Chapter 107: Zheng Lianshan

The bodyguard behind replied, “It’s less than ten kilometers, I’d say.”

Tang Wanxin, with his large belly, stood at the train station entrance, pondering for a moment.

“Forget it. Let’s take a tour around Shenzhen first, then decide.”

“Call President Liu’s side and tell them we have urgent matters and might not necessarily come over.”

The bodyguard respectfully nodded, “Understood.”

The group hailed a taxi and plunged into the bustling, vibrant city.

No one knew what their purpose was.

...

As the month drew to a close, more and more wealthy magnates from across the country flocked to Shenzhen.

For instance, during the stock market boom in Zhonghai, the scalpers, bosses, and black market dealers around Zhonghai Cultural Plaza all vanished within a short time.

Where had they gone?

They had all traveled to Shenzhen by plane, train, car, and other means.

This was another wave of wealth sweeping through in 1992.

Wherever there was a financial hotspot, these people followed.

Chai Jin hadn’t left his home for a long time but still made it a point to read Shenzhen’s daily newspapers.

Anything about the stock market, he would circle and note.

It wasn’t until July 29th that Liu Yiqian called.

He said there was another wealth salon organized here, held in a private clubhouse on Xiaomeisha.

Chai Jin took a van to the location, mulling over the idea that he still needed to find time to bring his car back.

Traveling by van just wasn’t ideal.

The scene inside was identical to Zhonghai’s—loud and bustling.

There were many new faces, and quite a few old ones were missing.

For example, Yang Baiwan was gone, clearly removed from Liu Yiqian’s circle.

The interests of the wealthy are brutally pragmatic.

If it benefits me, I embrace it.

If it doesn’t, we remain strangers.

However, this time, Chai Jin received Liu Yiqian’s warmest reception.

He was directly ushered into a private room.

Inside sat a middle-aged man wearing glasses, with a rather stern expression.

When Chai Jin entered, his brow furrowed slightly; after all, his youthful appearance—looking no older than eighteen or nineteen—inevitably drew curious glances in such circles.

After introductions, the three took their seats and got straight to the point.

Liu Yiqian began, “President Chai, what’s your view on Shenzhen subscription certificates?”

Chai Jin, exuding a mature indifference, replied, “What else is there to say?”

“These aren’t like Zhonghai’s subscription certificates from a month or two ago, where you had to pay a heavy price to compete.”

“That meat isn’t tasty.”

Liu Yiqian nodded gravely, “I’m torn about whether to get involved.”

“The uncertainties are too great.”

Subscription certificates in Shenzhen were widely known across the nation as a sure way to get rich.

Moreover, their issuance was limited, so secrecy wasn’t even an issue.

Chai Jin spoke candidly with a slight smile, “The meat’s right there. Someone’s bound to have a bite, aren’t they?”

“What’s there to hesitate about? Give it a shot—maybe you’ll finish the whole meal in one go.”

Liu Yiqian nodded and, after a moment of thought, smiled, “Thanks for your insight, President Chai.”

“Well then, President Zheng, you two talk. I’ll go greet some guests.”

That one piece of advice caused the middle-aged man beside them, who had remained silent, to narrow his eyes.

He was a distant relative of Liu Yiqian and interacted with him more often.

He knew just how capable Liu Yiqian was.

For Liu Yiqian to speak this way meant this young man was far more than he appeared.

After Liu Yiqian left, an awkward silence hung briefly over the tea room.

Chai Jin remained quiet.

After a moment, the middle-aged man reached out and said, “My name is Zheng Lianshan, from the National Machinery Import and Export Corporation.”

Chai Jin politely shook his hand, “Chai Jin. Thank you, President Zheng, for this tea opportunity.”

Zheng Lianshan pushed up his glasses and scrutinized Chai Jin from head to toe with deep meaning.

He raised a cup of tea to his lips and remarked, “Reselling airplanes—this isn’t something just anyone can pull off.”

“There are so many factors involved.”

“On one side, the former Soviet Union; on the other, local airlines; and then there’s the nod from relevant authorities in Beijing.”

“These are just the soft conditions. The hard condition is—you need money.”

“You’ve heard of Mou Qizhong, right? He’s been at this for three years and still hasn’t succeeded.”

Chai Jin knew Zheng Lianshan was questioning him.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Isn’t Mou Qizhong close to succeeding?”

Zheng Lianshan was momentarily stunned, “Where did you get that information?”

Chai Jin looked around and replied, “I have my own channels.”

“With Mou Qizhong clearing a path ahead, I’m quietly walking the route he blazed.”

“President Zheng, private enterprises face many survival challenges and need more support from your superiors.”

The National Import and Export Corporation was essentially a state agency.

In the planned economy era, it was called the General Bureau, responsible for coordinating large-scale domestic and international machinery trade.

To put it plainly, any domestic airline wanting to purchase planes had to funnel money through them, who would then handle the procurement and charge a commission.

It was somewhat like an agency service.

Chai Jin’s humility earned him considerable goodwill from Zheng Lianshan.

But then Zheng, serious, extended his thumb and forefinger, rubbing them together.

“Do you have that money?”

“If you want to follow Mou Qizhong’s old path, it may seem like he’s pulling a fast one, but he did have a substantial startup capital.”

Chai Jin was well aware of this. Back in ’87, Mou Qizhong discovered a loophole in refrigerator import regulations and exploited it to smuggle a large batch from country H.

He became an overnight millionaire, earning tens of millions.

In ’87, monthly wages were only tens of yuan.

At that time, Mou Qizhong was already a dominant figure.

Chai Jin calmly raised his cup and stated, “A month or two ago, I hit the peak of subscription certificates in Zhonghai, and I bought nearly twelve thousand of them.”

Suddenly, Zheng Lianshan stood up abruptly.

Chai Jin hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

He looked puzzled at the man, clearly over ten years his senior but suddenly very unsettled.

“What’s this, President Zheng?”

Zheng gasped sharply, “Is the rumor true—that the black market in Zhonghai dragged a truckload of cash straight to the bank?”

Chai Jin sighed; if not for Zheng’s critical role and his strong skepticism, he would have kept quiet.

He nodded, “They came with cash to collect certificates. I had no choice but to drive that cash to deposit it.”

“It was a forced move.”

Zheng Lianshan no longer underestimated Chai Jin. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he slowly sat back down.