Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 177 Too Cute, I'll Run First

San Francisco, at noon.

The fog had not completely dissipated, and the outlines of the distant mountains floated uncertainly in the sunlight.

The office building is located at the end of Market Street.

Li Hongyuan did not go to the front desk to greet him.

The indoor temperature is moderate.

The blinds on the east side were half open, and sunlight streamed onto the table, giving the computer a golden edge.

"Boom boom boom——"

There was a knock on the door.

Li Hongyuan looked up and glanced at the time.

It was three minutes earlier than agreed.

These people finally panicked.

"Please come in."

He stood up calmly.

Visitors filed in.

The leader was still the familiar middle-aged white man.

He was in his early forties, his hair was perfectly styled, but his face was noticeably tired.

His eyes were dark circles and his steps were unsteady.

The front of the coat was blown out of shape by the wind.

He gently straightened himself before regaining his usual gentle and refined demeanor.

His two assistants, who usually accompanied him, were nowhere to be seen.

Instead, a new face appeared.

The man in the black suit had brown hair and wore glasses.

He took the initiative to extend his hand to Li Hongyuan.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Li."

The man spoke very quickly and enthusiastically, “Wolf Myers, representing several interested companies.”

Li Hongyuan smiled and nodded in response, "Welcome."

After the three were seated, the middle-aged man couldn't wait to speak.

“Mr. Miles is joining this on behalf of the governor’s office,” he said. “We all hope that today’s conversation can be more substantive.”

“Of course,” Li Hongyuan said calmly.

He then leaned back in his chair, gesturing for him to continue.

"Recently, many old cases have been quickly brought to the forefront."

As the middle-aged man spoke, his gaze involuntarily averted from Li Hongyuan's eyes.

"The internal notice from the Budget Committee also basically confirms the judgment you mentioned some time ago."

He did not name which specific judgments he made.

But Li Hongyuan naturally understood.

He nodded, offering no further response, and turned to Miles.

"You seem to have a lot to say."

"Why don't we bring it up and discuss it now?"

Miles seemed to have been waiting for this, and said it crisply and decisively:

“Mr. Li, to be honest, I’ve received at least forty phone calls in the Bay Area over the past two days.”

"The fund managers, risk control directors, investment research teams, independent advisors, and even the heads of AI labs I know all ask the same question—"

"Shouldn't we go now?"

"Please forgive my bluntness, but this really happened."

As he said this, he stared directly at Li Hongyuan.

"They are not afraid of losing."

"They are afraid of being seen as 'not cooperative enough'."

A middle-aged official interjected, "The state government has indeed received quite a few similar responses."

"We cannot confirm whether the federal government will use multiple methods in implementing these measures."

"Similarly, we do not want the state's key technology assets to become targets of the White House's risk control efforts under such circumstances."

Li Hongyuan did not respond immediately.

He lowered his head and pondered for a moment before giving his assessment.

"You came very quickly."

There was neither sarcasm nor praise in his tone; it was as if he were simply stating the weather.

"It was at least three months faster than I expected."

The middle-aged man gave a wry smile.

"We didn't expect Washington to be so decisive and to take such drastic actions."

"It's called liquidity management, but we both know what it really is."

“Now it’s not just a problem of foreign capital fleeing; even the holding structure of state bonds is being examined.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Miles added:

"The federal government wants to force us to put the funds back into the special zone before deciding how to allocate them."

"But you know, Mr. Li—"

"Technology companies are liquidity providers, not appendages of administrative regions." "They can relocate servers or rearrange control through asset securitization."

"But we prefer to clarify the bottom line with those who can understand the rules when the rules are ambiguous."

Li Hongyuan listened quietly until the other person finished speaking, and then slowly said:
"Those who understand the rules are usually slower."

"Especially for people like us."

"Slow down, not because I don't want to cooperate."

"It's because we must first make sure that every step lands where it's supposed to be."

The middle-aged man shook his head: "But this time, you really did move too fast."

"That's because we did a drill two years ago."

Li Hongyuan's tone remained gentle:

"And you, in the past forty-eight hours, have simply had your theoretical lessons interrupted by reality."

Miles was getting anxious.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly; he wanted to speak, but held back.

Only then did Li Hongyuan speak again.

"Your request to accelerate is very reasonable."

“We can indeed provide a ‘secure channel’.”

Miles breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

However, Li Hongyuan then changed the subject:
"But that doesn't mean we're willing to pay the corresponding political premium."

Miles immediately understood the meaning of those words.

He sat up straight and said loudly:

“We can provide a reasonable path.”

"for example?"

"For example, a regional energy digital governance test."

"We'll start with an energy management platform to match the energy structure of the port's cold chain logistics and public buildings."

"We are responsible for API deployment and authentication framework."

"You provide the algorithm structure and indicator model."

"All compliance is done through state-registered neutral corporations."

“The funding will be provided by you, and the returns will be shared based on carbon credits.”

Li Hongyuan neither nodded nor denied it.

"Will the governor sign it?" he asked the middle-aged man.

"Will do."

"But he needs to know that this won't be written as 'external funds controlling state resources'."

“We can use a policy tool framework to encompass this relationship.”

"But the logic of technology and finance must be auditable and traceable."

"We don't have to explain the purpose, but we have to explain the process."

Li Hongyuan smiled, opened the drawer, and took out the bound documents.

"This version is the one we adjusted last night."

"Data processing was completed by your green energy subsidiary."

"We own the technology, but the settlement of returns will be audited by a third party."

"All funds will only go through the bank accounts you set up."

Miles nodded, took the items, and carefully packed them away.

"I have one last request."

“As long as it’s not for your PR.” Li Hongyuan rarely made a joke.

Miles smiled knowingly. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."

Immediately afterwards, a rare hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

"Several board members and former government officials within our organization want to know—"

"Is it possible for you to arrange an exchange at an appropriate time?"

“We understand that this does not equate to official recognition.”

"I don't expect any official documents either."

"It was just a one-time, private, market-based contact."

"The location can be flexible."

Li Hongyuan's expression didn't change much.

"You are very frank."

He said, "So I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore."

"In short, we cherish the goodwill we have shown."

"But I'm sorry, now is not the most appropriate time."

Miles showed no disappointment upon hearing this, as if he had expected this answer.

“I understand,” he said. “It’s just to plan ahead for the future.”

Li Hongyuan nodded: "Your ideas will be conveyed to the people who need to know."

"As for what comes next, if things continue to develop this way, it may happen even faster than you imagine."

(End of this chapter)