AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jin stopped walking and turned toward the agricultural minister, earning a soft huff from Finance Minister Deng Rong. “What is he planning to grow?”
“Grapes, Dianxia.” The plump man with snow-white hair and eyes nearly lost in his round cheeks was bubbling over with excitement. “He wants to begin a sizable vineyard using vines he would bring from Europe. His goal is to expand wine distribution from Gaoxing using his grapes and a variety of plums that are found on our island.”
The prince could only blink at that for a second. That was a very tempting idea. The people of Gaoxing made a lovely plum wine, but it saw very little distribution outside their country because not enough bottles were made each year to support global consumption. However, if someone came in with enough capital to kick-start mass production, it could expand the income the country generated from this sector.
But this person would need to risk a great deal of money for several years until the first bottle was ready to be sold and drank. Meanwhile, Gaoxing would immediately benefit from the sale of the land and the creation of many new jobs. Then if this person created something that was in high demand, Gaoxing’s income would soar from the tax dollars collected on the sales.
Right now, this looked like a huge win for the kingdom right when they needed it.
So why did he feel so suspicious?
“It sounds as if this investment does not require approval from the crown. No laws stand in the way of this development,” Jin murmured as he resumed his walk.
“Dianxia! Think of the security of the kingdom! This person could be a spy!” Deng Rong was practically whining and stomping his foot.
The thought had crossed his mind. It seemed silly, though. But with the ongoing problems with China, even Japan’s efforts to ingratiate itself, and now the assassination attempts, Jin felt more cautious.
His agricultural minister leaned closer. “Dianxia, the president of the Panopoulos Conglomerate came to Gaoxing to discuss this investment as a courtesy to the crown and the people of Gaoxing.”
“More like to wheedle tax cuts and other free incentives to go forward with this project,” Deng Rong muttered.
Jin ignored the finance minister’s grumbling. Why did that name sound so familiar?
The older man leaned around Jin to glare at his counterpart, then continued in a steady voice. “If you could spare five minutes to speak with him, I’m sure he could ease your worries about this project.”
“I think Qin could create an opening in my schedule. Do you have his contact information handy?”
“Yes, Dianxia. He’s—oh! There! He’s just outside your office.”
Jin almost tripped over his own feet to see Isidore rise from a small settee that rested in the wide hallway leading to the king’s office. Beside him stood a grinning Alexei.
That’s right. He was Isidore Panopoulos.
“Yes, I can find a few minutes for Mr. Panopoulos,” Jin said with newfound excitement.
“Dianxia!” Deng Rong whined.
Jin waved a dismissive hand at him. “Unless you have something positive to tell me that will help the financial well-being of our people, I think we’re done for now.”
While the finance minister stomped off, Jin was accompanied by Gong Hou to where Isidore and Alexei were waiting for him. The two men bowed as they were introduced and Isidore presented his business card with both hands, using a practiced ease that spoke of someone who had conducted more than a little business in Asia in the past.
“Please accompany me to my office so we can speak,” Jin directed and then dismissed Gong Hou, who looked disappointed to be kept from further discussions. Normally he would keep the man close at hand, but he suspected Isidore and Alexei wanted to talk about more than grapes.
They made polite chitchat about how they were enjoying their stay in the country while they crossed the massive room to a small seating area. Qin brought in a tea service and almost stumbled when he caught sight of Isidore and Alexei smiling at him.
“What?” Qin gasped, keeping his voice low so the guards standing on the opposite side of the room couldn’t hear him.
“Business proposal,” Isidore whispered back with a wide grin. He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a thick, glossy dossier, which he handed over to Jin.
For a second, Jin could only gape at it, his heart leaping into his throat. From the moment he saw it was Isidore and Alexei waiting to speak to him, he’d thought that the agricultural project was a ruse to get close to him. He flipped through the pages, glimpsing detailed reports with copious facts, figures, and assessments. Then there was a large section on other vineyards and olive orchards Isidore’s company ran in Europe.
He jerked his gaze up to Isidore, fighting to find the right words. “This is real?”
