Chapter 270: The Arrogant Hong Kong Businessman

The car stopped on the main road leading to Shenglian Village. Zhou Ming, Gu Ping, and the Hong Kong businessman Dai Tingwei got out of the car. They were originally supposed to show Dai Tingwei a good piece of land in Shenglian Village, but when the car reached this point, Dai Tingwei insisted on stopping to get out. Zhou Ming and Gu Ping had no choice but to get out as well.

Dai Tingwei pointed to a large piece of farmland in front of him and said to Gu Ping, "Secretary Gu, I remember you said that the farmland around here is also available for requisition, right? I want this piece of land."

Gu Ping replied, "Mr. Dai, I'm afraid that's not possible. This piece of land has already been allocated to Ye An Co. from Nanjing City. How about I take you to see the land behind Shenglian Village? That piece is also very good."

"Allocated to Ye An Co.? Have you signed a contract?" Dai Tingwei asked.

Gu Ping shook his head, and Dai Tingwei immediately said, "Without a signed contract, there is no binding agreement. I want this piece of land. Secretary Gu, please hold it for me. After I report back to the Hong Kong company, we will sign the contract with you."

Faced with Dai Tingwei's unilateral attitude, Gu Ping said, somewhat embarrassed, "Mr. Dai, this isn't quite right. I've already made a promise to Mr. Zheng of Ye An Co. Changing our agreement at the last minute would be a breach of trust. Moreover, you haven't seen the land behind Shenglian Village yet; you might prefer it."

Dai Tingwei remained unmoved: "As I said, without a signed contract, it has no effect. Secretary Gu, you have the authority to make changes at any time. If someone says a piece of land is theirs just by speaking, wouldn't that be like the feudal times where one could claim a mountain as their own? After all, you mainlanders claim to be in a civilized country, so you shouldn't have such ignorant practices."

"As for this piece of land, I think it's excellent. I haven't been to the land behind Shenglian Village, but I've heard you talk about it."

Dai Tingwei continued, "This land has mountains and water and is close to the main road. The feng shui is excellent, making it suitable for the company's development. Going further, the road is not even completed, and the area is waterlogged. This place is dry land, and waterlogged land will drain the company's fortunes and prevent it from retaining wealth. That place is not suitable at all."

Gu Ping laughed, "I didn't expect Mr. Dai to believe in such superstitions as feng shui."

Dai Tingwei was displeased and reprimanded Gu Ping: "How can that be superstition? The layout of company buildings is very meticulous. From choosing the land to designing and overall layout, it's not like your small workshops on the mainland where you can just find any place and set up a business, even in your own home. That's nonsense!"

Gu Ping wanted to say more, but Dai Tingwei cut him off: "I want this land. Our investment company is very particular. Secretary Gu, you need to coordinate this, or I will not invest."

Faced with Dai Tingwei's ultimatum, Gu Ping had no choice but to seek help from Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming said to Dai Tingwei, "Mr. Dai, I don't understand feng shui, but some things must follow proper order. We have already promised this land to Ye An Co. If you come and just say you want it, isn't that breaking our word?"

"Mr. Dai, if today we agree to give you this land, will we have to agree to give it to others tomorrow if they come? Won't that create chaos?" Zhou Ming asked. "Don't you think this is the case?"

Zhou Ming's response was very reasonable!

Gu Ping inwardly praised Zhou Ming, admiring his expertise as a development consultant for Nanjing. Zhou Ming spoke with logic and composure.

Dai Tingwei looked at Gu Ping with a disdainful expression, as if questioning his right to speak.

Gu Ping introduced Zhou Ming to Dai Tingwei: "This is Zhou Ming, the owner of Factory 760 and a representative of the People's Congress of Jingchu Province. The idea for this town industrial park was his. He has also been to Hong Kong, has researched the Hong Kong stock market, and is currently a development advisor for Nanjing City. The stock market and securities market in Nanjing were set up by him."

"Oh, so he's quite impressive?" Dai Tingwei said, but his face remained disdainful. "However, let me remind Secretary Gu, the stock market is just a part of the securities market. Don't get it wrong."

"Mr. Dai, you are the manager of an investment company, so you must know more about the securities market than Secretary Gu," Zhou Ming said. "But whether Secretary Gu understands the securities market seems irrelevant to the current issue. Moreover, if Mr. Dai is so particular, I can suggest that you consider moving the investment to Factory 760. That will be the central area of the entire town industrial park, and both businesses and residential areas will be there. Your investment company would have an advantage there."

Dai Tingwei smiled and said to Zhou Ming, "Representative Zhou, you might be considered an expert here on the mainland, but in Hong Kong, you are nothing. So don't dictate matters about my company."

Zhou Ming frowned: "What do you mean by that, Mr. Dai?"

"Meaning what? If you were Representative Zhou, you wouldn't ask such pointless questions," Dai Tingwei said with contempt. "You mainlanders like to boast and pretend to be knowledgeable, even though you don't know anything. Your bragging is as high as several floors."

"You misunderstand, Mr. Dai. Representative Zhou really has been to Hong Kong and made several million in the Hong Kong stock market!" Gu Ping explained.

"See, that's bragging," Dai Tingwei said, shaking his head with disdain. "Let me update you on the Hong Kong stock market. Last year, the economic crisis that began in the US spread worldwide, affecting the Hong Kong stock market, which has been in a downturn ever since. Even those big fund companies with hundreds of millions can't guarantee profits. For someone to make several million in the Hong Kong stock market is just a big lie that might fool those who don't know better on the mainland."

Gu Ping wanted to explain further, but Dai Tingwei wasn't listening. He said, "You mainlanders are like that—one counts as a hundred, and when you step over the border into Hong Kong, you claim you've been to Hong Kong. You hear about the stock market and pretend to be knowledgeable. You're neither modest nor honest."

Hearing Dai Tingwei, Zhou Ming's expression relaxed, and he understood the situation.

Due to cultural differences, economic development, and living standards, Hong Kong people generally look down on mainlanders. Zhou Ming had deeply felt this when he went to Hong Kong for stock futures, from people like Wang Yunlong to shop assistants and customers in jade stores. This attitude seemed almost universal, a result of Hong Kong's economic prosperity and high living standards compared to the mainland, compounded by the influx of mainlanders seeking fortune in Hong Kong.

Although Zhou Ming understood this phenomenon, it still felt uncomfortable, especially hearing a Hong Kong businessman mock him.

Observing Dai Tingwei, Zhou Ming understood why there were so many conflicts with Hong Kong businessmen in the future. It was all about the high-handed attitude of Hong Kong businessmen, with officials enduring it for the sake of their own achievements, only to be abandoned once the investment was made.

While many criticized officials for lacking service awareness, this was only part of the issue. There were other underlying reasons as well.

Zhou Ming had already noticed this in Linyang City. When Dai Tingwei told Zhou Ming not to interfere, Zhou Ming became even more certain. If it weren't for maintaining the face of Linyang City and the town industrial park, Zhou Ming would be unwilling to deal with him.

Zhou Ming decided to advise Dai Tingwei again: "Mr. Dai, please refrain from making further remarks about me or mainlanders. It has no bearing on what we need to discuss."

"Indeed, it doesn't," Dai Tingwei waved his hand impatiently. "I don't want to discuss it any further. We want this land."

"Mr. Dai, this matter is truly difficult for us. Perhaps you could come with us to see the land behind Shenglian Village? You might change your mind…"

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Dai Tingwei's pager rang. He checked the pager and said to Gu Ping, "Secretary Gu, my boss will arrive tomorrow. She hopes I can handle the town industrial park matters well. I expect you to secure this land for me today, or I will report back to my boss and recommend not investing here."

"Don't, Mr. Dai. We can still negotiate," Gu Ping said urgently.

In contrast to Gu Ping's almost pleading tone, Zhou Ming's words were firmer: "Mr. Dai, how you report to your boss is beyond my control, but I will also meet with your boss and explain the situation. If your boss is perceptive, I believe they will make the right decision."

Dai Tingwei did not respond to Zhou Ming, only snorted coldly and told Gu Ping to return.