Chapter 691: Those at the top of the pyramid (Part One)
– Zurich, Switzerland –
– A modern castle-like private residence –
Several limited edition Rolls-Royce cars were parked outside the residence’s huge fountain garden.
Meanwhile, inside the castle in a huge guest room, famous paintings from all over the world hung on the walls.
Every painting here was worth a fortune, from medieval paintings to modern oil paintings, it was enough to portray the owner’s status and taste.
The guest room was covered with expensive carpets, with a huge relief sculptured chandelier hanging down from the ceiling.
The chairs were arranged in rows with an orderly manner.
There were a total of seven men sitting around the round table; some had their legs crossed, some were smoking cigars, and some were sipping their coffee.
Whether it was the coffee or the cigars, they were all top-level products.
The youngest of the seven were in their sixties, and the oldest was nearly ninety years old.
The oldest one had a full head of white hair, and he took a sip of the coffee and opened his tired-looking eyes. He then placed the cup on the table as he said, “Lord of Asia (highest position in the Capital Society), I’m afraid that’s not a good idea. You’ve been taking the resources in Europe, but you’re unwilling to share the resources in Asia. Since the lords from all seven continents are here today, let’s make things clear, or else there’s no equality in this.”
The Lord of Asia was from the Wei Nation, and if they were to trace his origin, he was originally the representative of the Shanjing Group back when it was undissolved.
In 20th century Asia, Wei Nation had the most powerful economic origin. Back then, they were so rich that they bought land in the M Nation like crazy and were even more wealthy than the Middle Eastern lords of today. So rich that this founder of a consortium could get a position at the round table. Although the Wei Nation’s influence was gradually replaced by Huaxia, his status and past influence was enough for him to be seated here as one of the lords representing Asia in the Capital Society.
However, it seemed that he was currently having a hard time.
He laughed bitterly hearing what the old Rothchild said, “I need the council to send me some Knights of the Round Table, I feel like someone is trying to screw with me!”
The seven elders went into silence.
“Why do you say that?”
Lord of Asia: “Our council has always been wanting to get Huaxia to join us with its huge market. I’ve been working on this project over these years, and I could even say that I’ve penetrated inside. However, something unexpected came up. I think you all know that ever since that country opened up with reforms, I’ve got in touch with the Four Clans who had great financial backgrounds, right?”Chapter 691: Those at the top of the pyramid (Part Two)
The others nodded. “I remember you talking about it a few years ago.”
Lord of Asia: “That’s right, I’ve also brought in many of the Wei Nation business chains and just when I was about to form an alliance, the four clans were wiped out overnight!”
Having said that out loud, he even felt it was unbelievable.
Old man Rothschild nodded his head. “That’s the charm of this mysterious country. It would never have happened in Europe, or in the capitalist countries. We have always been respectful and try to stay away from that country, but these years, their economy has advanced tremendously. A lot of resources were actually more forefront than our Capital Society, and that has been the worst for all of us. It’s also where we’ve failed, and you, Lord of Asia, a great portion of this is your responsibility!”
The Lord of Asia rubbed his brow and nodded. “Yes, I admit it and I’m not going to make excuses. I have an obligation to get my hands deep into that country, and I was about to succeed. This has also cost me a great deal of money as well. One of my underground money houses in Huaxia was wiped out as well, with over thirty billion dollars in cash gone. Even the listed companies that were sheltered under this money house were all investigated. An entire chain of Wei Nation business was brought into the deep water, and with the decreased market values of the listed companies plus the underground money house, I faced a total loss of one hundred billion dollars!”
The Lord of Asia slammed his hand on the table looking furious as he ranted.
One hundred billion dollars!
That was the equivalent of the gross revenue for an entire consortium over a year or two. For the Cloffi Consortium, it would be enough to cover the entire M Nation’s military research costs for a year.
“You didn’t investigate this?”
“I did.” He tapped one hand on the table and said slowly, “It was a police officer, an excellent officer, one that’s very calculative and adventurous who liked to take risks and walk on the edges. I’m a very cautious person and I don’t work with someone unless I’m a hundred percent sure. So I found the four ruling forces in Huaxia who were in control of the finances. I spent ten years forming a collaboration chain with them, and I didn’t expect that an unintentional police investigation would destroy all of this, cutting all my ties in Huaxia. Then the same person wiped out the four clans along with all of my cooperation, causing all my funds and projects on halt. The Huaxia government confiscated their industries and one-tenth of my funds at the same time, I can’t get any of those back at all.”
At this time, the representative of the Cloffi Consortium wondered. “Why can’t you get it back? Just use economic sanctions.”
Oldman Rothschild laughed bitterly. “That’s where I find the country scary. Over there, money doesn’t mean everything, but if you are powerful, then you would be rich. Got it?”
The Lord of Asia nodded. “That was said very thoroughly and that’s why I feel that someone is watching me. They have been trying to get to me several times, and if it wasn’t for Mr. Rothchild holding up the pressure to protect me, I’m afraid that someone else would be sitting here right now.”
Anyone who had lost hundreds of billions of dollars during his term would be eliminated for sure, but it was fortunate even after the Shanjing Group got dissolved, its branch companies were still quite strong, or else his position would definitely have been handed-over to some other Wei Nation consortium representatives.
Old man Rothschild laughed and asked him, “So you didn’t take your revenge? Your nation has a very crazy culture, and I won’t believe it if you didn’t avenge yourself.”
“Of course I took action. I almost lost my position, how could I let him fly off so easily.” The Lord of Asia recalled and smiled bitterly. “That’s why I’ve been hoping that the Council would send Knights to our Asian branch. Remember the scandal between the Shanjing and the Wei Nation government a year ago?”
They all nodded their heads as this incident had caused the entire economy of the Wei Nation to decline by a fifth of its financial strength! The impact was still significant even until today.
“Could it be?” Old man Rothschild narrowed his eyes. “That had something to do with Huaxia?”
The Lord of Asia tilted his head upwards as he closed his eyes and nodded.