Chapter 332: Behind the Big Bet

Hou Saijin looked at Zhou Ming blankly. At this point, he didn't know what words to use to describe his astonishment, because he originally thought that he was exaggerating when he said he wanted to challenge the securities company, but he didn't expect Zhou Ming to actually want to challenge the entire financial system? And what's more, he said that our journey is like the vast ocean of stars? This is no longer an exaggeration, it's simply arrogant to the extreme!

Who do you think you are? The son-in-law of the chairman of the Federal Reserve, the young master of the Ministry of Finance, or the owner of all the banks in the United States?

Hossein really wanted to confront Ming in person, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to do so. He just said in a tactful way, 'Mr. Zhou Ming, I think this kind of advertising is a bit inappropriate. Although I know that in advertising and marketing, playing up the tune and directly attacking famous brands is a very common tactic, it doesn't always work. Sometimes it will backfire and make consumers think you are just talking empty words.'

'So Mr. Hossein, you also think that I am just shouting a slogan in front of you?' Zhou Ming asked himself and answered, 'But I really want to do it.'

Hussein once again felt his head stuck, because shouting slogans like that would have been very arrogant in the first place, but since many small companies would also actively seek out big companies to wage advertising wars in order to gain exposure, shouting impractical slogans wouldn't matter. But now Zhou Ming said he really intended to do it, then it wasn't arrogance, but a typical sign of insanity.

'I generally approve of the advertising plan you proposed, Mr. Hussein. Since our insurance and wealth management products are mainly aimed at the middle class, it is a very good idea to guide them with a family perspective and tell them the difference between insurance and wealth management and other insurance or funds and stocks. However, where we want to challenge securities companies, I feel that the strength is lacking. As long as this is done well, it will be perfect,' said Zhou Ming.

'Hey, wait a minute, Mr Zhou Ming,' Hussein interrupted Zhou Ming, "are you sure you want to shout slogans like that? If you do, I'll refuse to take over this ad, because my advertising agency provides clients with perfect advertising ideas to make them money, not to make them run for president on TV. You know, only politicians will tell those stinking lies with their eyes wide open in TV commercials!'

'But this ad idea is perfect, isn't it?" Zhou Ming said.

'But just one drunk can make the whole room stink unbearably!' Hussein exclaimed.

After a pause, Hussein calmed down and continued, "This is my principle, I must give you the best.'

'To correct, it is what you think is the best." Zhou Ming saw that Hussein was going to say something, so he stopped him and continued, 'In addition, I don't think that principles are set in stone. How about this, I can give you my budget, 500,000 US dollars.'

Zhou Ming said, holding up five fingers. Hussein was not impressed: 'Mr. Zhou Ming, this is not about money, it's about principle!'

Zhou Ming held up the other hand and added a finger: "US$600,000.'

Hussein became a little angry: "Mr. Zhou Ming, I hope you can show me some respect and adopt the attitude of a collaborator, instead of being dictatorial like Hitler!'

Zhou Ming added two fingers at once: '800,000 US dollars, either agree or I'll leave immediately.'

Hussein froze for a moment, but only for a moment, and he made his choice immediately: "Deal.'

Zhou Ming smiled and held up another finger, saying, "But I have one more condition, which is that the production of my advertisement must be fast. I hope to see my advertisement before the end of the month before the movie Brighton.

Hussein spread his hands: 'How difficult is that? Apart from coordinating the Harrys' schedule, I think all the work can be completed within a week, which means that as long as Mr. Zhou Ming can pay on time, I guarantee that you will be able to see the commercial before White Valentine's Day. And because of your generosity, I will introduce you to the head of the advertising department at Brighton City TV.'

'I didn't realise that your company had such benefits, which saves us the trouble of finding a TV station,' said Zhou Ming.

'I can use my connections to help you get more time during prime time, but you will still have to pay the advertising fees yourself,' added Hussein.

'Of course, if you have to pay the advertising fees, I think you should close up shop after this deal, because the broadcast fees are much higher than the production costs,' said Zhou Ming.

After the advertising matter was settled, Zhou Ming and Danny returned home. Back in the car, Danny said to Zhou Ming, 'I really don't know what to say to you. You only have a total of $1.1 million at hand, and you have the nerve to spend $800,000 on advertising. Do you think that $300,000 can buy prime time on TV?'

'But at least we can pay the first instalment. Of course we won't just advertise during prime time on TV, I'll also advertise outdoors, for example in the metro and bus stations. At least we need to let most of the middle class know about this insurance product, so that we can maximise our profits,' said Ming.

'I understand all that you're saying, but where's the money? You only have 300,000, and you can't do all that,' said Danny.

'Just yesterday, I applied for a loan from the Tang Dynasty Bank for this project, and the Tang Dynasty Bank decided to lend me one million US dollars. This amount of money should definitely be enough,' said Zhou Ming.

Danny said helplessly, 'Zhou Ming, I really don't know what to say. You are the person who can spend the most money. Not only did you spend 80% of the funds you had in just one day, but you even had to borrow another one million US dollars from the bank. Do you really think that this money was just blown in by a tornado?'

'Chairman Danny, I think you're a little overreacting. It's only two million dollars. That's nothing to me. I'm carrying a potential claim of 20 million on my shoulders. How can I not find a way to get the money?' Zhou Ming said.

Danny frowned and asked Zhou Ming, "Do you really believe that after the ad airs, your insurance wealth management products will sell like hotcakes?'

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "I'm very confident.'

...

Then Zhou Ming and Danny drove away, and just after their car drove away, a small car suddenly drove out from the shadows. This car was different from ordinary cars, as cellophane was stuck to all the windows, so it was completely impossible to see what was going on inside from the outside.

Private detectives usually like to do this, but the person in this car was not a private detective, but Walden.

Since Walden and Old Brook reached an agreement, he has been observing Zhou Ming from the shadows. When Zhou Ming is at school, he will use binoculars to observe from the room on the 12th floor of Building 365 on Charles Avenue. If he observes Zhou Ming driving out of the house, he will immediately go out and get in the car to follow him. Of course, this car is also equipped by Old Brook for him.

The last time, Walden told Old Brook in advance about Zhou Ming's press conference; this time was no different. As soon as he saw Zhou Ming set off, he followed him all the way to the Brighton Building.

Walden looked up at the Brighton Building, thought about it for a moment, and then finally stepped on the accelerator. He followed Zhou Ming's car first, and only after confirming that Zhou Ming was going back to school did he return to the Brighton Building.

Walden parked the car in the parking lot, got out and walked to the Brighton Building, but as soon as he walked in, he immediately backed out because he saw the security guard at the door covering his nose. He then remembered the situation in his room and that he might smell.

So he immediately returned to the car, went to the nearby shopping mall to buy a decent set of clothes, then booked a room at the hotel, showered as quickly as possible, sprayed on some perfume, and only after making sure that he was fine did he go to the Brighton Building again. This time, Walton stayed in the building for an hour and a half. After he came down, he didn't go back to the car, but went to the nearby phone booth and called Old Brook.

'Mr. Brook, this is Walden. I'm in the phone booth in front of the Brighton Building. I know I'm interrupting, but I'm afraid I have some very important news about Ming Zhou. Please put whatever you're doing on hold.'

Walden paused for a moment, then continued, 'I followed him to the Brighton Building. I know he went to Naum Advertising, and he's going to advertise on TV...'

Wharton's words had not finished when he hurriedly explained, 'No, no, no, Mr. Brook, please don't be angry. If it were just that simple, I would definitely not have been in such a hurry to call you and waste your time. I also understand that any company and any product needs advertising. But in fact, what I want to tell you is that Zhou Ming, that Chinese guy, must have spent more than 600,000 U.S. dollars on this advertisement.'

'Mr. Brook, we are partners, I have no reason to deceive you,' said Walden. 'I can tell because I know this advertising company. When I just went there, I found that all their executives were in a meeting to work on a big advertising project and they were in a hurry. And as far as I know, this advertising company will only give such an urgent performance to its clients when they encounter an advertising project that exceeds 600,000.

'Of course, I also know that Naum Advertising is very good and may have other clients, but while I was waiting, I asked their receptionist and was told that there was no one else. They have only had one big client in the past two weeks.'

Walton finally concluded, 'Then it can only be the Chinese guy Zhou Ming. Mr. Brook, you know he is desperate to make money right now.'

'Yes, I suspect that Zhou Ming must have taken a large sum of money to advertise. He must not have much money left in his insurance company's account. Then he still wants to advertise on TV, or there may be outdoor advertising as well. The cost of these advertisements is not lower than the cost of producing the advertisements.'

Walden thought for a moment and then said, 'I know that a while ago, Hoover from the Tang Dynasty Bank came to see Zhou Ming, so I suspect that he must have obtained a loan from the Tang Dynasty Bank. So if we can find a way to block this loan and cut off Zhou Ming's capital flow, then his publicity plan will be dealt a devastating blow, leaving his company without funds.'

'Finally, once your contract with him is in effect, Mr. Brook, we can bankrupt his insurance company and finally send him to prison. He won't be able to fight back and will have to kneel before us and beg for mercy.'

Walton said with a menacing smile, 'That Chinese guy wants to gamble, so we'll let him lose everything!'<