"Hello? Jiangnan Group? I have evidence that can help you turn public opinion around. If you give me 1 million US dollars and compensate for my losses, I will hand over the video footage I have!" Carlo, sensing a business opportunity, immediately used his connections to contact a high-ranking executive at Jiangnan Group. He straightforwardly revealed that he possessed the complete recorded video and demanded a sum of 1 million US dollars.
The executive did not dare to delay and reported the matter immediately. Everyone at Jiangnan Group knew how much their boss valued the vacuum high-speed maglev train project. Jiangnan Group was even continuously researching and improving this technology. Therefore, this report naturally landed on Mr. Huang's desk.
"How is it? I've already identified the reporter's identity. He's Carlo, a New York Times reporter in Kunming, and he did participate in the entire trip. He recently lost 500,000 US dollars in stocks, which is likely why he's demanding 1 million US dollars for this video. I'm also highly confident that he does possess such a complete, unedited video recording," Hu Jing said to Mr. Huang. As soon as Mr. Huang gave the order, she would contact Carlo.
She felt that Mr. Huang would most likely agree, as 1 million US dollars was a mere pittance for Jiangnan Group.
However, to her surprise, Mr. Huang shook his head and stated unequivocally, "Ignore him. We don't need that kind of thing."
"Why?" Hu Jing asked, confused. "This recording should completely resolve all online distrust. It's only 1 million dollars, what's the harm? Are you really reluctant to part with 1 million US dollars, boss?"
"It's not about the 1 million dollars. It's just that I believe it's best for things to continue to stir up like this!" Mr. Huang smiled slightly. "Let them make a fuss. The fiercer the online outcry, the more heated the arguments, the more discussion there will be about China's vacuum high-speed maglev pipeline railway. We can remain in the spotlight of public opinion. Isn't that a good thing?"
"As for whether it's the truth or not, it doesn't matter, because we actually possess the physical pipelines. When the first phase of the pipeline railway officially opens to the public on October 1st, all opposition and malice will turn into the most laughable foolishness in the world. The more they argue now, the more pathetic they will appear. I very much look forward to seeing the public opinion effect when all this happens. Isn't that much better than spending 1 million dollars to calm everything down now?"
"Besides, if this money is to be spent, it shouldn't be us paying. It should be the China Ultra-High-Speed Railway Development Company. We don't need to get involved in this mess!" Mr. Huang's words made Hu Jing roll her eyes, but she understood his thinking.
Thus, Jiangnan Group completely ignored Carlo's demand. Carlo waited for several days without receiving a reply, becoming increasingly anxious.
"Fine, if China doesn't want it, I'll sell it to our people. I'll make sure you can never get this evidence!" Carlo said angrily, determined to make the Chinese regret their decision.
Alas, Carlo made a mistake: he contacted Jiangnan Group, not the China Ultra-High-Speed Railway Development Company.
If he had contacted the China Ultra-High-Speed Railway Development Company, they might not have had Mr. Huang's peculiar taste for mischief, and he might have actually gotten the 1 million US dollars.
However, he instinctively believed this was Jiangnan Group's project and that Mr. Huang was orchestrating everything behind the scenes, never considering approaching the actual party responsible.
So, he turned to his contacts in the US, trying to find an executive at the United Super Vacuum Pipeline Railway Company and use the video to extort money.
At the same time, Carlo believed that the Chinese refused because the 1 million US dollar price was too high. He only wanted to recover his losses, so he lowered his demand to a mere 500,000 US dollars.
Carlo thought he would surely get the money this time.
Carlo's thought process was only half correct. The United Super Vacuum Pipeline Railway Company did indeed care greatly about the video, and they immediately tried to contact Carlo.
But Carlo's mistake was that his own countrymen were unwilling to give him even the 500,000 US dollars.
First, it was not someone from the United Super Vacuum Pipeline Railway Company who contacted Carlo, but his superior, the head of The New York Times in China.
This superior sneaked to Carlo's location and, in his capacity as a superior, demanded that Carlo hand over the video, citing noble reasons.
Since Carlo was a contributing reporter for The New York Times, the video he filmed was also part of The New York Times's assignment. Therefore, the ownership of the video should belong to The New York Times.
The superior ordered Carlo to immediately hand over all the video footage.
Carlo was furious. These people wouldn't even give him 500,000 US dollars.
However, Carlo wasn't foolish. He didn't openly defy them. Instead, he readily handed over the video. Whether Carlo kept a backup copy was only known to him.
The superior clearly considered the possibility of backups. Not only did he take Carlo's video, but he also directly ordered his subordinates to take all electronic equipment from Carlo's studio.
Carlo tolerated all of this, as the equipment was purchased with The New York Times's funds, and it was understandable for them to want to take their property.
It was only when the superior ordered the confiscation of Carlo's personal computer and photography equipment that Carlo finally lost his temper. He certainly wouldn't hand over his personal belongings.
"We suspect your equipment contains backups of our data, so we need to take it!" the superior said dryly.
"This is my personal property, and you have no right to take it!" Carlo stated forcefully. What followed was a punch. The superior himself didn't throw a punch, but one of his Chinese subordinates directly intervened, knocking Carlo to the ground. Then, a group of people moved like shadows, taking all the equipment from his studio.
Finally, the superior added, "Mr. Carlo, I regret to inform you that you have been fired by our magazine department. Our HR personnel will discuss the specifics of your departure with you. However, because you threatened the company with trade secrets, I don't think you'll receive any compensation!"
"You scoundrel!" Carlo struggled to get up from the ground, staring at his former superior with a face full of rage. He gritted his teeth and said, "You will regret this. You won't take anything from me!"
"Hahahaha!" The superior couldn't help but laugh. "Carlo, you creature like a Zerg, daring to speak to me like that? You dare to threaten me back?"
"Don't you know who is behind The New York Times? By the way, your family is in Ohio, right? You own a house there worth 1 million US dollars, don't you want to see all of that turn to dust?"
"Carlo, you're a smart person. You should understand that what we and those behind us want, no one can stop, no matter who they are or where they are. If you don't want to be crushed into powder, just keep your mouth shut, and you can live out your remaining years in peace!" the superior said with a cold smile.
"Of course, I know who is behind you. Aren't they the financial groups? I admit their power is immense. If I were still in Ohio, even 100 of me wouldn't have the courage to resist them!"
"But you probably forgot, this isn't Ohio, nor is it the United States. Have you forgotten where we are!" Carlo said with a cold smile.
"What did you say?" The superior was still somewhat bewildered and confused. At that moment, a knock came from outside the studio, and someone said, "Open up, this is the People's Police..."
"This is China, and I've already called the police!!" Carlo, his face covered in blood, sat on a chair and looked at his superior, bursting into laughter.
— — —
"I am the China correspondent for The New York Times, and I am an American. You have no right to hold me here!" The superior, confined in a blue and white room, faced two upright police officers and shouted desperately.
"Mr. Hally, this is China, not your America!" the officer said expressionlessly. "Someone reported that you were involved in robbery. After our on-site investigation, you are not only suspected of robbery but also of assault. You are suspected of two very serious crimes. I hope you cooperate with our investigation so we can reach a conclusion as soon as possible!"
"I didn't rob anything. Those were company assets, and I was merely reclaiming them on behalf of the company!" Hally stated loudly.
"In that case, are the laptop in the photos and these photography equipment also company property? We obtained these from your men." The officer presented several photos taken at the scene.
"..." Hally was speechless, as these were indeed not company assets, but Carlo's personal belongings.
"As for the assault, it has nothing to do with me. I didn't lay a hand on anyone!"
"But the person who did the hitting was your subordinate!"
"They are not my subordinates, they were temporary movers I hired. I don't know why they would assault someone!" Hally said.
"Alright, we hope the judge will believe your testimony later! If you have anything to say, today's interrogation is concluded. We'll be leaving now!" With that, someone else was about to escort Hally back to the detention center.
"I want to make a phone call! I want to call the embassy!" Hally shouted.
"No need. We have already contacted your country's embassy. All procedures will be handled according to the law. You can quietly stay here for a few days!"