After cultivating the techniques of the Ye Tian sect, Jin Gang’s strength had significantly improved. Ye Tian instructed him to remain at the compound and practice daily.
At eight-thirty in the morning, the group headed to the southwestern border province, Nantian Province.
Nantian Province bordered four countries and was filled with dense forests and complex terrain. The Southwest King’s stronghold was located in Nantian Province, with extensive industries including underground banks, smuggling operations, and casinos, all of which were thriving businesses.
On the plane, Ye Tian asked, “The Southwest King must be very wealthy, right?”
Wu Zongnian replied, “The Southwest King’s name is Zhang Longsheng. He was an orphan from childhood, having been a beggar and a soldier. His mother was from Myanmar, and his father was a border resident. He grew up in the harshest environments.”
“If you ask me how much money he has, it’s hard to say. Fifteen years ago, he had already ventured into the internet industry and invested in the world’s top internet companies. I estimate the market value of his shares alone exceeded five hundred billion US dollars. However, he gradually sold off his holdings in the past few years, leaving him with a large amount of cash.”
“Furthermore, he runs his own internet businesses, albeit in the grey areas. Do you know about online gambling? He established a base in Myanmar, earning hundreds of billions annually. There’s also online live streaming of beautiful women, the adult kind. The companies he manages have over fifty thousand long-term collaborating streamers. Each of these streamers can bring him tens of thousands of yuan in revenue per month, totaling two to three hundred billion a year.”
“Also, this person controls the domestic jade market. Eighty percent of jade merchants source their goods from him. The jade in Myanmar has been largely depleted, with few good quality stones left. All the good ones are with him.”
Ye Tian remarked, “No wonder they call him the Southwest King. He’s truly pervasive, a master at making money. This person must have powerful connections behind him, right?”
Wu Zongnian said, “Of course, his backing is very strong. Oh, and he has another identity: the highest leader of the Hongmen in East Asia, the ‘Piao Ba Zi’ (leader). He is also one of the five elders of the Hongmen.”
Ye Tian commented, “Someone like that is practically a local emperor; no one would dare provoke him.”
Wu Zongnian replied, “It’s not that exaggerated. Zhang Longsheng is a rather steady person and values loyalty. Of course, he is also a ruthless individual; there are easily eight hundred to a thousand people who have died by his hand.”
Ye Tian asked, “Does this person have any cultivation?”
Wu Zongnian answered, “That I’m not sure of, as I don’t understand cultivation. However, when I saw him ten years ago and again last year, he seemed unchanged, still the same.”
Ye Tian’s heart stirred, “In that case, it’s highly possible this person possesses cultivation.”
Wu Zongnian continued, “Actually, his brother-in-law’s debt is a minor matter. I need to discuss cooperation with him. He has so much money; it would be a waste not to invest it.”
Ye Tian inquired, “Old Wu, are you guys planning another major move?”
Wu Zongnian smiled and said, “With the current economic recession, many mines are being sold at a discount. We plan to buy them at rock-bottom prices and then drive up the mineral prices.”
Ye Tian pondered, “If the economy is bad, won’t mineral prices be difficult to increase?”
Wu Zongnian explained, “Our perspective on issues differs from yours. The worse the economy, the less confidence people have, and the easier it is for us to get rich.”
Ye Tian conceded, “Alright. Then let’s talk about something simpler: how much money are you investing this time, and how much do you expect to earn?”
Wu Zongnian stated, “Approximately one point five to two trillion US dollars, with a profit margin ranging from minus twenty percent to positive three hundred percent. We estimate the probability of profit exceeds seventy-five percent, so it’s worth a shot.”
Ye Tian chuckled, “You capitalists are truly something else; all the money is earned by you.”
Wu Zongnian retorted, “My dear brother, you are one of us now, so you’ve included yourself in that statement.”
Ye Tian smiled, “I meant to say, these wealthy tycoons must care greatly about their lives, correct?”
Wu Zongnian affirmed, “Absolutely. I’m not old yet, but I undergo super medical check-ups twice a year. This top-tier medical care is only accessible to those with wealth exceeding one hundred million US dollars, as a single check-up costs millions of dollars. For instance, certain cancers can be detected years in advance. Cardiovascular issues can even be identified more than five years ahead of time. Of course, they also provide some high-end medications for life extension.”