Chapter 68 Signed Players
For a moment, Ma Xusen wondered if he was still half asleep.
These two bosses clearly didn't even greet him, so why would they suddenly come to the base to talk about a transfer?
He quickly washed up, changed into his best clothes, and hurried downstairs.
Inside the negotiation room, Fang Zhuo and Zeng Ge were sitting face to face.
Each of them brought an assistant and a lawyer, but the lawyers on Juke's side were more experienced and had a better reputation than those on Zeng's side.
Juke's legal team was sitting casually on the sofa next to them, making Zeng Ge's team look like law firm interns who had come to do odd jobs.
Zeng Ge was also secretly observing Fang Zhuo. He was embarrassed that the two of them had found the IN team at the same time, but at the same time he was glad that his prediction was quite accurate. Fang Zhuo did indeed contact Ma Xusen as soon as he was promoted to the secondary league.
Zeng Ge leaned back slightly.
Fortunately, his methods against other contestants were discreet and clean. Even if the other party had a third eye, they would most likely not suspect him at this point. At most, they would think that the people around the original male lead, Lin Yuzheng, might be a little strange.
To take a more conspiratorial approach, Fang Zhuo might simply direct his suspicions at Lin Yuzheng himself.
However, if Fang Zhuo really takes Ma Xusen away, everything will be different. If the two of them compare accounts even slightly, they will easily connect it to Zeng Ge himself.
He couldn't let Mashsen transfer to JR.
Previously, Platinum Drive's subsidiary had invested in the IN team. The second boss who was in charge of the actual operation of the IN team was a real lackey. He was very pragmatic and would definitely give him face.
Thinking this, Zeng Ge picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip:
"I'm sorry, I might have to disappoint Mr. Fang today. I'll treat him to dinner tonight to make amends. I know a really great private steakhouse nearby."
Fang Zhuo didn't respond to his comment, but instead smiled and said, "Really? You used to come to the IN team often?"
It was a very simple question, but Zeng Ge felt a sharp ache all over his body from the sting.
Fortunately, Ma Xusen followed IN's second boss downstairs at this moment. The appearance of the two of them slightly broke the tense atmosphere. Zeng Ge quickly stepped forward and lightly bumped fists with Ma Xusen, saying familiarly:
"Horse, long time no see. Want to play for me next season? I'll sign a loan agreement with your team. Salary is negotiable, and it'll help you save up your buyout money sooner."
Zeng Ge is well-liked in the player circle, and the two of them have many mutual friends. Ma Xusen did not expect that the team owner mentioned by the second boss would be Zeng Ge.
Ma Xusen rubbed his index finger and thumb together, making a money gesture, and joked with a smile:
"Brother Zeng, are you feeling a bit better off lately? Why did you suddenly decide to help your buddy? Did your family send over the disaster relief supplies?"
As they chatted and laughed, Ma Xusen didn't notice that another group of people were sitting on the sofa. Zenger offered a loan agreement of 2.4 million for one season. Although the salary was only 70% of Ma Xusen's previous salary, he was already very satisfied with his good brother's willingness to help.
Fang Zhuo interrupted, his finger already hovering over the electronic loan agreement:
"Zeng, if I remember correctly, you also play the tank role, right? Why did you rent someone out?"
Zeng Ge answered flawlessly: "As for sparring partners, Mr. Fang may not know much about it. Many teams hire a team of professional players to spar with them. My performance has been a bit sluggish lately, so I had Ma'er come over to give me some pointers."
Looking at Ma Xusen's clear gaze and the familiar sight of the two people opposite him with their arms around each other, Fang Zhuo sighed almost inaudibly.
Fang Zhuo silently shifted his gaze to the second-in-command of the IN team—this man's eyes were unfocused, and his expression wasn't particularly happy. After all, the loan fee was directly given to the player, and the actual operator of the team didn't get any benefit.
Fang Zhuo didn't intend to give the second boss any real benefits, but that didn't stop him from painting a rosy picture for him.
He then looked at the group of people opposite him and said, "I'm not here to talk about a loan, Ma Xusen. You can think about it yourself. I will pay the transfer fee for you. You will be a first-line starting player in the JR team and will not need to rotate with anyone."
"You will also have your own practice partners this season. I guarantee that all the hardware training facilities that JR Team can provide for you are the best in the entire Star Alliance."
Ma Xusen wasn't stupid; of course he knew this offer was far better than what Zeng Ge could offer. He widened his eyes and reminded him, "President Fang, my penalty for breach of contract is three hundred million..."
Fang Zhuo was slightly taken aback, not because of the large amount of the penalty for breach of contract, but because it didn't match the description in the book.
But he quickly composed himself, turning his fleeting moment of surprise into a light laugh, and offered, "Of course."
Fang Zhuo then looked at the second boss of the IN team, taking in the other's ecstatic joy:
“I will cover the entire 300 million. After the contract is signed, I will give you a commercial draft with a six-month term.”
The second boss was overjoyed and so excited that he wanted to sing "Good Luck" on the spot.
Commercial drafts are a common remittance method for large transactions in the Star Alliance. Before issuing a commercial draft, the bank will strictly verify the credit rating and cash reserves of each account. Generally speaking, a commercial draft worth 300 million can only be issued if the account funds are far greater than 3 billion.
Although the six-month redemption period is a bit long, the accumulated credit interest will also increase during the redemption process, and the final amount received will be a little over 301 million.
Although it had been rumored that Giant Interactive, the company associated with the JR esports team, had recently risen at an extraordinary pace and even released a new technology with a huge investment a few days ago, no one knew whether it was real or just Indian hype until the actual product was released.
But now they've actually pulled out the commercial drafts, and the company has over 3 billion yuan in liquid funds in a single bank account—that's an astonishingly terrifying amount of cash reserves.
The second boss was beaming with joy, ignoring the threatening look from his former boss, Zeng Ge, and completely forgetting their previous agreement.
His mind is now filled with the sweet surprise of receiving 300 million yuan in six months.
Forget about leases and connections; what matters is having commercial drafts in hand.
The second boss carefully reviewed the contract handed to him by the opposing lawyer, and then signed his name in bold strokes at the signature section of the transfer contract, beaming with delight.
Mashsen was still somewhat dazed when he left his name with the third party.
The contract had kept me trapped for a year, and the days of silently broadcasting alone in the dimly lit base felt like yesterday, but it only took ten minutes to break free.
He hadn't even exchanged two complete sentences with Boss Fang, and yet he was already redeemed...
Sure enough, the customers who ask the fewest questions are the ones who are most willing to make a purchase.
Before leaving the base, Maxusen hugged Zenger, whose expression was not pleasant:
"I'm sorry to have disappointed you, brother. If we happen to meet again at the competition, I still have to say thank you. I appreciate your kindness, brother. I'll treat you to drinks in a couple of days. Don't complain about the small barbecue place I'm going to take you to."
Hearing Mr. Fang's urging, Ma Xusen didn't have time to say more and quickly ran to the middle seat of the business car.
Sitting next to his future boss, Ma Xusen took the initiative to break the silence, drawing on his years of experience as a news anchor:
"Mr. Fang, are you really going to pay that three hundred million?"
"Why don't you just default on the debt? The second boss of IN is no good person. The team is so broke this year that it's almost gone bankrupt. The food they make in the kitchen is so bland. If you keep delaying that bill any longer, I think it's going to go bankrupt."
Fang Zhuo lay lazily in his chair, casually replying:
"Do you think I'm a sucker? Otherwise, why do you think I gave him a commercial draft? I always pay cash when I buy things. Believe me, six months is enough for it to go bankrupt."
Fang Zhuo sent the JR team contract on the terminal to the other party, concisely stating: "Sign the contract first, and I'll transfer one million to your account. Oh right, not a commercial draft, but cash."
Unlike the decisive and efficient General Manager Fang just now, this cold reply carried a hint of humor, and Ma Xusen immediately felt that the distance between the two had been shortened.
Ma Xusen then opened the electronic contract, and his eyes immediately fell on the 30 million salary.
His previous rookie contract was only 13 million a year, which is a high salary that is hard to come by for a professional player who has been in the industry for less than three years.
Mr. Fang actually doubled the price in one go, and casually threw away a million.
Mashsen felt he needed artificial respiration.
He quickly signed the contract, and then heard Boss Fang continue to instruct him: "Don't invite Zeng Ge for drinks, and don't have any private dealings with people from their team for the next few years. I'll tell you the specific reasons later."
"In addition, a batch of S-class new energy mechs will be delivered to the base before the end of next week. You should train with Tao Tao more these next few days and try to recover your competitive form as soon as possible. I have high expectations for you."
Ma Xusen's mind went blank from the sheer volume of information. He nodded blankly and replied first, "Don't worry, Mr. Fang, I will definitely train hard..."
Fang Zhuo quietly scrolled through the system's notification of successful contract signing—
[Investment Target Number Four: Ma Xusen]
[Intelligence: 59][Stamina: 92][Appearance: 65][Emotional Intelligence: 58][Loyalty: 93]
[Recommended Career: Mech Pilot and Related Training Industry]
[Skill Talents: 91]
[Initial valuation: 1,080,000]
Fang Zhuo closed his eyes briefly, recalling the original text in his mind.
In the original book, the contract dispute involving Ma Xusen and his group of players occurred just before IN was about to face Lin Yuzheng's team.
Although this matter caused a great stir in the original novel "Broken Army War Soul", the evidence in court only involved two items: insufficient participation in business activities and insufficient live broadcast time. In the end, the liquidated damages were only 90 million.
Compared to 300 million, 90 million is obviously easier to repay.
In the original story, Ma Xusen insisted on live streaming every day and borrowed money from his fellow contestants, eventually managing to pay off the breach of contract penalty in the fourth year after the contract dispute.
Despite his competitive form declining significantly due to a long period without training, he eventually found a job with a mid-sized team thanks to his excellent skills, earning at least several million yuan a year, instead of being locked up here in the dark and struggling like he is now.
Fang Zhuo couldn't immediately figure out why Zeng Gefei wanted to get involved in this matter.
What's the point?
Is that all the liquidated damages?
Although Fang Zhuo knew that older generation entrepreneurs who built their businesses from scratch generally didn't give their children much pocket money, Zeng Ge was, after all, the only son of a top mecha entrepreneur. Surely he wouldn't be so stingy as to try to generate income in such a place.
Compared to Fang Zhuo's caution, Ma Xusen seemed much more carefree.
A year is not enough time for his level to decline significantly, especially after receiving guidance from a renowned coach like Tao Tao. Ma Xusen felt that he was full of energy.
The meals prepared in the kitchen were no longer just green, diet-friendly dishes; every meal contained a variety of proteins. The taste of JR's kitchen was comparable to that of a high-end restaurant. He gained three pounds in just two weeks after joining the team.
He was so shocked that he couldn't speak when he saw ten brand-new S-class new energy mechs being transported into the training base.
He had initially thought that Mr. Fang was trying to motivate him by deliberately making the mecha's production date sound closer to the future, since everyone knew that the technology had only just been released and it was impossible for it to be manufactured so quickly.
But it really happened that fast.
It's hard to guess, it's really hard to guess what ability the boss used.
The group trained in the mechs for a few hours. When Boss Fang came to inspect the training base again, Ma Xusen was surprised to find related terms trending on social media.
#S-Class New Energy Mechs Make Their Debut in the Arena This Saturday#
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