Chapter 182 Precious Metals Are Troublesome to Handle
On the Red-Headed Boat, Xiao Peng and Kaxin were playing video games. Walter, holding a wine glass, looked at a large piece of rhodium in the cabin and said, "Isn't this seabed salvaging too easy? We've made a fortune in less than a day here?"
Fabian clinked his glass with his and said, "Dude, you're overthinking it! Let's not even talk about the cost of all that equipment for deep-sea salvaging. Do you know how long it took Columbus Expeditions to salvage the Central America? Four years! And how long did Odyssey salvage the Mercedes? Several years too! If deep-sea salvage were as easy as it is today, who would still have jobs if everyone was doing it? But you're really amazing! Seeing such a valuable treasure, you're not tempted at all?"
Kasin, who was playing games over there, said after hearing this: "Don't mention it. It would be a lie to say I'm not tempted! But after seeing the boss carry the rhodium into the cabin himself just now, I gave up the idea. When my boss told me that we were no match for him, I thought he was joking. Now I know that's not the way to joke!"
Xiao Peng laughed. "Kaxin, believe me, you want to beat me in a fistfight? It's more likely that you can beat me in a game console."
Kasin shook his head. "Boss, I really don't believe you. We're both on the same wavelength, so who's to blame? I'm going to challenge you to a duel to see how we fare. At our security company, I'm not as smart as my boss, and I'm not as good a shooter as Bruch and Khedira, but when it comes to fighting skills, they're no match for me."
Xiao Peng tilted his head and glanced at Walter and said, “Walter, are you just going to watch him blow?”
Walter spread his hands: "If you have a Slavic comrade, you have to adapt to their habit of bragging."
Xiao Peng laughed out loud.
Fabian then said, "Xiao, things are a bit troublesome right now. I just contacted someone, and the sale of precious metals requires certification from the relevant French authorities."
Xiao Peng sighed after hearing this: "There are so many things to do."
However, he could understand that precious metals were considered strategic reserves for every country on Earth. They couldn't be sold casually. Although precious metals like gold were no longer part of the monetary system, they were still often considered the cornerstone of world currency. Therefore, approximately one-fifth of precious metals were mined by governments and central banks.
Especially the super precious metal rhodium
The current price of rhodium is 12,500 euros per ounce. Although gold continues to rise, it is only 1,650 euros per ounce. The price of rhodium is 7.5 times that of gold!
Now, in order to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the EU has strengthened the control of cash, precious metals and virtual currencies. It is very troublesome to get rid of such a large amount of rhodium.
Fabian said to Walter, "Walter, do you still think this seabed salvage is easy? Let me tell you, this is still relatively good. We are not a listed company. If we were a listed company, it would be more troublesome."
"A listed company? There are listed companies for underwater salvage companies?" Walter asked in confusion.
Fabian laughed and said, "The world's top ocean salvage companies are all publicly listed. Don't underestimate our small company's limited equipment; that alone would stump 99.99% of the world's aspiring ocean salvage professionals. Therefore, more 'ocean exploration companies' require financing or even go public to minimize risk."
"Then why do you say listed companies are more troublesome?" Walter asked puzzledly.
Fabian explained, "Publicly listed companies always announce so-called 'good news' to raise funds. Otherwise, how can investors have confidence? For example, if we were a publicly listed company and were salvaging the Pescara, we would announce our search even before we began, letting investors know about our progress. We would then announce further news once we found the Pescara."
Walter suddenly realized: "This way, investors will desperately throw money into the stock market!"
"But!" Fabian said, "After determining the location of a shipwreck and before starting to salvage it, when applying for a salvage permit, you must first pay an advance of 10% of the estimated wealth to the country where the shipwreck is located. For example, if the location we just salvaged is in Italian territorial waters, we have to pay Italy a sum of money. If we don't achieve the expected salvage goals, this money will be lost."
Xiao Peng slapped his forehead and said, "Yeah, I hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it. Why didn't Italy send anyone to inspect our work? When I was here last time, Italian inspection ships came by every now and then."
Fabian spread his hands. "How should I know? Anyway, I've already informed them. You know how efficient Italy is. Maybe they think it would be better to go over there in a few days!"
In fact, Fabian guessed it right!
The Italian side never expected that Xiao Peng and his team would act so quickly.
They were indeed coming to inspect Xiao Peng and his crew, but a few days later, when they arrived at the waters designated by Xiao Peng, they found no one there. By the time they contacted Xiao Peng and his crew, he had already returned to Marseille to indulge in a life of debauchery.
The Italian side is also confused. It takes years for them to salvage the fish. Even though you were here for over a month last time, how come you went home less than 24 hours after arriving? Are you here for tourism?
Even more confused than them were Patachi and Fernandez from the Spanish CNI. When they learned that Xiao Peng was going out to sea, they thought they were going to search for the S-80. However, when they checked the navigation records, they found out that they were going to salvage a sunken ship.
CNI sent a lot of people to contact the salvage company, and Patachi and Fernandez were just one of the groups.
Each group of them was responsible for contacting different companies. Those big companies had been contacted by their colleagues, and they could not return empty-handed, so they found Xiao Peng and his team who had just established a company. As a result, Xiao Peng simply put their matters aside and went to do his own work!
How little do you value us?
Just when the two were about to return home to Spain to report, they suddenly received a call from Xiao Peng asking them to help with the procedures for going to the Cabrera Nature Reserve.
"You're going to the Cabrera Reserve?" Patachi was confused. "What are we going there for?"
Xiao Peng explained, "Go find the S-80. I plan to search near Menorca Island, which is close to the Cabrera Reserve. Once I complete the paperwork, it will be easier for me to move."
Patachi said, "But that's not the search route I told you about! Other salvage companies are salvaging in the Bay of Valencia. How are you going to Menorca?"
Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "I have my own work ideas. Can you help me with this?"
Patachi was silent for a while and then said, "This will take time."
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