Chapter 112: Leader Qiao Weijiang

It's often said that the efficiency of domestic party and government agencies is slow, but it depends on the situation. In handling certain matters, the efficiency of domestic agencies can be quite high. For example, the arrest of Zhou Hu, the business manager of Shenzhou Company, was completed and transferred to the procuratorate in less than a week. Another example is the establishment of the Securities Preparatory Leadership Team in Nanjing City, which was set up the day after Chen Yunfei convened a meeting with Zhou Ming, Qiao Weijiang, and Luo Han.

The establishment ceremony was held in the banquet hall of the Nanhu Grand Hotel, and both the Municipal Party Secretary Lu Xiong and Mayor Chen Yunfei attended.

During the ceremony, Lu Xiong praised Zhou Ming, Qiao Weijiang, and Luo Han as the "three horses" of Nanjing City, representing the political, business, and financial sectors, respectively. He hoped that the three of them would work together to build a securities market with Chinese characteristics.

This comment made Zhou Ming feel somewhat miraculous. While it made sense that Qiao Weijiang, the Executive Vice Mayor of Nanjing, and Luo Han, the First Deputy General Manager of the South Development Bank, could represent the political and financial sectors, Zhou Ming was surprised to find himself, a former worker's child who had lost his job just a few months ago, now considered a representative of Nanjing's business community. It was hard not to feel a mix of emotions.

Zhou Ming viewed himself as a successful adventurer in speculation, but to others, he was seen as a business magnate with a net worth in the millions, having sold land for 8.5 million and provided the Nanjing City government with advice to resolve a land speculation issue, eventually gaining the favor of Mr. Yang. Now, from the central government to local levels, everyone viewed Zhou Ming as a business tycoon, a label he couldn't easily shed.

Three days after the ceremony, Zhou Ming, Qiao Weijiang, and Luo Han embarked on a journey to Hong Kong City for a study and inspection trip.

At the Nanhu Port, a bus was ready to take them to Hong Kong City. Once everyone was on the bus and seated, Qiao Weijiang stood up and said, "Comrades, we have now entered the territory of Hong Kong City, where we will face the dazzling world of capitalism. However, we must maintain a firm belief in building our motherland. We are here to learn about the operation and regulations of the Hong Kong securities market, and all our activities in Hong Kong will center around this purpose…"

Listening to Qiao Weijiang's entirely doctrinal opening, Zhou Ming felt an urge to vomit. Qiao Weijiang seemed to notice Zhou Ming's distraction and directly called him out, "Comrade Zhou Ming, I know you have spent some time in Hong Kong and have some understanding of the Hong Kong securities market, but this time we are acting collectively. You are not representing just yourself, but our entire group, and even the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee, and even the nation. Therefore, I hope you will follow orders and avoid too much personal thinking, understand?"

This statement made Zhou Ming very uncomfortable. He hadn't even done anything yet, but was being unfairly labeled. It was frustrating for anyone.

However, since they had just arrived in Hong Kong City, Zhou Ming decided not to argue with the bureaucrat and simply nodded, "Understood."

Pleased with Zhou Ming's compliance, Qiao Weijiang felt satisfied. As the Executive Vice Mayor, he was the highest-ranking leader of the delegation and thus expected to oversee everything.

Qiao Weijiang then went on to deliver a long-winded official speech, emphasizing the historical significance of their visit to Hong Kong and urging everyone to perform their duties well and not act on their own initiative, before allowing the driver to start the bus.

About an hour later, the bus arrived in front of a mid-range hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Qiao Weijiang stood up again and said, "We will be staying here tonight. Everyone should keep track of their room keys. In the afternoon, you will all return to your rooms to rest, and in the evening, we will be treated to a welcoming banquet by our Hong Kong colleagues and financial companies. Everyone must present their best spirit and not embarrass ourselves in front of the Hong Kong people, understood?"

Everyone responded in unison, "Understood." At this point, Qiao Weijiang singled out Zhou Ming and said, "Especially Zhou Ming, you need to be more attentive."

"What do I need to pay attention to?" Zhou Ming asked, feeling inexplicably targeted.

"You are the one with the poorest organizational discipline here, so I hope you will always remember that you are part of our team, not to engage in any nonsense, and report any issues to me. Follow orders and stay in line, got it?" Qiao Weijiang said.

Zhou Ming understood that among this team, others were either bureaucrats or closely associated with the bureaucracy, and only he was an outsider. Qiao Weijiang needed to assert his authority to keep him in check and make an example of him. 

Most officials behaved like this, but it was still annoying.

"Rest assured, Mayor Qiao, I will certainly comply with organizational leadership and arrangements," Zhou Ming said.

Qiao Weijiang acknowledged with a grunt but didn't let Zhou Ming off easily. He continued, "Comrade Zhou Ming, I'm not targeting you personally. It's just to manage the team better. We are in a strange city in Hong Kong, and as your leader, I have the obligation to oversee you. So, I hope you don't harbor any resentment and take this matter seriously, understand?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Mayor Qiao, I understand."

Qiao Weijiang seized the opportunity to further lecture Zhou Ming on leadership until someone from the hotel came to check on the situation. Only then did Qiao Weijiang let Zhou Ming go, and they entered the hotel together.

After taking a shower and visiting Luo Han to discuss the recent situation at the South Development Bank, Zhou Ming learned that, like in his past life, the sales of South Development stocks were poor before the securities market was established. Besides the six million shares he and Du Peng bought, the rest were mainly distributed by the government, with only a few local farmers buying a bit.

Luo Han hoped Zhou Ming, as a major shareholder, could help boost the sales. However, Zhou Ming simply patted his shoulder and said, "It's okay, don't worry. The securities market in Nanjing isn't up and running yet. Stocks without circulation are just scrap paper, and no one wants scrap paper. But once the securities market is up, as the first truly significant stock, South Development's stock will definitely skyrocket. You, as the First Deputy General Manager, should have confidence."

Hearing this, Luo Han felt relieved. Zhou Ming then chatted with Luo Han about the securities market before heading back to his room. Unexpectedly, he ran into Qiao Weijiang right outside.

Seeing Zhou Ming coming out of Luo Han's room, Qiao Weijiang's face darkened and he scolded, "Zhou Ming, what's the matter with you? Didn't I tell everyone to rest in their rooms and prepare for the evening banquet? Why aren't you resting? Do you have any sense of organizational discipline?"

"I'm going back to my room to rest now, is that okay?"

As Zhou Ming was about to turn back to his room, Qiao Weijiang persisted, "What kind of attitude is that? Is this how you treat a leader?"

Faced with Qiao Weijiang's behavior, Zhou Ming had no choice but to wait patiently for him to finish scolding before he could return to his room.

At around 6:30 p.m., Qiao Weijiang's secretary came to call Zhou Ming and the others downstairs. After everyone gathered in the lobby, Qiao Weijiang finally came down, checked that no one was missing, and led everyone to the car to the Peninsula Hotel.

On the way, Qiao Weijiang once again advised everyone, "The Peninsula Hotel we are going to is a very historic and top-notch hotel in Hong Kong City. Holding the welcoming banquet here shows the high level of this event, so you all need to be in high spirits and present our best appearance!"

"Mayor Qiao, which unit in Hong Kong is hosting us this time?" Luo Han asked cautiously.

"It's the Jinming Fund Company," Qiao Weijiang replied.

Hearing this name, Zhou Ming was stunned because the Jinming Fund Company was one he was very familiar with—it was the fund company he had set up himself. What a coincidence that Qiao Weijiang had contacted his own company.

"This fund company is a very famous fund company in Hong Kong, having been featured in Hong Kong's most authoritative financial media, the Hong Kong Island Financial Column. They are very strong. Tonight, leaders of Jinming Fund Company will attend the welcoming banquet. Follow me well, and as the leader of this team, I will show you how to interact with Hong Kong people," Qiao Weijiang said.

When the car arrived at the Peninsula Hotel, Zhou Ming and the others got out and followed Qiao Weijiang into the hotel.

As soon as they entered the door, Zhou Ming saw the familiar figure of Lin Muqing. She was dressed in an elegant purple evening gown, with her long hair styled up, looking noble and dignified, with a touch of feminine allure. Her gown revealed a bit of her black stocking-clad legs and red high heels, adding a layer of sensuality

 to her grace. Accompanying Lin Muqing was her secretary, Amin, and familiar faces from the company: Wang Yunlong, Cao Haiyang, and Sun Wei.

Even Zhou Ming, when he saw Lin Muqing, was struck by her appearance, thinking to himself: This woman looks incredibly stunning.

Others were even more affected. Zhou Ming heard a collective gasp from behind and saw that everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Muqing, wishing their eyes were telescopes to get a closer look.

At this moment, Qiao Weijiang's voice came through: "Everyone, wake up. Haven't you seen a woman before? Let me tell you, she is the owner of Jinming Fund Company, a well-known big boss in Hong Kong. You all need to focus and conduct yourselves properly. As your leader, I will teach you how to interact with her."

Qiao Weijiang then said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, I know you've been to Hong Kong before, but it's probably your first time meeting someone like her. Learn well from me."

Although Qiao Weijiang said this, Zhou Ming still noticed that he subconsciously swallowed his saliva after speaking, clearly also impressed by Lin Muqing's beauty.

Qiao Weijiang then had his secretary greet Lin Muqing, who noticed Zhou Ming and the group. 

Lin Muqing immediately walked over with a smile. Qiao Weijiang stood with a straight back, waiting for the beauty to approach. However, to his surprise, Lin Muqing bypassed him and directly shook hands with Zhou Ming, smiling, "Mr. Zhou, hello."