Li Du was receiving the treatment of an important foreign guest in the territory of this young warlord .
Brother Wolf and Godzilla were by his side at the troop review ceremony . They stood like the golden bodyguards of the protected leaders, as if everything was normal .
Li Du was completely aware that he had no authority or power here .
However, as he stood in front of the troop review, hearing the music played by the troops' band, looking at a black general with a medal, he felt a surge of pride and emotion . He suddenly realized why men craved power .
He had become this emotional as the respected guest of a foreign diplomat . How would he feel as the leader of a great country?
There were very few troops at the ceremony—only about fifty or sixty people in total . The ceremony ended very quickly . After Remonin saluted, they left the mountain top .
Lion Hunter quietly asked, "Isn't it shocking?"
Li Du nodded sincerely . "Yes, it was incredible . This will be my favorite experience from my stay in Africa . "
Remonin was pleased and proud to hear this . He said, "My apologies, Mr . Li . We have very few troops and our weapons are very simple . In fact, please excuse my shabby treatment . "
Li Du was about to return his courtesy . But Remonin changed the subject and said, "But we have no choice, we have no money . If we had more abundant fundings, I would bring a true flood of steel with my great armed forces . If that happens, I will have you come again and make sure that you feel like a national guest . "
Lion Hunter smiled . "Did you not discover a diamond mine? With the right channel, getting rich is just a matter of time . "
Remonin gestured them to follow him into his Jeep, and they drove down the mountain road .
The terraced field had many buildings . Among them, there was one big house with Remonin's portrait painted on the side . This was his government office .
The house was not very tall, but it covered a large area . Inside the entrance, there was a hall, and in front of the hall was an amphitheater styled corridor . Several steps above the corridor there was a political discussion hall that resembled one of an ancient Chinese emperor . It had a table, chair, bookshelf, and weapon rack . It seemed like Remonin usually worked here .
Right below the hall were two rows of black troops with arms at their waists, eyes looking straight ahead, and they displayed respectful countenances . It was a formidable sight in the office hall .
Remonin sat on the chair with a leopard skin draped over it . Two lions specimens laid at his sides .
He invited Li Du and Lion Hunter to sit . Glamorously dressed black ladies served them coffee . Then, they stood on both sides to provide service .
After a sip of coffee, Remonin laughed, "Everything I have here is simple . My treatment of you may be a little less thoughtful than you are used to . Please excuse my lack of hospitality, Mr . Li . "
Li Du said, "You are too kind, General . This is the best treatment that I have experienced . I am already very impressed . "
Compared to Lion Hunter's mansion, Remonin's campsite, office, and accommodations did seem shabby . However, he had a large group of troops and weapons . With these armed forces, despite where he lived, he would not make anyone feel that he was simple or crude .
Remonin burst into loud laughter . It was obvious that he was very pleased with Li Du's response .
Both sides drank coffee over their casual conversations . Very soon, Remonin went straight to the point . He gazed at Li Du and said, "Mr . Li, you are a major shareholder of Harry Winston?"
Li Du said, "I am only one of the shareholders, but not a major shareholder . In fact, I am not even second in rank . "
"Then, you are the third," Remonin responded very quickly . "Very well . The reason I invite you over is because I need your help with a certain matter . I think you know what it is . "
How could Li Du not know? He nodded . "You have a diamond mine, and you need a suitable sales channel . You think Harry Winston Inc . can provide the channel?"
"Is that not the case?" Remonin questioned .
Li Du gave him a wry smile . "Let me explain, General . Harry Winston is indeed a big player in the diamond industry, but we are known for processing and selling . "
He sipped his coffee and continued, "If you need someone to manage your diamonds, it's better that you contact De Beers Group or DTC Botswana . They have the authority to bring raw diamonds into the market . "
Diamond was not something that could be instantly sold once found . From the discovery to appearing in the market, every sequence of processing a diamond was extremely strict . On top of that, different companies were responsible for different processes .
De Beers Group and DTC Botswana were raw diamonds purchasers . Harry Winston Inc . was also considered one but the amount they purchased was very small . Those two were the big players . They ate the meat while the other companies drank the broth .
Once they purchased raw diamonds, they did not immediately cut them . They sent them to the City of Diamonds, Antwerp, to evaluate them .
Antwerp was known as the "City of Diamonds," and had been associated with diamond culture for nearly six centuries . It was the world leader in the trade of raw and polished diamonds .
This city had the world's two biggest diamond banks headquarters, the world's four most famous diamond exchanges, and over 1,800 diamond companies . For every ten raw diamonds in the world, eight of them had at one point been traded in Antwerp .
Jewelry companies would always send their employees to stay in Antwerp to purchase diamonds once their valuations were completed . Therefore, although many jewelry companies seemed bright and glamorous, they did not possess authority in the raw diamond market . Only De Beers Group and DTC Botswana had that authority .
General Remonin smiled . "I know . But Harry Winston is also capable of managing raw diamonds, isn't it? Your visit to South Africa is also to search for a raw diamond market .
Lion Hunter nodded . Obviously, he had provided this information to Remonin .
However, Li Du had simply stated he wanted to find a diamond mine, not that he was here for raw diamonds . And he was not capable of managing raw diamonds .
The diamond market was a trading place that involved hundreds of billions—or even trillions—of dollars . It involved huge profits and great powers .
In this market, everything had to follow certain standards . There was no exception . Otherwise, be prepared for assaults from the big shots and big players
Li Du was aware of the pros and cons within the market . He cautiously said, "You have misunderstood, General . I think that you should contact the major diamond valuation companies . If you are unfamiliar with these, I can help you contact the people in charge . "
Remonin began to laugh, showing his teeth as his laugh became more and more exaggerated . "Hahahaha! Mr . Li, you are great with jokes . Really interesting . Hahaha!"
Lion Hunter laughed with him and cast Li Du a meaningful glance .
Li Du was unable to make heads or tails of it . What the f*ck was that look? What did I say wrong?
Chapter end
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