Arriving at the parking lot, Mr. Afonso suddenly stopped and pretended to be casual:
"Would you guys like to have a cup of coffee together before we go?"
Yang Haoxuan asked subconsciously: "Coffee? Is there a cafe in Rio de Janeiro?"
During this period of time, he traveled to almost all the neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. He had seen a lot of underground bars, but had never heard of cafes.
"Yes!" Mr. Afonso nodded with a smile, and then introduced: "As far as I know, there are several coffee plantations throughout Brazil. Although the supply of coffee is seriously insufficient, it can still satisfy your craving occasionally."
"Really? We have visited many places before, including many high-end places. Why didn't we find a cafe anywhere?" Yang Haoxuan expressed serious doubts.
Susanna answered helpfully: "Because those cafes are not open to outsiders, you must be a member. Our boss has a membership card, which can not only go to the cafe to consume, but also buy coffee beans."
"Is it necessary to go to such trouble? Isn't it all about making money? Why not open it to the outside world?"
Yang Haoxuan was a little confused.
If it is just for socializing, there is no need to open a cafe at all, just give it away.
"The reason is very simple. Because the impact is not good, coffee is a luxury product after all. It seriously violates the official frugality initiative and is a key target of attack. That's why we secretly grow some because the sky is high and the emperor is far away."
Susanna explained casually.
Yang Haoxuan shook his head on the spot: "No, the official ban on alcohol is also strict, but I saw a lot of underground bars here. What do you say?"
"Mr. Yang, the wine you drink in the bar cannot be called wine at all. They are all blended with bioethanol and even contain formaldehyde, which is very harmful to the body."
"Damn? Why didn't anyone tell me this? I've been to many bars before and ordered a few drinks every time."
Yang Haoxuan was immediately shocked.
I can't wait to go to the hospital for a checkup right away.
Susanna quickly reassured: "Mr. Yang, you don't have to worry too much. If you only take it in a small amount and not for many years, it will basically not cause much harm to the body.
In fact, the raw material for producing these bioethanol is mainly a new type of seaweed, which does not require the consumption of food, so the higher authorities turn a blind eye."
"Seaweed? Seaweed can also make wine?"
Yang Haoxuan couldn't help but exclaimed.
The star Mr. Afonso knew better, and he explained in detail: "Counsel Yang, Brazil has always been known as the kingdom of sugar cane, with half of the sugar cane used to produce sucrose and half to produce ethanol.
Therefore, Brazil has the most advanced ethanol production technology in the entire federation, and is also the largest ethanol supplier and consumer region with a long history.
Later, with the eruption of the Yellowstone volcano and facing the increasingly severe energy crisis, with the strong support of the central government, bioethanol naturally became our key research direction.
So far, although the research results are very limited, there is one exception, which is the technology of using seaweed to produce ethanol, which has achieved a major breakthrough.
Those bars all over the streets have basically benefited from this. To be honest, if it weren't for the intentional control from above, we could open bars all over the federation."
"Isn't that alcohol harmful to the body?"
Yang Haoxuan frowned.
"Not entirely. In order to reduce costs, the harmful ones are low-end wines. In addition, there are high-end wines, which are not only non-toxic, but also taste better."
Mr. Afonso corrected patiently.
"Awesome! Awesome!" Yang Haoxuan immediately gave a thumbs up after hearing this, "I think your technology of using seaweed to produce ethanol is much more reliable than the so-called 'controllable nuclear fusion', and the probability of success is also greater."
"I'm afraid it's not that easy. The current mainstream technology is to use plants with high sugar content to produce fuel ethanol, such as sugar cane and corn.
The sugar content of seaweed is too low. If you want to use the cellulose in seaweed to convert it into sugar and then ferment it to produce fuel ethanol, the cost will not be reduced at all."
Mr. Afonso shook his head helplessly.
Yang Haoxuan suddenly had an idea: "Mr. Afonso, do you think it is possible to use genetically modified technology to add sugarcane genes to seaweed to cultivate a seaweed with high sugar content?
Has the problem been fundamentally solved?”
"Counsel Yang, our company has conducted similar research, and it seems that the difficulty is not much lower than landing on the moon."
Mr. Afonso did not explain much. He is not a professional and his knowledge is very limited.
Yang Haoxuan couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Isn't your company mining iron ore? Are you also researching bioethanol?"
"Haha, in the past ten years, the energy industry has been an absolute hot spot. The government has given a lot of policy support. As long as it is profitable, our company has no reason to refuse."
Mr. Afonso shrugged.
Yang Haoxuan kept this in mind.
Before coming to Brazil, his brother-in-law asked him to do a simple social survey. Unexpectedly, he gained the most today, which was more than the previous two months combined.
Afonso pursed his lips and extended the invitation again: "Guys, the cafe is not far from here. We just talked so much, our mouths are probably dry. Why don't you go to the cafe with me and sit down?"
"Okay! I haven't had coffee for a long time. I had a great time today." Yang Haoxuan agreed.
Susanna would naturally not object.
Ten minutes later, the group arrived at the cafe.
The cafe is opened in a villa, and its business style is very similar to that of a B&B, very homely.
Surprisingly, the owner of the cafe is actually a well-known sports star.
Yang Haoxuan recognized the other person at a glance: "Huh? Mr. Afonso, isn't this Ronaldo?"
Although Ronaldo retired ten years ago, it is undeniable that his influence is still considerable, and he himself is one of the fans.
"Yes, after Mr. Ronaldo announced his retirement, he immigrated to Brazil with his family and opened this cafe three years ago."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Mr. Afonso smiled and nodded.
Brazil was once a colony of Portugal. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. The cultural customs of the two sides are very similar. It is not surprising that I chose to immigrate to Brazil.
"Can I go over and get an autograph?"
Yang Haoxuan is eager to try.
Mr. Afonso laughed: "Of course, no problem. Forget about signing, you can even invite him to have a cup of afternoon tea."
"Really? It seems that this trip is right."
Yang Haoxuan said excitedly.
Upon seeing this, Mr. Afonso waved directly to Ronaldo. He was an old customer here and there was no need to be polite to him.
Soon, Yang Haoxuan not only got an autograph, but also chatted with his idol.
"Cris, can I ask you a question, why did you choose to immigrate to Brazil?"
Cris is another name for Cristiano Ronaldo, and it is also a name only used by his closest friends.
Ronaldo took a sip of coffee and slowly explained:
"You also know about the Middle East war ten years ago. At that time, the whole of Europe was in panic. For the safety of the whole family, the only choice was to immigrate.
As for why you chose Brazil?
On the one hand, this is far away from the battlefield and is the safest place; on the other hand, I have several Brazilian teammates who strongly invited me to come here."
"I see. So, have you ever had any regrets after immigrating here?"
Yang Haoxuan asked a sensitive question.
Facts have proved that Brazil is not a livable place. In comparison, both the mainland and Europe are much better than South America.
Cristiano Ronaldo nodded and said unabashedly: "Of course I regret it, but my original choice was also right. After all, no one could predict that the war would end suddenly."
"Since you regret it, why don't you consider leaving Brazil? I think with your wealth, it's not too late to leave now." Yang Haoxuan asked immediately.
Cristiano Ronaldo replied with a cold face: "Mr. Yang, you think too highly of me. I am working for someone else now, and I don't hold much shares. The major shareholder is actually someone else."
"What? This cafe doesn't belong to you?"
Yang Haoxuan was a little surprised.
"It can be said that the major shareholder is also a fan of mine, so he invited me to cooperate.
Although I have earned some dividends over the years, they have all been used to repay debts for purchasing shares. If I really leave Brazil, I may not be able to maintain my current standard of living, and I may not even be able to have enough to eat."
Ronaldo explained casually.
"Who is the major shareholder? Can you tell me?"
Yang Haoxuan asked curiously.
Afonso rushed to answer: "I know this. The boss behind this cafe is also one of the major shareholders of our Vale company and the current head of the Safra family - Joseph Safra.
"
"Who is this Joseph?"
Yang Haoxuan suddenly became interested.
“The Safra family controls South America’s largest private bank, Unibanco Itaú, and is very powerful. The entire family’s wealth reaches more than 50 billion.”
Afonso answered truthfully.
Yang Haoxuan raised his eyebrows: "Fifty billion? It doesn't seem like a lot. On the federal rich list, I don't think it even ranks among the top 100."
"Staff Yang, how can this be compared? The entire South America, except for Venezuela, has experienced a particularly severe economic decline in recent years. It can be said that it is getting worse year by year. To use your Daxia terminology, it should be said that the economy is declining."
Mr. Afonso sighed deeply.
Today in South America, or the entire America, except for industries related to mining resources, other industries are simply unable to do anything.
Susanna couldn't help but interjected: "Unless all warlords are eliminated, there is no hope for Brazil."
"Destroy the warlords? It's almost impossible!"
Mr. Afonso shook his head.
"Why is it impossible?" Yang Haoxuan asked subconsciously, "The consul came here this time and brought an army of 20,000 people. If we add the local garrison, can he still not be able to defeat a mere warlord?"
"It's not that we can't fight, it's that we can't fight. If we don't want to fight, it's hard to fight. Those warlords are not just meat to be slaughtered. They control hundreds of large and small mining areas.
Once we attack them, they will definitely choose to blow up the mines before being forced to move. Even if the warlords are eliminated, the whole of Brazil will be ruined."
Mr. Afonso spoke earnestly and thoughtfully.
In fact, their Vale company cooperates with local warlords on many projects. If a war breaks out, they will definitely suffer heavy losses.
Precisely because of this, he wanted to convey these words to the consul through Yang's staff in front of him, so as to prevent the superiors from becoming overheated and doing irrational things.
In fact, many people are speculating.
The consul's trip around the world was nominally to inspect local areas and strengthen unity, but secretly it was for the warlords in South America, otherwise there would be no need to bring so many troops.
Yang Haoxuan immediately frowned: "Then we can't drag it out forever, right? The longer it is delayed, the harder it will be to solve it."
"Ahem, with all due respect, the warlord problem definitely needs to be solved, but not now. The top priority right now is to stabilize production and avoid a more serious existential crisis.
In addition, this is a critical period for the reform of state-owned enterprises. The more this time is, the more stability is needed. Everything must be prioritized and we cannot ignore reality."
Mr. Afonso said earnestly.
After hearing this, Yang Haoxuan fell into deep thought. He has been studying with his brother-in-law for a year. He is no longer a political novice, and what the other party said does make sense.
Susanna glanced meaningfully at Mr. Afonso across from her. He really came with a purpose. Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit solemn, as the only woman present, she quickly interrupted:
"Mr. Yang, the coffee will get cold if you don't drink it."
Yang Haoxuan reacted immediately, smiled at everyone, then picked up the coffee and drank it in one go.
Ronaldo picked up the coffee pot and filled it up for him.
"Thank you."
Yang Haoxuan quickly thanked him.
…
After drinking coffee, Mr. Afonso left directly.
Yang Haoxuan personally sent Susanna back to the company. The success rate of this cooperation was very high, and both parties seemed to be in a good mood.
"Would you like to go up and have a drink of water?"
Susanna asked casually.
"No." Yang Haoxuan waved his hand and joked with a smile: "If I go to your house, I will definitely be willing to do it a hundred times."
"Tomorrow! If you are free tomorrow, I would like to cook for you and treat you to a simple meal."
Suzanne said generously.
Through the experience just now, she discovered that the identity of the person in front of her was definitely unusual. He must have a close relationship with the Archon, and he might even be a confidant.
Otherwise, it is impossible for the other party to have three bodyguards.
This is obviously unreasonable.
In addition, when leaving the police station, Director Olson did not say it explicitly, but Mr. Tuoyan said hello to the consul, which also explains the problem.
It is precisely because of the above reasons,
She wants to develop the other party into a long-term partner.
Yang Haoxuan's eyes suddenly lit up: "Are you serious? When is tomorrow? I will definitely attend the appointment on time."
"At eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, I will ask our boss for half a day off." Susanna replied.
"Can we have dinner instead? Dinner is more atmospheric, and you don't have to ask for leave."
Yang Haoxuan grinned and looked like he was thinking about the other person.
Susanna rolled her eyes and said bluntly: "Do you want to go to bed with me?"