Chapter 735: Chapter 734: Shock at Dragão Stadium
In any part of the world, power is greater than money.
Uh... except for some places without Zhu’s authority, where the officialdom is ineffective.
The compradors strut around.
Mansour was actually somewhat troubled.
But for Deng Kai’s sake, he was prepared to give it a try.
After all, his lineage was still amid a transfer of power, and using resources for personal affairs at this time... would be quite detrimental to his standing.
Moreover, it was prone to unforeseen complications.
But Mansour knew how Manchester City came into his possession; he remembered the favor owed to Deng Kai.
Yet Deng Kai shook his head, "Hahaha, don’t feel pressured, I know your family’s situation all too well; how could I possibly ask you to exert your influence on Aznar’s pitfall at this stage?"
"You should go to Zapatero," Deng Kai said.
Mansour brainstormed quickly, "Zapatero... you mean the chief of the Spanish ’gongrenshehui’ party?"
This party was sizeable in Spain, but compared to Aznar and another competing faction, it was relatively small.
They suffered two major setbacks in 1996 and 2000 respectively, akin to grasshoppers after autumn, not able to jump for many days.
"Just tell him two things. First is ’3·11’. At this point, he will ask you about the conditions."
"You can think of something related to future diplomatic relations and investments with Spain; don’t worry about his inability to deliver, have full confidence in our partners."
"And then just bring up my issue in passing."
"If he agrees, then tell him ’De Turán District’."
This instruction was so dense with information that Mansour nearly crashed.
He nodded subconsciously and then toasted cheerfully with Deng Kai.
After Deng Kai left, Mansour summoned his think tank to brainstorm together.
Soon, his advisors stumbled upon some discoveries.
The De Turán District was a slum within the Madrid city area.
Despite its proximity to the affluent Chueca quarter to the south and the grand Castellana Boulevard to the east, containing crucial landmarks such as Cuatro Caminos and Plaza de Castilla,
it was only a kilometer away from the iconic Five Towers of Madrid.
But it seemed forgotten by time, with a mixture of dragons and snakes within, making it one of Madrid’s poorest areas.
The massive commercial sectors of the United Arab Emirates are vast and sweeping, covering Yujing, New York, Paris, London... They all have their designs.
Spain was no exception.
They had considered building a landmark in the De Turán District because it was the cheapest property in Madrid.
But securing such a project was impossible locally without tremendous energy.
The United Arab Emirates could only imagine it.
After all, they had purchased Manchester City, and their main intention was to focus on the England region thereafter.
Spain... was slowly drifting further away.
"3·11... could it be this?" The think tank uncovered something new, "This year’s 3·11 Madrid train bombings! The event had a significant impact in Spain."
"Numerous high officials fell from grace because of it."
Mansour’s mind suddenly became clear.
3·11!
Madrid!
De Turán District!
Aznar!
Zapatero!
Grand scenario!
Could it be...
Deng Kai is betting on Zapatero!
On this everlastingly low-profile figure in Spanish politics who hasn’t ranked within the top three?
This...
"It’s impossible, Zapatero wouldn’t risk offending numerous forces to solve Deng Kai’s issue," Mansour’s think tank came to a conclusion.
Zapatero handling this matter wouldn’t be too tough for him.
But the consequences would be too grave; he couldn’t bear them.
By getting involved in this, he wouldn’t even be able to preserve his standing within his own faction.
The think tank was advising Mansour to abandon this approach.
Even engaging with Aznar through the United Arab Emirates’ wealth would be wiser.
The United Arab Emirates had only one chance to enter the fold.
If Mansour messed this up,
his lineage’s succession would be in jeopardy.
Even though no major errors were made in the end, Mansour’s domestic prospects were certainly ruined.
At most, he could only be a leisurely, entertainment-seeking prince.
No longer qualified to meddle in internal affairs.
The cost was simply too great.
Mansour knew this well himself.
So he stared at the half-bottle of Romanée-Conti in front of him.
For a long time.
Carrying the bottle, Mansour said to his bodyguard, "Arrange a private jet to Madrid for me!"
Then he drained the bottle of wine in one gulp.
Lying on the sofa, drunk, Mansour murmured softly, "Kai... you’ve never missed before, this time... I’m betting all of the United Arab Emirates on you!"
"We can’t afford to lose!"
...
June 12th.
Porto.
Dragão Stadium.
The 2004 European Championship grand opening.
Europe came together in celebration.
Stars gathered.
Entertainment celebrities from Europe and America descended in droves, seizing this opportunity to bask in the limelight.
After the opening ceremony performance, the leaders of the Portuguese Football Federation and the bigwigs of UEFA gave their speeches.
Then, the opening match of the European Championship officially kicked off.
The Portuguese team, dressed in red shirts and green shorts, faced off against the Greek team in white with blue patterns.
But the person who got the most camera time in this match was not any player from either team.
It was Deng Kai, wearing Armani’s highest-grade Prive series couture suit, sitting in the fan seats, looking serious!
He had just landed the global brand ambassador contract with Armani.
This was Armani’s highest level of endorsement.
Currently, Deng Kai was the only one.
Unfortunately, this contract couldn’t help Deng Kai escape litigation.
He was currently in the midst of legal proceedings, pinned to the fan seats by a rabid lawyer’s organization using various dangerous charges.
Until the end of the lawsuit, Deng Kai could not officially participate in any matches.
Even, he shouldn’t be here at all.
Because he was also not allowed to engage in such spending.
But Dragão Stadium gave Deng Kai the green light, inviting him to watch the game for free.
Dare you sue Dragão Stadium?
Champions League success had undoubtedly brought boundless confidence to the people of Porto.
Although Deng Kai wasn’t playing.
But ninety percent of the fans at Dragão Stadium believed that the Portuguese team could easily defeat the Greek team.
Keep in mind, the major media didn’t even bother to introduce the players of that team.
In Europe, they were virtually invisible.
Even with Rehhagel as their coach, Greece’s goal for this tournament was simple: win one match.
They didn’t yearn for anything else!
Anything!
However, ninety minutes later.
Greece’s wish was granted.
Two to one!
Despite Ronaldo scoring a stunning cut-in and long shot as the representative of the Dragão,
The Greeks’ feet were colder than Ronaldo’s, and harsher.
Two to one!
Greece made the hosts Portugal suffer an upset in their opening game.
They walked out of Dragão Stadium with their heads held high.
While the Portuguese moaned in dismay!
"Upset! The super-luxury Portuguese team defeated by the unknown Greeks!"
"Two to one! Ronaldo’s goal fails to save the day, with Deco and Rui Costa making continuous mistakes, unable to take the lead!"
"Figo underperforms, Bolaita misses golden opportunities, this Portuguese team seemed to have lost its soul!"
