On New Year's Day, snowflakes began to fall in the sky.
Zhang Hao got up early, then called the third sister and sent his best wishes.
After breakfast, the group said goodbye to Mr. Wang and went directly to Governor Li to report. Then they ran behind him for two consecutive days and began to make final preparations for participating in the auction.
This time the officials were rarely very efficient. On the sixth day of the first lunar month, they officially started filming Australian mines.
Including coal mines, there are more than 500 large and small mines to be auctioned, which can be called a feast.
Soon the day of the auction arrived. Zhang Hao arrived at the auction venue an hour early, and then took advantage of the little time before the auction started to find Mr. Wang.
"Director Zhang, have you made a decision?"
Mr. Wang is still very confident in his heart.
In fact, there are many people who can take over the 30 billion, and the reason why he insists on letting Zhang Hao take over is that on the one hand, he believes in the other party's personal ability and can lead the Zhengwei Group to grow and develop; on the other hand, he also wants to make good friends with the other party.
He is very optimistic about the development potential of this young junior, and there may be opportunities for cooperation in the future.
Zhang Hao nodded: "Mr. Wang, thank you for your kindness, but I still want to say sorry. I really can't acquire Zhengwei Group."
"Can I ask the specific reason?"
Mr. Wang was a little reluctant.
"It's mainly for personal reasons. I want to spend more time with my family. If I take over the Zhengwei Group, I may have to be busy for several years. This is not the life I want."
Zhang Hao chose to tell the truth.
Mr. Wang was immediately dumbfounded: "Director Zhang, if you had other reasons, I wouldn't say anything, but being lazy is no excuse. Listen to my advice, young people should put their career first and don't waste their great youth."
"Ahem, Mr. Wang, you don't need to persuade me. I have made up my mind. If I have to choose between work and life, I will choose life without hesitation."
Zhang Hao said without flinching.
"Well, since you don't want to hear it, I won't say anything." Mr. Wang waved his hand, and then changed the subject: "By the way, do you still want the villa?"
"Mr. Wang, do you really want to sell?"
Zhang Hao had a little surprise.
He originally thought that selling the villa was just an excuse, and the other party's main purpose was to establish a relationship with him.
"Can this be false? According to my analysis, housing prices in Zhucheng have basically reached their peak. Cashing out at high prices is a normal operation. You don't have to have any psychological burden."
Mr. Wang explained casually.
Zhang Hao suddenly realized that he was indeed an old fox who had been ups and downs in the business world for decades, and his business vision was accurate.
"Okay, Mr. Wang, can you make an offer? I will never counter-offer."
The reason why I didn't make a counteroffer was also to "make amends".
Mr. Wang was very straightforward: "Come on, my villa has a total area of more than 800 square meters. According to the market price, it is worth about 415 million. I will wipe out the small change for you. How about 400 million?"
"Is the transfer included?"
Zhang Hao deliberately made a little joke.
"Get lost." Mr. Wang suddenly said angrily, "I'm selling the house, not repaying it at a loss."
"Mr. Wang, don't be angry. I'm just kidding. Four hundred million is no problem. When will we transfer the ownership?"
"The day after tomorrow, I have an appointment with Mr. Ma tomorrow."
Mr. Wang made this a last-minute decision.
Since the person in front of me doesn't want to take over Zhengwei Group, he can only contact Penguin. Penguin is the richest among several companies and can give money quickly.
"Okay, let's schedule it in the morning the day after tomorrow."
Zhang Hao nodded.
…
As soon as Zhang Hao finished dealing with Mr. Wang, he received a call immediately after. It turned out that someone from the Tongxin Association was here and had already arrived at the auction site.
Soon, the two parties met at the door.
The two vice-presidents of Tongxinhui, Zhou Jianneng and Du Chengping, couldn't leave because of their busy schedules. The team was led by Li Bangrui from CompuTong, and a total of twelve people came.
"President, happy New Year!"
The group of people paid their respects to him in his later years.
Zhang Hao shook hands with everyone one by one and asked casually: "Why don't you inform me in advance? I can go to the port to greet you?"
"What's there to pick up? Everyone is busy during the New Year, so there's no need to see anyone else, especially you, the president. I heard from Lao Zhou that the New Year's Eve dinner is all eaten here in Zhucheng?"
Li Bangrui smiled and waved his hand.
"Oh, forget about the New Year's Eve dinner. From the Entrepreneurs Annual Meeting to today, I have never left Zhucheng."
Zhang Hao cried bitterly.
Someone immediately inquired: "President, are you making any big moves again?"
Although they were unable to attend the Annual Meeting of Entrepreneurs in person due to time constraints, fortunately there was a live webcast, so they were able to participate in the entire process.
"It's not a big move, I just set up a coal company with a few partners to try the water." Zhang Hao replied quickly.
"President, how can you turn your arm outward? We are all members of the Tongxin Association. If you want to cooperate, you should come to us?"
Li Bangrui immediately echoed: "Yes, we all need people and funds. We are more reliable than outsiders, right?"
"Everyone has misunderstood me. I did not initiate the coal company. To be honest, I am not interested in investing in coal mines at all. Others forced me to join the company. It is really difficult for me to refuse." Zhang Hao quickly explained.
"President, according to the current situation, investing in coal mines is simply a good business with huge profits. Why are you not interested?" someone asked curiously.
"The reason is very simple. Don't forget, I also have Shuguang New Energy Company under my name, which researches controllable nuclear fusion. It is naturally opposed to coal power. If I invest in coal, wouldn't I be slapping myself in the face?"
Zhang Hao joked to himself.
"Okay, let's get serious." Li Bangrui waved his hand and said seriously: "President, are you really not optimistic about the future coal market?"
Zhang Hao shook his head: "In the next few decades, the coal industry will be the top priority of the national economy and people's livelihood, and it will definitely not be different. But precisely because of this, the government will inevitably strictly control energy prices. It is not difficult to make money, but it is not
It’s such a huge profit as everyone imagined.”
"Hey, as long as you can make money!"
"That's right, the currency is depreciating day by day. Instead of losing money by keeping it in the bank, it is better to invest it."
"From this point of view, investing in coal mines is definitely a good business. No wonder so many people came today."
The atmosphere at the scene instantly became relaxed.
Li Bangrui had a sudden thought: "President, can we join your new company?"
"I'm afraid not."
Zhang Hao shook his head and quickly explained:
"It's not that I don't want to, it's mainly because I don't have much say in the new company and hold the smallest share. Another point is that the other investors are also money-rich owners. Once the shares are determined, it will be difficult.
It’s changed again.”
"President, who are the other shareholders?"
"I won't hide it from you. Besides me, the new company has eight major shareholders, including Guangdong Official, Mr. Ma from Penguin, Mr. Wang from Zhengwei Group, Mr. Zheng from Zheng Dafu, and Mr. Jiang Hutchison...
…”
Before Zhang Hao finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Bangrui.
"No wonder! It makes my heart beat."
You must know that these people are top figures in the local business circle. If they can integrate into the other party's circle, they will definitely benefit greatly and it will be worth the cost.
Zhang Hao advised on the spot: "You don't need to follow me. Australia is rich in mineral resources and has many investment opportunities."
"President, which coal mine are you planning to invest in?"
Someone couldn't wait to ask.
"Yaffingal Valley Coal Mine." Zhang Hao did not hide it, "a small coal mine with a reserve of one billion tons."
"A billion tons is still small?"
"Of course it is small. This is a new coal mine that has not yet been developed on a large scale. If calculated based on production capacity, it will definitely be considered a small coal mine in the early stage."
Zhang Hao explained casually.
Li Bangrui couldn't help but interjected and asked: "President, are you only interested in this coal mine?"
"Of course there are more than that. There is also the Carmichael Coal Mine, but the competition is fierce and the probability of success is very slim."
"What a coincidence, President, our target is also the Carmichael Coal Mine."
Zhang Hao raised his eyebrows and immediately whispered: "I might as well tell you that I have inside information. The Carmichael Coal Mine has been confirmed. You should change your target quickly!"
"Who? Who is the default candidate?"
"Who else could it be? Isn't it obvious!"
"Donneng Group?"
Li Bangrui guessed.
The full name of Dongneng Group is Dongneng Energy Investment Group. It is the number one state-owned coal mining company in the country, with an annual output of 500 million tons of coal at its peak.
It is also one of the best in the entire federation.
"Yes, if nothing unexpected happens..." Zhang Hao shook his head subconsciously: "There should be no accidents."
"That's not necessarily true." Li Bangrui snorted coldly.
"Oh? What should I say?"
Zhang Hao quickly asked.
Li Bangrui looked around, then lowered his voice and explained: "President, we are here well prepared this time. We are not just here to try our luck, we have a heavy responsibility on our shoulders."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Hao reacted quickly and tried to ask: "Are the Minde officials also involved?"
"Not only the Minde official, but also our hometown, the two are ready to cooperate."
Neither Minde nor Laoshan are coal-producing places, and naturally there are no large-scale coal companies in the territory. In desperation, they can only choose to cooperate with private enterprises.
In the end, both families chose Tongxinhui.
"Huh? That's a good idea. Who came up with it?" Zhang Hao couldn't help but be curious.
"It was Lao Zhou who suggested it. Both of them came to talk to us. We didn't know what to choose. Unexpectedly, Lao Zhou solved the problem with just one sentence."
Li Bangrui replied with a smile.
Zhang Hao then asked: "What kind of support did the two families give?"
"Minde is very short of money, and it's more about policy support, such as help with lobbying and bank loans. My hometown also has no money, but they promised to help us recruit a group of experienced miners and provide
Mining equipment, that's basically it."
"How much money did you bring here?"
"Including loans, the total is 120 billion. This is our last bit of wealth."
Li Bangrui said what he said solemnly.
Zhang Hao nodded: "It's not too small. It shouldn't be a problem to win a few large coal mines."
"President, if we cooperate, do you think we can win the Carmichael Coal Mine?"
This ultra-large coal mine with reserves of 27 billion tons is everyone's first choice.
"It's difficult. It's not about money."
Zhang Hao still insisted on his opinion.
The advancement of the state and the retreat of the private sector will be a major trend in the next few decades, and it cannot be reversed by just a few big projects.
"Alas..." Li Bangrui sighed deeply, "It's a pity. Originally we were worried about not having enough money, but now it seems... we have thought about things too simply."
"No need to sigh. In addition to the Carmichael Coal Mine, there are many high-quality coal mines in Australia. No matter how difficult it is to invest in iron ore, it is the same. Iron ore is also in urgent demand."
Zhang Hao quickly comforted him.
In the era of large-scale infrastructure construction, coal and steel are the most basic industrial raw materials, and both are indispensable.
"Okay, that's all."
Li Bangrui was in a state of despair.
Zhang Hao saw that everyone was in a low mood, so he quickly changed the topic: "Uncle Li, where is the construction progress in Minde?"
"Everything is going well. With the full support of BYD, Minde Times is accelerating the restoration of production capacity, and the scrap car recycling plant is almost completed. As a big boss, do you want to go back and cut the ribbon?"
"It depends on the situation! We'll talk about it then."
Zhang Hao hasn't decided whether to go there yet.
"Okay then!" Li Bangrui continued: "In addition, the oil refinery has been approved, and a complete set of oil refining equipment has just been ordered from the Northeast. When the port thaws in the summer, the relocation will begin."
Zhang Hao nodded with satisfaction: "By the way, how is the firewood hoarding in the city going?"
"Something didn't go well."
"what happened?"
"Weren't there rumors that there was going to be a war some time ago? Good guy, now both local officials and ordinary people are hoarding fuel like crazy, causing the price of firewood to rise several times, and the supply exceeds demand."
Li Bangrui explained helplessly.
Zhang Hao rubbed his forehead: "It's really troublesome now. If it doesn't work, we can increase the price appropriately. Anyway, we should try to stock up on more firewood."
When the auction ends, he plans to call Mayor Jiao and try to remind him.
"It's useless to raise prices. The federal government has already set price limits in order to prevent vicious competition from various places."
"Forget it, it seems we can only leave it to fate."
Zhang Hao didn't have any good solution.
Facts have proved once again that plans cannot change quickly and foresight is not omnipotent.
Upon hearing this, Li Bangrui comforted him: "Don't worry too much. War won't break out so easily. There is still a lot of time left for us."
"I hope so!"
After Zhang Hao finished speaking, he glanced at his watch and saw that there were only ten minutes until the official start of filming, so he ignored his regrets and hurriedly called everyone to enter the venue together.
…
At ten o'clock in the morning, the auction officially started.
Zhang Hao said goodbye to the members of the Tongxin Association and sat next to Governor Li. In addition to Mr. Wang from Zhengwei Group, Mr. Zheng from Zheng Dafu was also present.
Others were absent for various reasons.
For example, Mr. Li of Dajiang Hutchison, whose father Li Bancheng was critically ill a few days ago, is currently staying in the hospital and has no way of leaving.
Another example is Penguin's Mr. Ma, who was temporarily summoned by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for a meeting. He was told that he would rush over as soon as the meeting was over, but he didn't know if he would be late.