Chapter 1909

After hearing Cai Zixiang describe the situation, Song Guanchao merely said, “Got it,” exchanged a few pleasantries, and hung up.

Cai Zixiang knew what happened but couldn’t solve the problem.

Even international giants must rely on legal proceedings, so what can a secretary like Cai Zixiang do?

To resolve this economic dispute quickly, the local government of Han Country must intervene.

Logically, the local government would pay great attention to a foreign investment from a multinational giant.

Faced with such disputes, they would intervene immediately and actively seek solutions.

But until now, the issue hasn’t been solved, and there hasn’t even been a proposed solution.

This indicates that the problem with this dispute may not be as simple as it sounds.

Cai Zixiang’s understanding is merely superficial, and he clearly doesn’t grasp the core of the issue.

Song Guanchao didn’t let him continue looking into it; this wasn’t his forte, and it wouldn’t be fair to trouble him. ℯⅇ𝙡.

He found a number and dialed it.

The owner of this call was none other than Minister Zhang of the Han Country Foreign Ministry.

Song Guanchao didn’t ask him to handle the issue, but instead outlined the matter briefly, seeking more detailed information in an inquisitive tone.

There are few fools who can serve as foreign ministers, but Minister Zhang was unsure of Song Guanchao’s true intentions this time.

Was he hoping that he would resolve the economic dispute and expedite Walmart’s investment in Gwangju?

Or was he hoping he would disrupt this investment?

Minister Zhang tried to analyze but found too little information to work with.

Adding to this, Song Guanchao’s tone was unbiased, leaving him unable even to guess.

He didn’t presumptuously make decisions for Song Guanchao; since he just wanted to understand the issue, he’d help him with that.

Minister Zhang’s call quickly reached Mayor Liu of Guangzhou City.

Mayor Liu was greatly surprised by the call.

Though Guangzhou is one of the six major cities in Han Country, his status as mayor is distinguished.

But compared to Foreign Minister Zhang, his rank is significantly lower.

Mayor Liu was respectful on the phone, with doubts flooding his mind.

They rarely had any interaction; why would Minister Zhang contact him?

Fortunately, Minister Zhang didn’t keep him guessing and directly inquired about the problems Walmart faced with its investment.

Mayor Liu was both surprised and puzzled.

Surprised because even the foreign minister was paying attention to this matter; surely, Walmart’s high-level executives in the USA had pressured Han Country.

Puzzled because why was the Foreign Ministry being contacted?

Foreign investment matters have no relation to the Foreign Ministry.

He detailed the causes and effects of this economic dispute to Minister Zhang, indicating that he had been coordinating diligently without negligence.

Minister Zhang neither criticized nor showed any attitude, leaving Mayor Liu perplexed about what Minister Zhang meant.

While he was puzzling over this, Minister Zhang had already called back Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao finally understood the real situation behind this so-called economic dispute.

To put it bluntly, this was an extortion attempt against an international giant.

The land indeed had disputes.

Legally, creditors had the right to sue Guangzhou Government and Walmart for compensation.

But this right was based on the premise of complete transparency in all information.

However, Walmart wasn’t aware of the land dispute when acquiring the site.

Even Guangzhou Government was unaware.

After listening, Song Guanchao immediately determined there was a mole within Guangzhou Government.

This mole colluded with land creditors, deliberately concealing the land dispute, aiming to turn half-baked rice into cooked rice, so they could extort Walmart for compensation.

Ordinary people wouldn’t dare do such a thing.

The extorting party was indeed not ordinary; they had gang affiliations locally.

This was the reason Guangzhou Government didn’t dare adopt a strong stance, to avoid future issues.

After all, Walmart still intends to do business in Gwangju.

If the matter becomes too ugly, even if the land dispute is forcibly resolved this time, the extorting party will still find ways to harass Walmart’s business.

If the ruckus goes on endlessly, it could end with Walmart withdrawing its investment.

That’s not the outcome Mayor Liu hopes to see.

Minister Zhang noticed his long silence and asked, “Do you need me to handle it?”

“No need to trouble Minister Zhang.”

The situation was far simpler than he imagined, and it wasn’t necessary to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Although his network spanned globally, it wasn’t meant for such purposes.

Connections lose a bit of their power each time they’re used.

Minister Zhang didn’t insist and after a few polite words, hung up the phone.

Song Guanchao dug out another number, noted as “General Nan.”

This General Nan is a general in the Security Command of Han Country, with a status high enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the person at Cheongwadae.

During operations with the troops, he had interacted with him; General Nan was very appreciative of him.

Last year at a club, he had a conflict with a consul from the Han Country Consulate in Hua Jiangzhou, and it was General Nan who called Minister Zhang to resolve it.

He had already used this favor once.

Of course, if he asked again, the general wouldn’t mind helping him once more.

However, Song Guanchao felt it would be inappropriate.

Moreover, it’s the same principle: why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

To deal with a gang’s extortion, directly inviting a national leader to intervene… it’s not just overkill, it’s like using an atomic bomb to catch fish—extremely wasteful.

“I wonder how Old Jin is doing.”

Song Guanchao crossed out General Nan’s number and found another marked “Old Jin.”

During a mission in Han Country, each country sent a group of soldiers, and that’s when he met Old Jin.

The age difference wasn’t significant between them, and they got along very well, having sparred privately several times where Song Guanchao would consistently outmatch him.

In fact, Song Guanchao wasn’t top-notch in any area, but he could consistently perform at nine-tenths capacity in every skill, making him an unbeatable presence.

“Staring at your phone in a daze, what are you looking at?” Lin Wanqiu came out of the restroom, bent one leg, and sat down with curiosity at his phone.

“Looking for someone to handle a task.” Song Guanchao pinched her bottom, dialing Old Jin’s number.

Beep beep…

“Who’s this?”

“It’s me.”

Song Guanchao spoke fluent Korean.

Old Jin was evidently taken aback, his tone filled with fluctuating emotions: “No. 1?”

He called out Song Guanchao’s code name.

“Good memory.” Song Guanchao chuckled.

Old Jin let out a slightly smug snort: “Years of no contact, I thought you died on the battlefield.”

Song Guanchao’s face darkened: “Your mouth is still as foul as ever, I’ll have to find a chance to beat you up.”

“Alright, let’s talk business.” Old Jin asked, “Anything you need me to help with?”

This made Song Guanchao slightly embarrassed; it seemed everyone saw through his “not visiting a temple unless there’s trouble” approach.

“Ahem, have you retired? Where are you working?” Song Guanchao wanted to confirm if he was still serving; otherwise, finding him would be useless.

“I’m now the local corps commander at the Gwangju Operations Command, with a field officer rank!”

Song Guanchao understood Han Country’s military ranks well; a so-called field officer corresponds to domestic school officers—major, lieutenant colonel, colonel.

The local corps corresponds to the military district back home.

His field officer rank was indeed not low.

And he was right there in Gwangju, this call turned out right.