Free Web NovelChapter 446: Chapter 333: Spy!
It is... yet it isn’t...
"Indeed, we did sell coal mines at a low price, but this was normal commercial behavior, and the quality of the coal sold was quite low, matching the expected price level."
Li Yang slowly said.
Zhu Haoyi is the number two of the Young Master Sauce, and Pang Delong is the number one.
Number one infiltrates the system, while number two is a commercial spy.
The former transmits important intelligence, while the latter... the latter aims to destroy Eastern Country’s economy by any means necessary.
The coal industry is hugely profitable.
Selling at twenty percent lower than the market price, how could other countries allow them to raise prices!?
The best way is to let it be, wait for them to hold on no longer, then buy.
But the effect was poor, so Zhu Haoyi took action.
Internal conflicts are far more infuriating than external ones.
When the domestic alliance tightened its belt and found they preferred to lose money to raise prices, yet some domestically continued to sell... the alliance began to crumble.
The so-called price increase disappeared.
Overseas, they continued to enjoy cheap and high-quality coal, and even reselling it could yield enormous profits, essentially sending money from Eastern Country’s mining companies...
"All our actions are legal and compliant business practices!"
"Moreover, since 2004, we have been selling according to the official quota and price, never violating any laws!"
Li Yang took a deep breath and slowly said.
But it’s clear, this is no longer about money; it touches on morality!
The audience was obviously not buying it.
"What does Zhengyang Mining Company mean by this? Going against the public? Why destroy good things like raising prices that benefit the country and the people...."
"Ha, talking about legitimate commercial tactics... Legitimate commercial tactics that would use your left hand to stabilize prices with the right hand!?"
"Is this guy crooked? I feel like he’s targeting rather than trying to make money..."
"This already constitutes the resale of national resources, doesn’t it? Can someone tell me?"
"..."
Someone was clearly looking sullen.
According to what Xu Liang said... Zhengyang Mining Company is absolutely crooked and dodgy!
They could see it clearly.
So could Wang Yao!
In fact, his perception was even sharper; he always felt Zhu Haoyi was hiding something.
Xu Liang, however, wouldn’t give them the chance or time to investigate, continuing:
"And precisely because of this, we discovered that every time Zhengyang Mining Company extracts a different type of mine, its targets seem extremely clear."
"And out of curiosity, I wondered if the case of rare earth mines... also signifies something?"
He slowly opened his mouth, and his voice echoed in everyone’s ears.
Zhu Haoyi’s face changed dramatically.
Why was he interested in rare earth mines? Rare earth purification technology! Rare earth extraction technology!
But these two things are highly confidential; he couldn’t access them, so he wanted to connect with state-owned enterprises!
Zhu Haoyi’s breathing was a bit heavy. He was now praying that Xu Liang hadn’t found out his real purpose.
"And during my investigation, I found.... "
"The plan for rare earth extraction by Zhengyang Mining Company was made at least seven years ago."
"At first, I thought that since rare earth profits are high, perhaps Zhengyang Mining Company wanted to use rare earth to earn substantial profits for its development, but... "
"Continued investigation revealed that the mining company approached five companies currently extracting rare earth mines, intending to establish cooperative relationships, and the stake offered was full responsibility for the sales channel by Zhengyang Mining Company!"
"However, all five cooperation attempts failed, and the reason was surprisingly consistent; that is, Zhengyang Mining Company... was adamant about involving state-owned enterprises!"
Xu Liang spoke, clearly explaining the thoughts in his head.
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Seeking cooperation with state-owned enterprises?
The opponent can purify the elements themselves, so why cooperate with state-owned enterprises? Let them earn money for nothing, while taking a smaller share for themselves?
Even with a very firm attitude!
If Zhu Haoyi were a patriot, or if he had good relations with the people in state-owned enterprises, it might be explained, but....
Looking at the coal alliance’s disintegration, it’s already good that the opponent isn’t acting traitorously; how could he possibly be patriotic!?
But the fact is...
"Thus, we began to suspect that the state-owned enterprises and Zhengyang Mining Company are hiding some unspeakable secret."
"Until we inquired during that time who the counterpart had contacted among state-owned enterprises, based on random words, we found that Zhengyang Mining Company seemed to be very interested in... "
As he spoke, Xu Liang squinted his eyes, revealing a hint of strategy in his gaze.
"The technology of rare earth extraction and purification!"
Rare earth extraction and purification....
Everyone suddenly paused, and immediately, the audience exploded into uproar.
"Rare earth extraction and purification? Isn’t this core technology? Why would a mining company be interested in it!?"
"Doesn’t he know this? Also, wrong, a mining company can’t be unaware that rare earth technology is top secret!"
"What on earth is Zhu Haoyi doing.... "
"What does a privately-owned company want with core technology!?"
"..."
Everyone was shocked; they did not doubt Xu Liang’s words, as the opponent had a stack of materials in hand, fully supporting his evidence!
But precisely because of this, their emotions were so stirred!
A privately-owned company wanting the country’s core technology?
Are they crazy!
Ordinary rare earth companies already possess purification technology that meets the international 3n standard at ninety-nine percent, which is completely sellable and even highly marketable!
And the core technology of state-owned enterprises is also ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent, the fractional behind the decimal carries little meaning to a company.
So what does Zhu Haoyi want with such technology!?
Considering the current extraction and purification technology abroad, and Zhu Haoyi’s previous actions.
A bold idea surfaced in everyone’s mind, an idea... that would cause outrage!
Before they could voice their opinions.
Even the presiding judge did not speak.
Then, they saw.
Xu Liang suddenly stood up, his expression bold and righteous, looking at the defendant Zhu Haoyi with eyes of a brother, whose face was ashen, extremely ugly, and said loudly:
"Honorable presiding judge."
"According to the above statements, the defendant Zhu Haoyi did not seize Run Dong Weaving Plant for the high profits of rare earth."
"The rumors in society and even the first trial’s judgment are false, but the truth is..."
"Zhengyang Mining Company’s action was for national secret technology, seizing the weaving plant land!"
"I demand the annulment of the first trial’s public announcement and the restoration of the defendant’s innocence!!!"
Inno... Innocence.
Is this what counts as completely clearing dishonor!?
Zhu Haoyi did not know, but he knew his mood was particularly bad, his complexion resembling an ancient bronze artifact, extremely unattractive, his hands tightly clenched, glaring at Xu Liang gloomily.
At that moment, he could even hear his heart pounding loudly in his ears!
Indeed... a pit.
The second trial was a big pit!
What innocence restoration, or what issues with the first trial’s judgment... this from start to finish was just a big pit dug by the other party!!!
Is this innocence?
This is no innocence!
Except... if this is all it is, it seems unnecessary to proceed with the second trial appeal.
"They want technology, but it’s only at the stage of wanting, if it were handed over free, no one in the world would refuse to hold top-level rare earth mining and refining technology."
"Moreover... this is limited to conjecture, without substantive evidence."
On the judges’ bench.
A judge hesitantly spoke up.
Upon hearing this, another judge along with Wang Yao didn’t refute.
Indeed.
Zhengyang Mining Company’s desire isn’t yet touching the technology, hence there’s no crime.
But the issue is...
’Who exactly wants secret technology?’
Wang Yao frowned, a myriad of things subconsciously flashed in his mind.
’Furthermore, appealing recklessly with such speculation without supporting evidence could lead to warnings, or even fines!’
’Could it be... the other side has evidence?’
’If validated, then it also means...’
In a daze, Wang Yao was stunned, then his eye suddenly twitched, looking at Xu Liang in shock.
Just then, Xu Liang also pulled out a document.
He stood up and said loudly:
"Honorable presiding judge, esteemed members of the jury."
"The defendant Zhu Haoyi, originally named Zhu Zhang, is 46 years old. At the age of 13, his family declared bankruptcy while doing business in the Western Country. After the bankruptcy, due to his Eastern Country household registration and identity, Zhu Haoyi entered official duties in the Western Country."
"He was absorbed by the Western Country’s intelligence agency, underwent several years of training, and was then dispatched with Li Yang to the Eastern Country."
"The two specifically targeted Eastern Country’s business, including various aspects such as mineral veins, technology, economic information, which are precisely the goals of Zhengyang Mining Company, or rather, Zhu Haoyi and Li Yang!"
"During over ten years in Eastern Country, the stolen technologies include but are not limited to, rare earth refining techniques, domestic industrial distribution, local mineral resource distribution..."
"Preliminary estimates show losses to the Eastern Country over these ten years amount to..."
"Nearly one hundred billion!"
The technology theft, intelligence transmission, all the domestic economic development information was leaked, and because of being Eastern Country nationals, they could better understand the loopholes in these policies....
Thus, nearly one hundred billion is by no means an exaggeration!
But if this is so, then wouldn’t Zhu Haoyi and Li Yang be....
Spies!?
Commercial spies!?
"And Zhu Haoyi’s code name is..."
Xu Liang took a deep breath, stared at the already brain-empty and bewildered Zhu Haoyi, and slowly said:
"Young Master Sauce No. 2!"
"That is currently the largest commercial spy planted by the Western Country in the Eastern Country!"
As soon as these words dropped.
The entire High Court courtroom fell into silence.
No one spoke, it was so quiet that even the sound of breathing was distinctly audible.
Commercial spies....
The largest industrial and commercial spy in Eastern Country currently!?
A so-called Young Master Sauce No. 2!?
Wasn’t the other party seizing rare earths for profit, how did the identity suddenly become a spy!?
Everyone’s minds went blank, once they came to, shock spread, faces full of astonishment and disbelief.
"Truly audacious... how dare he mention such a thing in the court during the second trial!?"
Sitting on the judges’ bench, Wang Yao instantly felt a tingling on his scalp, his face tightly drawn as he looked at Xu Liang.
This case was already full with criminal, civil, and administrative aspects, yet now... it even had diplomatic implications!?
And on top of that, revealed in court!
Madmen, blatant madmen.
Looking at everyone in the jurors’ seats, Wang Yao’s breathing quickened, he dreaded imagining the media storm that would follow the trial.
Until.....
"No... no."
Wang Yao suddenly reacted, freezing on the spot.
Then his mouth twitched, watching Xu Liang, his face showing astonishment, and his eyes filled with shock, he could not help but blurt out.
"What’s meant by No. 2?"
"Could it be there’s a No. 1!?"
