Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 149 Lunar Mission Partnership

The Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Skyscraper, September 6, 2013.

The pair of thought leaders enjoyed their time discussing topics such as Future Tech's partnership with Alibaba Group and the Water for Africa initiative.

Vince honestly stated, "I didn't expect to see you here in New York, especially after considering contacting you when I returned to Austin because of the troubles brewing regarding Bitcash."

Vince's statement piqued Jack Ma's interest, and he curiously asked, "Is it because of the Chinese government's subtle hostility against cryptocurrency? I assure you, the higher-ups at home are very happy with how Future Tech manages its Bitcash Market by clearly separating it from traditional financial institutions."

By buying and selling Bitcoin to mint each Bitcash, the Chinese government wasn't too worried the value of the Renminbi (Yuan) currency would become volatile enough to ban cryptocurrency.

There were already significant risks involved in a globalized economy, including insider stocks and options trading and hedge fund market manipulations.

Adding cryptocurrency to the equation, similar to the highly unstable market of 2021, would only worsen the fragile financial ecosystem.

China intelligently cracked down on cryptocurrency earlier than other countries during Vince's past life because of its harmful effects compounded by nefarious stock exchange financial vehicles like margin loans utilized by gambling addicts to increase potential trading profits.

In reality, online services like Crypto.com, Robin Hood, and Coinbase are plastered on every popular entertainment event attempting to sell the idea of cryptocurrency. Still, they have already been tainted by the banking corporations that own them.

People in 2021 hadn't realized the concept of Bitcoin was already perverted by the very same institutions it was meant to defeat; the banks. In 2021, Bitcoin had been assimilated into the traditional finance sector, ready to be abused by the same people stealing taxpayer dollars to own citizens through debt eventually.

Vince nodded his head sideways and replied, "Not at all. Future Tech enjoys a good relationship with China through Alibaba and the CNPC. But, sadly, the threat is domestic. There are always people who can't accept that they can't own everything they want."

Jack Ma had a great understanding of this fact, as his government held ownership over all the significant industrial institutions in China. However, the amount of wealthy Chinese business elites was steadily increasing.

The middle-aged Alibaba CEO sincerely stated, "Your corporation has assisted us in creating the Bitcash E-Commerce Portal, which has been instrumental for small businesses in my country. Alibaba is ready to help Future Tech to the best of our abilities."

Vince appreciated the kind gesture and honestly replied, "Actually, I planned on proposing an expanded partnership between Deloitte, AliPay, PayPal, and BitCash. The US Federal Reserve and Department of the Treasury will most likely begin regulating Bitcash as a legitimate currency soon. The change will reduce our transaction revenue due to added taxes but presents a new opportunity for us to create an international bank, geared towards ethical business owners and dutiful citizens."

Jack Ma seriously considered the proposal, with all its potential positives and negatives, before replying, "I admire your tenacity, Vince. But I don't have as much confidence in negotiating with my government as you do with President Obama in regards to creating a bank. It took a very long time for me to earn my country's trust in e-commerce."

Jack Ma was a brilliant businessman and thought leader, but Vince acknowledged his biggest flaw was playing the politics game in China.

The Alibaba CEO even found himself in deep trouble after getting a bit too cocky by speaking out against his government and Chinese banking institutions after it blocked his initial public offering of Ant Group in 2020.

The young Future Tech CEO had learned a lot about politics by working directly with General Douglas, President Barack Obama, and his Future Security executives.

Vince reassuringly replied, "Jack, I'll share a little secret about modern politics. Everyone has a price. They may not be greedy and won't accept any amount of money, but there is always something they want from you. In my case, the US military wanted Artificial Intelligent Drones, so I compromised and made the deal even sweeter. Future Tech didn't leave the negotiations empty-handed and received access to rare earth metals and the right to expand submarine optical fiber cables. It's a give-and-take relationship, but make sure you keep everyone happy."

Jack thought about the tip for a moment before Vince continued saying, "You're an admirable businessman, and I don't want you to be swallowed up by red tape, so I'll offer you the one thing China wants more than anything, for you to use as a bargaining chip when we open our new bank."

Jack listened curiously to the young man before Vince explained, "Your country craves international glory. The 2008 Beijing Olympics is a prime example of this deep desire for global acknowledgment. China has suffered tremendously over the past sixty years, so tangible achievements are considered a premium. If China decides to play nice with our new bank, I'll offer your country two slots out of six on SpaceX's Lunar Starship missions."

Jack was stunned to hear Vince's ingenious offer, as China had never stepped foot on the Moon ever since it began investing in space programs. He finally realized the nuance of Vince's suggestion of compromising with the government by providing what they desired most.

Jack sincerely replied, "You know, I always wondered how your corporation had succeeded so quickly in such a cutthroat business world. Of course, it makes complete sense now, considering how you view business from unique angles. You've confirmed the gut feeling I had about you in 2011, and I'm honored to accept your offer on behalf of the People's Republic of China."

Xi Jinping and the rest of China's high-ranking officials would go crazy after Jack Ma negotiated with them. Even decades of financially supporting Russia's space programs didn't amount to anything major but a few satellites in orbit.

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While Vince discussed Elon's plans for SpaceX with Jack Ma, two young and beautiful ladies approached them as they carried glasses of Champagne.

Hailee gave one glass to Vince before asking, "Babe, who's this refined gentleman you're speaking with?"

The young CEO graciously introduced the newcomers by saying, "This is Jack Ma, arguably the most accomplished businessman from China. Jack, this is my girlfriend, Hailee, and our new acquaintance, Princess Olympia."

Jack amicably replied, "Good evening, ladies. No need for compliments, Vince. Your mother did a great job putting this splendid event together. The Rainbow Room was a nice touch for the afterparty."

The blonde princess respectfully interjected by saying, "I agree, Mr. Ma. It features such a wonderful ambiance, so I'm sure the donors and patrons appreciate the effort. It's as sublime as Leah Dalton's Future Couture designs that my friends and I adore so very much."

Vince chuckled and accepted the compliment before replying, "Thank you. My mother deserves the praise for managing her department so effectively while pursuing Future Tech's non-profit initiatives."

Princess Olympia nodded in agreement, then curiously asked, "Non-profit initiatives like the Water for Africa project, right? I asked my father to donate $1 million, but I'm not sure it would even be significant enough to make a difference."

Jack Ma paid close attention to Future Tech's civil engineering initiatives as a business partner and amicably interjected by saying, "Every dollar is crucial in changing the lives of the less fortunate. I donated to the project because of its robust plan for tackling freshwater shortages involving construction, security, diplomacy, and investment. China's rapidly growing population will inevitably require Future Tech's assistance in providing ample utilities to the masses, so I'm hopeful this initiative succeeds."

The princess was a bit confused and inquisitively asked, "I understand the importance of an extensive plan, but what does security have to do with freshwater?"

Jack looked at Vince for a second before the young CEO added, "Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle in laying water pipelines on the African continent is the local warlords that monopolize daily necessities like water and electricity as leverage for imposing control over civilians. My man in Kandahar, Director Price, negotiated with the United Nations to assist in funding security forces for non-profit organizations, allowing them to perform their operations under armed protection. Your donation will also help in securing civilian lives, in addition to expanding Africa's utility infrastructure."

The princess suddenly realized how dangerous and bleak the world was in certain areas compared to her typical life in New York.

Jack Ma reassured the young lady by saying, "Don't worry too much, Princess Olympia. Future Tech has accumulated a great track record in tangibly improving the daily lives of the Afghan people within a year. Of course, we can only solve so many problems at a time, but every positive decision makes a difference, no matter how significant or insignificant."

Nihilism is the death of humankind, so it's left to influential visionaries such as Vince Dalton, Jack Ma, and Elon Musk to pave the way with their hope for the future to advance society and raise their fellow humans' quality of life on this piece of rock called Earth.

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