Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

Today, Jiangbei City went to the Yuanshitan Auto Show to see this 69 Ford Mustang GT, and it still attracted a lot of attention on the streets outside the auto show.

The town's streets were all closed off, and the cars parked there were vintage vehicles that had come to attend the car party.

Some are artificially aged.

Some modifications are designed to attract attention.

Jiangbei City isn't trying to show off today; they're just here to have some fun.

After parking the car, I paid $2000 for a ticket to enter the auto show.

The first thing that catches the eye is the Ferrari team. Every year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Ferrari booth is always the most popular. Even though it's the same few classic cars every year, it still attracts the most global attention.

There's no way around it; even a game-winning contender like the 250 GTO has been brought to the event, all for the sake of showing off.

This car is now an absolute work of art, the only model that can represent Ferrari racing cars.

It is said to have been privately owned by a wealthy individual, and its auction price set a record at over 70 million US dollars.

However, it was later surpassed by Mercedes-Benz, with a 55 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR selling for 1.35 million euros, equivalent to approximately 9.55 million yuan.

These car enthusiasts are motivated by similar reasons to those in Jiangbei City: they're playing the nostalgia game.

Whether the car is on the road or not doesn't matter, what others think doesn't matter, as long as I feel comfortable looking at it.

Money is a small matter.

The Aston Martin team also brought their DB5 007 movie version to the event, attracting a lot of attention.

This is the first time I've ever seen a yellow Lamborghini Diablo from 90 in Jiangbei City. Back then, this car cost over 400 million yuan. It was also the last new energy vehicle that Lamborghini independently developed before joining the Volkswagen Group.

Pagani installed four Zonda Rs directly.

...In the eyes of the brands, this auto show is also the most valuable marketing event in the world.

The atmosphere at the scene was great. At a glance, most of the guests, like Jiang Beicheng, were dressed in an old-fashioned style.

Champagne and beer, coffee, sexy women, wild cowboys, graffiti art... a blend of cultures.

The experience is comfortable.

Jiangbei City strolled around, looking at cars as he went.

"Young Master Jiang?"

A fellow countryman's voice came from behind me.

Jiang Beicheng looked back and vaguely remembered him; he seemed to be a famous car blogger with tens of millions of followers across the internet.

However, what caught Jiang Beicheng's attention was the car enthusiast next to him.

He has a high reputation in the Chinese car community.

Mike!

He's known in the industry as "Mike the Boss" because his garage is filled with a fleet of Pagani Zondas worth hundreds of millions.

"It really is you, Young Master Jiang! What a coincidence to meet you here!" the car blogger exclaimed excitedly, flattering him.

Jiang Beichen smiled and nodded, glancing at the action camera in his hand. "Shooting a video?"

"Oh, sorry, sorry." The blogger quickly put away the camera.

"Don't be so sensitive, I was just asking," Jiang Beichen joked. "You need to be mindful of your image in front of the camera."

"Hahaha, Young Master Jiang's image couldn't be better." The blogger flattered, immediately introducing Jiang Beichen, "Young Master Jiang, this is Boss Mike."

"I've heard of it." Jiang Beicheng nodded and smiled as he reached out to Mike.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Jiang. I've long admired your name," Mike greeted Jiang Beicheng respectfully, shaking his hand.

He is very famous in the Chinese car circle, but he admits that he is inferior to Jiang Beicheng.

It's not that Jiang Beicheng owns more or more rare supercars than him, but rather that there are two things about Jiang Beicheng that are very well-known in the car industry.

First, he kicked a LaFerrari worth tens of millions of dollars, and the entire city of Gangnam responded with luxury cars.

Secondly, he spent over 100 million euros in Paris to acquire Bugatti, the swan song of the gasoline era.

Mike also knew that Mr. Winkelman held Jiangbei City in high esteem.

If he wants to buy a car, he is usually personally received and delivered by the brand's leader and global president. However, even if Jiang Beicheng doesn't buy a car, he still receives the same level of service when he goes to the brand's home turf.

The two had barely exchanged a greeting when Winkelmann walked over from the Bugatti booth.

"OK, Jiang, we meet again, my old friend."

Winkelmann greeted them warmly. The two smiled and hugged.

"Mike, do you know Mr. Jiang?" Winkelman asked curiously.

"In the eyes of us car enthusiasts, Young Master Jiang is a legendary figure," Mike praised with a smile.

Jiang Beicheng said modestly, "This title is more suitable for you."

"I dare not accept such praise, Young Master Jiang," Mike said, bowing slightly.

Immediately afterwards, the presidents of Ferrari and Aston Martin also came over with champagne.

"Mr. Jiang, it's a pleasure to meet you at the Yuanshitan Auto Show."

"Jiang, I was also at the charity auction where Bugatti and LV raised their glasses together, but I missed the chance to meet you."

Jiang Beicheng politely responded while holding a glass of champagne.

He really didn't expect to attract so many CEOs and onlookers all at once.

I just came here to experience the atmosphere of the auto show and kill some time since I had nothing else to do.

Now it's his home turf again.

Ferrari President Vigna warmly invited, "Mr. Jiang, please allow me to introduce you to the history of our Ferrari team."

My main job is to be a tour guide for Jiangbei City.

Others also joined in, going to visit the Ferrari team.

Vinia enthusiastically introduced the car models and the brand's history.

Jiangbei City can be considered a place to learn about the history of the development of the world's automobile industry.

“Mr. Jiang, I hope my story has given you a deeper understanding of Ferrari,” Vinia said modestly.

These CEOs, at auto shows like the Pebble Beach Auto Show, are actually more like salespeople.

They promoted their products while simultaneously maintaining customer relationships.

There is a significant difference between professional managers and brand founders.

Jiang Beicheng joked, "President Vinia, after hearing your story, I'm even more interested in this 250GTO."

If you can persuade the owner to sell the car, I'm willing to offer a reasonable price.

Standing beside him, Mike and the car blogger with millions of followers exchanged a glance.

This is in line with Jiang Xiaoye's personality.

This car originally sold for over 70 million US dollars at auction, and it's certainly worth more now.

Jiang Xiaoye's spending is the most extravagant in the automotive industry.

“Mr. Jiang, you’re putting me in a difficult position, but I will do my best to help you with this,” Vinia said with a smile.

Jiang Beicheng added, "By the way, could you ask the Agnelli family if Ferrari's factory team has any financing needs?"

Vinia and several brand presidents around her were stunned for a moment.

Does Jiangbei still have a passion for F1?

The Agnelli family is a major shareholder of Ferrari and holds a very high position in the European automotive industry. The family is also involved in the equity structure of car brands such as Fiat, Chrysler, and Peugeot Citroën, holding significant stakes and being major shareholders in these brands.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jiang, I may not be able to do this. It’s not within my authority,” Vinia said truthfully, glancing at Aston Martin CEO Felisa beside her. “If Mr. Jiang just wants an F1 paddock spot, CEO Felisa might be able to help you.”

Jiang Beicheng and Winkelman both laughed.

It's starting to feel like a business war.

Everyone knows that Aston Martin is doing worse and worse in the F1 paddock, and this isn't the first time they've been rumored to be considering selling the team.

As a long-established powerhouse, Ferrari's Vinia took the opportunity to mock Felissa and compare brand value and influence.

Felisa smiled and added, echoing Vinia's sentiment, "Mr. Jiang, these are matters concerning the group's shareholders; we have no right to interfere."

There was also a hint of sarcasm in it, telling Vinia to be a good high-level employee and not to talk back.

A group of people laughed and raised their glasses in a toast.

"Okay, Jiang, please let me know if you need anything. I'll go and attend to the other guests."

Several CEOs came to keep him company for a while, and then returned to their respective headquarters one after another.

Jiang Beicheng turned around and saw a familiar voice in the crowd—Jia, the former president of LeEco, who had come to America to build cars. (End of Chapter)