The cooperation between Zhao Xiaohai and Brother Bao mainly focuses on both ends of the trade. Specifically, after the company ships the goods in from the Soviet Union, Brother Bao is responsible for using the resources at his disposal to sell the goods. In terms of export trade, it is the opposite, and he plays the role of organizing the source of goods.

The reason why the Green City government and the Overseas Chinese Friendship Company were not allowed to participate was to wait for a suitable opportunity to lure Brother Leopard to the Soviet Union and kill him.

According to the draft agreement between the two parties, Zhao Xiaohai must prioritize Leopard Brother's interests whenever shipping or purchasing goods. In every import or export transaction, Leopard Brother will purchase or provide goods to Zhao Xiaohai at domestic market prices. Leopard Brother's profits from this transaction will not be shared between the two. Furthermore, Leopard Brother will receive a 7% discount on Zhao Xiaohai's net profits based on his annual import and export volume.

On the surface, Zhao Xiaohai suffered a significant loss in this partnership, but in reality, he actually benefited greatly. According to their agreement, Leopard Brother would be responsible for handling all the trade formalities for the trading company, free of charge. He would be responsible for handling customs declarations, quotas, write-offs, commodity inspections, HP certificates, additional endorsements, and other formalities. He would even be responsible for allocating wagons for the company's cargo transportation during busy months.

Brother Bao's willingness to pay such a high price for this partnership was driven by ulterior motives. He wanted to firmly control the domestic portion of Zhao Xiaohai's trade channels. Undoubtedly, compared to Zhao Xiaohai, Brother Bao, with his extensive background, had a better understanding of the likely direction of domestic economic policy. He knew that the country was currently discussing more comprehensive reform and opening up. Barring major setbacks, within a year or two, domestic policies to attract foreign investment and boost import and export trade would be further liberalized. At that point, he could sever Zhao Xiaohai's trade links and openly engage with the Russians.

But what Leopard Bro had never imagined was that Zhao Xiaohai was also very clear about the basic direction of China's domestic policy. Furthermore, he understood the Soviet Union more clearly than anyone else of his time. He knew that if he were given a year or two, he could expand his business in the Soviet Union to a point where Leopard Bro alone, or even Frunze, could never challenge him.

What is more important is that Zhao Xiaohai's attention is not really focused on Sino-Soviet trade. Such legal trade cannot help him accumulate enough financial resources in a very short period of time. He only regards such trade as a stepping stone for promotion and a conspiracy to bring more Soviet Far East generals on board.

Just like that, with a meeting in the coffee shop of the Yellow River Hotel, or more precisely, with the signing of a draft business cooperation agreement, a middle-aged man and a young man, two "birdmen" with ulterior motives and neither of them was a good person, came together. The only person who witnessed this historic moment was Sophia, a young and inexperienced person.

Several years later, when Sofia was interviewed by the media, he was asked about "business opportunities." His response was, "Business opportunities are everywhere and come in many forms. A young person who doesn't work hard can find life's greatest business opportunity from his college diploma—Mr. Gates has proven this. A cunning speculator can find life's greatest business opportunity from a false retirement—Mr. Buffett has proven this. And a few 'gangsters' who appear united but are actually at odds can also find life's greatest business opportunity. The few people on your country's entry denial list prove this."

The joining of Brother Leopard completed the last link in Zhao Xiaohai's trade chain. When all conditions were met, this commercial machine connecting the Soviet Far East with northern China and even the whole country began to run slowly and quietly.

Thanks to Brother Leopard's behind-the-scenes operation, Zhao Xiaohai's newly established "Zhao's Import and Export Trading Company" obtained a monthly customs clearance quota of 40,000 tons just for steel imports. This was an unexpected surprise for both Zyuganov and his people, as well as for Zhao Xiaohai himself.

On June 21, "Zhao's Import and Export Trading Company", with Zhao Xiaohai as the legal representative, opened for business in an inconspicuous two-story building on Dehua Street. Apart from Brother Bao, no one else attended the company's opening ceremony. The scene was extremely deserted.

On the same day that the Zhao Import and Export Trading Company officially opened, its headquarters in the Soviet Union was also officially established. In contrast to the quiet opening ceremony at the Greentown branch, the atmosphere there was incredibly lively. Li Qiang presided over a grand reception at the headquarters' opening ceremony, and the guest list included the entire Far East Military Region Border Defense Division. In addition, a series of high-ranking local leaders also attended the reception.

Following his elder brother's instructions, Li Qiang took advantage of the opportunity of this cocktail party and, under the chairmanship of Major General Zyuganov, drafted a short-term steel purchase contract with the secretary of the Red Star No. 1 and No. 2 Steel Plants and the head of the foreign trade company. According to this contract, the two steel plants will provide 40,000 tons of preferentially priced steel to "Zhao's Import and Export Trading Company" every month for the next twelve months, and the foreign trade company will guarantee to give priority and preferential policy support to the import and export trade of "Zhao's Trading Company".

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