a little tempted by such huge profits?" Weimusi didn't believe it at all.

In fact, he still had some suspicions in his heart, namely that perhaps there really was such an intention back then, but it had been exploited by the Luode Xiongmei.

After all, not everyone can refuse profits like those from oil.

Zhang Ran said with a disdainful expression, "Are the profits really that big?"

Weimusi looked at Zhang Ran's serious face, not knowing what to say; the profits from oil were of course huge, and it wasn't just the profits, but also the resources and connections in all aspects.

But if one were only talking about profits, then for Zhang Ran, it really didn't seem to be all that much.

Especially with the market value of some companies Zhang Ran had invested in previously skyrocketing over the years, by comparison, the profits from oil really didn't have much appeal to Zhang Ran.

Zhang Ran looked at Weimusi and said, "If you have any other questions, ask them all today. From now on, we can be considered partners, and I don't want any unpleasantness to arise over existing matters. Let's be frank today."

Weimusi thought for a moment and said, "Then why did you meet with those officials back then?"

"If I said I didn't know at all when I went, would you believe me?" Zhang Ran said.

"And even if I did go to meet them, what could that possibly represent?"

Weimusi did not ask any more questions in this regard; there was indeed no need. No matter what, it was already a foregone conclusion now.

"Then how do you plan to deal with the Rhode Family?" Weimusi asked.

As for Zhang Ran not seeking revenge, that was simply impossible. Given Zhang Ran's personality, revenge was a must, and it would be a fierce one at that.

Zhang Ran laughed, "What? You want to get a hand in it too?"

"If possible, of course I wouldn't let it go; after all, we also suffered heavy losses back then," Weimusi said.

"It's no problem if you want to get involved, but I'll say the ugly things first: if you really want to participate, then no matter what happens, even if we are about to lose, you can only withdraw, not stab me in the back. Otherwise, I would rather give up on the revenge against the Rhode Family than let you have it easy," Zhang Ran said plainly, but his tone was very serious.

Weimusi nodded and said, "That goes without saying."

"I hope you can do what you say." Zhang Ran was noncommittal; no matter how seriously these people spoke, Zhang Ran would not believe them.

However, there was no need to exclude them either. There were many things Zhang Ran actually found difficult to intervene in, such as matters regarding oil.

This area involved too much, and Zhang Ran did not dare to rush in blindly.

And this was in the United States; however, if Weimusi and his side took action, then these problems would cease to exist.

Zhang Ran and Weimusi chatted for a long time. No one knew what they talked about, only that Weimusi had a smile on his face when he left, clearly having reached quite a few deals with Zhang Ran.

At the same time, Zhang Ran also sent messages to Zhongqiang Group and Nianrun Group, telling them that the shares of South Africa Development Bank had been settled.

Huaxia.

Xin Youmin was sitting face-to-face with some people at this moment; they had gathered together the moment they received Zhang Ran's message.

"Zhang Ran's actions are really too fast. It's only been how long, and the shares are already in hand," Xin Youmin remarked with emotion.

Ren Guofeng nodded and said, "Indeed, this Mr. Zhang is truly worthy of his reputation. Actually, I also received a favor from Mr. Zhang back then, though he might have forgotten it himself."

"How so?" Xin Youmin was a bit curious. Although Zhongqiang Group was established relatively early, it basically had no achievements in the early stages and could only be said to be half-dead, relying on state subsidies to get by.

Ren Guofeng revealed a tone of nostalgia and said, "Back then, because of a certain technology, my team and I went to the United States. You also know that at that time, people in the United States basically looked down on us."

"Even though we brought real money, we still couldn't reach an agreement, and the attitude of those people was especially arrogant."

"Thinking about it now still makes me angry. This is also the reason why I have insisted on Zhongqiang Group developing its own technology for so many years; I really don't want to encounter that kind of situation again."

"Alright, no one wants to hear your boring laments. Who among those present hasn't encountered such things?"

"You talk as if you were so aggrieved; if we really want to talk about it, I've suffered far more grievances than you," Xin Youmin said crossly.

Ren Guofeng was not angry, only smiling as he said, "I was just lamenting. Those technologies were also of vital importance back then. Even though the talks fell through, I couldn't bear to leave. Now that I think about it, it was fate. At that time, I was introduced to Mr. Zhang by someone."

"Actually, I didn't hold out much hope back then, but a few days later, the attitude over there began to change. Although the price paid was still relatively high, it was finally negotiated, and this laid the foundation for the subsequent rise of our Zhongqiang Group."