"Gentlemen, this is the condition put forward by the Chinese, if we do not agree to this condition, then the Nice company can only be thrown away, and I don't think there will be any other investors interested in it."

At the board meeting of the Nice company, Snyder finished introducing the conditions proposed by Qin Hai, and then shrugged his shoulders and issued an ultimatum to everyone.

Between principle and interest, Snyder ultimately chose interest. Of course, Qin Hai also found a relief for him, that is, the Cold War is over, whether it is Batumi or the Wassenaar arrangement, it is a stupid system, and it is a poison that the Americans forced their European allies to accept in order to protect domestic manufacturers. As a virtuous and wise entrepreneur of the British Empire, we should have the courage to challenge this system and make our due contribution to the prosperity of the world.

This is what Snyder wants to hear, he is just a businessman, and what does capitalism, socialism and other topics have to do with him? Agreeing to Qin Hai's request means that the Nice company can realize 320 million US dollars, so that each shareholder can get his own share; and if Qin Hai's request is refused, then it would be good for the Nice company to sell 100 million, isn't it the shareholders who suffer?

Can the Wassenaar arrangement earn a dime for the Nice company?

After convincing himself, Snyder petitioned the board of directors to convene a general meeting of the board of directors to discuss the sale of Nice to China's Daqin Group. At first, the directors were overjoyed to hear that someone was willing to pay such a high price for Nice, but when Snyder revealed that the Chinese wanted to ship Nice's equipment, most of them were silent.

"We should not agree to this condition of the Chinese, which will harm the interests of the British Empire." A director named Calek stood up and spoke.

"I don't see how this has anything to do with the interests of the British Empire." Another director, Kurtz, coldly retorted, "If the interests of the British Empire were to be sustained by a small business like ours." That's underestimating the UK. ”

"The single crystal furnaces, low-pressure CVD equipment, plasma etching machines, etc. owned by the Nice company are restricted from being exported to * countries by Batumi, if we transfer these equipment to the Chinese," said Calek. It is a violation of the rules of Batumi. ”

"Batumi?" Kurtz had a sarcastic smile on his face: "Do you mean that ridiculous international organization established during the Cold War?" ”

"This organization prevents* threats to the free world, and you can't call it a stupid organization." Garek said angrily.

"Yes. It also prevents European companies from entering the Chinese market, and the Americans, who first advocated this mechanism, have engaged in a model of peace with the Chinese. Now the vast majority of the high-tech equipment in the hands of the Chinese is obtained from the Americans, and only we Europeans stupidly abide by the Batumi agreements. A director named Stickney chimed in.

"Gentlemen, I think the topic of the Cold War is too far away for our boardroom." Chairman Fannon interrupted the debate and said: "What we are discussing now is whether to accept the acquisition by the Chinese, as for Batumi." I don't think they're going to be willing to pay a penny to compensate for our losses. ”

“……”

Fan Nong broke the crux of the problem in one sentence, everyone is a shareholder of the Nice company, how much money the company can sell is directly related to everyone's pockets, what kind of cold war to discuss at this time, isn't it a ridiculous thing?

"Yes......" Calek did not admit defeat, and he said hesitantly: "Even if we don't consider the interests of the British Empire, we must think about how to circumvent the restrictions of Batumi, right?" True, Batumi has been dissolved, but the policy on the restriction of transportation has not been lifted. If we transfer equipment to Chinese without authorization, we will be investigated by the Trade Commission. ”

"Mr. Kurtz, I remember that you had some friendship with the vice-president of the Board of Trade." Fannon looked at Kurtz. Said.

"Yes, he and I have a good personal relationship." "I'll find a way to get him to lift the ban on these devices." ”

"But then there's the European Union's trade commission, which six months ago blocked a deal to sell high-performance computers to China." Calek reminded.

"I know about it." Stickney frowned and said, "The bastards at the EU Trade Commission are not easy to talk to, and they will at least use delays, if not to refuse outright. I'm sure they'll find a reason to put it off for five years. ”

"The Chinese are absolutely not willing to wait five years." "They want to be able to complete the acquisition within three months," Snyder said flatly. I think they were in a hurry to get their hands on the equipment. ”

"That's right, they definitely wanted to get our equipment for military purposes. We have a full set of IGBT manufacturing equipment, and the Chinese are almost blank in this regard. Calek said loudly.

Fannon rebuked dissatisfiedly, "Mr. Galek. I think your guess is a bit too bold. IGBT is a product that is in great demand in the civilian field, and Daqin Group, which came to buy Nice, does not have any military background, so why do you think they will use these equipment for military purposes? ”

"Yes, we were also a purely civilian product company, and there is no reason to think that our equipment and products can be used for military purposes." Other directors also spoke out to refute Calek's arguments.

In fact, as a shareholder of a semiconductor company, everyone still knows a little about the purpose of their products. To say that the IGBTs produced by Nice are civilian products, of course, it is okay, but these products can also play an important role in the military field. The fact that the other party did not hesitate to buy Nice at a premium and insisted on shipping some of the equipment back to China has a strong smell of conspiracy. If you can't guess the intentions of the military, you are a real fool.

However, it is one thing to be able to guess, and another thing to admit it yourself. As Fannon pointed out, Batumi will not spend a dime to compensate everyone, even if the Chinese dismantle the Nice company for military purposes, what does it have to do with everyone? There is a gap of 108,000 miles between China and Britain, even if China has made some military achievements and poses a threat to world peace, if there is no intervention by the United States, the world police, today's British Empire will no longer be the empire on which the sun never sets.

With this thought, everyone's reaction to Calek was very disdainful. Nima, you are also a shareholder of the Nice company, and after the transfer of the company, you can also get the money, as for such a hollow out of the object? Is this room less patriotic than you, and are you a loyal defender of the British Empire?

Galek sensed the hostility of the crowd towards him, and he shut his mouth and said no more. It feels very bad to be angry, especially when it comes to blocking people's money, and everyone will not let him go.

Seeing that Garek stopped talking, Fannon turned his head to Stickney again and asked, "Mr. Stickney, I remember that you once worked as a consultant to the EU for a while, is there any way you can persuade the EU Trade Commission to give special treatment to this matter?" ”

Stickney shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this is not easy, there are representatives of various countries in the Board of Trade, and each country has its own interests. Usually they have to entangle themselves for a long time in a legitimate transaction, let alone this transaction...... There are some doubts about it. ”

"Yes, these people are good at making a fuss about nothing." Kurtz also added, "Also, even if the EU side allows it, the Americans may have to intervene, and the Downing Street side, as everyone knows, is completely the White House branch in the British Isles." ”

No. 10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British Prime Minister, and Kurtz's remarks are to accuse the British government of not having its own opinions, and only the United States is looking to the front. It has to be said that the citizens of every country will be full of resentment against their own government, thinking that the government is not strong enough, and needs calcium supplements, etc. Although Kurtz is not young, he is somewhat resentful, and as soon as he speaks, he points the finger at the prime minister.

Everyone obviously felt the same way as Kurtz, and they all felt depressed for a while. As a high-tech enterprise, Nice is registered with the British government. It is impossible for such an enterprise to fail to report to the government, and when it comes to equipment relocation, it is a sensitive issue. The U.S. government has been jumping up and down to push for the Wassenaar arrangement, and the British government has been following closely as if it were the face of the U.S. in Europe. In this case, it is very difficult to transfer the equipment of the Nice company to China.

"Let's go separately to understand the policy situation and think about what solutions there are. We should try to convince the parties concerned to prove to them that the Nice company is only a civilian company and has nothing to do with the restrictions. This is a matter that concerns the vital interests of all of you here, and I hope you can take it seriously. Fannon finally confessed to everyone.

The directors got up and left the room. Garek walked behind, but all those who walked past him didn't strike up a conversation with him, which made him feel very lost. Fannon and Stickney were at the end, and watching the other directors walk away, Stickney turned to Fannon and said:

"Mr. Fannon, I do have an idea, if it is not the Chinese who bought the Nice company, but investors from other countries, will it not violate the regulations of Batumi?" (To be continued)