Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

"Did you sleep well last night, Young Master Jiang?"

"Principal Wang probably hasn't had much rest!"

"Hahaha, I see through it but don't say it."

When Jiang Beicheng visited Wang Jianlin's mansion in Huanhuaxi, Wang Sicong came out to greet him.

The two had met over drinks last night, and their conversation today felt more like that of friends.

"You don't usually live here?"

"Yes, my grandparents live here, I live in Riverside Impression more often, and my father prefers to live in Dujiangyan."

Riverside Impression is a real estate development by Wanda Group itself.

It is also a luxury residential area in Chengdu.

The Huanhuaxi Residence in front of us was one of the top luxury residences in Chengdu twenty years ago. Although it is no longer ranked among the top now, its fame and status are unmatched by other luxury residences.

The people living here are either wealthy or high-ranking officials.

If you walk further in, you'll reach Du Fu Thatched Cottage.

The environment is impeccable.

"It suddenly dawned on me that your family has been rich for too long," Jiang Beichen joked.

They were already living in this kind of multi-million dollar mansion twenty years ago.

In terms of cultural heritage, we simply can't compare to them.

Our ancestors were people who crossed grasslands and climbed snow-capped mountains.

Wang Sicong, a second-generation rich kid, has every advantage he has.

Therefore, they live a carefree and unrestrained life, doing whatever they want.

Wang Sicong, knowing that Jiang Beicheng was talking about his father buying this mansion twenty years ago, joked, "Even after being rich for so many years, I don't dare to be as high-profile as Young Master Jiang, who bought a piece of land for himself and spent hundreds of millions to build a manor."

To satisfy his hobby, he even built a horse ranch for himself on the estate.

It's no secret that Jiang Beicheng owns a private estate in Jiangnan City.

When Rupert Hoogewerf visited, Jiang Beicheng told him to take photos freely.

It did cause quite a bit of controversy online at the time.

In particular, the land issue sparked some class-based ideological clashes.

Wang Sicong's words were somewhat flattering, but they were also true. Most of the wealthy people in China have "wealth on paper," holding hundreds of billions or even trillions of yuan, but they dare not spend it ostentatiously.

Therefore, there are many wealthy Chinese who invest in overseas properties, airplanes, and yachts.

Jiangbei City is truly one of the most high-profile tycoons in China.

They spend money without any worries.

They don't care about society's opinion.

Jiang Beicheng, without any modesty, invited, "Come visit my home anytime."

Wang Sicong then laughed and said, "I won't stand on ceremony with you. You'd better hide the good wine in your wine cabinet in advance."

You drank a bottle of Yamazaki 50 today, I'll have to find a chance to drink it back.

It was just a joke.

He didn't care about the 400 million yuan bottle of Yamazaki 50; he felt it was worth it to use it to entertain a friend like Young Master Jiang.

However, when Young Master Jiang warmly invited him to visit the most luxurious mansion in Jiangnan City, he didn't stand on ceremony with Young Master Jiang.

Jiang Beicheng readily agreed: "The 1926 Collector's Series, is that okay?"

Wang Sicong turned his gaze to Jiangbei City.

"Are your wine cellars full of these rare finds? How many bottles do you have in your stash?" Wang Sicong asked curiously.

"Three bottles were bottled by Rinadi (an Italian manufacturer), and two bottles were bottled by Michael Dillon (a British manufacturer)!"

Wang Sicong frowned slightly.

I was momentarily distracted.

Coming to his senses, he smiled and said, "Young Master Jiang is inhumanly extravagant."

"That sounds familiar, doesn't it? It's like people used to describe you before, isn't it?" Jiang Beichen said with a smile.
"Even at my most extravagant, I couldn't afford to drink tens of millions of yuan worth of alcohol," Wang Sicong admitted, expressing his inferiority.

The Macallan 1926 Reserve series, with a total of forty bottles in existence, was bottled by renowned producers in Italy and the UK, and can be considered the "emperor" of whiskies.

Jiangbei City actually has 5 bottles in its collection!
The market has been exceptionally good in recent years, with prices increasing several times over. If it goes to an auction house, especially in Europe, it can fetch an astronomical price at auction.

Before Wang Sicong could finish his exclamation, Jiang Beicheng added, "There's also a bottle without packaging."

It's the original 1926 without the label.

Wang Sicong was starting to doubt it.

As far as he knew, there were only two bottles of unpackaged 1926 in the whole world.

A bottle permanently housed in The Macallan Whisky Museum represents the brand's history and is a cultural symbol of whisky.

It's considered a living fossil.

There's another bottle in your hands, Young Master Jiang?

Unbelievable!

"How much did you pay to buy it?" Wang Sicong asked curiously.

I already have a price in mind.

That must be incredibly exaggerated.

Jiang Beicheng: "£218 million."

"I fucking..." Wang Sicong shook his head with a laugh, "It's much more expensive than I expected. How much does Young Master Jiang love whiskey?"

Jiang Beicheng laughed and said, "Actually, it's not bad. It's just that I feel a strong sense of satisfaction when I have some things in my own hands."

Just like how Uncle Wang regarded Fu Baoshi's paintings as his life.

Within wealthy circles, when discussing collecting and mentioning Fu Baoshi, Uncle Wang carries immense prestige.

Wang Sicong joked, "Simply put, it's about showing off and flaunting wealth."

“You’re more direct,” Jiang Beicheng added with a smile.

"£218 million, that's a price I really can't afford. I hope I'll have the chance to go to Young Master Jiang's house and have a taste of it." Wang Sicong joked, "Even just a lick would be nice."

It's not that he can't afford the bottle of wine, but rather that alcohol doesn't make up such a large proportion of his overall consumption.

It's like using the money you'd spend on a luxury house to buy a bottle of alcohol.

He doesn't yet possess that level of wealth.

Every wealthy person's spending is actually structured in proportions.

Overall, the cash available for discretionary spending is around 5% of total assets.

With assets of 10 billion and 500 million in cash, the company can spend money freely without significantly affecting its operations.

I'll also plan out how to spend this 500 million in cash.

They will spend according to the proportion of their subconscious or inner feelings.

Spending so much money on a bottle of wine, you can imagine how much cash Young Master Jiang can freely spend!
No wonder Father hosted a family banquet today and extended a warm invitation to Young Master Jiang.

He's truly a god of wealth.

Wanda's current debt problems really require Jiang Xiaoye's help.

Jiang Beicheng wasn't bragging to Wang Sicong; there were indeed those bottles of wine in his family's wine cellar.

He is indeed a devoted whisky enthusiast, just like Wang Sicong enjoys champagne.

However, when this bottle of wine was purchased at Bonhams auction house in the UK, it was auctioned online, and the buyer was not disclosed.

In addition, he did something else at the time: he spent hundreds of millions to bid for the Qianlong Emperor's jade seal and donated it to the country.

In contrast, auctions of liquor worth tens of millions of dollars don't generate much buzz.

But if we bring it up now, it'll probably stay on the trending topics list for another two days.

This is completely beyond the comprehension of the general public.

Millions of bottles of wine, and even more luxurious palaces above the Heavenly Palace?

"Alcohol is for socializing and entertaining guests." Jiang Beicheng didn't take it seriously. "Principal Wang can come anytime, we can start serving it anytime."

"He's exactly the same as the young master Jiang I've heard about in the martial arts world. I appreciate your kind intentions." I have many generous friends around me.

However, friends as generous as Jiang Xiaoye are indeed rare.

Wang Sicong considers himself a person who values ​​relationships, and often values ​​friendship more than wealth.

But it didn't reach the same level of nonchalance as Young Master Jiang.

I truly understand why Young Master Jiang has such a high status in the martial arts world; people from all walks of life give him face.

"I was just about to come out to see why you guys hadn't arrived yet. I thought Sicong had done something unreliable again?"

Wang Jianlin came out to greet him.

"Principal Wang is very decisive in his dealings with people; Chairman Wang is overthinking it," Jiang Beicheng said, praising his father.

"Has President Jiang arrived?"

There were guests at home today. Guo Guangchang followed Wang Jianlin out and greeted him with a smile.

This CEO of Fosun Group, the former richest man in Shanghai, is considered a prominent figure of the same era as Wang Jianlin and Liu Yonghao. Compared to them, internet entrepreneurs like Jack Ma and Pony Ma are just rising stars.

The relationship between Guo Guangchang and Wang Jianlin is that of old buddies; they have a good relationship both in business and in private.

Jiang Beicheng never expected to see Guo Guangchang in Chengdu today, but he guessed why Guo was at Wang Jianlin's house.

Nine times out of ten, it will still be about cooperation, asking old friends to help out and solve Wanda's current debt problems.

It seems Wang Jianlin still doesn't fully trust his own abilities.

I guess he felt he couldn't come up with that much money all at once.

These old friends are very sensitive to debt and cash, so it's normal for Wang Jianlin to think this way.

"Mr. Jiang, let me introduce you..." Wang Jianlin prepared to introduce him.

Jiang Beicheng smiled and said, "Chairman Wang, I heard of Chairman Guo's name when I was in middle school."

At that time, he was the richest man in Shanghai.

"Hahaha, President Jiang, please don't mention that title anymore. I feel embarrassed about it myself," Guo Guangchang laughed.

Wang Jianlin joked, "Now people on the internet often mention that I am the richest man in China and the richest man in Asia. I gladly accept it, which shows that we have had our glory days and left a strong mark on the course of history."

Exes or not, it doesn't matter.

"Compared to Jianlin, my mind is still too narrow," Guo Guangchang said self-deprecatingly.

That's definitely his personality.

When people mention Shanghai's richest man now, they think of Huang Zheng of Pinduoduo. Who would think of Guo Guangchang, who was once so successful?
Moreover, his fame and influence among the general public are indeed far inferior to those of Wang Jianlin and his old friends.

Rather than saying he was narrow-minded, it's more accurate to say he never led the way like his friends Wang Jianlin, Jack Ma, and others.

Naturally, they can't accept others mentioning the word "ex".

However, Guo Guangchang still has a net worth of 50 to 60 billion yuan.

It's similar to Hurun's estimate of Jiangbei City's worth.

"Mr. Jiang, it's an honor to meet you." Guo Guangchang said jokingly before stepping forward to shake hands with Jiang Beicheng.

"Is Chairman Guo here in Chengdu on a business trip?"

"Yesterday morning, I was invited by the Municipal Party Committee to visit and discuss cooperation with the High-tech Zone."

"I also went to the municipal party committee office for a while this afternoon."

"Haha, that's such a coincidence, it means we do have some kind of connection."

Jiang Beicheng: "The circle is only so big. If we don't meet today, we'll meet again tomorrow."

We'll have to see each other sooner or later.

Wang Jianlin: "What President Jiang said is the absolute truth."

Wang Sicong, standing beside him, suddenly felt he couldn't get a word in edgewise, so he just smiled awkwardly.

Whether in the political and business circles or among entrepreneurs, Jiang Xiaoye's prestige is indeed much higher than his.

I feel very honored to have met this legendary young man of the new era.

“We had set up a vintage table, but Sicong said you like drinking whisky, and Guo Guangchang happens to be a fan in private, so he took out his own treasured bottle of Yamazaki and opened it.” Wang Jianlin invited his guests to sit down in the restaurant.

"Sicong has gone to great lengths," Guo Guangchang said with a smile. "I rarely drink wine that costs four or five million."

I'm in luck today, getting to enjoy some of my nephew's good wine.

“Uncle Guangchang, you don’t need to be so polite with me. This isn’t a particularly expensive wine in front of President Jiang. Just treat it as a regular drink and have a casual drink.” Wang Sicong said readily, “Uncle Guangchang, if you have time, you can visit Young Master Jiang’s wine cellar.”

Guo Guangchang looked toward Jiangbei City.

Putting aside the wine cellars in Jiangbei City, the manor in Jiangbei City immediately came to mind.

Extremely luxurious.

“Rupert Hoogewerf and I are old friends. The last time we met in Shanghai, he mentioned President Jiang’s estate to me, and I also looked it up online…” Guo Guangchang shook his head, “How much did President Jiang spend?”

Jiang Beicheng: "About six or seven hundred million!"

Guo Guangchang: "In a place like Shanghai, it would be at least ten times more."

Wang Jianlin: "Even ten times the amount, we couldn't acquire that much land."

"Indeed." Guo Guangchang nodded. "Next time I go to Jiangnan City, I will definitely pay them a visit."

"Mr. Guo, you're too kind. Welcome to my home," Jiang Beicheng said.

Guo Guangchang joked, "I wouldn't recommend taking a couple of bottles of good wine, would I?"

Wang Sicong reminded him, "Uncle Guangchang, even if President Jiang is willing to give you a whiskey worth tens of millions, would you be comfortable accepting it?"

Guo Guangchang was stunned for a moment, then instantly realized what he meant and asked Jiang Beicheng, "1926?"

The only one that can reach this price is the Macallan 1926.

These whisky enthusiasts are very aware of the current market situation.

Jiang Beicheng smiled and nodded, saying modestly, "I've collected a few bottles by chance."

"Is it bottled in Italy or England?" Guo Guangchang's interest was instantly piqued.

Jiangbei City: "We have them all."

Wang Sicong added, "There's also one bottle unpackaged."

"Naked outfit..." Guo Guangchang almost blurted out "Holy crap."

I was very clear about the value of that bottle of wine.

The only bottle available on the market was actually in the wine cellar of Jiangbei City.

Suddenly, I feel like the Yamazaki 55 and Genting 1919 in my wine cellar aren't so appealing anymore.

Those were his "treasures" in his wine cellar.

When friends come to visit, I always take them on a tour, telling them about the history of whisky and my own understanding of the spirit.

I originally thought that Yamazaki 55 and Genting 1919 were the pinnacle of whisky collecting for domestic enthusiasts, costing several million yuan, and even over ten million yuan if the market was good.

I only learned today that Macallan 1926 is still available in China, and it comes in two series: one bottled in Italy and the other in the UK. Both are rare items.

In addition, Jiangbei City also has that bottle of 1926 "unpackaged".

Among whisky enthusiasts, this feeling is like Jiangbei City owning a landscape painting by Tang Yin.

It was only because it had the right timing, location, and popular support that it fell into his hands.

"Whether I drink or not doesn't matter, I definitely want to find a chance to visit President Jiang's wine cellar," Guo Guangchang said excitedly.

Wang Jianlin isn't particularly fond of imported liquor, but judging from Guo Guangchang's excitement, he knows there's something good hidden in the wine cellars of Jiangbei City.

Out of curiosity, I asked, "I know very little about foreign liquors, so I can't really keep up with the conversation. I'll just drink with you guys."

Guo Guangchang explained, "The bottle of 1926 in President Jiang's hand is the whiskey 'Dragon Coiling and Tiger Crouching,' Jianlin. Now you should understand what I mean."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianlin immediately turned his gaze to Jiangbei City.

"Dragon Crouching and Tiger Leaping" is a classic work by Fu Baoshi, which is based on the famous lines of the great man's seven-character quatrain: "The tiger crouches and the dragon coils, surpassing the past; the world has been turned upside down, and the scene is magnificent!"

This painting was purchased by Wang Jianlin for 90 million yuan in the 800s. Decades later, many of Fu Baoshi's other works are worth hundreds of millions of yuan. This painting, "Dragon Coiling and Tiger Crouching," is worth at least several hundred million yuan and is regarded by Wang Jianlin as a treasure to guard his home.

When friends come to your home, be sure to show them this painting.

I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Wang Jianlin compared this to Jiang Beicheng's extravagant spending of tens of millions on wine and realized the extent of his boldness and daring. (End of Chapter)