Chapter 1606 - 1573: Three-Party Negotiation

Director Mo and Minister Zhu exchanged words for two rounds. Ah Tan instantly understood the value of the fish and knew she mustn’t offend either side. Moreover, this matter couldn’t be delayed. Once delayed, there would be changes; more people would come to Anfield Village, leading to uneven distribution of benefits, and maybe they’d mess things up. Their holiday village might not gain any advantage.

Ah Tan’s sparkling eyes flickered, and she smiled sweetly, saying, "I will surely sell the fish, but our holiday village relies on this fish for survival. We also need to keep some for ourselves."

This statement not only made Minister Li but even Director Mo widen their eyes, realizing they had underestimated this young lady. It was such a bold demand. If Ah Tan had asked for more compensation or other technical support, they wouldn’t consider it much. But keeping the imperial goldfish—it’s a joke. The research institute couldn’t keep the fish alive; how could they preserve these fish?

"This fish is delicate. Since it has taken root and survived in Anfield Village, Anfield Village must have the essential conditions for its survival, and nowhere else is more suitable for keeping these fish," Ah Tan said calmly, "We can sell you some, for research or turning them over to the nation, but the root can’t be moved, or else the fish will truly go extinct."

She was young and beautiful, speaking with a clear and smiling voice, making her arguments convincing, leaving the group unable to refute.

If it were ordinary villagers, upon hearing about handing them over to the nation, their legs would tremble, not daring to mention compensation, just nodding in agreement. The long-established rule was that the people don’t fight with officials. Where would they negotiate conditions like Ah Tan did?

Minister Li and Director Mo exchanged a look, realizing this girl was hard to deal with. Initially, they planned to buy the fish and compete for the research rights of the imperial goldfish, then thoroughly study the lake and even relocate it. Now, it was a hassle.

"Ah Tan, little lady, even if the fish were kept, you couldn’t eat them," Minister Li said cheerfully. How could a dish served at state banquets show up among civilians?

Before Minister Li finished speaking, everyone’s expressions turned odd, especially those who had tasted the imperial goldfish. It turned out that the holiday village folks had all savored the taste of this fish. At this moment, Elder Weng and Oliver Zolotov completely became followers, shrinking at the end of the group, not daring to say a word.

"Who says we’re keeping the imperial goldfish for eating? We are protecting the country’s precious fish species. We won’t eat them, only admire them," Ah Tan laughed, implementing the top-down approach. If forbidden to cook the goldfish, they wouldn’t make it, but keep them in a fish tank as ornamental fish, still attracting visitors nationwide with this unique feature and earning money.

Moreover, generally, people couldn’t afford to eat this fish; it’s like taking a bite of gold, making their teeth ache.

Minister Li’s smile suddenly seemed a bit stiff, looking at Marcus Quinn, who managed to remain silent, while the Spencer family members played their usual naive act. The group kept grinning without saying a word.

Director Mo, seeing him stuck, laughed inwardly but maintained a dignified demeanor, smiling kindly, saying, "Ah Tan, little lady, possessing jade invites trouble. Even if you kept some imperial goldfish, this matter has already spread. If everyone comes fishing, your holiday village will never have a peaceful day again."

The old fox, Ah Tan’s biggest fear was exactly this, but giving up Treasure Mountain was impossible for her.

"That’s why we have already built a fence by the lake. If the Military District can provide technical support, the better it would be. If you all can find out the reason why the imperial goldfish thrive massively here in Anfield Village, wouldn’t Director Mo be less worried about breeding more goldfish?" Ah Tan tried her best to mimic her father’s negotiation tone and manner, smiling.

Director Mo pondered slightly. He came personally for this very reason, hoping to discover why the imperial goldfish proliferated profoundly. Even if Ah Tan kept the fish stock, he’d be able to breed large quantities of the fish in the Imperial City. The real value doesn’t lie in the fish but in the lake where they grow.

Director Mo seemed torn, glancing at the ever-stable Marcus Quinn before nodding, saying, "Considering old Quinn’s connection, as long as you sell me some imperial goldfish and allow us to collect samples for research here, I naturally have no issue."

"I have no issue either. But Ah Tan, little lady, since you’ve sold fish to old Mo, you shouldn’t favor one over the other." Minister Li looked at Marcus Quinn with a slight caution. Although Quinn’s clan couldn’t threaten him, old Quinn’s network endured for decades, still functioning. If this happened in other holiday zones, they surely would use both soft and hard tactics. With the descendants of old Quinn, peace brings wealth.

"Naturally, for further sales and retention of imperial goldfish, discuss them with Marcus Quinn," Ah Tan sweetly smiled, thinking selling fish was great—it’s all money.

With a verbal agreement, Marcus Quinn also concurred, making the business deal realized. Marcus Quinn proceeded to discuss the remaining details privately with the two.

After it was negotiated, in the evening, the group stayed for dinner. Marcus Quinn went to the pool and fetched out three imperial goldfish, still preparing fish soup and a full fish banquet. The group tasted Marcus Quinn’s culinary skills, almost eating their tongues, shed pretentiousness and facade, burying themselves in food.

A dinner managed to foster a harmonious atmosphere. In the evening, Director Mo and Minister Li naturally wouldn’t stay at the holiday village, returning that night.

The accompanying Green County mayor and city mayor, after having dinner, not only met people from the Imperial City but also grabbed a meal, delighted and now attached great importance to Marcus Quinn, Ah Tan, and the holiday village, planning frequent visits later.

After everyone had left, Marcus Quinn closed the door and called a meeting with Ah Tan and the Spencer family. He then solemnly said, "We’ve reached an agreement: all captured imperial goldfish will be divided into three parts—one for me, the research institute, and Minister Li. Moreover, we are ordered not to sell the imperial goldfish to others, and they will help us resist pressures from other parties."

Director Mo will send people for long-term research in the holiday village, with Oliver Zolotov leading the research. Minister Li will periodically transport imperial goldfish from our place to the Imperial City."

Listening to Marcus Quinn elaborating on these specific details, only then did Ah Tan and others realize the scheme held many intricacies. The three sides mutually restrained: the holiday village, as a beneficiary, obtained money but lost the right to sell imperial goldfish, only able to sell fish to the research institute and Minister Li. The research institute received research rights but couldn’t transfer fish within three years. Minister Li spent money and received fish, effectively becoming the holiday village’s exclusive distributor, possessing the sole selling right.

They formed a relationship of research, production, and exclusive selling. In the short term, it seems Director Mo suffered the most loss; however, if he succeeds in decoding the secret of the imperial goldfish’s massive propagation, he’d benefit the most. As for the holiday village, earning money is the best outcome, while the higher-ups cannot allow the holiday village to sell such a highly expensive fish externally.