Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

Under a strict yet orderly prevention and control system.

People in China have long been accustomed to a slower pace of life.

Although their movement is restricted, they have food to eat and medical care to receive.

Even the pharmacies at the entrance of the residential area have red signs that read "Fever reducers, masks, and antigen test kits are in ample supply and sold at affordable prices."

Each household has one person who can go out to buy daily necessities every other day.

This sense of security became the most reassuring source of confidence during this special period.

However, on the other side of the world, a completely different scene is unfolding on the streets of Manhattan.

Thousands of people marched on Fifth Avenue holding signs that read "Reject the stay-at-home order".

Someone, without a mask, shouted into the camera, "The virus is a lie."

At outdoor bars in Times Square, young people huddled together drinking beer, ignoring the governor's ban on indoor gatherings of more than five people.

"Look at these foolish people!"

In the Oval Office of the White House, Trump slammed the latest infection data onto the table, scattering papers all over the floor.

The numbers above are alarming:

Confirmed cases have surpassed 50 million, and the daily death toll has once again exceeded 10,000.

What annoyed him even more was that a report he had just received showed that a hospital in California had started using anesthesia machines as a substitute for ventilators due to a shortage of ventilators, resulting in the suffocation deaths of three patients.

"A ventilator! An oxygen machine! Where are the things I need?"

The furious Trump made a phone call.

He roared into the phone.

His voice became hoarse from days of anxiety.

The aide on the phone said in a humble voice:

"Mr. President, the second shipment from Meng Chuan arrived yesterday: 10,000 ventilators and 5,000 oxygen machines, settled at the previous price."

"Twenty-five times?"

The King's brow furrowed into a knot:

"That damned Meng Chuan, he's draining our national treasury dry!"

The chief of staff didn't dare to respond.

He knows the national treasury's accounts better than anyone.

The Ministry of Finance has diverted military funds for three consecutive months to procure medical supplies.

The 200 billion yuan in treasury bonds issued last week were almost completely ignored.

In the end, the Federal Reserve Bank gritted its teeth and took over the deal.

The national treasury's gold reserves have now fallen to a historic low.

Even the cost of repairing the Black House was cut in half by Congress.

Is he still refusing to answer calls?

"I can't breathe," Trump asked.

Ever since the US military base intercepted Meng Chuan's batch of medical supplies.

He has requested to speak with Meng Chuan three times through official channels.

Each time, Meng Chuan's assistant would deflect the request by saying, "President Meng is currently allocating resources."

"Yes."

The chief of staff lowered his voice even further:

“Yesterday we contacted the relevant Chinese departments through the Ministry of Commerce, and they replied that Mr. Meng Chuan’s company is a private enterprise, and the government is not in a position to interfere with its business decisions.”

"fart!"

Trump kicked over the trash can next to him:

"He monopolizes 70% of the world's medical supplies. This is no longer a matter for private enterprises! Go tell those bureaucrats that we need money now, Taiwan needs an aircraft carrier, and we are considering selling the carrier to alleviate domestic economic pressure!"

Trump has also made a lot of money.

However, what he said was indeed true.

The United States is indeed under tremendous pressure right now.

To relieve pressure, Trump is truly capable of doing anything.

Three days later, in a teahouse in a courtyard house in Beijing, Old Huang held a purple clay teapot and slowly began to speak:

"Xiao Meng, it's not that I'm being nosy, but the US attitude has indeed softened considerably. Yesterday, a colleague from the Ministry of Commerce confided to me that they're willing to waive all the tariffs previously imposed and even said they'd reopen the student visa application process."

"Old man, why are you suddenly telling me all this? I'm just a businessman."

Meng Chuan said to Old Huang with a wry smile.

Meng Chuan found it strange that Old Huang would suddenly call to chat for no reason.

The conversation suddenly turned to national affairs.

Meng Chuan could roughly guess that Elder Huang was not making baseless accusations.

“Let’s just chat. If you follow the news regularly, you should know that on September 1st last year, the United States imposed a 15% tariff on $300 billion worth of goods we exported to them, including clothing, footwear, smartwatches, and flat-screen TVs.”

"They have imposed additional tariffs on our exports to the United States in three rounds and five times under Section 301."

"Over the past year, tariffs have been imposed on approximately $3700 billion worth of our imported goods, with the average tariff rate rising to around 21%."

As if chatting with an old friend, Old Huang continued:

"Last May, Warwick was also added to the 'Entity List,' restricting its access to U.S. technology."

"In July, the authorities also determined that our imported graphite was unfairly subsidized and decided to impose a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 93.5% on our anode-grade graphite."

"As you know, we've had a tough time these past few years."

Old Huang rambled on and on, leaving Meng Chuan completely bewildered.

"Old Huang, just say it straight! Are you trying to act as a mediator?"

Meng Chuan asked bluntly.

"Ahem, we're just having a chat, but if that's how you see it, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

Old Huang said somewhat awkwardly.

Actually, it wasn't Huang Lao's kindness that led to this discovery.

He was given a task by his superiors.

Hopefully, he can persuade Meng Chuan.

Who told him to be so close to Meng Chuan!

“Old Huang, you know my personality. There are some things that I never compromise on. When they withheld that batch of supplies from me, they should have known they had crossed my bottom line!”

Meng Chuan said in a deep voice.

"This time, that time."

Old Huang sighed:

"In fact, the competition between countries has always been driven by self-interest."

"If the United States is willing to remove the previous tariffs, eliminate anti-dumping duties, and abandon export controls."

"This will be a great boost to our economy, after all, we are still the world's largest economy."

Master Huang advised:

"Of course, considering your outstanding contributions to our country, we dare not ask anything of you, as long as you are willing to have a phone call with the King."

"As for how you two negotiate, that's your business."

Old Huang paused for a moment and then said:

"Personally, I believe that interests should come first in everything. As long as he is willing to make concessions, we have no reason not to."

Old Huang was subtly telling Meng Chuan this.

We can give Trump a good whack on the head.

After all, Meng Chuan had refused to speak with Trump multiple times since the last time.

If it weren't for the severity of the COVID-19 situation, Trump would have flown straight to see Meng Chuan.

In this situation, as long as Meng Chuan's demands are not too excessive, it will be acceptable.

I'm afraid even Trump would agree.

This is also why Mr. Huang was willing to act as an advocate.

"Row."

President Meng finally changed his tune:

"Tell Trump I can answer his calls, but I hope he can get his bearings, otherwise it won't be so easy for him to reach me again next time."