Sail across the sea

Chapter 504 A mere $5000 million

Watching Gao Fan flee in disarray, Xu Ying shook her head helplessly.

Gao Yiping quickly said apologetically, "Director Xu, actually Xiao Fan just meant that he was worried about affecting Ruoyi's studies."

Xu Ying waved her hand and said, "Old Gao, this isn't Xiao Fan's fault. I asked Ruoyi, and she said none of her classmates are married. If she gets married now, it will be too conspicuous, and people will laugh at her."

“Hmm, that makes sense. Young people in big cities get married later these days. Ruoyi is only 24, so there’s no rush,” Gao Yiping said.

“Let the young people decide for themselves,” Xu Ying interrupted the conversation, then turned to Gao Yiping and asked, “Old Gao, do you think Xiao Fan’s proposal is feasible?”

"You mean, the idea of ​​issuing large-scale fertilizer bonds?"

“This is only part of it. I think his ideas about agricultural security, and his idea of ​​having the State Planning Commission apply for World Bank loans first while we start doing it ourselves, are all very reasonable. Lao Gao, how did you raise your child? Xiao Fan's maturity is completely unlike that of a child in his early twenties.”

"Haha, Director Xu is exaggerating Xiao Fan. He just has a wider range of knowledge, a more active mind, is bolder than most of us, and has a bit more experience..."

"..."

"Uh... hehe, right, let's talk about Xiao Fan's suggestion. If Director Xu thinks it's feasible, then how about our fertilizer company drafts a report and the Economic Commission submits it to the province?"

“Absolutely. You should submit a report on attracting private investment and accelerating the development of the fertilizer industry in our province, with China Nitrogen Fertilizer as the main focus, to the Economic Commission. I will submit the report to the province. At the same time, I am also considering turning Xiao Fan’s idea of ​​self-reliance and control into a separate report and submitting it directly to the State Economic Commission.”

“I think that’s a good idea. This way, we can also gauge the attitude of the State Economic Commission. If the State Economic Commission shares this attitude, we’ll have some basis for our discussions with the province.”

"Let's do it this way, Lao Gao, you hurry up on your end..."

Leaving aside the details of Xu Ying and Gao Yiping's conspiracy, on the other side, Gao Fan led Xu Dan into Zhangcheng Back Street, which is commonly known as Toad Street by the locals of Ruizhang. This is the most famous food street in Ruizhang.

"Hey, Gao Fan, over here!"

Under a roadside awning, a foreigner with a high nose and blue eyes sat casually at a small table, greeting Gao Fan and his group in fluent Chinese. This naturally attracted the attention of passersby, but they only glanced at him before continuing on their way. In this day and age, foreigners were no longer such a rarity.

Beside Bob, a Chinese man had already stood up. Looking at Gao Fan and Xu Dan who were walking over, he forced a smile, showing a somewhat timid appearance.

"Hi, Bob! Hello, Jianjun."

Gao Fan greeted the two men. The foreigner was Bob, Gao Fan's business partner. The Chinese man next to him was his assistant, Tan Jianjun.

Xu Dan greeted the two of them, then sat down with Gao Fan. Tan Jianjun got up to order food, specifically requesting local Ruizhang rice wine. Xu Dan followed him; she was the office director of Canghai Chemical, responsible for receiving and arranging business.

"Bob, is it confirmed that Hatch Group will set up an office in China?" Gao Fan asked Bob.

“It’s settled. The official name is Hatch Group China Office,” Bob replied.

"Are you the office manager?" "President."

"Is Tan Jianjun the vice president?"

"President's Assistant".

Do you currently have a third employee?

"It's coming soon."

The two chatted and laughed, just like they always did.

Ten years ago, Bob visited China for the first time and met Gao Fan by chance at the Spring Trade Fair. He sensed China's economic growth potential from Gao Fan and persuaded the group to invest in Gao Fan's company as a trial for the group to enter the Chinese market.

At the time, the Hatch Group was simultaneously betting on several markets around the world. The South American market was the most favored by the group's investment department, followed by the Southeast Asian market, as well as the Indian market, the Middle Eastern market, etc. The Chinese market was ranked relatively low.

The young talents in the group each chose their own target market. Bob chose China, which was regarded by some of his peers as a momentary impulsive and foolish move.

After all, at that time, China had just opened its doors to the world, and its economic level and management system were considered to lack competitiveness.

Ten years have passed since then. China has demonstrated strong growth potential, and its management system has undergone tremendous changes, moving away from the rigid model of the past. A growing number of economists have begun to notice the potential for China's rise, and some academic journals have predicted that the 21st century will become the "Chinese century."

Conversely, South America, which was previously widely favored, has revealed a serious crisis after its initial boom. The Hatch Group's analysis department has issued a warning, urging the immediate withdrawal of investments in South America. This is because South American countries are currently heavily indebted and show no signs of being able to repay their debts, making fiscal collapse imminent.

Southeast Asia is currently enjoying peace and prosperity, with rapid economic growth. Following the title of the Four Asian Tigers, the so-called Four Asian Tigers have emerged, appearing vigorous and full of vitality.

However, whether they are called the "Little Dragons" or the "Little Tigers," they are, after all, small economies, and they will inevitably encounter bottlenecks once they reach a certain stage of development. China's current level of development is not as high as that of the Four Little Dragons, and it is even inferior to that of the Four Little Tigers, but it has the advantage of a huge scale. Even a 1% increase in China's GDP would far exceed the 5% or 10% increase of the Four Little Tigers.

Several years ago, the Hatch Group shifted its investment focus, prioritizing China. However, unforeseen events hampered its expansion into China. Only this year, with the easing of tensions between the US and China, did the group relaunch its plan to establish a China division. Bob, a seasoned "China expert" with 10 years of experience working with Chinese companies, naturally became the president of the China division.

This was actually a promise the Hachi Group made to all its successors ten years ago: whoever was in charge of a region that developed well would be qualified to reap the rewards.

Back then, when everyone was pessimistic about the Chinese market, Bob recognized its potential. Wasn't that an exceptional investment acumen? When Hatch Group is choosing a successor, of course they'll choose the youngest person with the best investment vision.

"How much money did you bring? It can't just be a mere $5000 million, can it?" Gao Fan asked Bob.

Bob sighed dramatically and said, “Look how fast time flies. I remember when Mr. Gao went to the Spring Trade Fair, he was wearing an advertising shirt and going around trying to sell his services, all he wanted was to get a $150 million loan. In just ten years, Mr. Gao doesn’t even care about $5000 million anymore.”

Gao Fan chuckled and said, "That's because the $150 million that Mr. Curious Baby invested back then is now worth over $5000 million."

(End of this chapter)