Mixed in 1980

Chapter 285 An Encounter with Zhang Jianjun

Sun Shaojie still has two important matters to attend to.

The first thing is the hydropower investment project, which has been proposed for some time but has not yet been approved. Chen Fan has been waiting for news.

Once the project is finalized, HK Electric will need to increase its capital and expand its shareholding, which will significantly increase Chen Fan's shareholding and stock ratio.

If the marketing is effective, the stock price can skyrocket!
The second thing was to form a group to take over the Soviet Union. With less than three years left before the collapse of the Soviet Union, many things needed to be planned.

The land, minerals, and resources of the Soviet Union are still very enviable. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, those European and American countries will reap considerable benefits.

Chen Fan glanced at his watch; it was still working hours. He called Sun Shaojie and was pleasantly surprised to find that both projects had been confirmed.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Fan grinned.

Zeng Ali pulled her daughter from his arms and said disdainfully, "Look at how smug you are. Wake up and don't get carried away."

"It's still possible to float a bit."

Chen Fan rubbed his hands together and crossed his legs: "Do you know what kind of hydroelectric power station they're going to build up there? Ertan, this is a huge project."

He chuckled a few times and said, "If our family didn't have enough foreign exchange, we wouldn't have been able to catch this train. Once this waterwheel turns, money will flow into our family in droves."

"Ertan, where is that?" Zeng Ali asked curiously.

Chen Fan ran a hand through his hair: "In Sichuan, in Panzhihua, according to Sun Shaojie, they're going to build the largest hydropower station in the country, with a total investment of nearly 300 billion yuan."

"So big? Are they rich in China?"

Although the economy has developed considerably over the years since the reform and opening up, it is still a huge pressure for the mainland to suddenly allocate so much money for large-scale projects.

The same is true!

In the original historical trajectory, the Ertan Hydropower Station would not have officially started construction until 91.

By 94, the company was facing a shortage of funds and sought a loan of US$9.3 million from the World Bank, only to be ripped off and burdened with exorbitant interest rates.

“Our family will contribute 50 billion US dollars, and with an exchange rate of 3.8, that’s 190 billion yuan.”

At this point, Chen Fan scratched his head: "For such a large project, the higher-ups definitely won't let us hold a controlling stake, so we probably won't be able to utilize all the resources. What about investment?"

Chen Fan frowned, guessing that something was amiss.

Sun Shaojie himself knows himself well. As long as he can get foreign exchange, he's willing to be subservient. Now that $50 billion has entered the market, is he willing to let go of a portion of it?

Upon closer reflection, Chen Fan felt something was amiss.

The investment is nearly 300 billion yuan, but when calculating shares, resources such as land and water flow will be included, and his own 50 billion US dollars will likely be invested in it all.

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Fan picked up the phone and called Zhou Wenya: "Wenya, Hong Kong Electric has initiated delisting procedures and is repurchasing all its shares."

Once you've explained everything, hang up the phone.

Zeng Ali was very surprised: "You didn't intend to use this investment to drive up the share price of Hong Kong Electric and then recoup the money?"

"That was the idea from before."

Chen Fan pondered for a moment, then slowly explained: "If it's an investment in a regular hydropower station, increasing capital and expanding shares to make another profit is a standard practice."

“Ertan Hydropower is different. Once completed, it will be the largest hydropower plant in China. We can just honestly collect electricity fees and there is no need to make a fuss.”

“Going public can raise money, but it also sacrifices some control and increases compliance costs. Our family is not short of money anyway, so it’s best to keep the quality assets in our own hands.”

Upon hearing this, Zeng Ali pouted, "So fickle!"

That said, Zeng Ali also dislikes listing companies. Several years ago, Lululemon had the opportunity to go public, but she rejected it all.

Zeng Ali calculated that once HK Electric is delisted, Chen Fan will have no listed companies left, only partial shares in two listed companies.

One of them is Hong Kong CLP Holdings. Chen Fan initially acquired 30% of the shares and privately acquired another 5%, for a total of 35% ownership.

Another case involves Hong Kong Gas. Initially, they acquired 15% of the shares, and privately absorbed another 3%, for a total of 18% ownership.

He is also a major shareholder in both companies.

In particular, Xinghuo Investment is the largest shareholder of China Power Investment Corporation. Although Xinghuo Investment does not usually participate in management, it has a great deal of influence at critical moments.

Zeng Ali carefully calculated Chen Fan's assets in Hong Kong and suddenly realized that Sun Shaojie's statement about "half of Hong Kong's king" was not a joke.

Hong Kong's largest electricity supplier, largest land supplier, and port terminal supplier, and it also monopolizes Hong Kong's telecommunications business...

If Chinatown supermarkets develop for a few more years, they might become Hong Kong's largest retailer.

Thinking of this, Zeng Ali couldn't help but be surprised. Chen Fan's current power was enough to influence the fate of many people in Hong Kong with his words and actions.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him half a king of Hong Kong.

He stared at Chen Fan for a while, looking rather unserious, and didn't seem like a big shot who could influence Hong Kong.

More like a slacker who knows how to enjoy life!
Life is just about getting by. When we were young, we all had dreams. When we grew up, we wanted to be doctors, scientists, or pursue the meaning of life.

It wasn't until I grew up that I realized that simply being alive has meaning.

Chen Fan had already experienced that process before. Living each day comfortably was the greatest meaning of life. As for commercial achievements, they were just for a better life.

Putting the cart before the horse is unacceptable.

After tossing and turning in Zeng Ali's room all night, Chen Fan, who had originally planned to stop exercising for a day due to the cold weather, was woken up by his daughter's knocking on the door.

"Grandpa does the work, and Dad helps!"

Chen Fan was puzzled and followed the little dumpling to the west courtyard. Before even entering the courtyard, he could hear the buzzing of machines.

Upon entering, they found Chen Musheng processing timber. Chen Yi, Zhang Xiaoxi, and Zhang Xiaorui were all there, each looking quite curious.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Chen Musheng looked up and then continued working: "I took Yanxi to the park to play on the slides a couple of days ago, and when we got back she said she wanted to make one at home."

The old man was being controlled by his granddaughter.

Chen Fan chuckled: "It's too much trouble to order one from a factory. The money spent on the machine could buy several of them."

Chen Musheng glared at his son: "Can something you make yourself be the same as something you buy?"

What's the difference?
Before Chen Fan could speak, Chen Yi said, "Brother, don't mess around. Dad is going to build a treehouse for me and Xiaoxi."

Chen Fan said irritably, "You're just going to keep messing with Dad!"

"I do what I want, it's none of your business."

Chen Musheng pointed to a piece of wood and told Chen Fan to carry it: "After being retired for so long, it's good to pick up your old profession again and find something to do."

Chen Fan carried the wood over: "Alright, you're just bored and want to find something to do, so you can mess around with the kids."

"It's better to do things at home than to do things outside."

Guan Yuemei brought over a pot of hot water and poured a cup for her husband: "Like in previous years, whenever he had free time, he would go fishing, and you could hardly see him all day."

"In the dead of winter, you're still ice fishing with your fathers-in-law. This year is the best, though, because the kids are pestering me to go somewhere else."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh.

That's how all anglers are; when they're not working, fishing is their happiest time.

These days, the families are all in similar situations. The mothers-in-law stay at home to take care of themselves and look younger than the last, while the fathers-in-law spend all their time fishing and are tanned dark.

When they go out together, people always think they are father and daughter.

The mothers-in-law had strong opinions about this, but there was nothing they could do. They were all retired and didn't need to work to earn money, so why should they be kept at home?

"Fishing is great. Being out and about all year round makes you much healthier. My fathers-in-law are much healthier than they were a few years ago."

Chen Fan, holding onto the log, said, "How about I make some arrangements for us to stay in Hainan for a while? It's still over 20 degrees Celsius there, perfect for wintering, and we can also go out to sea to fish for giant grouper and tuna."

Upon hearing this, Chen Musheng stopped.

Sea fishing is a lot of fun, especially catching big fish weighing tens or even hundreds of pounds.

Before he could even speak, Xiao Yanxi blurted out, "Grandpa, let's do some work, make the slide."

Chen Musheng sighed and continued working: "Let's talk about it after the New Year."

Is he being manipulated by his granddaughter?

Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh, hugging his daughter: "How about Grandpa makes you a slide and builds you a wooden castle?"

The daughter nodded and said, "Daddy, please help!"

"You're the type to boss people around."

After putting his daughter down, Chen Fan started doing carpentry work. He had helped his father a lot when he was a child, so he was quite knowledgeable about carpentry.

Around noon, Chen Fan went to the kitchen again and made several dishes that Xu Jinqiu liked. Perhaps due to psychological factors, Xu Jinqiu ate significantly more.

After lunch break, we went back to work.

This busy day lasted all day, and Chen Fan felt his back aching and his waist sore. He groaned a couple of times and was met with his mother's disdain: "You're so young, and you can't even do as much work as your old man."

"..." Chen Fan was speechless.

Although I exercise every day and am in good health, being in good health and being able to work are two different things. It's like a bodybuilder going to a construction site to carry bricks and being utterly useless.

But when the old man is working, the son can't just stand by and watch, can he?
There wasn't much else to do, so Chen Fan was happy to help out at home. By the end of January, the slide and treehouse were all finished, and a small part of the wooden castle had also been built.

After working together for more than 20 days, Chen Fan had gained a lot of muscle. Miss Zhao joked, "Brother...keep it up, I like eight-pack abs."

"Get out of here!" Chen Fan said irritably.

I'm just a worker, not a gym enthusiast. I only have one abs, and the fact that I don't have a beer belly means I'm already in pretty good shape.

"No, wait, I need to talk to you."

Ms. Zhao, arm in arm with her husband, said, "The Spring Festival is on February 6th this year. It's time to buy New Year's goods. Let's go to the market."

"Then let's go take a look around."

Chen Fan also enjoys going to the market. He takes his beloved daughter and two bodyguards with him to the Changying Market in Chaoyang.

The area gets especially lively towards the end of the year.

Everything you need—food, drink, clothing, and daily necessities—is available here. Especially food: everything that flies in the sky, swims in the water, runs on the ground, and grows in the trees is available.

"Gourd, gourd..."

As soon as we got out of the car and entered the market, the little dumpling pointed at the candied hawthorns for sale and started babbling.

Chen Fan bought two strings of skewers, one for his daughter and one for Miss Zhao, and then walked towards a stall selling couplets and lanterns.

Just as he was about to ask the price, he met the owner's gaze: "Jianjun, what are you doing here? Is this your stall?"

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(End of this chapter)