Liang En first contacted Mr. Lubson, primarily because their previous collaborations had gone smoothly, further enhanced by the Count's ongoing operation of a high-end jewelry company.
Although jadeite is not common in the West, this gemstone, representative of Maya culture, possesses a rich historical background and is expected to capture a significant market share.
More importantly, like the turquoise mines previously exploited in the Sinai Peninsula, these jadeite mines hold considerable cultural value.
For the Count's jewelry company, it had always been in an awkward position despite being known for its bespoke, high-end products, as it lacked unique features.
If there were any selling points, it would be the Count's family's long history. However, as many top jewelers capitalize on such history, competition remains fierce, with no clear leader.
Previously lacking a master designer of their own, the Count's family had to seek external help for designing their jewelry, resulting in a collection that, while top-tier, was somewhat disorganized.
However, since Liang En joined their team, the overall situation has changed. After all, the title of a historian combined with that of a master jewelry designer is bound to attract many enthusiasts.
Though Liang En is not yet officially recognized as a master due to his relatively short career, the feedback on his designs suggests he will become a renowned jewelry designer within the next 35 years. For designers, their creations are the foundation, and from any perspective, Liang En's mastery in jewelry design is undeniable.
His joining has also allowed him access to several internal documents of the jewelry company, pointing out the need for historically significant raw materials.
For instance, the company has made agreements with an ancient crystal mine in Uruguay to procure crystals annually for jewelry making, among several other deals.
This is why Liang En is confident about sourcing what the company needs, as these materials are exactly what the company is looking for, and partnerships here are likely to be mutually beneficial.
Indeed, after making a call to report the situation, the other party quickly agreed to this cooperation and expressed that a representative would soon arrive to discuss the details.
After this conversation, Liang En called a contact he had met during a previous survey in China.
Initially, during his last visit to China, Liang En expressed a desire to obtain a Chinese green card, but he reconsidered following advice from the host personnel, given his profession might encounter more difficulties in the West, especially as an Asian. Holding a Chinese green card could complicate matters further.
However, the host assured Liang En that his contributions would always be remembered back home and that help would be provided whenever needed.
The employee then gave Liang En a contact number, which he was currently using, to reach out if needed.
Shortly, the call connected, and after some pleasantries, Liang En shared his findings and his hope to locate miners.
From the conversation, it was clear that the other party was quite interested, so they quickly agreed to introduce Liang En to a state-run jewelry company to discuss potential cooperation.
Considering that Central America is essentially the U.S.'s backyard, the choice for the state-run jewelry company to operate there was likely not purely for economic benefits.
Nevertheless, these matters were irrelevant to Liang En. What mattered most was securing a powerful partner capable of balancing local forces. He did not intend to delve into the underlying reasons.
The next call was to Mr. Skoode, due to their previously smooth collaborations. Thus, both parties quickly reached another agreement on cooperation.
After discussing the cooperation details, Mr. Skoode enthusiastically spoke about the next expedition, planning to search for mammoth tusks in Russia by this summer or fall.
Liang En was not particularly interested in this, as while mammoth tusks have economic value, they hold little historical significance.
However, he agreed to the trip partly because of their relationship and partly because Russia is home to numerous ancient sites, making it a good opportunity for further exploration.
Indeed, traveling north during the summer to escape the heat seemed like a good idea, as most people appreciate the chance to spend the hot months in cooler regions.
Lastly, Liang En called several leaders of the Golden Dawn, who expressed significant interest in the mine linked to the ancient Maya civilization upon answering the phone.
To mitigate risks and enhance their bargaining power, the Golden Dawn planned to invest as a group, although this meant they would enter the market later.
However, their investment was not primarily focused on financial returns but on acquiring enough gems for their rituals. According to ancient mystical traditions, the older the gems used in rituals, the better.
The wealth derived from the ancient Maya civilization was exactly what the Golden Dawn sought, as these gems represented a new source for deeper understanding of supernatural forces.
After all calls were made, Liang En realized that his upcoming endeavors were secured, as the alliances he formed were no less potent than those found by an American couple in another part of the world.
In such a chaotic country, showcasing one's strength
is essential to making money, and sometimes national power must back such displays.
Although Liang En's connections were not as intimidating as the Americans', securing three of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council was an impressive feat.
However, before anything else, Liang En and his team needed to return to Guatemala City to apply for an excavation permit, which would facilitate their upcoming mining activities.
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