After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 561 is not a donation, it's an investment.
Zhou Zhengqi was used to being aloof and superior.

I didn't realize it at all; I just thought that this General Manager Jiang was also trying to get closer to me.

After all, this is the CEO of the Narcissus Group, which mainly produces electrical products, while his father works in a power station auxiliary equipment factory, so there is a certain business connection between them.

Zhou Zhengqi laughed and said, "That's perfect. My dad is the production manager of the power station auxiliary equipment factory, which is also a state-owned factory. Maybe he can really cooperate with President Jiang's Narcissus Group. When I first entered society, my dad also arranged for me to work in a factory, but later I couldn't earn enough, so I left."

"Section Chief?"

Jiang Feibiao was stunned.

He thought it was the factory manager!

It turns out that this guy's father was just a production manager at an unknown small factory... What kind of wealthy family is that?
Jiang Feibiao asked himself honestly, and he wouldn't dare call himself "Young Master Jiang".

Because many of his friends come from families with better financial situations than he does.

If someone were to refer to him as "Young Master Jiang," it would easily become a laughing stock, and he would be seen as arrogant and ignorant.

Jiang Feibiao repeated, "President Zhou, whose son are you?"

"Huh?" Zhou Zhengqi was taken aback for a moment, then became serious. He realized that President Jiang was really asking questions, so he just laughed it off and said, "President Jiang is joking."

Jiang Feibiao found it strange, "I'm not joking. Whose family are you? There are three very powerful families surnamed Zhou in Haigang. I've never heard of you."

Zhou Zhengqi's expression was somewhat stiff, and he forced a smile. "I've made some money in business, and I've gained the trust of some business friends. They're all used to calling me 'Young Master Zhou.' Gradually, they've gotten used to it."

"Oh!" Jiang Feibiao suddenly realized, "So you called yourself that?"

"It's all thanks to my friends' kindness."

Zhou Zhengqi always responded with goodwill.

I was furious inside.

I thought to myself, "Is this person crazy?"
Like a block of elm wood!
However, Zhou Zhengqi is not someone you can afford to offend.

Firstly, he knew that this General Manager Jiang came from an extraordinary background. At such a young age, he was able to become the general manager of the Narcissus Group and the second-in-command of a state-owned factory... His connections and background must be very strong.

Secondly, the delegation will be heading south next.

There are three deputy regimental commanders.

When differing opinions arise, the minority must yield to the majority.

By establishing a good relationship with this Chiang Kai-shek, once he goes south to the Hong Kong government, Zhou Zhengqi can use his "two votes to one vote" advantage to crush Mr. Zhou's power!
At that time, Mr. Zhou will be a true spokesperson for the port's business community.

With this identity endorsement, he could use a superior status to contact the top wealthy families in Hong Kong, and thus have the opportunity to participate in more financial projects and build more connections.

Then I looked at Zhou Haoran...

Zhou Zhengqi breathed a sigh of relief.

Feel comfortable.

Still young!
They don't even understand such a simple power logic. Instead of trying to build a good relationship with President Jiang, they were talking to the other meeting delegates, completely missing the point.

This is great!

Zhou Zhengqi smiled and said, "President Jiang, I know a good Hong Kong-style restaurant. Shall we go there for lunch together?"

"Let's skip lunch. We have a meeting this afternoon, so business is more important." Jiang Feibiao said sternly. "We can just eat something in the cafeteria."

"Oh, that's okay too."

Zhou Zhengqi readily accepted good advice.

When Zhou Zhengqi arrived at the government canteen, he realized that he was completely wrong. The food served there was just as good as that of a five-star hotel.

During the meal, Zhou Zhengqi deliberately sat next to Jiang Feibiao.

They chatted about everything under the sun and boasted.

He even boasted that he had connections in the Hong Kong entertainment industry and knew many top female stars. He added that once he went south to Hong Kong, he could invite President Jiang to experience the allure and charm of Hong Kong's female celebrities.

This made Jiang Feibiao very happy, and they enjoyed the lunch very much.

Zhou Zhengqi felt much more at ease.

It's done!

As for Zhou Haoran...

Zhou Zhengqi searched around but found that the gentleman was not there at all; he didn't know where he had gone.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

I think this "master" is just trying to gain fame and fortune; he doesn't understand anything at all.

Despite his excitement, Jiang Feibiao was also in a bad mood.

I felt that Zhou Haoran was disloyal.

Depend on!
You went upstairs to have a special meal with Secretary Yang, leaving me here in the lobby to eat a regular meal with these nouveau riche businessmen... That's so unethical!

Meeting this afternoon.

Researching money.

Going south to rescue the market can't just be about shouting slogans; it requires money!
This represents the port's business community, and the money was naturally provided by our colleagues in the business community.

Asking someone for money is a thankless and arduous task.

Although Secretary-General Yang was the head of the delegation, he did not participate, leaving the three deputy heads of the delegation and the other six members of the delegation to negotiate and handle the matter.

Zhou Zhengqi readily agreed, "That's simple. The Hong Kong government is in trouble right now; international capital is ruthless, and we urgently need rescue. The port's business community should contribute money or effort. Just issue the notice and let them donate." "Donate?" Zhou Haoran disliked this idea. "I disagree."

Zhou Zhengqi had anticipated his opposition and retorted sharply, "Commander Zhou, this is all settled. Secretary-General Yang mentioned it during the meeting this morning, so why do you disagree?"

In the morning, Secretary-General Yang Hong used the word "donation".

This is also why Zhou Haoran wanted to have dinner with him.

The point is to change this rhetoric.

Let me first give Secretary-General Yang a heads-up.

Zhou Haoran shook his head slightly and said seriously, "During the meeting this morning, the Secretary-General did mention using 'donations,' but that was just a formality, not a confirmed mechanism. The Secretary-General made it clear that how exactly to raise the money needs to be decided at our meeting this afternoon."

Zhou Zhengqi smirked and said coldly, "The eldest master is indeed different; even the secretary-general's resolution needs to be revised?"

"It's not a revision, it's a proposal." Zhou Haoran's tone was calm, without any hint of hostility. "We're in a meeting, after all, the minority has to submit to the majority. The final terms will have to be decided at the meeting."

Zhou Zhengqi glanced meaningfully at Jiang Feibiao, who was standing to the side in a daze. He found it amusing and, with the same attitude of watching a clown being praised, said with a smile, "Alright, then please tell us, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhou, what are your thoughts?"

Zhou Haoran succinctly stated, "It's not a donation, it's an investment."

"what?"

Zhou Zhengqi was immediately amused by him.

The "southbound bailout" involved the port's business community pooling together funds and sending them to the Hong Kong government to help them cope with the impact of international capital.

It's the same as making a donation.

Once the money is taken out, it will never be returned.

Did you really think it was an investment?

International capital, dominated by Wall Street, has swept across Asia, causing the downfall of numerous countries including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea.

A market bailout?

Save my ass!

It's just a donation!

Do they really think they can fight against international capital with just the power of the people?
Zhou Haoran said calmly, "My earliest plan to go south to rescue the market was to help the Hong Kong government fight against international capital with the purpose of investment. International capital is frantically shorting various sectors of the Hong Kong government's financial sector, and the Hong Kong government now needs a lot of funds to support it."

Zhou Zhengqi was too lazy to listen to his nonsense and said mockingly, "Deputy Head of Delegation Zhou, you should understand that raising funds in the name of investment can easily ruin the reputation of our delegation."

"How do you say that?"

Zhou Haoran quickly asked for advice.

Zhou Zhengqi said in a deep voice, "If we raise funds under the guise of donations, and that money is spent on the Hong Kong government, then it's gone, and nobody can say anything. But if we raise funds under the guise of investment, the nature of the matter changes. If the money is gone when it reaches the Hong Kong government, then it will be a huge investment failure! It will implicate us deputy leaders!"

“We should always look on the bright side. What if the investment succeeds and we make a profit? Who should get that money? We can’t let these few people in the delegation split it all.” Zhou Haoran also had a reason to be confident: “Investing is the right logic. If we lose, we share the burden; if we make a profit, everyone benefits.”

"Profit?"

Zhou Zhengqi burst into laughter.

This gentleman is absolutely hilarious.

He really does own a teahouse.

You don't know anything!
Given the current situation, how can you expect to make money by going to the Hong Kong government?

You must be out of your mind to say something like that!

Unexpectedly, Jiang Feibiao spoke up at this moment, saying in a serious tone, "Well, it's better to raise funds under the guise of investment. If it's a donation, the nature of the fundraising is hard to define. If the investment loses money, whatever is left will be returned to the recipients. If it makes a profit, then everyone will be even happier. Well, let's do it under the guise of investment!"

Zhou Zhengqi was annoyed, but asked tactfully, "President Jiang, does the Narcissus Group have any financial business?"

"No."

Jiang Feibiao shook his head.

Zhou Zhengqi laughed and said, "So, Mr. Jiang has never done any business related to finance. I've been dealing with the financial sector for years. It's very different from physical business. Things change in an instant, and one wrong move can cost you tens or hundreds of millions."

Jiang Feibiao said, "You can make back tens or hundreds of millions of dollars without even realizing it. Is that a fair way to put it?"

"Ah, yes!"

Zhou Zhengqi's expression immediately froze.

Depend on!
That's a complete idiot!

Jiang Feibiao said, "I support raising funds in the name of 'investment.' If we lose money... we can just consider it a donation. What if we make a profit? We should at least share the money back; we can't let it go to waste."

“Yes, that makes sense. What President Jiang said makes sense.” Seeing that it was going to be a two-to-one vote, Zhou Zhengqi quickly changed his stance to avoid losing the first resolution. “Then I propose that we raise funds under the guise of ‘investment.’ Let’s vote!”

There were three deputy heads of the delegation and six other committee members present.

All agreed.

Next, the delegation will formally contact colleagues in the port's business community to raise funds under the guise of investment and head south to the Hong Kong government to rescue the market!
After the resolution was made, Zhou Zhengqi felt it was absurd.

That's hilarious!

A bunch of delusional lunatics!

If it weren't for wanting to use the delegation's name to make a high-profile trip south and reappear in the Hong Kong government as a representative of the port's business community, he would have wanted to withdraw.

What a bunch of idiots!
(End of this chapter)