Chapter 1892: Policy Discussion Meeting

It is a very difficult thing to fathom other people's minds.

Especially to fathom someone like Zhao Fusheng, that is even more difficult.

After Ye Jing assigned the task, the department managers below, though surprised, still nodded and complied.

Because they did not know whether this was the chairman's idea or Ye Jing's own.

Of course, this news would certainly not be disclosed to the grassroots employees.

In the affairs of this world, some things are concealed from below but not from above—for example, the intrigues and ups and downs of officialdom; common people can only rely on guesswork.

The reason is simple: no dynasty would ever truly announce such matters to the world.

When a certain minister falls from power, the reason is often just an excuse; the real cause of his downfall is never spoken aloud.

Because this must be concealed from ordinary people; they do not need to know the truth.

But to those above, there is no need for concealment, because if those above do not know the truth, nothing can be accomplished.

Zhao Fusheng, however, did not care about this. He planned to go see Jiang Wen and explain the hype to Old Jiang.

Although he had made it very clear in front of Ye Jing, Zhao Fusheng knew that even with good friends, he had to talk about such matters. Moreover, this involved Brother Ge and Fa Ge.

He always acted with meticulous care, never letting anyone feel overlooked or uncomfortable.

But just as he reached the entrance of the residential compound, he received a call from Zheng Yao.

“You have to come with me to a meeting.”

Zheng Yao said to Zhao Fusheng.

“What meeting?”

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. Zheng Yao rarely asked him to attend meetings with higher-ups; she also knew that Zhao Fusheng was not very keen on higher-ups.

“About the ChiNext.”

Zheng Yao replied: “This meeting is very important. I think you should come and listen too.”

Since she put it that way, Zhao Fusheng simply nodded, sent a text message to Old Jiang, and left the compound.

Arriving at Future Group headquarters, he met up with Zheng Yao downstairs, got into the car, and Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Is it that urgent?”

“The meeting starts at ten o'clock.”

Zheng Yao didn't waste words, saying to Zhao Fusheng: “Let's listen carefully to what they have to say.”

“Where is the meeting?”

Zhao Fusheng asked.

“At the National Development and Reform Commission.”

Zheng Yao's answer made Zhao Fusheng pause.

He really hadn't expected the meeting to be at the NDRC.

Shouldn't it be at the China Securities Regulatory Commission?

With this doubt, the group arrived at the NDRC. Entering, they found it full of business people. Zhao Fusheng recognized few of them, but he wasn't in a hurry. He sat down where the Future Group logo was, while Zheng Yao went to greet acquaintances.

Soon, the meeting officially began.

But within half an hour, the expression on Zhao Fusheng's face turned serious.

“The ChiNext can be opened, but the problem is that there must be restrictions. The state has set very low listing standards for some enterprises. Initially, we said this was a good thing, as it could effectively stimulate enterprise development. But now?

Not to mention others, just look at the batch of listed companies from 1992—what are they like now?

Ninety percent of them, after raising funds on the stock market, quickly squandered them: excellent performance in the first year, average in the second, deficits in the third. Has capital dividend been useful in their hands? What kind of destruction has this caused to the stock market? Don't you understand clearly?”

The speaker was an old man with white hair and beard. At this moment, looking at the many leaders from the NDRC and CSRC, he spoke very bluntly.

A group of leaders all sat there, obediently taking the scolding.

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. He did not recognize the old man; he had only heard that he was an economist who formulated policies for the central government.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng really didn't know this person.

But by now he had experience. Having been reborn for so long, meeting all kinds of people, including big shots he knew and didn't know, Zhao Fusheng's strategy was to be polite to anyone who looked familiar but whose identity he couldn't recall.

“This is the strongest opponent of the ChiNext right now.”

Zheng Yao whispered beside Zhao Fusheng, explaining: “His point is to strictly regulate the standards of the ChiNext, not allowing unqualified enterprises to fish in troubled waters.”

“That's very reasonable.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded and said to Zheng Yao: “If any enterprise can enter the ChiNext, then the meaning of this board's existence will be lost.”

Zheng Yao was taken aback; she hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to agree with the old man's words.

Zhao Fusheng smiled but said nothing more.

No one knew better than him what the ChiNext in China would become in later years—it would truly degenerate into a hunting ground for certain capital to reap profits. Perhaps following the old man's current standards might actually change that situation.

Of course, this had little to do with Zhao Fusheng.

The companies under his umbrella were all well-operated, with excellent financial conditions and high price-to-earnings ratios.

To put it bluntly, if Zhao Fusheng's companies went public, every subsidiary would become a dark horse in the stock market.

This was beyond doubt.

“Let's keep listening.”

Seeing Zheng Yao in a daze, Zhao Fusheng didn't continue.

A characteristic of Chinese meetings is that there is always discussion. Soon, after the leaders spoke, the attendees also took turns to speak.

Zhao Fusheng didn't care. While Zheng Yao spoke, he quietly played the invisible man, since no one here knew him anyway.

After the meeting ended, Zhao Fusheng left with Zheng Yao.

“What do you think? How much longer will this drag on?”

Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly asked.

“Drag on?”

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled: “Why drag on?”

“Isn't it? There's a lot of controversy about the ChiNext now. I've attended several such discussions, and I always feel that the higher-ups still have doubts about this matter.”

Zheng Yao said to Zhao Fusheng.

She was telling the truth; she had attended several such meetings before, all of which ended in endless arguments without results.

“It won't be long.”

Zhao Fusheng said calmly to Zheng Yao.

“Really?” Zheng Yao was utterly puzzled, completely unable to understand where Zhao Fusheng got the confidence to think this matter would soon have a result.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled but said nothing more.

He couldn't tell Zheng Yao that the global economic crisis was about to begin, and then, to stimulate the economy, the state would have to directly launch the ChiNext, letting the capital market enter a carnival era.

There was no way around it. Some things cannot be changed by human effort. Zhao Fusheng had never thought of changing anything; he knew very well the extent of his own power. Even though the wealth he now possessed was no small sum, Zhao Fusheng knew he was still just an ordinary person.

…

…

Parting with Zheng Yao at the company gate, Zhao Fusheng set off again for Jiang Wen's villa.

After knocking and ringing the doorbell for a long time, footsteps finally came from inside. Jiang Wen, looking tired, came out and opened the door for Zhao Fusheng.

“Why are you here?”

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng with some surprise, reeking of cigarette smoke.

Zhao Fusheng frowned: “Are you still discussing?”

“Yeah, come in, come in.”

Jiang Wen ushered Zhao Fusheng into the house and said to Ge Ye and Fa Ge.

They too reeked of smoke. Zhao Fusheng was utterly helpless, waved his hand and said: “Hey, do you guys have to work so hard? Filming has just started; I don't want to visit you in the hospital in a few days.”

“Haha, don't worry, we know what we're doing.”

Ge Ye said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

He was also a heavy smoker, and with Jiang Wen and Fa Ge, when they got together to discuss the script, they simply couldn't control themselves.

Fa Ge smiled and greeted Zhao Fusheng, then said to him: “My wife is shopping with your wife. If you have nothing to do, you might as well stay and discuss the script with us.”

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes, too exasperated to even complain about this Hong Kong acting veteran.

When this guy saw a good script, he too couldn't control himself.

“It's already afternoon.”

Zhao Fusheng said helplessly to them: “Take a break. I have something to discuss with you.”

After all, even though it was hype, Zhao Fusheng couldn't disregard their feelings; he had to give them face.

They were a bit surprised but nodded in agreement.

Soon, the group tidied up and left Jiang Wen's house.

Letting Fa Ge and Ge Ye ride in Jiang Wen's car, Zhao Fusheng called Old Jiang into his own car and said to him: “You can't keep going like this. Maybe Zhou Yun and the child should stay at my place for now.”

Jiang Wen thought for a moment and nodded: “Alright, it'll be more convenient at your place.”

He knew himself that when working, he had no time to take care of his family, so he was willing to accept Zhao Fusheng's suggestion.

The group arrived at a restaurant, ordered some food, took photos with the waitstaff, and finally got rid of the fans.

“What exactly is the matter that you had to drag us out?”

Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng curiously.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled, didn't beat around the bush, and directly explained his plan.

Finally, he said sincerely to Jiang Wen and the others: “This is for the film's success, and I hope you can understand.”

“Haha, I thought it was something serious.”

Fa Ge was the first to laugh, waving his hand: “I have no objections; this is fine.”

After all, having come from the Hong Kong film industry, Fa Ge saw this more clearly than others.

Ge Ye also nodded: “I have no objections either. Whatever the company says, we'll do.”

He was an old hand and naturally understood such matters.

So the only problem left was Jiang Wen.