Hearing Chen Tian's approval, Lin Zhenhua became even more energetic, and he continued: "Chen Ju, let me tell you, how much freight can be saved is second, as long as the $20 billion we spend can clean up a white-eyed wolf, I think it's worth it." Do we need to be so careful about defending the dignity of the country? ”

"This ...... It's a little too radical. Chen Tian said with a wry smile, "Zhenhua, this is not something that you can decide as a company, we need to at least go back and ask our superiors to talk about it, right?" ”

"How to make a decision, it's your business, I'll go talk to Jiraton first." Lin Zhenhua said.

Chen Tian pulled Lin Zhenhua aside to talk secretly, and Ji Rapeng stood in place waiting for them. Jirapun knew that the other side would definitely have to discuss something like this, and if it really wanted to promote it, I am afraid that the two sides would have to negotiate for several years. The Thai government has been promoting the Kra Canal plan internationally for decades, and has yet to make a substantial breakthrough.

When Lin Zhenhua appeared in front of Jila Peng again, his face was already full of bamboo, and he asked Ji La Peng: "Minister Ji La Peng, what you just said about the Kra Canal plan, Mr. Chen has some understanding of this, and he has already introduced it to me just now. I would like to ask, what is the current consideration of the Thai side for this plan, and how much benefit does it plan to share with its partners? ”

This is also Lin Zhenhua's speaking style, what others need to go around in a few circles to say, he poked it out directly. Jirathorn is also quite familiar with Lin Zhenhua's style, and does not think there is anything abrupt about it.

"According to the results of the research commissioned by the Kra Canal Planning Office of China, the United States, Germany, Britain and other national research institutions, the plan we are now launching, called the Southern Route Plan, is 102 kilometers long from Songkhla on the Andaman coast to Satun on the Gulf of Thailand. This route is 12 kilometers longer than the northern route, but the terrain is flat and less difficult to excavate. We estimate. The entire project requires an investment of 20 billion US dollars, and the construction period is about 15 years. Gilapong said.

"15 years is too long, I'll give you a few people from China to re-evaluate and invest in more mechanized equipment, I think 5 years is enough." Lin Zhenhua said domineeringly.

Lin Zhenhua's self-confidence is well-founded, the progress of some foreign projects is really painful, the same project, if put in China. Maybe half or a third of the time is enough to build, but in foreign countries it takes several times longer. Lin Zhenhua has high expectations for the Kra Canal project, and he is certainly not willing to spend 15 years waiting for an outcome.

"Mr. Lin, you mean, you plan to invest in this project?" Ji Lapong heard the subtext in Lin Zhenhua's words and couldn't help but be overjoyed. A $20 billion multinational project. Of course, it is not Lin Zhenhua's own company that can be completely won, but as long as Lin Zhenhua intends to participate, with his energy, it may not be difficult to raise 20 billion.

Lin Zhenhua said: "I do have some interest in this project, but whether to invest or not, I still have to listen to what kind of conditions you can give." I'm a businessman, and I would never do anything that is not beneficial. ”

"There are benefits. There are benefits! "The Kra Canal is operated in a joint stock manner, and each investor distributes the toll of the canal according to the proportion of their contributions. We calculated that based on 50,000 ships per year, the entire investment would be recouped in about 10 years, and after 10 years, the canal would provide shareholders with a return on investment of no less than $3 billion per year. ”

Lin Zhenhua is not very good at calculating this kind of investment income, and in the company, work like this is done by Hu Fei and others. But. Chen Tian had already confessed to him just now. If the Kra Canal wants to recover its investment by tolls alone, the entire project will be repaid for at least 20 years. In order to pull his investment, Jiraphon apparently exaggerated the returns. …,

Lin Zhenhua didn't debunk the lie of Jirapon, he just smiled slightly and said: "Minister Jirapon, on the issue of return on investment, let's wait for a detailed calculation later, I'm not as optimistic as you." I intend to invest in the construction of this canal, mainly for the convenience and safety of our overseas transportation of Hanhua, so I can not care too much about the return on investment, but I need absolute control over the canal. ”

"Absolute control?" Jirapun was stunned, "You mean, you want a controlling stake?" ”

"That's right, a controlling stake." Lin Zhenhua said, "At least 51% of the power. ”

Jirapun said with a bitter face: "Mr. Lin, for a project like this, a 51% controlling stake is not necessary, in fact, you only need to own more than 15% to ensure that you have the right to decide in the board of directors." ”

Lin Zhenhua asked curiously, "What do you mean by this?" Don't you want to pay more? We want 51% equity, which means that we have to bear at least 51% of the investment, and you don't want such a big investment? ”

"Of course I want to." "In fact, it is very difficult for us to raise funds now, and there are many countries and companies that have expressed their intention to invest, but very few have actually paid for it." If the Chinese side can afford 51%, or even more, then we can start construction without waiting for other investments to be in place. How could we not want such a good thing? ”

"And what do you mean?" Lin Zhenhua said.

Ji Lapong looked at Chen Tian and seemed a little hesitant, Lin Zhenhua pointed at Chen Tian and said: "Minister Ji Lapong, Ming people don't talk about secret celebration, this President Chen is quite influential in the upper echelons of China. Everything we say between us ultimately has to be conveyed to the upper echelons of China. Think about it, don't you really want him to be involved? ”

Ji Lapong hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, as soon as I saw Mr. Chen, I felt that he was a very trustworthy friend, and if there was anything, I naturally wanted to ask Mr. Chen to advise him together." …… What I mean by this is that Chinese companies want to take a stake in the Kra Canal, and I'm afraid there will be some obstacles in Thailand. ”

Lin Zhenhua wants to take control of the Kra Canal, not to mention that Jila Pong feels embarrassed, and even Chen Tian listens to it on the sidelines, and he feels that it is incredible. The significance of the Kra Canal to Thailand is no less than the significance of the Three Gorges Project to China, and this canal is not only related to Thailand's economic development, but also to Thailand's national security.

If Thailand were a small country like the Santa Goga Islands, Lin Zhenhua's request would not be too abrupt. But Thailand is different, after all, it is a regional power, how can it hand over the lifeblood of the country to someone else?

Although he thought of this, Chen Tian did not say anything to deny Lin Zhenhua's request, in his opinion, this should be a strategy of Lin Zhenhua asking for a sky-high price, as long as the price is raised, there is room for counteroffer.

"Minister Jirapon, you should know that the Kra Canal itself is not a profitable project, and for Thailand, what is gained in this project is not just a toll, but a trade opportunity due to the passage of 50,000 ships a year, and these benefits from trade are more than 10 billion a year, right?" With a faint smile on his face, Lin Zhenhua said to Ji Rapeng.

Lin Zhenhua didn't know anything about the Kra Canal before, but after Chen Tian introduced the relevant situation to him just now, he immediately figured out the front and back joints. As he said, the toll revenue from the Kra Canal itself is very limited, and if the toll is too high, there is no need for those steamers to go through the Kra Canal, they are not as convenient as Malacca. The Thai government is pushing for the Kra Canal project, which is the opportunity it brings. If it can take away Singapore's global oil trading center because of this, its value is equivalent to several times or more than ten times the toll. This is also the reason why the Thai government has received a cold reception when it goes to various countries to promote the Kra Canal project. The good thing is that Thailand got it, and others paid for it, and they could only receive a pitiful toll, which is equivalent to marrying someone, who would be interested in doing such a stupid thing?

Lin Zhenhua saw this, and pinched the sore foot of the Thai government, if you want follow-up benefits, then hand over control of the canal. Lin Zhenhua wants control of the Kra Canal also has a purpose, since the political significance of this canal is greater than the economic significance, then it is very necessary to have control, don't look back after the canal, your own boat will not let go, it is a big joke.

"This ......" Jila Tent was clogged, his hole cards were clearly seen by others, and if he wanted to bargain with others, he was passive. He couldn't categorically refuse Lin Zhenhua's request, because he really couldn't think of any other place to find investors besides Lin Zhenhua. $20 billion is a huge amount of money that Thailand's finances cannot afford at all, and without foreign aid, Thailand alone will certainly not be able to complete this project.

The significance of this project to Thailand cannot be overestimated. If this project can be completed, Thailand's economic status will take a leap, and Singapore, which is now flaunting its wealth in ASEAN, will be replaced by Thailand, a political achievement that no government is willing to let go.

"Minister Girapen, we want a controlling stake for no other purpose than not wanting our ships to get into trouble in the canal. There is no harm to Thailand if the controlling stake is handed over to us. As long as China and Thailand maintain their existing friendly relations, what difference does it make if control is in the hands of China or Thailand? If there is a war between China and Thailand, then such an agreement is not binding at all, and it will not affect Thailand's national security. ”

Lin Zhenhua was kind and persuasive, Ji Rapeng's face was red and white for a while, and the ideological struggle was extremely fierce. After hesitating for a long time, he lowered his voice to the point where he could barely hear it, and said to Lin Zhenhua: "Mr. Lin, if you want the government to agree to the Chinese control, unless we are in power." Are you willing to support our cuckolds to win the next election? ”