Siheyuan, Me and the Yu Sisters

Sophia was silent for a moment, then she sat up straight, put away her lazy and casual look, looked at Zhang Renkang and said softly

"Mr. Zhang, I believe you are also very clear about the current situation in your country."

"According to the consensus of the Western world, all of your country's trade routes and diplomatic channels are blocked"

"If the American people knew the current situation, even the current smuggling through transit would be shut down."

"We're taking a big risk by working with you, aren't we?"

Sophia is talking about the Western world's blockade of the country, not just international exchanges

They also strictly guarded against trade and industrialization academic exchanges, trying to completely blockade the country and turn it into an isolated island.

If it weren't for the fact that Old Euro had some strategic differences with the United States, it would be impossible for the country to cooperate with Gaul and Hans, let alone let John sneak in.

Zhang Renkang looked at Sophia seriously and suddenly smiled.

"Ms. Sophia"

"We are all businessmen, not government agencies, right?"

"Diplomacy is something the government needs to consider, and businessmen only care about profits, right?"

"You have earned a lot of profits during the cooperation. This is a fact that cannot be ignored. I believe your shareholders should be very satisfied, right?"

Sophia smiled, picked up the teacup and took a sip elegantly.

"Mr. Zhang, you are amazing"

"But you forgot something, didn't you?"

“Business behavior cannot be separated from political constraints”

“Perhaps you are not clear enough about the power relations in the West, but your officials will understand.”

"If we want to continue our cooperation, we must face reality."

"As far as I know, Hong Kong Island has already noticed our deal. I'm afraid it's not optimistic for you to continue to maintain the current situation."

Zhang Renkang was shocked, and said with a calm smile:

"So, does Gaul have any good suggestions?"

Sophia whispered

“Since we have established diplomatic relations and cooperation, why not establish trade channels?”

Zhang Ting'an's face changed drastically. He didn't know what kind of impact this sudden request from the Gauls would have on them, but this matter was too big.

So big it could almost cause an earthquake.

Zhang Renkang smiled and asked

"Is this Gaul's intention, or yours and Hans's, or whatever alliance you have formed?"

"This kind of thing shouldn't be our turn to negotiate, right?"

Sophia smiled charmingly and said softly

"Mr. Zhang, the essence of the problem is actually very simple, isn't it?"

"I just want to know your attitude on our behalf."

Zhang Renkang nodded and said

"I understand"

"I will communicate with the country. Can we contact each other in two days?"

Sophia stood up, shook hands with Zhang Renkang and left

Zhang Tingan looked nervous and said seriously

"Comrade Renkang, this matter is too big"

“We need to report to the country immediately.”

"I will contact the office immediately to communicate with the country"

Zhang Ting'an didn't expect that he would be caught off guard by the Gauls just after he settled down. This was no small matter and could cause big trouble if he was not careful. They just came here to learn about the industrial development outside. How could they have the authority to negotiate with the Gauls on behalf of the country?

Zhang Renkang waved his hand and said softly

"Director Zhang, calm down."

“This matter is not that serious”

Zhang Tingan frowned, looked unhappy, stood up and said in a low voice

"Comrade Renkang, you haven't realized the seriousness of this matter yet."

"This is a negotiation with Gaul, we might get into big trouble if we're not careful."

Zhang Renkang held Zhang Ting'an with both hands and made him sit on the sofa, and said with a smile

"Director Zhang, you are too impatient."

“We will definitely report it.”

"But shouldn't you first sort out your thoughts and think about what the Gauls' sudden attack is all about?"

"We can't just send a message to the country saying that the Gauls are trying to establish a trade route with us, and then what? Let the leader guess on his own?"

"We have thought about it and it will be appropriate to organize the language and report it to China together."

Zhang Tingan finally understood what Zhang Renkang said and said with a sigh of relief:

“Yes, yes.”

“I’m too anxious.”

"Yes, does this Sophia thing represent the Gallic government?"

"She said she wanted to cooperate and establish trade relations. Is this true?"

Zhang Renkang pondered for a moment, took out a cigarette, lit it for him and Zhang Ting'an, and then said thoughtfully:

“I can’t quite see it”

"This Gallic woman is very thoughtful, but she doesn't seem like an official representative. I think she is from the Citroen Group. She just received some instructions before leaving, and she came here to test us with a purpose."

"If she is really the official representative of Gaul, she must be under surveillance by John and the United States."

"As for the so-called trade relationship, it's not that simple"

"Westerners have been blockading us for so long, why would they suddenly want to cooperate with us? Especially even if they cooperate, it should be led by the American people. What does the Gauls mean by this?"

Zhang Tingan also calmed down, took a puff and thought:

"Unless something causes conflict between the Gauls and the Belles."

"The Gauls intend to take the lead themselves"

Zhang Renkang nodded and smiled.

"According to the information the office just provided us, Gaul is not stable right now."

"Protests and marches in Gaul have paralyzed social operations. I don't know how long that freedom fighter can hold out."

"From this perspective, will they want to take their own independent diplomatic route? After all, the arrogance of the Gauls is known to the world. It would be a shame for them to follow the American people as their younger brothers."

“I’m afraid this was not the original intention of the freedom fighter.”

Zhang Ting'an nodded. They were all senior officials in the country and had some basic political sensitivity. Especially Zhang Ting'an, a ministerial-level official, he was very familiar with the political struggles at the top of a country.

Zhang Tingan said

"In other words, Sofia is conducting unofficial probing on behalf of some force in their country."

"As long as we respond positively, they will naturally take further action."

"This explains why the Gauls couldn't wait to come to our door on the first day we arrived. The situation in their country had deteriorated terribly and they urgently needed to divert the conflict."

"If they can establish a trade relationship with us, even in name only, it will give them some time to relax and make arrangements."

"Especially, it meets the demands of Gaul for independence and autonomy without fear of interference from the American people."

"But will our country agree to cooperate with the Gauls?"

Zhang Renkang laughed

"Lao Zhang, why are you confused again?"

"Whether you agree or not is up to your superiors."

“We just report the truth.”

"Well, let Wang Fang arrange for you to go to the office and report to the country immediately. Report our speculation back and wait for the next instruction."

"Other arrangements remain unchanged. I will go to Lou's house tonight and will be back before 12 o'clock."

Zhang Tingan nodded and said worriedly

"so late?"

"How about going to Lou's house tomorrow?"

Zhang Renkang shook his head and said

"We will use various channels to understand the situation as soon as possible, as time is limited."

"I still need to follow Lou Huaijin to inspect some factories to speed up the progress."

Zhang Ting'an nodded, and regardless of the fatigue from the days of sea travel, he stood up and called Wang Fang to go to the office.

Zhang Renkang also gave instructions to the people who stayed behind, then called a taxi to the Lou family villa.