Sail across the sea

Chapter 506 Capital Knows No Borders

Gao Fan symbolically raised his glass to Tan Jianjun, who then stood up, held the glass with both hands, and drank it all in one gulp in a humble manner. Gao Fan drank half a glass of wine with him before starting a conversation with Bob about other topics.

"Bob, has the location for the office been decided yet? Beijing or Shanghai?" Gao Fan asked.

Bob laughed and said, "I'm not going anywhere, I'll just stay in the woods."

"Maolin? You're not kidding, are you?"

Do you think this joke is funny?

"Not funny at all. You're not going to tell me you want to build the office in Cangtang, are you?"

“If headquarters doesn’t object, I can definitely build the office in Cangtang.”

"So, it's in Ruizhang?"

"OK."

Bob replied. During this trip, Bob had told Gao Fan that he had met a student from Northeast China who had studied in the United States, and that the student's Northeastern dialect was now at a level four proficient.

Gao Fan didn't find it pleasant at all that a big American spoke with such a strong Northeastern accent. He frowned and said, "Maolin's economy is relatively weak in China. Besides, Ruizhang's transportation conditions aren't exactly great either. If you set up an office in Ruizhang, it will be too troublesome to meet with clients."

Bob nonchalantly replied, "That's my client's problem to worry about. Do you think I need to meet with my client in person?"

Gao Fan was speechless.

If Bob were to spread the word that he has $10 billion to invest, countless people across the country would flock to Rai Zhang; he certainly wouldn't need to worry about transportation issues.

There's a saying that goes, "Money can buy you anything."

Of course, Bob's words were just a joke; his decision to locate his office in Swisstown might also be aimed at maintaining a low profile. Currently, Sino-US relations are only just beginning to show signs of easing, and the direction of China's reforms remains controversial. Hatch Group may not want to appear too prominently in the public eye at this time.

Bob's current office, consisting of only himself and Tan Jianjun, is more like a forward position before large-scale investments, which has its advantages in being located in Ruizhang. When actual capital operations are needed in the future, Bob will likely relocate the office to a first-tier city.

Having understood this, Gao Fan stopped dwelling on the site selection issue and instead asked with a smile:

"What are your considerations regarding investment direction? Are you really not considering building a fertilizer plant?"

Bob shook his head: "I asked Yin Baowen, and he said that China does not allow foreign investment in fertilizer operations, and our Hachi Group never does illegal business."

"You guys still have some self-awareness, don't you?"

"Most importantly, the group believes that the profit margin for fertilizers is too low."

"Would you like me to give you a copy of the criminal law?"

"I hate written law the most."

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Don't have any misunderstandings about China."

Are you sure this is necessary?

"Trust me, you need it."

Bob fell silent, processing Gao Fan's implication. Beside him, Tan Jianjun looked utterly bewildered, unsure of the meaning behind his boss's conversation with Gao Fan, but judging from his boss's expression, he seemed to have grasped it. This gave him a new perspective on his own intelligence.

Forget it, I'd better not get involved in the world of people like Bob and Gao Fan.

“Bob, I have a question for you,” Gao Fan broke the silence.

Bob looked up at Gao Fan and said, "Go ahead and ask."

"I've heard it said that science knows no borders. In your opinion, or in the opinion of the Hatch Group, does capital have borders?" Gao Fan asked.

Bob didn't hesitate and shook his head, saying, "No, capital has no borders."

"So, do capitalists have national borders?"

"Of course not! Since capital is borderless, capitalists are also borderless."

"Is this your position, or the position of the Hatch Group?"

"It is the position of the Hatch Group, and of course it is also my position."

“Then there’s no problem.” Gao Fan nodded. “Bob, I have something to tell you. Starting from now, for the next 30 years, China will be the fastest-growing country in the world. And in 30 years, around 2022, the world will enter a Chinese century that lasts for more than 100 years. Do you agree with my prediction?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Dan and Tan Jianjun, who were standing nearby, both showed expressions of shock, feeling that Gao Fan's prediction was far too arrogant.

Currently, China's total economic output ranks seventh in the world. Not to mention countries like the United States, Japan, and Germany, even Italy ranks ahead of China.

Countless scholars are issuing all sorts of sensational "warnings," claiming that Chinese culture, education, system, and genes are all flawed—in short, utterly worthless. They say that catching up to the current level of the United States within 100 years would be a miracle, the kind of miracle worthy of sacrificing a few economists to appease the gods.

But this Gao Fan dares to shamelessly claim that in just 30 years, the world will enter the "Chinese Century." Where did you put America?

Bob frowned and pondered for a long time before replying, "Gao Fan, your prediction is a bit too optimistic. However, if you say that China will surpass the United States in 60 years, that is, by 2052, I think it is still possible. This is also why the Hatch Group decided to make China its first choice for investment. We are very optimistic about China's development prospects."

Gao Fan chuckled and didn't argue. Instead, he followed up on Bob's words, saying, "Even if it takes until 2052 for China to surpass the United States, before that, China will inevitably be a paradise for capital and the country with the highest return on investment in the world. You don't deny that, do you?"

Bob chuckled, “If you add the modifier ‘stable,’ then you’re right. After all, there are plenty of countries globally with higher returns on investment than China.”

"You mean those countries without criminal laws," Gao Fan said with a smile, understanding Bob's meaning.

"Yes, but the Hatch Group still prefers to invest in a country with criminal law."

"In that case, I think we will have extensive opportunities for cooperation. I can guarantee that investing in China will ensure the Hatch Group's continued success for the next 100 years. I just hope that Mr. Bob will always remember what he said today."

"I didn't drink much, and I'm perfectly sober now."

"What a pity, I originally wanted to get you drunk and then trick you into signing a contract of servitude."

"If it were to be sold to you, Gao Fan, I would be willing to sign even if I were sober."

Is it appropriate for you to speak like that in the presence of ladies?

And so, the atmosphere shifted again, and the dinner table was filled with a joyful merriment.