Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 769, Section 183: Everything Goes Well

After confirming each other's identities, Hansen's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

He gracefully gestured "please" and led Mingzhi to the designated area. The guards of the Ghost Hound immediately formed a tight perimeter around the area, keeping unauthorized personnel several meters away.

"Miss Hua needs to solidify her position within the company, and the Nightingale card should be able to generate considerable benefits for her."

When Hansen directly tried to elevate the value of the cooperation with words, Akechi smiled slightly, neither admitting nor denying it, and calmly said, "Mr. Hansen seems to know a lot about the internal workings of Arasaka, but I think that compared to the minor issues between factions, we should focus more on the value of cooperation itself, shouldn't we?"

Hansen grinned, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes: "Mr. Mingzhi is right, business is business."

He spread his hands, his tone carrying the shrewdness characteristic of Dogtown's many years of neutrality: "Given the right conditions, Dogtown's doors are always open to friends."

The two walked over to the sofa and sat down.

The lark slightly raised her head, her gaze briefly shifting between Mingzhi and Hansen before lowering it again, seemingly indifferent to the negotiation that would determine her fate. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of her dress, as if she had no interest in anything around her.

The guards of the Ghost Hounds stood at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, ensuring safety without appearing overly wary, thus giving the negotiations ample room to maneuver.

Akechi didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Mr. Hansen, we all know the value of the Lark." His voice was calm and firm. "New America, military technology, and other companies will do anything to get her, but what Arasaka can offer, they can't."

"Oh?" Hansen raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees, showing keen interest. "For example?"

“For example,” Akechi’s voice lowered slightly, carrying an undeniable certainty, “Arasaka can ensure that Dogtown will be unaffected by any corporate infighting for the next five years.”

He paused, looking directly at Hansen. "Not only that, we can also provide top-notch technical personnel support, and we'll be exclusively tied to your partnership. No other successor can do that. I think this will make your position in Dogtown even more unshakeable."

This condition was proposed by Akechi after he contacted Oda Santao through the slider, at Hua Zi's instruction. Of course, this was only the starting point of the negotiation—after all, few people reveal their hand at the beginning of a business deal.

Hansen narrowed his eyes, and the rhythm of his knuckles tapping on the sofa armrest suddenly stopped for a moment.

A half-smile played on his lips: "It sounds tempting, but it's more like a blade coated in honey. Is Arasaka's promise really worth the price?"

Hansen deliberately dragged out the last syllable, making his voice sound full of doubt: "Although factional struggles are minor issues, I'm afraid Miss Hua Zi can't make such a guarantee right now, can she?"

Negotiation is essentially the art of mutual compromise.

Mingzhi picked up the bottle of real water he had been holding and maintained his smile: "I understand Mr. Hansen's concerns."

He raised his eyelids, his gaze as precise as a scalpel: "You're worried about the future conflict between New America and Arasaka, concerned about the uncertainties surrounding Dogtown's autonomy, and even more clearly," he paused subtly, "that the bigwigs in Washington have cut off all support channels after your failed operation this morning."

The glass of water was placed lightly on the table in front of the sofa, making a perfectly soft sound.

“What you hold now is nothing more than a tiny handle on the new America—” Mingzhi suddenly lowered his voice, “or more accurately, just a tiny handle on President Rosalind Myers personally.”

His gaze shifted to the silent lark, then back to Hansen's tense face. "Isn't it a bit too extravagant to expect to walk away unscathed with just this little bit of leverage?"

Mingzhi leaned forward, the fabric of his suit rustling softly against the sofa: "We can absolutely build a deeper partnership, for Miss Hua Zi, for Dogtown."

He extended his right hand, palm up, in an inviting gesture, "For example, how about leaving each other some decency?"

Hansen stared at Mingzhi's outstretched hand, his expression gradually calming down. He looked at Mingzhi and said something.

"Do you know how much Miles will offer to take this thing from me—something that will either ignite a new corporate war or force her to step down?" "I know exactly."

Mingzhi maintained his hand gesture: "And I'm also certain that the price is unimaginably high, perhaps even daring to promise a seat in Congress, but you..."

Mingzhi deliberately changed his wording and used "you" instead.

Do you believe in Miles? Or...?

Wise stared at Hansen: "Do you dare trust Miles?"

It's not important whether you believe in Miles; what matters is whether you dare to believe in Miles.

"That woman's promise was like a sandstorm on bad soil—it came quickly and went even faster. She might remember some of it, but it was just trash left behind after the sandstorm swept through."

Hansen's pupils suddenly contracted into two cold stars, and his fingertips unconsciously scraped the serrated pattern of the 'Fang' knife at his waist, the leather scabbard making a soft rustling sound.

Mingzhi took in the other party's wavering, but he was in no hurry to press him. He simply gracefully withdrew his hand from the air and leaned back on the sofa.

“Mr. Hansen,” he straightened the non-existent wrinkles on his cuffs, “I can withdraw my hand, I can retain my sincerity, but some opportunities…” Wise glanced at the lark’s lowered eyelashes beside him, “like a spring in the desert, once you miss it, no one else will point it out to you.”

Hearing these wise words, Hansen remained silent, which was a sign that he was moved.

The King of Dogtown had to admit that the proposal was as tempting as cyanide laced with honey.

Five years of uninterrupted autonomy, with Arasaka providing only technical support and not stationing troops, was practically a trap tailor-made for him—allowing him to grow his power while hiding in the shadow of corporate infighting, and to throw out the Lark to make Arasaka and New America tear each other apart.

The most irresistible temptation was that the plan perfectly preserved what he valued most: Dogtown's independence.

The problem lies in the credibility of Hanako Arasaka's promise.

Hansen licked his suddenly dry lips. In the complex factions of the Arasaka family, Hanako was indeed the most ideal choice: Michiko's faction had long regarded North America as its own territory, while Sei-nobu was patrolling around like a hungry wolf.

Only this woman, who inherited most of Saburo Arasaka's estate, both needed the support of a local North American force to bolster her weak power in North America, and offered a tempting bargaining chip.

But chips are just chips, and in the end, Hansen managed to control his desires.

"There's no need to rush, Mr. Akechi."

Hansen stared at Mingzhi and said, "I would be very willing to cooperate with Miss Huazi, but I would like to postpone our cooperation until tomorrow or later."

His words made Mingzhi narrow his eyes slightly.

Clearly, Hansen was very meticulous and grasped the key points.

He's holding onto the Lark card; he can observe the situation for a few days before making his move.

To this, Mingzhi can only say
"Then I can only wish you all the best in your negotiations with the new United States, on military technology, and even biotechnology, Mr. Hansen."

(End of this chapter)