Chapter 8

"Can you do anything about it? Don't forget, I told you, not only did the factory post such notices, but my father also had the security department send the notice to the neighboring towns. If you go to other places to collect, be careful not to get beaten to death by the farmers! Even if you don't get beaten to death by the farmers, being sent to the police station by the nearby production teams won't be a glorious thing!" Ma Lin said smugly.

This took Zhou Ming somewhat by surprise. He hadn't expected Ma Lin's father to go to such lengths, even notifying other towns. It seemed that Ma Lin had told his father about the treasury bond business, and his father had seen the huge profit in it, so he used his power to post notices, aiming to monopolize the treasury bond business.

"Ma Lin, your father is indeed the most powerful deputy factory manager, but to stop my treasury bond business, you're not capable enough. There are some things I didn't want to do originally, but now it seems I have no choice," Zhou Ming said.

"You can do whatever you want; I'm right here waiting for you!" Ma Lin said, then laughed and left.

...

"Zhou Ming, what should we do?"

Su Han asked Zhou Ming, looking very lost. Zhang Lei didn't say anything, but his expression was the same as Su Han's.

Zhou Ming understood that they were completely at a loss. This was normal, facing such pressure from Ma Lin, anyone would be at a loss, unless they were very capable.

"Do you really think that Ma Lin's actions will stop our treasury bond business? Ma Lin's father is just a deputy factory manager; do you really think they can control everything in Nanhui County?" Zhou Ming asked.

"But Zhou Ming, we are just ordinary factory workers; we don't know any leaders!" Su Han said.

"Xiao Han, you forgot someone," Zhou Ming reminded her. "The director of the county agricultural bank, Dai. We can go to him and partner with him to do the treasury bond business."

In fact, this was a step Zhou Ming had already planned when Dai had initially tested him. As a person who had been reborn, he knew very well that such a large and risk-free business was impossible for someone without power or influence to handle. At first, others didn't know he could make money, but once they discovered and used their power to grab the money, it would be difficult for him. Therefore, he needed a powerful partner, and the partner he chose was the director of the county agricultural bank, Dai Zhenjiang.

First, Dai Zhenjiang had already tested him, so it would be easier for him to approach Dai, and he wouldn't face the situation of being unable to enter the temple with a pig's head. Secondly, with the memory of the past twenty years, Zhou Ming knew that Dai Zhenjiang would later leave the bank and become the director of the provincial finance department, which was impossible without a powerful backing.

Moreover, at that time, banks were not as widespread as they are now. In Nanhui County, there were only two banks: the Construction Bank and the Agricultural Bank. If Dai Zhenjiang, the director of the Agricultural Bank, had no connections with the county leaders, Zhou Ming wouldn't believe it.

Originally, Zhou Ming planned to take this step when the secret of the treasury bonds was known to others and the competition increased. But now, with Ma Lin's actions, Zhou Ming had to take this step earlier.

Zhou Ming brought Su Han and Zhang Lei to the county agricultural bank. Zhou Ming directly told the bank staff, "I am Zhou Ming, who came to exchange 10,000 treasury bonds yesterday. I'm looking for Director Dai."

The bank staff were intimidated by Zhou Ming's presence and hesitated for a moment before reporting to Dai Zhenjiang. After a while, they invited Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Zhang Lei into the bank.

It was still the same reception room. Dai Zhenjiang invited Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Zhang Lei to sit on the sofa, and he sat down as well. After looking Zhou Ming up and down a few times, he asked, "I wonder what brings you here today, Comrade Zhou Ming? Do you have a larger amount of treasury bonds to exchange today?"

Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "No, I came today to discuss a partnership with Director Dai. Didn't you find it curious when I came to exchange so many treasury bonds last time?"

"I think I understand your intention. You want to partner with me to do the treasury bond business, right?" Dai Zhenjiang asked. Zhou Ming nodded, and Dai Zhenjiang leaned back on the sofa and said, "If it were yesterday, I would have been very happy to agree, but unfortunately, it's difficult today. I've already heard about the situation at your factory. The security department posted a notice saying that if you continue to collect treasury bonds in the factory, they will arrest you, right?"

Hearing this, Su Han and Zhang Lei exclaimed in surprise. They hadn't expected Dai Zhenjiang to already know about it. It seemed that Zhou Ming was right; Dai Zhenjiang indeed had a lot of influence in the county. The factory had only posted the notice this morning, and he already knew about it.

But this made things complicated! Their only leverage for coming to Dai Zhenjiang was the treasury bond business. Now that Dai Zhenjiang knew about it, it meant that someone from the factory had told him. With his connections, he could easily take control of the business himself, or partner with someone more powerful, and wouldn't choose them at all!

What should they do?

Su Han and Zhang Lei were very anxious because the situation was very unfavorable for them, but Zhou Ming remained calm: "Director Dai, as the leader of the county agricultural bank, you are indeed well-informed."

Zhou Ming's calm attitude surprised Dai Zhenjiang. He could see that Zhou Ming was very confident, but he didn't understand where this confidence came from. He asked Zhou Ming, "Do you still think I will agree to partner with you?"

"Of course, as long as Director Dai wants to make money, I believe the conditions I offer will satisfy you," Zhou Ming said. "Based on the treasury bonds I exchanged here yesterday, the interest rate in Nanhui County should be around 11% to 12% per year, right? What if I can raise this rate to at least 15%?"

Zhou Ming's counter-question made Dai Zhenjiang sit up. He looked at Zhou Ming with shock, staring into his eyes, trying to see if he was bluffing. But Zhou Ming remained calm, and this proved that what he said might be true; he really could raise the interest rate from 12% to 15%.

While Dai Zhenjiang was staring at Zhou Ming, Zhou Ming was also staring at Dai Zhenjiang. He read a hint of defeat in Dai Zhenjiang's eyes and felt a sense of triumph. Zhou Ming knew he had taken the first step in convincing Dai Zhenjiang. As the director of the county agricultural bank, Dai Zhenjiang considered himself the most knowledgeable person about treasury bonds in Nanhui County, but he couldn't figure out how to raise the interest rate. If he wanted to make money, he had to partner with Zhou Ming.

Dai Zhenjiang was shocked, and so were Su Han and Zhang Lei. Zhou Ming hadn't told them about this before, and they didn't understand why he was making such a bold claim. Treasury bonds were issued by the state, and even banks had no power to change the interest rate. How could Zhou Ming raise it? Was he so desperate to get Dai Zhenjiang on board that he was willing to say anything? But in their impression, Zhou Ming wasn't that kind of person.

"Does Director Dai not believe me?" Zhou Ming asked.

"How can I believe you?" Dai Zhenjiang said. "The interest rate on treasury bonds is set by the state; how can you just raise it?"

Zhou Ming said with a knowing smile, "Actually, Director Dai, I didn't come here today to make you believe me or to convince you of anything. I just want to buy back the treasury bonds I exchanged at the bank. When I come back with the money, I believe the facts will speak louder than words."

"Will you buy them back at a 15% interest rate per year?" Dai Zhenjiang asked.

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Of course."

Dai Zhenjiang took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and then decided, "Alright! Although it's not entirely proper, I can let you buy back all your treasury bonds. You can pay back the debt when you make money."

"Director Dai is indeed a straightforward person," Zhou Ming said.

Dai Zhenjiang then had the bank's accountant carefully calculate the accounts and handed the treasury bonds to Zhou Ming, saying, "Here are 22,000 yuan worth of treasury bonds. According to the 15% interest rate you mentioned, minus the remainder, you still owe me 13,000 yuan in interest."

Dai Zhenjiang's words left Su Han and Zhang Lei speechless. If they didn't know that treasury bonds were issued by the state, they would have thought this was some kind of high-interest loan. How could the interest exceed half of the principal? It was like robbing people!

"No problem," Zhou Ming said cheerfully. "But I need Director Dai to help me with something."

"Tell me," Dai Zhenjiang said.

"I need to go to Jiangxia City to find a classmate, so I need Director Dai to help me book two sleeper tickets to Jiangxia City. If possible, I hope Director Dai can also reimburse my travel expenses," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming's request made Su Han and Zhang Lei feel that their worldview was completely wrong: Dai Zhenjiang had already broken the rules to let him buy back the treasury bonds, how could he still make so many requests?

To their surprise, Dai Zhenjiang laughed and said, "That's easy. I have a friend at the station in Linyang City who can help you book the tickets. As for the travel expenses, our bank has a surplus, so it's no problem, but on the condition that you really bring back the 15% interest. If you can't, don't blame me for saying it beforehand; I will deduct it from your money."

"Director Dai is indeed a cautious person," Zhou Ming said. "Rest assured, I will bring back 12,000 yuan in interest for you."