Chapter 1064: Small to Big (Part 1)

The origins of banks are very early; in ancient times, money houses and draft banks were actually the predecessors of banks.

Of course, because the capitalist sprouts in China ultimately failed, most of the world's top banks today were founded by foreigners.

But even so, many Chinese-funded banks created by ethnic Chinese have still made a name for themselves.

Bangkok Bank is one of them.

Not only that, but Bangkok Bank's reputation is also excellent.

That is why Zhao Fusheng agreed to Jerry's plan. Although globally Bangkok Bank cannot compare to banking conglomerates like HSBC or Citibank, within Asia, including Chinese circles, Bangkok Bank's credibility is higher than any other bank.

After reading the materials Jerry submitted to him, Zhao Fusheng had Dong Chenxi collect some information on Bangkok Bank. The result showed that in Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, among the extremely wealthy tycoons, more than 60% had received support from Bangkok Bank when they started their businesses. The richest people in various countries and regions basically had business dealings with Bangkok Bank and relied on it for cash flow turnover in a series of commercial activities.

Then, after they became wealthy, they entrusted their capital business to Bangkok Bank for management, which was also a form of reciprocation.

Moreover, due to the existence of Bangkok Bank, Chinese merchants in Southeast Asia actually formed a huge alliance.

Although this alliance has now disintegrated, it does not prevent Bangkok Bank from becoming the premier super bank in Southeast Asia.

This is a bank with the purpose of helping Chinese people.

With such an impression in mind, Zhao Fusheng was not really concerned about the waiting of these past few days.

And as it turned out, Zhao Fusheng's waiting was very useful.

As the president of Bangkok Bank, Chen Zhishen was undoubtedly very busy, with too many guests to handle and meet every day.

Initially, it was his decision to invite Zhao Fusheng to Thailand, but he did not expect Zhao Fusheng to come so quickly. When he learned of this news, Chen Zhishen was attending a meeting in London. After a few days' delay, he hurried back to Bangkok.

And as soon as he returned to Bangkok, Chen Zhishen planned to meet with Zhao Fusheng.

But a person he did not expect stopped him.

Over the next week, Zhao Fusheng, Jerry, and a few assistants from Future Investment stayed in the hotel. Ten full days passed, and still no news of a meeting came from Bangkok Bank.

"Boss, are they messing with us?" Jerry went to Bangkok Bank every day to inquire, but the answer was always that President Chen had no time. In the end, he himself began to lose confidence.

"Not necessarily." Zhao Fusheng frowned. To be honest, he himself was also a bit uncertain. After all, according to normal logic, no matter how busy Chen Zhishen was, he would not avoid meeting him. Even if he did not intend to cooperate, he could just say so outright, without playing such tricks.

What was going on?

In Zhao Fusheng's heart, at this moment, there was full of doubt.

Just then, Jerry's phone rang. He walked over, pressed the answer button, said a few words, then hung up. Turning around, he looked delighted: "Boss, Mr. Chen Zhishen has time tomorrow."

"Really?" Zhao Fusheng was startled, then let out a long breath, and a big stone in his heart finally fell.

"Tomorrow at nine in the morning, Mr. Chen has given us two hours." Jerry said to Zhao Fusheng.

"Two hours?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly, then slowly nodded. It seemed Chen Zhishen still attached great importance to this meeting.

The next morning at 8:45, Zhao Fusheng and Jerry, along with their assistants, arrived at Bangkok Bank's headquarters in Bangkok fifteen minutes early.

Chen Zhishen's office was on the top floor. After verifying Zhao Fusheng's identity, the secretary took them up in the elevator to Chen Zhishen's office.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chen will only see Mr. Zhao alone." At the door, the secretary stopped Jerry and the others.

Although a bit strange, Zhao Fusheng nodded, let Jerry and the others wait for him, and followed the secretary inside.

But as soon as he entered, Zhao Fusheng was stunned.

Because what appeared before him was not only a middle-aged man around fifty, but also an old man with gray hair sitting on the sofa.

The two looked very alike, clearly father and son, and neither wore a suit; instead, they were simply dressed in red and black Tang suits, exuding a calm shrewdness.

"Young man, surprised?" The older man spoke first with a smile, then beckoned to Zhao Fusheng: "Come over and sit, have a chat with this old man, how about it?"

The other spoke pure Chinese, which startled Zhao Fusheng.

"Mr. Chen Youhan?" Zhao Fusheng asked in surprise, having seen the other's photo in the materials.

"Yes, indeed, heroes come from youth. I didn't expect you to be so young." Chen Youhan smiled and said to his son Chen Zhishen: "At his age, I was sent abroad by your grandfather to study; I never thought about making money myself."

Chen Zhishen chuckled and said to Zhao Fusheng: "My father heard that a young fellow townsman from the mainland had come, and he was in a very good mood, so he specially came to meet Mr. Zhao."

At this point, if Zhao Fusheng still didn't understand what was going on, he would be an idiot.

Clearly, everything before was probably because of this elderly gentleman.

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me." Zhao Fusheng said modestly to Chen Youhan: "I'm just lucky. The internet industry is developing very fast now, so I got the opportunity. Compared to you, I can't even catch up on horseback."

He meant it sincerely. After all, compared to Chen Youhan's expansion of his father's business, his own achievements now were really nothing.

Without the advantage of foresight, he would never have reached his current level.

"A young man who knows how to talk." Although Chen Youhan was seventy, he was in good spirits and still served as chairman of Bangkok Bank. Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, he smiled and said to Zhao Fusheng: "Then, Mr. Zhao, tell me, what can our Bangkok Bank do for you?"

"I need a loan."

Zhao Fusheng didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"A loan?"

Chen Youhan nodded, then smiled: "Nine out of ten people who come to Bangkok Bank need a loan. I wonder, what reason do you have to think we will help you?"

Since his father had spoken, Chen Zhishen simply sat there quietly, listening to him talk with Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng naturally understood Chen Youhan's meaning; the other was waiting for him to present corresponding bargaining chips.

This was understandable; after all, the other was a businessman and needed to see if he had the ability and was worth helping.

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng took a document from his bag and handed it to Chen Youhan: "Sir, this is a proof of some of my current assets. Please take a look."

Chen Youhan nodded, took the document, put on his reading glasses, and began to read.

He read very slowly, for about half an hour. During this time, Zhao Fusheng was not anxious and chatted calmly with Chen Zhishen.

After a long while, Chen Youhan put down the document, looked up at Zhao Fusheng, and said: "To be honest, I didn't expect that you would still be optimistic about NetEase when its stock was at its lowest."

He paused, somewhat puzzled: "I see that you hold shares in several internet companies. Are you very optimistic about the internet industry?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded honestly: "I think, given the current pace of development, in a few years, the internet industry will experience an explosion. By then, the whole world might change."

These words stunned both father and son.

Chen Zhishen was fine, but Chen Youhan's expression suddenly became serious. Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's words had a great impact on him.

"Tell me, what do you need?"

After a moment of silence, Chen Youhan said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng tilted his head and thought: "I need money, but not right now. My only request is that if one day I need money, Bangkok Bank can help me. Even if the interest is a bit higher, it doesn't matter. I wonder if you can grant me this request?"

This was unavoidable. Although Zhao Fusheng had many ways to make money in his mind, he needed time. Often, business opportunities require seizing a specific point at the right time. If he pushed ahead rashly, he couldn't guarantee what would happen.

For example, internet companies like Facebook and Twitter would definitely require more capital in the future. Zhao Fusheng couldn't guarantee that he would have enough cash at that time, so securing Bangkok Bank's help was a necessary step.

As for domestic banks, ha, Zhao Fusheng wasn't stupid. Spending money to give gifts to others would be worse than negotiating honestly with the Chen family.

At least they did business openly, unlike some people who were desperately greedy.

"Bangkok Bank is a joint-stock company, and our Chen family is the largest shareholder." After a long time, Chen Youhan's voice sounded: "Young man, you should know that our Chen family has always been willing to help Chinese merchants in their early stages. You are Chinese. Although no one has used stocks as collateral for loans before, I think if Americans can do it, we Chinese have no reason not to."

Having said that, he glanced at Zhao Fusheng and said calmly: "However, I have one condition."

Zhao Fusheng was startled and looked at Chen Youhan in surprise. He knew that what the old man was about to say next was the key point.