85: Chapter 86: A $100 Million Bargain! Handing Over 45% of Core Equity

Qin Zhengye held his breath, his palms slick with cold sweat.

He knew that the decision these three old men were about to make would directly determine the final direction of the entire Yangtze River Delta business world.

Wu Tianheng, Zhou Zhenghai, and Zhu Qingshan did not speak immediately.

At this crossroads of life and death for their century-old family foundations.

These three 'old money' patriarchs, who had fought side by side in the Shanghai business world for most of their lives.

They did not even need any unnecessary verbal communication.

They simply looked up in tacit agreement.

In mid-air, with those three pairs of cloudy yet incredibly sharp eyes, they engaged in a hidden and profound exchange of glances.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Just three brief eye exchanges.

These three century-old giants entrenched in Shanghai had already reached a complete consensus in their hearts.

As the leader of the three families, Wu Tianheng slowly straightened his body from the large leather chair.

His face, which had been calm as an ancient well for years, now showed a long-lost, fanatical flush, like an old general returning to the battlefield.

He took a pure black Montblanc fountain pen from the inner pocket of his suit.

He unscrewed the cap and pulled a blank piece of stationery from the table.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

The nib slid rapidly across the paper, making a sharp, decisive scratching sound.

After finishing, Wu Tianheng slowly pushed the white paper across the rosewood table to Shen Du.

Shen Du looked down.

On the paper, there was a line of sky-high betting stakes that would make any Wall Street investment bank go crazy:

"45% of Jiyuan Technology, 45% of Shen Du's subsequent shareholding in Meituan. In exchange for the first phase of startup capital, 100 million USD!"

This was simply an exorbitant demand!

A cash flow of 100 million USD was enough to break through the moat of any mid-sized listed company in the current capital market.

And what Wu Tianheng wanted was to cut away nearly half of the core lifeline in Shen Du's hands!

However, before Shen Du could respond.

Wu Tianheng already had his hands pressed on the table, his hawk-like eyes locked onto the youth before him.

"Nephew Shen, the conditions on this paper are the bottom line for our three families to enter the game."

Wu Tianheng's voice was low and hoarse, but it carried a decisiveness capable of suppressing a raging storm:

"If you dare to sign, I can represent The Wu Family, Zhou Family, and the Zhu Family to give you our bottom line today:

No matter how long this war against the North lasts, no matter how many 100-million-dollar bottomless pits need to be filled later.

We three old guys will keep this war going until the very last cent on the family accounts is burned up!"

Hearing this statement, which could only be described as insane, even Qin Zhengye, who was sitting to the side, felt his scalp tingle with shock.

He did not understand.

Why did these old vampires, who usually valued money more than their lives, suddenly become so crazy?

Wu Tianheng seemed to see through Qin Zhengye's confusion.

He glanced coldly at Qin Zhengye.

Then he turned his head to look at the neon lights of Shanghai, shrouded in heavy rain outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, his eyes revealing a deep obsession:

"Do you think we are crazy?

Do you think it is irrational to bet our century-old foundation on the poker table for this little bit of industry?"

Wu Tianheng laughed at himself, but his tone carried the pride of an old-school Chinese businessman:

"Actually, with the assets our three families have hoarded overseas.

Even if we gave up this market today and moved our families to Wall Street or to Europe.

The people from our Wu, Zhou, and Zhu families.

Could still live like local emperors in any corner of the world."

"But..."

Wu Tianheng turned his head sharply, every word striking like a bell: "But this bustling metropolis is the root of our three families!!"

"As a traditional Chinese businessman, no matter how much money we earn, the final destination is only four words: Falling leaves return to their roots!

This land flows with the blood of our ancestors and buries the soul of our family!

We can lose to the times in the business world.

But we absolutely will not allow our foundation for survival to be ruthlessly trampled and plundered by those barbarians from the North who don't understand the rules!"

The ultimate bottom line of 'old money' was revealed at this moment.

They were no longer protecting pure money, but that obsession with their homeland, the unyielding backbone of Shanghai Merchants for a hundred years!

Facing the harsh, 'robbery-like' conditions offered by Wu Tianheng.

Facing the huge cost of handing over nearly half of the control of his core industry.

There was not a hint of hesitation or struggle on Shen Du's face.

Not only was there no bargaining, but a sincere respect even emerged in his eyes.

In fact, Shen Du knew better than anyone.

If it came to ruthless spending, top overseas venture capital firms might offer better valuations.

But the reason he insisted on biting the Wu, Zhou, and Zhu families at this critical juncture.

And was even willing to use himself as bait to get them involved.

Was precisely because of the death-match bottom line that belonged to the traditional faction in their bones!

Pure Wall Street capitalists.

Would cut their losses and run away without hesitation when they saw profits bottoming out or risks becoming uncontrollable.

But these traditional 'old money' figures like Wu Tianheng, who valued 'falling leaves return to their roots' and regarded the Shanghai territory as their lifeline, would not!

As long as you push them to the edge of the cliff, as long as you ignite their ferocity to defend their homeland.

These old guys would dare to bet their lives on the poker table and fight to the end!

Shen Du did not have any extra nonsense.

He reached out and took the still-warm Montblanc fountain pen from Wu Tianheng.

Under the complex gaze of Wu Tianheng, Zhou Zhenghai, Zhu Qingshan, and Qin Zhengye.

Shen Du uncapped the pen and decisively signed his name on the white paper worth at least 100 million USD.

The pen strokes were sharp and powerful!

"Clap."

Shen Du gently patted the pen on the table, then slowly looked up.

In those clear eyes that should have belonged to a nineteen-year-old youth, there was now a monstrous fighting spirit burning that could burn everything to ashes.

He looked directly at the three 'old money' patriarchs, his voice ringing like a great bell in the closed top-floor lounge:

"Since the three uncles dare to gamble with me with their century-old foundation, then I, Shen Du, can naturally bear this heavy burden!"

"I will put it on the line today.

As long as I, Shen Du, am alive for one day.

I will fight the Beijing Circle to the end and never let them succeed!

The sky of Shanghai can only be the sky of our Shanghai Merchants!"

At this moment, there was no champagne, no flashlights.

Only five men on this rainy morning.

With iron-blooded means, they completed a blood-oath that was destined to be recorded in the annals of Chinese business history!

Just at the moment Shen Du finished signing and the oath echoed.

On the cold data panel that only Shen Du could see.

The Geomantic Map representing the entire Yangtze River Delta business landscape instantly erupted with a dazzling golden light!

The overall 45% defense line that originally represented the local traditional faction and had been squeezed to the brink of collapse.

Under the massive injection of this 100 million USD in ammunition and the foundation of the three families, it began an incredible counterattack!

Data was jumping, soaring, and devouring wildly!

30%... 40%... 50%...

Finally, that white color representing the traditional local camp.

Crushed the encirclement of external forces like a hot knife through butter.

And locked in a number with an absolute overwhelming advantage on the entire market: 55%!