But why would they approach him for such a good project?
He was an unknown businessman, how could he have caught their attention?
Even if they were short on funds, given Shenzhen's current situation, they surely wouldn't lack investors.
Zhang Liunian was puzzled and couldn't understand why they sought him out.
However, purely judging by the investment itself, it was an excellent project, and he had no reason to refuse.
"Comrade Sun, Comrade Zhang, how do you envision this collaboration?" Zhang Liunian greeted them with a smile, then sat down opposite them to inquire.
Comrade Sun and Comrade Zhang exchanged a glance, thinking it was indeed possible, and a hint of joy naturally appeared on their faces.
"This train station project is a requirement from above, but as you know, our superiors also face difficulties, so they've given merchants an opportunity. That is, a semi-contractual system for construction, and attracting investment to form shareholdings.
The preliminary estimate for this project is one hundred million yuan. This is just a preliminary calculation, but the land acquisition alone cost us over one hundred million, which led to a shortage of funds. Therefore, we wanted to ask Comrade Zhang Liunian if he's interested in investing in this project?"
It was Zhang Ya who spoke. As he would be in charge of the train station project's construction, he was most aware of the situation.
Zhang Liunian listened, his expression unchanged. His guess was correct; they wanted his recently acquired money. That was fine.
"If I invest all of my ninety million, how many shares will I get? And how will these shares repay me?"
Zhang Liunian didn't want his ninety million to go to waste. He needed to know how the money would be divided and how much he would receive.
Zhang Ya was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected such a prompt agreement, even expressing his willingness to invest all of his newly acquired ninety million.
This was an investment of ninety million, a figure many could only imagine.
But Zhang Liunian didn't even question the authenticity and was ready to invest, all of it, without any hesitation. Wasn't that too impulsive?
Zhang Liunian saw their disbelief but couldn't say he already knew them and that they weren't scammers. He could only feign a desire to invest.
"Don't you need more time to consider? That's ninety million, not nine yuan. I think you should think it through carefully before making a decision." Zhang Ya felt a bit of admiration for Zhang Liunian's courage and was happy to gain his favor, so he offered a gentle reminder.
After all, they were acting honestly and transparently, unafraid of him investigating. If he did investigate, it would be even better, fostering greater goodwill towards him.
Zhang Liunian smiled at this, "With him here, what else is there to doubt about your identities? He is certified by the higher authorities."
Saying this, he pointed to the host standing nearby, indicating that it was because of him that he trusted them.
Zhang Ya also smiled and continued the conversation, "Regarding the share distribution, I'll discuss it further with you. The seven-tenths for the higher authorities is something none of us can change. The remaining three-tenths will be divided based on total investment. I contributed fifty million, but I also have to manage the construction, so I'll get one and a half tenths. Another person contributed forty million. If you are sure to invest ninety million, you might only get one tenth."
After saying this, he paused slightly, then looked intently at Zhang Liunian and added, "However, after our cooperation, you will also need to help us with a small matter."
Zhang Liunian was stunned. A small matter? If it was a small matter, why did it require him to do it? A small amount of money would have been enough.
He wondered why they specifically wanted him to do it.
And what exactly was this small matter?
With too many questions in his mind, Zhang Liunian had to ask directly, "One tenth is acceptable, but what is this 'small matter' you're referring to?
Also, why did you approach me for investment? Shenzhen is not short of wealthy businessmen."
It seemed they had anticipated Zhang Liunian's question. They exchanged glances, and Zhang Ya, as their representative, replied, "The reason we approached you is precisely because we want you to handle that small matter. Others cannot accomplish it."
In fact, they had tried twice before, and each time, they had met an early demise.
But Zhang Liunian was different. He had protective abilities, and bodyguards nearby, which was much better than those others.
This was Zhang Ya's thought process.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian sat up straight, "So, what exactly is it?"
"We want you to simultaneously join the Hong Kong Merchants and Domestic Merchants associations. In other words, we want you to infiltrate both factions, find ways to resolve their misunderstandings, and become people within the same circle, so they stop fighting on sight and engaging in life-and-death struggles."
The reason Zhang Ya and the others approached Zhang Liunian was twofold: first, Zhang Liunian had the exact amount of money they needed; second, Zhang Liunian was a domestic person who had just arrived in Shenzhen and had the ability to protect himself, saving them the trouble of worrying about him meeting an early demise and having to find someone else.
Furthermore, Zhang Liunian did not belong to the Hong Kong circle or the original Shenzhen business circle. His appearance would be the best vanguard to break the deadlock between the two business circles.
Of course, this would inevitably make Zhang Liunian someone disliked by both sides, and he might even face life-threatening danger.
But opportunities and dangers always coexist. To secure such a good project, he naturally had to pay a price. Otherwise, this dinner meeting wouldn't have happened.
"..." Zhang Liunian fell silent.
He understood. They wanted him to be the one to draw fire, no, the sacrificial lamb to walk into the trap.
Nicely put, they wanted him to find a way to resolve misunderstandings, but with so many existing conflicts, how could he possibly achieve this alone?
And they called it a "small matter." This was clearly a major undertaking, something that might take five or ten years to achieve, not something that could be done easily.
How did it become a small matter in their mouths?
Moreover, if he actually went through with it, wouldn't he be sacrificing himself to achieve the unity of the two factions?
Weren't they treating him like a fool?
Hmph! Even if the train station project was excellent, he had no reason to accept such a hot potato, to become prey for both Hong Kong and domestic merchants, to become the target of public criticism. He wouldn't even know how he died.
"If I refuse to do this, can we not cooperate on this project?" Zhang Liunian asked in a deep voice.
"That's correct. Otherwise, such a good project wouldn't have landed in your lap." Zhang Ya was very direct. If you want a good project, you have to help them with their affairs.
Zhang Liunian thought for a moment and flatly refused, "It seems today's cooperation cannot be achieved. As for such a small matter, I am powerless and cannot help you."