The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943-Chapter 71 - 80: A Grand Gesture

Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land is undoubtedly one of life’s great pleasures.

But what if that old acquaintance is a fake?

Pierre had just set foot in the embassy when he was immediately pulled aside by his clansman, Li Guoren, who greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Zhiyuan, you’ve heard the news too?"

"What news?"

"The Ambassador and Madam just returned from America for Christmas. I was just thinking about how to notify you, and here you are already! You’re really well-informed! But your timing isn’t great—Madam isn’t at the embassy today, but Ambassador Gu is..."

Compared to Li Guoren’s delight, Pierre couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety—here it was, the moment of truth!

But as he followed Li Guoren toward the ambassador’s office, Pierre gradually calmed down.

The truth?

What truth?

The truth is... would they really turn away a billionaire old friend?

Li Guoren knocked gently on the ambassador’s door and spoke from the doorway.

"Ambassador, this is Pierre—Li Zhiyuan—whom I mentioned to you before. He’s also from Nanyang and has business dealings with Madam’s family."

Having already heard Li Guoren’s report, Ambassador Gu Weijun, though he had no recollection of this person, knew he was an "old acquaintance" of his wife’s family and thus received him politely.

Gu Weijun, who had been perusing some documents, quickly closed the file and stood up to greet him.

"Oh, welcome, welcome! I just got back from America and heard about you from Shida. I was planning to visit you with Madam in the next few days, but since returning to London, I’ve been swamped with affairs and haven’t had the time. Please forgive me, Zhiyuan."

Pierre took a deep breath and replied, "You’re too kind, Mr. Gu. It’s I, as the junior, who should be visiting you."

After some polite conversation, Gu Weijun invited Pierre to sit. Li Guoren tactfully excused himself, and after personally serving a cup of tea, Gu Weijun asked:

"Zhiyuan, have you been in America recently?"

"That’s right. I’ve been busy in New York acquiring a few companies, so I haven’t had the chance to visit you and Madam. I sincerely apologize."

"No need to be so polite, Zhiyuan. Business comes first."

With a hearty laugh, Gu Weijun seemed to recall something and asked:

"The companies you acquired—were they Carl Metals and KTJ Chemical Industries?"

"That’s right."

His answer made Gu Weijun’s heart skip a beat, and his gaze lingered on Pierre with growing curiosity and admiration. So young, yet able to spend millions of dollars acquiring two major enterprises—such an outstanding young Chinese businessman was truly a rarity.

"Haha! When I was in America, I heard that a Chinese businessman had acquired two large companies. I was curious who could make such a grand gesture—never expected it to be an old friend! Zhiyuan, you’ve accomplished so much at such a young age, it really puts the rest of us to shame!"

Gu Weijun then inquired further about the acquisitions, his tone becoming even more cordial. Upon learning that Pierre was heading to Italy to acquire merchant ships, he nodded in approval.

"Zhiyuan, investing in shipping is absolutely the right move. With the war raging, most of our nation’s merchant ships have either been scuttled in the Yangtze or sunk by the Japanese—barely one in ten remains. When the war is won and the country is rebuilt, merchant ships will be indispensable. Buying ships now and laying out plans for the shipping industry in advance is truly visionary. No wonder your business has grown so large."

With these words of praise, Gu Weijun’s attitude toward Pierre became even warmer. After all, who could refuse a successful and talented young acquaintance—he didn’t even bother to ask in detail where Pierre’s family was from or his exact relationship to the Huangs.

And upon hearing that Pierre planned to acquire Italian enterprises and ship them back to China after the war, Gu Weijun’s gaze shifted from warmth to genuine admiration, his tone filled with heartfelt appreciation.

It was at this point that Pierre stated his purpose.

"Actually, I’ve come today to ask a favor of you, sir."

"Oh? What is it, Zhiyuan? Please speak freely."

Gu Weijun smiled. "There’s no need for formality between us."

It must be about passport issues, Gu Weijun thought. Or perhaps he wants me to arrange a diplomatic passport for him?

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Pierre’s words reached his ears.

"I have a batch of arms that I’d like to donate to the homeland."

"What?"

Gu Weijun was momentarily stunned.

"Arms? Donate arms?"

That’s what he wanted to ask for help with?

"Yes," Pierre nodded. "It’s a sizable batch, and I expect there might be some complications with the procedures."

"Complications? What complications could there be?"

Gu Weijun said, "Right now, with the war of resistance ongoing, the country is in dire need of military supplies. You’re willing to donate arms—such a wonderful thing—what complications could there be? And you’re asking me for help? Zhiyuan, it’s I who should be thanking you! Since the war began, not only has half our military funding come from overseas Chinese remittances, but Chinese communities everywhere have been donating money and supplies, buying national bonds, even abandoning their homes and businesses to return and support the war effort. The deep affection of overseas Chinese for the nation—we are well aware. Zhiyuan, for you to say ’ask a favor’—that really puts us to shame!"

The reason Gu Weijun said this was because, more often than not, it was he who had to go to the Overseas Chinese Associations to ask the leaders for help...

Donating money and supplies—now the situation has actually reversed. How could he not feel emotional about it?

"Sir, you’re too polite. However, I have quite a lot of supplies to donate."

"A lot?"

Gu Weijun looked at Li Yi’an, and at this moment, he was completely at a loss because of the young man before him.

He seemed so shrewd, so how could he suddenly become muddle-headed now? Who would ever complain about someone donating too much money or supplies?

Isn’t this the kind of thing where the more, the better?

"May I ask, Zhi Yuan, how much are you planning to donate?"

"About ten thousand tons."

In fact, this so-called donation was just a stepping stone. With this stepping stone, it would be much easier to handle the matters that followed.

"What!"

In an instant, Gu Weijun stood up in shock, staring at the young man before him in disbelief, exclaiming,

"Are you saying you want to donate ten thousand tons of supplies? All military equipment?"

"Yes."

Compared to Gu Weijun’s shock, Li Yi’an was much more composed, speaking in a relaxed tone.

"It’s just rifles, submachine guns, as well as machine guns, cannons, and ammunition—military supplies like that. It’s a pity there aren’t any tanks or planes. That’s really a shame."

Looking at the young man before him, who kept saying "what a pity," Gu Weijun was momentarily at a loss for words.

He also understood what Li Yi’an meant by "seeking help."

Donating ten thousand tons of military equipment—if this news got back to China, it would definitely stir up a huge storm.

But where did he get so much weaponry from?

Although curious, Gu Weijun knew full well that this matter was far beyond his ability to handle.