80: Humbly seeking advice

"Boss Chen, do you have any other questions on your end?"

Lu Fan noticed that Chen Liting seemed a bit distracted, so he raised his voice slightly to ask.

Regarding the key figure for completing the system task, he followed the principle of not using someone he doubted, and not doubting someone he used.

Chen Liting snapped back to his senses, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face. "Boss Lu, isn't this share distribution a bit too much?"

"Too much? Not at all!" Lu Fan waved his hand dismissively, settling the matter. "The rest of us are hands-off owners; the management relies entirely on you alone.

This small amount of shares isn't much. It's settled."

Having scoured the classics of business warfare, he knew that only an alliance of interests is the most solid bond.

Only by establishing a community of interests can there be long-term development, rather than relying on simple emotional connections.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I will invest my entire current net worth into the shares."

What else could be said?

He wasn't putting in a single cent for a two-million-dollar investment yet held a thirty percent stake; he had to show some commitment.

For the sake of his country and his ideals, Chen Liting heroically went all-in.

"Good." Lu Fan extended his hand. "Then it's settled.

I will arrange for the first batch of high-quality cotton to be delivered to your factory as soon as possible.

As for the contract for the new factory, I'll have a lawyer draft it. The cooperation details, rights and responsibilities of both parties, and the profit-sharing ratio will all be documented with our signatures and seals."

"It's a deal!" Chen Liting gripped Lu Fan's hand firmly, his eyes filled with a long-lost drive and hope.

"Mr. Lu, I'll head back and start preparing immediately—clearing the warehouse, overhauling the machinery, and gathering the workers.

As soon as your cotton arrives, we'll start operations right away. Let's build up some 'family savings' for these troubled times!"

The two men smiled at each other, the intent for cooperation thoroughly finalized in the study.

Lu Fan had resolved a key link in completing the system task.

Chen Liting, meanwhile, had found a new path to continue his ideal of saving the country through industry amidst the crisis.

"Since things are settled, let's implement them as soon as possible!" Lu Fan beckoned, and Zhao Chengqiang entered the study.

"A-Cheng, go find Seventh Miss Sheng and have her send a professional lawyer over. I need to draft a contract for the new company here."

Inside the study, the excitement of the cooperation had not yet dissipated.

Having just recovered from a serious illness, Chen Liting was impatient to light a cigarette to soothe his exhilarated emotions.

"Old brother, smoke one of mine. These have filters; they're a bit less damaging to the lungs."

Seeing Chen Liting skillfully rolling a cigarette, Lu Fan knew he was undoubtedly an old smoker and quickly handed him a Huazi.

He couldn't stop him, so he could only let him smoke a Huazi so he wouldn't cough.

"The flavor is mellow with a hint of plum fragrance. It's much better than foreign cigarettes. Not bad!

The red packaging is festive. 'Huazi'—a good cigarette and a good name." Chen Liting puffed on the Huazi and couldn't stop praising it.

"If you like them, take a few cartons back!" As Lu Fan spoke, he took two cartons of Huazi from the cabinet and placed them on the table.

"Then I won't be polite." Chen Liting accepted the two cartons of Huazi without any pretense.

"Boss Chen, you've navigated the business world for decades. I have something I'd like to ask your advice on, if it's convenient!"

Lu Fan shifted the topic, his tone becoming serious.

Chen Liting replied very readily, "I haven't had much schooling, so I won't understand things that are too profound.

However, if it's about business matters, I can certainly give you my perspective."

Lu Fan smiled and cut to the chase. "I went to the futures exchange a few days ago and saw that the price of cotton on the boards wasn't expensive.

Why is it that you can't buy cotton at a reasonable price?"

Hearing Lu Fan's question, Chen Liting sighed with a bitter smile. "I can actually explain a thing or two about that to you.

To put it simply, the japanese rely on their massive capital and the backing of their state to manipulate the market."

Lu Fan said indignantly, "How can we just let the japanese control the market?

With so many wealthy people in Shanghai, can't they charge into the futures market and find a sure-win opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the Little Japs?"

Chen Liting froze for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into laughter. "Mr. Lu, this is futures; the water is very deep.

That thing is a casino that eats people without spitting out the bones. Out of ten who go in, nine and a half come out with bloodshot eyes.

Once you get carried away, if you don't die, you'll at least lose a layer of skin.

Besides, where is there any such thing as a 'sure-win' path?

Many factors influence price fluctuations, and the market situation changes in the blink of an eye.

If you can avoid it, resolutely do not touch it. It's very easy to lose your entire fortune."

With the straightforwardness of an industrialist, Chen Liting waved his hands repeatedly, expressing deep loathing for futures speculation.

Back when he opened a dye factory in Qingdao, he had almost been ruined by futures.

Although he hadn't played in recent years, he had been studying it, and his insights had only deepened over time.

This talk increased Lu Fan's awareness of the risks in the futures market once again.

However, he was not discouraged. He said calmly and sincerely, "I am aware of that and understand the risks involved.

I just feel that with 5,000 tons of physical cotton in hand and ten million USD in cash,

I should have the capital to fight it out with the japanese."

"How much?!" Chen Liting's smile froze instantly, and his eyes widened as if he had heard a tall tale.

"What? You have ten million... USD? And 5,000 tons of... physical cotton?"

He shot up from his chair, staring intently at Lu Fan, his voice changing pitch.

Ten million USD—even the top three families on the Shanghai rich list combined couldn't produce that much cash at once.

"What? Is it still not enough?"

Lu Fan sighed heavily and closed his eyes to look at the main quest; it was a real headache.

If it really didn't work, he'd just make a small fuss and finish the task.

Chen Liting paced back and forth in the study while smoking, his breathing becoming a bit heavy.

The futures market was treacherous and abnormal; under normal circumstances, there really was no sure-win method.

But the two hole cards Lu Fan had revealed were simply too heavy—heavy enough to tip the scales of the market.

After finishing the cigarette, he stopped abruptly, a sharp glint erupting in his eyes.

"Little brother, if you have this kind of strength, then it's not like there's no chance." Chen Liting sat back down at the tea table.

"Old brother, what do you mean by that?" Lu Fan asked with an open mind.

Chen Liting took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and looked at Lu Fan with burning eyes.

"What they are trading is 'future' cotton; it's virtual.

But what you hold in your hand, little brother, is tangible physical stock.

Moreover, you have ten million USD in cash; your capital scale is large enough.

This is enough to fight a head-on war of annihilation against them in the futures market!"

"You mean...?" Lu Fan saw the hope of completing the task, his gaze turning sharp.

"This matter cannot be rushed. Although you hold the advantage, the specifics of how to do this still need careful planning. Let me think it over properly."

At the critical moment, Chen Liting fell into silence. After all, with so many aspects involved, there had to be a foolproof plan.

"Short it! Short it ruthlessly! Let that pack of japanese know whose territory this is."

A cold and domineering voice echoed through the study.