Zhang Liunian could clearly see they were bragging, just throwing out numbers, as who couldn't report more? After all, they were all in it together.
Thinking this, Zhang Liunian took out a piece of paper from his person and quickly scribbled a contract. He had it sent over to Chen Jiayuan and said slowly, "Since everyone is so wealthy, have them sign this. I believe it won't be difficult for them."
Chen Jiayuan, not understanding, took the paper from Zhang Liunian. He looked at it closely, his breath catching. After reading the entire contents, his expression changed.
It clearly stated that if they did not invest the amounts they had just declared, they would not be able to participate in the project's development and construction, let alone profit from it.
Therefore, this was a contract specifically designed to bind them. If they signed, it would take effect. If they refused to sign, it would prove they were lying.
Zhang Liunian was indeed extraordinary to think of such a method to counter them and foil their plans.
It seemed he had underestimated Zhang Liunian, to come up with this idea in such a short time.
Thinking this, Chen Jiayuan's expression grew even more displeased.
He had been the first to start bragging, so if anyone were to sign, it would be him first. But to ask him to invest seventy million in this project was absolutely impossible.
It wasn't that he didn't have the money, but rather he didn't want to.
As the main party, he could easily achieve the effect of seventy million through internal operations, thereby reaching his goal of making a fortune with minimal investment.
So, why would he actually fork over seventy million? Wasn't that foolish?
"Show everyone," Chen Jiayuan gestured, having his assistant pass Zhang Liunian's contract down. Once everyone had a good look, he then spoke to reject Zhang Liunian's suggestion.
"Zhang Liunian, your proposal is invalid because you are not a member of our association. You are merely an investor and cannot participate in our internal decision-making." Chen Jiayuan absolutely would not act according to Zhang Liunian's plan, nor would he sign the contract.
To sign it would be to dig a pit for himself, which was unnecessary.
Zhang Liunian was not surprised he would say this. After all, they had all inflated their numbers and did not genuinely intend to invest that much money. Faced with a binding contract, they would naturally refuse.
"Chairman, this Zhang Liunian is going too far. He's interfering with everything, even reaching out to us Hong Kong businessmen. You must not let him lead you around by the nose. How can one man from the mainland have the authority to dictate terms here?"
Mr. Ren, Chen Jiayuan's biggest supporter, seeing Chen Jiayuan oppose Zhang Liunian's contract, immediately stepped forward to accuse Zhang Liunian.
Seeing another opportunity to attack Zhang Liunian, the young man with the dyed hair was not to be outdone. "I think he's gone mad. He actually wants us to follow his ideas. It's wishful thinking. How dare a country bumpkin like him reach out so far?
And demand this and that from us? What right does he have to point fingers at us and demand this, demand that?"
"Exactly. Chairman, you absolutely cannot agree to this. If you really make us sign this damn contract, we won't agree."
"That's right, we absolutely will not agree to sign this contract."
"Chairman, you are correct. We Hong Kong businessmen must follow our own procedures and cannot casually listen to an outsider or sign any agreement.
We haven't done these things before, and we cannot let Zhang Liunian trap us."
"..."
Unsurprisingly, after these members reviewed Zhang Liunian's contract one by one, they were all uniformly opposed to signing.
This was because they knew very well they couldn't come up with that much money. They had only reported such high figures to respond to the chairman's call.
This way, they could suppress Zhang Liunian and let him know how low his previously stated prices were.
But who would have thought that Zhang Liunian would be so petty and take advantage of the situation, demanding they write a letter of guarantee? If they couldn't fulfill it, they would lose their chance to get rich.
Who would dare to sign this?
They had never signed anything like this before. Usually, they just put in whatever amount they wanted, a nominal gesture.
Who could have imagined that someone would suddenly appear to meddle in their affairs?
"Chairman, you must not be fooled by Zhang Liunian. This contract is just something he created to trap us. Don't fall for his trick." The young man with dyed hair saw that Chairman Chen was silent and feared that Chairman Chen would be persuaded by Zhang Liunian and actually make them sign this wretched thing.
Chen Jiayuan glanced at the young man with dyed hair. The latter immediately understood the silent signal from the chairman and shut his mouth.
"As I said, Zhang Liunian has no right to interfere with our internal procedures. His opinion is invalid. What are you all worried about?"
Chen Jiayuan felt that his subordinates were just panicking out of concern. He had already made it clear that Zhang Liunian had no authority to dictate terms within their association, yet these subordinates kept pestering him, which was truly annoying.
Zhang Liunian saw them still putting on a show and said with a half-smile, "I'm not dictating to you. I just want to help you tally the investment amounts so you have a clear idea, which will also help in better developing the project, won't it?"
After a pause, Zhang Liunian continued, "What are you worried about? This contract does not harm your interests in any way. It only clarifies everyone's investment amounts, and these amounts are what you yourselves reported. I didn't force you, did I?
All of you are now expressing your opposition, afraid that this contract will be successfully signed. Doesn't this indicate that you weren't truly reporting actual amounts earlier? Your reported amounts were just to make me look bad."
Boom!
Zhang Liunian's words hit their true thoughts and intentions exactly, leaving them all speechless and unable to refute.
Moreover, they felt as though Zhang Liunian had ripped off their faces and trampled them on the ground.
It was truly humiliating.
"You're thinking too much. The amounts we reported are naturally genuine.
But we are all insiders, and we have cooperated on projects before. We have always collaborated very well and don't need you to add unnecessary embellishments or actions.
Also, Comrade Zhang Liunian, perhaps you've forgotten, this is the Hong Kong Business Association, not your home. It's not your place to issue orders." Chen Jiayuan stared at Zhang Liunian, saying with an unreadable expression.
Zhang Liunian raised an eyebrow and was about to say something when he was bombarded by the collective voices of the members present.
"Chairman Chen is right. We are long-term partners. Who doesn't know whom? We absolutely do not need to sign letters of guarantee. You are insulting us."
"Exactly. Zhang Liunian asking us to sign a letter of guarantee is slapping us in the face. We are partners who value integrity and trustworthiness and absolutely do not need such superfluous actions."
"You also say we inflated our numbers, but we didn't. You are slandering us."