Chapter 139: I Call Your Mother a B!

Zhou Ming waited in the best private room at the Nanhu Hotel. After a while, the door was knocked, and the service staff opened it. Zhang Heng, the deputy director of the Securities Market Construction Leading Group's office, entered with several middle-aged men.

Seeing these people, Zhou Ming quickly stood up to greet them. Zhang Heng introduced them, saying, "This is Zheng Yi, Chairman of Ye'an Corporation; this is Zhou Yuan, Chairman of Wantian Corporation; this is Cui Jiang, Chairman of Jinke Corporation; and this is Wang Lian, Chairman of Yuanda Corporation."

Upon hearing these names, Zhou Ming was momentarily stunned. These companies were significant in the Nanjiang securities market. Anyone familiar with the development of the Nanjiang stock market would know that these four were part of the "Nanjiang Top Five Stocks," the first five stocks to list and trade, with only Nanjiang Development Bank being unchanged among them.

Zhou Ming couldn't help but reflect on how history always has its own inertia. Even though he had reincarnated and changed many things, some events still followed their predetermined paths. Just like these five stocks, they were the first to list in his past life, and now, in this life, Zhang Heng had brought these same company heads.

The momentary shock on Zhou Ming's face quickly passed, and he returned to his usual demeanor, shaking hands with each of the four chairmen and inviting them to sit down.

Once everyone was seated, the hotel staff began serving the dishes, and Zhou Ming had a bottle of Maotai opened, filling glasses for himself, Zhang Heng, and the chairmen.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and a toast, Zhou Ming got to the main point: "Gentlemen, you are the leading companies in Nanjiang to implement shareholding systems. You are all visionary and bold entrepreneurs. I believe you know that the Nanjiang Municipal Committee and City Government are organizing the construction of our own securities market. Once the securities market is up and running, you can publicly list your company's stocks for sale and facilitate financing."

The four men exchanged glances, and eventually, Zheng Yi, Chairman of Ye'an Corporation, said, "Advisor Zhou is right. Since Nanjiang was designated as a special zone, the central government has indeed given us significant policy advantages. It is correct to develop a securities market, as Hong Kong already has one. We need to develop as well."

Zhou Ming frowned at Zheng Yi's response. It was clear that Zheng Yi was avoiding the real issue.

Although Zhou Ming had not been direct, it should have been clear to them what he meant, unless they had lived their entire lives in ignorance.

Zhou Ming decided to address it directly: "Can you tell me why you are unwilling to list your company's stocks on the soon-to-be-established Nanjiang Securities Company?"

This time, Zheng Yi and the others were taken aback. They obviously hadn't expected Zhou Ming to be so straightforward. In their impression, government officials were usually concerned with face and would avoid direct confrontation. They thought Zhou Ming would take a more roundabout approach, but they forgot that Zhou Ming was not a government official but a genuine businessman who had no interest in wasting time.

Zhou Ming's bluntness forced them into a corner, and they had to respond directly.

The four men exchanged uneasy glances, and Zheng Yi finally answered, "Advisor Zhou, as local enterprises in Nanjiang, we should support the development of the Nanjiang securities market unconditionally. However, our companies have only recently undergone shareholding reform, and many systems are still incomplete. We have not fully absorbed the current shares. If we list now, I am concerned there will be problems."

The other three echoed, "Yes, Advisor Zhou, our companies are minor issues, but if it delays the overall development of the Nanjiang securities market, it would be problematic. You, as a businessman yourself, should understand the challenges, so please be considerate. We are truly in a difficult position."

Hearing these evasive excuses, Zhang Heng became displeased and said, "Chairman Zheng, you really don't appreciate the opportunity. As pioneers of the shareholding system, don't you know that listing on the securities company provides a broad financing channel for your company's stocks?"

Zheng Yi responded with a casual smile, "I appreciate the good intentions of Advisor Zhou and Director Zhang."

Zhang Heng wanted to say more, but Zhou Ming interjected, "Chairman Zheng, what exactly is the reason you are unwilling to list your company's stocks on the securities company?"

Although this question was almost the same as his previous one, it made Zheng Yi and the others look visibly awkward. Zheng Yi then replied casually, "Advisor Zhou, I believe I already answered this. It's due to our company's internal reasons. We genuinely cannot list at the moment, not because we are unwilling."

"Chairman Zheng, we are not children. Isn't this just avoiding the issue? Do you think you are fooling me, or do you believe everyone else thinks you're a fool?" Zhou Ming said calmly.

Zheng Yi's face stiffened, but he still forced himself to respond, "Advisor Zhou, I don't understand what you are saying. Why are you resorting to insults?"

Zhou Ming looked at the others, saw they had the same attitude, and said, "Since you prefer to play dumb in front of me, continue to do so. I will recommend to Mayor Chen that we tackle companies masquerading as shareholding entities to conduct illegal fundraising. You should be careful."

"Advisor Zhou, are you threatening us?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Yes," Zhou Ming answered. "You may disregard my words, but I assure you, you will regret it."

The faces of Zheng Yi and the others turned serious. Finally, Cui Jiang, Chairman of Jinke Corporation, stepped forward and said, "Advisor Zhou, let's not make things difficult. I will call someone to clarify the situation."

Zhou Ming agreed and waited. Soon, Cui Jiang returned with someone Zhou Ming recognized.

"Hello, Mr. Hua," Zhou Ming greeted.

The person brought by Cui Jiang was Hua Shao, the head of Shenzhou Corporation. Cui Jiang said to Zhou Ming, "Advisor Zhou, Mr. Hua happened to be dining here. I asked him to come over after you mentioned him. You can discuss the matter with him."

Zhou Ming nodded and didn't rush into the discussion. Hua Shao's presence indicated that he was behind the situation.

"Advisor Zhou, surprised?" Hua Shao asked.

"Indeed, a bit surprised. I didn't expect you to be so concerned about the securities market," Zhou Ming replied.

Hua Shao wagged a finger in front of Zhou Ming and said, "I'm not concerned about the securities market, but I am very concerned about you, Advisor Zhou."

"Is that so? I'm flattered," Zhou Ming said.

Hua Shao smiled and sat down, saying, "You know, I'm Hua Shao. I believe you've heard my name from Du Peng, so you should know that I've never been at a disadvantage. However, you made me suffer a loss. I was thinking... how should I thank you? Then I realized you're involved in the Nanjiang securities market construction. I thought I could have a bit of fun with this."

"So, Mr. Hua, you contacted these shareholding companies and used your influence to warn them not to list their stocks on the securities company?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Exactly," Hua Shao said. "But Advisor Zhou, you're being a bit harsh. It's not a warning; I simply reasoned with them and showed them the potential dangers of the securities market. I warned them about your unreliability and that listing with you would be disadvantageous. That's all."

Hua Shao looked at Zhou Ming provocatively and added, "Advisor Zhou, don't you often talk about market theory? Well, this is the market."

Faced with Hua Shao's provocation, Zhou Ming remained calm and said, "Mr. Hua, I understand you want revenge, but there's no need for such tactics. Establishing the securities company is not just my personal matter but a joint decision of the entire Nanjiang Municipal Committee and City Government, and a dream for many in Nanjiang's securities industry. Your actions will drag many innocent people into this."

"Is that so? Then just apologize to me and them," Hua Shao said, with no trace of regret, looking rather pleased.

"Advisor Zhou, you might not know me well, but I believe in enjoying life. No matter what, as long as I'm happy, that's enough. Don't you agree?" Hua Shao said arrogantly. "So now, if you've gone to great lengths to set up a securities market but end up with no one willing to list, won't you be performing a solo act?"

Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "You're simply unreasonable."

Hua Shao laughed dismissively and continued, "But Advisor Zhou, you brought this on yourself. If you had just let me slap you in your nightclub, things would have been fine. Instead, you made trouble and called Mayor Chen. Now, you've succeeded in angering me. How does it feel to be performing a solo act in the securities market?"

Hua Shao added, "However, I'm kind-hearted. I know it's not easy for people like you to achieve things. So, here's the deal: if you kneel and call me 'Dad,' I'll let it go. How about it?"

"I call your mother a b!" Zhou Ming cursed.