After greeting each other and saying a few polite words, the French Deputy Minister of Culture and Carlin sat down at the conference table.
Afterwards, everyone got down to business.
Xiao Ran looked at these familiar French guys, smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, we have cooperated several times and are very familiar with each other. We have also enjoyed our cooperation in the past several times."
"In this case, there is no need to waste time in circles. Take a look at this cooperation agreement."
"Most of the contents of this cooperation agreement are the same as the previous agreements. The biggest difference is the treasure sharing ratio."
"I can state very clearly that the treasures hidden by Louis XVI and Queen Marie during the French Revolution are hidden in a place owned by the French government."
"In view of this, I decided to share this treasure equally with the French government, each in half. We will bear all the exploration expenses, but the French government must give me tax exemption for half of the treasure..."
As he said these words, David took out the drafted cooperation agreement and handed it to the French guys opposite.
The French Deputy Minister of Culture and Carlin took the text of the cooperation agreement and immediately opened it and looked at it.
Although they had different opinions regarding Xiao Ran's introduction just now, they did not raise them immediately.
They plan to read the cooperation agreement first and then start negotiations.
They are very familiar with most of the contents of this cooperation agreement.
As Xiao Ran said, many of the contents in this cooperation agreement have also appeared in the two previous cooperation agreements.
The difference is that this royal treasure is hidden on land or buildings owned by the French government.
In any case, the French government will get half of the treasure and will not return empty-handed.
It will not be like the previous treasures of Robespierre and Napoleon, which can only be cleaned by washing the neck and waiting to be slaughtered.
In this joint exploration operation, the French government rarely took 50% of the initiative.
They could even refuse to cooperate at all, and then carefully investigate and slowly search for this royal treasure, and maybe they can find it.
In that case, although it would take a long time and cost a lot, France would have exclusive access to this royal treasure.
Thinking of this, the French Deputy Minister of Culture and Carlin suddenly felt much more relaxed and not so aggrieved.
When facing Xiao Ran, it was the first time they experienced this feeling, which was not easy.
While Kalin and the others were looking over the cooperation agreement, Xiao Ran casually mentioned another thing.
"Mr. Minister, since you have decided to purchase the two buildings where Napoleon's treasure and Robespierre's treasure were found, it is best to settle this matter as soon as possible!"
"Then I can withdraw my men and leave it to you to protect and develop. If you still can't decide, then I will sell these two buildings to the Arnault family."
"Since this period of time, some people who do not believe in evil, as well as some professional treasure hunters, want to sneak into these two buildings to hunt for treasures. My security team has driven away many people."
"Fortunately, there has been no exchange of fire, but no one can say whether it will happen in the future. Maybe some idiot will come with weapons and trigger a firefight."
The French Deputy Minister of Culture couldn't help but pause for a moment, his expression slightly embarrassed.
He raised his head and looked at Xiao Ran, and then explained a few words.
"Sean, we also want to get this done as soon as possible to protect these two historic buildings of great significance and then develop them."
"But we need to go through the process, apply for a budget, etc. It will take a while. I estimate that we will be able to get it done in a few days."
Xiao Ran nodded immediately.
"Well, I hope you can get this done quickly, otherwise I will have to find another buyer."
After chatting for a while, the French Deputy Minister of Culture turned his attention back to the cooperation agreement in his hand and continued reading.
After a while, these French guys had read the cooperation agreement.
Immediately afterwards, they went to the nearby lounge to discuss and call their boss to report.
Xiao Ran and the others stayed in the conference room, laughing and chatting, very relaxed.
About ten minutes later, Carlin and the others came out of the lounge and sat at the conference table again.
As soon as we sat down, the French Deputy Minister of Culture said immediately:
"Sean, we agree with most of the terms of this cooperation agreement you drafted, and we also agree to divide this royal treasure in half."
"But two clauses in this agreement need to be modified. First of all, the first clause is that if this royal treasure is really found, we have the right to acquire the other half of the treasure assigned to you."
"The purchase price is the current market price. That is to say, if we think something in the treasure is important and has great historical and cultural value, we can purchase it directly."
"As an owner, you cannot object to this acquisition. In this matter, you will not lose anything, but you will receive monetary compensation instead of antique art."
Hearing this, Xiao Ran couldn't help but be a little stunned.
Then, another trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.
In the blink of an eye, he understood why the French guys on the other side dared to speak so brazenly and think so unreasonably!
In their opinion, since this royal treasure is on land or buildings owned by the French government, they can be confident!
If Xiao Ran can't accept such conditions, the worst he can do is not cooperate!
They even wish that this cooperation would fail!
In that case, they can organize their own exploration team and start exploring!
If you really find this royal treasure, you can keep it to yourself!
Even if you spend a lot of manpower and material resources and don't find a single hair, it doesn't matter!
At least this treasure still belongs to France and will always be found!
Although he instantly understood the thoughts of the French guys opposite him, Xiao Ran did not interrupt them, but continued to listen.
The French Deputy Minister of Culture’s eyes flashed with a hint of pride, and he continued:
"There is another thing we cannot agree to, which is to give you a tax-free concession for half of the treasure. This royal treasure was discovered in France, so you should pay taxes."
"If these two items can be adjusted, we will have no problem in reaching cooperation. If they cannot be adjusted, we may not be able to cooperate."
After the words fell, everyone at the scene looked at Xiao Ran to see how he would respond.
Without any hesitation, Xiao Ran immediately gave the answer.
"In this case, gentlemen, I think there is no need for us to continue talking. It is a waste of time. Let's stop this cooperation. Fortunately, neither of us has lost anything!"
"I will never give up the initiative to dispose of this royal treasure. If the treasure is all jewelry, I will be very happy to sell you my half. If it is other antiques and art, it is another matter! "
"When I find antiques that I like, I might collect them instead of selling them. You choose to forcefully acquire them. This is unacceptable to me. To me, top-quality antiques are far more valuable than money."
"Then there's the issue of tax exemption. If I find this royal treasure, I can only get half of it. If this half of the treasure is all jewelry, I can sell them all to you, and maybe I can get a lot of money."
"But I will have to pay a lot of taxes to you later. What will I have left? Wouldn't that mean I become your wage earner? I have no interest in doing such a thing. If I don't get enough benefits, what am I going to do?"
"ah!"
Several French guys exclaimed in surprise, and they were all dumbfounded.
They guessed that Xiao Ran might refuse, but they never expected that he would refuse so simply and decisively, leaving no room for error.
After the shock, several French guys' eyes flashed with joy.
Elaine and the others who were also at the scene were also shocked by Xiao Ran's decision.
But everyone didn't say much, and they knew it at the same time.
As long as Xiao Ran makes a decision, it will not change.
Not enough words to speculate!
The talks have reached this point and it is obvious that they cannot continue.
After a few more discussions, and seeing that they could not reach an agreement, the French representatives prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Just when they were about to walk out of the conference room, Xiao Ran suddenly said something seemingly unintentionally.
"It seems that I can only seek cooperation with the next French government to jointly explore this royal treasure!"
“I just don’t know which party will dominate the next French government and what is its attitude in this regard?”
Looking at the French Deputy Minister of Culture and others, they were all stunned in place, as if struck by lightning.
The guys didn't realize the problem until this point.
When the next government comes to power, where will you be? Does this royal treasure still have anything to do with me?
If he steps down with this government, or is kicked out to another province, this royal treasure will still have something to do with him!
Even if others discovered this royal treasure, they would not be able to take any advantage.
In case the next government chooses to cooperate with Xiao Ran, accept his conditions and jointly explore this royal treasure.
In that case, all of my current persistence and efforts will become a joke!
Thinking of this, the French Deputy Minister of Culture and others couldn't help but have a look of regret in their eyes.
At this moment, Carlin suddenly whispered:
"This guy Sean is omnipotent and pervasive. If we refuse to cooperate, will he secretly dig up this royal treasure at some point?"
"He is the only one in the world who knows the treasure map. If he really secretly digs up this royal treasure, it seems that no one can do anything to him."
Hearing this, all the French guys were dumbfounded again!
This is how they are truly confident!
