I Can Control Resources

"I’d like to discuss the terms of the betting agreement first, if that’s alright?" Gao Neng looked at Fang Yuan and the three directors. He didn’t even need to probe to know that these four were the slyest of old foxes.

The recent turn of events made that much clear.

’Was Fang Yuan impulsive?’

’Certainly not.’

Yet today, Fang Yuan had seemed somewhat impulsive, proposing terms right from the start and appearing eager to close a deal with Gao Neng on the evolutionary energy project.

’Was that normal? Obviously not.’

Then, after Gao Neng rejected the partnership for the evolutionary energy project, the two venture capital negotiators started tripping over themselves to present their analysis, also seeming desperate for a quick result.

’For negotiation experts specially hired by the Celestial King Group...’

’...that kind of performance was far too amateurish.’

Those two abnormal displays, combined with Fang Yuan’s expression when he heard Gao Neng mention the word "Speaker," were enough for Gao Neng to understand what Fang Yuan was thinking.

’From Fang Yuan’s perspective, he’s actually very willing to cooperate with me, and he absolutely doesn’t want to get on my bad side. However, he can’t possibly get involved in the election for Speaker...’

’So, what could he do?’

Fang Yuan had answered that question with his actions.

’I’ll take the initiative right away to show my sincerity. I’ll open with a 500 billion investment and act impulsively to feign weakness before Gao Neng.’

’Then, I’ll concede another point by using two moronic negotiators, making sure to give Gao Neng plenty of respect.’

’That way, when Gao Neng brings up the election for Speaker again, I can refuse him outright. After all, I’ve already shown him plenty of respect. If he’s the one who doesn’t appreciate the gesture, then he can’t blame me.’

Gao Neng was keenly aware of this.

He also knew that Fang Yuan had no intention of getting involved in the Speaker election; he was solely focused on partnering for the evolutionary energy project. That was why Gao Neng had to propose the "betting agreement."

He was taking a page out of Fang Yuan’s book.

Fang Yuan had taken two steps back as a tactic, allowing him to seize the advantage at a critical point in the negotiation.

And so, Gao Neng was also taking a step back as a show of respect at this critical juncture. By immediately proposing a bet, he had piqued the three directors’ curiosity and earned himself an opportunity to keep talking.

Normally, Gao Neng’s next move would be to elaborate on his vision and his confidence in the project to persuade Fang Yuan and the three directors. In reality, though, if he did that, he would lose.

Because he had only taken one step back; he was still at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.

It was like a job interview. No matter how talented the candidate, it’s nearly impossible to overpower four interviewers.

Therefore, to seize the initiative, he had to be like Fang Yuan and force a two-step retreat.

And just as he’d expected...

Gao Neng’s move once again took the three directors by surprise.

"Mr. Gao wants to discuss the terms of the betting agreement first? Well then... please." After glancing at Fang Yuan, one of the directors finally replied.

"Yes. My terms are as follows: if I lose the bet, I will sign the evolutionary energy project partnership with the Celestial King Group. The Group will invest five hundred billion and own ninety percent of the project’s shares. If I fail to grow the project’s capital from five hundred billion to one trillion within a year, then not only will my remaining ten percent equity be transferred to the Celestial King Group, but I will also personally repay the Group’s five-hundred-billion investment in full!" Gao Neng’s retreat was clean and decisive, laying out the most unfavorable conditions for himself. It was tantamount to backing himself into a fatal corner.

"Gao Neng, are you insane?!" Fang Tangtang really shouldn’t have spoken while the two parties were negotiating, as she was the future successor to the Celestial King Group. But after hearing that, she couldn’t hold her tongue any longer.

In fact, it wasn’t just Fang Tangtang. The three directors and Fang Yuan were also staring at Gao Neng with expressions of utter disbelief, as if looking at some kind of monster.

If there was a single person in the room who didn’t question him out loud, it was Shen Ning’Er.

Even so, upon hearing Gao Neng’s words, her hand, which was holding a wine glass, trembled slightly before steadying again.

"Gao Neng, aren’t you afraid we’ll just make sure you lose on purpose?" one of the directors asked.

"According to the betting agreement, as long as you fail to be elected Speaker, the Celestial King Group will hold an absolute advantage in this project. Gao Neng, aren’t these terms a little... rash?"

"It’s good for a man like Mr. Gao to be proud of his talents, but it’s best for a young man not to be too reckless. We’re only offering this reminder out of our respect for Chairman Fang."

The other two directors chimed in with similar advice.

"You’re right to caution me," Gao Neng said with a smiling nod. "According to the agreement, if I lose, the Celestial King Group will hold an absolute advantage in the evolutionary energy project. Therefore, the Group can choose to offer me absolutely no support in the Speaker election."

"And you’re still willing to make this bet, knowing all that?" The three directors’ gazes sharpened.

"Of course. I’m the one who proposed it, so naturally I’m willing. If you three don’t believe me, I can sign the agreement right now." Gao Neng stood up as he spoke, clearing away the bowl and chopsticks in front of him.

The three directors were stunned.

Fang Yuan and Fang Tangtang were equally stunned.

To insist on signing the betting agreement first—and one that was akin to knowingly walking straight into a tiger’s den—was a move that none of them, not even these seasoned old foxes, had ever witnessed before.

"Grandpa Fang, you don’t need to go easy on me. If you can’t even seize an opportunity like this, then I’ll have to look down on you for getting senile," Gao Neng continued.

"Chairman, Mr. Gao is showing immense sincerity!"

"That’s right! For the future of the Celestial King Group, I think we should sign this agreement!"

"Yes, we get to cooperate with a clever man like Mr. Gao. Chairman, don’t hesitate. Just sign it!"

The three directors immediately turned to Fang Yuan.

Just as Gao Neng had said, you’d have to be a fool not to sign such a favorable betting agreement.

"Gao Neng, are you certain?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Absolutely certain," Gao Neng affirmed.

"Gao Neng, don’t sign it! My grandfather will definitely not support your bid for Speaker. Signing this... it’s like jumping straight into a pit of fire!" Fang Tangtang said, growing anxious.

"Heh, daughters always end up siding with outsiders..." The three directors exchanged a knowing smile.

"Ning’Er, the agreement you prepared for me?" Without waiting for Fang Yuan to speak, Gao Neng looked directly at Shen Ning’Er.

"Three copies. I’ve already printed the template. I left the sections for the specific terms blank, so you can fill them in directly." Shen Ning’Er produced the prepared documents.

Seeing this, Fang Yuan finally fell silent once more.

Clearly, Gao Neng wasn’t joking.

He had given Gao Neng plenty of opportunities to back down gracefully, but Gao Neng refused to take any of them, insisting on signing this unfair agreement.

’Where did I go wrong?’

Fang Yuan wracked his brain but still couldn’t figure it out.

"Chairman!" the three directors urged, looking at Fang Yuan again.

"Sign it!" Fang Yuan finally said, gritting his teeth. He took a solid gold fountain pen from his breast pocket, carefully read over the agreement one last time, and signed his name.

The entire process was completed smoothly in under five minutes.

Of course, for now, it was only a bilateral agreement. It would still require third-party notarization, but that was just a formality.

The agreement was signed.

The three directors smiled.

This was a massive windfall, an unexpectedly massive one at that. The Celestial King Group’s power was certain to rise to a new level in the future.

"Well then, Mr. Gao, a pleasure doing business with you!" one of the directors said, extending his hand.

"A pleasure," Gao Neng replied with a nod.

"So, let’s discuss the arrangements for the evolutionary energy project. In addition to capital, the Celestial King Group can also collect attribute materials for the project. Of course, the value of these materials would be calculated at twenty percent below market price. What do you think, Mr. Gao?"

"You three seem quite certain that I’m going to lose, don’t you?" Gao Neng said with a small smile.

"And aren’t we right? We’re all businessmen, so let’s not beat around the bush. We have no intention of helping you in your bid for Speaker, Mr. Gao," one of the directors stated firmly.

"In that case, I’ll be frank as well. The only condition in this betting agreement that favors me is this: if I become the Speaker, I can refuse to partner with the Celestial King Group on the evolutionary energy project." Gao Neng picked up a clean glass from nearby and poured some wine into it.

But he didn’t drink it.

"Hm?!" The three directors’ expressions shifted. They exchanged glances. They had, of course, read that clause, but it hadn’t seemed significant enough to warrant their attention. After all, it just meant that if the deal fell through, everyone would go their separate ways. It was no big deal.

"In a few days, the most elite Alchemists from the Alliance’s major sects and powerful families will gather in the Underground City. At that time, I will produce five hundred attribute raw materials all at once," Gao Neng continued.

"What are you implying, Mr. Gao?" The three directors were no fools. While they couldn’t discern Gao Neng’s exact plan, they could read between the lines.

"My meaning is simple. If the Celestial King Group doesn’t want to be involved in my bid for Speaker, then I’m perfectly free to choose a partner from among the powerful sects and families!" Gao Neng’s lips curved into a smile that said, ’You know it, I know it, we all know it.’

The three directors were utterly floored.

If they still didn’t understand the implication of Gao Neng’s words by now, they truly would be idiots.

The Celestial King Group might have been the Alliance’s number one military-industrial complex, but when it came to political clout, some of the major sects and powerful families inherently had the upper hand.

In other words...

If Gao Neng truly wanted to run for Speaker, his chances of success would actually be greater if he secured the backing of those sects and powerful families rather than the Celestial King Group.

"Gao Neng, are you saying you intend to find support from other sects and families? If that’s the case, why waste your time and energy negotiating with the Celestial King Group?" Fang Yuan finally broke his silence.

"Because I’m giving you a chance." Gao Neng picked up his chopsticks, selected a piece of meat, and tossed it into his mouth, chewing slowly... and deliberately.

’Two major steps back!’

’And now was the time to strike back!’