Chapter 851: Chapter 830: Money Overpowers Authority “Mr. Mitsui, I’ve interacted with Gao Ping before, he’s quite decent, though a bit impulsive, but that’s just young people.” The banquet was nearing its end, and Lu Liang was open to all comers, eager to connect with various Neon forces. Unbeknownst to him, he had already become a core member of the upper class. He used an institution similar to Alipay’s Tianxing Fund to gather them all for his own use. Lu Liang understood their intention well, which was simply to have him resist other foreign capital while they reaped the benefits. But he didn’t mind, because only useless people are not exploited, and besides, it’s still unknown who will be the snipe, who will be the clam, and who will be the fisherman. At this moment, Mr. Anshan arrived late, quickly bypassing Ota Ling, and came directly to Lu Liang. With a broad smile, Anshan extended his hand, saying, “Mr. Lu Liang, I’ve heard your renowned name for a long time, and today I finally have the pleasure to meet you.” He narrowed his eyes, gazing at Lu Liang with a look carrying an air of scrutiny from a higher position. Even though he was shorter than Lu Liang and having to look up, he conveyed a feeling of looking down. After all, enduring longer in power than any politician since the end of the Showa era, while often appearing subservient in the news, that was merely for the United States, Russia, and the billions of Neon citizens. Only a handful globally could make him bow his head. “Mr. Anshan, you recently recovered from a serious illness, please do not overwork yourself; you must take good care of your health.” With a smile on his lips and his chin slightly raised, Lu Liang’s intention to look down became more evident, respecting him for his position as Prime Minister, but not the person itself. Anshan was just a passing Prime Minister, while Lu Liang, they were unbreakable tycoons, so he showed no fear. With a sigh, Anshan restrained the sharpness in his eyes and, hinting, said, “Neon has gone through a financial crisis; various industries domestically have been severely hit, especially foreign trade companies. How can I rest at this time?” Even though he added another point about foreign trade, recognizing the financial crisis as originating from the yen’s sharp drop, giving a sense that the main responsibility lay with the Wall Street institutions, astute people could sense he was indirectly chastising. After all, it all started because of Lu Liang. If it wasn’t for him critiquing Anshan Economics and triggering the short-selling wave against Neon, international institutions led by Wall Street wouldn’t have taken advantage, nor would the yen have plummeted. Lu Liang’s smile remained unchanged, hearing the implied meaning but showing not even the slightest guilt, he said, “Mr. Anshan, just now I was discussing this matter with Chairman Sanji Yongli and Mr. Sun Zhengyi, among others.” “Xingheng Investment originates in Neon, and is a part of Neon. Now, in dire times, as industries face a shortage of funds, we plan to establish a foundation to assist small and medium-sized companies, providing financial and technical support to help them through the crisis.” Alipay’s billion-yen subsidy has been ongoing for a week, with fund usage already around 280 billion yen and still consuming at a rate of 5 billion yen per day. The results have also been significant; as of last night at midnight, Alipay had 42 million active users in Neon, accounting for 35% of the total population. Having spent the money, it’s time to act. Triple salary was offered to hire Old Ma’s recommended technical team; it was money well spent. They were witnesses to Ant Financial’s journey from nothing and easily established the overseas version of Alipay’s Tianxing Credit Score system. Lu Liang plans to invest 50 billion USD to accelerate the expansion of this system, with Tianxing Finance contributing 30 billion USD as the core force, and the remaining 40% distributed among the representatives present. Anshan’s heart trembled as he glanced at Lu Liang and those smiling faces beside him, a chill rolling over him. He had developed Anshan Economics with significant effect; naturally, he studied various countries’ markets, including Ant Group’s development path. Lu Liang was clearly aiming to complete the road in Neon that Ant Group hadn’t finished in East Country. Leveraging financial strategies to control a country’s lifeline, thereby becoming an enterprise too big to fail. Moreover, Lu Liang has more conscience than Old Ma, or rather more prudence; Ant Group used 30 billion people credits to leverage 300 billion yuan, then used 300 billion for revolving loans to leverage 2 trillion capital. But Lu Liang learned from Ant Group’s lessons and plans to join forces with Neon’s local powers to collectively fund the initial 300 billion capital. Compared to the aggressive style in the speculative market, now he is terrifyingly steady and solid, without any flaws to stop him. After a long silence, Anshan maintained a forced smile and praised, “Mr. Lu Liang’s move undoubtedly alleviates our government’s pressure. On behalf of the national populace, I thank you for your assistance to our small and medium-sized enterprises.” Facing the mighty United States, he had felt helpless; facing the ever-strengthening East Country, he also felt helpless, but he hadn’t anticipated that a company could also give him a sense of helplessness. Because he couldn’t reject it, Lu Liang genuinely united with Neon local consortiums and pulled out 50 billion USD in cash to provide aid to various industries to help them through the crisis. Once news of rejection spread by Lu Liang, it would be tough for him, having barely recovered and returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, to escape being impeached and ousted again. Ordinary people have narrow horizons; they only focus on the present and only know that Lu Liang intends to spend money to help them through the difficulties, never considering the price secretly tagged on the blessings of fate. With a hearty laugh, Lu Liang glanced around, and Mr. Mitsui, Ota Ling, Sun Zhengyi, and others all laughed along. Once, they envied Samsung’s dominance in Korea; now, they felt this same experience. This confrontation saw the consortium side win overwhelmingly, with the government forced to compromise and accept. Lu Liang raised his glass with a smile, saying, “Now, with Mr. Anshan’s support, I believe as long as we work together, we can definitely overcome this crisis.” Anshan smiled, raised his glass, and drank it all. Suddenly, a sense of desolation emerged; in a dark world, why should he uphold the light within his heart? There’s nothing wrong with sinking into darkness, avoiding contradictions; a Prime Minister is just a role, he can’t be the savior of this country. Into the night, unwilling to part with his old brothers, Lu Liang promised to meet next time, and returned to his apartment in Roppongi. Returning home, alone with Sakurada Miyuki, she lifted her calf and kicked off her high heels like hugging a doll, tightly holding Lu Liang’s waist, looking up at him with eyes filled with infatuation and admiration: “Sir, how can you be so handsome?” Lu Liang was like a Heavenly God, not only rescuing her from peril but also spreading holy light to suppress all monsters. Tonight’s gathering had representatives from Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Softbank, and even Anshan, the dignified Prime Minister. But Lu Liang was the undisputed protagonist, not only uniting with local consortiums but also pressuring Anshan to submit. “Little fangirl, there’s not so many whys.” Lu Liang chuckled, reaching to ruffle Sakurada Miyuki’s hair and embraced her. He could suppress Anshan not because he was smarter than Anshan, but because the stakes between them were severely unequal. Lu Liang suddenly sighed, “The higher you go, the more you realize how fortunate it is to have a strong and reliable homeland.” He had money, and quietly supported by East Country, unlike Anshan, with the United States doing nothing but selling their unwanted junk. Even if it’s not junk but quality frontline military equipment, Neon’s people wouldn’t dare to fire first as they know once they start a war, it leads to a reckoning of national and personal grudges. It’s known there’s precedent; back when Zhu Di went northward, he invoked grudges from a thousand years ago, not to mention one less than a century old. Dıscover more novels at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝘯𝘦𝘵 At that time, the United States would intervene, but before they arrive, the island nation of Neon would likely be bombarded first. So they dare not go to war, and a nation that doesn’t dare to fight is destined to be at others’ mercy. Anshan knows this, Ota Ling knows it, Mr. Mitsui knows it, Sun Zhengyi knows it. That’s why they unreservedly support Lu Liang, choosing to stand with him, forcing Anshan to compromise. “Hehe, luckily I also have you, sir.” Sakurada Miyuki squinted with a smile, bearing no patriotic sentiments. The saying “marry a chicken follow a chicken, marry a dog follow a dog” originated in East Country, but is now thoroughly practiced in Neon. Once she marries Lu Liang, she’ll change her name to Lu Meixue, no longer being a Neon person, so the fate of the country doesn’t concern her. Lu Liang laughed silently, pinching Miyuki’s chin, teasingly saying, “Lu Meixue, go put the water on, it’s cold, I want a hot soak.” Sakurada Miyuki’s smile widened, she tiptoed barefoot, joyous steps proceeding towards the bathroom.