I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 603 A Deal with Tong Ming

Gao Pan's expression changed upon hearing this: "President Fang, I've already found a buyer for this 5000 million yuan contract with New Era Trust, and we're actively negotiating. There's no need to contact Tong Ming again, is there? Do you still think there's some improper deal between me and Tong Ming?!"

"You misunderstood. I'm talking to Tong Ming about something else." Fang Qingye said casually, "I'm asking you, is this Tong Ming quite familiar with the senior executives of New Era Trust?"

“Yes, I’m quite familiar with their general manager. Otherwise, it would be impossible to use New Era Trust to package a real estate project awaiting financing into a trust plan for sale, since that would not comply with regulations,” Gao Pan answered honestly.

Now he dared not underestimate Fang Qingye anymore. Fang Qingye was younger than him and had never studied abroad, but he was definitely an expert in finance. He thought his tricks were foolproof, but Fang Qingye saw through them at a glance.

After listening, Fang Qingye said, "That's fine then. Please make an appointment for me and tell him that I want to see him personally and that it has nothing to do with this trust agreement."

"Okay." Gao Pan was still a little skeptical, but he agreed anyway: "I'll call him now."

"Okay, I'll go back first. Let me know when you have a result." Fang Qingye said and stood up.

He didn't rush back to Nanxin, but went back to his villa in Yucuiyuan. He had just started walking when he received a call from Gao Pan.

"President Fang, call Tong Ming. He said he has time to see you tonight."

“Alright, tell him I’m inviting him for tea alone. There’s a teahouse called Yinxi at the Magnolia Plaza on the Bund. It’s a nice place. Let’s set the time for 7:30. Can you reserve a private room for me?” Fang Qingye replied immediately.

“OK.”

Around 6 PM, after dinner, Fang Qingye told Bai Ou, and then asked Yue Kai to drive to Yinxi Teahouse in Baiyulan Square.

When he arrived at the teahouse, Tong Ming and Gao Pan were already there.

Tong Ming is forty years old this year. He is not very tall, and his eyes, though small, reveal the shrewdness of a Shanghainese. He looks at Gao Pan sitting opposite him.

"Brother, what brings your bank manager, Mr. Fang, to me all of a sudden?"

“I already told you on the phone that I really didn’t know. He just said it had nothing to do with our trust agreement and was something else.”

Gao Pan said somewhat helplessly, "Besides, President Fang clearly stated that he's the one inviting you for tea today, so I'm not worried. What are you worried about?!"

"It might be a trap," Tong Ming sneered.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a waiter led in a handsome young man, who was none other than Fang Qingye.

The two quickly stood up.

"Let me introduce you," Gao Pan said with a smile. "This is Tong Ming, the general manager of Taichuang Investment."

"This is Fang Qingye, the president of our Jinghai Bank."

"Hello, President Fang." Tong Ming was all smiles as he tightly grasped Fang Qingye's hand. "President Fang, I've heard so much about you. You're the actual controller of Tuofang Technology, and you're quite famous in Shanghai's futures industry."

"You flatter me, you flatter me," Fang Qingye said modestly.

"Alright, you guys chat, I have something to do so I'll be leaving first." Gao Pan tactfully left.

"President Gao, please have a seat when you have time," Tong Ming said, not forgetting to extend his greeting.

After Gao Pan left, the atmosphere in the private room became somewhat awkward. Tong Ming kept glancing at Fang Qingye, his small eyes narrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

Fang Qingye, quite naturally, asked the waiter to bring a pot of Longjing tea and said with a smile.

"I've had tea here a few times. The Longjing tea here is quite authentic, all sourced from Hupao Spring in Hangzhou, especially the pre-Qingming tea, which has a natural, delicate fragrance. Would you like to try some?"

As she spoke, she poured Tong Ming a cup of tea.

Although Fang Qingye said that the trust contract would not be discussed tonight, Tong Ming still brought it up: "President Fang, I didn't give President Gao any kickbacks when I signed that trust contract. Although President Gao is young, he is capable and upright."

Ah?
Did you speak up for Gao Pan?

Fang Qingye thought to herself, but said aloud, "You're right. President Gao is a returnee from overseas, and his business acumen is indeed very strong; this is evident to everyone in our bank." "That trust contract, I admit it's illegal, but that doesn't negate its inherent value! A fixed interest rate of 12.5%! These days, besides those shady online lenders, who can offer you such a high interest rate?! It's just a pity it was born at the wrong time, coinciding with a cash crunch...sigh."

At this point, Tong Ming shook his head, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"It seems this cash crunch has dealt a significant blow to Mr. Tong's business?" Fang Qingye asked deliberately.

"Yes, President Fang, you're an expert too. The business we do involves cooperating with institutions like trust companies and securities firms to inject your bank's funds into some real estate development projects, using short-term debt for long-term investment. Developers have money to build houses, you get returns on your spare cash, and we take a commission in the middle. Everyone makes money."

"But now things are really messed up. The banks have no money. Those who have money don't dare to lend it out—they're even desperately borrowing from other banks to ensure their own liquidity. How are we supposed to do business like this?!"

Tong Ming started to complain.

"Maybe things will get better once we get through this period," Fang Qingye said.

"I hope so."

"Yes, come and have some tea."

Fang Qingye hadn't come here to talk about this. Seeing that the other party had opened up, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Suddenly, she changed the subject: "President Tong, I heard from President Gao that you are very familiar with New Era Trust?"

“Yes, I’m familiar with their General Manager Zhang, and we do business together.” Tong Ming said, then suddenly remembered something: “Fang Xing, are you looking to set up a property trust? I can help you get in touch with them and find their best business manager. I’ll even give you a discount on the fees!”

“No, I didn’t mean that,” Fang Qingye replied with a smile, then looked at Tong Ming: “I invited you today because I want you to help me understand some specific business of New Era Trust, especially trust contracts like the one we signed with our bank.”

"This kind of thing?! It's against the rules?" Tong Ming's small eyes narrowed. "President Fang, do you have a grudge against New Era Trust?"

"Don't worry about that." Fang Qingye looked at him. "I don't need much. Just get me one or two detailed reports on their illegal projects, and I'll pay you."

"How much can you offer?" Tong Ming asked calmly.

"1% of the project's funding."

"What? 1%?!" Tong Ming was stunned.

If the project has a budget of 100 million, then the reward would be 1 million!
In credit union contracts, it is all too common to involve 100 million or even more.

"Is this really true?!" Tong Ming's breathing became rapid.

“A gentleman does not joking. Besides, the initiative is in your hands, so what are you afraid of?” Fang Qingye said. “But I have a condition: it must be a contractual act that is seriously illegal, preferably involving a crime. Not many, one or two is enough.”

“I understand. You want to completely destroy New World Trust. It seems you two have a deep-seated grudge. Don’t worry, I won’t ask,” Tong Ming said with a smile.

“However, Mr. Tong,” Fang Qingye’s tone turned gloomy, “I’m going to be frank with some things now. I’m genuinely interested in buying your information, and I’m not kidding! We’re all in the same circle, and we’ll run into each other all the time. It’s best to make money peacefully.”

Tong Ming felt a chill run down his spine. He wondered how many other underhanded things Fang Qingye had done behind the scenes, trying to bring down New Era Trust through such means.

That makes sense, aren't all futures traders ruthless?

Thinking of this, Tong Ming said, "Don't worry, I still have that much credibility."

"Alright, I wish us a pleasant cooperation." Fang Qingye raised her teacup.

"Pleasant to work with."

The next morning, Fang Qingye left Shanghai and returned to Nanxin.

Gao Pan was still a little worried about the matter, so he called Tong Ming and asked indirectly what Fang Qingye had talked to him about last night.
"President Gao, I'm sorry I can't tell you, but what we're talking about has nothing to do with you," Tong Ming replied on the phone. Then he couldn't help but sigh, "Your President Fang seems gentle and refined, but he's actually ruthless. You'd better not mess with him."

"He's the boss, how could I dare to mess with him?" Gao Pan laughed.

However, he was very curious as to why Tong Ming said that about Fang Qingye.
(End of this chapter)