Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

The Hurun Rich List is the first list in China to use empirical surveys to accurately summarize the wealth of the country's richest people.

It has a very high degree of authenticity and credibility.

Forbes, the well-known global rich list, is a partner of Hurun.

In terms of assessing wealth in China, the Hurun Rich List is more accurate than Forbes.

Rupert Hoogewerf, the founder, visited Jiangbei City in Jiangnan City for two main reasons.

One issue is that Hurun Report has never been able to accurately assess the actual wealth situation in Jiangbei City.

It's impossible to get accurate statistics.

As a result, Jiangbei City's name is no longer on this year's Hurun Rich List.

However, the consensus in the business community is that Jiangbei City's wealth will definitely make the list.

And it may even rank at the top.

Rupert Hoogewerf's trip was to investigate the true wealth of Jiangbei City, given his current high level of public attention and his desire to capitalize on the information resources gained from Jiangbei City's reputation.

On the other hand, he is imitating the overseas "pin for a villa" charity game, using a ten-yuan phone holder to exchange for goods with domestic entrepreneurs and wealthy people. When the value of the goods exceeds one million, he will donate the one million as charity funds.

He also wanted to come to Jiangbei City to make an exchange and see what he could get in return.

Upon landing in Jiangnan City, Xie Jun, the driver from Jiangbei City, sped to the airport in his Bentley to pick him up and take him to the MixC Hotel in Beicheng City for a meal with his boss.

Rupert Hoogewerf and his team were very much looking forward to this trip to Jiangnan City.

Meet this rising star in the business world.

Upon arriving at the Beicheng Hotel, I was greeted with warm and attentive service.

"The restaurants in Jiangnan City—no, they should be considered the pinnacle of the domestic catering industry right now—are the only ones that, without participating in rating systems, can still sit in this position and be recognized by the public," Rupert Hoogewerf introduced to his assistant.

It is a great honor for everyone to come to Jiangnan City today and experience the purest essence of Beicheng Hotel.

I was amazed by the service and dining environment as soon as I entered the room.

In Europe, a restaurant of this caliber would be able to earn three Michelin stars.

However, it differs from the lofty and luxurious image of star-rated restaurants.

Beicheng Hotel truly integrates the local customs and culinary culture of various parts of China.

It gives you a fantasy that you can afford to consume.

This is also a sophisticated marketing tactic.

"President Jiang, President Hu and the others have arrived." The store manager politely rang the doorbell of the private room and entered to report.

Jiang Beicheng got up to greet him.

Rupert Hoogewerf excitedly went up and hugged Jiang Beicheng, saying, "Mr. Jiang, I've been waiting for this moment for so long."

He expressed his admiration for Jiangbei City.

Jiang Beicheng warmly invited him and his assistant to sit down for a meal.

At the dinner table, Rupert Hoogewerf made a bold question, "Mr. Jiang, would you have the honor of visiting my home?"

Every wealthy entrepreneur I visited before was met privately at their home.

He is rarely at the company.

When you visit someone's home, you can clearly sense their taste, interests, and even their financial situation.

Luxury homes, collectibles... these are the most direct elements that reflect wealth.

Jiangbei City expressed its welcome.

I also guessed Hurun's intention.

Since you want to see your wealth, then show Rupert Hoogewerf (Hurun) a good look.

I'll visit a private estate in the suburbs for tea sometime.

Let him and his team taste it.

"This is just proper etiquette," Jiang Beicheng said with a smile.

"Thank you for your warm hospitality, Mr. Jiang." Rupert Hoogewerf, adopting a Chinese cultural approach, bowed to Jiang Beicheng to express his gratitude.

Jiang Beicheng: "Is the food to your liking? How about we switch to Western food?"

“Mr. Jiang, I have lived in China for many years and am used to Chinese food culture. Before coming here, I imagined dining in a restaurant with the ceiling in China. After experiencing it firsthand, I realized that my understanding of this industry was still too shallow. Beicheng Hotel has refreshed my understanding.”

A very high evaluation.

Whether there was any flattery involved is unknown.

Jiang Beicheng took it as an affirmation. After dinner, he was taken to Wanhua's mansion as a guest.

Upon arriving at the Wanhua residential complex, Rupert Hoogewerf couldn't resist opening the car window to admire the surroundings.

I was amazed.

It is highly artistic and more like a tourist attraction.

I really enjoy staying here.

When he learned that the property was built to the standards of a 4A-level scenic spot, his first reaction was that a wealthy man like President Jiang should sit in such a place to match his status and position.

If President Jiang's small penthouse were located in Shanghai or Shenzhen, its value would be at least three or four times higher.

However, Rupert Hoogewerf wasn't too shocked, having seen far too many luxurious mansions belonging to business leaders.

Mr. Jiang's place isn't considered the most top-tier.

As you enter the courtyard, you'll see Agusta helicopters parked on the helipad.

He certainly recognized these brands, and even some of the models.

Among the wealthy individuals I've encountered, helicopter commuting is standard practice.

However, the model in front of us is indeed the most luxurious official helicopter, worth more than 100 million yuan.

"Does President Jiang usually commute by helicopter?" Rupert Hoogewerf asked.

Jiang Beicheng smiled and nodded: "I don't really like traffic jams during work hours."

It would waste my afternoon tea time.

Rupert Hoogewerf was amused by Jiangbei City's dry humor.

However, it's also clear that President Jiang is someone who pursues leisure and elegance in his daily life.

"Mr. Jiang, if I may ask, may I have my assistant film the entire process?"

He edits together all the videos of his visits to wealthy entrepreneurs and releases them on the internet.

In internet parlance, he was showcasing the image of "Tiangong" (Heavenly Palace).

Other short video bloggers' displays are seen as flaunting wealth and trying to gain traffic, which platforms and relevant departments are cracking down on.

But the Hurun Rich List does exactly that; you could say it represents the heavens.

In Rupert Hoogewerf's own words, the Hurun Rich List has built a unique bridge for the public to understand a group, and even a bridge for the world to understand China's rich group.

The "Tiangong" he sees on his social media is the most authentic and best represents the current situation of China's wealthy elite.

Because Jiangbei City's wealth has never been accurately tallied, Hu Run fears that there might be some negative information hidden in the "heavenly palace" that Jiangbei City presents, such as unclear sources of wealth... and so on.

Therefore, they took the initiative to request filming from Jiangbei City.

He will only film if Jiang Beicheng says it's okay to film.

Jiang Beicheng smiled and said, "Mr. Hu, please feel free to make yourself at home."

Rupert Hoogewerf understood and instructed his assistant and team to begin recording the video.

The video content naturally includes material elements such as luxury homes and airplanes in Jiangbei City.

As Rupert Hoogewerf approached the living room door, he was startled by the "brown bear specimen" standing there.

Jiang Beicheng noticed his gaze and explained, "I hunted the Russian brown bear in Siberia last year during the hunting season."

The specimen was prepared and transported to China through an agency.

"How was it? Not bad, right?"

Rupert Hoogewerf nodded and praised, "I only see such stunning bear specimens in museums."

The amount of money spent is secondary; the most important thing is that it reveals the hobbies and interests of this wealthy man in Jiangbei City.

He enjoys hunting.

No, it should be said that he likes playing with guns.

They weren't even playing shooting range games.

This gave Rupert Hoogewerf a lot of room for speculation: Jiang might have gun-related businesses overseas.

Upon entering the hall, Rupert Hoogewerf was immediately drawn to a painting and calligraphy hanging in the center of the hall.

Looks familiar.

Jiang Beicheng joked, "Wanda's old Wang is most fond of the painter Fu Baoshi."

This is his painting, "This Land So Rich in Beauty." There's another, even more stunning painting of the same name, on the wall of the Great Hall of the People, commissioned by the great leader. (End of Chapter)