Chapter 378: The Miser Has Been Plucking Feathers

"Chairman Su, big news! Have you heard?"
Li Huilin hadn't even properly knocked before half her body was already inside, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement.
"Indonesia actually settled all the payments they owed us, not a single penny short!"
Su Hao raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Those tightwads finally decided to pay up?"
"Absolutely! We're all shocked. The higher-ups were prepared to take them to international court."
Li Huilin looked incredulous.
"You wouldn't believe it. Those Indonesian officials practically swore they wouldn't get a single penny, even if it went all the way to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
And what happened? Hey, overnight, they were like completely different people, transferring the money in a flash!"
Although Su Hao later learned a lot about the friction between the two countries...
But Fang Huan's charitable foundation has always maintained a clear separation between public and private interests, never shortchanging those in need.
Li Huilin offered her own speculation:
"Could it be that our sincerity moved them?
After all, the Fang Huan Foundation has poured three hundred million US dollars into it, not to mention sending our own people to work on the front lines!
Who wouldn't be moved by that?"
"I don't think so," Liang Haiyuan said slowly, his tone carrying a world-weary air.
"If those deadbeats were truly grateful, they would have paid long ago. Why wait until today? I don't think it's that simple."
He didn't believe in the nonsense of "a prodigal son returning home is more precious than gold." Between nations, there are only interests, not sentimentality.
Su Hao sat quietly to the side, listening.
"This matter is most likely related to the vaccine," Liang Haiyuan continued his analysis.
“Isn’t the mutated virus causing quite a stir in Indonesia lately?
The official confirmed cases are in the hundreds of thousands, but the actual numbers are unknown, and they’re probably in a complete panic.
They’re like ants on a hot plate, frantically trying to keep up.”
“We have the vaccines, so they’re watching our every move?” Su Hao said calmly.
“I guess so,” Liang Haiyuan nodded.
“Tourism is Indonesia’s lifeblood.
With the pandemic, tourist numbers plummeted, and they were more eager than anyone to distribute vaccines to revive the tourism industry.
But then, right after the first wave of vaccines was administered, the mutated virus completely stunned them.”
This is like having just fully charged up a powerful attack, ready to wipe out the enemy, only to have the internet cable pulled – how frustrating is that?
So, even if Indonesia opens its borders to the heavens, it won’t make a difference.
Why?
Because other countries could designate Indonesia as a high-risk area in a heartbeat, and with a travel ban in place, who would dare go?
That wouldn't be tourism, that would be suicide!
"Now the initiative is in our hands.
If we can manipulate the vaccine—for example, slow down the delivery or simply limit its supply—those guys will be in a panic.
Every day the vaccine arrives late, the faster the mutated virus spreads."
"By then, forget about restoring tourism; they'll be lucky if they don't get blacklisted by the whole world."
So, Indonesia's actions weren't a sudden change of heart; they were simply a compromise after weighing the pros and cons.
Of course, Li Huilin wasn't entirely wrong.
"However, the Fang Huan Foundation's charitable act certainly acted as a catalyst," Liang Haiyuan changed the subject,
"This world is inherently cold-hearted. We've contributed money and effort, helping them without expecting anything in return. Anyone in the Indonesian leadership with a sound mind and a conscience wouldn't be completely unmoved."
Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance.
Contributing to easing tensions between the two countries through means other than business is a good deed.
"Oh, by the way, this donation wasn't directly deposited into their government account, was it?" Su Hao suddenly asked.
"Of course not!" Li Huilin quickly reported.
“If the money goes into those officials' accounts, who knows how much will actually reach the intended recipients?
Our foundation is keeping a close eye on things; every penny has to be traceable to ensure it's spent wisely.”
The foundation's oversight mechanism is virtually flawless.
“The people we sent are all highly skilled and capable; they would never do anything underhanded. Their reports are also crystal clear.
Chairman Su, this is the detailed report on the use and expenditure of this donation.”
Su Hao took the document and casually flipped through it.
It has to be said, the foundation's people did a truly excellent job. The accounts were clear, and every penny was precisely allocated to where it was most needed, like a surgical procedure.
“Well done, you're all people who get things done.”
“That's right, our people might not be good at other things, but when it comes to charity, their enthusiasm is off the charts!”
Su Hao's gaze swept across the documents line by line.
[Flood-Stricken Area Housing Reconstruction Project...]
[Earthquake Disaster Recovery Fund...]
[Major Illness Medical Assistance Fund...]
[Nickel Mine Underground Working Area Collapse Accident...]...
Su Hao's gaze seemed to be pulled by an invisible hook, fixed firmly on the last line.
It felt like a 1000-watt light bulb suddenly illuminating the dark mine, blinding him, impossible to ignore.
"There's been an accident at the nickel mines in Indonesia recently?"
"Yes, accidents happen in mining areas, it's not uncommon.
The recent floods inundated many mines, and there were also mine tunnel collapses.
Our aid funds are used to help miners' families who were injured in the accidents and can't afford treatment, or whose livelihoods have been lost."
Indonesia, the world's largest nickel producer, this place is practically sitting on a gold mine.
Especially with the rise of new energy vehicles, the demand for nickel in batteries has skyrocketed.
Nickel has countless uses.
With some processing, it becomes a core material for electric vehicle batteries;
Further processing allows it to be used to create stainless steel;
Even in the military industry, it is an indispensable strategic material.
“…”
Su Hao didn't speak, but his intuition, like a high-powered radar, was firmly locked onto the word "nickel."
An extremely strong premonition was flashing wildly in his mind, emitting a blinding light, desperately drawing his attention.
“Can we…get nickel ore from Indonesia?” Su Hao suddenly asked.
“Chairman Su, I’m afraid that’s impossible.” Li Huilin looked troubled.
“Since last year, Indonesia has changed its national policy.
Before, they sold whatever amount of raw ore they mined, but now they’ve completely banned the export of any nickel ore.”