Chapter 149: Hua Shao Trades Stocks Too

At 7 PM, Zhou Ming and Du Peng arrived at the Nanhu Hotel. As they got out of the car and approached the hotel entrance, they saw Hua Shao and Niu Jie waiting there. When Hua Shao and Niu Jie saw Zhou Ming and Du Peng, they quickly came forward to greet them.

"Having Hua Shao wait here for us is truly an honor!" Du Peng said.

Hua Shao's smile visibly stiffened at Du Peng's words. It was clear he was not pleased to be there, let alone to see Zhou Ming and Du Peng, but circumstances forced him to do so.

It wasn't hard to understand why. The stock market was booming, with daily trading volumes measured in the tens of millions. To put that in perspective, if you lined up all that money, it would circle Nanjing twice. Even the four major stock company chairmen who had previously disdained Zhou Ming and Du Peng had now come to apologize to Zhou Ming. It wasn't easy for Hua Shao to endure this situation.

But Hua Shao was someone who could both hold his ground and let go. If it had been an ordinary person, asking their least favorite person for help would be nearly impossible, something they would rather avoid. Yet Hua Shao managed to do it and even greeted them at the door with humility. This attitude was certainly commendable.

Hua Shao's momentary stiffness disappeared quickly, and he returned to his usual demeanor. "Du Shao, you're joking. It's perfectly normal for me to host dinner and welcome guests as the host."

Neither Zhou Ming nor Du Peng were the type to fuss over formalities. Since Hua Shao had spoken, they decided not to make an issue of it and followed Hua Shao into the hotel.

They arrived at the private room Hua Shao had reserved in advance. Hua Shao instructed the waiter to bring out the food and drinks. Hua Shao and Niu Jie raised their glasses to toast Zhou Ming and Du Peng, and Hua Shao said, "I'm really delighted that Du Shao and Advisor Zhou could join me for dinner today. Both of you are outstanding figures in Nanjing, having pioneered many new developments in the economic field…"

Before Hua Shao could finish, Zhou Ming interrupted, "Hua Shao, there's no need for such formalities between us. Since Du Shao and I are already here, just speak your mind."

Hua Shao chuckled, "Advisor Zhou, you're indeed straightforward! Since you've put it this way, it would seem ungracious of me not to be direct."

Hua Shao paused for a moment and continued, "Actually, I invited Du Shao and Advisor Zhou here today with no other intention than to discuss stock trading."

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow, immediately guessing Hua Shao's intention, "Hua Shao wants to trade stocks too?"

"Of course. The development of the securities market is currently a major focus of Nanjing's economic development, and even the central government attaches great importance to it. As a revolutionary descendant, I feel it's my duty to contribute!" Hua Shao said.

"You say that very nicely, but I remember that it was Hua Shao who initially incited other stock companies to resist listing at the securities company," Du Peng asked deliberately.

"That was because I didn't understand back then! Stocks were a foreign concept. I was concerned that Advisor Zhou and the city officials might not manage it well, so I suggested they wait and see. Now that you've done so well, I'm relieved. Didn't those companies also come to list with you? Of course, at that time, I had a bit of a grudge and was quite petty. Looking back, my actions were quite ridiculous," Hua Shao said.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng were surprised by Hua Shao's willingness to admit fault. It seemed that he was under considerable pressure, but Hua Shao was just a local representative of a larger force. He must have faced stronger figures pushing him to act this way.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng exchanged glances. Zhou Ming said, "Hua Shao, if you want to trade stocks, just go to the securities company to open an account. There's no need to involve Du Shao and me."

Hua Shao played with his cup and said to Zhou Ming, "Advisor Zhou, I think I've shown enough sincerity. If you continue to be so evasive, it'll seem insincere."

Du Peng asked, "Are you threatening us, Hua Shao?"

Hua Shao shook his head, "I actually don't want to do that. When doing business together, it's best to be amicable. If we constantly conflict with each other, the result will be that no one benefits. Don't you think?"

"I completely agree with you, Hua Shao," Zhou Ming said, shifting the topic. "But it seems you've forgotten that we haven't been the ones causing trouble."

"I said, let bygones be bygones. Regardless of who was right or wrong in the past, we can put it behind us today and focus on the future," Hua Shao said.

Zhou Ming clapped his hands and said, "Hua Shao, you certainly speak well. But you're really looking for the wrong person. I'm just a securities market consultant, and Du Shao has nothing to do with the securities company. In principle, we're just investors. If you want to open an account, you should really speak to Luo Han at the securities company."

"I will definitely go to Luo Han. But that's a matter for the future. Today, it's about having dinner with Du Shao and Advisor Zhou," Hua Shao said.

Hua Shao slowly put down his cup and continued, "Du Shao, Advisor Zhou, I've apologized and shown my sincerity today. If you continue to be unyielding, the situation will become unpleasant. What do you think?"

Hua Shao looked at Du Peng and said, "Du Shao, we all came from Beijing to make a living in Nanjing. The relationships with our families aren't particularly close, but they're not hostile either. We had no real interests at stake between us. If something causes our relationship to deteriorate, no one would want that, would they?"

Then Hua Shao turned to Zhou Ming and said, "Advisor Zhou, I actually admire you a lot. Unlike us, you come from an ordinary worker's family and built your success from scratch. It's impressive how you've made such a substantial fortune on your own. Your abilities and mind are remarkable, and you've created such a grand presence in the stock market. So, as a seasoned capitalist, you wouldn't want to end up with nothing or even face jail time, would you?"

Zhou Ming squinted and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Hua Shao spread his hands and said, "I don't mean anything. I just hope we can make money together and avoid any unpleasantness. Otherwise, no one will be able to back down."

Hua Shao thought for a moment and added, "Let me say a bit more. I must enter the stock market. It's an instruction from our boss. Du Shao, I think you know how temperamental our boss can be. If he gets angry, it'll be a big problem. Neither of you will be able to escape."

"So, Du Shao and Advisor Zhou, do you want to have a genuine confrontation with us, or shall we peacefully make money together?" Hua Shao asked.

"You're going too far, Hua Shao!" Du Peng said angrily. "I've seen shamelessness, but never this level. You obstructed us before we succeeded, and now that we've succeeded, you want a share."

Hua Shao smiled without speaking, while Zhou Ming said, "Hua Shao, I understand your intention. I can speak with Luo Han, and with my relationship with him, it's no problem for him to help you open an account for stock trading. But there's one thing I need to clarify: the stock market is volatile. You might make money one moment and lose it the next."

Hua Shao scoffed at Zhou Ming's advice, "Advisor Zhou, either agree quickly or let's just get down to it. If you agree but then try to scare me with such talk, it makes me look down on you."

"Do you think I'm trying to scare you?" Zhou Ming asked. "You must have heard of the stock market crash in Hong Kong. Many people lost everything. How do you explain that?"

"Hua Shao, since you came to talk to Du Shao and me, regardless of our past relations or misunderstandings, it doesn't matter now. If you say we should move on, then let's move on. As a businessman, making money is what matters most to me. I don't hold onto useless ideas," Zhou Ming said. "I'm speaking sincerely. If something goes wrong after you enter the stock market and you turn around and come to trouble us, wouldn't that be very unfair?"

Hua Shao laughed and pointed at Zhou Ming, saying, "Advisor Zhou, have you heard the saying, 'A villain measures a gentleman's heart'? Do you understand what that means?"

"Hua Shao, am I being insulted after offering you sincere advice?" Zhou Ming asked coldly.

"Oh, I'm truly sorry. I speak bluntly, so please don't take it personally," Hua Shao said insincerely.

Du Peng couldn't take it anymore and slammed the table, "Hua Shao, what's your intention? Are you here to discuss business or to cause trouble? If it's trouble, we'll

 deal with it to the end. Forget about the stocks for this lifetime!"

"Calm down, Du Shao. Let's keep our composure," Hua Shao said, gesturing for calm. "I'm here to discuss business, and I want to trade stocks like you. I thought the insincere guarantees between us could be avoided, but it seems there are still some concerns."

Finally, Hua Shao said, "Alright, if you're still worried, I'll assure you here that my stock trading is entirely voluntary. Whether I gain or lose is unrelated to you. Is that acceptable?"

"Thank you for understanding, Hua Shao," Zhou Ming said. "But if you don't mind, how much are you planning to invest in the stock market?"

Hua Shao didn't rush to answer and instead asked, "How much do you have?"

"About ten million," Zhou Ming answered. "You can verify it at the securities company."

"Then I'll invest ten million as well," Hua Shao said.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Alright, Hua Shao. Come to the securities company tomorrow to contact me, and I'll help you open an account for stock trading."