Chapter 548: I Disagree

Qianlu Bank?

Qianlu Semiconductor Chip Research Institute?

I have even heard that Qianhe Real Estate is now planning to rename itself to Qianlu Real Estate?

Qianlu...

President Ran Tinglan furrowed her brows tightly, rubbing her temples vigorously with two fingers, as if she had only just realized something from the names. However, the bank had been established too quickly, and the Semiconductor Chip Research Institute had also been set up very quickly; everything was happening too fast.

This meant they hadn't been able to react in time. In the past, if someone with such potential appeared in Shanghu, they would always make contact immediately to see what the person's background was. If the person wasn't interested in the other two clubs, they would try to recruit them.

But there had been too many things happening recently, and the Ancestor was especially worried about Ran Xiang's health. She had specifically taken her to the United States.

Most importantly!

Qianlu Bank seemed to have been established in a rush right before Jin Lu took office.

This kid... could he really be that rich? Did he prepare all of this specifically for Jin Lu? If that were truly the case, then it was... the capital pool was simply too unfathomable, right? Had they all actually misjudged him?

President Ran Tinglan's eyes were uncertain, shifting between light and dark. Originally, she had only wanted to support Jin Lu as a puppet president.

In the future, once she slowly infiltrated the interior of The Group and replaced everyone who originally listened to Ran Xiang—anyway, the Ancestor wouldn't live much longer—then she, a person born of a concubine, might also have the chance to become the Ancestor of the entire Ran Family!

But what was going on with this Zheng Qian?

That damned little girl Jin Lu... where did she find such a powerful figure?

"I certainly will not decline. Thank you for President Zheng's generosity." Jin Lu nodded slightly and turned her gaze toward the two people on the periphery of the round table. "You two, after the meeting concludes later, please contact President Zheng privately. That plot of land is indeed very suitable for building river-view luxury flats, which aligns with our own ideas. Let's not occupy the meeting time with this for now."

"Thank you, President Jin! Thank you, President Zheng!"

The two people stood up abruptly, their faces showing expressions of gratitude.

Although they were core members and qualified to enter this conference room, even within the core, there were circles, just like this round table. Three inner layers and three outer layers—this in itself was equivalent to delineating [social strata].

Five or six years ago, the two of them had been qualified to sit in the innermost circle. That was because real estate had been the most profitable industry back then.

Things were different now, so naturally, they had to yield their seats to those more suitable. Moreover, the industry was currently suffering a huge impact; they were barely able to look after themselves. The banks were pressing hard, and if they couldn't repay the money quickly, their capital chains were very likely to snap.

This move was truly enough to revive their finances!

Only a top-tier club would have the capability to handle projects that could easily generate billions in profit.

In reality, this was only because the Ran Family was currently in decline and far from having the control they once held. Nowadays, when the Songshang Club and the Shanghai Americas Club held core meetings, it was a completely different scene, where the president's word was truly law.

If they designated which family would lead a certain industry, everyone had to work together and could not have any ulterior motives. Otherwise, you would be kicked out of the club directly and subjected to harsh suppression, guaranteeing your company would go bankrupt in minutes. That was just how overbearing they were.

Once upon a time, the Ran Family had been just as overbearing; how could they be as easy to talk to as they were today? Would someone like Li Zhongke even dare to make such a clamor?

"Alright, next is the profit distribution for the entertainment industry." Jin Lu took out a piece of paper and surveyed the room. "Our club has four representatives from the entertainment industry. Over the years, they have been heavily suppressed by the Shanghai Americas Club. The pie is limited, so if we want to earn enough profit, we need everyone to support one of these companies together. The club's board of directors has discussed this and is prepared to inject 5 billion in aid..."

Of course, this 5 billion was not a free gift. It required taking a share of the project's profit quota.

Jin Lu's meaning was simple: currently, the leader of the domestic entertainment industry was in the Shanghai Americas Club. They had greater influence and occupied more resources. If the entertainment industry group of our Chunshen Club wanted to get ahead and compete with them for a slice of the pie, we had to fully support one of our member companies.

This was what it meant to concentrate forces to accomplish big things. The Ran Family would take the lead in raising 5 billion as an example, and she also hoped other companies would follow suit.

At this moment, everyone's gaze turned in unison toward a person beside Li Zhongke. His name was Zhao Mingda, the boss of the "Tomorrow Star Entertainment Group," and he could be considered the leading figure in this field within the Chunshen Club.

Although he was still far behind when looking at the country as a whole, he was the only one they could present.

The bosses of the other small entertainment companies sighed; it seemed they would not have a chance to receive aid this time. Not only that, but they would even have to sacrifice their own profits to assist Zhao Mingda. It was truly a dilemma.

If they moved forward and followed suit, they would have to pour money into someone else's project. If they retreated and left, losing the club's connections and resources would make it impossible to move an inch.

Moreover, companies of their size might not even be noticed by the Shanghai Americas Club or the Songshang Club. Regardless, it seemed they all had to participate this time; they could only hope that once Zhao Mingda succeeded, he would be able to help them.

But... did Jin Lu have that kind of control? Could she command the various lords? They made no comment on this.

Zhao Mingda, on the other hand, crossed his arms, looking triumphant.

He swept his gaze over those two people and said with a smile, "You two don't need to sigh either. I won't treat you unfairly; let's all make money together! I've already thought it through. With this money, I plan to add 50 modern, five-star standard multiplex 'Tomorrow Cinemas' across the country. If they are profitable, I will definitely give you a certain share of the equity. I won't treat you unfairly."

His words were as useless as farts; those two had seen right through Zhao Mingda.

Just as Zhao Mingda was preparing to urge Jin Lu to make the final decision, another "discordant" voice appeared.

"I disagree. The way you put it, it sounds as if this sum of money has already become something in your pocket?"

Zheng Qian raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a half-smile, "For so many years, the Chunshen Club has seemingly provided you with funding every year, right? You keep asking for money, but I haven't seen you use it in the right places. Either you're plotting to partner with others to invest in Oman's oil fields, or you're trying to privately form joint ventures with members of other clubs. What are you trying to do?"

Huh? Zhao Mingda was stunned for a moment. How did this kid know so much?

He slammed the table and retorted angrily, "What do you mean by that? Didn't you just enjoy the benefits in the real estate sector? We are talking about the entertainment industry now; what does it have to do with you? Besides... the investments in other fields were made with my own money, and I have used the club's capital injection in my original line of business! If you don't believe me, you can check the finances!"

"Alright, alright, in this day and age, who still believes in account books?"

"As for those pittance of funds, President Jin probably can't be bothered to quibble with you. I am different from you; I am not here to suck blood. I am prepared to bring out 50 billion to help other entertainment companies in the Chunshen Club pursue a path of development together. President Jin has just taken office; shouldn't we members show some support?"