Chapter 16

Looking at the international news that had been turned upside down by the Jeju Island incident, Ji Feng felt a burst of cola in his throat. "Hahaha, it's really lively. Fortunately, I directly found a world-renowned law firm. If I had relied on myself, they would have probably destroyed me humanely."

Seeing the so-called experts from various countries occasionally jumping out in the news, saying that Jeju Island should belong to all of humanity and not to any individual, Ji Feng wanted to spray them in the face. "Damn, it wasn't easy for my great-grandfather to buy an island. You say it belongs to all of humanity, and it just belongs to all of humanity? Then why isn't your wife and daughter part of all of humanity? I don't even bother with you."

"Lao San, your matter is getting more and more lively. I have some news for you. The country is digging through everything to find you. It's definitely about this. You better think ahead about how to deal with it," Leng Wuxing said, tapping him while watching the news.

Ji Feng frowned slightly, but he could understand the situation at home. However, understanding doesn't mean he agreed. This was a precious legacy left by his great-grandfather. There was no way he would give it up. But after taking it back, using it for some projects and letting the country benefit wouldn't be bad. At least, compared to abroad, the price would be more advantageous.

"Thanks, Boss, for the reminder. I really need to think this through. I don't want to be swallowed whole. Should I talk to the U.S. about hiring their Pacific Fleet to guard my doorstep?" Ji Feng thanked him and then joked.

"Don't be ridiculous. Do you think the U.S. is that kind-hearted? Remember, it's easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. If you really go, they might swallow your entire island. You'd be better off negotiating with the top brass," Leng Wuxing sneered, clearly disapproving.

After chatting with Leng Wuxing for a while, he went to work, and Ji Feng continued browsing the news. Although the TV was also broadcasting news, Ji Feng had no love for Japanese and couldn't understand the gibberish. He was purely looking at the visuals.

"South Korea responds, will negotiate with Sida over the Jeju Island issue!" A QQ pop-up suddenly appeared, making Ji Feng's eyes light up. He quickly opened it to check.

Sure enough, the South Korean government, unable to withstand the international public opinion pressure, especially the significant reduction in the market share of major conglomerates' products abroad, and the immense commercial pressure from China, had to negotiate with Sida over this issue.

Although there were still significant differences within South Korea, the government knew they couldn't delay any longer. Otherwise, the situation would become more difficult. If they didn't acknowledge it, South Korean products might face the risk of being completely expelled from foreign markets, which would be tantamount to self-destruction.

To say that the domestic media was overly concerned would be an understatement. Even Xinhua News Agency had a special feature, and Tencent was no less, continuously describing the beautiful scenery, long history, and rich cultural environment of Jeju Island. It was hailed as an Eastern Hawaii untouched by industrial pollution, with no industry on the island, and its main sources of revenue being tourism and fishing, attracting a large number of domestic attention.

Reading the description, Ji Feng thought it sounded like a paradise on earth. He even thought it was describing some place in China. It didn't feel like his territory at all. It seemed he hadn't paid for the advertising. However, Ji Feng was pleased. If he could take it back intact, the future tourism market would definitely boom, especially for domestic tourists, who would likely make it their top choice.

While watching the news, his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up and saw it was Patna calling. He quickly answered, "Hi, beautiful, shouldn't you be negotiating with South Korea? How do you have time to call me?" Although Patna was in her forties, Ji Feng didn't mind teasing her occasionally.

"Mr. Ji, where are you now? If it's convenient, I hope to communicate with you in person. Before the negotiations, I want to confirm some conditions, especially the government investments on Jeju Island. It's unlikely that we can take everything without paying a cent," Patna was as efficient as ever.

Since the negotiations were about to start, things were finally making some progress, which made Ji Feng feel very relaxed. "I'm in Tokyo, but do we need to meet? I don't want to expose my identity, which would cause me big trouble. Didn't we already agree on everything?"

Patna was puzzled, "Are you on a trip in Tokyo?"

Ji Feng rolled his eyes, somewhat speechless, "Of course, I'm on a trip. What else could I be doing?"

Patna laughed, "Alright, have a good time. The thing is, although we agreed, the South Korean government's offer is too high. They want you to pay 100 billion dollars in investment..."

Before Patna could finish, Ji Feng immediately jumped up, "Impossible. They can't just set the price. Where am I supposed to get 100 billion dollars? If they insist, I can pay 1 billion dollars, but Jeju Island must be handed over to me intact. Otherwise, let them dismantle their investments. I'll rebuild it myself if I have to."

Patna was somewhat speechless, "1 billion dollars is definitely not enough. After discussions with the UBS accounting team you introduced, we believe 6 to 7 billion dollars is more reasonable. If you don't have that much cash, we can help you arrange a loan. I'm sure U.S. banks would be happy to lend to you, the island owner."

Ji Feng frowned slightly, "Ms. Patna, remember, you are my hired lawyer. You should represent me, not the U.S. bankers. Negotiate based on the agreed amount. The bonus issue can be agreed upon with the South Korean government. I'll transfer the money as soon as they hand over the island."

Patna was somewhat surprised, "Do you have that much cash?"

Ji Feng lightly smirked, "That's my problem. I guarantee I'll have enough cash when the time comes." He couldn't say he was taking it from the Japanese government's pocket. If he did, it might leak, and he didn't want any complications.

"Alright, keep your phone on 24/7. We'll contact you if we encounter any issues during the negotiations."

Ji Feng agreed and hung up. He needed to remind them who hired them. He hummed lightly, threw his phone on the bed, and continued to follow the progress of the event, while also thinking about how the top brass would treat him and what he would need to pay. He couldn't be stingy. Even with an island, he still needed the support of a major country, especially his own country. Otherwise, anyone could bully him, and he wouldn't have time for anything else. He was looking forward to a peaceful life of raising cattle, farming, and holding his children.

It took a team of over a hundred people two weeks to inventory and calculate everything. During this period, Ji Feng was the most relaxed. He wandered around Japan during the day and practiced the Body Strengthening Technique in the Shenlong Space at night, feeding Xiao Gua and Xiao Lan. Life was incredibly comfortable.

What made Ji Feng happiest was the significant progress in his Body Strengthening Technique, reaching the first level. This progress was largely due to the herbs left by his great-grandfather in the space, not just the ginseng but many other herbs he couldn't name. Even the thousand-year-old ginseng was only considered mid-to-lower grade in that courtyard.

When Ji Feng looked at the report Spark gave him and saw the long string of zeros, he was stunned for 30 seconds.

He rubbed his eyes, looked again, and asked Spark, "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake? How could there be so much?"

Spark shrugged and smiled, "We verified it three times, and the Bank of Japan also confirmed the number: 13.7 trillion yen, which is 135.6 billion dollars."

Ji Feng rubbed his head hard. Even though he had over a billion dollars in his account and knew he would get a big bite from Japan, he was still shocked by the number. 135.6 billion dollars, even with the devalued dollar, could do a lot. He could turn Jeju Island into a paradise.

Even if North Korea threatened to use force to take back Jeju Island, he could use money to knock them out and cut off their claws.

"Alright, how long will it take to get all the cash? It can't take more than five years. I'm worried Japan might default in the future."

Spark looked at Ji Feng, somewhat amused. Since the Bank of Japan had agreed to the exchange, they wouldn't default. It was just a matter of when he would receive the money.

Before he could answer, Ji Feng added, "Remember, if they pay in installments, the remaining amount must accrue interest, and it can't be calculated as a demand deposit. It should be calculated as a loan."

Spark barely resisted the urge to beat Ji Feng up and explained, "Boss, the Japanese government won't agree to calculate it as a loan. At most, they'll offer a 10% to 15% increase over the demand deposit rate. Otherwise, they'd rather we come back in a few years to exchange the bonds. You're asking for too much, and no country has that kind of payment capacity."

Ji Feng touched his nose, thinking he was being pushed by South Korea's insistence on 10 billion dollars and wanted to get back at Japan.