Min Ziqiong looked at President Zhao with extreme disappointment and disbelief.
She never expected President Zhao to become a pawn of those foreign giants!
It was one thing for him to intentionally make things difficult for her, but to try and obtain the technology and formula of Shenjing through this method was simply wishful thinking!
"I'm sorry, I'd rather not get a single cent of loan than use Shenjing's formula and technology as collateral!"
Min Ziqiong said righteously and refused coldly.
President Zhao seemed to have expected Min Ziqiong to respond this way. He crossed his legs and said, "Miss Min, there's no need to refuse so quickly. You can go back and consider it."
"Oh, and I must remind Miss Min: don't think that if you can't get a loan from our Jianghai Bank, you can get one from other banks. If our Jianghai Bank deems a loan applicant unqualified, other banks will also deem them unqualified. Jianghai Bank has this kind of influence."
Min Ziqiong was furious.
President Zhao was clearly threatening Min Ziqiong: either hand over Shenjing's formula and technology, or don't expect to get Shenjing off the ground!
"Heh," Min Ziqiong gave President Zhao a cold laugh, then snatched up the documents on the table and turned to leave!
Only after walking out of Jianghai Bank did Min Ziqiong reveal a look of deep disappointment.
Although she had been mentally prepared, she still hadn't expected the foreign giants to have such great influence that they could reach into Jianghai's local banking system!
It made sense, though. Banks like Jianghai Bank relied on clients of that caliber.
A little threat would be enough to make Jianghai Bank obedient.
Originally, Min Ziqiong had planned to visit a few more banks, but now it seemed pointless.
If even the largest bank, Jianghai Bank, had capitulated, other banks certainly wouldn't stand firm.
So, if she couldn't get a loan from a bank, where else could she borrow money from?
Could it be underground loan sharks?
Min Ziqiong was startled by her own thought.
Underground loan sharks charged terrifyingly high interest rates; they were the epitome of unscrupulous businessmen.
Most people who went there ended up as mere skeletons, their flesh and blood completely consumed!
But...
As long as Shenjing could be launched quickly, with its quality and reputation, it should be able to generate revenue in a very short time.
Perhaps she could be bold enough to try her luck with underground loan sharks?
With this thought, Min Ziqiong didn't rush. Instead, she picked up her phone and started making calls.
First, she wanted to probe a familiar friend to inquire about interest rates and repayment rules.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she connected the call, her friend seemed to have anticipated her call. He said, "Just as I guessed, I knew you'd call me."
"Why?" Min Ziqiong asked in surprise.
"Because today, the big bosses all received news. They've been ordered to stop lending money to you. Unless you're willing to exchange Shenjing's formula and technology. When I heard that, I realized they were clearly blocking your normal channels, forcing you to borrow from underground loan sharks!"
"Normally, if you were willing to borrow from us, we'd be overjoyed. After all, who doesn't know the value of Shenjing! But the other party's influence is too great, so great that it could affect our livelihoods. We can't afford to offend them!"
"So, your call is in vain. I'm afraid no one in the underworld dares to lend you money now. Even if someone does, they're courting death. You might not even get the money before they disappear themselves."
Her friend sighed and said.
Min Ziqiong's heart instantly sank.
She thanked her friend and hung up the phone.
Now, both the bank and underground loan shark routes were blocked!
In fact, there were more ways for companies to finance themselves than just these two.
There were methods like bonds, equity, credit guarantees, and trusts.
But these were methods Min Ziqiong had long ruled out. How could she possibly reconsider them?
"A single coin can stump a hero. I truly understand that feeling now!" Min Ziqiong sat on the roadside in despair, muttering to herself.
Suddenly, she thought of someone.
The elderly gentleman from Changqing Tree who had appeared at the press conference and was extremely optimistic about Shenjing!
If he were willing to help, perhaps this matter could be turned around!
So, Min Ziqiong immediately drove to the residence of the Changqing Tree elder.
Upon arrival, before she could even park and get out of the car, a security guard approached her.
The security guard knocked on Min Ziqiong's car window and indicated that she didn't need to get out, and could speak from inside the car.
"Miss Min, Elder Zhang is feeling unwell today and cannot receive visitors. Please forgive us."
"However, before retiring, Elder Zhang gave me something to give to Miss Min."
Saying this, the security guard passed a slip of paper to Min Ziqiong through the car window.
Min Ziqiong took it and was instantly overjoyed.
The slip of paper clearly contained a phone number!
Below the number was a line of text: "You can find him to handle the factory land and company procedures. I've already spoken to him."
Elder Zhang had clearly anticipated Min Ziqiong's visit and had prepared this gift for her in advance!
With Elder Zhang's note, the production and launch of Shenjing would accelerate by more than ten times!
It was incredibly important!
Everything was ready except for the final push. Now, as long as the funding was secured, they could immediately start production!
However, a subsequent statement from the security guard sent Min Ziqiong plummeting into an ice cellar, her face devoid of any joy.
"Elder Zhang also asked me to tell you: this is all he can do. He's powerless to help with other matters, so Miss Min will have to find her own solutions."
With that, the security guard turned and left.
Min Ziqiong was left alone, her expression vacant.
Elder Zhang's words were clear: he, too, was under considerable pressure!
Yet, he had still managed to overcome the pressure to help Min Ziqiong secure the land and company procedures, along with other issues.
As for funding, Elder Zhang could no longer help, otherwise, he too would be significantly impacted!
"Looking around, there are only enemies! I truly feel like a bird trapped in a celestial net, seemingly soaring high, but actually with no escape!"
"Must I resort to the last resort and seek Mr. Steven's help? But if this matter is exposed, Shenjing's previously established image as a 'light of domestic products' will inevitably collapse! And we'll face backlash!"
"Both sides are cliffs, which way should I go?"
Min Ziqiong lamented with a hint of desolation and grief.
Until nightfall.
Min Ziqiong returned to the mountaintop villa.
After leaving Elder Zhang's residence, she hadn't completely given up. She had still tried to contact two local magnates.
But, without exception, they had all politely declined Min Ziqiong's request.
This showed how terrifying the influence of those international giants was. Fortunately, this was in China; in smaller countries, the international giants' words could even cause dramatic changes to the entire nation!
Let alone a mere individual!
"Hmm? The food you made today tastes off. Either too much salt or too much vinegar. Are you in a bad mood?"
At the dinner table, Ying Chen casually picked up two bites and immediately sensed Min Ziqiong's unease.
Min Ziqiong tried to hide it, but Ying Chen stopped her: "Don't speak, let me guess. You probably encountered significant resistance when you went out to handle business today."
"Tell me, what kind of resistance? I don't want to have to endure meals like this every day."
"Then I absolutely cannot tolerate it."