Siheyuan, Me and the Yu Sisters

Zhang Renkang just returned to the hotel at night

Zhang Tingan was already waiting for him in the room. Seeing that he was drunk, he asked with concern:

"Renkang, are you okay?"

Zhang Renkang nodded. He had poured the wine on himself. He and Lou Huaijin had only had a few drinks. His mental state was fine.

After washing their faces in the bathroom, they sat down in the reception room.

Zhang Tingan said

"Our superiors have instructed us to confirm the true intentions of the Gauls and to request assistance from the Hong Kong Island Office if necessary."

"If we can judge that they have a tendency to establish bilateral trade cooperation, we will agree to reach a preliminary consensus with them on behalf of the country."

Zhang Renkang nodded. The two sides had established diplomatic relations in 64, but the domestic situation in recent years has made it impossible for the Gauls to grasp the true intentions of the upper echelons.

After all, the two sides are naturally opposed politically.

That's why Sofia contacted them unofficially to test them.

Zhang Renkang said softly

"In this case, we may have further negotiations with Sofia."

"I also learned about the current international situation from the Lou family"

"The Gauls are probably in urgent need of relieving domestic pressure, so we shouldn't have too high expectations about the extent of cooperation that the two sides can achieve."

"My opinion is to conduct preliminary cooperation in the areas of study abroad and agricultural trade between the two sides."

"Testing the West's sincerity"

Zhang Tingan asked puzzledly

"Comrade Renkang, it doesn't make much sense for us to have light industrial products."

"The domestic shortage is still in important fields such as mechanical processing and chemical industry."

Zhang Renkang smiled, shook his head and said

"Director Zhang, it's true that we are in urgent need, but that doesn't mean they will give it to us."

"This is just a preliminary test. If the West doesn't even intend to ask for cooperation in light industry and agricultural trade, do you think they will give us the equipment for the mechanical industry to manufacture tanks and artillery?"

"The Gauls now need our help to relieve domestic pressure, and we also need to open a gap in the West"

"I have an idea. Maybe we can use the ambition of old Euro to tear open the iron curtain that the West has drawn for us."

"Of course, the specific situation still needs to be reported back, this is a good opportunity."

Zhang Tingan nodded and asked

"Want to contact Mark and Sophia?"

Zhang Renkang shook his head and explained

"We don't have to care too much. It's them who need us, not us who need them."

"You see, Sophia will definitely come to your house tomorrow"

Zhang Tingan laughed

"You, Renkang, I admire you more and more"

"You are a real all-rounder"

"Capable of industry and good at foreign affairs negotiations"

"I wonder what else you don't know."

Zhang Renkang laughed and shook his head

"I just took advantage of the fact that Sofia and the others had limited time and couldn't delay for too long."

"I can't say I'm good at it. Our colleagues in the foreign affairs department have a really hard time."

"We must not only break the enemy's blockade against us, but also mobilize other forces to fight"

"I am ashamed of myself"

Zhang Tingan smiled and asked

"What's the situation with the Lou family? The comrades in the office said that the eldest son of the Lou family has returned from the United States recently."

"And the Lou family also shirked responsibility for some tasks."

Zhang Renkang lit a cigarette, sighed and explained

"I still have some grudges about what happened in Sijiu City."

"When Lou Huaijin voluntarily handed over his assets, the higher-ups promised to forgive him for his past mistakes."

"You know the specific situation better than me."

"Lou Huaijin means that the Lou family's assets will be divided into three parts in the future, and Lou Xiaoe will be responsible for cooperating with us in the future."

"I don't think he has completely determined what he thinks."

Zhang Ting'an did not speak. His superiors had already made their own decisions on the previous matters. It was not yet his turn to speak to Zhang Renkang.

Just worriedly asked

“Will our layout in Hong Kong change?”

Zhang Renkang sneered and said disdainfully

“When have we ever relied on others?”

"If Lou Huaijin from the Lou family can't figure it out, then we can turn around and cooperate with his daughter."

"These families have many children, and the conflicts among them are not small."

"Another question, how did the Lou family develop? Can't other forces see it?"

“There are more than one or two companies that want to cooperate with us.”

"Lao Zhang, we cannot do without Hong Kong Island as a window transit, but conversely, Hong Kong Island also cannot do without us as a transit point."

"Otherwise, what's the point of keeping this place?"

Zhang Tingan nodded, feeling much more at ease.

Too

If the upper echelons of Hong Kong Island and John's people really dare to completely blockade them

Is there any need for this tiny place to exist?

They understand

It is not just the domestic need for this place as a window for external communication.

The Western world needs some kind of connection channel between here and China.

This is why the Lou family has been able to grow and develop smoothly in Hong Kong Island despite smuggling a large amount of materials and mechanical equipment in the past three years without attracting suppression or thorough investigation.

They had to acquiesce and dared not reach out

The next day, just after noon, Zhang Renkang welcomed a new guest.

Zhang Renkang looked at Sophia and a Gallic old man in his fifties beside him and said with a smile

"We welcome you to visit us"

"The superiors attach great importance to the cooperation between the two parties. If Mr. Barney is willing to visit China, I will immediately notify the country to make preparations."

Barney, consultant to the Gallic Chamber of Commerce (fictitious)

Representing domestic capital to contact China in Hong Kong, the most important thing is to implement the preliminary trade cooperation with China to find external markets for the country's increasingly surplus production capacity and relieve internal pressure. More importantly, it is to use this matter to consolidate the general's position and divide the current public opinion offensive against the general.

Barney took a sip of coffee and said softly

"Zhang, as you Chinese say, it's called being frank and not speaking in secret."

"We can cooperate with you informally, and even conduct trade activities"

"Regarding the possibility of cooperation between the two countries in light industry and agricultural trade that you just mentioned, I personally think it can be studied and implemented."

"But some of your private actions have nothing to do with us. I hope you can convey this and ask for your understanding."

"After all, from Euro to here, the fleets of the beautiful people are everywhere."

“We can’t afford safety”

Zhang Renkang chuckled and shook his head.

"Mr. Barney, regarding the cooperation between the two sides in light industry and agricultural trade"

"If you cannot give us a formal notice and conduct open and fair trade with us, then our negotiations will be meaningless."

"Isn't it?"

"I think you are facing market pressure at home, but for us, a market of tens of millions of people can be easily digested."

“This is a win-win situation for both you and us.”

"More importantly, under the pressure of a cold winter, we have more common topics than a distant continent."

"What do you say?"

Barney looked at Zhang Renkang who was smiling and nodded, and said inexplicably

"I think I have a deep interest in China's history and culture"

“Maybe we can communicate together.”

Zhang Renkang laughed and nodded.

"Gaul is also a great country with a profound history and its own brilliant civilization. It is an indispensable core in the study of modern and contemporary history."

“Perhaps, we can put aside some of the disputes and explore the commonalities between the two sides.”

"On behalf of the Chinese people, I welcome your visit"

Barney nodded, stood up and said

“I will confirm the itinerary as soon as possible.”

“I hope there are commonalities among civilizations.”

Until Barney and Sophia and their group left

Zhang Tingan asked with a puzzled look

"Renkang, what does this old Gaul guy mean?"

"What did he promise?"

Zhang Renkang said with a smile

"The Gauls agreed to establish a formal trade partnership with us"

"And announced in a formal document"

"Call the country immediately. The Gallic Chamber of Commerce representative Barney Vitoya is about to request a meeting."

“Let the country prepare well”

“Our mission is accomplished”

“The rest is domestic affairs.”