Chapter 532: There’s a Lot at Stake!

While Li Yi was talking with Zhou Rui and the others, Jiang Shiying remained silent the entire time.

After all, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to take either side, so it was best not to say anything at all.

After seeing Zhou Rui and the others off, he couldn’t sit still anymore. Instead of going to work, he took Li Yi straight to his study.

As soon as they entered, Jiang Shiying spoke up: “Xiao Yi, wasn’t that a bit reckless of you?”

“Dad, what are you worried about?” Li Yi asked with a smile.

“You’re still smiling? Don’t you realize the gravity of this situation? Two hundred million dollars, plus a guarantee to cover any losses—what if we actually end up in the red?” Jiang Shiying said gravely.

“If we lose money, I’ll pay the state back out of my own pocket!”

“Well… you don’t want a single penny of the profits, but if we lose money, you’re willing to cover the shortfall out of your own pocket. What’s the point of that?” Jiang Shiying asked, frowning.

“There’s plenty in it for me!”

Li Yi continued, “Father, they say there can be no home without a country. I, Li Yi, am a part of this country. Now that the country needs me, I cannot refuse, and I certainly cannot back down!”

“Secondly, opportunities to get the higher-ups to owe us a favor don’t come often—and that’s something money can’t buy. Honestly, this is the only time we’ll have this chance. We can’t let it slip away!”

Jiang Shiying looked at Li Yi with mixed feelings, then said, “I don’t know whether to call you a man of high ideals or a reckless fool. We’re talking about two hundred million US dollars here. If you lose it, half the fortune you’ve made in Hong Kong will be gone!”

“Haha, rest assured. I wouldn’t take on a job I couldn’t handle!”

Li Yi was quite confident about this. Given his understanding of current economic trends, as long as he wasn’t overly greedy, it would be nearly impossible to lose money!

“You’re really that confident?”

“Absolutely!”

“By the way, is that Huang Lixing really trustworthy? Even though you’re on good terms with him, he’s still a gangster. What if…”

“There’s no ‘what if.’ They say the most loyal friends are often found among the underworld—not all underworld types are scum!”

Then Li Yi made an even more startling remark: “Besides, Old Huang has wanted to wash his hands of the business for a long time—it’s just that I’ve been stopping him from retiring!”

“Why? Everyone else tries to steer people toward the right path—why are you doing the opposite?”

“Because I need the smuggling fleet he controls!” Li Yi replied bluntly.

“You… you’re planning to smuggle… wait, you wouldn’t stoop to such petty gains. What on earth do you need that smuggling operation for?” Jiang Shiying asked in a low voice.

Li Yi didn’t answer his question but asked in return, “Dad, do you know the current situation facing domestic companies in our country?”

“I know a little—it’s not looking good!”

“It’s not good, but what I’m saying is that this situation will continue until the vast majority of companies can no longer hold on, and then they’ll go bankrupt one by one!”

“Well… that shouldn’t happen, should it? The state won’t allow widespread corporate bankruptcies—the consequences would be too dire. That would undermine the very foundations of the nation!” Jiang Shiying said.

“That’s not something the government can decide. When we chose the path of reform and opening-up, we had to accept this outcome. The market won’t tolerate companies that are just coasting along!”

Jiang Shiying fell silent. Having worked in Guangdong Province for so many years, his mindset was far more open than that of officials in the interior.

Upon reflection, he realized that the scenario his son-in-law described might indeed come to pass.

“What does that have to do with you keeping that smuggling team?”

Li Yi replied immediately, “The factors that determine a factory’s survival boil down to a few key points: high-quality products and a vast market—and among these, product competitiveness is absolutely central.”

“Top-quality products require advanced technology and equipment to produce. We currently have a sufficiently large market, but the products from various companies lack competitiveness. Therefore, we urgently need a large amount of advanced technology and equipment to improve product quality and, in turn, enhance corporate competitiveness!”

“Can’t all that be purchased through normal channels?” Jiang Shiying asked.

“What if we can’t buy them?”

“We can’t buy them?”

“Exactly. Right now, Western countries led by the U.S. have superficially eased their relations with us—it seems we’ve entered a ‘honeymoon period’—but they still won’t sell us high-end technology or advanced equipment. This means we’ll have to find other ways!” Li Yi said calmly.

Western nations’ embargo against China has always existed. They first established the Coordinating Committee for Export Controls, specifically to impose embargoes and trade restrictions on communist countries, with the aim of limiting member states’ exports of strategic materials and high-tech goods to such nations.

The embargo and sales ban lists include over ten thousand products across three major categories: military weapons and equipment, cutting-edge technology products, and rare materials.

What’s even more infuriating is that they’ve imposed a special trade embargo on us, containing over 500 more items than the international embargo list applied to the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations.

Although the CoCom embargo policies and lists are often influenced by shifts in the international landscape—and while there has been some relaxation recently—numerous restrictions remain, and it won’t be long before they return to their previous state.

Jiang Shiying instantly grasped Li Yi’s true intentions and immediately said, “Are you planning to use this fleet to acquire some advanced technology and equipment?”

“Exactly. I’ve taken over my second older brother’s commission to revive those enterprises in Beijing that are on the verge of bankruptcy, and naturally, that requires a large amount of advanced technology and equipment. Since we can’t rely entirely on official state channels, it’s perfectly acceptable to occasionally take a few unconventional routes!” Li Yi said.

“If you’re going to do this, you’ll have to report it to the higher-ups. Otherwise, this could all become a liability!” Jiang Shiying said.

“Of course. That’s exactly why I’m telling you!” Li Yi said with a smile.

“So you’ve been waiting here for me, have you?” Jiang Shiying said with a smile.

“I’m just a nobody. It’s better if you report this to the higher-ups yourself. If they decide it’s not necessary, I’ll have Old Huang disband the fleet!” Li Yi said.

“Alright, don’t make any rash moves until we get a clear answer!” Jiang Shiying said.

“Alright!”

“About the money transport—are you really sure you don’t need to go along and keep an eye on things?” Jiang Shiying asked again.

“No need. I’ll just give Old Huang a call later!” Li Yi said.

“If you’re free, you should go along anyway. After all, we’re talking about two hundred million dollars…”

“Who said I’m free?”

“What are you busy with?”

“Going home!”

Then Li Yi added, “If they hadn’t come over, I would’ve gone back to Beijing ages ago!”

“When do you plan to go back?”

“Tomorrow, of course—assuming I can get a ticket!” Li Yi said.

“Flights aren’t a problem. If you really want to go back tomorrow, I’ll have my secretary book a ticket for you right away!” Jiang Shiying said.

“Go ahead!”

“Alright!”

“Dad, don’t forget to book one for the guy downstairs too!”

“Alright!”

With that, Jiang Shiying picked up the phone on his desk…

While Jiang Shiying was on the phone, Li Yi left the study.

Once downstairs, he immediately called Zhang Ziqiang, the head bodyguard who had just taken up his post, and headed straight for the Huang Mansion, where Huang Lixing was staying…

……….