Simon initially had no intention of entertaining the request from Zhu Momo's mother for a conversation. He didn't have time to cater to the needs of every partner's parent. However, recalling some things Zhu Momo had mentioned about her family during their chats, he suddenly found himself intrigued. He casually sent a reply to Chen Qing, stating he could make some time on Saturday for a chat. He also asked her to look into Zhu Momo's family background.
After handling some emails, it was nearly noon.
An assistant came to inform him that Janet's elder brother, Anthony Johnston, and his family had arrived. Simon left his study.
Anthony had been in Brazil for the past few days, dealing with the privatization of Vale, Brazil's largest iron ore company. Johnston Holdings had ultimately decided to acquire a portion of Vale's shares.
Simon had discussed this matter with the old man some time ago.
It was still the same idea: the Johnston family should avoid attempting to monopolize every major global iron ore producer. Doing so would likely lead to antitrust risks and precise countermeasures in the future.
The old man partially agreed with Simon's perspective.
In Australia, the Johnston family wouldn't seek to completely consolidate the market. Instead, they would leave an apparent competitor while retaining dominant influence. However, in Brazil, they still wanted a stake.
To truly control the global iron ore industry, informal alliances or tacit agreements wouldn't suffice. In Australia, the Johnstons, backed by the Westeros system, had enough confidence to maintain strong influence. But in Brazil, even if they couldn't take over Vale, they had to ensure they held some degree of real power—essentially, a stake in the company.
After greeting Anthony and his family, Simon had some time before lunch. He and Anthony retreated to a study on the first floor. Once a maid brought in coffee, Anthony began talking about his recent trip to Brazil.
"It's basically settled. We'll acquire 15% of the shares, while Mitsui of Japan is taking about 30%."
Simon, already familiar with the plan from earlier phone conversations, nodded. "So, the Brazilian government is retaining absolute control?"
"There's resistance domestically in Brazil, so we can't rush this," Anthony replied, sipping his coffee. He continued, "However, to push the Brazilian government into selling more shares, all it would take is another economic crisis. When that happens, even if they don't want to sell, they'll have no choice. The Brazilian economy has looked good on the surface in recent years, but it's deeply unbalanced underneath."
The Brazilian economy had been unstable in the early 1990s, oscillating up and down. Two years ago, the Mexican Peso Crisis had rocked Latin America, spurring Brazil's willingness to privatize Vale. Recently, with the economic recovery in Europe and the US and the rapid development in Asia, especially China, Brazil's economy had rebounded quickly. However, Brazil, reliant on exports of iron ore and agricultural products, was highly susceptible to external economic shifts. Both past and future events in Simon's memory confirmed this. Unlike China's steady upward trajectory starting in the 1990s, Brazil's economic path was marked by constant ups and downs.
Anthony's assessment was essentially correct. In times of crisis, to secure funding, the Brazilian government would have to sell off assets.
Simon thought about it and said, "Give it three years at most. Next year, someone will target Southeast Asia, and when that happens, all of Asia's economy will slump. Since Asia is Brazil's primary export growth market, the impact will trickle down to Latin America. Three years at most."
"Three years might be short—five years is more realistic. But this doesn't concern us much. As per your approach, we only need to maintain influence over Vale without pursuing more. The Japanese, on the other hand, will be in a hurry," Anthony said, smiling. "By the way, our strategies in China have also significantly hindered Japanese efforts. They're not very fond of us at the moment."
"Then I should take some time to visit Japan and mend the relationship."
Simon's tone was teasing, and Anthony chuckled.
Given Simon's consistent knack for triggering the "Westeros Effect" wherever he went, he was undoubtedly the least welcome person in Japan. Another visit might spell disaster for Japan's stock market.
After some lighthearted banter, Anthony shifted the topic. "On the flight back, I read the latest immigration and labor law proposal drafted by the Liberal government. I must say, it aligns with Australia's long-term interests much better. Makes you wonder what the previous politicians were doing."
Anthony referred to a new immigration and labor policy quietly influenced by the Westeros system and the Johnston family.
This initiative had been personally spearheaded by Simon earlier in the year.
Following the March elections, Australia's Labor Party, in power for 13 years, was finally ousted. The Liberal Party, in coalition with the Nationals, formed the new government.
In simple terms, Australia's Labor and Liberal parties roughly parallel the Democratic and Republican parties in the USA—one leaning conservative, the other more progressive.
With the Liberals in power, immigration policies were expected to become more open.
The Westeros system, which had quietly facilitated the election outcome, was not in favor of this. However, since the Labor Party favored high welfare and low taxes—where low taxes were acceptable, but escalating welfare benefits were unsustainable—the system had helped orchestrate their downfall.
Under the Liberal Party, welfare cuts and tax increases were tolerable. But immigration was another matter.
Due to its vast land and sparse population, Australia had a chronic labor shortage, making immigration a necessity. Drawing inspiration from Singapore, Simon proposed a policy allowing high-net-worth immigration while also formalizing low-skilled labor importation.
High-net-worth immigrants would bolster Australia's economic strength.
Low-skilled workers, though previously considered, faced resistance from the lower classes worried about job competition. This often led to widespread illegal labor.
With increased control over Australia through the Westeros system, Simon invested heavily in public relations and campaigning to demonstrate the policy's benefits to the local populace. This led to the bill's passage.
At its core, Simon's "Eden Plan" underpinned this effort.
Determined to transform Australia into the Westeros family's "Eden," Simon viewed the continent, not just Tasmania, as a private domain. He was keenly aware of the societal chaos in future America caused by extreme cultural diversity and the decline of its core demographic—a scenario he wouldn't allow in Australia.
Thus, under the new law, imported laborers, akin to Singapore's policies but even stricter, were issued visas subject to biannual reviews. To prevent workers from settling, their stay was capped at two years before mandatory departure. Citizenship was out of the question.
Simon and Anthony continued their conversation until Janet came to fetch them for lunch. Anthony's family stayed only two days, leaving soon after to avoid intruding on Simon's private time.
The week quickly passed, and by September 7, Saturday arrived.
If not for a reminder from an assistant, Simon might have forgotten an appointment. That evening, while the family prepared for a BBQ outside, Simon retreated to a private study on the villa's second floor.
With video conferencing equipment set up, Simon prepared for the call. A 100-inch projection screen on the wall served as the interface, while the other party in China likely used a regular computer.
The connection established, Simon first saw Chen Qing.
After a quick greeting, Chen Qing stepped aside.
A woman in a black dress took her place on the screen. She bore some resemblance to Zhu Momo but, as Zhu had mentioned, her mother was even more beautiful. The woman exuded an ageless charm, her fair, oval face carrying a captivating allure shaped by years of experience—an elegance Simon found quite appealing.
Seated behind a spacious desk, Simon wore wireless earphones and looked at the projection screen. On the other side, Mo Yiling saw a young foreign man reclining in a leather chair, smiling at her.
Despite mentally rehearsing this conversation, Mo Yiling felt uncharacteristically flustered before this towering figure—a man worth $1.5 trillion. Though physically separated by thousands of miles, she found herself unnaturally tense, momentarily forgetting how to assert herself.
In the study of the courtyard house in Beijing, Chen Qing, Lin Su, Zhu Momo, and her aunt Mo Wuling observed Mo Yiling's reaction, each with their own thoughts.
Zhu Momo, in particular, was astonished. It was her first time seeing her strong-willed mother so unsettled.
Finally, Simon broke the silence. "Hello, Ms. Mo."
Mo Yiling regained her composure, quickly adjusting her posture. "Hello, Mr. Westeros."
She immediately noted how flawless Simon's Chinese was, momentarily forgetting she was speaking to a foreigner.
Simon smiled. "So, you wanted to talk to me?"
Taking a deep breath, Mo Yiling straightened her back and met his gaze through the screen. "Yes, Mr. Westeros. I want you to let my daughter go. She's still just a child."
As she spoke, she unconsciously exuded an air of authority. Zhu Momo, although prepared for such remarks, hesitated to interrupt.
Simon, unfazed by her change in demeanor, nodded easily. "If that's what Momo wants, I have no problem. I never force the women around me to stay. They're free to leave anytime."
Mo Yiling was momentarily stunned.
She hadn't expected this man to agree so readily—or at all. Instead of satisfaction, a wave of irritation surged within her.
"Mr. Westeros, it seems you don't care about my daughter," she retorted.
Simon studied her expression, noticing she was staring at the screen instead of the
camera, a rookie mistake he decided not to correct. Instead, he smiled. "Ms. Mo, you remind me of something Confucius once said: 'Only women and petty men are difficult to deal with. Draw close to them, and they grow presumptuous; keep your distance, and they grow resentful.' If I refuse to let your daughter go, you'd undoubtedly be angry. Now that I've agreed, you're still upset. This puts me in a difficult position."
Zhu Momo couldn't help but laugh aloud at Simon's words.
Mo Yiling flushed with embarrassment and a touch of anger. This man was insufferable. She had prepared extensively for this conversation, only to find herself completely thrown off course by his unyielding ease.
In her professional life, she would have cut her losses and ended such a futile exchange. But this was different—her daughter was involved.
Taking another steadying breath, Mo Yiling said, "In that case, Mr. Westeros, I have additional conditions."
Simon shook his head. "Ms. Mo, that's unreasonable. If I've already let your daughter go, you can't make further demands."
Finally regaining some control, Mo Yiling countered sharply, "These are things my daughter deserves. She was just a...young girl when she was with you."
Zhu Momo felt an overwhelming urge to cover her face.
Simon understood what Mo Yiling was implying but firmly replied, "But, Ms. Mo, as you likely know, we Westerners don't place much importance on that."
Mo Yiling shook her head. "No, Mr. Westeros. Since you understand Chinese culture so well, you should know what this means—and you should care deeply."
Zhu Momo wished she could disappear into the floor.
Mo Wuling, observing her elder sister argue with Simon Westeros about such a matter, also felt secondhand embarrassment. "Sister, is this really an appropriate topic to discuss with your daughter's...man?"
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