Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 495 - 310: I Will Take Action

Qi Yun listened quietly until Salaman finished his lament, and then put on a sympathetic expression, "I can understand the predicament your country is in. That feeling of having to obey others in everything is indeed very unpleasant."

Salaman fiddled with a cigar on the table, cut one, and handed it over, "Buddy, thank you for your understanding, so please, you have to help me this time."

"Thank you, I don’t smoke this," Qi Yun politely waved his hand in refusal, then pondered, "I always remember your help last time, Mr. Salaman. If I can be of assistance, I will do my utmost."

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Salaman sat up straight, looking expectantly at Qi Yun, "I want you to help settle things with the top executives of Beidou Company. My people have had interactions with them recently, and their willingness to cooperate isn’t strong."

"Moreover, you should also know that selling such sensitive technology cannot bypass the Huaxia government; in the end, your higher-ups must agree as well."

Salaman spoke quite directly this time, without holding back anything.

Hearing this, Qi Yun couldn’t help but show a wry smile. Salaman really thought highly of him, expecting him to manage both Beidou’s executives and get approval from above. It would require immense influence to achieve that.

In Bird City, Qi Yun did have some influence, but handling strategic national resources like this was far beyond his reach...

"Mr. Salaman, to be honest, you may have overestimated my abilities..." Qi Yun rubbed his hands, his tone filled with sincere helplessness, "What you’re asking would require decisions at the ministerial level or higher, and as a local businessman, I might not even qualify to pass along a message."

"No, no, please don’t put it that way." Salaman’s eyes did not show any disappointment. He waved his hand and continued, "Even though you’re not a government person, you definitely have the ability to help me with this."

"I’ve heard some news about recent occurrences around you in the Oil Country; you have connections with quite a few high-ranking individuals who can influence the ’Eye of God’ project."

"Moreover, you have a personal friendship with Li Yaohua’s boss. With his influence in Huaxia, facilitating this matter shouldn’t be difficult."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun was momentarily stunned, understanding why Salaman traveled to Bird City to meet him; the calculations were already made.

According to Salaman, if Fu Wentao stepped in, there indeed might be a chance to make it happen. But the problem was, Fu Wentao was currently in the United States, negotiating about photolithography machines with Blackstone Group...

While it is true that Qi Yun knows some high-ranking individuals, there is a great misunderstanding outside about his relationships with these bigwigs.

They simply had a bit of appreciation or admiration for Qi Yun, without any interests involved.

If Qi Yun himself were to suffer injustice or face life-and-death crises, these bigwigs might lend a hand.

But for matters like Salaman proposed, they would definitely not save face for him; they might even think he was getting overconfident and grow to dislike him.

After pondering for a while, Qi Yun carefully asked, "Why doesn’t Mr. Salaman directly negotiate with the Huaxia higher-ups about this matter?"

Salaman sighed, his voice carrying traces of helplessness, "It’s not that I don’t want to negotiate directly, but the timing isn’t right." He rubbed his temples and continued to explain, "The United States is constantly monitoring every move of the Oil Country; they will not allow us to develop the Eye of God project."

"If I engage in formal discussions with the Huaxia higher-ups, the CIA would likely find out in less than a day. They would exert pressure on the Huaxia government and stir trouble within the Oil Country, accusing me of betraying allies, and those pro-American factions in the cabinet would surely seize the opportunity to oppose."

"More importantly, your Huaxia is currently in a tense trade relationship with the United States. You certainly don’t want to complicate matters with such issues. So even if I request cooperation, your higher-ups would likely not agree."

Qi Yun nodded silently, agreeing with what the other party said.

Salaman took a sip from his water cup and continued, "The Eye of God is our country’s key project to free itself from the grip of the United States. If it gets completely exposed before it even starts, the United States will absolutely use regional security threats as an excuse to join forces with European countries to sanction us."

"But it’s different with you; you aren’t an official. You have a private friendship with Mr. Fu Wentao, and with you making the connections, it can avoid the United States’ watchful eyes and bring matters to fruition privately."

"Once your higher-ups agree, we can then sign a formal agreement with Beidou Company under the pretext of photovoltaic projects requiring navigation support, thereby keeping it under wraps and avoiding unnecessary trouble for both sides."

Salaman explained his plan in one go, then looked at Qi Yun with eyes full of plea, waiting for his response.

After contemplating for a moment, Qi Yun finally nodded, "Alright, I will do my best to help facilitate this matter for you."

"But if the final result isn’t ideal, I hope Mr. Salaman won’t blame me."

At these words, Salaman’s tense face instantly relaxed quite a bit.

He reached out and patted Qi Yun’s arm, his words incredibly sincere, "Buddy, I’m already immensely grateful that you’re willing to help. Regardless of whether things ultimately work out, I won’t forget the help you’ve given me!"

"You’ll be my most trusted friend from now on!"

Qi Yun smiled and nodded, "It’s my honor to be a friend of Mr. Salaman."

Though he said so, he was well aware in his heart that the disparity in status and identity between him and Salaman was too vast. To become friends, it was premised on the ability to bring value to each other.

So they could never become friends like he was with Old Feng or Liu Meng.

...

Not even two minutes after Qi Yun left the guest house, Old He’s secretary hurriedly found him to report.

"Leader, we found out who met with Prime Minister Salaman."

"Who is it?"

"Qi... Qi Yun." The secretary said, cautiously stealing a glance at Old He, aware of certain matters from his previous time in the secretariat.

Sure enough, upon hearing Qi Yun’s name, Old He’s eyebrows furrowed instantly.

"How does he know Salaman?" Previously at the banquet, Salaman personally told him he was going to meet a friend.

Old He really couldn’t fathom how someone like Qi Yun could become friends with the future key figure of the Oil Country.

"That... I’m not really sure either."

Old He pondered for a few seconds, then instructed, "Call Li Tongwei and have him investigate."

"Alright, I’ll notify him right away." The secretary responded and then left quickly.

On the other side, Qi Yun lit a cigarette while sitting in the car, silently contemplating how to handle this matter.

After a few minutes of thinking, he took out his phone and dialed De Gaulle’s number.