Chapter 93: Climbing High Branches

Jiang Yanran's entire speech lasted about 40 minutes, longer than anyone else's before her.

More importantly, Jiang Yanran hinted that Asia Shipping would have big moves in the second half of the year, but she did not disclose the critical information.

One reason was to attract initiative from investors.

The second was to avoid being targeted by competitors.

It was a very intelligent speech.

Throughout the entire process, every gesture of Jiang Yanran revealed a confidence that no one else could match.

Just as Jiang Yanran had expected, the moment she stepped off the stage, she received messages from several investors asking what big moves Asia Shipping would make in the second half of the year, whether it was reliable, and what the chances of success were.

Jiang Yanran replied to all of them uniformly: 90% certainty, and invited these investors to discuss the details over dinner.

In her eyes, the money in the hands of these investors was already hers for the taking.

Three words to describe Jiang Yanran's current mood: relaxed, happy, simple.

"This Jiang Yanran is no simple person!" Zheng Qian frowned.

It was evident from Jiang Yanran's speech that she was not just a name without substance, but someone with solid capability.

I heard from Xiao Xinhao that she returned from studying abroad?

"Asia Shipping, founded by Jiang Hongyu, can be considered a hegemon in Jiangnan and is quite famous throughout Asia."

Chen Weiqiang continued to introduce Jiang Yanran.

"But Jiang Hongyu passed away four years ago due to a heart attack. He only had one daughter, Jiang Yanran, so she took over the company."

"However, do not underestimate her. As soon as Jiang Yanran took office, she vigorously reorganized the company. Now, Asia Shipping firmly sits as the industry leader in the Jiangnan region."

"Manager Xiao, you have worked under Jiang Yanran for four years, so you should know her better than I do. Perhaps you can introduce her to President Zheng."

"My conversations with her are basically all work-related. We have no private interaction, and she wouldn't spend any time on a small manager like me, hahaha."

Xiao Xinhao gave a bitter laugh.

He certainly would like to climb such a high branch.

"However, Jiang Yanran is indeed very formidable. She is swift and decisive in everything she does. She didn't give any face to the old veterans in Asia Shipping, and they were all dealt with quite harshly by her."

Hearing this, Chen Weiqiang and Zheng Qian nodded silently.

The next person to take the stage was Hu Yuebin of Yamei Group.

"Hu Yuebin? He came to the Maritime Trade Summit too?" Zheng Qian was a bit surprised.

However, after thinking it through, Zheng Qian was no longer that surprised.

There are only two shipyard companies in Yebai: Zhengxin Shipyard and Yamei Group.

Since even Zhengxin could attend the Maritime Trade Summit, Yamei Group was naturally qualified.

Hu Yuebin's eye bags were swollen, he had thick dark circles under his eyes, and he spoke listlessly. If one didn't know better, they might think he only had a few years left to live.

Zheng Qian guessed that Hu Yuebin must have been fooling around in a bar looking for girls last night, otherwise, his mental state couldn't possibly be this poor.

He even saw a few people holding back laughter, discussing Hu Yuebin's complexion, and even guessing how many girls Hu Yuebin had found last night.

It almost made Zheng Qian die of laughter.

Is that it!

With this state, how can Hu Yuebin compete with Zhengxin Shipyard?

Zheng Qian was certain that even if those financial giants did not invest in Zhengxin Shipyard, they would not invest in Yamei Group, handing money over to such a playboy who spent his days in debauchery to squander.

After Hu Yuebin stepped down, other maritime transport companies like the foreign-invested enterprise Duster and state-owned China Airlines had their presidents go up one by one to present annual reports and solicit investments.

In the evening, Zheng Qian and Liu Shiqi accompanied Chen Weiqiang to a private room on the 24th floor of the Dizun Hotel to host an investor from Shanghai for dinner.

Chen Weiqiang told Zheng Qian that this investor was actually the one he had been talking to in Shanghai a few days ago.

The specific details had mostly been finalized, and tonight was just to seal the deal and sign the contract.

In fact, Zheng Qian had never understood why Liu Shiqi was also attending the Maritime Trade Summit; she was using the quota of Zhongguang Fund to attend this summit.

"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is President Zhuo, Zhuo Xiuwen, whom I often mention to you."

"President Zhuo is not only our future partner but also the president of Tianxia Shipping in the Shanghai region."

Chen Weiqiang introduced Zhuo Xiuwen to Zheng Qian with a smile.

He was a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, of medium height and slender build, who looked very scholarly.

Beside Zhuo Xiuwen, there was also a female secretary who looked to be around twenty years old, just the age of a recent college graduate, with fair skin and beauty, a petite figure, a proper lolita.

If not for Chen Weiqiang's introduction, Zheng Qian would never have guessed that he was the president of a company.

"This is President Liu, Liu Shiqi, the vice president of my company and also the founder and manager of Zhongguang Fund."

Chen Weiqiang introduced the identities of Liu Shiqi and Zheng Qian to Zhuo Xiuwen in turn.

"I have long heard of President Liu's great name. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."

"What are you saying, President Zhuo? You are busy with a thousand tasks a day. It is my honor to be able to eat with you today."

The two of them exchanged very official pleasantries, flattering each other.

"President Zheng, your speech today was impassioned. To be able to serve as the vice president of Zhengxin Shipyard at such a young age, you must have outstanding ability."

Zheng Qian responded with a smile: "It is thanks to President Chen's selfless guidance."

After the five of them were seated, they first opened two bottles of wine and ate two rounds of dishes before officially starting to talk business.

"President Zhuo, we already talked when I was in Shanghai. Tonight, I just wanted to confirm the loose ends with you."

Chen Weiqiang said with a smile.

At the mention of this, Zhuo Xiuwen clicked his tongue and quietly set down the wine glass in his hand.

"Qiangzi, I won't beat around the bush with you."

"That financing we discussed, I'm afraid I cannot give it to you."

Zhuo Xiuwen said heavily.

His words were like a sharp arrow, piercing through Chen Weiqiang's heart.

"President Zhuo, what is the reason?" Chen Weiqiang was very confused. Hadn't everything been agreed upon before?

Based on Chen Weiqiang's understanding of Zhuo Xiuwen, he was not someone who liked to go back on his word. There must be a reason for his sudden change of mind.

"To tell you the truth, it is because an old senior personally visited me the night before last to talk to me, asking me to do him a favor and provide some money to help them tide over their urgent needs."

"However, regarding your side, Qiangzi, I can still give you a sum of money, but it won't be as much."

"How much?" Chen Weiqiang asked anxiously.

He had originally made plans for the second half of the year: if Zhuo Xiuwen invested another 100 million, plus the income from this half-year, Zhengxin could buy another seven or eight 10,000-ton cargo ships. The scale of Zhengxin Shipyard would instantly double, almost on par with Yamei Group.

"15 million."

15 million.

Chen Weiqiang quickly calculated in his mind. Even with some extra money, he could only buy two 10,000-ton cargo ships, and those would be old ships that had been running international routes for more than a decade.

"Alright then. Since President Zhuo needs to return a favor, I cannot say anything more. I am still very grateful to you. Let me toast you."

Chen Weiqiang poured the wine and raised his glass to toast Zhuo Xiuwen.

Zhuo Xiuwen felt quite guilty and quickly stood up to return the toast.