Zhang Liunian's refusal surprised Zhang Ya. He seemed not to have expected Zhang Liunian to decline their offer, as they believed the terms they presented were more than enough to entice him. Yet, from what Zhang Liunian said, he didn't want it. "You don't want to help us with this small matter?"
Zhang Liunian chuckled. Small matter? If this was a small matter, what would be a big one?
He couldn't be bothered to talk to them any longer. "That's correct. My abilities are insufficient, and I cannot help you."
Zhang Ya faltered, his gaze towards Zhang Liunian suddenly changing. "This project is a sure win, and it will benefit you for life. Do you really want to miss out on it for nothing?"
"This project is indeed a good project, but I am confident that I cannot help you accomplish this task. I can only regret missing this opportunity you've offered."
"..."
So, he was a coward after all. It seemed they had overestimated their assessment of Zhang Liunian.
"Since you've made up your mind and are willing to give up this collaboration, we won't force you. We hope we'll have a chance to cooperate in the future." Seeing this, Zhang Ya said no more and hastily concluded the dinner meeting.
Zhang Liunian forced a smile and said to him, "Thank you for taking care of me and remembering me when you had such a good project. So, this meal is on me. Please enjoy."
One doesn't hit a smiling face. Zhang Liunian didn't want to offend them either, so he was willing to pay for this meal.
After speaking, he took a wad of cash from his pocket and placed it on the table. Before they could say anything, he left.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian..." Zhang Ya extended his hand as if calling out to an old friend, wanting Zhang Liunian to take the money back, but Zhang Liunian disappeared from the private room with extreme speed.
After he left, the three people in the room exchanged glances.
After a long while, the host said, "The conditions were indeed too demanding. No merchant in Pengcheng was willing to accept them. He is the tenth person we've approached, and the most suitable one."
"Didn't you say he wasn't afraid of the Gu family chasing him day after day? I thought he wouldn't be burdened by debt and would readily accept this.
I didn't expect him to be unwilling, even with such a good project as bait." Comrade Sun had been overwhelmed by the two business circles last year. Many projects, once they involved people from both circles, would escalate into major conflicts and stall. That's why he was so eager to change this situation.
The best way was to remove the distinctions between Hong Kong merchants and domestic merchants, allowing them to integrate and stop their antagonism, thereby no longer hindering the progress of Pengcheng's projects.
Unfortunately, he hadn't found a good helper. He was initially very curious about Zhang Liunian, a merchant from the southern city, but he never expected him to be afraid.
"What I've investigated is indeed the case. I never thought he would also be afraid of being targeted by so many people. If I had known he was so afraid of death, I wouldn't have invited him over," Zhang Ya said, also somewhat angry that Zhang Liunian was so useless and couldn't help Comrade Sun.
Not being able to help Comrade Sun meant not being able to help him, as he and Comrade Sun were one.
If Comrade Sun thrived, then he would thrive. If Zhang Liunian could help them merge the two business circles, it would be ideal.
After all, Comrade Sun was his greatest patron. Without him, he wouldn't have gotten such good development projects, let alone a one-and-a-half percent share.
Therefore, he was very grateful to this patron and wanted to help him resolve the conflict between the two business circles, but he didn't expect Zhang Liunian to be such a timid and fearful person.
"Actually, I don't think he's afraid of trouble, but rather finds it troublesome," the host suddenly interjected, immediately attracting the attention of the two.
"Troublesome? Can one be afraid of trouble when they want to make money?"
"When you want to get such a good project, what does trouble matter?"
"..."
"If he's unwilling, then let it be. We'll find someone else. I don't believe that with such a good project available, we won't find someone who is both wealthy and capable of accomplishing this task."
"It might not be too easy."
"..."
Zhang Liunian was unaware of what was happening here. By this time, he had already returned home.
When Uncle Yi asked him what had happened, Zhang Liunian recounted the details of the meal.
"They are too much! To offer such terms, no wonder they sought you out. They see that no one is willing to be the first to step forward, so they set their sights on you. Your refusal is the right decision. We have money now; why worry about not finding investment opportunities? Why must we insist on their project?"
Uncle Yi agreed with Zhang Liunian's approach. This matter was indeed asking too much, and there was no reason why Zhang Liunian should be the scapegoat for those people. Furthermore, not everyone could play the role of a scapegoat; one wrong step could lead to everything turning into nothing.
Moreover, it even involved his life. To put his life on the line for such a project was simply asking for trouble.
Anyone who went would be a fool.
"That's what I thought too. Pengcheng is full of opportunities and an ocean of investment now. Why should I go for that piece of meat in their hands? And exchange it in such a manner? It's really not worth it." Although Zhang Liunian knew that the two business circles would eventually merge, he was unclear about how they would integrate.
Now, he seemed to have a faint understanding that if they adopted such a cannon fodder strategy, it might actually succeed.
However, this would come at the cost of sacrificing many people.
In any case, Zhang Liunian had no desire to be this cannon fodder. He would rather invest himself, which would be much better than undertaking such a project.
"Exactly. Without them, we can become a giant existence. Why do we need such a chicken-rib cooperation?"
"Mm."
As the two were chatting, the door suddenly welcomed guests. Zhang Liunian went forward to open the door and received two invitation letters.
The door closed, and Zhang Liunian returned to sit opposite Uncle Yi, placing the invitation letters on the table. Uncle Yi glanced at them and said, "Who sent these to you?"
"The National Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. One has a project seminar tomorrow, and the other has a project discussion the day after tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Uncle Yi looked at him and asked, "Are you planning to attend both of these business circle project seminars?"
"Why wouldn't I go? I don't belong to either side; I just want to see if there are any suitable investments." Zhang Liunian's purpose in going was to find investment projects. How could he not go?
Uncle Yi nodded. "Then I won't go. I still need to investigate matters concerning the Gu family and Chen Jiayuan."
These two were people Zhang Liunian wanted to deal with, and he wanted to find out the results quickly.
Zhang Liunian naturally wouldn't object.
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, the project seminar of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. Zhang Liunian, along with Zhang Qian and bodyguards, arrived punctually at the banquet venue of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, at the Little Hong Kong City Hotel.
"Comrade Zhang has arrived! Please come in and be seated quickly." Chen Jiayuan, as the host for the day, was excited to greet Zhang Liunian as soon as he saw him arrive.
Zhang Liunian shook hands with him. "Hello, President Chen."