Chapter 14: A Twenty Trillion Dollar Deal

"After Mr. Yang's recent southern tour, our country's policy of reform and opening-up will definitely continue. Right now, the country is in a period where everything needs to be rebuilt and revitalized, and all industries require development. Our consistent policy has always been to welcome investments from Hong Kong and other overseas Chinese. We will provide the greatest policy support and will respect the beliefs and lifestyle habits of Hong Kong businessmen."

"As a cadre of the State Council's Ministry of Foreign Trade, I warmly welcome all Hong Kong businessmen to take the time to visit the mainland, to observe, and to offer valuable opinions and suggestions on our reform and opening-up. I look forward to Hong Kong's early return, so that our compatriots on both sides can work together to create more glory!"

At the entrance of the conference hall, Mr. Guan Sheng, the Director of Foreign Trade, who had accompanied Zhou Ming and the others to attend the meeting, was enthusiastically introducing the situation in the mainland to the Hong Kong businessmen present, hoping that some of them would join him in visiting the mainland. It seemed that his trip was not just about attending the meeting; bringing back a few Hong Kong businessmen to invest in the mainland was likely one of the tasks assigned to him by the central government during this visit to Hong Kong.

However, unfortunately, his official statements didn't seem to attract much interest from the Hong Kong businessmen. Especially after his lackluster performance in the meeting, no one was willing to engage with him.

In stark contrast stood Zhou Ming, along with Nordleyman, Cheng Haolong, Li Cheng, and Tong Gang. They were all gathered with Zhou Ming, engaging in conversation. With so many prominent figures from Hong Kong here, and the added presence of the beautiful Lin Muqing, others naturally wanted to join in, making this side of the room much more lively.

"This meeting really wouldn't have been successful without the support of Mr. Nordleyman, as well as Sir Cheng, Chairman Tong, and Director Li. If it weren't for your backing, I fear I would have been driven off the stage earlier," Zhou Ming said to Nordleyman, Cheng Haolong, and the others, with Lin Muqing standing by to translate for Nordleyman. Zhou Ming's gratitude was genuine. Just moments ago, the atmosphere in the meeting had been so charged by Liu Xiaotian that Zhou Ming alone could not have convinced everyone with just his words.

Nordleyman waved his hand dismissively, saying, "I'm an American, and I've gotten used to speaking my mind. I believed you were right, so I supported you. I have faith that your country can create an economic miracle. Those who oppose you are just short-sighted."

Cheng Haolong and Li Cheng echoed the sentiment: "You're being too modest, Zhou Ming. We've always had a favorable view of the mainland. This meeting was a rare opportunity for mutual communication. We couldn't let such a good opportunity slip away and turn into a meeting hostile to the mainland. That would only make future integration more difficult and wouldn't benefit the business we're doing. As businessmen, we naturally choose the path that benefits us the most."

"Sir Cheng and Director Li, you truly live up to your reputations as Hong Kong's top entrepreneurs. Your foresight is far beyond that of ordinary people," Zhou Ming said. "Sir Cheng, I know you've been investing in the mainland for quite some time now, both in Beijing and in your hometown. Director Li, although you haven't started yet, I'm sure you already have plans to invest in the mainland, and I believe you'll both shine brightly there in the future!"

After some pleasantries, Cheng Haolong and Li Cheng took their leave, but Nordleyman showed no intention of leaving.

"Cheng, I have some matters to discuss with Zhou Ming. You go ahead; I'm sure Zhou Ming has a car, and with the lovely and knowledgeable Miss Lin Muqing here, they'll see to it that I get back safely," Nordleyman said to Cheng Haolong.

Cheng Haolong nodded and called over the management staff of the skyscraper to open a private lounge for Zhou Ming and Nordleyman.

Once inside, with tea served by the staff, Zhou Ming took a sip and spoke first. "Thank you so much for your support during the meeting, Mr. Nordleyman. If it weren't for your timely intervention, this meeting would have ended in humiliation for me."

"That was nothing," Nordleyman replied. "And to be honest, my support wasn't solely for the sake of the meeting."

Zhou Ming looked up at Nordleyman, sensing that there was more to his words, but Nordleyman didn't elaborate. Instead, he posed another question: "Forgive me for being blunt, but how did this meeting end up like this? You're all the same people, the same nation. I could understand if the mainland was struggling in the past, but now that the mainland is striving to improve, why are the people of Hong Kong still so hostile?"

Faced with this question, Zhou Ming could only respond with a bitter smile. He didn't know how to answer. How could he explain that some people naturally feel superior and don't want to acknowledge their poorer relatives, much less the fear that one day those poorer relatives might surpass them?

"Mr. Nordleyman, I'm just a businessman, not an anthropologist. I'm afraid I can't answer that question," Zhou Ming said.

"Is that so?" Nordleyman initially showed some confusion but then smiled as if something occurred to him. "Alright, if that's the case, I won't press further. But you must be curious as to why I supported you so strongly."

Zhou Ming didn't shy away and nodded. "Yes, I'm very curious. But please, Mr. Nordleyman, don't tell me it's because I helped you get the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I won't believe that."

Nordleyman laughed heartily. "Of course not! Though I must admit that our conversation in Nanjiang played a significant role in me receiving the medal, that sort of explanation is just to amuse children."

At this point, Nordleyman's expression suddenly became serious. He looked at Zhou Ming and said, "I came to Hong Kong specifically to find you, Zhou Ming. A friend of mine asked me to come here on his behalf. As for my support during the meeting, that was to set the stage for our upcoming conversation. You Chinese have a saying, don't you? Something like 'You can't reject someone after accepting their favor.' I've helped you so much; surely there must be some benefit for me, right?"

"Mr. Nordleyman, the saying goes, 'You can't speak ill of someone whose food you've eaten or whose hand you've shaken,'" Zhou Ming corrected. "But I'm afraid you might be disappointed because I'm a thorough businessman, full of the stench of money. If helping you means I lose out, I won't do it."

Nordleyman was silent for a moment, studying Zhou Ming before saying, "You really are different from the other Chinese people I've met. Your way of thinking is quite like that of us Americans."

"Is that so? Now that I think of it, last time in Nanjiang, you invited me to visit the United States. Could it be that you came to find me this time to take me to America?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Of course not. For us Americans, everyone has the freedom to choose where they want to go, and I respect your choice, Zhou Ming," Nordleyman said. "I'm here to discuss a twenty trillion dollar business deal with you."

"A business deal? What kind of deal?"

Zhou Ming was curious, but instead of asking Nordleyman, he turned to Lin Muqing, who was translating for him. Lin Muqing had stopped translating halfway through, staring at Nordleyman in disbelief.

"Mr. Nordleyman, did you make a mistake? Are you sure you said twenty trillion dollars?" Lin Muqing asked.

Nordleyman smiled and nodded. "Yes, my dear, I did say twenty trillion dollars, not a penny less. Please convey that to Mr. Zhou Ming."

Even though Lin Muqing knew someone of Nordleyman's stature wouldn't joke about such things, she still instinctively took a sharp breath when she heard it. It took her a moment to translate Nordleyman's words to Zhou Ming, albeit haltingly.

Hearing the translation, Zhou Ming finally understood why Lin Muqing had reacted so strongly. After all, twenty trillion dollars was an astronomical sum. Anyone hearing such a figure would struggle to remain calm. Even Zhou Ming felt his heart skip a few beats.

Zhou Ming was silent for a while, and Nordleyman, seemingly expecting this, leisurely sipped his tea, waiting for Zhou Ming to process the information.

"Mr. Nordleyman, this business deal... is it in the North?" Zhou Ming suddenly asked.

Nordleyman was so surprised by the question that he nearly choked on his tea. He stared at Zhou Ming, wide-eyed, and asked, "My God, how did you know? Were you already prepared?"

Zhou Ming knew he had guessed correctly by Nordleyman's reaction. "This riddle was too easy. Given the current global situation, I can't think of any other place that could involve such a massive deal. Or rather, if it weren't for something monumental happening there, such a large deal wouldn't exist. Don't you agree, Mr. Nordleyman?"

Nordleyman exhaled deeply and said, "I must say, Mr. Zhou, you're incredibly sharp. Yes, the deal I came to discuss with

 you is exactly that. Zhou, you said you're a thorough businessman, so I believe you must be very interested in a deal of this magnitude."

"Of course, but I'm still curious—why did you come to me?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Because of one thing," Nordleyman replied. "I wonder if you remember a young man named Tao Guoling in Baiyun City. He was the last guest to extend an invitation to you. If I'm not mistaken, he gave you something, didn't he?"

Zhou Ming suddenly recalled something and asked with a frown, "How do you know that?"

"Because that's the ticket to this deal, and someone would have thoroughly investigated it. Very few people in the world have such a ticket, Zhou Ming, and you're one of the lucky ones," Nordleyman said.

"But it wasn't given to me," Zhou Ming said.

Nordleyman shook his head. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that you have it, and you indeed have the ability to use it, which is why I came to you."

Nordleyman finished his tea and stood up. "Alright, I've delivered my message. Now I wish you good luck, Zhou Ming."