CHAPTER 756: CHAPTER 743: THE WOLF IS COMING, THE WOLF HAS REALLY COME

"Mr. Chen, we have a pretty good plan."

Lu Liang’s face showed a friendly and approachable smile. Chen Jiebin treated him really well.

Before coming, he was thinking about how to broach this topic.

After all, if this matter is mishandled, Chen Jiebin could easily lose his reputation, and he is such a prideful person.

Moreover, ever since HSBC announced its involvement, the Zheng Family’s odds of winning have noticeably increased. If it were a pure politician, they would choose to protect themselves.

Anyway, the slow bull market in Hong Kong stocks has already begun.

As for who initiated it, that has become less important.

Lu Liang also used this as an assumption, which is why he chose to schedule the meeting with Chen Jiebin last, letting the media’s bullet fly a bit first.

However, the first thing Chen Jiebin asked upon seeing him was about Tianxing’s response strategy against HSBC.

How could Lu Liang not be moved?

Chen Jiebin was overjoyed, completely treating Tianxing’s matters as his own, and hurriedly asked, "Tell me about it, see if I can help."

"I asked to meet you because I want your help."

Lu Liang didn’t hold back and directly stated his purpose.

He plans to mimic Ant, with Xingheng’s 10 billion US dollars and Bitcoin holdings, to initiate a 300 billion US dollar financing.

"What did you say? 300 billion, in US dollars?"

Chen Jiebin suddenly widened his eyes, at one point thinking he had misheard.

It’s important to know that Xiangjiang’s annual GDP is 341.2 billion US dollars, with a per capita GDP of 46,200 US dollars, equivalent to 318,700 RMB, ranking 17th among the world’s top 100 cities.

The wealth generated annually by a developed city ranked 17th globally, with a total population of 7.4148 million, is just 41.2 billion US dollars more than the amount of this financing.

"It is 300 billion, and it’s in US dollars."

Lu Liang kept calm and leisurely brewed tea.

He knew Old Chen needed some time to recuperate and mentally prepare himself.

Chen Jiebin was silent for a dozen seconds before speaking, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness, "Have you not considered the possibility of failure?"

This amount of financing is no less than the national debt issued by some developed countries.

To put it more accurately, there are only a handful of countries worldwide capable of issuing 300 billion US dollars in national debt.

"If you don’t try, how would you know it’s impossible?" Lu Liang’s lips curled into a slight smile.

The Financial Management Office’s review has already been passed.

Because Chen Jiebin was asking whether the fundraising could be successful.

"With such a large fund being prepared, what exactly do you plan to do?"

Chen Jiebin furrowed his brow. HSBC emptied its coffers and could mobilize at most 130 billion US dollars.

Although funds can be juggled, the more that’s juggled, the easier it is for them to be discovered.

Once they’re found out, the Financial Management Office will then have an excuse to intervene in HSBC’s settlement center and may even form a specialized group for supervision, slowly eroding the British bank system.

This is something HSBC cannot tolerate, no less than Tianxing entering Xiangjiang to challenge their industry-leading position.

Over the years, HSBC has avoided public criticism precisely to prevent the Financial Management Office from interfering with their core business.

As for Lu Liang, he should still have a few hundred billion US dollars in available funds. As long as he issues 100 billion or 150 billion US dollars, he can secure victory.

Yet, he chooses to issue 300 billion US dollars, exceeding the funds required to secure victory by more than double, making it hard not to suspect if he has ulterior motives.

"There must be something big to do, otherwise why would our Tianxing Finance choose to set up in Xiangjiang?" Lu Liang retorted.

"What... never mind, I can’t be bothered to ask."

As the words reached his mouth, Chen Jiebin swallowed them back and after pondering for a moment, he asked, "When do you plan to issue it?"

"As soon as possible." Lu Liang restrained his smile and said, "You know the situation with New World. Trading will halt tomorrow, and the day after, targeted stock issuance will begin. It will resume trading next Monday."

"Such a short period, 300 billion US dollars, it’s not 30 million, brother." Chen Jiebin was worried.

Though 300 billion US dollars is a lot, Lu Liang actually issued a 300 billion RMB public fund two years ago.

So as long as there’s enough time, even for 300 billion US dollars, the probability of successful fundraising is very high.

But there just isn’t that much time left, with only four days until the Monday trading day, at most.

"That’s why I hope Mr. Chen and the Financial Management Office could make an exception and expedite the review of Tianxing’s ABS."

Seeing Lu Liang’s smiling expression, Chen Jiebin suddenly became enraged and grumbled, "One day, you’ll be the death of me."

"I would never harm you, Mr. Chen," Lu Liang said with a smile.

Chen Jiebin rolled his eyes and turned to Wen Chao: "Mr. Wen, have you brought all the necessary documents?"

"Yes, I have."

Wen Chao quickly opened his briefcase, taking out each document and proof one by one.

As Chen Jiebin looked through Xingheng’s core documents, he became more and more shocked: "This is even more outrageous than Ant Group."

When Ant Group was first established, Ma Yun and other investors at least put in a real 3 billion RMB.

But the first billion US dollars when Xingheng was founded, with a 33.3% stake held by Lu Liang, was still funded by the Mitsui Sumitomo Group.

Subsequently, relying on Bitcoin investments, the returns kept compounding.

Now, Xingheng Investment’s liquid assets alone amount to 8.2 billion US dollars, with Bitcoin holdings totaling approximately 8.5 billion US dollars, about 1.72 million coins in total.

It’s a classic example of getting something for nothing, taken to the extreme, especially since Lu Liang fully controls the company as a shareholder.

"Mr. Chen, we’re friends, but if you talk recklessly, I will sue you for defamation."

Lu Liang looked displeased, Mitsui Sumitomo was willing to invest because they made over a billion dollars for them, which is his just reward.

"I want to see what more you can stir up," Chen Jiebin shook his head and laughed, putting away the document files.

He thought for a moment and said solemnly, "You’ll get an accurate reply by five o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Thank you." Lu Liang cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks and said no more, taking Wen Chao with him as he left.

After Lu Liang left, Chen Jiebin convened an emergency meeting to discuss the ABS initiative by Tianxing.

It was more of a notification than a discussion, instructing all departments to speed up the review process, and if a green light was needed, to give a green light.

In East Asian society, the leader holds absolute power.

In this territory of the Financial Management Office, it’s all up to Chen Jiebin, even the Chief Executive can’t interfere.

Otherwise, just a while ago, when Old Ma came to Xiangjiang, his first stop for Ant Group’s listing was the Financial Management Office.

Any institution established in Xiangjiang, once authorized by the Financial Management Office, is like having the exam answers in advance, with subordinate departments automatically making the procedures legally compliant.

However, the 300 billion US dollar bond review involves many departments.

With so many people, secrets can easily get out.

That very night, news leaked out.

Tianxing Financial Group is about to issue 300 billion US dollars of ABS for asset securitization.

Initially, this news made no waves, like a stone sinking into the sea.

After all, ever since HSBC announced helping New World fend off the acquisition by Hengtai, all sorts of rumors have been rampant.

For example, Tianxing’s fifth private equity fund is about to be established, or JPMorgan and Blackstone are pouring tens of billions of dollars to support Lu Liang, or that Bank of China is loaning another billion to support Hengtai’s acquisition of New World.

Rumors are just rumors, not standing up to scrutiny or professional verification.

Over time, it became like the boy who cried wolf, so much so that when the wolf really came, people dismissed it as a rumor.

Yet as time progressed, more and more articles online mentioned Tianxing Financial Group’s upcoming ABS issuance.

By nine in the evening, the related news had directly hit the Weibo trending topics in both the mainland and Xiangjiang.

Some authoritative experts even personally discussed the uses of ABS unexpectedly.

"Holy crap, could this news be true?"

"300 billion? And it’s in US dollars? I’m timid, don’t scare me."

"According to the current exchange rate, that’s 2.07 trillion RMB..."

"Really? 300 billion US dollars, does Liangzi have such great influence?"

"As for this discussion, regardless of the truth of the news, Liangzi indeed has such great influence. Don’t forget Tianxing Public Offering."

"Although it was 300 billion RMB back then, over the past two years, Liangzi’s value has been rising."

"Is this a public fund? How can ordinary people subscribe? Does anyone know the subscription channels? Do you have to go to Xiangjiang to subscribe?"

Hearing ’Lu Liang + Public Offering’, some fund and stock investors reacted like machines triggered by keywords.

Reflecting on two years ago, when Tianxing Public Offering was just established, from being highly sought after to being neglected, and then to an item in great demand.

That event, over time, has not faded from memory, but instead aged like fine wine.

Becoming purer, making one’s heartache more.

So much so that each time they see Tianxing Public Offering’s name on the list of circulating shareholders in some stocks, investors feel a pang in their hearts.

There once was a chance to double their assets, right in front of them; they could subscribe anytime they wished, yet they took it for granted, regretting it only when it was too late.

Now two years have passed, the A-share market still languishes, hovering around 3000 points.

In contrast, Tianxing Public Offering has become the indispensable weight public fund in the New Energy sector, and as of now, its total scale has reached over 700 billion RMB.

Now there’s another alleged opportunity in front of them, this time, even if it means selling everything, they absolutely won’t miss it.

"Ordinary people should give up the thought; even if the news is true, the ABS issued in Xiangjiang will require funds only in US dollars, and with a minimum of millions in large US dollar amounts."

These words chilled countless fund and stock investors instantly, leaving them indignant: "How can you say such cold words with a body temperature of 37.5 degrees? Is there really no other way?"

"There is, but if you can ask how to subscribe online, you are very likely to be targeted by scammers."

"Also, let me add a little extra: ABS is similar to government bonds, so you can only earn interest."

Netizens argued extensively, and various domestic and international forces scrambled to verify the authenticity of this news using their channels.

Calls were made to Lu Liang’s assistant, to Chen Jiebin’s assistant, and to the high-level officials at the Xiangjiang Financial Management Office.

After all, Lu Liang is known for his bad temper, which is widely known.

And for such significant matters, directly asking the person involved isn’t quite appropriate, making indirect probing more suitable.