Chapter 66

Du Peng was so astonished that he couldn't speak. He still remembered clearly the conversation he had with Zhou Ming in the teahouse yesterday, where Zhou Ming mentioned the meeting with Luo Han today. Zhou Ming had said he wanted to buy at least five million shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank. At that time, Du Peng reminded him that this was the mainland, and according to the temporary regulations of Nanjiang City, no individual could hold more than thirty percent of the bank's shares. However, Zhou Ming shrugged and said it didn't matter, as there were always ways to get around policies. When Du Peng asked what the plan was, Zhou Ming replied that he didn't know, but Luo Han would help them figure it out.

At that moment, Du Peng thought Zhou Ming's idea was completely unrealistic. Was Luo Han crazy to help them come up with a plan for free? But after listening to the conversation between Zhou Ming and Luo Han, Du Peng was thoroughly convinced. Under Zhou Ming's relentless pressure, Luo Han had indeed come up with a solution.

"Although it's only sixty percent of the shares, it's still short of my expectations. However, the mainland is still in the early stages of reform and opening up, so it's understandable that many systems haven't caught up yet. I understand that Vice President Luo has done your best. I'm not an unreasonable person, so let's just go with this. I'll consider it my contribution to the country's reform and opening up," Zhou Ming said.

As Zhou Ming's partner, Du Peng couldn't help but feel elated. He knew that Zhou Ming's initial goal was to hold more than half of the Nanjiang Development Bank's shares, but now, facing Luo Han, he was still dissatisfied with sixty percent. It was truly a case of insatiable greed! However, Luo Han, who was the first vice president of the Nanjiang Development Bank, was now like a child who had received a piece of candy, expressing deep gratitude to Zhou Ming: "Thank you, Mr. Zhou. On behalf of the hundreds of employees and all the financial workers of the Nanjiang Development Bank, I thank you for your strong support!"

After the dinner with Luo Han, both parties agreed to sign the contract the day after tomorrow. In the afternoon, Tang Ran came to find Zhou Ming after work and asked with concern, "Brother Ming, how did your meeting with the vice president of the bank go today?"

Before Zhou Ming could speak, Du Peng quickly shouted, "Of course it went well, couldn't be better! Sister Ran, you don't know, Vice President Luo agreed to let us buy six million shares."

Hearing this number, Tang Ran jumped up with joy, "Really? That's great! Brother Ming, didn't you say the Nanjiang Development Bank only issued ten million shares this time? That means Brother Ming will be the largest shareholder of the bank, and whatever the bank does in the future will be making money for Brother Ming!"

Tang Ran's words made Du Peng protest, "Hey, Sister Ran, you can't favor Zhou Ming and forget about me. Half of those six million shares are mine!"

Tang Ran huffed, "What's your share worth? If it weren't for Brother Ming, you wouldn't have a single share."

Du Peng was speechless, as Tang Ran was right. His wealth was all thanks to Zhou Ming.

At this point, Zhou Ming said, "Alright, Ran Ran, it's a bit too early to talk about this. After all, the bank isn't just any place; it won't allow such a situation to happen. We're just exploiting a loophole, and these shares will definitely be reclaimed in the future."

Tang Ran exclaimed, "Then how much money can Brother Ming make?"

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and replied, "If the bank can successfully list on the stock exchange, we can make at least a few hundred million."

"So much? That's great! Then Brother Ming will be a billionaire!" Tang Ran cheered, as if she had made the money herself.

...

The signing ceremony for the purchase of six million shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank was held in the banquet hall of the Dongmen Hotel. The hall was set up like a press conference, with one side reserved for Zhou Ming and Du Peng, the buyers, and Luo Han, the bank's representative, and the other side for the journalists.

Considering the political significance of this large-scale share purchase, the Nanjiang Municipal Government sent Secretary Gao Li to attend and preside over the ceremony.

"The Nanjiang Development Bank was established under the call of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government to support the construction and development of Nanjiang. It is also the first shareholding bank in the country, marking a new era. This indicates that the reform and construction of Nanjiang have entered a new phase, and the future development of Nanjiang will reach a new level!"

Secretary Gao Li spoke into the microphone, praising the historical significance of the event, and then announced the start of the ceremony.

He first invited Du Peng and Luo Han to the stage, stating that he would represent the municipal government to witness the signing. Du Peng would purchase thirty percent of the shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank. The invited journalists quickly took out their cameras, capturing this historic moment with a flurry of flashes.

Listening to Gao Li's words, Zhou Ming couldn't help but find it amusing, as Gao Li's speech sounded like a wedding ceremony.

Next, it was Zhou Ming's turn. Similar to Du Peng's segment, Gao Li first made a speech on behalf of the municipal government, and then the contract signing began.

The entire process was well-rehearsed and went smoothly. After Zhou Ming and Luo Han signed the contract, they stood up, exchanged the documents, shook hands, and posed for the media.

Everything was going smoothly until, during the handshake for the media, a journalist suddenly pointed at Zhou Ming and exclaimed, "My God! Aren't you Zhou Ming? I recognize you, the boss from Hongcheng who sold a piece of land for 8.5 million at an auction!"

This sudden exclamation was like a stone thrown into water, creating ripples in the room. Everyone realized that the man signing the contract was indeed Zhou Ming.

The entire scene erupted into chaos, with all the journalists rushing forward like the most enthusiastic fans, bombarding Zhou Ming with questions.

"Mr. Zhou, you once sold a piece of land for 8.5 million, and people say you have the ability to turn stones into gold. Now you've bought three million shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank. Do you also believe that the bank has a high potential for appreciation?"

"Mr. Zhou, after you sold the land for 8.5 million, the Nanjiang Municipal Government began to study land auctions. Now you've bought three million shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank. Was this also at the government's request, to support the economic reforms?"

"Mr. Zhou, the economic conditions in the mainland are not good, and many people are still struggling to make ends meet. Even in Nanjiang, many people earn only 200 yuan a month. Yet you can easily come up with so much money to buy land and stocks. Many people say you are using government money to stage an economic revival. What do you think about this?"

"Mr. Zhou, I heard that you made 20 million in the stock market and futures in Hongcheng. Now that you've returned to the mainland to buy shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank, do you believe in the economic reform policies of Nanjiang and see potential in the mainland's bank stocks?"

...

Faced with the enthusiastic journalists, Zhou Ming felt overwhelmed. Beside him, Secretary Gao Li and Vice President Luo Han were stunned. They had not expected this. They thought the signing would go smoothly, and they could leave, but Zhou Ming's influence was so great that the journalists suddenly swarmed around him. In contrast, Du Peng remained calm, as he was used to the unexpected events surrounding Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming touched his nose and apologized to Gao Li, "Secretary Gao, I'm really sorry. I didn't expect this."

Gao Li recovered and waved his hand, "Mr. Zhou, there's no need to be so formal. You are a business genius who emerged from the Hongcheng stock market crash. Your brilliance can't be hidden anywhere. It's fine; the signing ceremony is over, and I need to report back to the municipal government. You can stay here and answer the journalists' questions."

With that, Gao Li left under the escort of the hotel security. Zhou Ming had no choice but to face the agitated journalists and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down."

Zhou Ming made a gesture to lower the noise, and the journalists, realizing he was about to speak, quieted down. The hotel manager, who was responsible for maintaining order, was stunned. The Dongmen Hotel, being the most luxurious in Nanjiang, had hosted many press conferences, but never had the journalists been so obedient, except for high-level government meetings. What kind of charisma did Zhou Ming have?

"Thank you for your cooperation," Zhou Ming said. "First, I want to tell you that I am a mainland Chinese, born into an ordinary worker's family. I am not a Hongcheng tycoon or a privileged child. Whether you believe me or not, every cent I have is legally earned through my own efforts."

Zhou Ming's words caused a stir among the journalists, who looked at him in disbelief. "How is that possible? How can an ordinary person make so much money? Do you have any secrets to making money?"

Zhou Ming did not answer these questions but continued, "Secondly, I am not a government plant, nor am I here to support government policies. Financial development is a trend, and I bought the shares of the Nanjiang Development Bank because I see great investment potential. Whether you believe me or not, we are entering a new era different from the past!"

Zhou Ming paused deliberately and then concluded, "That's all I have to say. Thank you all."

With that, Zhou Ming turned and left, not lingering or answering the journalists' questions. He didn't even look back.