Chapter 567: 524: They're All Wealthy_1

Thirty billion, that’s not a small amount. Although Nie Zhenbang knew that these fellas, supported by policy tilt from above and their shrewd manipulations from below, were involved in various industries, which he had meticulously planned for them. Such an amount of money, shared among so many people, should not pose much of a problem. However, Zhenbang still added, “Thirty billion isn’t an insignificant sum. If you’re having trouble, we’ll see how much you can contribute, and I’ll figure out how to come up with the rest.”

Even Liu Kun didn’t know much about Tenglong Group. Such a huge corporation could impact a country’s economy, therefore Nie Zhenbang’s intent to scatter Tenglong Group around the world was deliberate. First, no country would allow such a large economic entity to overshadow its sovereignty. Second, given his current promising prospects within the system, if it was known that he had such huge economic support, his political career would likely be capped at middle management, no matter how talented he was. If he ever ascended to the top position and had Tenglong Group on his side, who could challenge him domestically? Unchecked power is terrifying.

The reason why there were so many tyrants in olden times was precisely due to unchecked power, which is also why Nie Zhenbang insisted on keeping Tenglong Group decentralized and discreet.

What Nie Zhenbang did not expect, however, was concern over whether Zhao Xinglong and others would have sufficient funds, hence his supplemental comment.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Baoguo smiled and said, “Third Brother, you’ve become detached from the masses.”

“Comrade elder brother, our party comes from the masses, rooted in the masses, relying on the masses, following the masses’ route, this is our party’s basic line. Your thought of detachment from the masses is dangerous and impermissible,” the lively Li Wen•Ge also chirped in.

These scions of distinguished families, who were infamous rascals in their younger years in Jingcheng, were well-versed with political rhetoric.

Nie Zhenbang, knowing well their impudent behaviour and approach, jovially scolded, “Get lost, you brat. If your thoughts wander, wander far away. Don’t start quoting Marx, Engels, Lenin and Mao. What’s your rank? When you see me, you should call me ‘chief’.”

Among them, apart from Liu Kun, Zhao Xinglong and Yang Anbang, who had completely quit the system, the others actually held idle positions in comparatively significant institutions. For instance, Li Hua, the young one, was an advisor in some military committee courtyard, though it was a mystery as to what he advised about.

Hu Baoguo and Li Wen•Ge were legitimate officers with official ranks and posts. This was an unspoken rule amongst the families in Jingcheng. Their children usually held nominal posts, preparing for the future. In case, at any time, they had an epiphany and decided to enter politics, they wouldn’t have to start from scratch. Even if they didn’t enter politics, they could completely break away when the time came.

Now, Hu Baoguo and Li Wen•Ge were both in their thirties, holding official mid-level ranks. From an institutional perspective, they should address Nie Zhenbang as ‘chief’.

Yang Anbang, being in the company of his wife, quickly waved his hand and said, “Alright, alright. Do you think this is still a decade ago? We are all in our thirties. Those who are married are married. Stop acting like little kids. If this gets out, won’t the younger generation in Jingcheng laugh at us?”

After getting married and giving birth, Xiao Yali had become more reserved. The once spirited second Miss Xiao seemed to have vanished. At that moment, she also laughed and said, “Zhenbang, can’t you tell? These guys are mocking you. You have belittled them, isn’t this contempt?”

Liu Kun also chuckled, “Third Brother, you don’t know, right? In Xinli City, there’s oil in Longhua Mining’s fields. Now, Xinglong and Li Hua are quite prosperous. Let alone thirty billion, even if you double that, for these two energy tycoons, it’s nothing much. Nowadays, those coal bosses in Sanjin, they could buy houses with cash in sacks. Would Brother Long and Brother Hua care about this small amount of money?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xinglong was infuriated, “Bullshit, Liu Kun, aren’t you impressive too? The largest landowner in the Xibei Autonomous Region and Caoyuan Province, a person who at any given moment has millions of cattle and sheep in his pen. A person whose foot stamp could fluctuate the prices of beef and mutton. Yet you still dare to taunt me.”

Hearing these words, Nie Zhenbang was also stunned. He had not expected them to be this successful. Since he left Xinli City many years ago, though they still stayed in touch during holidays, they had never discussed these issues. He didn’t expect them to have developed to this level.

That was a good thing. The greater they grow, their power could become his significant leverage. The other families in the country would certainly have to contemplate these factors before coming at him.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “Hold on, hold on, I admit, I was wrong today. I underestimated you brothers, so I will be holding a banquet as an apology. However, now, let’s talk about the situation in Wanghai City.”

For Wanghai City, Nie Zhenbang pulled out nine projects in total. The first project, the Yahai Building, was originally designed to be 68 stories. Now, nearly twenty stories have been completed. The investment for just the construction project is not a small sum. Once it’s finished, the sundry decor and equipment expenses, which are the real money-sink, would appear. In the construction industry, there’s a saying, building a house is not expensive, decorating a house is. In total, the Yahai Building project requires at least three billion.

The second project, the Wanghai New Port project, is, in fact, the biggest among all nine projects. Wanghai City’s port is quite prosperous. As the largest port in southeastern Huaxia, it handles not only goods for Minan but also for several inland provinces in the central region.

The Wanghai New Port is a modern large-scale port co-constructed by the Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee and City Government, and the Eastern Sea Group. Once completed, it will be able to berth large cargo ships of one hundred thousand tons. The total investment is two hundred and thirty-five billion. The City Government contributed land, policies, and one hundred and fifty billion in cash. Now, Eastern Sea Group has already put in thirty billion. After the Eastern Sea case broke, the whole project came to a halt. Now, to take over, including the initial investments, would require at least an investment of a hundred and fifteen billion.

The third project is a few real estate projects such as Tianquan Villa and Yanghai Home, scattered across several districts in Wanghai City. These are all ongoing projects, which collectively need at least thirty billion in funding. However, this aspect is the most straightforward. Eastern Sea Group’s properties are all located in the bustling city center or prime areas of Wanghai City, thus have high potential for appreciation.

The fourth project is the Eastern Sea Group’s Wanghai Film City project. Lin Zhengxing, the person in charge, always adored celebrities. So, investing in such a project is quite natural for him. The entire Wanghai Film City, covering an area of about three thousand acres, has a total investment of five billion. At present, only a third of the project’s work has been completed.

The remaining projects are Eastern Sea Group’s factory projects, with investment amounts not being particularly large. The largest amounts to five or six billion, while the smallest is less than a billion.

After Nie Zhenbang finished presenting these projects, he looked around the room and added: “Brothers, though we grew up together, this time it’s ‘family first, business second’. If you want to undertake these projects, I don’t oppose it, but consider it carefully. I won’t accept if you’re simply doing it to back me up on this.”

“I’m somewhat interested in the port project. How about letting me take that on?” Barely had Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Yang Anbang began to voice his interest on the side. This reaction left Nie Zhenbang somewhat taken aback.

On the side, Xiao Yali also smiled and said, “Old Three, don’t be stunned. Investing in the port is something we’re currently considering as well. The Wal-Mart Group’s retail network has already completed a national layout. Now, it’s time to venture overseas. Owning a port not only benefits the overall logistics layout of the Wal-Mart Group, it’s also a strategic focus for us.”

Then, after some contemplation, Liu Kun nodded and said, “I guess, I’ll take on the Film City project. But, Second Brother, your uncle is the Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, so in the future, you’ll have to help me out in the realm of film and television.”

In the end, Zhao Xinglong of Longhua Mining and Li Hua actually took both the Yahai Building and Tianquan Villa real estate projects wholesale, revealing their extravagant wealth. This investment was not an issue for them at all. Hu Baoguo and Li Wen Ge took the remaining projects.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also stood up, smiled and said, “Since everything has already been set, I guess, tomorrow, we can arrange for people to negotiate the details of the projects. I’m grateful that you all hold me in high regard. So, today, I will play host and throw a feast in everyone’s honor.”

Just then, the room door was pushed open from outside, Nie Jiamin and Gao Wei walked in laughing. Nie Jiamin also chortled, “Old Three, you’re being unfair. You didn’t even inform me about such a big event.”

After a few pleasantries, under the lead of Gao Wei and Nie Jiamin, everyone left the room. At this moment, Zhao Xinglong stayed behind a few steps, and quietly asked, “Third Brother, have you been keeping an eye on Xinli City these past years?”

This question left Nie Zhenbang stunned. Had something happened in Xinli City? (.)