Chapter 2047

Jasmine knew the other party was lying. Nippon Steel, a top steel group, was highly sought after by any country, particularly for its world-leading special steel. Special steel's versatility made it indispensable in sophisticated fields, especially the military. Gun and cannon barrels, for example, had stringent steel requirements. Superior materials optimized lifespan and accuracy; inferior materials led to rapid wear and tear, even barrel explosions, potentially disastrous on the battlefield. Similarly, tank armor, helicopter armor, and aircraft carrier decks demanded extremely high-quality steel.

Therefore, collaboration with Nippon Steel was highly desirable. However, Nippon Steel was shrewd. While eager for international partnerships, they fiercely protected their patents and research, offering only diluted versions of their products for civilian use, never releasing cutting-edge military technology. Their proposed collaboration with the Moore family demanded absolute control: the Moores would contribute personnel, capital, land, and effort, all under Nippon Steel's command. This ensured Nippon Steel would either manipulate the Moores into puppets or eliminate them.

Jasmine had already offered New Japan Railway an additional two percentage points of revenue rights, to no avail. Desperate, she offered: "Mr. Hashimoto, New Nippon Steel can receive 55% of the net profit, with the Moore family receiving 45%." This five-percentage-point concession was significant.

Hashimoto Kensen shook his head, smiling faintly. "Miss Moore, New Nippon Steel will not relinquish controlling interest. If you cannot agree to this, there's no need to continue."

Jasmine felt utterly outmaneuvered. She reflected: "I initiated this cooperation, yet New Nippon Steel is dictating terms, demanding controlling interest without compromise. If I persist, negotiations will collapse, rendering all my preparatory work useless."