Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 490 - 305: How Do You Know Everything!?

Qi Yun did not answer immediately after listening, playing with the teacup in his hand, pondering something.

After a good two or three minutes, he finally looked up at De Gaulle, slowly speaking: "The map marks a total of six locations. You, or rather your family, already know the information for four of those locations. Am I right?"

Although Qi Yun’s words were calm, they hit De Gaulle’s ears like a thunderclap!

He suddenly clenched his fist and stared at Qi Yun with a look of loss of composure for the first time.

"How do you know this!"

This was the Gwen Clan’s most core secret, known to no more than five people, and De Gaulle could not understand how Qi Yun knew.

Qi Yun did not answer this question, but continued to speak leisurely: "These four locations are Khufu’s Pyramid, the Mayan Ruins, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Loulan Ancient City that I discovered some time ago."

This bombshell caused De Gaulle to stand up in excitement, his breathing became rapid, and he stared at Qi Yun again, demanding, "How do you know these things!"

"Don’t be so agitated." Qi Yun smiled, calmly gesturing for him to sit down, "You want to buy the map in my hand just to find out the location of the last place."

"I can give you the map for free, even directly tell you where the last location is."

"Moreover, I can assure you that the clues at that location are still there, I haven’t taken them."

"Are you serious!?" De Gaulle’s half-seated position was lifted again as he incredulously stared at Qi Yun.

Despite the many doubts in his mind, he was now being led by the nose by Qi Yun.

Qi Yun nodded: "Naturally, it’s true."

"Since you’ve found out the last location, why didn’t you retrieve the key clues like with Northern Mongolia and Loulan Ancient City?" De Gaulle’s tone was somewhat skeptical.

"That’s a good question." Qi Yun took a sip from his teacup, responding sincerely, "If we cooperate, having one key or two keys in my hands doesn’t make much difference to me."

"I just need to ensure that one of the keys is unique, wouldn’t you say?"

De Gaulle, hearing this, almost spat out a mouthful of old blood, feeling unspeakable frustration but helpless.

He took a deep breath, sat back in his chair, calmed down for a few seconds, and spoke again: "What do you want from me."

Everyone was smart, he naturally knew that Qi Yun would not give him the map for no reason.

"Just one condition." Qi Yun extended one finger, speaking with intent, "I heard that you, Mr. De Gaulle, have a good relationship with Christophe from ASML."

"I hope you can help me get a batch of the most advanced EUV lithography machines, and it would be even better if they can be shipped directly here."

When De Gaulle heard the name "Christophe," his face twitched violently, as if a sensitive nerve had been struck, leaving him staring dazedly for a long time.

Before the last meeting, he was not well acquainted with Christophe, and even that meeting was arranged through introductions by fellow countrymen from France. Thus, Qi Yun saying that he had good relations with the person meant he knew something, or he wouldn’t say such things.

Looking once more at Qi Yun’s ambiguous smile, he gradually began to feel fear, as if nothing could escape this man’s eyes.

He wished he could bind Qi Yun and thoroughly interrogate him, figuring out how he knew these things.

The people aware of his meeting with Christophe, apart from Christophe’s entourage, were only his assistant and driver. Could there be a traitor among them?

After a long silence, De Gaulle hoarsely spoke: "I can attempt to communicate with Christophe, but I can’t guarantee this will succeed."

"Mr. Qi, you should know how strictly the EU controls ASML, and with the United States’ interference, it is difficult for companies not on their trusted list to purchase EUV lithography machines."

Qi Yun knew he was speaking the truth, but only about the second part. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Certain countries’ blockade against Huaxia is quite tight, especially for high-end equipment like lithography machines, which can only be obtained through official channels.

Even if the equipment is obtained through grey channels, there would be double investigations by the EU and the US, and the subsequent maintenance and parts supply of the equipment would also be problematic.

Moreover, ASML’s lithography machines require exclusive calibration technology and consumables, without official authorization, the equipment is no different from scrap iron.

This is why Fu Wentao sought interest exchange from the Blackstone Group to find a way.

But speaking of this, if you could get them to agree to help you obtain ASML shares, wouldn’t they find a way to supply you with a batch of lithography machines?

Qi Yun pulled out a cigarette from the box on the table, lighting it and taking two deep drags: "Sorry, this is my only condition. If the lithography machines can’t be obtained, I’m afraid we can’t continue to cooperate."

De Gaulle gritted his teeth, knowing he was being cornered by Qi Yun.

Qi Yun was not negotiating terms but forcing him to make a choice, either abandon the family’s centuries-old pursuit of secrets or spare no expense to get a batch of lithography machines.

But the risk of this matter was even greater than bribing Christophe!

If it was known by the European Union and the United States, he would face the most severe sanctions, and even the Gwen Clan would be implicated.

Even though he is French nobility.

After weighing the situation for a while, De Gaulle asked, "Doesn’t Mr. Qi want to explore the secrets behind the map?"

Qi Yun shook his head seriously and said, "To be honest, I’m not someone with a strong sense of curiosity."

De Gaulle was infuriated by these words, but he had no choice.

After thinking for two minutes, he stood up, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Qi, I will contact now."

Qi Yun raised his hand, gesturing for him to proceed.

...

On the other side, London, Kensington Palace Gardens.

A family meeting was taking place in James’s manor.

Sitting at the long table were more than a dozen core members of the Boot Clan, some holding important positions in the government, others dominating the business world.

In short, there were no simple roles at the table.

Sitting in the prime position, James held an unlit cigar, his gaze scanned over the tense faces across the table, the atmosphere on the table was icy, no one dared to break the silence first.

"Losing that batch of Huaxia artifacts, the authorities want to tear up the previous agreements." James finally spoke, a note of fatigue in his voice, "All our efforts for that mining area will be in vain."

The middle-aged man sitting on the left side slammed the table, full of anger, "Those guys are just greedy! They’ve taken so many benefits from the Boot Clan, and now just because of losing a batch of insignificant artifacts, they want to turn against us?"

The speaker was James’s brother, Llewellyn, who managed the Boot Clan’s core business in Wales.

Elina, a parliamentarian, took over the conversation, "A new round of elections will start soon, the authorities want to win over voters, showing the strength of Great Britain, so they attach great importance to those Huaxia artifacts."

"The Prime Minister has even asked The Times to prepare a promotional article in advance."

"Now that things have turned out like this, it’s expected for the authorities to tear up the agreement."

On the right side, James’s uncle also spoke, "I attended a banquet at Buckingham Palace yesterday, the Duke of Westminster looked at me like I’m someone who can’t even guard my own warehouse!"

"There are more than just us eying that mining area, the Childe family has been smoothing relations with the higher-ups, we must act immediately, otherwise Wales will be occupied by outsiders!"

"Also, the Huaxia person who took our stuff must pay a painful price! Otherwise, more people will dare to target the Boot Clan in the future!"

James sighed, "The assassin we sent failed, the kid’s security power is very strong."

"Moreover, he has just returned those artifacts to his country and has become a hero in Huaxia, surely he will have more powers protecting him."

"Send our own people, those wastes are unreliable." Llewellyn suggested with a tense face.

...

Here, Qi Yun had not finished a cigarette when De Gaulle pushed the door and came back, looking extremely sullen, no longer having the noble grace as when he first arrived.

He sat back into his chair heavily and said in a deep voice, "Christophe has agreed to find a way, but the number cannot exceed five, and this matter requires time to be operated, there might still be some resistance in the later stages."

Qi Yun nodded with satisfaction, five are already good, the annual output is less than fifty, most are divided among several shareholder enterprises.

"I understand, I appreciate Mr. De Gaulle’s help, as soon as the equipment enters Huaxia, I will immediately hand over the map, and reveal the final location to you."

"Additionally, if there is anything you need my efforts for in this matter, please feel free to tell me."

De Gaulle raised his eyes to look at Qi Yun, still carrying a few traces of undisputed gloom in them, he remained silent for a few seconds before continuing, "Mr. Qi, I’ve already shown my sincerity, now could you answer my previous question."

"How exactly did you know about the locations controlled by my family?"

Qi Yun smiled at him, "Sorry, Mr. De Gaulle, I cannot answer this question, you might want to ask another."

De Gaulle’s fingers clenched tightly, he stared at Qi Yun’s smiling face and gritted his teeth hard.

He anticipated this answer long ago, yet he couldn’t help feeling annoyed.

Qi Yun, like a gambler who tightly holds his cards, would only reveal the chips that benefit him, but would not disclose any of his bottom cards.

De Gaulle no longer wanted to stay, he stood up and said, "Today’s meeting ends here, in the coming period, I will be in Huaxia, and I hope that next time, we can truly reach a cooperative relationship."

"Safe journey." Qi Yun stood up gracefully and saw him to the door, smiling as he watched the Maybach disappear into the dark night.