Chapter 200: The Imagination is Too Strong

"President Du, I think...shouldn't you go ask that person from Fang Huan Investment for a solution?"
A senior executive cautiously suggested.
"Sigh...what about you? Don't you have any ideas at all?"
"We...we've racked our brains, but we really can't see a breakthrough."
Du Yuanhang sighed deeply, not wanting to blame his subordinates, because he himself was at a loss.
He finally understood the feelings of those ministers of Shu Han back then, who cried and begged to see Zhuge Liang whenever trouble arose.
***
"I heard that Netflix project made a fortune this time?
Tsk tsk, as expected of Chairman Su, such a discerning eye! Turning lead into gold! Haha!"
At the dinner party, Du Yuanhang laughed heartily as he filled Su Hao's glass with wine.
But his smile was more like a grimace.
"President Du, are you troubled?" Su Hao asked calmly.
"..."
Du Yuanhang sighed deeply, then picked up his wine glass and took a large gulp.
"Chairman Su, I know you're busy, and I know I'm always troubling you, it's embarrassing for me...
But this time, you have to give me a hand again! I'm truly at my wit's end, I desperately need your guidance!"
He then poured out Fanghuan Shipping's current predicament, becoming so agitated that he slammed his fist on the table.
"So... that 'Pacific Rim Maritime Alliance' is threatening our business?"
"That's right! Those bastards are using all sorts of underhanded tactics, inciting environmental organizations to protest every day, and even using national security as a pretext to get the EU to investigate us, trying every possible way to fabricate charges against us!
The conglomerates in that alliance must have spent a fortune with the US government, just to destroy Fanghuan!"
This was the kind of suppression Su Hao had expected, but the intensity of the suppression exceeded his expectations.
"I've even heard rumors that they're plotting to fabricate all sorts of charges against Fanghuan Shipping and then use 'long-arm jurisdiction' to issue arrest warrants for me and Fanghuan Shipping's executives!"
Although being a citizen of Xia Country would grant him national protection, the opponent was the United States, and any dirty tricks they might pull were possible.
"What exactly do they want?"
"The port of Rotterdam! They've caused all this trouble just to force us to sell the port!
I've already refused! Absolutely not!
Rotterdam, isn't it all about opening up this vital artery from Tianjin Port to Europe?
Without Rotterdam, our Tianjin Port's European shipping route is essentially cut off! All routes will have to be rebuilt!"
Just then—
BOOM—!!
An invisible sonic boom exploded without warning deep within Su Hao's mind.
He was startled, thinking there had been an explosion nearby.
"Chairman Su? What...what happened?" Du Yuanhang looked at him blankly.
"You...didn't you hear that?"
"Huh? Heard what?"
Thank goodness, it wasn't a real explosion.
Judging from Du Yuanhang's reaction, the loud bang seemed to be just another "hallucination" heard only by him.
Su Hao picked up his glass and took a big gulp, trying to calm his chaotic mind.
What the hell was that?
"They just wanted to take over the Rotterdam docks?"
"It's practically robbery. They say they'll offer to buy it, and they'll even give us a 'fair price.'
But even if the price is high, Rotterdam is a core hub on our European shipping routes!
If we hand it over, our Tianjin Port's European shipping routes will be cut off!
All ships will have to detour, and we can't afford the cost and time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another strong sense of shock washed over him!
Su Hao instantly understood.
It was his intuition, issuing a stern warning about the "Port of Rotterdam"!
But what exactly did this warning mean?
Was it a warning that if he didn't give up the Port of Rotterdam, the entire Fanghuan Shipping would suffer a devastating blow?
Su Hao put down his wine glass and slowly spoke.
“…President Du.”
“Yes, Chairman Su, just say the word! Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it! I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation!”
“Rotterdam…if they want it, give it to them.”
“…Wh-what?”
Du Yuanhang thought he misheard, rubbed his ears, and asked again.
"You mean...give up Rotterdam Port?"
"Yes. Didn't they say they'd offer a fair price?"
"But...but the future value of that place can't be measured by that little bit of money! Besides..."
"Mr. Du, just consider it paying to avoid trouble." Su Hao interrupted him.
"As the saying goes, you avoid a pile of shit not because you're afraid of it, but because you find it dirty.
If there's really no other way, just give it to them."
"Could it be..."
Du Yuanhang looked at Su Hao, and suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. He seemed to have figured something out.
"Chairman Su...you...you're worried about me, trying to protect me?"
Before Su Hao could explain, he saw this burly man's eyes instantly redden, his hand holding the wine glass trembling as if he were having a seizure, his face full of emotion and guilt.
Su Hao looked at his theatrical performance and couldn't help but twitch his lips.
"Brother, isn't your imagination a bit too wild?"
He had no choice but to go along with it:
"How much shipping and port business did we steal from them? Consider it... compensation."
"But...but...that place, you worked so hard to get it!
It's all my fault! I'm useless...! Chairman Su! Don't worry! I'm not afraid to sacrifice myself!
Those sons of bitches! We'll fight them to the end!"
"Hey, I told you it's nothing, President Du."
"What have I, Du Yuanhang, done to deserve this! What am I to you to make such a sacrifice to protect me!"
No, brother, you've misunderstood!
Su Hao felt a headache coming on, but he could only grit his teeth and continue.
"Mr. Du, what are you saying? You're so important to our shipping company. What are these mere facilities compared to you?"
"Ah! Chairman Su—!!"
Du Yuanhang, this tough guy who had spent half his life navigating the business world, finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Two streams of tears welled up in his eyes, and he instantly became a sobbing mess!