Of course, a stick needs to be accompanied by a carrot. Benevolent persuasion and coercion are the only ways to achieve lasting results. If one only resorts to forceful suppression, it is not a long-term solution.
At this moment, Liu Yilin clapped her hands, and Ning Beichen brought out a pile of boxes from behind, stacking them neatly.
"These are considered my welcoming gifts to all of you, a token of my appreciation for your care of my mining area."
As Liu Yilin opened the boxes, stacks of US dollars were neatly arranged inside.
Although the amount in each box was not large, it represented Liu Yilin's attitude.
Her intention was to coexist peacefully, not to be their enemy. Those who accepted the boxes implicitly agreed to Liu Yilin's terms.
Now it was the turn of the leaders of these small and medium-sized factions to express their stance.
The leaders of the smaller factions were the first to come forward to take the boxes. Here, they had no say whatsoever; they simply had to obey obediently, without any unnecessary thoughts, as it was not their place to think about them.
After the small factions took their boxes, the medium-sized factions also had no issues and promptly took their boxes and left. The powerful players were fighting, and it was not something they could interfere with.
Finally, only the leaders of the major factions remained in the hall.
"President Liu, as long as I am the leader, I guarantee that my faction will never encroach upon your mining business."
A leader of a major faction was the first to declare.
With him taking the lead, the other leaders of the major factions successively expressed their positions and promised Liu Yilin that as long as they remained leaders of their factions, they would not covelace her mineral resources.
Some major factions that were geographically closer even promised to help deal with some of the troubles related to the mining operations.
After all, Laojin was a rather chaotic place with many reckless individuals, especially among the smaller and medium-sized factions. Their fortunes fluctuated constantly, with factions being annihilated and re-established multiple times throughout the year.
A faction might exist today, only to be replaced by another the next.
In the end, all factions were sensible; there were no reckless individuals, nor were there any who courted death.
For them, Liu Yilin's mining operations were neither gold mines nor diamond mines, so why would they risk offending her for no gain? It was simply not worth it.
After all, no one wished for their faction to be uprooted overnight. They dared not gamble, nor could they afford to.
After these people left, Liu Yilin, with a bead of sweat on her forehead, said to Ning Beichen, "Ning Beichen, come and support me quickly, my legs are weak."
It had been incredibly nerve-wracking just now.
After all, these were all ruthless individuals from Laojin, known for their brutality. Liu Yilin had been trembling standing before them, yet she had just made them bow before her.
Ning Beichen, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, went to support her and, without forgetting, praised her.
"Yilin, you did very well just now, even better than I expected. Before those people could fully ascertain your background, I can bet my life that they absolutely wouldn't dare to lay their hands on your mining business."
"Ning Beichen, that was so thrilling! I was so scared they'd see through me and just 'chop' me up."
Liu Yilin patted her chest, looking as if she had just escaped a great danger.
"Don't worry, with me here, no one will dare to touch even a single hair of your head, my queen."
Ning Beichen said with a playful tone.
"Who says? They don't dare, but what about you?"
Liu Yilin rolled her eyes. The thought of this guy not only touching her hair but also turning her into a woman made her angry.
"Well, I'm an exception. I'm different from them. I'm here to protect you."
Ning Beichen could not contradict himself.
Next, Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin stayed in Laojin for another week. It was only after the mining area was operating normally and the goods were being transported smoothly that Ning Beichen and she left Laojin.
However, Liu Yilin remained troubled.
Now, only the problem of the mining area had been resolved. But without the machinery, even with the minerals, it was useless. The fundamental problem was still not solved.
Seeing her dejected expression, Ning Beichen sat beside her and comforted her.
"Yilin, don't worry too much. Things will work out. As for the machinery, I'll try my best to get it back for you."
"Ning Beichen, do you have a way?"
Liu Yilin's eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly.
"There might be a way, but I can't be sure yet. I'll need to see the situation before I know."
Ning Beichen told her, not making any firm promises to avoid causing her excessive disappointment.
"Ning Beichen, I'll go with you."
Liu Yilin replied without hesitation.
"Yilin, they are sanctioning you. If you come with me, they might arrest you the moment you appear."
Ning Beichen said to her with some difficulty.
Liu Yilin's face instantly dimmed. She had forgotten about this. It was thanks to Ning Beichen that she was saved last time.
"Then... then I'll wait for you in the Eastern Ancient Kingdom."
Liu Yilin said reluctantly.
"I'll accompany you back to the Eastern Ancient Kingdom first, and then I'll depart."
Ning Beichen told her.
Liu Yilin nodded. At this point, there was no other option.
Two days later, they safely returned to the Eastern Ancient Kingdom, and after Ning Beichen made arrangements, he set off again immediately.
However, this time he did not travel openly but instead used an illegal entry method.
Although his name was not on the sanctions list, Ning Beichen knew with his toes that he must have been on their list.
They had tried to deal with Liu Yilin multiple times without success. If they weren't fools, they would have surely noticed him, the bodyguard who stayed by Liu Yilin's side.
Moreover, his actions were not very discreet; if they investigated, they would be able to find some clues.
A few days later, Ning Beichen appeared on a cargo ship.
The destination of this cargo ship was a port city in Europe.
"Mr. Ning, it's time to eat."
A thin man found Ning Beichen on the deck.
"Alright, I'm coming."
Ning Beichen nodded and followed him back to the cabin.
This cargo ship was operated by a couple from the Eastern Ancient Kingdom. However, the ship's registration was not in the Eastern Ancient Kingdom, but in a small Southeast Asian country.
"Hello, Mr. Ning."
The couple stood up as soon as Ning Beichen entered and greeted him.
"Please sit. I've told you not to be so formal with me."
Ning Beichen said to the couple with a headache.
"We must, we must. If it weren't for Mr. Ning, my wife and I would have lost our lives long ago. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Mr. Ning is our reborn parents."
The couple said to Ning Beichen with great respect.
"It was just a small act of kindness at the time; you really don't need to be like this."
Ning Beichen said to the couple helplessly.
To be honest, saving them at that time was indeed a trivial matter for Ning Beichen, nothing significant.
However, for this couple, the life-saving grace was something else entirely.