Chapter 183: I'm here to undergo tribulation!

The "Global Shipping Route Plan" is like a super machine running at full power, advancing at an astonishing pace.
On land, railways and highways, like giant steel dragons, are being precisely laid out according to the blueprint.
But the obstacle, ultimately, lies at sea.
"Congratulations, Chairman Su. Wow, calling you 'Chairman Su' changes your whole aura."
"President Du, please don't tease me. I myself didn't expect this chairman's position to fall into my lap so suddenly." Su Hao smiled helplessly.
After the group's business stabilized, Huang Fengwen acted swiftly, convening a board meeting and directly placing Su Hao on the chairman's seat at Fanghuan Investment.
This exceptional appointment, a veritable "rocket promotion," was unanimously approved by the board, with not a single abstention.
No one in the entire group raised any objections.
Today, Du Yuanhang, whom Su Hao had just promoted, was clearly not there specifically to flatter him.
"You're here about the port, right?" Su Hao asked bluntly.
"Yes." Du Yuanhang's expression turned serious.
"As you instructed, we immediately rejected the Ministry of Commerce's initial cooperation proposal. And guess what?
They sent someone directly—that guy from last time… the one who was so arrogant and cocky, practically holding his nose to the sky."
"That kid's probably feeling pretty frustrated right now. He was so high and mighty before, and now he has to slink back and beg for mercy."
Du Yuanhang chuckled. "Looks like you were quite annoyed by that bastard last time, Chairman Su?"
Lin Weiming's arrogance and rudeness had indeed displeased Su Hao.
But his refusal wasn't out of revenge.
It was purely because, at that moment, a mysterious intuition told him: Don't agree.
It was that simple.
"I'm meeting him tomorrow. Can I manage alone?" Du Yuanhang asked gravely.
"Of course. Mr. Du, you're the CEO of Fanghuan Shipping, and an expert in the shipping industry. You're the most suitable person to go."
"Sigh, in the past, I truly believed that," Du Yuanhang chuckled bitterly.
"But seeing you makes me question my existence—how could my meager skills possibly qualify me as an 'expert'?"
Fanghuan has invested a total of 30 billion yuan in acquiring those ports!
This means that if negotiations with the Ministry of Commerce break down, that 30 billion yuan will be firmly stuck in their hands.
No wonder Du Yuanhang is as nervous as if he's about to take an exam.
"So, Chairman Su, what price do you suggest we offer?" Du Yuanhang asked tentatively.
"Mr. Du, what do you think?"
"Well..." Du Yuanhang considered for a moment,
"At the very least, a 50% premium? What if we really went all out and asked for 70%?
But honestly, they probably wouldn't accept that price.
Also, I was thinking, could we not sell all the shares and keep some?"
Retaining a portion of the equity, becoming a minority shareholder. This idea was brilliant.
Once the "Global Shipping Route Plan" is completed, these ports will be a continuous source of cash.
"Mr. Du, you certainly have a big appetite," Su Hao laughed.
"Right? I also think it's a bit greedy. So what do you suggest? What's a suitable price? 50%?"
Su Hao asked Du Yuanhang this question because this time, his supposedly magical "intuition" was completely silent, without a single signal.
He had hoped that hearing the expert's practical advice might spark some inspiration.
However—
'Strange, why am I still not getting it?'
Could it be that the price was too high?
"Chairman Su? Why aren't you saying anything? You wouldn't...want to raise it further, would you?"
Du Yuanhang felt uneasy at his silence.
Now!
As soon as Du Yuanhang finished speaking, a barely perceptible ripple finally appeared on the still lake of Su Hao's heart!
A thought flashed through his mind like lightning.
This means...he wants to raise it again?!
“Mr. Du,” Su Hao’s eyes lit up, “If we really went crazy this once, and went all out, how much do you think we could ask for?”
“Then… let’s double it!”
Double! The moment those two words appeared, the ripples spread instantly, and an even stronger surge of excitement coursed through his body.
But Su Hao could sense that this wasn’t the peak!
“What if… we went even further?”
“Add, add more? Then… 250%? Two and a half times?”
“…”
“Holy crap! It can’t be 300%, can it?! Three times?!”
That’s it!
When the number “three times” rang in his ears, Su Hao’s eyelids involuntarily twitched violently!
But… it was still a little short, just that final push.
Three times… something was still missing.
"Three times the price, and then what? Anything else?"
"You...you mean not only three times, but you also want to retain some equity?! I was just joking, boss!"
Du Yuanhang nearly jumped off the sofa.
Su Hao slowly nodded.
It's done.
The final piece of the puzzle fit perfectly into the blueprint in his mind.
In that instant, the entire plan became more perfect and clear than ever before.
Du Yuanhang stared at Su Hao in disbelief. He opened his mouth, and after a long pause, managed to utter:
"Good heavens, really...good heavens!"
***
When he arrived at the negotiation location, Du Yuanhang had an expression of utter despair.
This wasn't a negotiation; it was a trial by fire!
It felt like Su Hao was conducting a "test of faith" on him: it's time to test your loyalty!
Now that things had come to this, the die was cast, and he had no choice but to grit his teeth and charge forward.
"Director Lin, we meet again."
"Yes, it's a pleasure to see President Du again."
Not much better off than Du Yuanhang, Lin Weiming, who had been all high and mighty the last time they met, now looked like a wronged wife, his expression a complex mix of emotions.
Well, after making those harsh remarks, he'd come running back, begging for mercy—anyone would feel incredibly awkward.
"I think Director Lin isn't in the mood for tea and reminiscing. Shall we get straight to the point?"
"Alright. Please state your conditions."
Should he really say it?
Du Yuanhang felt like his lips weren't even his own anymore. Finally, he steeled himself, closed his eyes, and went for it.
“What we want is three times our acquisition price. Furthermore, you'll retain operational control, but we'll retain a portion of the equity.”
“…!?”
Lin Weiming was struck dumb, frozen in place, the delicate teacup in his hand trembling as if he were having a Parkinson's attack.
Damn it! He's finished.
Du Yuanhang's mind was already rehearsing the entire sequence of events: the other party slamming his fist on the table, launching into a tirade of insults and threats.
However, the anticipated storm didn't materialize.
Lin Weiming took a deep breath, his expression shifting between light and shadow, and slowly placed the trembling teacup back on the table.
Then, he uttered a word that instantly shut Du Yuanhang down: “Fine.”
“…?”