Feng Yu signaled Chief Lee and whispered something to his ears. Chief Lee looked at Feng Yu puzzledly. What was this kid thinking? He wanted to end the negotiations for today?
Everything had been going on smoothly until now. If they stop the talks now, then tomorrow the Russians will be more arrogant.
“Chief Lee, Trust me. Tomorrow I will give you a satisfied answer. You should also believe in Mayor Zhang’s judgment.”
Chief Lee can brush off the first part of the sentence. But he cannot ignore the last part. Why did Mayor Zhang trust this Feng Yu so much and thinks that he can help them with the negotiations? Could it be that this Feng Yu knows something they were unaware of?
If that’s the case, then the talks should end for the day. After all, they had made some progress. He can also go back and report to Mayor Zhang.
“Mr. Ivanov, I think our negotiations should end for the day. I can tell that all of you are tired. Tonight, we have prepared some performances at the Cultural Palace for you and your team. You should grab an early dinner.”
Ivanov looked at his deputies and nodded. They should not press the Bing City Government too hard. If the news were real, then they would have to give in to the Bing City Government’s demands. It’s good that they end the talks for the day. This way, they will have the time to verify the news.
……
After the negotiations ended, Feng Yu and Chief Lee went back to Zhang Ruiqiang’s office.
Chief Lee proudly reports to Zhang Ruiqiang about the progress he had made with the negotiations. These were all his credit.
Zhang Ruiqiang finished listening to his report and saw Feng Yu frowning. Could it be that Feng Yu thought that it would be difficult to settle this negotiation?
“Feng Yu, why didn’t you tell them that you had spoken to Australian’s Agriculture department?”
Feng Yu opened up his palms: “Mayor Zhang, do you really think that I am that capable and had really contacted Australia?”
Zhang Ruiqiang’s face changed: “What? You have not contacted Australia? Then why did you tell us that?”
“This is only a form of negotiation tactics. This is to provide wrong information to our rivals. At first, I thought that I need more time to be prepared. But now, there is no need. It seems that the Russian Officials was aware of this.”
“Impossible! I did not say anything about this during the talks. The rest also did not mention about this. How can they know?” Chief Lee retorted.
This Feng Yu even dare to lie to them and Mayor Zhang. Chief Zhang now has a very bad impression of Feng Yu.
“Then Chief Lee, can you explain the Russian Officials’ change of att.i.tude in the afternoon? This afternoon, the talks went smoother than the morning, right? Why do you think they gave in to our requests?” Feng Yu asked.
Chief Lee was at a loss of words. He thought back, and it seems that Feng Yu was right. But how did the Russians know about this without them saying anything? Unless…… there was a traitor in the negotiation team!
Chief Lee looked at Mayor Zhang, and their faces changed.
“You know who it is?” Zhang Ruiqiang asked in a serious tone.
Feng Yu nodded: “The translator from the Foreign affairs.”
“How can you proof?” Chief Lee does not believe Feng Yu. He was the one who had hired that translator. That translator had studied in the Soviet Union before. If that translator was the traitor, that means he had picked the wrong person. He might even be suspected to be in cahoots with the traitor. He was innocent and had not done anything to betray the nation. He was still young and have a bright future. This matter would destroy his career.
Feng Yu smiled and asked: “Chief Lee, can you remember that every time after you raise your demands, that translator will hold up his teacup, and the Russians will reject? When that translator just shift his teacup, the Russians will give in to you?”
Chief Lee recalled that the translator had been meddling with his teacup during the talks. But he was not sure if what Feng Yu had said was true.
But this was very simple. They can just bring that translator in for questionings.
“Call him in. I will ask him personally.”
Feng Yu was shocked. Huh? You want to call him in and ask him straight? Who would be so stupid to admit it?
Chief Lee glanced at Feng Yu: “You do not need to worry about anything. I will know if he is a traitor within 5 minutes of questioning.”
Feng Yu turned to Zhang Ruiqiang. d.a.m.n, you agree to this too?
That translator arrived, and he saw the two leaders in the office. He warmly greeted them. He does not look like he was betraying them.
Chief Lee smiled and asked: “Translator Xue, you have been working with the Foreign affairs for some years? How’s your health? What expectations of your future do you have?”
“I am healthy. I will listen to the arrangements of the leaders and will perform my duties well.” Translator Xue sat upright. Are the leaders going to promote me?
“Do you have any issues at home? Do you need my help?”
“No. My family is doing fine. I will be getting married at the end of this year. The leader has a.s.signed a 2 bedrooms apartment to me.”
Chief Lee nodded. He continued to ask that translator like he was having a casual chat with him: “Since your leaders and unit have treated you well, why did you betray us?”
Translator Xue was stunned: “Ah…. Mayor Zhang, Chief Lee, I did not betray you.”
“No? You did not keep meddling with your teacup during the negotiations? Were you very thirsty? I am giving you a chance by asking you here. I still have not notified the Discipline Inspection. If you own up, we can carry on talking. But if you are still insistent, then you should know about the consequences!” Chief Lee suddenly became very serious and tapped his finger on the coffee table.
Translator Xue immediately stands at attention: “Mayor Zhang, Chief Lee, I admit. I am sorry for betraying you!”
Feng Yu’s jaws dropped. Can this be real?
d.a.m.n, people in this era were so timid? Didn’t the people now know that one should never plead guilty even when caught red-handed?
Feng Yu had forgotten that the government officials had more political power than the future.
One of the Russian Officials in the negotiation team was a former cla.s.smate of Translator Xue. They met again when the Russian negotiation team arrived in Bing City. That Russian Official knew that Translator Xue was about to get married. Although the government will provide housing for him, he was still short of money. He came from a poor family, and his family was in debt. His parents had borrowed money for his university education. His salary was not a lot, and most of it was used to repay his debts.
Getting married was not cheap. He still needs to renovate his apartment, wedding banquet, and get household appliances. He does not have enough money!
His former cla.s.smate told him that if he reveals some insider information from the Bing City’s team, he will give the Translator Xue a sum of money. He would be about to hold a grand wedding!
At first, Translator Xue did not agree. But yesterday night, he had an argument with his fiancée. His fiancée wanted to buy a television, refrigerator, and a washing machine. She also demanded a grand wedding. She would call off the wedding if Translator Xue could not provide her with these demands.
This was the reason why Translator Xue decided to take the risk. He told those Russian Officials that the Bing City really wanted this deal.
The Russians heard this and knew that since Bing City really wanted this deal, and this would be a pilot site for the Central Government, then the Russians can impose harsher demands from Bing City. This way, the Russian Officials can get greater credits when this deal goes through.
Feng Yu was right. Translator Xue had been using his teacup to give the other party hints. He was also the one that told the other party about Feng Yu contacting the Australia Government. Translator Xue was paid well for this news.
“Hmph! Traitor! You will be punished severely. You will surrender yourself to the Discipline Inspection later. Maybe you can get a lighter sentence.” Chief Lee was furious. He hated traitors the most. His grandfather died because of traitors!
Feng Yu suddenly interrupted: “Sigh…… Chief Lee, we should give him a chance if he is willing to repent.”
Translator Xue immediately nodded: “That’s right. Mayor Zhang, Chief Xue, please give me a chance. I will not betray the nation again. I will not be a traitor again!”
Feng Yu shook his head: “No. You must continue to be a traitor!”
Everyone looked at Feng Yu in surprised. Continue to be a traitor? What are you saying?