Jingcheng West Road, Shanghai, Jiadi Center, British Consulate General in Shanghai.
Peng Bo and Heinwei got out of the car and took a look at this small building. It did not have as much vicissitudes of life and rich historical heritage as the old consulate on the Bund.
"My dear, after finishing this list, it's already the middle of the year. In the middle of the year, I think I will also be famous in the UK." Peng Bo said with great ambition, "At that time, I will formally propose to you."
"Oh," Heinwei was stunned, but immediately smiled, "Doesn't this matter require planning? I think it would be best to give me a surprise. Will the Prime Minister preside over the wedding?"
"You can invite him to dinner," Peng Bo said with a smile, "Of course, I don't mind officiating the wedding. I don't know if he minds."
Heinwei laughed. She also understood Chinese-style humor, but making fun of upper-class people was universal humor.
…
"Please take a seat."
Deputy Consul General Menia, who was wearing a white suit and flaming red lips, looked to be in her early forties. She looked at Peng Bo and Heinwei, and Peng Bo also looked at her. He felt that this Western woman in her forties was completely
It subverted his perception of middle-aged Western women.
With her carefully permed short black hair, her elegant white face, and her deep and melancholy eyes, she seemed to be a woman who had stepped out of the Western oil painting world.
"Pengbo Media, I have heard that you launched China's first rich list. I remember that the Financial Times reported it."
Peng Bo looked at Heinwei and moved his chair to the side, just right to show that Heinwei was sitting opposite Menia, "Yes, China has undergone tremendous changes since the reform and opening up. Chinese society
Huge changes have also taken place. A new class of entrepreneurs has emerged, and other changes in Chinese society have come from this. But at the same time, the biggest divisions and cracks in Chinese society in the past 20 years also come from this class...
"
Peng Bo had said this rhetoric on more than one occasion, but this was the first time Menia heard it. She listened very carefully and was very interested.
Peng Bo struck while the iron was hot and launched Heinwei, "Ms. Deputy Consul General, one thing I must solemnly state is that this list was completed by my girlfriend and I. She," he looked at Heinwei, "she was still
Citibank employees.”
Heinwei smiled. What Peng Bo said was true but not the truth. At least her role on this list was not as big as he said.
"Are you British?" Menia was very interested. She picked up the coffee on the table. The coffee was very fragrant, and the aroma lingered around the three of them.
"Madam Deputy Consul General, yes, my parents are British. They live in Kensington-Chelsea now, but I was born in Spain..." Both belong to the United Kingdom and are both British women. Menia said to Hein
Wei showed great affection, "Then why did you come to China, and what prompted you to publish this list?"
"After graduating from university, I first worked as an economic analyst in the fund management department of the Deutsche Bundesbank Group, and then entered the investment banking department of ****, and soon joined Citibank..."
Although Menia is the deputy consul general, this moment is more like a conversation between two women. Peng Bo watched all this with interest. This atmosphere was exactly what he wanted.
"Publishing this list should be like a homework. Our purpose is to let the Western world know about China, which is undergoing great changes," Heinwei said with a smile, "Including this time we plan to invite the Prime Minister to participate in our China Entrepreneurs Summit
, just want to build a bridge between the British business community and the Chinese business community..."
"Good idea," Menia praised, "However, I have to remind you that the Prime Minister's visit to China has not been finalized. All the itineraries are under negotiation between the two foreign ministries. Also, even if the Prime Minister's visit
Hua’s schedule is confirmed, and his schedule will be very full..."
This is a fact. Peng Bo and Heinwei have already thought of it. Therefore, this is not the time to talk about relationships. Everything needs to be done step by step.
"So we found the consulate, hoping to pass our ideas to the Prime Minister's desk..." Heinwei was slightly uneasy.
"This is something the Prime Minister can decide, but whether your request will be put on the Prime Minister's desk requires coordination between the two countries' foreign ministries, because the Prime Minister's itinerary needs to be jointly formulated by the two countries' foreign ministries, and the consulates do not have this power."
Menia smiled and said, "Besides, the prime minister participates in all influential activities."
Both Peng Bo and Heinwei heard Menia's subtext, which was that the activities held by Pengbo Baiwei had too little influence. "Ms. Deputy Consul General, we have created China's first rich list..." Heinwei
Wei explained.
"This is just a gust of wind, it will pass soon." Menia smiled.
"But this is a list that South Korea, Japan and the whole world will pay attention to." Seeing that Heinwei was alone, Peng Bo started to assist, "because the World Cup is hosted by two countries."
Menia smiled, "As far as I know, when your list was released, all the people who came were international financial media. Only the mayor of China's leaders arrived at the scene, which was not enough for the prime minister to participate." She said.
In hinting that the leaders attending are not equal, the Prime Minister will not attend,
"However, we have also noticed that many famous entrepreneurs in China were present in the list you released before." In other words, Menia is considering the release of the list this time, and obviously does not have big expectations.
confidence.
The deputy consul general had done his homework, but Heinwei was not discouraged. She smiled very sincerely, "Menia, I have seen your resume. You also graduated from Westminster College? You are very good.
Like fencing?”
Menia's eyes flashed, and Heinwei immediately replied, "I am also a student of Westminster School."
Oh, she has done her homework. Unexpectedly, she is here waiting for Menia. Alumni from all over the world, both Chinese and foreign, can significantly improve the relationship between the two parties.
Menia became friendly and spoke more directly, "Heinwei, with all due respect, your influence is too small. The Prime Minister will not participate in such an event. However, I can use my personal power to coordinate with the Minister of Finance."
Or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry attends..."
"No, we only invite the prime minister." Peng Bo emphasized.
"Then there's nothing I can do," Menia shrugged, "but there are still two months until the Prime Minister's visit to China. I wish you good luck!"
…
Coming out of the consulate, Heinwei was a little dissatisfied.
"Donald, I think it is also okay for the Minister of Finance or the Minister of Trade and Industry to participate in our summit."
"No, no, dear," Peng Bo put his hand on Heinwei's shoulder, "You don't understand China's national conditions. The Prime Minister's participation may trigger a tsunami, but if only the ministers participate, it will be a splash.
It will not leave a deep impression. We must invite Blair, he can attend, and in the future, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, Trade and Industry Secretary and other senior officials will also attend.”
The two got into the car, and Peng Bo continued, "This is the same as the first time, we were all in vain, but the first time we won when the information was opaque and unequal, this time we still have to be like Mei
As Nia said, to expand our influence, you need to keep in communication with the consulate at all times. You are British, dear, so I leave it to you."
Heyinwei has understood Peng Bo's thinking, but this is different from the first time inviting those world-class financial media. It is much more difficult.
"So, we must first expand your influence, and then expand my influence." Peng Bo said.