Chapter 6: Speculation and Profiteering

Slap!

When a stack of thick hundred-yuan bills was placed on the table in front of them, Su Han and Zhang Lei's eyes widened in shock. Although Director Dai from the bank had already mentioned that they could exchange the bonds, seeing the actual sum of over fifteen thousand yuan laid out before them was a different experience entirely.

"This is your total principal and interest of fifteen thousand three hundred thirty-four yuan and fifty-eight cents. Please count it," Director Dai said.

At this moment, Su Han and Zhang Lei were so stunned that they couldn't speak. In contrast, Zhou Ming remained calm. He took the money, counted it three times carefully, and then looked up at Director Dai, saying, "It's correct."

After confirming the amount, Zhou Ming packed the money into his bag and stood up, saying to Director Dai, "Thank you, Director Dai. I'll be leaving now."

"Alright, let me walk you out," Director Dai offered.

As they were about to leave, Director Dai suddenly asked Zhou Ming, "Comrade, can you tell me where you got these treasury bonds from?"

Zhou Ming had suspected that Director Dai would ask this question as soon as he offered to escort them out. With a smile, he replied, "I'm here on behalf of the employees' families from our 760 Factory to exchange these."

Director Dai was momentarily stunned by this response but simply shook his head with a smile and walked back into the bank without saying anything further.

Outside the bank, Su Han was gripping Zhou Ming's shirt tightly, her dark eyes wide with excitement as she said, "Zhou Ming, is this for real? Did we really exchange over fifteen thousand yuan? This isn't a dream, right?"

It was understandable for Su Han to be overwhelmed. Just hours earlier, she had been worried about a fine of a few dozen yuan, but now Zhou Ming had easily made five thousand yuan in a matter of hours. It was hard for anyone to believe!

Zhou Ming smiled at Su Han and said, "This is definitely not a dream. We have indeed exchanged over fifteen thousand yuan, and this is just the beginning. We'll make even more money in the future."

At this moment, Zhang Lei, standing beside them, chuckled foolishly, "Yeah, we made over five thousand yuan in just a few hours. If we work hard, we could visit the bank two or three times a day. With fifteen thousand yuan, we could make over forty thousand a month. In two or three months, we'd become millionaires and could even start lending money like that Mr. Gou from Santang!"

Zhou Ming slapped him on the back of the head and said, "Dream on. Your calculations are nice, but don't forget how many treasury bonds we can collect from the factory. The reason we're able to do this easily now is because no one knows the value of the bonds, and no one is competing with us. But do you think we can continue this without anyone noticing? Once others realize, do you think it'll be as easy to make money?"

Zhou Ming paused for a moment and continued, "Did you notice what Director Dai asked me when we left the bank? I suspect he's already started to figure something out."

Zhou Ming's words were like a thunderclap, waking Su Han up.

Although Su Han didn't understand the intricacies of economic transactions, she knew that if only one person was selling eggs in a market, they could make money regardless of how they sold them. But when others start selling eggs too, it becomes harder to sell. Treasury bonds were similar. If Director Dai started competing, they might not be able to collect any more bonds from the factory. Moreover, those who lend money could have their own enforcers. How could they compete with them?

Panicked, Su Han asked Zhou Ming, "What should we do then?"

"Don't worry," Zhou Ming reassured her, "I don't think anyone will come to compete with us within the next three days. As long as we work diligently during these three days, we can make our first fortune. As for the future," Zhou Ming tapped his head, "I have other ways to make money."

Su Han had always trusted Zhou Ming's words, but after witnessing his almost magical ability to make money, she trusted him even more. She said, "Then let's hurry back and continue collecting the treasury bonds."

Zhou Ming nodded, "Of course. But it's likely that Sister Wei has already gathered her relatives and friends to wait for me. They'll be eager to sell me their bonds."

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Su Han burst into laughter. She thought about how those people mocked Zhou Ming as a fool while continuously giving him money. In just a few hours, Zhou Ming earned what would take them years to make. She wondered who the real fool was. If they realized it later, they would probably regret it deeply. Serves them right for trying to take advantage of Zhou Ming and not understanding the value of the treasury bonds!

"Su Han, what are you daydreaming about? We need to head back to the factory," Zhou Ming said.

Su Han snapped out of her thoughts and hopped onto the back of Zhou Ming's bike, holding onto his jacket. As she looked at his broad back, she thought that without Zhou Ming, she might have been just like Sister Wei and others, laughing at others while missing out on a huge opportunity herself. She remembered how her family even considered using treasury bonds to patch windows. Looking back, it was incredibly foolish.

Zhou Ming, who had returned from college, was truly smart and capable. Having someone like him by her side was a great advantage.

As Su Han thought this, she gently rested her head on Zhou Ming's back, secretly pleased with the situation, feeling like she was benefitting from Zhou Ming's ingenuity.

About ten minutes later, Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Zhang Lei arrived back at the factory. Just as Zhou Ming had predicted, with Sister Wei and others spreading the word, many people were waiting at the factory entrance. As soon as they saw Zhou Ming arriving on his bike, they eagerly waved their hands, hoping to sell their bonds before the opportunity passed.

Soon, Zhou Ming's fifteen thousand yuan was spent again, and after this round of exchanges, the amount had increased to twenty-two thousand yuan.

After finishing this round, the bank had closed for the day due to the time, so Zhou Ming and his companions went home.

When Zhou Ming arrived home, he found his parents waiting at the door with serious expressions. It was clear they had heard about his extensive collection of treasury bonds and were waiting to confront him.

Su Han and Zhang Lei wanted to help explain, but Zhou Ming told them to go home first. He then addressed his parents, saying, "Mom and Dad, let's discuss this at home."

Once inside, Zhou Ming's father, Zhou Guoping, asked, "I heard you collected seven or eight thousand yuan worth of treasury bonds at the factory?"

"It wasn't seven or eight thousand, it was ten thousand. The first round was ten thousand, and the second round was fifteen thousand," Zhou Ming answered honestly.

His parents were shocked. They had thought he only collected seven or eight thousand yuan worth of bonds, but now they realized he had collected more than twice that amount, with each round being larger than the last.

His mother, Wang Fengqin, anxiously asked, "Zhou Ming, where did you get so much money? You're not doing anything illegal, are you?"

"Of course not. The money was pooled together by me, Su Han, and Zhang Lei. Do you not trust your own son?" Zhou Ming replied.

"But why did you choose to collect treasury bonds instead of finding other business opportunities? Don't you know that people at the factory are laughing at you?" Wang Fengqin said.

"Let them laugh. If they want to laugh, let them," Zhou Ming said nonchalantly, pulling out twenty thousand yuan from his bag. "Mom and Dad, this is the money I earned today from trading treasury bonds."

Seeing the twenty thousand yuan, his parents were speechless. They had spent their entire lives working at the factory, earning just over a hundred yuan a month, and had never seen so much money. Hearing that Zhou Ming had earned over twelve thousand yuan in one afternoon was beyond their comprehension.

"This—buying treasury bonds at a low price and selling them to the bank for interest—this... this is speculation and profiteering, isn't it?" Wang Fengqin said with concern. "If anyone asks, just say that it was my idea to have you collect the treasury bonds. It has nothing to do with you. You don't know anything, understand?"

Zhou Ming smiled wryly. In modern times, buying low and selling high is a common commercial practice, especially in financial markets. However, in the older generation's view, this was considered speculation and profiteering, which was seen as a crime. That's why Wang Fengqin was so worried, even wanting to take the blame herself out of maternal love.

"Mom, it's fine. The central government has issued a document stating that my actions are legal," Zhou Ming explained.

"Really? How could such behavior be legal?" Wang Fengqin was still skeptical.

Zhou Ming had no choice but to show her old newspapers confirming that the central government allowed free trading of treasury bonds. Only then did his parents relax.

"I never imagined that treasury bonds could be so profitable. You really are resourceful, much more perceptive than those factory workers!" Wang Fengqin said, amazed.

After calming his parents, Zhou Ming asked Zhou Guoping, "Dad, how's your health? If you're still feeling unwell, go to the hospital. I've earned enough money to cover any medical

 expenses."

Zhou Guoping shook his head and said, "It's nothing serious. I went to the hospital after work and got some medicine. It's much better now. You should keep the money for yourself."

Wang Fengqin also added, "Your father's stomach issues are old problems. Don't waste money on it."

Zhou Ming was anxious, but he knew his parents were frugal by nature. Nevertheless, he was determined to earn more money and ensure that even if they were reluctant, he would still take his father to the hospital.