Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

"Dad, President Jiang has arrived."

Liu Chang entered the living room first to announce the news, not forgetting to politely address Wang Jianlin, who was sitting and drinking tea with his father, as "Uncle Wang".

Wang Jianlin smiled and nodded.

Liu Yonghao and I got up together to welcome Jiangbei City.

Jiang Beicheng walked into the living room and shook hands with Liu Yonghao with a smile. "I was just joking with Liu Chang, saying that Chairman Liu might think I'm too high-profile and doesn't want to come out to pick me up."

It turns out that Chairman Wang is a guest here.

Mr. Wang, it's a pleasure to meet you.

"I've long admired your name, Mr. Jiang," Wang Jianlin greeted him politely, shaking hands with Jiang Beicheng.

The most influential figure in the business world right now is definitely Jiang Beicheng.

Although he was no longer at the height of his power, he was still a force to be reckoned with and held some influence and status in the business world.

Needless to say, personal connections are also crucial.

My friends have all been talking about Jiang Beicheng, but I never expected to see him at Liu Yonghao's villa today.

What impressed him most about Jiangbei City was its investment in JD.com's food delivery service to compete with Meituan and Alibaba, and then not long ago, its massive investment of billions of yuan to poach talent from Silicon Valley giants.

This young man is incredibly wealthy.

This reminded him of his son, Sicong, who was about ten years older than Jiang Beicheng, but the difference in their thinking levels was too obvious.

However, it cannot be said that the son has made no achievements.

Among young businesspeople of this age group in China, it is impossible to find another young entrepreneur who can be compared to Jiangbei City.

Even the few young people who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of robotics or artificial intelligence in recent years are hard to compare with Jiang Beicheng.

The business community's assessment of Jiangbei City is that its minimum standard is at the level of Jack Ma.

The upper limit is unknown.

Wang Jianlin strongly agrees with this point.

Therefore, at our first meeting today, I showed Jiang Beicheng, this junior, the respect he deserved.

The three moved to their seats and continued drinking tea and chatting.

Liu Yonghao poured tea for Jiang Beicheng and joked, "If these flowers, plants and trees in the yard weren't planted by our fathers, we would definitely have someone level them so you can use them for your machine."

"I can't accept this, Chairman Liu. This is making me shorten my lifespan. I'm sorry to Uncle Liu." Jiang Beicheng picked up his teacup and joked.

The Liu family's mansion was built in 87.

That's why they are the first group of people in the country to get rich.

Back then, Jack Ma was just a junior employee in front of him.

Liu Yonghao himself mentioned that he met Jack Ma at an international conference in Osaka, where he had previously sought investors at Xiao Rizi.

Jack Ma begged him to invest.

However, he did not invest, which is one of his biggest regrets since he started doing business.

They missed the golden age of internet development.

Not only him, but Wang Jianlin, who was at the same table, was also thinking about making a living in the internet industry during the golden age of real estate development, but he tried to do it several times without success.

The most sensational one was when he joined forces with companies like Country Garden and Gree, starting with 5 billion yuan in funding. He said it was his last internet startup, and he told Jack Ma in front of him that he wanted to make Jack Ma feel bad.

Jack Ma replied, "The team that Jianlin and his group assembled has no fighting power."

The result is the same.

Wang Jianlin still hasn't made a living in the internet industry.

From cloud computing and big data to AI, everything has developed based on the foundation of the internet industry.

This young man from Jiangbei City seized this opportunity, making two prominent business figures in their sixties and seventies extremely envious.

Liu Yonghao joked, "Jianlin, do you see a reflection of your younger self in President Jiang?"

Wang Jianlin sipped his tea and paused for a moment to process what he was seeing.

I didn't notice it until it was mentioned, but once it was brought up, I realized that Jiang Beicheng's straightforwardness, decisiveness, and vision were quite similar to my own.

Before Wang Jianlin could respond, Jiang Beicheng smiled and flattered him, saying, "To have even a fraction of Chairman Wang's former charisma is the greatest affirmation you could give me."

Wang Jianlin waved his hand and said, "You live in a different era than we did."

I still need to learn from you now, let alone what I was like back then.

Jianlin has toned it down considerably.

It's estimated that the failure of Wanda Commercial Management's IPO has tormented his mind; not only has he become physically thin, but his daring and enterprising spirit has also been greatly diminished.

"Hahaha, Jianlin, we've known each other for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen you praise a young man like this." Liu Yong said to Jiang Beicheng with a smile, "Jianlin, you haven't had a good time these past few years."

Jiang Beicheng said, "If Chairman Wang needs any help, please remember to ask."

If Wang Jianlin had played his game well back then, Jiang Beicheng wouldn't be saying these things to him today.

Wang Jianlin was the quickest to react in the real estate industry, selling off assets one after another and shifting towards asset-light operations.

Wanda Commercial Management is a masterpiece of transformation.

With annual rental income reaching 650 billion yuan, and based on a PE ratio of 15, if Wanda Commercial Management can successfully list in Hong Kong in 23, its market value may exceed one trillion yuan, and the net worth of Wang Jianlin's family will exceed two hundred billion yuan.

He remains a prominent figure.

However, after the failed IPO, they faced a huge debt problem.

Wang Jianlin signed a performance-based agreement with 22 investors, including PAG, Tencent, and CITIC Capital. If Wanda Commercial Management's IPO fails, he will not only have to repurchase the shares at a high price, but also pay 12% interest annually.

This led to Wang Jianlin's journey to pay off his debts.

With debts of tens of billions, he certainly doesn't have that much cash on hand.

They either continue selling or bring in new investors.

It took a tremendous amount of effort to barely quell Wanda's debt crisis.

However, Wanda Commercial Management's path to listing in Hong Kong seems to be quite difficult.

All the investors are watching and waiting; if it succeeds, they will profit.

If they fail, they will divide up Wanda again.

This was the first time Jiang Beicheng and Wang Jianlin had met. Even if he respected this senior figure in the business world, he wouldn't be so generous as to throw money around to help in an emergency.

He also valued the timing of his investment in Wanda.

We look forward to Wang Jianlin's comeback and the successful listing of Wanda Commercial Management.

He profited from the investment.

If that fails, Jiangbei City will set its sights on Wanda Cinema Line's shares.

After multiple mergers and acquisitions and asset restructurings, the Wang Jianlin family still holds a 20% stake in Wanda Cinema Line.

Based on Wanda Film's current market value, Wang Jianlin's personal assets are still over 5 billion yuan.

Jiangbei City's acquisition of his shares can create a complementary ecosystem for Yizhi Culture Media, resulting in a market effect where one plus one equals more than two.

Wang Jianlin turned his gaze to Jiang Beicheng, wondering what Jiang Beicheng was up to. On their first meeting, he was so straightforward, applying the chivalrous spirit of "Young Master Jiang" to the business world.
Even Liu Yonghao thought so.

Both of them knew the nickname "Young Master Jiang".

He was a righteous man and was deeply respected.

Liu Yonghao also wanted to enjoy the same honor as Jiang Xiaoye in Chengdu and establish a persona for himself.

That's why, after Yu Tianqi's incident, she took the initiative to step forward and serve as the head of the Rongcheng social forces organization.

However, Wanda's debt is not a minor matter.

It can easily amount to billions or tens of billions.

If Young Master Jiang were to offer help in this emergency, it wouldn't just be about being righteous; he'd be a savior, or perhaps a saint reincarnated.

These two legendary figures in the business world do not believe in this kind of selfless loyalty.

"Jianlin was just talking to me about the cooperation with Minsheng Bank, and now President Jiang has come to deliver another big gift." Liu Yong said with a smile, "Jianlin, your luck has turned." He is one of the founders of Minsheng Bank, still holds shares in Minsheng Bank, and is a director of Minsheng Bank.

China Minsheng Bank has a market capitalization of over 200 billion yuan and total assets of over 600 billion yuan.

The most powerful joint-stock commercial bank in China.

Given the relationship between Wang Jianlin and Liu Yonghao, it's impossible for Liu Yonghao to ignore Wang Jianlin's request.

The so-called cooperation is actually a lending business.

Even if Wanda Commercial Management never goes public, the core assets of Wang Jianlin's family are worth tens of billions, and banks are not afraid that he will not be able to repay the money.

However, Wanda's current level of responsibility makes it difficult to continue cooperating with state-owned banks.

Liu Yonghao was only responsible for making the connection; the rest would be evaluated internally by the bank.

They definitely won't follow the same path as Shengjing Bank and Evergrande.

Jiangbei City is wealthy, and has plenty of cash. This is something that not only Wang Jianlin and Liu Yonghao know, but almost everyone in the business community knows.

After Rupert Hoogewerf interviewed Jiang Beicheng, rumors circulated that Jiang Beicheng had more cash than Lei Jun.

Although it has not been confirmed, most business leaders believe that this is true.

Because Jiang Beicheng often doesn't play by the rules, you can't guess where he'll go next, let alone how much money he'll throw in.

But when the news broke, it was shocking.

Everyone's first reaction was that Jiangbei City is fucking rich.

“Since Mr. Jiang has taken the initiative to speak, I won’t stand on ceremony with you.” Wang Jianlin, who is also straightforward, said, “I do need cash on hand. If it’s convenient for you, Mr. Jiang, we can talk about cooperation.”

He believed that billions or even tens of billions of dollars would not be a problem for Jiangbei City.

Lian Capital, a private equity giant, manages tens of billions of dollars in funds.

As long as Lian Capital values ​​the returns from investing in Wanda.

Money is just a matter of a word from Jiangbei City.

Jiang Beicheng said, "Chairman Wang, money is no problem. We can discuss the specifics later."

Wang Jianlin understood, picked up his teacup, and toasted Jiang Beicheng.

Liu Yonghao didn't ask any questions, since it involved the trade secrets of both companies.

He simply offered her a cup of tea and asked, "Did you enjoy this afternoon tea, Jianlin?"

Wang Jianlin smiled and put down his teacup, "Now I'm just waiting for you to invite me to stay for dinner."

Drinking tea doesn't satisfy me.

Today is my first meeting with President Jiang; we should have a few drinks to make it proper.

Jiang Beicheng joked, "Chairman Wang, I know that Chairman Liu has a few bottles of good wine in his wine cabinet."

Liu Chang told me this on the way here.

Liu Yong looked at his daughter with amusement, pointed with his finger, and instructed, "President Jiang has already spoken, aren't you going to prepare?"

"I'll go right away, Dad." Liu Chang smiled as he went to the wine cellar to get the wine.

After afternoon tea, we moved to the restaurant for our meal.

At the dinner table, Liu Yonghao mentioned the matter of social organizations in Rongcheng to Jiang Beicheng.

Wang Jianlin was also in Chengdu at that time and had heard about this matter.

It wasn't that a nobody like Yu Tianqi caught his attention, but rather the strong reaction from some of the officials behind him.

Some of them were people Wang Jianlin knew.

After having a couple of drinks, Wang Jianlin asked Jiang Beicheng curiously, "These past few days, the news of Yu Tianqi jumping off a building in Chengdu has been making headlines. I heard that you, Mr. Jiang, are also involved?"

Jiang Beicheng smiled and clinked glasses with Wang Jianlin, neither confirming nor denying.

Liu Yonghao stepped forward and said jokingly, "Jianlin, are you getting senile? How could President Jiang possibly have anything to do with such a nobody?"
It's nothing more than some江湖恩怨 (jianghu grievances) and 恩怨 (jianghu grudges).

His sources of information within Chengdu's political and business circles are highly reliable.

I know the inside story of this matter.

Because it involves too many aspects, it's not suitable to bring it up as a casual topic of conversation.

So they just went straight to "grudges and feuds in the martial arts world".

But it's not Wang Jianlin's fault; he's always been known for his straightforward personality.

Wang Jianlin immediately understood; Liu Yonghao's words actually proved that what he had heard was true.

He laughed and drank with Jiang Beicheng.

Young Master Jiang's methods are absolutely brilliant.

"I greatly admire Jiang Zong for coming out of the station to establish the dock chamber of commerce. The complexity of this group goes without saying."

Without outstanding personal abilities and charisma, it is difficult for a person in charge to gain the respect of others.

The port chamber of commerce has now become an important model encouraged by the government.

I only hope that, as a representative of Chengdu, I won't hold you back, Mr. Jiang, in terms of regional cooperation.

Liu Yonghao maintained a humble attitude and toasted Jiang Beicheng.

These words come from the heart.

Undeniably, there is a disconnect between entrepreneurs and this circle.

On the one hand, they need to establish themselves in the upper echelons of the political and business world, and on the other hand, they need to win favor among the lower classes in society.

Two completely different personas are needed.

Moreover, switching between the two personas doesn't conflict.

It's difficult to do it perfectly unless you're a seasoned veteran of the business and political arenas for decades.

But the fact is, a young man not yet thirty years old set a precedent.

Chilling.

Jiang Beicheng said, "Chairman Liu, as long as you establish the rules, let them figure out the principle of 'those who follow the trend prosper, those who go against it perish' on their own."

"I've learned a lot, Mr. Jiang." Liu Yonghao downed a glass, then showed the empty glass, saying, "Please, help yourself."

Liu Chang, the daughter sitting at the same table, smiled along.

Clearly, someone of her caliber wouldn't fit into the conversation between the three of them.

Interrupting abruptly would be impolite.

However, I cannot deny my admiration for Jiang Beicheng, this young entrepreneur.

While many people of this age are still scrambling to follow the trend, Jiangbei City is already setting rules for the game.

He is indeed a living business legend.

"President Jiang, let me toast you. I learned a lot from listening to your conversation with your father and Uncle Wang today. It has been very inspiring and has had a great impact on my career planning," Liu Chang said, raising his glass in flattery.

Jiang Beicheng jokingly asked Liu Yong, "Chairman Liu, how should I address you?"

Based on your seniority?
Or is it a term we young people use ourselves?

Liu Chang reacted quickly. Before her father could answer, she smiled and said, "Uncle Jiang, I've learned a lot."

Everyone at the table laughed.

Jiang Beicheng smiled and clinked glasses with her.

In terms of age, Liu Chang is much older than him, but in terms of status and seniority in the business circle, Jiang Beicheng is at the same level as her father, Liu Yonghao.

She won't lose anything by calling him "Uncle Jiang".

"I even made a new niece while I was in Chengdu, hahaha," Jiang Beicheng laughed. "I hope Chairman Liu doesn't mind?"

"Daughter, learn from your Uncle Jiang," Liu Yonghao advised.

Wang Jianlin, having drunk quite a bit, joined in the joke, "If we're going to calculate seniority like this, then Mr. Jiang, even Sicong would have to call you Uncle Jiang." (End of Chapter)