114: Preparations before departure

Lu Fan picked up the phone; it was Tang Jifeng.

"Brother Fan, from the sound of it, you've returned from this business trip with a lot on your mind?"

After a few pleasantries, Tang Jifeng's hearty yet shrewd laughter came from the other end of the line.

As a social butterfly, he could sniff out something even through a phone line.

Lu Fan rubbed his brow and decided to get straight to the point.

Tang Jifeng had wide connections and a sharp mind, so he might have a solution. Thus, Lu Fan began to explain, "I've run into a difficult problem.

I need a team. A team that can truly fight tough battles and is reliable.

The number of people... let's start with the framework of a reinforced company. It needs to be fast, lean, and have clean backgrounds.

Most importantly... they must be tight-lipped."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then Tang Jifeng's smiling voice came through: "I thought it was something major! Just this? Leave it to me!"

His tone was as relaxed as if he were discussing where to eat dinner.

Lu Fan was stunned: "Old Tang, this isn't a small matter, and time is tight..."

"Don't worry, don't worry!" Tang Jifeng interrupted him, his speech quickening. "This would be hard for anyone else, but for me, it's just right.

Listen to me: we'll do it in Xiangnan. I've already thought of a name—'Huaxing Industrial Park Security Elite Competition'!"

"A competition? Industrial park security?" Lu Fan didn't react for a moment.

"Exactly!" Tang Jifeng's voice was full of pride. "That's how we'll promote it to the public! Open to society, with a focus on veterans!

The conditions will be very generous: salary starting at three times that of ordinary security guards, with huge bonuses for good performance.

Room and board included, and if their families want to come, the industrial park's supporting factories will prioritize arranging jobs for them!

For those with children, we'll arrange for them to enter our industrial zone school—a one-stop service!

Tell me, wouldn't that be attractive to those veterans who just retired and might still be worrying about finding a job?"

Lu Fan's eyes lit up. High salary, family relocation, and children's education—this was hitting veterans exactly where it mattered!

Using industrial park security as a cover was both legal and low-profile!

"And after the initial screening and assembly?" Lu Fan pressed for the key point.

"Simple!" Tang Jifeng chuckled. "You still have me, don't you?

Under the Garrison Headquarters, there's a newly expanded Comprehensive Training Base with top-notch facilities, plenty of space, and a remote enough location.

I'll lend it to a key local enterprise for closed security training, to stockpile high-end security talent for the industrial park. No problem at all.

As for the paperwork, it's just a matter of a document in the left hand and a stamp in the right; I have the final say.

I'll also handle the training, ensuring I train a fierce Security Team for you as quickly as possible!"

In just a few words, the major problem troubling Lu Fan was effortlessly resolved by Tang Jifeng.

This plan not only solved the issues of recruitment, training grounds, and confidentiality.

It even gave the whole operation a perfect cloak of legality.

Lu Fan leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. This Fourth Brother, everything from your neck up is top-of-the-line.

The cigarette between his fingers flickered, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes: "Old Tang, you're really something!

Let's do as you say! Start immediately! Time is life!"

"Just you wait and see, Brother Fan!" Tang Jifeng's voice was full of energy. "I'll go get things moving right away and guarantee it'll be done beautifully!"

The call ended, leaving only the curling blue smoke from the cigarette between Lu Fan's fingers in the study.

And the finally relaxed smile on his face, which carried a cold, sharp edge.

A sharp blade was about to be quietly forged in Xiangnan.

Putting down the phone, Lu Fan got up and walked out of the study.

As the saying goes, 'before the troops move, the provisions must go first.' It was time to go ask someone for some military funds.

The wind from the Huangpu River carried the moist warmth of early summer, blowing across the international architecture of The Bund, but Lu Fan was in no mood to appreciate it.

Inside the grand storefront of Showa Jewelry, President Yamamoto Yushin had been waiting for a long time, his face beaming with an eager smile.

Seeing Lu Fan appear on time, he immediately went forward to greet him warmly.

"Lu Yi-san! Welcome, welcome! You are truly a model of punctuality!" Yamamoto Yushin bowed deeply, his attitude even more respectful than the previous two times.

The diamonds from last time were particularly popular in the US market, with an incredibly impressive profit margin.

For such a god of wealth, one could never be too respectful.

"President Yamamoto is too kind; I am simply fulfilling the contract."

Lu Fan returned the greeting calmly and gestured for Zhao Chengqiang to place several heavy, specially-made suitcases on the coffee table in the reception room.

Opening the suitcases, there was still that dazzling, brilliant light.

But unlike the previous two times which were purely loose diamonds, this time one of the suitcases contained mostly cut loose diamonds.

There was also a small portion of finished jewelry already set: rings, necklaces, and brooches.

These pieces of jewelry had novel designs and exquisite craftsmanship. Besides diamonds, the materials used...

...also cleverly incorporated colored gold and a small amount of platinum.

Yamamoto Yushin habitually picked up a magnifying glass first to carefully inspect the quality of the loose diamonds.

Seeing the same top-tier fire and purity as always, he nodded with satisfaction.

When his gaze fell upon the finished jewelry, he was momentarily stunned.

He carefully picked up a streamlined white gold ring set with diamond pavé.

Then he picked up a diamond necklace with a simple yet elegant design, his eyes erupting with a light of unbelievable surprise!

"Lu Yi-san! These... these pieces of jewelry... you brought them?"

Yamamoto Yushin's voice was filled with excitement. "This design! This craftsmanship! It's simply art!

I've never heard of this kind of setting technique or style; it's too perfect!"

Lu Fan's heart stirred. It was too much pressure for Zhecheng to provide 500 kilograms of high-quality loose diamonds at once.

To fill the gap, he had mixed in some finished jewelry from modern assembly lines to make up the numbers.

Before coming, Lu Fan had prepared himself for a price reduction.

Unexpectedly, this had turned out to be a plus?

Lu Fan took the opportunity: "President Yamamoto, these finished pieces were originally intended for our own retail.

Since I've chosen to cooperate with you, I might as well see it through to the end and simply hand this portion over to you to help you quickly open up the market."

Yamamoto Yushin hearing this, was even more excited and bowed repeatedly: "Lu-san, you are far too thoughtful."

The finished jewelry saved Yamamoto Yushin the lengthy processes and huge costs of design, processing, and setting.

Its profit margin far exceeded that of loose diamonds of the same weight.

"Lu Yi-san, not only did you deliver the top-tier diamonds on schedule, but you also gave such precious finished products as an extra.

This friendship, I, Yamamoto Yushin, will keep in my heart." He gripped Lu Fan's hand tightly, moved to tears of gratitude.

Lu Fan understood in his heart that this was a lucky stroke.

On the surface, he remained calm: "As long as President Yamamoto is satisfied.

Then, according to the contract, the first batch of 500 kilograms of diamonds and related finished products totals 30 million US dollars."

"Hai! Absolutely correct!"

Yamamoto Yushin didn't hesitate and immediately signaled his secretary to bring the already prepared cashier's check, offering it respectfully with both hands.

Lu Fan verified the check was correct and put it away.

With the huge sum of 30 million US dollars in his pocket, his main goal for this trip was achieved.

Yamamoto Yushin attentively poured tea for Lu Fan, but a hint of difficulty appeared on his face: "Lu-san, this cooperation has been incredibly pleasant.

However... regarding the subsequent batches of diamond transactions, our company might... need to postpone them for a few months."

Lu Fan's first reaction was: "Nani? Is this japanese trying to break the contract???"