CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: A STORY

Luzon is a very interesting country.

Politically, the natives hold almost all the power and are divided into two factions: one pro-American, the other not so pro-American.

Economically, the Chinese control eighty percent of the society’s wealth.

Meanwhile, the Mainland is Luzon’s largest import and export trade partner.

Under these three conditions, something very interesting has emerged. They counter the Mainland politically but depend on it economically.

In the past two years, as the political relations between the two countries have deteriorated, economic impacts have been inevitable.

The purpose of Mr. Huang’s visit to Jin City for investment is also very clear.

Profitability is not important; establishing good relations on both sides is the key.

Clearly, investing in a single factory is a good thing for the leaders of Jin City, but it doesn’t extend its influence any further.

That is why he hopes to obtain the practical share certificate of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company from Chen Yiyang.

Because this practical certificate can earn him fame, elevating his reputation here.

Thinking of this, Chen Yiyang quickly devised his negotiation strategy.

He took out the practical share certificate and asked, "Do you want to verify its authenticity?"

"No need." Huang Yuqiu merely glanced at the share certificate from a distance.

This share certificate has already been verified by professional appraisers and is undoubtedly genuine. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed out to meet Chen Yiyang after talking with Yang Yugou.

"How much do you plan to ask for it?" Huang Yuqiu inquired about Chen Yiyang’s offer.

"I’m not interested in money." Chen Yiyang took a sip of tea and slowly said, "But I have a little story here, would you like to hear it?"

Huang Yuqiu gestured for Chen Yiyang to continue.

"A distant relative of mine had an ancestor who was an employee of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company in the late Qing Dynasty. After the company was established, he also invested money to buy a share certificate.

Later, as the situation became chaotic, he fled to Jin City, and eventually passed the share certificate down to me.

As a small businessman running a second-hand shop, I don’t really understand stocks, so I’ve always kept this share certificate as an heirloom on display in the shop.

And you, a businessman from Southeast Asia, whose ancestor donated money for the Mainland’s revolutionary cause, came to Jin City for investment and inadvertently stumbled upon my little shop, discovering this share certificate.

You then informed me of the significance of this share certificate, hoping to purchase it. But I believe that, given its major historical significance, it should be donated.

So with your help, coordinating with the government and personnel from China Merchants Bank, we ultimately donated the share certificate in our names. How is this story?"

"A very good story." Huang Yuqiu lightly stirred the red tea in front of him.

This is a story that can make headlines in major official media.

The first joint-stock company on the Mainland, the ties between Southeast Asian Chinese and the Mainland, and the distant legacy between modern youth and ancestors who once looked out into the world.

All the hot topics are there.

Donating the share certificate for free is the finishing touch.

Of course, if the story only included Chen Yiyang, then the free donation would truly be a free donation.

But now, the story includes Huang Yuqiu.

Clearly, this ride can’t be taken for free.

"My earliest investment in Jin City, a factory processing dried fruits and vegetables, has recently started operating. The factory, along with the brand, is worth over one hundred million. I’ll offer you ten percent of the shares, plus the position of consultant manager."

Worth around ten million?

Chen Yiyang was quite satisfied with this offer.

Of course, ten percent of the shares is more like real estate. If the factory performs well, after a year or two there might be some dividends, but not much.

The fixed income from the position of consultant manager is the main point.

"Alright, deal." Chen Yiyang agreed.

With a foreign factory consultant manager position and an antique of this caliber, Chen Yiyang could make a name for himself in Jin City.

Plus the bonus from donating the China Merchants Bureau share certificate story.

After Yang Yu rebels, Yang He would absolutely not dare to harbor any underhanded thoughts towards Chen Yiyang beyond legal measures.

After all, the most important thing for the white glove is to keep clean; you must be white.

If Yang He dares to use gray or black means against someone like Chen Yiyang, who already has a name,

Then the people behind Yang He would probably immediately send Yang He inside first.

Having settled the business, both Huang Yuqiu and Chen Yiyang relaxed their expressions.

They casually chatted while eating.

Huang Yuqiu also introduced some of Luzon’s history to Chen Yiyang, mentioning how Spain colonized Luzon in history.

Chen Yiyang remembered his silver coin.

He took out the Spanish platinum counterfeit silver coin from his wallet to show Huang Yuqiu.

"I’ve learned about that period when Spanish merchants once used platinum to counterfeit silver coins, but this is the first time I’m seeing it in person." Huang Yuqiu was very interested in this silver coin.

"If you take this silver coin to Spain, it would be worth a lot there."

"Why don’t you buy it and take it to Spain?" Chen Yiyang suddenly suggested.

This silver coin, in the domestic market or even in the United States or other countries, wouldn’t fetch a sky-high price.

But locally in Spain, it would absolutely have a high premium.

Upon hearing Chen Yiyang’s words, Huang Yuqiu was intrigued.

But he immediately found himself in a dilemma.

This silver coin is definitely worth over a million, but giving a specific price is tricky.

For items with historical significance like this, which haven’t appeared before, they usually need to be handled by professional agencies, hyped for several months, then taken to auction houses to sell at an astronomical price, and finally transferred among several collectors.

Only then will the price stabilize.

Hence, Huang Yuqiu worried that if he offered too little, Chen Yiyang wouldn’t be satisfied. But if he offered too much, he would have to hype it, and the return period would be very long.

Unless payment could be made without cash.

After pondering for a while, he suddenly thought of something and told Chen Yiyang,

"Do you know there’s an art exhibition hall in Jin City’s Ning’an District?"

"The Silk Art Gallery?"

Chen Yiyang had heard of this gallery. Mainly because its design is very artistic, crafted by professional designers at that time.

The government of Jin City originally hoped to turn this art gallery into a tourist attraction showcasing the history of the Silk Road.

But aiming at art led by the government sounded unreliable.

Later, the gallery couldn’t even generate enough revenue to cover its own utility bills. Therefore, it became a burden for the government.

The government considered renting or selling this gallery externally. But such a large gallery offered limited uses, so either people offered a very low price or showed no interest.

If leased or sold at a low price, it involves the issue of state-owned asset loss, which made nobody dare to make suggestions.

This led to the gallery being awkwardly stuck there, turning into an empty shell left idle.