Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 576: If you take what you shouldn’t, you must return it with the principle and interest_1
After nearly three months of negotiation, the Federation agreed to Wang Linchi's demands. They signed a waiver of liability, released a public disclaimer, and initiated a year-long public notice period.
Later, Wang Linchi was forced to leave. However, instead of departing poverty-stricken, the Federation converted corresponding funds for him, allowing him financial freedom without ruining his family to eliminate a potential problem.
The main converted funds passed through several hands before finally reaching Wang Linchi; he was left with only a little over a billion. The bulk of the funds, naturally, did not end up with him, leaving him with mere fragments.
Subsequently, with the Federation's endorsement, the energy company was instantly elevated, becoming a new giant in the sector, with orders continuously pouring in like snowflakes.
Correspondingly, however, huge changes occurred within the company, leading to a massive turnover of personnel.
The main reason for this was clearly issues with welfare and benefits. Since the cost of retaining employees was exceedingly high, the new, parachuted-in senior management found this unbearable.
They were there to make money, not to coddle employees. Besides, if you didn't want to work, plenty of others would.
So, in just two months, even the janitors were replaced throughout the entire company, transforming it into what was essentially a new entity.
Then problems appeared. Not everyone in the same profession or position possessed the same capabilities, leading to a precipitous decline in quality and service.
As for the original personnel, a vast majority had already achieved financial freedom, so they cared little about these matters.
It wasn't until a year later that things went wrong at the energy fission stations—and not just at one site, but at multiple ones.
The reasons included cost-cutting, shortcuts in workmanship, insufficient technology, employee slackness, and various other factors. Negative news flooded the media, and the company faltered.
However, none of these matters concerned Wang Linchi, as he had already divested himself of the business.
"Bai Xuan has started preparing for his third Heroic Spirit, likely Emperor Xuwen, Li Wen'an." During this period, Wang Linchi simply kept an eye on the energy company. Most of his attention was focused on the Spacetime Rift, the Heroic Spirit System, and Bai Xuan, who was rising swiftly.
Generally speaking, most Summoners do not summon too many Heroic Spirits because nurturing them is genuinely difficult.
However, Bai Xuan was different. He possessed the Golden Finger. As long as he completed the tasks assigned by his Simulator System, he could obtain the corresponding nurturing resources. Sometimes, he could even advance directly without future concerns, enabling him to summon Heroic Spirits without any reservations.
Moreover, each of his Heroic Spirits was Unparalleled in the world. Once developed, their strength would undoubtedly be formidable.
Unfortunately, this behavior prevented him from receiving corresponding resource support.
Indeed, one might obtain a Heroic Spirit that was Unparalleled in the world. But if you couldn't afford to nurture it, an undeveloped Heroic Spirit was largely useless. What good was being Unparalleled then?
If Bai Xuan had only one such Unparalleled in the world Heroic Spirit, he would undoubtedly have received substantial resource support.
However, Bai Xuan cared little for the meager resources the Federation provided. The amount they offered each time was less than what he managed to gather on his own.
Wang Linchi scoffed at this, as the Federation was indeed being stingy in this regard.
Mainly, it was because the Summoners nurtured by the Federation at the top of the pyramid consumed far too many resources, leading to the Federation's rather undignified conduct.
Just like now: after they had messed things up, they came to Wang Linchi for help.
"Mr. Wang, regarding the offer of re-employment, what are your thoughts?" Congressman Ling visited again. Unlike his previous high spirits, he now looked ten years older.
"Not much. I think life is good right now. I fish and drink tea every day; it's a much better lifestyle than before," Wang Linchi wouldn't immediately agree just because they asked.
Moreover, their "invitation" meant he would be working for the dignitaries, not be his own boss.
"Besides, the problems in your company are not something I can solve. You need to find actual professionals, not me. You all know how I achieved success previously."
Upon hearing Wang Linchi's words, Congressman Ling managed a bitter smile and said, "The technical staff only trust you, Mr. Wang. Without you, they aren't willing to be rehired."
The implication was clear: they didn't want to offer better compensation but still expected the former employees to return and slave away.
The Council had studied how Wang Linchi succeeded: it was simple—he threw money at the problems.
Otherwise, how could employee costs have been so high, nearly rivaling research expenditures?
But this was impossible for the Council. If they were to adopt Wang Linchi's money-burning methods, profits would be pitifully low. How then could they line their own pockets?
"I'm not going. I'm not stupid. If I go back now, I'll just be made a scapegoat and have to clean up their mess," Wang Linchi stated bluntly.
The company was now not only failing to be the legislators' money-spinner but had also become an intractable burden they couldn't shake off.
Congressman Ling's face turned a shade greener. That was indeed the situation.
If Wang Linchi were rehired and succeeded, they would continue to reap the benefits. If he failed, Wang Linchi would take the fall, and they would remain unsullied.
"For the sake of the Federation, energy fission cannot be allowed to collapse. We hope, Mr. Wang, that you can…" At this point, Congressman Ling could only appeal to a sense of duty. If Wang Linchi still refused, they would have to resort to leveraging public opinion.
"It's not out of the question, but I have two conditions." Wang Linchi leisurely pulled up his fishing rod, catching nothing.
"Please share your conditions, Mr. Wang. As long as they are reasonable, the Council will agree," Congressman Ling's face softened slightly.
"First, I want to join the Council and become a councilman," Wang Linchi said.
"This… would require…"
"Second, one hundred million. I will buy back the entire company, taking over everything, including all debts. The Federation must no longer interfere," Wang Linchi interrupted before the congressman could finish.
"Impossible!" Congressman Ling exclaimed, not having expected Wang Linchi's demands to be so extensive. He rejected them outright.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. Go back to the Council and discuss it. If these two conditions aren't met, don't come looking for me again. I won't agree to solve these problems otherwise," Wang Linchi said unhurriedly.
"Hmph! Don't think you're the only one who can solve this," Congressman Ling sneered.
"You once said that new energy plays a vital role in the Federation's development. So, for the Federation's sake, I accepted only about a billion, even though my initial investment was far more than that amount," Wang Linchi began, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I accepted that, considering it was for the Federation.
"And now? I don't need to describe the internal situation, do I? You've turned such a beneficial new energy initiative—good for the country and its people—into this rotten mess. You want my help to solve it? Fine.
"I've named my price, and you refuse to pay. There has to be some logic here, right?
"Since you won't give me what I want, I won't help. I'll continue my retirement. What fault can you find with that?" Wang Linchi was practically pointing at the councilman's nose as he berated him.
Congressman Ling's expression became very ugly.
"So, you're right. If you can find someone else to solve this, then don't come to me."
Wang Linchi was certain they had no choice but to have him solve it.
"I will report this to the Council. Whether they agree or not is beyond my control." After saying this, Congressman Ling stood up and left.
That cold snort had indeed been a remark made in a fit of pique. If it were truly so easy to resolve, how could the situation have deteriorated to this extent?
"Safe travels. I won't see you out," Wang Linchi said with a smile.
The rapid deterioration of the entire new energy system wasn't solely the fault of the Federation and its council members; Wang Linchi himself had played a significant part.
He had the Family residing within him carry out acts of sabotage, infiltration, and suppression. Otherwise, even if they had just followed procedures, it wouldn't have collapsed so quickly; it should have had some staying power.
Once he was back in charge, not only would he enter the Federation's Council and possess the corresponding authority, but the previous acts of sabotage caused by his Family would immediately transform into support for him. Furthermore, using his Luck, he would recall the original talented personnel, offering them maximum welfare and benefits. At that point, a return to the pinnacle was inevitable.
Subsequently, he could use this as a springboard to suppress other energy sectors, bringing the Federation's entire energy industry under his control and monopolizing all profits.
Then, by sharing a piece of the pie and forming a massive interest group with the council members, he would become the uncrowned king.
As for the Summoners, Wang Linchi had no intention of oppressing or persecuting them. On the contrary, once in power, he would increase investment in them as a means of currying favor.
To Wang Linchi, money was either waste paper or a string of virtual code. Only when spent did it have value; hoarded, it was worth less than scrap iron.
"I need to add more fuel to the fire. Unless something truly major happens, they won't concede," Wang Linchi sneered. His methods were insidious and ruthless—unfit for polite company, perhaps, but undeniably effective.
