Chapter 96: Brainwashing the Bank Executives

Zhou Ming raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet before he said, "I know many of you are dissatisfied with the newly introduced policy. I can also tell you that this policy was indeed my idea. But whether you believe it or not, the truth is, I came up with this idea to help you."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a wave of disapproval from below: "Who are you trying to fool? Young people like you are already good at lying? Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe that!"

"That's right!" another person echoed, "You encourage Mayor Chen to impose regulations on us while claiming to help us. This logic is ridiculous! Are you saying that if I slap you today and say it's for your own good, you'd be grateful? How childish!"

"Don't jump to conclusions. Please listen to what I have to say."

As soon as Zhou Ming said that, someone below responded, "Alright, let's hear what you have to say."

"You all know that I was involved in the auction of the first piece of land in Nanjing. I sold it for 8.5 million. This price was what really made the city government decide to pursue land auctions."

Zhou Ming's statement was shameless, and he felt embarrassed himself. He knew that even without his involvement, the Nanjing City Government would eventually have held land auctions as part of a pilot program for housing reform. But Zhou Ming had to say this because it was necessary. His return and previous success gave the city government significant confidence, making his claims seem plausible.

"You all know how much I sold the land for, but does anyone know how much I bought it for?" Zhou Ming asked.

The question left everyone stunned. The bank executives looked at each other, clearly not knowing the answer.

"1.5 million—that's the price I paid to the government for that land," Zhou Ming revealed.

The answer astonished everyone. They stared at Zhou Ming in disbelief: "How is that possible?"

No one believed this answer. The auction's starting price was 5 million. If the purchase price was only 1.5 million, how could Zhou Ming set such a high starting price without fearing an unsuccessful auction? Moreover, he ended up making a profit of 7 million, which was almost like printing money!

"Impossible? But that's the fact," Zhou Ming said. "With your status, I don't need to lie to you."

The bank executives nodded. Indeed, Zhou Ming had no reason to lie. With their positions, they could easily verify the truth. So was it true? Had Zhou Ming really bought land for 1.5 million and sold it for 8.5 million?

Seeing this, the bank executives looked at Zhou Ming with admiration: Who is this person? He's extraordinary!

Amidst the admiration, Zhou Ming continued, "I'm telling you this not for any other reason, but to make you reflect on the current land prices."

"I inquired yesterday, and now if you want to buy land, you'd need at least 15 million," Zhou Ming said. "From 1.5 million to 15 million, Nanjing's land prices have increased tenfold in just over a month. Do you think this figure makes sense? Is the land in Nanjing really worth that much?"

The room fell silent. The executives who had been noisy before were now quiet. Zhou Ming continued, "You're all bank executives and financial giants in Nanjing. I'm sure you've heard of the term 'bubble economy.'"

"Are you saying that the land prices in Nanjing are a bubble?" someone below asked reflexively.

Zhou Ming chuckled and replied, "Isn't it obvious?"

The person who asked the question blushed. If it weren't a bubble economy, how could land prices rise so quickly? Asking such a question as an executive was indeed embarrassing.

"Since it's a bubble economy, the bubble will eventually burst. If it were just some capitalists speculating, it might be bearable. But the problem is, there are no capitalists in our country. The money used for speculation is all loaned from your banks. So, when this speculative boom ends, who will bear the cost of this bubble?"

No one answered Zhou Ming's question, and no one dared to, because they all knew the answer.

"It will be each of you sitting here!" Zhou Ming said emphatically. "Imagine that after the bubble bursts, you'll be left with a pile of land that isn't worth that much, resulting in bad loans and potentially a banking crisis. In the end, you'll face severe consequences from the higher-ups, losing your positions and even going to prison!"

These words made everyone shiver. They all thought about this outcome, but someone tentatively said, "Isn't that a bit too serious?"

"If you think I'm alarmist, you can leave right now!" Zhou Ming said.

If Zhou Ming had said this a few minutes earlier, it would have incited the executives' anger, and they might have risen in protest. But now, the executive who was reprimanded could only lower his head like a student who had made a mistake, while others looked at him disdainfully, thinking he should not have challenged Zhou Ming.

This reaction shocked Du Peng and Kong Xiaolin. Du Peng was used to Zhou Ming's extraordinary feats, but Kong Xiaolin was stunned. She couldn't believe how the arrogant executives had suddenly become obedient. What kind of magic had Zhou Ming performed?

Little did Kong Xiaolin know, this was just the beginning. There were even more surprising developments to come.

"You are all bank executives and leaders, and you understand some matters better than I do. Whether I am alarmist or not, I trust you can judge for yourselves. What you think will be more convincing than what I tell you."

Zhou Ming paused for a moment and then continued, "I only have one question to ask you: Are you willing to bear the cost of this economic bubble and take the blame for these speculators, or are you willing to get promoted, earn more, and hold higher positions with more power? Tell me!"

As soon as Zhou Ming finished, someone below answered immediately, "Of course, we want to be promoted!"

Zhou Ming, as if he hadn't heard, asked again with a higher tone, "Do you want to be promoted?"

"Yes!" The bank executives answered in unison.

But Zhou Ming was not satisfied and raised his voice again, and the executives responded even more excitedly.

"Great!" Zhou Ming asked immediately, "Since you want to be promoted, but now someone wants to block you, not only preventing your promotion but also sending you to jail, what will you do?"

"Of course, we'll get rid of them!" someone said, clenching his fists.

Zhou Ming continued, "But now, with the land speculation craze, many companies want loans to speculate, and their loans are legitimate. They also offer you many benefits. What will you do?"

"Of course, our future is more important. Those speculators should be left to their fate!" another person shouted.

Zhou Ming clapped his hands and said, "Yes, exactly. It's because I understand your feelings that I did this!"

Then Zhou Ming relaxed and continued, "When I initially suggested to Mayor Chen that we use the financial system to control the funds to curb land speculation, many people didn't understand. They thought I was cowardly, incapable, or unwilling to confront speculators head-on, and even wished to cut me to pieces!"

"But," Zhou Ming changed his tone, "I didn't back down because I'm your friend. I want to help you."

"To be honest, I started by dealing in government bonds in Jingchu Province. You may have heard of it. Later, I had the opportunity to speculate in futures in the Port City with bank loans. Therefore, the banks have been like my brothers. Seeing the banking system taking the blame for these speculators, I just couldn't bear it!" Zhou Ming said with deep emotion.

Zhou Ming's emotional speech touched everyone. Bank of China's President Tian said, "Sorry, Zhou Consultant. We misjudged you. You were really thinking about us!"

Then, Bank of Communications' President Wu said, "Sorry, Zhou Consultant. We misunderstood you. You really treated our banking system as your own family. Don't worry, I'll withdraw the funds and cut off those speculators' money. Let's see what they'll use to speculate!"

With these two major bank presidents leading the way, other executives also promised to follow Zhou Ming's advice and cooperate with him.

Seeing the bank executives' responses, Zhou Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief: It seemed he had performed well today and successfully brainwashed these bank executives!