The whole Bai Group consisted of three sections – door and semiconductor production, as well as real estate.
The local hotels and shopping malls were all developed by Bai Group. They solved the local unemployment issues but did not accept migrant workers, resulting in only a small population in Baicheng. Thus, all of Bai Group’s property development was conducted in other cities. From the information Guan Jing gave him, he could see exactly which cities they were distributed in.
It just so happened that he knew several real estate tycoons who developed properties all over the country. He picked up his phone and made a call.
The call connected quickly, and it was his secretary who answered it. “This is Zong Jinghao. I’m looking for Mr. Xu.”
At that moment, Mr. Xu was looking through the monthly sales. He seemed to be in high spirits because their company sales had surpassed his expectations.
Naturally, he would be in a good mood.
He had a cigarette in his mouth when his secretary came in. “Mr. Zong is on the line.”
Mr. Xu looked at his secretary with a dubious expression. “Who?”
He thought that he had hallucinated.
“It’s Mr. Zong from Wanyue Group,” the secretary repeated.
Mr. Xu gave his secretary a flat stare. “Do you think I don’t know who that is? I’m just shocked that he’d find me. Transfer the call to me now.”
The secretary passed the call to him, and he immediately answered with a smile. “Mr. Zong? What a pleasant surprise! To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Zong Jinghao held the phone against his ear and leaned into his chair while fiddling with a pen with his free hand. The tone he used was one people frequently used during business matters; neither enthusiastic nor unfriendly, but just right. He smiled into the phone and said, “Are you saying that I don’t contact you often enough?”
“Of course not! You’re a busy man, Mr. Zong. Also, I heard that the new energy development you invested in some time ago is flourishing. Congratulations!”
Zong Jinghao had completely revolutionized Wanyue. No industry could prosper forever; things would begin to decline after reaching their peak. This fact was unchangeable because the rise of industry would also attract a large number of competitors.
A cake could only be so big. The more people wanted a piece of it, the lesser the profits each of them would receive.
Every industry was also advancing through continuous pioneering and reformation, but these required a sizeable amount of financial funding. Those with weak foundations were naturally eliminated from the competition because they did not have the funds to realize the innovations and reformations at all.
The initial investment for innovation was very large, and those without a big fortune would never dare to venture into that.
Zong Jinghao had known this since a long time ago. Hence, he had already begun the process of reformation in the past few years. Under the premise of continuous innovation in his main businesses and preserving his leadership role throughout it, he recruited talents and valued them as well. He was willing to pay a generous capital, which benefited him in the end by giving him a group of immensely capable researchers.
He invested in pharmaceutical research and development, new energy, CPU, etc.
Outsiders knew that he and Tang Che had established Superior Investment Bank. In truth, he was the person in charge, while Tang Che was only his partner in name and would receive annual dividends.
Profiting alone would easily bring all kinds of trouble to his doorstep as Tang Che had relevant connections. Moreover, the two of them partnering up, albeit only in name, fortified their stand and ensured that no one dared to cause trouble.
An investment bank would naturally focus on investment. As long as the interest rate was slightly higher than that of ordinary banks, it would be able to attract investors.
He had an eye for investments. Hence, he was able to use the investors’ investment to invest in whatever he wanted to develop.
And no one knew that he was the major shareholder in all the industries he invested in, nor that the developers and money all came from him.
Only one-third of the profits were spent.
A new project innovation meant that it had the ability to occupy the top of the industry, and it was also the beginning of an era of huge profits. Of course, latecomers were at a disadvantage.
When the popularity of this industry eventually died down, he would have new technologies in the many other fields that he invested in, shaking the business world again.
It would be an infinite loop – one that he created to his own liking.
And he would be the person with ultimate control over all of it.
His game plan was basically progressing on the right track.
“I have a project on hand. You can join in if you’re interested, Mr. Xu.” Businessmen prioritized profits. Thus, they would never willingly do something without getting benefits in return.
Zong Jinghao was well-versed in this aspect.
Everyone in the business circle was sensible enough to know that benefits did not just drop from the sky. “Mr. Zong, please tell me whatever it is that you need.”
Zong Jinghao briefly glanced at the information on Bai Group. The urban areas where Bai Group developed their real estates were all listed. “Do the cities where Bai Group has developed their real estate have any conflict with your company?”
An astute businessman was excellent at saying just enough to make his point. Mr. Xu was not too bad himself either. “Which business doesn’t have competition? There will always be conflicts. Did this Bai Group do something to offend you, Mr. Zong?”
“There’s just one particular person who doesn’t sit well with me.”
“I see. Well, it definitely says a lot about that person. Leave this matter to me,” Mr. Xu readily agreed.
If he managed to pull this off, Zong Jinghao would definitely reward him for it. It would be a win-win for both sides.
Besides, it would not hurt to look into a potential competitor and get rid of him before he could cause any trouble.
“Then, I shall await the good news, Mr. Xu. Even though the new energy project has already been developed, if you’re interested, I can offer you a share.”
“Oh my, Mr. Zong. You’re too kind! Of course, I’m interested. I’ll come bearing good news very soon. Just wait for me.” Mr. Xu was grinning from ear to ear.
Joining at this point would only mean receiving dividends. Although he could only have one share, it would still bring a lot of money.
“Contact Guan Jing directly. I’ll let him know to expect you.”
“Sure, sure.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zong Jinghao ended the call. Just then, Guan Jing knocked on his door and came in. He had found out that Tang Che’s brother-in-law had the surname “Li” and was a rather young lad.
“Mr. Li is here. Do you want to have the discussion here or in the reception area?”
Zong Jinghao replied, “Let’s do it here. Get my secretary to bring in two cups of coffee.”
Guan Jing nodded in understanding and left his office.
Li Qirui was wearing cropped trousers that exposed his ankles together with a pair of casual brown leather shoes. A blue outer coat was worn over a white T-shirt, while his neck was adorned by a silver chain with a skull dangling at the end of it. There was a limited edition Diagono watch encircling his wrist, and he had a head of ash grey hair which seemed to be the recent trend.
Because of Zong Jinghao’s close relationship with Tang Che, he had had a few meals with the former before, and they were considered quite familiar with each other. Before he came here today, Tang Che had said that if Zong Jinghao requested anything from him, he was to do it without asking any questions.
“Mr. Zong,” he greeted with a polite smile.
“Take a seat.” Zong Jinghao gestured with his hand.
“My brother-in-law said to let me know if you need anything. You’re no outsider, after all.” Li Qirui pulled out a chair and sat down.
Zong Jinghao smiled faintly. “Looks like I’ll have to treat your brother-in-law to a meal.”
“Can I tag along too? He never takes me out.” Li Qirui had quite a lot of complaints about that brother-in-law of his.
“Why not.” Then, Zong Jinghao quickly dived into the main topic. “Is Bai Group’s semiconductor business doing well?”
“My direct competitor is a wheelchair-bound crippled man. I have met him a few times, and I have to admit, he’s quite a capable person.”
“We can start a price war with him. I’ll compensate for the price difference.”
With both Mr. Xu and Li Qirui taking action at the same time, no matter how capable Bai Yinning was, he would not be able to handle what was coming for him. Furthermore, he planned to use a three-pronged strategy.
“You don’t even need to ask, Mr. Zong. I never liked that guy anyway. He snatched a major client of mine last time, and I never got the chance to even the score.” When speaking of Bai Yinning, Li Qirui could not help but grit his teeth.
Two of the same trade seldom agreed. This was a very true fact.
Li Qirui leaned forward against the desk with interest. “Is there a specific reason you’re doing this? Or was it because you dislike that cripple too?”
