Chapter 696 Storm (Two in One)

Fang Zhuo was invited to the Bank of China to appear at the high-level meeting as a new strategic investor and to formally present the Goldman Sachs + Deutsche Bank + MIGA fund system.

As for the unspoken statement by President Li to resist the pressure from Li Jiacheng...

He didn't care.

It was still the same as what he said to the head of ICBC, that he was a plug-and-play knife.

As long as the leader didn't mind that the knife cut a little more cake, the cooperation between the two sides would be pleasant.

Moreover, today in the leader's office, I spoke fiercely to Li Jiacheng, and President Li's performance did not disappoint. He expressed his position quickly and firmly, without blurring the cooperation space.

This made people even happier.

November 1, 10:30 am, Bank of China high-level meeting.

Introduced by President Li himself, Fang Zhuo, representing the acquisition consortium composed of three institutions, appeared in front of the leaders of the bank for the first time.

The time for the roadshow and IPO was tight, there was pressure from British banks and the media, and there were leaders watching how this stall would end... Against this background, a consortium with a mature system and a contracted cooperation agreement with ICBC appeared, like a thunderbolt from the blue.

President Li's words of "I am responsible" as he slammed the table and roared, and his confidence after terminating the cooperation was also vivid. Now, with the appearance of the richest man in the mainland in the conference room, it seems that everything has an answer.

But it seems that the answer is still half-hidden in the mist.

When did the richest man in the mainland appear in the affairs of the Bank of China?

Is he really so appropriate?

There were not many senior executives sitting in the conference room, but everyone had a hundred minds, and couldn't help thinking deeply and couldn't help but engage in conspiracy theories.

But...

"I was surprised by the actions of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Merrill Lynch was extremely irresponsible. The two hedge funds got the transferred acquisition rights, which not only made everyone here angry, but also shocked me."

Fang Zhuo spoke as a representative of the consortium, explaining the helpless situation faced by the Bank of China.

In his opinion, Goldman Sachs's secret move was just as promised to President Li that night, and it correctly verified the "huge uncertainty" of Merrill Lynch, and the root of the problem was Merrill Lynch.

Of course, objectively speaking, Bank of China did lack experience in the process of seeking strategic cooperation this time.

Even so, it is not incomprehensible.

The strategic partner originally selected by Bank of China was Temasek, which is backed by Singapore, but it was rejected by the China Banking Regulatory Commission because it had already invested in Minsheng and CCB. The Royal Bank of Scotland was hastily launched, and it ended up in such a lose-lose situation.

Fang Zhuo felt that his appearance provided Bank of China with an option to learn from experience and lessons.

"We have signed a contract with ICBC. Today, I can honestly say that this cooperation has been approved by the leadership."

"I am very optimistic about the prospects of our Bank of China, and it is not just because of the invitation of President Li."

"In other words, I am very optimistic about the development of our Chinese banks, and I am willing to help Chinese banks' strategy of 'going out'."

"You may have heard of my own company, Yike, which has businesses in China, the United States, and Europe. In the past, it has cooperated with ICBC in terms of funds, settlements, and guarantees."

"From actual personal experience, whether it is a bank or an enterprise, the pace of 'going out' of both parties is actually synchronized."

"Just last night, I received a call from President Li. I was both happy and terrified. I discussed with Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs overnight what kind of cooperation I could bring to Bank of China."

"Finally, this is the cooperation business we have temporarily drafted."

Fang Zhuo only distributed the cooperation documents he brought here, and the leaders of Bank of China found that it was very detailed and targeted after taking a quick look at it.

"On the way here this morning, I also talked to the global president of Deutsche Bank on the phone." Fang Zhuo waited for everyone to read it before continuing with a smile, "He said that Frankfurt, Germany has already selected a prime location for the branch of Bank of China there."

What is sincerity?

This is sincerity.

Of course, this is by no means something that can be done overnight.

Fang Zhuo finally turned the topic back to President Li: "Bank of China has suffered a setback, but this setback can be recovered. I believe that our leaders and employees of Bank of China can achieve better results, and I also admire President Li very much."

"President Li is in poor health but insists on running for Bank of China. I believe that such a tenacious spirit is a microcosm of our Bank of China."

"On behalf of Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and MIGA Fund, I am willing to work with Bank of China to cope with the pressure and challenges of opening up and explore new developments in the financial market together."

Pa pa pa.

President Li was in poor health but insisted on applauding Mr. Fang's speech.

Soon, every leader in the conference room clapped.

Apart from other things, Mr. Fang's eloquent manner and sincere attitude are still very impressive.

The meeting continued.

President Li also read the business cooperation documents submitted by Mr. Fang.

He asked a few questions and also signaled his colleagues to ask targeted questions in this regard.

Fang Zhuo answered in an orderly manner, saying what he knew and what he didn't know. When he encountered something he couldn't make a decision on, he would call Paulson directly and discuss it in public.

In fact, this is beyond the plan of today's trip, but he doesn't mind showing a practical attitude of cooperation.

This high-level meeting ended at noon.

Fang Zhuo declined the lunch at noon, shook hands with the leaders of Bank of China one by one, and set a time for the formal cooperation negotiation of the consortium. That would be a more professional connection, not just a display of his attitude today.

In the afternoon, Bank of China held two meetings of different levels in succession.

In the evening, Fang Zhuo received a call from President Li and got a "in principle" word, which further consolidated the willingness of both parties to contact.

So far, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and MIGA Fund, which have already cooperated with ICBC, have really connected with Bank of China.

If everything goes well, President Li, who presided over the work with illness, will also become a person who can turn the tide for Bank of China.

That night, Fang Zhuo talked with Paulson and Deutsche Bank in succession, actively promoting the second cooperation-because it was restricted by the red lines of the China Banking and Securities Regulatory Commission, this was also the last cooperation with Chinese banks.

However, after this incident, MIGA Fund has more cooperation with Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank in the financial field to look forward to.

At 11:30 pm, Fang Zhuo called Kong Yu, who was also awake, to the room, briefly described the latest developments, and asked about the situation of competitors.

"I haven't heard of any movement from Li Jiacheng. At least, there is no wave in the media."

"The British bank seems to be still exerting its strength. It is said that it will protest from a higher level."

Kong Yu has been paying attention to news from all parties since the breakthrough.

Fang Zhuo nodded slightly: "The regulatory decision has been made, so there should be no more changes. Li Jiacheng is the richest Chinese after all. It is more or less cultivated to have a business setback."

Kong Yu also thought so and said happily: "Now it depends on our negotiation with Bank of China."

"Well." Fang Zhuo re-linked the things on the Bank of China side, "We need to talk quickly and well. The Bank of China roadshow is imminent, and the mess needs to be cleaned up. If it is still sticky, it may lead to new changes."

Kong Yu nodded carefully. This is an important attitude in negotiation.

But with the example of ICBC cooperation in front, I believe that as long as Bank of China is willing, this progress can be pushed forward quickly.

Fang Zhuo talked with Kong Yu about fund raising for a while, and the communication ended at one o'clock in the morning.

However, just when he was thinking about the situation alone, a call from Anliang Chamber of Commerce appeared on the phone screen.

"Mr. Fang, Liu Wuyi is eager to return to China." Fan Xiong, the person in charge of Anliang Chamber of Commerce, came up to report the business.

Fang Zhuo was stunned for a moment before he realized that this was the actual controller of Pulsmart.

He asked: "Very eager? Why?"

Fan Xiong said tactfully: "It should be because we are not very good to him."

Fang Zhuo was silent for a few seconds and asked: "Is it clean? When can he come back?"

"From beginning to end, he has never heard of the name of Anliang Chamber of Commerce." Fan Xiong said, "If he goes back, it will probably take a few days. He must be brought back from Africa first."

He has never even heard of Anliang Chamber of Commerce, so naturally he will not hear the name of Mr. Fang.

Fang Zhuo was surprised: "From Africa? Is it that serious?"

Fan Xiong replied: "This person still has some psychological expectations. He went to Africa to work for half a month, and the effect was very good. We will use legitimate reasons to bring him back by cargo ship."

"Okay, if he wants to come back, let him come back. Fallen leaves return to their roots." Fang Zhuo agreed to Liu Wuyi's wish to return to China, and since Fan Xiong called him, he also talked about the current investment opportunities.

Unlike the MIGA fund, this investment is profitable, but there is a lock-up period of at least three years.

Fang Zhuo made this clear. As for whether Fan Xiong invested some personal assets or the funds of the Chamber of Commerce, it depends on how the other party considers it.

The call ended.

Fang Zhuo thought that even the Anliang Chamber of Commerce had opened a profit hole, so there was no reason to forget about old friends.

He simply wrote a text message about the opportunity to invest in Bank of China and sent it to Xiong Xiaoge, Wang Fengyi and others. This time, he did not want the funds of their institutions, but a purely personal way to make money.

At two o'clock in the morning, I hurriedly fell asleep and woke up at six o'clock in the morning.

Fang Zhuo looked at his phone again and found that he had received many replies.

Sure enough, there was no rejection in these replies about banks, and many of them even wanted to ask about investment opportunities in their own institutions.

You know, this time the listing of Chinese banks is all foreign capital, and there are few mainland banks that are qualified to eat meat and drink soup.

Fang Zhuo did not say it firmly. If the MIGA fund is insufficient to raise funds, then look for friends' institutions, but from the current situation, this possibility is getting smaller and smaller.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Xiong Xiaoge made a special call after replying to the text message.

"Mr. Fang, Mr. Fang, it's amazing, even the Bank of China can be taken down without any waves! It must be Mr. Fang's move!" Xiong Xiaoge praised repeatedly.

Fang Zhuo was eating breakfast. After hearing the praise, he asked directly: "Just tell me the number."

"83 million." Xiong Xiaoge reported the number.

Fang Zhuo was puzzled: "Why are there still decimals and integers?"

"This is all the wealth I can use now, but it's a pity that you don't want to let IDG in." Xiong Xiaoge was very regretful.

Fang Zhuo frowned: "83 million US dollars is too high."

"Not US dollars, not US dollars." Xiong Xiaoge explained but felt that he was belittling himself, "less than 14 million US dollars."

Fang Zhuo did not hesitate this time and agreed. Friends must enter through the MIGA fund. The money earned is still scored. There is nothing to say.

He chatted for a few more words, hung up the phone, and continued to read the newspaper and eat breakfast.

However, Xiong Xiaoge's call in the living room was heard by his wife Luo Yan who came out of the kitchen.

Luo Yan put down the dishes and ran over directly, asking: "What's all the money? Isn't it all IDG's investment? Why is it all? All the money, don't you discuss it with me at all?"

Xiong Xiaoge patiently explained the whole story.

Luo Yan said suspiciously: "I know Fang Zhuo is very powerful, but I also know his reputation in your investment circle. Isn't he a hunter? It was fine before. Not only your money, but this time he is going straight for all the property?" No, no, even if I vote, I can’t finish it all!”

Xiong Xiaoge was a little unhappy: "I have already made an agreement with Fang Zhuo. This is a rare act of kindness from him."

Luo Yan still shook his head: "We can't invest all our belongings! It's such a big thing, so what if you agree with him? You can't tell him, I'll tell him to get the phone."

Xiong Xiaoge explained a few words, but still didn't make sense, and the phone was half snatched away.

Luo Yan found the number, made a draft, and made the call.

"Hey, is this Mr. Fang? I am Luo Yan, Xiong Xiaoge's lover." Luo Yan introduced herself.

Fang Zhuo had just finished breakfast and was surprised to receive this call. After hearing his identity, he said enthusiastically: "Hello, hello, it's my sister-in-law. Mr. Xiong and I have known each other for so long, and we haven't visited home yet. I'm sorry. Discourteous."

The two exchanged a few polite words.

Luo Yan got down to business: "While we were having dinner just now, I heard Xiong Xiaoge say that he wanted to invest money in the project. Oops, I had a few words with him. As for me, I have always wanted to change to a bigger house. It will be more comfortable to live like this. Although I haven’t chosen a house yet, the money..."

Fang Zhuo was startled, thought for a while, and asked: "Sister-in-law, I understand. Which area do you want to live in? I will build a good one for you."

Luo Yan: "?"

Fang Zhuo continued without hesitation: "My subsidiary Yongke Real Estate is looking for a suitable project in Beijing. What we want to build is definitely a high-end boutique. Let's not talk about the money for this house. The environment, materials and properties of the community are absolutely first-class. When the time comes, The price is easy to say, it’s definitely the lowest price. You can buy it with confidence and live comfortably. Sister-in-law, what do you think?”

Luo Yan was moved.

She discussed the house with Mr. Fang for nearly half an hour on the phone, and hung up the phone with satisfaction. The quality requirements for the house were indeed her true thoughts.

"Mr. Fang is really good at getting along." Luo Yan put down her phone, turned to her husband and said, "Just invest, it's all your wealth, how can Mr. Fang still scheme against us?"

Xiong Xiaoge witnessed his wife's transformation from the side and was speechless for a moment.

…

Fang Zhuo answered several calls one after another. Except for a house that was booked, the others were all institutional investments that needed to be declined.

However, just as he had basically settled his friends' interest, Kong Yu called and reported the latest news.

There was no movement in Lijiacheng, but Zhou Kaixuan accepted an interview with the media and evaluated Bank of China's strategic investment this time.

From the perspective of her status as a director of Li Foundation, this can be regarded as representing Li Jiacheng to a certain extent.

"Obviously, Bank of China ignored its business reputation. It defaulted on a hedge fund, but chose a private equity firm as a partner."

"This is extremely unwise, extremely puzzling and extremely shocking."

"Yes, even if Fang Zhuo is behind this private equity company, I think this is a wrong choice."

Zhou Kaixuan faced the media and directly named Fang Zhuo without any scruples.

Over and over again, it is tolerable, but what is unbearable!