Qin Siyang felt quite helpless.
But if he didn't want to give up fighting this group of people from the paper review committee, then he could only accept Li Tianming's suggestion.
Still, he planned to start with the simplest and most likely-to-be-persuaded executive director first.
If he couldn't even take the first step, and the Fourth Master of the Gu family refused to give face, then there'd be no need to worry about which side the Warren Chamber of Commerce would sit on.
Qin Siyang dialed Gu Yunpeng's number.
With a smile on his face, he said, "Hello, brother-in-law, it's me, Little Qin."
There was a moment of silence on the other end before the reply came, ["Vice President Qin, when you call me that, I feel a bit uneasy. Why are you calling me?"]
After hearing this, Qin Siyang forced a grin and said, "Brother-in-law, I need your help with something. You know I'm about to attend the paper hearing, right?"
["I've heard a little."]
Qin Siyang cursed inwardly, 'Heard a little, my ass. Who are you trying to act refined for? Just say you've heard about it!'
But his face still held an approachable smile, "Right, that's the matter. Brother-in-law, your fourth uncle is an executive director on the paper review committee, isn't he? Could you ask President Gu Weihong to go easy on me and cast a vote in favor of my paper passing?"
["Vice President Qin, I don't really understand. With your current strength and resources, do you really lack that bit of research points and the exclusive privilege of special admission? Why must you go to the paper hearing?"]
"Brother-in-law, every family has its own difficulties. Old Li and I are already on this path. Once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back. I'm calling today to ask if President Gu can give me a hand in this matter."
Gu Yunpeng let out a sigh, ["President Qin, you're someone with your own ideas. Since you don't want to say, I won't ask further. Let's get straight to the point. According to your usual style, any deal needs stakes. If my fourth uncle helps you, what are you willing to offer in return?"]
"I can talk about it directly with you?"
["Even if I pass the message to my fourth uncle, the terms still need to be clear."]
Qin Siyang hadn't expected Gu Yunpeng to be so straightforward.
When he made the call, he thought Gu Yunpeng would just introduce him. But now it sounded like Gu Yunpeng actually had some say within the Gu family.
Instead, Qin Siyang was caught off guard by the question.
"Well… brother-in-law, maybe give me a hint? What does the Gu family lack?"
["Vice President Qin, what do you think the Gu family lacks?"]
"The Gu family lacks…"
Qin Siyang glanced again at the information report Zhao Longfei had compiled on Gu Weihong.
Nine-to-five schedule, successful career, harmonious family, no bad habits. It could be said he was flawless, with no angle to exploit at all.
He couldn't help recalling the situation of the Gu family.
The second son of the Gu family, Gu Weirong, was one of the most prominent wealthy businessmen in the safe zone and also a partner of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce.
The third son, Gu Weiyang, was the Secretary-General of the United Government.
The fourth son, Gu Weihong, was the president of Humanity Research Institute.
Gu Yunpeng himself had been born with a silver spoon. Aside from an average appearance, everything else about him was top-tier.
After thinking it over and over, Qin Siyang truly couldn't figure out what such a powerful family could possibly lack.
"Does the Gu family… lack nothing?"
["Vice President Qin, you're joking. The Gu family isn't the Creator. How could we lack nothing? If we lacked nothing, my father wouldn't have partnered with President Zhao to establish the Zhao Chamber of Commerce."]
"That… makes sense. But I can't exactly set up a Qin Chamber of Commerce either."
["What the Gu family needs, Vice President Qin, you're already helping with."]
"What is it?"
["The Crystal Coin issuance plan."]
"Huh? Wasn't that proposed by the Zhao family?"
["That's right. But now the Gu family is also waiting for the plan to be implemented, preparing to make moves based on it. So in my opinion, as long as you strongly support the Crystal Coin issuance plan, my fourth uncle can vote in favor of you at the paper hearing."]
"This… isn't that already a done deal? We've already discussed it among ourselves. Are you saying the Gu family will help me for free?"
["No. The fact that the Crimson Crystal for the Crystal Coin plan comes from you is something no one in the Gu family knows except me. This can be used as a condition to persuade my fourth uncle."]
"What? Such a big matter, and you didn't tell your family?"
["Vice President Qin, you once saved me from inside the belly of the Ghost-Faced Heron. I've always been grateful. Last time, when you, Zhao Sifang, and I were in President Zhao's office for that meeting, you were forced to reveal the matter of the Crimson Crystal to me. So the things you don't want to say, I haven't told my family either. In the end, profit can't compare to the grace of saving a life. My family doesn't know that the key to the Crystal Coin issuance plan depends on whether you agree. If you trade your support for the plan in exchange for my fourth uncle's backing, he will definitely agree."]
"This…"
Qin Siyang was completely stunned by Gu Yunpeng's sincerity.
["If you want my fourth uncle's help, I'll tell my family that the Crimson Crystal belongs to you."]
"Ah… alright. Thank you, brother-in-law."
["That's it then. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."]
"Okay…"
Qin Siyang hung up, still feeling like he was in a dream.
Beside him, Li Tianming clicked his tongue, "The Crystal Coin issuance plan? A currency backed by the Crimson Crystal? Sounds like a great gimmick. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this."
Qin Siyang didn't care that Li Tianming now knew about the chamber's affairs. Instead, he asked in disbelief, "Old Li… did I just secure Gu Weihong?"
"To be precise, Gu Yunpeng secured his fourth uncle. It doesn't have much to do with you."
"Bullshit! That's my Crimson Crystal!"
"But President Gu is his fourth uncle. If he weren't on your side, who knows how much effort you'd have to spend to get Gu Weihong's vote."
Qin Siyang snorted, "Got it. Let's just say Gu Yunpeng may not look like much, but he's kind-hearted."
"Little Qin, have you never taken a piss before?"
"Li Tianming, what the hell do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Little Qin, you might be able to push everything to the limit through your own effort. But some things are given at birth. You can't force them."
"I'm too lazy to argue with you! I'm calling President Chu now!"
Amid Li Tianming's repeated sighs, Qin Siyang dialed the number of Chu Zhongxiong, president of Heavenly Research Institute.
"President Chu, hello. Sorry to bother you. I'm Qin Siyang. I wonder if you still remember me?"
["I saved your number. Student Qin, you're calling about the paper hearing, aren't you?"]
"That's right. President Chu is indeed impressive! Right on the mark! Talking with you is really refreshing!"
["Other than that reason, you probably wouldn't call me. You want me to support you at the paper hearing?"]
"Mm-hmm."
["Although I would like to help you, my support alone is far from enough."]
"I know. President Chu, don't worry, I'm working on it…"
Chu Zhongxiong's voice was steady, ["Student Qin, you're a smart child. You should understand that the word 'effort' is a meaningless excuse."]
"Uh…"
["Call me again when your effort produces results."]
Beep! Beep! Beep!
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