NOVPUB
Chapter 1060: 932 Chapter: Genius Idea (Subscribe, please!)
In the Conference room,
besides Lang Cai,
there were Kan Qin and Kundun.
Also present was a Military big shot whose status was only second to Lu Sang in Myanmar, he was there to listen, representing the pure military interests. As for Ling, he didn’t have the qualification to take part in such negotiations.
The staff adjusted everything and left.
When the time came,
Lang Cai nodded at Kan Qin.
"Pan Cong, Dsvid."
Upon receiving the message, Kan Qin addressed the air.
Dsvid.
The representative of Ke Bang.
"So it’s you, Kan Qin! Haha, I haven’t heard your voice in so long," Pan Cong’s voice emanated from one of the large speakers the next moment, his tone even a bit cheerful.
The speakerphone was loud,
but still not loud enough.
Moreover, when the volume was increased, it allowed one to discern the speaker’s tone and disposition, which further facilitated negotiation. Thus, the volume was amplified once again.
"Hello, Kan Qin," Dsvid also greeted Kan Qin.
Seven or eight years ago, Lang Cai had considered using peaceful means to subdue them multiple times, and had specifically sent Kan Qin there. At that time, Kan Qin wasn’t the vice chairman, but the head of a Foreign Affairs department.
Sending Kan Qin was indeed a gesture of sincerity.
Although there was little progress,
through their interactions,
they got to know each other.
Both had a good impression of Kan Qin, regarding him as a thoroughly ’good person’, wholeheartedly devoted to his country, adhering to principles, and exceptionally capable, a respectable opponent indeed.
Given such a familiar greeting method from them,
in front of Lang Cai no less,
Kan Qin felt uncomfortable and hurriedly entered into the main topic.
"Pan Cong, Dsvid, I am here to speak on behalf of President Lang Cai with you about those demands you previously made. I think you also see that it’s impossible for us to agree to your terms," Kan Qin said.
"Kan Qin, to come on so confrontationally right off the bat, truly disappoints me," Pan Cong said with a chuckle.
Without missing a beat, Dsvid added, "You’re still the same old you."
"It’s my job to get into the negotiation mode," Kan Qin responded earnestly.
"Fine, let’s discuss serious matters then. You disagree, so are you suggesting a fight?" Pan Cong retorted.
Kan Qin replied, "You should know that if a fight ensued, you stand no chance of winning. We simply don’t wish to ruin the current favorable situation, but that doesn’t mean we lack the capability to refuse unreasonable demands.
In Huaxia, there’s a saying that it’s better to endure short-term pain than long-term suffering. Between the two, which do you think we’d choose?" Such crucial negotiations, of course, came with well-prepared scripts.
"..."
These words carried a significant deterrent effect.
However,
Neither came to the talks to see who could intimidate the other more, so naturally neither was scared.
"Alright, alright, I know you’re capable and determined, let’s leave it at that. But we’re not easily bullied either. The purpose of our negotiations is to find a resolution, not to make threats," Pan Cong stated.
Kan Qin emphasized, "This is not a threat, but an attitude towards solving problems."
"Okay, whatever you say is fine. What are your conditions? Let’s hear them," Pan Cong said, not revealing his cards right away. The matter of Ling also had to follow the rules of negotiation.
Next,
Kan Qin stated their conditions.
They were different from the bottom line that Lang Cai had mentioned previously.
The clauses in formal negotiations were very extensive, covering over a dozen major categories including politics, economy, military, livelihood, law, taxation, customs, Kan Hua, weapons import, currency controls, weapons controls, and border defense.
Each category had several specific terms.
Pan Cong and the rest felt overwhelmed by the amount of information, thankfully, a fax was sent over while they were talking, and soon both sides had the faxed documents in hand, which made listening a bit less strenuous.
They were not surprised by the plan.
Once the two parties reached an agreement.
These matters were extremely necessary; the laissez-faire attitude toward issues like tariffs was no longer acceptable. If Huaxia’s cargo transportation passed through their area and they charged a thirty percent toll, what difference would that make from being highway robbers?
It was just that there were so many words.
Looking at it was somewhat overwhelming.
After about fifteen minutes, Kan Qin finally finished speaking.
Pan Cong promptly said, "Give us an hour, Kan Qin, there’s just too much here. The issues are broad, and we need to carefully review and discuss them. You all take a break and have some tea."
Seeing Lang Cai nod.
Kan Qin said, "Alright."
Conversation ended.
...
Shan State.
Inside the basement.
The document had been photocopied around ten times and distributed.
Pan Cong said to his subordinates in front of him, "Carefully review the document, mark the points we can agree on without discussion, and summarize the controversial and unmentioned aspects."
There was so much material.
He couldn’t possibly go through it all by himself.
"Leader Pan Cong, they demand that all domestic products in Myanmar shall not be subject to any tariffs when circulated in our area, only allowed taxes not higher than Myanmar’s standard rate; this will result in significant losses for us," someone commented.
Pan Cong nodded continuously, "Yes, that’s right. Write it down. We need to have some sovereignty over our taxation. Tariffs, on the other hand, we could ease up on since charging too much would offend people."
Suddenly.
Another person came up with a ’brilliant idea’, "Leader Pan Cong, they won’t allow us to establish a bank or issue currency, we absolutely cannot agree to this. The Myanmar Kyat is worthless now, we could do like Ling and introduce something like the Asia Dollar."
This idea.
Actually had quite a few supporters.
"Yeah, how comfortable Ling must be, printing their own money, spending freely, and even being recognized by several other countries, I think the banking could be very promising." Remembering the Myanmar Bank under Ling’s control, many started to get excited.
Printing money.
The very thought was exhilarating.
Just when Pan Cong was somewhat tempted.
Mu Zhiwen threw cold water on the idea, "Be realistic, even if we open a bank, how can we do it? Who can? Who understands it? Who will design? How will we handle anti-counterfeiting? Surely we don’t expect Lang Cai and Ling to help?"
Without our own technology.
The currency we produce would really be no different than waste paper.
The intelligence of these people.
Mu Zhiwen was astonished.
What exactly is in your heads?
"Well, that’s true, if we use their equipment, and they counterfeit, our money could instantly become waste paper." Pan Cong said in frustration, realizing that they really couldn’t ask for such things from others.
Disheartening.
He had thought this was a good ’project’.
Pan Cong waved his hand dismissively and said, "Forget it, we won’t open a bank. We’ll just continue as we are, with multiple currencies coexisting. We can’t let them prohibit the circulation of other currencies here. Both the Myanmar Kyat and the Asia Dollar are unreliable. Make a note of that."
"Yes."
"Leader Pan Cong, the weapons restrictions are too severe, and they don’t allow us to have heavy, large equipment. All weapons must be registered; this is unacceptable."
"Leader Pan Cong, there are too few soldiers allowed; we’ll have to cut more than ten thousand."
"Leader Pan Cong, the funding provided for border defence is too little. I think we need to double it, and they should also support us with some equipment."
"..."
Pan Cong was already at his wit’s end.
