Chapter 184: The Grand Strategy of the Nation!

Wait a minute.
What the heck?
They...agree?
At this moment, it was Du Yuanhang who was completely dumbfounded.
He desperately tried to control the expression on his face, which was about to collapse, maintaining a stoic, unfathomable poker face.
"Did you bring the contract?"
"Ah, yes, I brought it. This is our letter of intent."
"Hmm, very good. I can't sign here; the final approval requires our department head to come in person. We'll contact you again once the approval is granted."
From meeting to closing the deal, the entire process took less than five minutes.
Du Yuanhang shook hands with him, feeling dazed, as if it were all a dream.
"However, Mr. Du, may I ask you a question privately?" Lin Weiming suddenly said before leaving.
"Please speak."
"Is there a crucial, undisclosed collaborative relationship behind Fang Huan Group? Is it orchestrating this transaction?"
At that moment, the taut string in Du Yuanhang's mind suddenly clicked, and all the fragmented clues instantly connected into a complete logical chain!
He understood!
He finally knew why Lin Weiming had been so agreeable!
So, Huang Fengwen's previous speculation was true!
Chairman Su's background was unfathomable; there was a powerful figure behind him!
Only this could explain why Fang Huan always seemed to have foresight!
And only this could explain why Su Hao dared to propose such absurd, almost extortionate conditions!
This wasn't a business negotiation; this was clearly that "powerful figure" issuing orders to them through Fang Huan, the front man!
"This… I don't know either." Du Yuanhang shook his head.
"You don't know? Aren't you in charge?"
"Actually, I'm not. Just like Director Lin, you came under orders, so too am I."
"..."
"All I can say is," Du Yuanhang's tone was suggestive, "Do you think this kind of transaction makes sense in terms of business logic?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Weiming's face showed an "I knew it" expression. He took a deep breath, extended his hand, and shook hands firmly with Du Yuanhang.
"It seems that you and I are ultimately just pawns in a grand game."
"Yes," Du Yuanhang echoed with deep emotion,
"Caught in the game, we have no choice but to act. Isn't this our fate?"
Lin Weiming smiled bitterly, turned, and left.
***
"Lin Weiming! Are you insane?! This is the contract you signed?!
A three-fold premium? And you still won't give up all the shares? Are you trying to sell out the country?!"
At the Ministry of Commerce, Lin Weiming had barely returned when the minister pointed his finger at him and berated him.
"Minister, compared to a year ago, this price is already cheap. Back then, the price was truly outrageous."
"That's why we waited a year! We waited for the bubble to burst!
But now you've brought me back this piece of junk… If I didn't trust you, outsiders would definitely suspect you'd taken some bribes!"
"Minister, absolutely not!"
"Then why did you sign this garbage contract?! Do you think I'd approve it?!"
The minister angrily slammed the document on the ground.
But Lin Weiming felt no unease. Seeing the minister's reaction, he was completely relieved.
"It seems even you, Minister, are unaware of the inside story. Indeed… if even you don't know, then the powerful figures involved must be incredibly high-ranking…"
"What?"
"Minister, don't you find it strange? Just before the US sanctions were announced, Fanghuan Group precisely acquired overseas fleets that could circumvent the sanctions;
And this time, before the 'Global Shipping Route Plan' was announced, they preemptively secured all the most crucial maritime chokepoints.
Is all of this just a coincidence?"
The Minister's eyes darted around rapidly.
Those who climb to his position aren't fools.
"Wait… you mean, Fanghuan Group has someone behind it?"
"Yes. Didn't you say that the 'Global Shipping Route Plan' was a top secret known only to a very small core group before its announcement?
How did Fanghuan find out in advance? Not only that, but they proactively offered this outrageous price.
Why do you think they dared to make such a demand?"
"Because they were certain we had no choice but to accept." The Minister's voice began to dry.
"Exactly, Minister, think about it.
Last time, in dealing with the US sanctions, Fang Huan acted as if they had foreseen it. At the time, we thought they were an American-infiltrated company with ulterior motives.
But this time, with the 'global shipping routes,' it's clear that behind it all, a core leader within our organization is consciously supporting the Fang Huan Group!
So, regarding the US sanctions, this leader must have received classified intelligence beforehand and orchestrated the operation through Fang Huan!
That makes everything clear!"
Lin Weiming said, enunciating each word clearly.
"I suspect that there are some things that our official 'state-level' status makes it inconvenient for us to get involved, but for the Fang Huan Group, especially a group with a large overseas presence, it's much easier.
It seems it's not just support; it might be a 'white glove' for some powerful figure, a 'shadow company' carrying out certain special missions for the country!"
This conjecture struck the Minister like a thunderbolt!
He instantly understood!
Why let Fang Huan make so much money?
Because the nation needs a well-funded, powerful, and unrestricted "external force"!
This money, seemingly flowing into Fang Huan's pocket, has actually become a secret fund that the nation can readily access and flexibly allocate overseas!
This money can be used for many things that the "official" authorities cannot do, such as making more covert investments overseas, supporting certain special projects, or even countering financial attacks from Wall Street at crucial moments!
This is no simple business cooperation.
This is clearly a grand, boundless national strategy!
"…!"
The minister swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down his spine. Cold sweat instantly soaked his shirt.
What if the Ministry of Commerce, oblivious to the consequences, overturns this chessboard?
This is no longer just about offending a certain leader.
That would be a traitor to the nation!
“Fang Huan’s people also said,” Lin Weiming added, “that they themselves feel this deal doesn’t make sense.”
“Did they…reveal who’s behind it?”
“No. That person, like me, is just a messenger.”
But he knew very well that everyone in Fanghuan was acting under orders.
Cold sweat rolled down the minister's forehead.
He was incredibly grateful that he hadn't torn up the contract on the spot.
"Then...what do we do now?" Lin Weiming asked cautiously.
"What do we do?!" The minister slammed his hand on the table, his voice trembling.
"If you don't want to be seen as a traitor to the country, do as I say! I don't care whose orders this is, we'll cooperate!
Also, this matter is between you and me! Keep it a secret! Don't let a third person know!"
"Don't fucking spread this around! If we disturb that big shot's plans, we'll be in deep trouble!"
"Get this done quietly!"
"Yes, sir!"
After Lin Weiming left, the minister's legs went weak, and he slumped into his chair.
"My god...that scared me to death..." he muttered, still shaken.
He didn't want to know who that big shot was.
At that moment, he just wanted to curse: Couldn't you big shots at least give us a heads-up beforehand?!
If it weren't for Lin Weiming's quick thinking, he would have made a terrible mistake!