Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 768, Section 182: Comparing Prices
"You're not a simple character, are you? Looks like I misjudged you."

Winning money can sometimes be much more troublesome than losing it, and Carl is now experiencing that firsthand.

Listening to Emeric's somewhat disgruntled words across from him, and then to the cheers and celebrations of the gamblers around him, he understood some of their meaning.

They want to make them place another bet, to bring them another surprise or a competition.

Looking at the red-haired man opposite him, Carl was certain that if he showed even the slightest provocation, the man would immediately run to exchange his chips and come back to play with him until he had completely lost everything and either tried to "get back at the table" or "lost everything".

But if they keep playing like this, Carl always feels that one of them will both fall into the green 0 and 00 and lose everything.
So Karl, having already received the money he could use to reward his subordinates and helpers, decided to quit.

There's nothing wrong with winning and then running away.

Never play again.

If a gambler said this, it would definitely be unbelievable. After all, one day he might get tired of making money too slowly, miss the moment when he won money, and then continue to step into the gambling game until he loses all his previous winnings and profits and still doesn't realize his mistake. Even when he has lost everything, he still thinks he can turn things around.

Carl ignored everyone, silently picked up his device containing chips amidst the jeers, and left calmly without saying a word.

His behavior made Emeric stare at him intently.

"Lafaard!"

"Fool."

Karl responded to Emmerich's Dutch insults in perfect Chinese.

He had actually considered using some Japanese, like standard 'baka', due to his identity, but after thinking about it, he replied in Chinese.

The reason is simple: language is not important at all.

Because he was about to talk to Hansen.

The words one should say to subordinates in a wise manner:
I have finalized the personnel from New America for this trip, and they are all in place. We can start discussing business with Hansen.

When discussing business, especially important business like this, it's natural to compare prices from different vendors. Carl didn't want anyone interrupting his conversation with Hansen, so he was happy to let Hansen compare prices from different vendors.

After all, this time, we can't afford to fleece our opponent like we did in the last negotiation.

A negotiation tactic only needs to be used once; using it twice becomes cliché, not to mention...
With V and Li De on the other side, how could he, a 'weak' counterintelligence agent, and another hacker with little combat ability possibly kill them? It would be good enough if they weren't eliminated by them.

"Hello, sir from Arasaka. It seems you made a fortune at the gambling table?"

Hansen has ended his negotiations with the NCPD director, but the outcome was not good. This Director Johnson is much more difficult to deal with than his former director, who could be bribed and promised benefits. It's not that he is so pure and incorruptible, but he has imposed many restrictions in the terms, and some can only be discussed after Arasaka and New America meet tomorrow. In general, there has been virtually no progress in cooperation.

But Hansen wasn't in a hurry. As long as the other party was willing to accept bribes and showed some willingness to negotiate, it wouldn't be difficult to pry open a gap for a proper discussion.

After the last important negotiation, there are still some heavyweight negotiations to discuss.

"Kurt Hansen".

Before Hansen, the black-haired youth's expression changed, revealing a more refined, handsome, and serene face. He nodded to Hansen: "I was wise. I hope my unannounced visit will not disturb your banquet."

"Arasaka's guests only make me feel honored," Hansen said with a smile. He noticed a beautiful young woman approaching Akechi in the distance, and then naturally standing beside him. It was this young woman who had just conveyed to his subordinates that Arasaka was ready to negotiate. Although Hansen already knew that these people, who were so open and undisguised, were from Arasaka, their initiative in announcing their visit still made him realize something.

The other guests have probably all arrived by now.

As expected of Arasaka?
Hansen, who came from New America, knew Arasaka well. Their espionage and intelligence capabilities were always the best among all the companies. This Gemstone Blue was his territory, yet Arasaka, who had infiltrated, was more certain than him that the guests from other companies had already arrived.

'Arasaka is still the same Arasaka.'

Hansen felt a little apprehensive, but the unpleasantness he had felt during his service in the new United States was nothing to him now.

He's no longer a member of New America; he's the king of Dogtown now. New America? He's no stranger to it. Arasaka is just a trading partner.

"Let's sit over there, Arasaka's friend."

Hansen gestured and invited Mingzhi to sit down at the place guarded by the ghost hounds in the distance. There, the lark was sitting quietly under the watchful eyes of the ghost hounds: "I think we can both get what we want today."

Mingzhi nodded slightly without saying anything.

While walking with Hansen, Hansen suddenly spoke up again.

"To be honest, I don't know which person you're representing to discuss business with me, Mr. Mingzhi. It's not that you're the esteemed CEO, is it? At a time when we're about to have friendly talks with the new United States, won't doing this kind of thing affect tomorrow's meeting?"

“I think if it really is that CEO, he would be more willing to use a more ‘rough’ and ‘aggressive’ approach to gain leverage from you, Mr. Hansen. After all, you must know his style; he is not the kind of partner you are looking for, is he?”

Hansen narrowed his eyes slightly at the wise words.

Clearly, the wise words were correct.

Even if one were to seek refuge with someone, one must carefully distinguish between different types of people. As for hawks like Arakasaka Seiichi, Hansen, judging others by his own standards, simply doesn't believe that Arakasaka has truly changed his style of doing things. He believes that there must be some conspiracy behind his talks with New America.

Talking to this kind of person is like trying to get the Lark from your hands and then immediately leaking the information, igniting global public opinion and starting a new corporate war. At that point, forget about Dogtown; it would be a miracle if Night City didn't turn into ruins.

As long as it's not Arakasaka Seigen, it's all other Arakasaka factions.
We can talk about it.

Arasaka, who can contend with military technology even amidst numerous internal factions, is far superior to New America, the puppet and parasite once created by military technology.

'I remember that Arasaka Michiko seems to have been getting quite close to Arasaka Seiyuki lately. Their factions within Arasaka have been suppressing the largest faction that Arasaka Saburo left behind, meaning that the person standing before me now is…'

Hansen tentatively spoke up.

"I am honored to speak with Ms. Hua Zi, the spokesperson."

Hansen observed Mingzhi's gaze, and when he mentioned Miss Huazi, he clearly saw the black-haired youth's eyes flicker.

It seems I guessed right.

Squeezed out by Michiko and Sei, and lacking a strong base of support in North America, Arasaka Hanako desperately needs a significant bargaining chip.

(End of this chapter)