Chapter 8: Higher Interest Rates  

"Yeah, I'm bullying you, so what? What can you do about it? If you have the guts, come hit me!" Malin taunted arrogantly, slapping his own face as if inviting a fight.

Watching Malin's smug expression, Su Han and Zhang Lei were furious, but Zhou Ming remained calm, saying, "I didn't expect you to act so quickly, but do you really think your actions will stop my business with the treasury bonds?"

"What else can you do? Oh, I forgot to tell you, not only did my dad have that notice posted at the factory, but he also instructed the security office to distribute it to the neighboring townships. If you try collecting bonds elsewhere, be careful, or the farmers there might beat you to death with sticks! And even if they don't, getting dragged to the local police station by the production teams won't be a pleasant experience!" Malin boasted.

Zhou Ming was surprised by this; he hadn't expected Malin's father to go to such lengths. It was clear that Malin had informed his father about the bond business, and seeing the huge potential profits, his father decided to use his power to monopolize the bond trade by posting notices everywhere.

"Malin, your dad may be the most powerful deputy director at our factory, but you still can't stop my bond business. There are things I didn't plan on doing just yet, but it seems I have no choice now," Zhou Ming said.

"Do whatever you want. I'll be right here waiting for you!" Malin laughed loudly as he walked away.

---

"What should we do, Zhou Ming?" Su Han asked, clearly distressed. Zhang Lei, standing beside her, was equally worried, though he said nothing.

Zhou Ming understood that they were at a loss, which was normal. Anyone would be overwhelmed when faced with this kind of pressure through connections, unless they had exceptional resources.

"Do you really think Malin's actions will prevent us from running our treasury bond business? His dad is just a deputy director; do you really believe their family can control everything in Nan Hui County?" Zhou Ming asked.

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

"Su Han, you're forgetting someone," Zhou Ming reminded her, "the director of the county Agricultural Bank, Director Dai. We can go to him and partner with him for this bond business."

This was actually a move Zhou Ming had planned from the beginning, ever since Director Dai had tested him. As someone who had lived another lifetime, Zhou Ming knew very well that such a lucrative and risk-free business couldn't be handled by someone without power. Initially, others might not have realized the profit potential, but once they did, they would use their influence to grab the money. Zhou Ming knew he needed a powerful partner, and he chose Dai Zhenjiang, the director of the county Agricultural Bank.

First, Director Dai had already shown interest by testing him earlier, making it easier to approach him without fear of rejection. Second, with over twenty years of future knowledge, Zhou Ming knew that Dai Zhenjiang would later leave the bank and rise to the position of Director of the Provincial Finance Department, which would be impossible without strong backing.

Moreover, banks in this era were not as widespread as they would be in the future; Nan Hui County only had two banks, the Construction Bank and the Agricultural Bank. If Dai Zhenjiang, the director of the Agricultural Bank, had no connections with county leaders, Zhou Ming wouldn't believe it.

Zhou Ming had originally planned to approach Director Dai after others had caught wind of the treasury bond profits and competition had increased. But with Malin's actions forcing his hand, Zhou Ming had to act sooner.

He brought Su Han and Zhang Lei to the county Agricultural Bank. Zhou Ming walked straight up to the bank staff and said, "I'm Zhou Ming, the one who came yesterday to exchange ten thousand yuan in treasury bonds. I need to see your Director Dai."

The bank staff were taken aback by Zhou Ming's confident demeanor and hesitated for a moment before reporting to Dai Zhenjiang. After a while, they invited Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Zhang Lei inside.

In the same reception room as before, Director Dai invited them to sit on the sofa. After scrutinizing Zhou Ming for a few moments, he asked, "What brings you here today, Zhou Ming? Are you here to exchange an even larger amount of treasury bonds?"

Zhou Ming shook his head. "No, I'm here to discuss a partnership with you, Director Dai. You seemed curious about why I exchanged such a large amount of treasury bonds yesterday."

"I think I understand your intentions. You're proposing a partnership to trade treasury bonds together, aren't you?" Director Dai asked.

Zhou Ming nodded, and Director Dai leaned back, relaxing into the sofa. "If you had come yesterday, I would have gladly agreed. But unfortunately, today it might be more difficult. I've already heard about the notice posted at your factory. If you continue collecting treasury bonds there, they'll arrest you, right?"

Su Han and Zhang Lei gasped. They hadn't expected Director Dai to already know about this. Zhou Ming had been right; Director Dai was indeed well-connected in the county. The notice had only been posted that morning, yet Director Dai was already aware.

This complicated things. Their only bargaining chip with Director Dai was the bond business. If he knew about it, that meant someone from the factory must have informed him. With his connections, he could easily take over the business himself or partner with someone more powerful. Why would he choose them?

What should they do now?

Su Han and Zhang Lei were extremely anxious, as the situation seemed overwhelmingly against them. But Zhou Ming remained calm. "Director Dai, it's clear that you're well-informed and perceptive, able to keep an eye on everything happening around you."

Director Dai was surprised by Zhou Ming's calm demeanor. He could see that Zhou Ming was genuinely confident, but he couldn't figure out the source of that confidence. He asked, "Do you really think I would still agree to partner with you?"

"Of course, as long as you're interested in making money, I'm sure my proposal will satisfy you," Zhou Ming said. "From the rates I exchanged yesterday, it seems that the interest rate in Nan Hui County is around 11% to 12% annually, correct? But what if I could raise that rate to at least 15%?"

Zhou Ming's question shocked Director Dai, making him sit up straight. He stared at Zhou Ming in disbelief, trying to read something in Zhou Ming's eyes but finding nothing. Zhou Ming met his gaze calmly, showing no signs of hesitation, which suggested that Zhou Ming might really be able to raise the interest rate from 12% to 15%.

While Director Dai was scrutinizing Zhou Ming, Zhou Ming was also studying him. Zhou Ming noticed a hint of frustration in Director Dai's eyes and silently celebrated. He knew he had taken the first step in convincing Director Dai. As the director of the county Agricultural Bank, Dai Zhenjiang prided himself on being the most knowledgeable about treasury bonds in Nan Hui County. But he couldn't fathom how Zhou Ming could possibly raise the interest rate. If he wanted to profit, he had no choice but to partner with Zhou Ming.

Director Dai was shocked, and so were Su Han and Zhang Lei. Zhou Ming hadn't mentioned this to them before. They couldn't understand why Zhou Ming would make such a bold claim. Treasury bonds were issued by the state, and even banks didn't have the authority to change the interest rates. How could Zhou Ming raise the rates? Had Zhou Ming lost his mind in a desperate bid to win over Director Dai? But that didn't seem like Zhou Ming at all.

"Director Dai, it seems like you don't believe me," Zhou Ming said.

"Why should I believe you?" Director Dai replied. "The interest rate on treasury bonds is set by the state. How could you possibly raise it?"

Zhou Ming seemed to have expected this response. "Director Dai, I didn't come here today to make you believe me, nor did I intend to persuade you of anything. I simply want to buy back the treasury bonds I exchanged yesterday. When I return with the money, I think the results will speak for themselves."

"Are you planning to buy them back at an interest rate of 15% per annum?" Director Dai asked.

Zhou Ming nodded. "Of course."

Director Dai took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, then slapped his thigh and decided, "Alright! It might not be entirely within the rules, but as long as I have the authority, I'll let you buy back all the treasury bonds you exchanged, and you can pay the interest once you've made your profits."

"Director Dai, you truly are a straightforward person," Zhou Ming said.

Director Dai had the bank's accountant calculate the exact amount, then handed the treasury bonds to Zhou Ming. "These are 22,000 yuan in treasury bonds. According to the 15% annual interest rate you mentioned, you still owe me 13,000 yuan in interest."

Su Han and Zhang Lei were 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 else could the interest exceed half of the principal? It was practically daylight robbery!

"No problem," Zhou Ming agreed readily. "But I'll need Director Dai to help me with something."

"What do you need?" Director Dai asked.

"I need to go to Jiangxia City to meet a classmate, so I need Director Dai to book two sleeper train tickets for me. If possible, I'd also like you to cover the travel expenses," Zhou Ming said.

This request made Su Han and Zhang Lei question their understanding of Zhou Ming. Director Dai had already bent the rules by letting them buy back the treasury bonds

 on credit. How could Zhou Ming ask for even more?

But instead of being offended, Director Dai laughed. "That's easy. I have connections at the train station in Linyang City. Booking two sleeper tickets is no problem, and as for the travel expenses, our bank is quite generous, so that won't be an issue either. But remember, you'll have to pay back the interest first if things don't work out."

"Director Dai, you're as cautious as ever," Zhou Ming replied. "But don't worry. You'll soon have 12,000 yuan in interest coming your way."