Zhang Liunian spoke his true feelings. In his opinion, Pengcheng was like a blank piece of paper, allowing them to play as they pleased. Why should they fixate on the small territories in others' hands?
Therefore, there was no need for them to fight like this, nor should they worry about him taking advantage of loopholes.
However, his words fell on the ears of the members, who felt that Zhang Liunian was mocking them, saying they had small visions and narrow minds.
Even if it were true, they would not admit it, let alone let anyone point it out.
"Are you saying we are petty-minded, is that it?"
"It's true that pain isn't felt unless it's on yourself. If a project you've planned for a long time is snatched away by someone else, would you feel alright?"
"Anyone can talk big. We can too. When you encounter such a situation, then you can say such things. It's not too late."
"Exactly. It's easy to talk when you're not the one involved. You say the pie is big, so it's big? Show us how big it is! If it were truly that big, you wouldn't be here."
"..."
If Zhang Liunian hadn't been a person of firm conviction, he might have been led astray by their twisted logic.
"I came here to see what projects everyone would come up with, to learn. I didn't say I would definitely work with you?"
Zhang Liunian wasn't necessarily looking to collaborate with them on investments. He had come this time simply to see if there were suitable projects. If not, he would leave.
As it turned out, the National Business Chamber members directly stole the ideas of the Hong Kong businessmen and also planned to do something about automobiles and a comprehensive business chain. They were truly something.
No need to think, just follow the enemy. He didn't know what to say about them.
"What? You don't intend to invest in us, nor do you want to work with us on projects. Then why did you come?"
The impatient chamber member, upon hearing this, exploded with anger again. Zhang Liunian came to attend the meeting with them, only to say he was just there to watch. Wasn't this treating them like monkeys?
This was simply going too far!
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, your idea is too disrespectful. We invited you to attend precisely because we wanted to reach a cooperation with you. Yet, you say you're just here to observe. What is your intention?" another person said indignantly.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, aren't you planning to leak our ideas to the Hong Kong businessmen?"
"..."
What other ideas do you have? Aren't you just trying to snatch other people's opportunities? Zhang Liunian rolled his eyes speechlessly.
"Everyone, please quiet down. Comrade Zhang Liunian might not have made himself clear. He attended our meeting surely because he wanted to cooperate, how could he just be here to watch, no, to learn." Wen Qinmin's voice echoed from above, instantly silencing everyone present.
They all cast suspicious glances at Zhang Liunian, hoping to hear him retract his previous statements.
Unfortunately, Zhang Liunian did not change his original intention. He wanted to invest, but if everyone's ideas were worse than his own, then he might as well do it himself, saving him the trouble of being here and enduring their grievances.
"Everyone knows I have ninety million. So, I intend to use this money for investment. If there are really good investments, I don't mind investing.
But if you also want to do automobiles like the Hong Kong businessmen, then I can only say sorry. Because I am not optimistic about this project. I also rejected their automotive project."
Zhang Liunian's words meant that he had also rejected the opportunity to invest in Hong Kong businessmen. They weren't the first, so there was no need to be so angry.
The members of the National Business Chamber indeed felt somewhat more balanced hearing this, but they were still angry.
They were national businessmen, united as one. Zhang Liunian rejecting the Hong Kong businessmen was understandable, but why reject them as well? Wasn't this clearly not considering them as one of their own?
Moreover, if Zhang Liunian didn't invest, they might not be able to compete with those Hong Kong businessmen in terms of financial capacity, as the latter were much wealthier than them.
Therefore, it was best for Zhang Liunian to invest in them, otherwise, they would still not be able to contend with those Hong Kong businessmen.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, I think you need to consider it carefully. We are the national businessmen. If you don't support us, we will surely face defeat."
"That's right. We really need your ninety million. If you can't provide it to us, then we can't compete with those old Hong Kong businessmen."
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, you are also a mainland businessman. Surely you won't stand by and watch us have good projects snatched away by them again!"
"..." Zhang Liunian was speechless. So, they had been constantly suppressed and beaten by the Hong Kong businessmen. No wonder the Hong Kong businessmen weren't afraid of him leaking their projects; they were confident they could easily defeat the national businessmen.
It wasn't that Zhang Liunian looked down on them, but they had been dominated and humiliated by the Hong Kong businessmen for a long time. While they were extremely angry with them, they also feared them.
This was why they were so eager for his ninety million, hoping to use his money to contend for dominance.
But why should he? Should their struggles use his money as a shield?
Wasn't this like throwing his money away for the national businessmen?
Forget it, he would focus on his own business and not get involved with these people. They were simply wasting his time.
"No, I've made up my mind. I'll do it myself and won't get involved in the affairs between your two factions." Zhang Liunian looked at their expectant faces and firmly stated he would not participate.
This caused their expectant faces to instantly turn to disappointment, and then to anger.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, are you playing with us?"
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, you've gone too far."
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, by doing this, you'll offend our entire chamber of commerce. Have you thought about it carefully?"
"..."
Father Sun, standing by, couldn't bear it any longer and spoke up to defend Zhang Liunian. "President, investing or not is voluntary. We operate the same way. If we feel a project isn't good, we can naturally refuse. Why can't Comrade Zhang Liunian? You can't bully him just because he's a newcomer."
Kang Da Fu also chimed in, "Yes, President. Comrade Zhang Liunian has made it clear. It's not that he won't invest, but that you all haven't presented him with good projects to invest in. You can't blame him for that."
"..."
Wen Qinmin frowned with displeasure. These two, who were selling out their own people, couldn't they distinguish between insiders and outsiders?
They were allies of many years, and Zhang Liunian was just a newcomer. Was it worth defending him like this?
Gu Lou, sitting behind them, saw that the Sun family and Kang Da Fu were displeasing the president, and also spoke up. "President, Mr. Sun and Kang Da Fu are indeed betraying us. They're actually defending an outsider and speaking to you. It's truly excessive. We shouldn't involve them in making money together in the future."
"..." Wen Qinmin cast a sideways glance at Gu Lou and said nothing.
As the president of a chamber of commerce, if he were to say such things, wouldn't it make him seem petty?