Chapter 61: Liu Yiqian’s Scheme

“Don’t tell me you went all the way to Zhonghai and didn’t bring back a single cent,” the man said, his expression dark and stormy. The group knelt before him and recounted, bit by bit, what had happened in Zhonghai. His face grew ever more severe, until finally he exploded in rage, and the men suffered another brutal beating.

...

In the days that followed, the price of subscription certificates continued to soar. Fang Yi, standing before Chai Jin, let himself go completely. He and Chai Jin discussed the trajectory and analysis of the certificates, forcing Chai Jin to see Fang Yi in a new light. He was a man skilled in calculation, able to discern the direction of those in power with uncanny accuracy.

News could now be verified: Zhonghai would see ten new stocks listed this year. Yet, in the first lottery draw for subscription certificates on March 2, seven companies were already set to go public! With three more rounds of draws ahead, could it really only be these stocks?

There were only 2.07 million certificates in total, but the more companies that went public, the higher the winning rate would soar. What surprised Chai Jin even more was Fang Yi’s prediction that the Zhonghai stock exchange would soon abolish price movement limits, and that this would happen in the near future. Once those restrictions were lifted, the market would enter another great bull run.

As stock values climbed, so too would the value of the certificates. Fang Yi was convinced that each certificate would eventually be worth over eight thousand on average. His predictions closely followed the trajectory of his previous life. Fang Yi’s sensitivity to data was something few could comprehend—even though he had only finished primary school.

Chai Jin was in excellent spirits and found much to discuss with him. Every day, they drank tea at the black market trading point. With each passing day, the wealth generated by subscription certificates grew in leaps and bounds, and the crowds at the trading point multiplied.

As May drew to a close, with only days left until the second certificate lottery, Zhonghai had left early spring behind, gradually entering the onset of summer. Chai Jin's plan was to start selling off everything once the results of the second draw were announced. There was no need for further greed, for another wave of fortune was about to sweep through the Shenzhen market, and he wanted to move quickly to lay his groundwork there.

That day, Cai Weiqiang sought him out. "There’s something I need to tell you," he said.

"Liu Yiqian is hosting a tea gathering and wants to invite you," Cai continued. "Yang Millionaire will be there as well. Do you want to accept?"

Cai Weiqiang knew Chai Jin was not particularly fond of Yang Millionaire, hence the question. Chai Jin was curious. "Liu Yiqian wants me to attend? I'm not especially familiar with those people," he mused.

Cai Weiqiang smiled wryly. "I don't know the reason, but if he's inviting you, it's best to go. I'll be there too. Later, you can ride with me."

Chai Jin considered, realizing he had no reason to refuse. Besides, it was Liu Yiqian's event and had little to do with Yang Millionaire; he was merely a guest. So he agreed. "Alright, go ahead and accept for me."

"Brother, I mentioned before about returning to Shenzhen together. Have you made up your mind?"

Over this period, Chai Jin had asked Cai Weiqiang many times, but Cai never gave a clear answer. Perhaps he was reluctant to let go of what he had painstakingly built here. Seeing Chai Jin raise the question again, he asked, full of doubt, "Is there really nothing more to be gained from subscription certificates?"

Chai Jin nodded with a smile. "Let's pull out together in June. Sell all your certificates, and since your business here is booming, you should hand over the market to someone else while it’s hot. You’ll make a tidy sum."

"In this business, greed is the cardinal sin. Take your winnings and quit while you’re ahead."

Cai Weiqiang was silent for a long time. He lit a cigarette, smoked it down, and then said, "What magic does Shenzhen have that keeps you fixated on it? Isn’t Zhonghai a great city?"

Chai Jin replied, "Zhonghai is fine, but I already explained last time. It’s about timing: the greatest opportunity is in Shenzhen, and we should chase it."

"Don’t hesitate. After the second certificate lottery on June 3, let’s withdraw quickly."

In truth, Chai Weiqiang was nearly convinced by Chai Jin’s reasoning, though the final decision was difficult. After a long pause, he slapped the table. "Alright, I’ll start reaching out to my connections there. I haven’t been back in years, but old friends have always kept me in mind."

He continued, "Everyone Liu Yiqian invites is a person of ability. You should prepare yourself."

"No problem," Chai Jin replied with a smile.

...

No matter the city or era, there are always gatherings and circles. This is called resource sharing, and most deals are struck within such networks.

Liu Yiqian was a shrewd man. After coming into money, he didn’t squander it in revelry, but poured all his energy into maintaining his circles. Compared to him, Yang Millionaire was more like a nouveau riche, dizzy from the praise of the newspapers, completely lost amid fame and fortune.

Those who could sway the times mostly shared these traits: once obscure, but suddenly the era needed their brilliance, and the media reported furiously, the government raised them as examples. Fame brought arrogance, and in the end, all fell to ruin.

Chai Jin had no intention of criticizing Yang Millionaire, so long as he stayed out of his way.

Liu Yiqian had prepared meticulously for this salon. It was held in a nightclub he owned. That evening, guests arrived from all directions, Liu Yiqian standing at the door, smiling brilliantly as he greeted them. The attendees were not the city’s elite, but they were formidable figures in the stock market.

Rumors spread that Liu Yiqian held more subscription certificates than anyone else in Zhonghai. He had admitted to owning three thousand, and with each now valued at five thousand, his net assets from these alone reached fifteen million! Not to mention the stocks, government bonds, and other holdings in his portfolio.

Some estimated his assets at no less than twenty million, enough to make him a prominent figure in Zhonghai. Thus, those he invited almost all made sure to attend.

Chai Jin arrived in Cai Weiqiang’s car. Upon seeing them, Liu Yiqian strode over with a smile. "President Cai, what an honor! I’ve been waiting for you."

Cai Weiqiang, having risen through black market certificate trading, now deserved his place here—no longer the desperate figure of months past, forced to sell his cell phone for survival. He laughed heartily and shook hands. "You're too kind, President Liu. The honor is mine to be invited!"

"Haha, President Cai always enjoys this sort of thing," Liu Yiqian replied, then turned to Chai Jin, smiling as he extended his hand. "Welcome, President Chai. I’m truly delighted you could come."