If you cheat, money will follow

After his opening remarks, Savoy got straight to the point: "In order to promote the diversification of our domestic economy and reduce our over-reliance on the oil industry, we intend to sell a small stake in Aramco."

“Our goal is to bring in investment partners with strategic vision to broaden our investment universe.”

Chang Le was very surprised by this and was speechless for a moment.

On the side, the accompanying officials from the domestic departments were also astonished. Their eyebrows were raised involuntarily, forming an arc of surprise, as if they were asking:

"Saudi Arabia is short of money?"

Of course there is no shortage of money.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia's fiscal deficit will be US$300 billion, which is not a big number compared to its huge oil revenue.

According to data released by Saudi Arabia, its oil revenue will reach US$2022 billion in 3260, with an average revenue of nearly US$9 million per day.

This means that Saudi Arabia can cover its $300 billion deficit through oil revenue in less than 34 days.

Deficit, naked and lonely.

What's more, Chang Le knows that Xiao Sa's income at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel has reached an astonishing US$8000 billion.

Considering the current situation, Chang Le quickly understood Xiao Sa's intentions. He calmed down and asked:

"How much is the small share of equity you are talking about?"

"No more than 8%." Xiao Sa answered clearly.

Aramco was listed in China in December 2019.

After the listing, the royal family holds 98.44% of the shares, with only 1.56% of the outstanding shares.

Going public was also a lonely experience.

8% of the shares, with a market value of approximately US$1600 billion, will nominally become the second largest shareholder.

But the significance of Leda's investment in Aramco goes far beyond that. As the core source of global new energy technology, this move undoubtedly injects confidence into the traditional fuel industry.

However, this endorsement does not come without a price.

Chang Le further asked: "Then what practical benefits can we get from this cooperation?"

Xiao Sa paused for a moment, and then replied seriously: "We will more actively integrate into your country's macro strategy and increase investment and cooperation in China."

"At the same time, we will ensure the security of your country's energy supply and provide stable and affordable oil that is not affected by fluctuations in market demand."

“In addition, in terms of currency settlement, we are also willing to further explore and develop the possibility of local currency settlement.”

Xiao Sa's words surprised the accompanying officials, and Chang Le's heart also felt a lot.

The significance and value contained in these words obviously far exceeds the US$1600 billion and the endorsement of Leda Investment.

It not only shows Xiao Sa's courage, determination and means, but also reflects the significant improvement in domestic influence and status from the side.

"So, what price do we need to pay?" Chang Le continued to ask.

Xiao Sa smiled with satisfaction: "Our country is short of water resources, so we need more fresh water resources to meet the needs of industry and agriculture."

Although there is black gold everywhere in the Kingdom of Sand, there is no fresh water river.

They mainly solve water problems through desalination and purchasing.

Desalinated seawater is mainly used in industry, while purchased water is used in daily life.

"This issue can be discussed. Are there any other conditions?" Chang Le nodded to express understanding and continued to ask.

"We also hope to further reduce domestic electricity prices to promote the development of related industrial industries." Xiaosa added.

"This can also be discussed. Is there anything else?" Chang Le continued to nod and ask.

Xiaosa thought for a moment and then slowly said: "There are two bases in our country. We hope to get more security protection support to ensure that we are not interfered by these two bases and surrounding bases."

"As for the supply of fresh water and power energy technology and equipment, we can sit down and discuss in detail and try our best to meet your country's needs." Chang Le responded:

"But security protection issues are not within the scope of our company's business..."

As he spoke, he looked at the accompanying official next to him.

"Of course, we will report this demand to our superiors in time." The department official smiled and nodded to express his understanding, his smile revealing deep satisfaction.

"We can take our time on this issue. We have already formulated relevant plans, and we hope you can also provide corresponding solutions." Xiao Sa said with a smile:

"Before that, on behalf of Saudi Arabia, I sincerely invite you and your wife to visit our country. We will do our best to provide you with high-quality logistical support services."

This invitation obviously surprised both Chang Le and the accompanying officials.

It is worth noting that Xiao Sa never disclosed the content of this meeting to senior officials. And, as everyone knows, Chang Le never leaves the country.

After the meeting that day, Xiao Sa said goodbye and left.

Decision-makers also received relevant information immediately.

They took it very seriously and immediately organized a small-scale meeting to study and discuss it.

"After analysis and inference, the other party's invitation to Leda to invest in Aramco is just as an entry point for cooperation..." Relevant departments reported the situation to the meeting:

“The other party is well aware of the influence of Leda Investment in our country and around the world, so their real purposes may be threefold:”

"The first is to bind Leda Investment through equity, laying the foundation for broader cooperation between the two parties and sending a clear and direct signal to the world."

"Second, it is more conducive to obtaining various advanced technical support from the research institutes under Lucda Investment. Even if it is not available temporarily, we can still make preliminary preparations."

"Our analysis shows that this support is not only based on seawater desalination technology and low-cost photovoltaic power generation, but they also hope to receive technical support from the industrial industry."

"Last year, the other party officially launched the national industrial strategy and established the Supreme Industrial Committee, which is responsible for formulating the governance model of the industrial sector and supervising the development of the industry."

"They hope to create a competitive and sustainable industrial economic environment through the national industrial strategy, focusing on the development of 12 subordinate sub-sectors, and increasing the number of factories to about ."

"They should hope to get support from intelligent industrial production lines to promote strategic implementation."

"Third, the other side is unwilling to accept its traditional position as an energy exporting country and hopes to have more say and voice in more fields and at a higher level."

“To achieve this goal, the best partner is us.”

"So, they built a bridge by inviting Leda Investment to take a stake in Aramco, releasing more goodwill including increasing investment cooperation, stabilizing energy parity supply, and discussing local currency settlement."

"However, when they invited Chang Le to travel, it should be a test."

"If this doesn't happen, they may think we lack sincerity and will reconsider the feasibility of in-depth cooperation."

After the department report, "Let's all share our opinions."

"Let me talk about my views first. The other party is willing to work with us in many aspects such as macro policy, energy supply and internationalization process. This is undoubtedly a major benefit and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. I suggest that we should Act quickly and start secret consultations.”

"I would also like to add a few words. Although this is indeed a rare opportunity, we cannot ignore the potential risks. The other party's initiative in macro policies, energy supply and internationalization process undoubtedly shows their sincerity, but This may also deeply touch the sensitive nerves of the other side. We must take precautions in advance to prevent them from taking drastic actions.”

“One thing we must be clear about is the importance of Chang Le to Leda Investment and Pingtouge Research Institute, and Leda Investment and Pingtouge Research Institute is also indispensable to us.”

"The importance of security issues far exceeds cooperation itself. Many countries, institutions and organizations, including those on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, regard Changle, Leda Investment and Pingtouge Research Institute as threats. At home, we have the ability to deal with and control these Risks, but once you go abroad, the situation becomes complicated. "

"That's right. We cannot let Chang Le take any risks. If the risk cannot be controlled, we should have frank consultations with the other party and explain our concerns and reasons. If the other party insists, I would rather we give up."

"But I think giving up is not a wise move. This will not only cause us to lose this precious opportunity, but may also make many oil-exporting countries, including Saudi Arabia, look down upon us. I firmly believe that countries with such ideas It’s definitely not the only one. If we can handle this properly, it will undoubtedly open up a new situation for us.”

"I suggest that instead of working behind closed doors here, we should listen to the opinions of this young man Chang Le."

"Yes, we should listen to Chang Le's thoughts first."