"Really? Huang He invested in your plan!" Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.
Who was Huang He? A miracle in China's business world, a super genius. Although born into a second-generation family, he initially burdened the family business with heavy debts. However, in just three years, he amassed a fortune of tens of billions of dollars, a true business legend.
While foreigners might not know much about our boss Huang, his status in China surpassed even the future "Two Ma" bosses, the kind of person whose words were treated as golden decrees.
Following him meant you could literally pick up money with both hands.
Therefore, everyone naturally expressed doubt. How could Huang He possibly take an interest in Liu Qiangdong, someone who had lost everything?
"You still don't believe me? Come, let me show you. This is a photo of me and boss Huang taken last night. I also have a video from the night before, taken officially at a banquet. Boss Huang and I chatted for over ten minutes. If it wasn't about investment, why would we talk for so long?"
"Also, this is the investment agreement letter sent by Jiangnan Group this morning, along with the equity distribution agreement. Both are stamped with the official seal of Jiangnan Group!"
"And this, this is a bank SMS. One hundred million US dollars arrived in my account last night. And here are the preliminary registration documents for the company, which will be registered in the United States. I'm currently having a US law firm handle the agency. You can see if boss Huang He's name is among the shareholders!"
"Finally, this is the share purchase agreement signed by Lei Jun of Xiaomi Group with me. He spent a full 100 million RMB to buy 2% of my new company's shares. This is also genuine. This is the funding I've prepared to repay you all!" Liu Qiangdong presented several pieces of evidence in one go, fully proving that Huang He had indeed invested in him.
He also incidentally proved his ability to repay the debts.
Seeing this evidence, the creditors present were filled with regret.
They never imagined that Huang He would actually be optimistic about Liu Qiangdong's plan. This meant Liu Qiangdong's new company could truly become a goldmine!
Thinking of this, they couldn't help but lick their lips.
The thought of Lei Jun of Xiaomi spending 100 million RMB to purchase a 2% stake sent a wave of dizziness through them.
It was one thing for Huang He to be optimistic, but for Lei Jun of Xiaomi to be willing to spend 100 million RMB for just 2% of the shares – this business was genuinely profitable!
Some even regretted their relentless pursuit of Liu Qiangdong, which had strained their relationship to the breaking point. If their relationship had remained as good as before, perhaps they could have found a way to get a piece of the pie.
Well, actually, Liu Qiangdong hadn't shown them a crucial clause in the agreement. This clause stated that the agreement would only take effect after the 100 million RMB was deposited.
This was, in fact, a façade that Liu Qiangdong had asked Lei Jun to present to impress them. He had explicitly told Lei Jun not to give him a single cent, and that he wouldn't accept it if offered.
Of course, the creditors present wouldn't meticulously read these additional clauses, and even if they did, it wouldn't matter. An agreement that stipulated it would become effective after the arrival of funds and outlined clear rules was perfectly normal and not against common sense.
"That doesn't seem right. Huang He spent 100 million US dollars for 49% of your shares, and 100 million RMB is about one-eighth of 100 million US dollars. He should have gotten 5% of the shares!" someone asked, puzzled.
"Nonsense. Can you compare Lei Jun's investment in me with boss Huang's investment in me?" Liu Qiangdong rolled his eyes. "Boss Huang has Jiangnan Group behind him, and Jiangnan Group has immense influence in the United States. My new plan is to start from the US, which means I can get significant support from Jiangnan Group."
"I've already reached an agreement with boss Huang. Jiangnan Group will fully support my enterprises in the US. You should have also received news about the farewell banquet boss Huang hosted two days ago. Jiangnan Group is now fully supporting Chinese enterprises venturing into the US. Because Jiangnan Group is somewhat isolated in the US, they need the help of fellow countrymen like us!"
"I've received 100 million US dollars in investment from Jiangnan Group, so to make money, they naturally won't stop helping me. That's why they only got 49% of my shares for 100 million US dollars. As for Xiaomi, they can't help me with anything, so 100 million RMB can only get them 2% of the shares!"
"Besides, we all know in our hearts that if it weren't for boss Huang's discerning eye, recognizing my capability as Liu Qiangdong and being willing to invest in my venture, why would Xiaomi be willing to invest another 100 million in me? Why didn't they invest before my deal with boss Huang was finalized?"
"To put it plainly, they want to make money by following boss Huang. Can the price of adding splendor to splendor be the same as offering help in adversity?" Liu Qiangdong's words rendered the creditors speechless. Indeed, these two sums of money could not be allocated shares at the same ratio.
But since Xiaomi was willing to accept the fact of getting 2% of the shares for 100 million RMB, it meant that this price was still profitable.
And who was Lei Jun? He was known as the "second Huang He," a newly emerged business magnate with considerable skill and foresight. Would such a person make a mistake?
Thinking of this, the creditors felt even worse, as if a golden opportunity to make money was placed right before them, yet they couldn't grasp it.
"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. Now, let's settle the accounts, check the interest, and see how much I owe you all by the end of this month. Once calculated, sign for confirmation, and I'll transfer the money to you in three days. Everyone will be happy, and I'll be heading to the US. I can't delay any longer!"
"Oh, and by the way, the finance team from Jiangnan Group is staying in the room next door to handle various procedures with me. I'm treating them to dinner later, and you're all welcome to join. This will be my last meal in China this year, as I'll be flying to the US in a few days." Liu Qiangdong rambled on, ready to finalize the accounts, having brought all the necessary documents.
For some reason, even though they would soon receive their money, the crowd felt a sense of unwillingness, as if they wished the money wouldn't be returned. After all, Liu Qiangdong had offered a very high interest rate when borrowing the money, about three times the bank rate, essentially usurious interest.
If possible, they wished to have lent the money for 10 or 8 years, thus earning more. Instead, it was being returned in less than a year, meaning they lost out on substantial earnings!
But judging by Liu Qiangdong's demeanor, he clearly had no intention of continuing to pay such high interest rates without reason.
"Brother Dong, what do you think about this!" a more astute individual suddenly spoke up. "You're starting a business in the US, so the more money you have, the better. If we demand our money back now, aren't we holding you back?"
"What? You don't want your money anymore?" Liu Qiangdong looked at him playfully.
"Heh heh, it's mainly out of concern that we might cause you trouble. Waiting a few more years is fine!" the man replied.
"If you're willing to wait, I have no objection. But there's one condition: we need to sign a new IOU, and the interest rate must be changed. I won't accept the current three-times interest rate; it will all be calculated based on normal bank deposit rates. Given my partnership with Jiangnan Group, any bank would lend to me at that rate. I won't settle with you at three times the original interest anymore!" Liu Qiangdong stated unceremoniously.
At this, everyone's expressions fell. They regretted coming to collect their debts in the first place. Three times the interest rate, and they could have continued to receive it steadily. Now it was gone.
Many immediately regretted coming over today. If they had stayed away, Liu Qiangdong wouldn't have been able to force them to accept repayment, and they could have continued to enjoy the triple interest.
Just as the crowd was feeling dejected, the previously agitated man suddenly spoke up, "Lao Liu, let's be frank. I was wrong before. I shouldn't have kicked you when you were down and demanded money when you were in trouble!"
"Alas... debts must be repaid. You've done nothing wrong; it's me!" Liu Qiangdong said with a forced smile.
"Lao Liu, stop pretending. You gathered us all here today, clamoring to return our money, all to change the interest rate from triple to single, right? How about this: I won't take the debt back. You don't have to return a single cent. What do you say?" the agitated man proposed.
"What is this guy talking about!" everyone exclaimed in shock. Liu Qiangdong was also surprised, and then he heard the other man continue, "Of course, this money won't be given to you for free. We all know you'll need money in the US, and the more, the better. So, let's convert this debt into shares in your new company. Consider it my investment in your new company, how about that?"
"Invest in my company?" Liu Qiangdong blinked. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "If you insist on investing, fine. Including interest, I owe you a total of 13.6 million. I can only offer you 0.2% of the shares!"
"What are you talking about? Xiaomi got 2% of the shares for 100 million, which means 10 million RMB gets 0.2%. My 13.6 million should get 0.272% of the shares, so why only 0.2%!" the agitated man became agitated again.
"Because Xiaomi will also be going to the US, and we've exchanged equity. We will support each other in the US. These are benefits that cannot be calculated purely in monetary terms. If you can provide other assistance in the US, then the equity distribution can be discussed."
"But you can't give me anything, so it's only 0.2%. Besides, this is an equity investment, and the future returns could be tenfold or even a hundredfold. Your 3.6 million is just a small fraction; don't be too calculative!"
"In short, take it or leave it. If not, I'll just pay you back directly, or change the loan interest rate. You decide!" Liu Qiangdong stated dominantly at the end.