"Mr. Zhang, the natural gas supply to Kaibong from the Middle East has already been stopped, but there are still so countries' gas resources that are not under your control, though their proportion is not high and won't affect your plans."
"Hmm, very good!" Zhang nglong nodded in satisfaction, "What about the coalfields?"
"All the coalfields in Australia have been completely bought out, and just this part alone has cut off more than 90% of Kaibong's supply," Hong Yi said, "However, the order was to make sure they couldn't buy a single ton of coal, which did take so effort, but by now, Kaibong should have already hit a wall."
"You have worked hard." Zhang nglong reclined with one leg crossed over the other, "Those turtles must be panicking now! They even refused to export rare earth minerals to us, let's see who can outplay whom!"
"Mr. Zhang, you actually didn't need to go through so much trouble," Hong Yi said, "In the western Seido region of Kaibong, there is a large piece of land that your ancestors bought. If you used that land to threaten them, they would surely compromise."
"Am I the kind of person who bullies others with power?" Zhang nglong said with a face of integrity, "If I did that, others would definitely call
despicable and shaless! But by purchasing the coal that was originally going to be burned by Kaibong, that is supporting sustainable developnt and contributing to the mitigation of global warming!"
Hong Yi couldn't help but roll her eyes, she was already used to Zhang nglong's hypocritical behavior. "Despicable and shaless"? When he used other people's deposits in Qingqiu to force them to compromise, didn't he know about being "despicable and shaless"?
"Mr. Zhang, Kaibong has now taken this matter to the international magazines, it seems they want to use the power of public opinion to force you into submission?"
"Oh?" Zhang nglong raised an eyebrow and imdiately turned on his phone.
"Kaibong's coal import blocked, credited to actions of Huaxia's richest man, Zhang nglong!"
This bold headline had beco the top story across major dia today.
"What's happening? Today's news is quite unusual!"
"What does 'blocked' an? Does Mr. Zhang have such great power that he can block a developed country like Kaibong from importing energy? To say it's blocked just like that?"
"I've heard so rumors over here, I have a friend who works at an energy company in Australia, their company deals in coal mining, part of which was to be exported to Kaibong. However, I heard a few days ago that a new buyer outbid others for the coal that was supposed to go to Kaibong, offering $240 per ton, even covering the penalty fees!"
"What? $240 a ton? Holy shit, I rember when the coal price was at its highest, It was just over $100 per ton, right? With the current import-export situation, $60-70 per ton is already really good, this is simply more than double!"
"You guys do the math, Kaibong imported nearly two hundred million tons of coal last year, if they continue at this rate this year, that's $48 billion at $240 per ton! How rich is Mr. Zhang exactly?"
"No no no! That's not even the highest price, another friend of mine said their coalfield was also leased to so mysterious boss, with an offer of $320 per ton!"
"Impressive! With this move, Mr. Zhang really stirs up a big scene!"
"What's really going on? Why did Mr. Zhang suddenly take action against Kaibong?"
"You don't know? Mr. Zhang wanted to import rare earth minerals from Kaibong for making photoresist, but apparently, Kaibong refused to sell, this is probably retaliation!"
"That's ruthless! Without the coal, won't their coal-fired power plants just beco useless decorations?"
"Don't believe everything you hear!" Zhang nglong imdiately spoke out through his social dia platform, "With environntal pollution being so severe in recent years, a large part of it is caused by burning coal, especially in those industrially developed countries. By buying up that coal and stacking it up sowhere without burning it, isn't that indirectly protecting the environnt?"
"As for accidentally taking a share ant for our friends in Kaibong, I can only apologize. You can go and buy from other coalfields. If you're short on money, you can co and borrow from !"
"Hahaha! I give this reason 99 points, and withhold one point for fear Mr. Zhang becos arrogant!"
"I believe this reason! Those people from Kaibong are clearly maliciously slandering Mr. Zhang!"
"Hahaha, normally, wealthy people just own the mines. Mr. Zhang went one step further — he's practically building a mine with two hundred million tons of coal!"
...
The strong condemnation from the people of Kaibong seed utterly aningless to netizens, who were not only not going to bla Zhang nglong, but also praised him in their hearts for his slick move.
But the attitudes of the countries that had good relations with Kaibong were completely different. When the big brother was in trouble, how could they not offer help?
"We demand that Zhang nglong imdiately return those coal resource shares to Kaibong and publicly apologize!"
...
"What is this? What small country? Palau? I've never even heard of it!"
"I know about this one. Long ago, they almost got assimilated by Kaibong and their current leader has a very strong pro-Kaibong stance."
"I think they are insulting Mr. Zhang. Going to fetch four of five hundred billion US Dollars in cash, and you think Mr. Zhang can't produce it? Are you fucking kidding !"
"Not very harmful but extrely insulting, I suggest Mr. Zhang directly report this to the International Court for an insult charge!"
"Mr. Zhang already said, he is contributing to the global environnt, how can you mortals not understand Mr. Zhang's great ambition? Oh, I can hardly keep this up, Mr. Zhang, could you settle my paynt later!"
...
"Any Tom, Dick, or Harry thinks they can jump up and make a fuss!"
Looking at those so-called strong condemnations, Zhang nglong felt not the slightest disturbance and even felt like laughing. Arica hadn't even spoken yet, and those countries, barely able to feed themselves, were worried about themselves and still had the audacity to support Kaibong in protest?
"Mr. Zhang!" Hong Yi said from the side, "Those small countries almost completely rely on coal for their power generation, do you want
to cut off their coal supply as well?"
Numbers popped up on Hong Yi's computer, "Mr. Zhang, the combined annual coal import of these small countries doesn't even reach 5000 tons, and they mostly import from Australia and Yinhei. Given our previous cooperation, it'd be easy to buy out their importing share."
"No need," Zhang nglong shook his head, "These countries are too pitiful. I can't bear to cut off their electricity."
"They're not very effective internationally, but they still make so noise."
"Well," Zhang nglong chuckled, "those coal resources we cut off from Kaibong, let's gift so to them!"
"Huh?" Hong Yi was stunned. They were helping to speak up for Kaibong, and you want to gift them coal? What kind of reverse operation was this?
"It's okay, you help
spread the word, I've got their coal supply covered for the next ten years. They should know what to do!"
...
"What? Giving us ten years' worth of coal? We import 800 tons of coal a year. That's several billion US Dollars over ten years! That would save our country a huge amount of money!"
"Really? You're serious? Got it, got it, we know what to do!"
"Hmph! Kaibong invaded our country before, leaving serious impacts, and we've been wanting to stand up against them for a long ti!"
When those small countries received the call orchestrated by Hong Yi, they were overjoyed as if they had found money!
Although they had always looked up to Kaibong, they had never received any form of aid from Kaibong, whether economically or militarily.
Now, with such significant benefits laid before them, billions of US Dollars might not an much to large countries, but for so small countries, it could be equivalent to a year's GDP!
Faced with such temptation, who cared about face? They quickly changed their previous statents.
"Our country strongly condemns the blood-splattering actions of Kaibong!"
"Kaibong emits a huge amount of greenhouse gases each year. Mr. Zhang's actions aim to protect the environnt, which is a critical rescue operation concerning all humanity!"
"What's happening?" Seeing those small countries that previously supported Kaibong switching sides, both the dostic and international netizens were extrely surprised.
Seeing the latest reports, Zhang nglong revealed a satisfied smile, "Indeed, 'slls good' might be delayed, but it never fails to show up!"
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