Chapter 148: An opportunity to be infamous for eternity lies before you
Just as Xiao Peng thought, Zhang Cuijian came to insure the jewelry.
Insurance for a large-scale jewelry exhibition like this isn't something Xiao Peng can simply pay for. The process is complex and tedious. The insurance company will also inspect the exhibition hall's security facilities, require the client to provide relevant appraisal certificates, and arrange for personnel to be present throughout the exhibition.
The insurance premium for this batch of jewelry alone was a whopping seven figures! Countless insurance companies were salivating over the money. Xiao Peng wasn't worried about the premium, as it was paid for by the Marseille government: they were asking for the exhibition, and it was the money they were supposed to pay.
But these insurance companies want to make money and minimize risks.
Insurance companies will set various additional clauses, set a compensation cap, and set a relatively high deductible and charge additional insurance premiums.
Although the municipal government is responsible for this matter, Xiao Peng will have the final say.
Pascal and Fabian are currently busy with these things, but Xiao Peng... doesn't understand anything at all!
All Xiao Peng could do was introduce Zhang Cuijian to Pascal and promise him that under the same conditions, he would give priority to Groupama Insurance. With Xiao Peng's guarantee, Zhang Cuijian's goal was achieved.
After all, such a big deal can't be done with just a nod. Zhang Cuijian was very satisfied with the result. The people at the table were chatting and laughing as they listened to Xiao Peng recount his experiences at sea. The atmosphere was very good.
But Chen Zetao discovered that something was wrong with Xiao Peng.
"Brother Xiao, do you have something to talk to me about?" Chen Zetao asked, "Are you talking about crew recruitment? Brother Xiao, you have to consider this for me. Although I have good connections, this is really difficult. There are many Chinese people who come to France, but they usually work at the bottom level. People can't directly change their social status by changing their environment. The vast majority of Chinese who come here don't know anything. It's not a problem to find Chinese people who can work here, but it's really difficult to find Chinese crew members who are both capable and experienced."
Zhang Cuijian also said, "Yes, I used to work in Paris. There are many Chinese people there who have been here for decades and can do nothing but manual labor. Many can't even speak French. It's no problem to get them to work on a ship. As long as they can make money, they'll work harder than anyone else. But putting them to use? It's really hard."
Chen Zetao nodded and said, "Brother Xiao, I've been asking them to help you find suitable crew members, but it's really difficult! Chinese people are so easily satisfied. Our ancestors always said, 'A lot of skills are always a burden.' But how come they forgot about this after they came out? Even Hitler had to rely on painting to make a living after traveling back in time. (PS: From the German drama "Hitler is Back") You say this is strange. They came out because they were 'unsatisfied'. Does 'coming out' mean they are 'satisfied'?"
Xiao Peng said helplessly, "Brother Chen, Brother Zhang, we're just chatting here, how did we get into philosophical issues? I'm actually not worried about the crew anymore! At worst, I can go to the Toulon Ocean Center and hire them. I didn't come to you for this."
Chen Zetao asked doubtfully, "It's not about this? Then you are...?"
Xiao Peng glanced at Zhang Cuijian without saying anything.
How could a shrewd person like Chen Zetao not understand what Xiao Peng meant? He laughed heartily and said, "Xiao, don't worry. Xiao Zhang is one of us. There's no need to hide anything from him. Just tell him directly if you have anything to say!"
Xiao Peng hesitated for a long time and then said, "Brother Chen, are you still doing smuggling?"
"Hmm?" Chen Zetao frowned slightly after hearing this. He exchanged glances with Zhang Cuijian and then looked at Xiao Peng. "They investigated my smuggling case, but ultimately proved me innocent. Why do you ask?"
Xiao Peng shrugged: "If that's the case, then just pretend I didn't ask anything."
Chen Zetao glanced at Xiao Peng and smiled slightly: "Xiao, you know I have a wide network of contacts. It's not surprising that I know a few smugglers. If you have any problems, just tell me and see if I can help you."
However, Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "Brother Chen, to be honest, I do have something that I can't let too many people know. I came to you because I had no other options and I didn't know anyone. Even coming to you was because I was forcing myself to trust you."
"So serious?" Chen Zetao said seriously, "What exactly happened?"
Xiao Peng hesitated for a long time, looked at Chen Zetao and then at Zhang Cuijian, then mustered up his determination to pick up the small box at his feet and put it on the table.
Chen Zetao smiled and said, "Brother Xiao, you've been carrying this box since you came in. I initially thought it was a gift from you, but it seems I was wrong. What's inside? A treasure?"
Xiao Peng nodded: "It is indeed a treasure, but..."
"But?" Seeing Xiao Peng's hesitation, Chen Zetao and Zhang Cuijian became even more curious.
Xiao Peng looked at the two men and said, "Brother Chen, Brother Zhang, let me ask you one more question. Are you sure you want to see what's in here? I'm not trying to scare you, but if you see what's in here, even if you can't do anything, it's best to remain silent. Otherwise, you might be infamous forever!"
Chen Zetao turned serious and asked, "What on earth makes you so nervous?"
"Do you really want to see it?" Xiao Peng nagging again.
Chen Zetao said, "Brother Xiao, you've already piqued our curiosity to this extent, and you're still asking us if we want to watch it? Stop wasting time!"
When Xiao Peng heard him say this, he opened the box and displayed the contents in front of the two of them.
Chen Zetao was quite knowledgeable. He took the item in the box and examined it. "Is this a cloisonné basalt paperweight? It's the work of our ancestors. It's an old item, but it shouldn't be as exaggerated as you say, right?"
Xiao Peng said, "What if I say this thing was found on the Ansaldo?"
"'Ansaldo'?" Chen Zetao looked confused.
Zhang Cuijian was shocked after hearing this. He was a little disappointed when he saw the things in the box and was drinking water there. When he heard what Xiao Peng said, the cup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"'Ansaldo'? The old Italian steamer?" Zhang Cuijian asked excitedly.
Xiao Peng nodded: "That's it, sleeping 2,700 meters below the sea."
Chen Zetao was very puzzled when he saw this situation: "Xiao Zhang, what's going on?"
But Zhang Cuijian stood up, closed the restaurant door, and asked Xiao Peng, "Who else knows about this?"
Xiao Peng pointed at Chen Zetao and Zhang Cuijian: "Just the two of you."
Zhang Cuijian smiled bitterly: "Brother Xiao, I don't know what to say. You've given us a difficult problem."
Chen Zetao looked at the two of them and asked, "What are you talking about?"
After hearing this, Zhang Cuijian gave Chen Zetao a wry smile and said, "Brother Chen, we really have a chance to be infamous for eternity!"
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