Chapter 64: Difficult Development in the South

"Brother Ming, I remember you asked Dupeng to inquire about the stock of Nanjing Development Bank yesterday, right?"

Upon hearing Tang Ran's question, Zhou Ming was momentarily stunned. In his memory, Tang Ran, though sometimes a bit naive, had always been a well-behaved and understanding young lady. She rarely interjected in his business discussions, so he was surprised that she brought this up as soon as he came to pick her up from work.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Yes, I did ask Dupeng to look into that. Why do you ask?"

"Because today someone claiming to be the manager of Nanjing Development Bank came to our office to promote that stock you mentioned," Tang Ran explained.

"Really?" Zhou Ming was surprised. "Where is he now? How did his promotion go?"

Tang Ran thought for a moment and shook her head, "His promotion didn't go well. People at our office didn't believe him and thought he was a fraud. Later, our security department escorted him out, and he didn't sell a single stock. I didn't say anything because Brother Ming, you said this stock could make money. I didn't want them to take advantage of you. As for the person, he left a while ago, so I don't know where he is now."

Zhou Ming patted Tang Ran's head and said, "It's good that you didn't speak up. Whether I make money or not is secondary. The main thing is that you might end up being laughed at at work!"

"As long as I can help Brother Ming make money, I don't mind being thought of as a fool," Tang Ran replied.

"Alright, enough of this. Let's go," Zhou Ming said as he took Tang Ran's hand and led her to the roadside. Just as Zhou Ming was about to hail a cab, Tang Ran suddenly pointed into the distance and said, "Brother Ming, the person who was promoting the stocks is over there."

Following Tang Ran's direction, Zhou Ming saw a young man talking to two passersby. His bank uniform was soaked with sweat, and he had a bulging bag at his feet, resembling a street vendor in appearance.

"Ranran, let's go check him out first, and we'll have dinner later, okay?" Zhou Ming asked.

Tang Ran, who was very fond of Zhou Ming, agreed without hesitation. They walked hand in hand toward the man. According to Tang Ran's memory, the man was named Li Hong and claimed to be the manager of Nanjing Development Bank.

"Comrade, I am indeed a manager from Nanjing Development Bank. We are raising funds for our bank through these stocks. If you buy them today, you will have proof of investment, and when our bank makes money in the future, you will receive dividends," Li Hong was saying.

"Make money? What guarantees do you have that you'll make money? I've never heard of Nanjing Development Bank. If your company goes bankrupt, who will I collect dividends from?" one passerby asked.

When Zhou Ming and Tang Ran arrived, Li Hong was struggling to sell the stocks but was met with skepticism. People feared their money would go to waste.

Zhou Ming felt a pang of sadness. Although he had heard that Nanjing Development Bank faced difficulties when it first issued stocks, he hadn't expected it to be this bad. Reflecting on a year later, when Nanjing Development Bank's stock became the first listed stock on the Nanjing Stock Exchange and was fiercely sought after, it was hard to imagine that no one wanted the stock back then. The name "Nanjing Development" seemed to have been prophetic, indicating how challenging it would be for the bank to grow.

While Zhou Ming was lost in thought, the passersby had left, and Li Hong looked disheartened as he packed up his things to move on. He suddenly spotted Zhou Ming and asked, "Comrade, would you like to buy some stocks? I'm a manager from Nanjing Development Bank, and these stocks are available. If you buy them today, you'll be eligible for future dividends when our bank earns profits."

Despite Li Hong's words, Zhou Ming noticed a lack of enthusiasm in his eyes, only seeing disappointment and confusion. Looking at the bulging bag of stocks at Li Hong's feet, it seemed he had been discouraged all day.

"Ah! It seems you're not planning to buy either. I'm sorry for bothering you," Li Hong said as he prepared to leave.

Zhou Ming called out to him, "I haven't said I wouldn't buy. But how can I be sure you're really from Nanjing Development Bank and that these stocks are genuine?"

Li Hong was taken aback and replied, "I'm wearing the bank's uniform, and these stocks are just what's left. Are there any fakes?"

Li Hong then seemed to have an epiphany, his eyes lighting up as if he had just encountered a savior after a lifetime of suffering. He eagerly asked Zhou Ming, "Did you just say you would buy these stocks?"

Zhou Ming nodded and handed Li Hong a thousand yuan, saying, "I don't have much money with me right now, just this."

Li Hong took the money in disbelief, staring at it as if he were frozen. "Comrade, you've given me the money. You need to take the stocks," Zhou Ming reminded him.

Li Hong, now wide-eyed with gratitude, thanked Zhou Ming profusely. He then carefully counted out fifty-five stocks for Zhou Ming, saying, "Each stock is twenty yuan. You've paid one thousand, so you should get fifty stocks. However, our bank has a promotion, so I can give you fifty-five stocks."

Zhou Ming waved his hand, "That's not necessary. You can keep those extra five stocks for yourself. But I have some questions about these stocks that I need you to answer."

Li Hong eagerly agreed, "No problem, comrade. I'll answer any questions you have. I'll be thorough with my answers. The five extra stocks are a policy gift from the bank."

Zhou Ming, surprised by Li Hong's honesty, took the fifty-five stock certificates and handed them to Tang Ran to put in her bag. He then took Li Hong to a nearby tea house and chose a good spot.

Once seated, Li Hong looked around the tea house. After Zhou Ming ordered tea and snacks, Li Hong cautiously asked, "Are you a major businessman?"

"I'm doing okay, just made some money from business," Zhou Ming downplayed. He then asked Li Hong, "What exactly is your position at Nanjing Development Bank?"

Li Hong, knowing Zhou Ming was knowledgeable, replied honestly, "I'm the business marketing manager at the East Gate branch of the bank."

"You, as a branch manager, are personally running market promotions and selling stocks on the street? Is the sales situation this dire at your bank?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise.

Li Hong looked embarrassed and said, "It's unavoidable. Nanjing Development Bank has just been established, and we don't have enough staff. The leaders above have instructed us to promote the stocks ourselves. I'm just following orders."

"And the results?" Zhou Ming pressed.

Li Hong shook his head, "The results are very poor. As you saw, no one believes in our bank's stocks. Even those with higher education and understanding of stocks are skeptical. Sales are slow."

Zhou Ming nodded silently, then asked a probing question, "Is this the case for all the bank's stocks, or is it just your branch's situation?"

Li Hong was taken aback and then replied seriously, "Of course, it's the public's misunderstanding of our bank's stocks. My sales performance is actually among the best in our branch. As a business manager, I'm expected to set an example."

Zhou Ming sensed Li Hong's frustration and said, "I understand. Don't get too worked up. I wasn't trying to provoke you."

Realizing that people in the tea house were watching them, Li Hong felt embarrassed and apologized. Zhou Ming waved it off, "No need to apologize. I was just testing your reaction. As long as you don't hit me, we're fine. If you do, I might fight back."

Li Hong laughed and said, "I wouldn't do that."

After chatting for a while, Zhou Ming let Li Hong go. Once Li Hong had left, Zhou Ming leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. Tang Ran, who had been watching him with concern, finally asked, "Brother Ming, are you worried that the bank's stocks might not be good and you might lose money?"

Zhou Ming shook his head, "No, I'm just thinking about something else."

Tang Ran wasn't convinced, "If the stocks weren't bad, why did that person say no one wanted them?"

"That's because people's perspectives are skewed. Some don't understand stocks and don't see their value, while others have been scammed by fake companies and stocks before, so they're wary of investing," Zhou Ming explained. Seeing Tang Ran hesitate, he teasingly asked, "Are you losing faith in my judgment?"

Tang Ran said, "No, I just don't want you to suffer."

Zhou Ming laughed, "Don't worry, my dear. I'm ready to take on any losses."

Tang Ran was surprised, "You're sure it will be a loss?"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Absolutely certain."

Tang Ran realized, "So Brother Ming, you were just testing me. This stock will definitely make money, right?"

Zhou Ming affirmed, "Definitely."