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Chapter 1519: Chapter 1362 Another ’Nosey’ Idea (Subscribe Please!)
Less than ten minutes.
The elderly man concluded his speech.
Next.
One heavyweight guest after another took the stage - the US Secretary of State, the President of the International Monetary Fund, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization... When it was Tang Qing’s turn, it was already two hours later.
There was no helping it.
There were too many people.
Hearing the host call his name.
Tang Qing stood up.
Pretending to adjust his clothes, he stepped forward, this time, it was much more lively than the Annual Meeting in Beijing, watched by political figures, tycoons, and scholars from major economies around the world.
Most people’s legs would be trembling.
But Tang Qing’s legs were firm.
Standing on stage.
Looking at the more than two thousand people in front of him, he smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, I am very pleased to accept the invitation from the organizing committee to discuss the present and the future at such a grand event."
A standard opening.
And.
Standard English.
He really wanted to speak Chinese, but with so many people here, and since they couldn’t bring translation secretaries in, if he didn’t speak English, probably ninety-five percent of the audience wouldn’t have a clue what he was talking about.
Actually.
The organizing committee did provide public translation.
But he didn’t want to use it.
Just listened to the translation here, well, to avoid being partially misinterpreted and omitted, he’d better do it himself. Speaking of English proficiency, he thought the translator earlier was terribly weak.
"I think what made the deepest impression on everyone is ’Epoch’, many were resentful at the time, why, you produce nothing, yet you reap the highest profits?"
"In response, I want to say, creating the future is creating wealth, especially in the face of sudden changes in the environment, only innovation and breakthrough can stand out in a complex environment."
"..."
"Our company has always adhered to the development philosophy of being innovation-driven, aiming to overturn the achievements of yesterday, to create more ’valuable’ ways of living for our customers."
"..."
Following his prepared remarks.
Tang Qing, without any stammering... began to give his advertisement.
Ma Yun felt somewhat embarrassed, in terms of English, he was not on the same level as Tang Qing. Tang Qing was to speak next, and by comparison, it would probably sting the ears of the audience. Alas, he felt so pitiful.
"Collaboration, this is a term that is inescapable since the birth of society, human power is limited, hence the need for collaboration. The same is true for companies, and even for a country, there are problems that cannot be solved alone."
"This is the purpose of the forum, as well as why everyone is here, to pool our wisdom on issues that individuals and single organizations cannot resolve alone and to seek a path forward."
"However, even though many may come here every year, we still often fail to reach a consensus on many issues. I hope that one day, we will have no more issues to discuss, no more disputes to mediate."
"Thank you!"
Having said that.
Amidst the applause.
Tang Qing returned to his seat. These last words sound faultless, they seem like a beautiful wish. However, Tang Qing was not just saying it for the sake of speaking; the Davos Forum has been held for over thirty sessions.
But.
Very little has actually been achieved.
Year after year of appeals.
But.
The content of the appeals has not seen significant improvement.
He likes the ’rightness’ of Davos.
But.
Not ’emptiness’.
If it’s all talk and no action, what good is this ’rightness’, aside from a good-sounding name?
Between nations.
National affairs and trade.
There are institutions like the United Nations, International Court, World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund to mediate, and even though disputes continue to arise, some results are eventually achieved, more or less.
However.
Davos has limited capabilities.
Unable to truly follow through with an issue, therefore, Tang Qing wanted to create an existence similar to Davos. Without infringing on any country’s sovereignty or laws, to truly accomplish certain things.
Sigh.
Another nosey idea.
Beneath the stage.
The clapping audience was unaware that Tang Qing wanted solitude, and even less that his last remark was an expression of discontent. Just like before, their gazes at Tang Qing were still filled with ’sympathy’.
...
Noon.
The opening session was over.
Many were overcome with drowsiness and, upon hearing the morning session had ended, perked up like sleepy students in the last class of the morning, instantly revitalized. When leaving, those at the back exited first.
However.
There was a side door at the front.
No need to squeeze through the back.
"Little Tang, lunch together?"
"How about eating at the place where I’m staying?" Tang Qing suggested. If it were domestic, inviting this person for a meal would probably require homeland security comrades to thoroughly inspect the villa and ingredients, but right now, they were overseas.
There was more freedom.
"Your friend’s villa?"
"Right."
"But there are so many of us," the leader said.
"Don’t worry, there will be enough food," Tang Qing said with a smile.
After pondering,
the head of the delegation agreed. He wasn’t afraid to partake in Tang Qing’s cooking. Besides, he had heard from a member of the Chai Family that the Tang Family cooks and their dishes were extraordinary, though he had never had the chance to taste them.
He had only ever tasted Tang Qing’s tea.
This time.
Let’s see.
As it was not far,
they took a leisurely walk during the extended break. This time, there were people who greeted him along the way, but without exchanging business cards or engaging in much conversation, there would be plenty of opportunities at the evening banquet.
Twenty minutes later.
They arrived at the villa.
At this moment.
The waiting crowd already knew that prestigious guests were coming. It would be difficult not to know since security had already checked the place in advance and were now watchfully observing Tang Qing’s cook prepare the meal, causing a bit of nervousness among them.
However.
It was understandable.
"Not bad, much better than staying at a hotel," the leader praised as he entered the villa. His remark bore no hint of envy for Tang Qing’s superior accommodation, but was purely an appreciation of the space.
Facing Lake Davos.
The view was expansive.
Prime location.
Constrained by security regulations, he would not choose to stay here even if offered; relatively speaking, the hotel was much safer. Any potential attacker would have to consider the risk of collateral damage to others.
While here,
it was a standalone residence —
an absolute security taboo.
"Not too bad."
Entering the living room, Tang Qing gave a brief introduction. The leader did not know Ge Feng personally, but how could he not be aware of America’s Ge Family, whose family assets were no less than the Tang Family’s?
Moreover,
due to their extensive connections in the United States,
sometimes,
domestic parties would inquire with the Ge Family for certain information—not often, just once or twice a year. They never asked for major favors, to avoid inadvertently destroying the family’s century-long foundation.
"Young man, very energetic; I hope someday the Ge Family will be proud of you," he looked at Ge Feng like an elder would a younger family member. It was his hope that these overseas Chinese would live well.
"I will."
Ge Feng replied with a tone of respect.
Meanwhile,
Zeng Rou’s blood pressure rose. Although her family had a relative heading the Shanghai Financial Bureau, this man was a bona fide national-level official; someone she could only hope to see on TV before.
