Chapter 2179 I Protest

When Pi Yangyang and Gao Changyuan entered the restaurant, they saw Miyazaki Kotaro's sinister smile.

Following his gaze, Pi Yangyang saw Zheng Yaguang's back.

Although it's unclear what exactly happened between them, it's obvious that Zheng Yaguang was definitely angered by Miyazaki Kotaro.

Gao Changyuan noticed the change in Pi Yangyang's expression and also gave Miyazaki Kotaro a meaningful look.

Without exchanging greetings, Gao Changyuan and Pi Yangyang went straight in, had breakfast, and then headed to the press conference venue.

Upon arriving at the front row, they were given special seats arranged by the organizers.

After Pi Yangyang and Gao Changyuan sat down, Gao Changyuan said in a low voice, "Mr. Pi, you seemed quite interested in the people at Zheng's Ironworks just now?"

"It's not that I'm interested in him, it's just that I feel there seems to be some conflict between Zheng's Ironworks and that genius from the Miyazaki family."

Pi Yangyang said hesitantly.

Gao Changyuan said, "That's normal. They're competitors, so it's inevitable that they'll dislike each other."

Pi Yangyang shook her head slightly, "No, I think there's something else going on between them."

Gao Changyuan pondered for a moment and said, "You guessed right. There has always been a conflict between them. For many years, the two companies have been vying for the title of the number one metallurgical company in East Asia, and they have been competing with each other."

"There was a time when Jung Steel was at its peak. At that time, South Korea's shipbuilding industry was very developed, with a huge volume of business. Jung Steel took advantage of this momentum and rapidly grew, giving Sanyu Metal a significant advantage..."

Pi Yangyang smiled calmly, "So there's such a grudge between their two families."

"That's not all, a dramatic change occurred later," Gao Changyuan continued. "Shanyou Metals was incorporated into the J country's military-industrial complex and received full government support. Moreover, the special steel produced by their company was unique in the world for a period of time."

"At that time, our country was not able to produce this kind of steel. Japan imposed export controls on us in an attempt to restrict the development of our large warships. However, we quickly made a breakthrough and now it is completely domestically produced."

"As South Korea's economy declined and its shipbuilding industry shrank, resulting in the loss of numerous orders, Jung Steel's golden age turned into its darkest hour..."

Pi Yangyang became interested and couldn't help but ask, "Now that the Miyazaki family has made a comeback, I'm afraid they won't let the Zheng family off the hook, will they?"

“Yes, after the roles were reversed, the Miyazaki family has always wanted to acquire Zheng’s Iron & Steel,” Gao Changyuan nodded and said. “But Zheng’s is unwilling to negotiate with the Miyazaki family at all. Even now that they are facing a cash flow problem, they insist on not bowing down to the Miyazaki family.”

"Oh, is Zheng's Ironworks facing a cash flow problem now?" Pi Yangyang asked.

Gao Changyuan said, "Yes, their cash flow problems started half a year ago. This news has already spread, causing Zheng's Iron & Steel's stock price to fluctuate and its market value to decline continuously. Some old customers have also terminated their cooperation with Zheng's and turned to other metallurgical plants."

"The reason Zheng Yaguang was so eager to meet Mr. Kundi these past few days was because his group desperately needed this project to boost morale, restore market confidence, and raise Zheng's stock price. But... he was destined to be disappointed..."

Upon hearing this, Pi Yangyang's eyes flickered, and he didn't speak immediately, it was unclear what he was thinking.

It took him a full minute before he said, "If they fail this time, is selling shares the only option for Zheng's Iron & Steel?"

Gao Changyuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There is another way, which is asset restructuring. However, this is probably quite difficult. Zheng's Ironworks is the main business of the entire Zheng family. Once a problem occurs, the entire Zheng family will be in trouble. Even if restructuring is carried out, funding will still be the biggest problem."

Pi Yangyang hummed in agreement and didn't continue the discussion.

At that moment, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

The two looked up at the stage and saw that Kundi, Dova, and other representatives had already come up and taken their places.

"Mr. Dova is also attending this meeting?"

Xu Guangda saw Dova and asked with some surprise.

Gao Changyuan said, "He is the Minister of Energy and Agricultural Production. The Meichuan Iron Mine is a strategic economic project for their country, so he will definitely preside over today's meeting in person."

"So, does that mean we have a chance?" Xu Guangda asked in a low voice.

A resolute glint flashed in Gao Changyuan's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Regardless of whether there is hope or not, we must remain calm."

Xu Guangda chuckled and said, "Understood."

On the other side, Inukai Akatsuki stared at Dowa on the stage and said hesitantly, "Miyazaki-kun, Mr. Dowa is here today too. Could it be that he has really made his final decision?"

Kotaro Miyazaki shook his head without hesitation and said, "Impossible! We've only had two rounds of negotiations, how could we make a decision so quickly?"

Although he spoke with certainty, a slight jolt went through him, and he subconsciously glanced at Gao Changyuan and Pi Yangyang.

Zheng Yaguang was equally surprised.

Their negotiations with Kundi were, in a sense, fruitless.

But judging from the current situation, the results are definitely going to be announced on the spot.

With so many reporters present, it can't be just for a hearing that yields no results.

Patel and the others, who had opened champagne ahead of time, were very relaxed, their expressions as if they had won a championship at the Olympics, their faces full of joy.

Even journalists from their own country have begun interviewing Patel and offering their congratulations to his team in advance.

This scene made many people shake their heads.

This inexplicable self-confidence is truly ingrained in their bones; even in international settings, they never know how to restrain themselves.

"Please be quiet, everyone!"

At that moment, the host's voice came from the stage.

Pi Yangyang, Gao Changyuan, and others put on simultaneous interpretation headsets and entered meeting mode.

The scene quickly quieted down, with only the continuous clicking of camera shutters.

All the cameras and microphones were pointed at the stage, snapping photos like crazy. Karl TV was broadcasting live, making quite a spectacle.

"First of all, on behalf of the Republic of Ser, the city government of Karl, the Ministry of Energy and Agricultural Production, the planning department of the Meichuan Iron Mine, and other relevant departments, I would like to extend a warm welcome to friends from all walks of life, media reporters, and all companies participating in this project bidding..."

The host delivered a warm welcome speech, which was met with thunderous applause from the audience once again.

"After more than ten days and several rounds of sincere negotiations, the Meichuan Iron Mine delegation has made its selection regarding the mining partner. Today, this will be announced here, and a memorandum of understanding will be signed. A press conference will also be held at the same time..."

As the host finished speaking, there was applause, but also a hint of tension.

"Next, please welcome Mr. Dova to give a speech for this meeting."

The host turned to look at Dova.

Dova turned on the microphone in front of him and began an official speech.

It was simply that he, on behalf of his department, welcomed and thanked the companies that came to participate in the bidding for the Meichuan iron ore mining rights, and so on.

He spoke at length for more than ten minutes, receiving continuous applause and creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere.

Next, two more department representatives gave speeches, which were also just some formal, official platitudes, and they all sounded pretty much the same.

Gao Changyuan and Pi Yangyang didn't care, but Zheng Yaguang and Miyazaki Kotaro were getting a little anxious.

Now they are eager to know who will ultimately win.

Zheng Yaguang was so nervous that cold sweat broke out on his temples.

Fortunately, the speech is finally over.

The host announced that Mr. Kundy would announce the final results.

The room fell silent instantly, and almost everyone held their breath, waiting for Kundy's announcement.

Kundy opened the folder in front of him, slowly stood up, and glanced at Patel, Zheng Yaguang, Miyazaki Kotaro, Gao Changyuan, and others before calmly announcing:

"After negotiations between the Meichuan Iron Mine planning department and several companies, taking into account the strengths, plans, and cooperation conditions of each company, we have finally made our decision..."

At this point, he paused.

The room grew even quieter; it was as if everyone could hear each other's heartbeats.

"Congratulations to Huaxia's Guanghui Group for becoming our partner at Meichuan Iron Mine!"

Half a minute later, Kundy announced loudly.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the venue, and all the cameras pointed at Gao Changyuan and his group, snapping photos incessantly.

Patel and the others, who were just about to lose their senses, were stunned. They looked at Kundy with disbelief, thinking that he must have mispronounced it.

Zheng Yaguang sat dejectedly in the chair, feeling both disappointed and somewhat relieved.

Kotaro Miyazaki's expression shifted from initial astonishment to anger.

"I protest!"

Then, he shouted out three words.