Sixty-Seven: Terms

“Secretary Liu! Director Sun! Let’s speak as businessmen now. The concept of the industrial zone is quite promising, but I doubt there will be many, if any, willing to invest in it. Businessmen are after profit; the faster the capital turns over, the quicker the profit comes. At this point, the industrial zone exists only on paper—right now, it’s nothing but wasteland. You’ll need to start with basic infrastructure, which will take a long time. Water supply, electricity, transportation, future housing for workers—these all need to be addressed, and the initial investment required is substantial. Frankly, I don’t think anyone would want to tie up their money in such long-term infrastructure, because the capital would be locked up for too long.”

“So, Mr. Wei, does this mean you’re not planning to invest in the industrial zone?” Before Wei Hua could finish, Director Sun hurriedly interjected.

“No, I didn’t say I wouldn’t invest. But I don’t agree with your proposed mode of cooperation. I’m someone who likes to keep decision-making in my own hands, so a joint-stock system won’t work for me. Besides, your system is unlikely to accept my management style. Therefore, I propose a different form of cooperation: I’ll lend money to your investment bureau, but you have to offer me favorable terms. I’ll build a factory in the industrial zone, but you must grant me a separate plot of land—ownership remains with the state, but I hold the usage rights. The state should also provide tax incentives for my company, preferably reduced or even exempted taxes. Furthermore, the products my company manufactures should be allowed to be sold inland without being subject to your internal material allocation plans—in other words, I’ll sell wherever I choose, free from your interference.”

“I can’t make that decision myself! I must get approval from my superiors,” Director Sun replied immediately.

“I understand, Director Sun. The industrial zone is still just a vision, and our cooperation isn’t something we can settle with a brief conversation today. We both need time to carefully consider a comprehensive plan. Let’s each draw up a detailed cooperation proposal, outlining our methods, mutual rights, obligations, and responsibilities. We can continue discussions once that’s done. After all, your visit today was rather sudden, and we weren’t prepared at all. Still, your trip hasn’t been in vain—I can tell you with certainty that I am willing to invest in the Shekou Industrial Zone.” Wei Hua finally gave Director Sun the answer he wanted to hear, but since the terms required higher approval, Director Sun and Secretary Liu Tianhua exchanged a few words and took their leave.

Wei Hua returned to his office, where the three women were waiting for him. As soon as he entered, Celine asked,

“Who were those people?”

“Officials from the Chinese government,” Wei Hua replied casually.

“What did they want from us?”

“They want us to invest in their region,” he answered.

“And did you agree?”

“Yes. It seems our plans will have to change. We’ll need to reorganize. Jessie, Mary, Celine, I promised the leaders of China I would invest back home. Now they’ve come to see me, asking me to fulfill my promise. Besides, I am Chinese—an unchangeable fact. I must help my homeland; it’s my duty. So I’ve decided to invest back in China. I need you to quickly draft a cooperation proposal, making clear both our conditions and the price we’re willing to pay. Also, list in detail what we need the Chinese government to do for us. If there’s anything unclear, just come and ask me.”

“Where will we get the funds? All the money here is tied up in oil futures. Should we pull capital from Japan?” Celine inquired.

“No, I have other ideas for the funding. Besides, this is a good opportunity to solve some of the issues you’ve all been concerned about. For now, just focus on drafting the cooperation plan,” Wei Hua said mysteriously.

Celine, Jessie, and Mary were all twenty-five or six now—the age for marriage. More than once, they’d suggested to Wei Hua that Jessie could register marriages in three different places. He knew they were urging him to make a decision. The three women had sacrificed a great deal for him, and he didn’t want to let them down, so he decided to offer them some comfort and resolve the funding issue at the same time.

His plan was simple: he would go to Europe to register his marriages, and while there, take a trip to the Principality of Morocco. He’d spend some time at the casinos and, with his luck, win a few hundred million dollars without difficulty. As a billionaire, he could easily produce such a sum, and no one would ever suspect he walked in with nothing but guile.

A week later, Wei Hua handed Director Sun a thick cooperation proposal. After skimming through it, Director Sun realized that many points fell outside the investment bureau’s authority. He said to Wei Hua,

“Mr. Wei, as you said, genuine cooperation is quite complicated. This proposal includes many matters beyond our bureau’s jurisdiction, so I’ll need to discuss it internally and report to my superiors. How about this: I’ll take this plan back, submit it to our higher-ups, and let them make the decision. What do you think?”

“No problem. This proposal was meant for you all along. If you have any objections, you’re free to suggest amendments. This is business; any disagreements can be discussed openly. I believe all issues can be resolved in the end.”

With that, Director Sun took the cooperation proposal and flew back to Hong Kong. Upon his return, he immediately headed back to Guangdong, and the proposal soon landed on the desks of the second generation of leaders.

Come what may! Whatever you have, bring it on!