Volume 1, Chapter 20: An Irresistible Offer

Zhang Weimin and Qin Yong both thought that Song Guodong’s words essentially meant the loan had been approved. Unexpectedly, he took a sharp turn—but—!

The art of leadership speeches lies in first offering affirmation, then delivering a twist. The initial words are mere preamble, politeness; the real message lies in what follows after the “but.”

Song Guodong said, “However, according to the preferential policies supporting laid-off workers to start businesses, currently, for loans without any collateral or guarantee, the maximum we can offer is only fifty thousand yuan.”

Qin Yong sighed helplessly. “Brother, from what you said earlier, I thought you, as the bank manager, had agreed to the loan. But then you say ‘however’... Haha, fifty thousand yuan for Old Zhang’s business is basically nothing.”

Song Guodong shook his head with equal helplessness. “I’m the manager, but I can’t break the rules set by higher authorities. Loans must be reported and approved by the superior bank; it’s not up to me alone to decide if it can be granted.”

Raising his glass, Song Guodong looked at Zhang Weimin and said, “Old Zhang, I’m truly sorry. I really can’t help you.”

Zhang Weimin smiled gently as he raised his glass. “Manager Song, I understand. Without rules, there’s no order.”

Qin Yong also raised his glass. “Ah! Your bank really is... partial to the rich. Those with assets don’t lack money, and those who lack money have no assets.”

“Exactly, our bank is practically like a pawnshop.”

Song Guodong sighed, shook his head, and drained his glass.

In truth, Zhang Weimin had long anticipated that simply hosting a dinner with a branch manager wouldn’t solve the problem.

The bank’s refusal to grant him a loan stemmed from lack of trust and absence of collateral.

Zhang Weimin already had a plan in mind to address this issue.

“Manager Song, I have another proposal. What do you think?” Zhang Weimin put down his glass, his expression serious as he looked at Song Guodong.

“Tell me your plan,” Song Guodong replied.

Zhang Weimin said, “For example, I take a loan of three million yuan from you, but I bring you five million yuan in deposits. How about that?”

Song Guodong laughed. “Old Zhang, if you could bring in five million in deposits, why would you need to borrow three million from me?”

Zhang Weimin spoke slowly, “These are two separate matters. First, deposits are deposits; depositors want safety and interest. Your bank lends money to earn interest, but you also need the funds to be secure. The deposited money isn’t mine, but I can get others to deposit fixed-term funds in your bank. For your bank, this fulfills both the task of attracting deposits and issuing loans—a win-win. How does that sound?”

Qin Yong asked in puzzlement, “Old Zhang, where would these deposits come from? If you can gather so much money, why not just use it directly?”

Zhang Weimin took a small sip of wine and explained slowly, “These funds come from the laid-off workers. They voluntarily took early retirement under government policies and receive state compensation—generally two months’ salary per year of service. For example, I have 20 years’ seniority, with a monthly wage of 300 yuan, so I get twelve thousand yuan. In our industrial bureau’s enterprises, there are about two thousand laid-off workers. If we average it to ten thousand yuan per person, and just five hundred of them follow my lead to deposit their money in your bank, that’s five million yuan. The actual amount might even be higher.”

Qin Yong pressed further, “What makes you think they’ll listen to you and deposit their money in Manager Song’s bank?”

Zhang Weimin chuckled, “Because they’re laid off and need jobs, and I can offer them employment. With that condition, how could they refuse?”

Song Guodong slammed his hand on the table forcefully, startling Zhang Weimin and Qin Yong. “Old Zhang, how are you so clever? You came up with such a plan—I really admire you. I reckon if I submit this proposal to the higher bank, they won’t have any grounds to refuse!”

“That’s great, Manager Song! Shall we proceed with this plan?”

“Alright, it’s settled. I’ll write the report and apply to the higher bank tomorrow!”

Qin Yong lifted his glass with a sigh. “Old Zhang, I didn’t expect you really had a way. This Moutai wasn’t wasted after all. You actually convinced Manager Song. You’re incredible—I truly admire you. Cheers! This really is a celebration of our successful cooperation!”

...

At this dinner, Zhang Weimin not only resolved the funding issue but also gained two supporters in Qin Yong and Song Guodong.

Back home, Zhang Weimin was already somewhat intoxicated.

Zhang Yingying was asleep, but Liu Fangfang’s room light was still on.

Zhang Weimin lay down on the heated brick bed, falling asleep without even taking off his clothes.

Liu Fangfang quietly entered Zhang Weimin’s room. Looking at the man she once wished to kill, she now felt deep regret.

She removed his shoes and socks, then brought a basin of hot water, placing it on a chair. She soaked his feet in the water, washing them gently.

After washing his feet, she began helping him remove his jacket, shirt, and trousers...

She touched his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing.

The more Liu Fangfang looked at this man before her, the more she found him pleasing and increasingly charming. The masculine scent stirred a gentle yearning within her.

Alas... Why hadn’t I ever found him attractive before? Why did I dislike him so much? How has he become so good now? But, alas, it’s too late for me...

Zhang Weimin slept deeply, already snoring lightly.

A trace of helplessness appeared on Liu Fangfang’s face.

She covered him with the quilt, then turned off the light and returned to her own room.

...

Thanks to extensive media publicity, workers had generally accepted enterprise reform; reemployment after layoffs was an irreversible trend.

Though a few individuals remained confused or resentful, history’s unstoppable wheels rolled forward relentlessly.

Zhang Weimin had found a suitable factory building; now he only needed to procure raw materials and equipment and recruit workers.

He made several large banners, hanging them at the entrance of the mechanical parts factory:

“Formin Mechanical Parts Manufacturing Company recruiting talents. Labor contracts signed. Five-day workweek. Base salary 500 yuan + performance bonus + social insurance.”

“Formin Trading Company recruiting talents. Labor contracts signed. Five-day workweek. Base salary 400 yuan + performance bonus + social insurance.”

He borrowed a table from the workshop and set it up at the entrance, establishing a temporary recruitment point.

Soon, a crowd gathered around his recruitment station, forming a dense circle.

But Zhang Weimin had prepared well, printing recruitment brochures and personal resume forms in advance for interested candidates to take home and study.

His former colleague from the workshop, Hong Danian, and over twenty other workers who had witnessed Zhang’s integrity, signed on the spot, expressing their commitment to follow him.

Once leaders took the plunge, others followed suit. By late morning, over seventy people had signed up.