Chapter 1158: Everyone Wants to Succeed

What truly traps a person is not a cage forged of steel, but the high wall standing in their heart.

Zhao Fusheng loved watching The Shawshank Redemption, and one line from the film stuck with him, because he felt that in his own heart, there was also a high wall.

The only way to break free from the wall's confinement was to make himself stronger.

This was beyond doubt.

Entering the real economy was a necessary step for Zhao Fusheng. He knew very well that the future group's roots were in China; unless he planned to stop being Chinese, he had to face this issue.

Although there were many shortcomings domestically, he couldn't bear to leave his homeland.

Since he couldn't change it, he would make himself strong enough that certain people wouldn't dare to reach out or do anything rash.

Zhao Fusheng was well aware that the next few years were probably his best opportunity, because once economic development stabilized, many domestic industries would be carved up, and then there would be no chance to cut in.

This was reality. Whether in business or other fields, once class solidification set in, it was hard for those at the bottom to achieve upward mobility, because the upper echelons held resources tightly. Trying to rise was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

In an era where every slot was filled, neither becoming an official nor doing business was easy to succeed at.

What Zhao Fusheng could do now was find his own place before everyone else settled into theirs, so that he could take the initiative in the coming great era.

Of course, even with a head full of ideas beyond this era, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't casually bring them out.

Being the first to eat crab didn't guarantee success.

This had been proven by countless people.

For example, take movies. If Wolf Warrior 2 were released now, Zhao Fusheng was sure its box office wouldn't be high—not because the movie was bad, but because the market wasn't big enough.

As for movies like Tiny Times, there was no need to think about it; it would be a miracle if anyone went to see them! Stephen Chow's A Chinese Odyssey was a flop at the domestic box office at this time, let alone Guo Xiaosi's purely fan-oriented films.

In short, movie audiences had to experience the orthodox model operas before they could enjoy Hong Kong films full of laughter and satire, and then gradually transition to good films with depth and ideas. Even if someone later adapted a variety show into a movie, there might still be viewers.

Time was like a serious yet mischievous old scholar—seemingly chaotic, but actually with strict rules.

Those who tried to fool it would often be punished.

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't want to be punished, so he was considering which industry to enter.

"Real estate could be a suitable investment," Zhao Fusheng thought. After all, the domestic real estate market was relatively sluggish. Even if he didn't become a ruthless developer, he could learn from Li Ka-shing—acquire land everywhere and sell it at high prices. Making money off developers gave Zhao Fusheng no psychological burden.

"Also, consider investing in hotels..." Zhao Fusheng thought it over and finally realized that the industries he could operate were actually limited.

It wasn't that there were no projects, but that his own abilities were limited.

After all, in his previous life, Zhao Fusheng wasn't a towering figure; his highest achievement was being an advertising planner. When it came to advertising, he could rattle off details, but for real business, how could an ordinary person whose knowledge came from WeChat Moments and Zhihu handle big projects?

Did he really think that living again would make him proficient in everything?

Hah, Zhao Fusheng wasn't a god, nor did he have that ability.

So he could only choose industries within his cognitive scope. Though he wasn't entirely familiar, at least the general direction wouldn't be wrong.

"Make preparations. After attending the CCTV Annual Economic Person of the Year awards, we'll go home before New Year's," Zhao Fusheng said, lowering his voice to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian was startled, then nodded: "Got it."

Though he found Zhao Fusheng's approach somewhat baffling, he still kept his words in mind.

……

……

It had to be said that some of Zhao Fusheng's guesses were really quite reasonable.

At the very least, in dealing with Tong Zhenbang, Zhao Fusheng had accurately grasped the mindset of Tong Zhenbang and even Mr. Li.

After Future Investment officially announced its increased stake in NetEase stock, Tong Zhenbang soon received the news.

"Sir, Future Investment is preparing to increase its holdings in NetEase stock," Tong Zhenbang said respectfully to Mr. Li.

Mr. Li, still wearing his Tang suit, sat there with his head down, reading the newspaper in his hands.

If anyone noticed, they would see that he was reading a copy of The Wall Street Journal.

Hearing Tong Zhenbang's words, Mr. Li didn't speak immediately but continued reading. After a long while, he put the paper down on the coffee table and looked up at Tong Zhenbang: "Zhenbang, it seems you've made a good deal this time."

"A good deal?" Tong Zhenbang looked at Mr. Li with confusion, clearly not understanding his meaning.

Mr. Li smiled slightly: "Do you know how many times NetEase's stock has multiplied over the past year or so?"

"Uh..." Tong Zhenbang paused, then said: "Didn't it go from one dollar to over sixty dollars?"

He had already seen this news in his subordinates' investigation report on Zhao Fusheng. To be honest, Tong Zhenbang admired Zhao Fusheng—at the very least, the guy dared to enter the market when NetEase's stock was at its lowest. Although two million dollars seemed like a small amount, one must remember that the entire US stock market was very sluggish at the time, and internet tech stocks were struggling. NetEase's stock was seen by many as nearly worthless.

Entering the market at that time required not only vision but also courage.

At the very least, Tong Zhenbang asked himself, if it were him, he definitely wouldn't have had Zhao Fusheng's audacity to bet two million dollars on an unknown future.

After all, at that time, those two million dollars might have been Zhao Fusheng's entire liquid capital.

"Yes, over sixty dollars," Mr. Li nodded, sighed, then shook his head: "You know, sometimes I wonder, if I hadn't entered the casino back then, hadn't started smuggling with my first boss, what would I be doing now?"

"After thinking it over, the answer seems about the same as now." Mr. Li shrugged: "I'm a risk-taker by nature, destined not to like a routine life. So I'd likely choose a stimulating, adventurous life—like now, or maybe making it on Wall Street."

As he spoke, he pointed at the newspaper: "This analysis says NetEase's stock price might hit a bottleneck and will drop."

"Ah?" Tong Zhenbang's face immediately turned ugly. Gritting his teeth, he said: "Should I call Zhao Fusheng and have him cancel this plan?"

What a joke! Even a fool knew that Zhao Fusheng would definitely use the tens of millions of dollars he had invested to increase holdings. In other words, if those tens of millions were put in, they might lose millions.

"Why cancel?" Mr. Li laughed, looking at Tong Zhenbang and shaking his head gently: "You, always used to scheming. Such a simple thing, and you haven't figured it out."

"Sir, forgive my stupidity. What's really going on?" Tong Zhenbang asked Mr. Li in a deferential tone.

Clearly, he hoped to get an explanation from Mr. Li, since this plan was his own doing. If they lost money, Tong Zhenbang would be blamed.

Mr. Li laughed heartily, slowly stood up from his chair, walked over to Tong Zhenbang, patted his shoulder, and then smiled: "You know, experts' words—especially stock experts'—you just take them in reverse."

With that, the old man shook his head, turned, and walked away.

Watching Mr. Li and his large entourage leave, Tong Zhenbang let out a long breath.

"A-Jie, ask Xiao Bao when he'll be back?" Tong Zhenbang said to Chen Shijie behind him without turning his head.

"Okay." Chen Shijie was still taciturn, answering with just one word.

"Do you think the old man will trust me?" Tong Zhenbang suddenly asked Chen Shijie.

Chen Shijie was taken aback, then shook his head: "Don't know."

Tong Zhenbang smiled bitterly, waved his hand, and said nothing more.

In fact, he also understood that stock market experts' words needed to be taken in reverse. But the problem was that the entire plan was formulated and executed by him, and he was the one who contacted Zhao Fusheng. Now Zhao Fusheng's side had loudly announced an increase in NetEase holdings. If they made money, fine; if they lost money, he would certainly suffer.

Rather than wait to be blamed then, it was better to retreat now and hand all choices to Mr. Li. The old fox, as the head of the entire group, had his own considerations. If even he agreed, there would be no fear of someone coming after him later.

For Tong Zhenbang, the initial groundwork was done. His credit was secure; there was no need to fight for more. As long as Zhao Fusheng helped them make money, he would have rendered great service.

So today, he chose to retreat in order to advance, putting on a show of unnecessary worry in front of Mr. Li.

As for whether Mr. Li would see through it, Tong Zhenbang had no confidence, which was why he asked Chen Shijie.

But he had asked the wrong person. Chen Shijie never cared about such things, because in his eyes, Tong Zhenbang was already a dead man.

A dead man need not worry about right or wrong.