Chapter 22: Betting Agreement

The Southern Group sent a representative, and it was none other than Ya Li, who had worked with me in the demolition department back then.

I wonder if anyone remembers, at that time Ya Li came together with He Ping to join the work.

Ya Li even wrote me a love letter; she liked me, but I refused.

Ya Li later dated Tian Bin, the son of Director Tian of the County Construction Committee,

but Tian Bin quickly abandoned her.

Heartbroken, Ya Li left Lanling County to pursue graduate studies.

Since then we have had no contact.

I never expected to see Ya Li here today.

I looked at her, and she looked at me.

Ya Li quickly gave her professional smile,

then said, "Chairman Zhao, how is your recovery going?"

It seems she doesn't intend to get acquainted with me for now,

I said, "Very well, after a little more time I'll be able to get out of bed. I really apologize, General Manager Kang, for making you come to the hospital for this contract signing."

"Please have a seat there."

I gave Ya Li a gentle handshake, and she retreated to sit at the conference table behind.

At this moment, Shi Yong leaned toward my ear and whispered, "Brother, this woman looks just like Ya Li; it's been almost twenty years, and she's still that beautiful."

I silenced Shi Yong with a look.

It's the time to sign the loan contract; Shi Yong shouldn't speak carelessly.

Ya Li produced two contract documents,

"Chairman Zhao, originally our group's Zhang Zong was supposed to come in person, but due to a sudden matter he sent me instead. This time our group, to help your Da Heng Group out of trouble, can be said to be offering genuine sincerity,

so regarding future cooperation between the two groups,

we ask Chairman Zhao to consider it carefully."

I said, "Please thank your group's Zhang Zong; once my health recovers I will definitely visit Zhang Zong, grateful for his lifesaving favor this time."

"I also thank General Manager Kang for traveling a great distance to sign the contract,

and the future cooperation between our two companies will naturally fall into place."

After I finished speaking,

Ya Li continued, "Chairman Zhao, I've been in real estate for a long time. You also understand the loan relationship between us.

We can provide real cash to help you; Zhang Zong was deeply moved after hearing Kong Shi describe the hardships of your entrepreneurial journey.

That's why we made a point to meet you now for future purposes."

I clasped my hands together and said, "What virtue or ability do I, Zhao Jianqiang, have to have met Zhang Zong? I should have proactively sought to know Zhang Zong; without his intervention this time, our Da Heng Group would not have been able to get out of the current predicament."

I know our loan relationship; we agreed that after six months, principal and interest must be repaid together.

I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill that.

Ya Li then stood up, picked up the contract,

"Chairman Zhao, please review the contract; if there are no objections, we can sign it. After signing, our company's finance department will transfer funds to your company's public account to help you in an urgent need."

Ya Li placed the contract before me,

letting me examine it.

In fact, what's there to look at in such a contract,

is just a bunch of professional wording.

I didn't really want to look,

but Ya Li whispered, "Chairman Zhao, you should still take a good look at the contract's additional clauses."

When I heard that, I realized Ya Li was reminding me,

what requirements the additional clauses have.

So I opened the contract,

carefully reading the additional clauses,

among them, there is a clause stipulating the responsibilities each side assumes.

The gist is,

If our Da Heng Group cannot repay Southern Group's principal of 5.2 billion plus interest within six months,

then all Da Heng Group Company's fixed assets, capital, equity, bonds and other assets will belong to Southern Group.

It will also bear legal liability. Meanwhile, Southern Group will dispatch personnel to be stationed within our group to supervise our operations.

To ensure no breach occurs.

In other words, the company's management will have no freedom at all.

I stared at the clause, stunned; Kong Shi never mentioned this at all.

If the condition is like this, I won't accept Southern Group's funding.

This is tantamount to gambling,

If I can earn 5.2 billion plus interest within six months and repay Southern Group, then both sides benefit.

If I fail to repay on schedule, Da Heng Group Company will become someone else's.

The risk is too great.

I looked at the contract without speaking.

Xiao Hua hurried over and asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"

I said, "There are additional clauses; take a look."

Xiao Hua looked at the contract carefully,

After reading it,

"Brother, you should weigh this yourself. If we lose the bet we will have nothing, but if we don't get the money today...

Our Group Company's reputation will be completely ruined."

Xiao Hua was right; I have already been interviewed on the radio, saying the wage arrears will be resolved within three days. Tomorrow is the payday.

If we cannot get the 100 million yuan from Southern Group.

The company's and my reputation will truly be ruined.

From now on, the company in Zaocheng shouldn't expect to lift its head again.

I hesitated.

At this moment, Ya Li said, "Chairman Zhao, are you worried about repayment ability? If you are worried, we are even more concerned.

This is a betting agreement, which is popular in the South.

Loans between Southern enterprises are all done this way.

If you dare to borrow, you must trust your own repayment ability; otherwise, don't borrow.

The loan must be fully collateralized with the company's assets.

Our company is not a charity organization,

The money we lend carries risk. Only this can pressure the borrower.

Also, after we sign the contract, I will be stationed at your company. All financial, personnel, and other matters will need to be reported to me."

This is the so‑called betting agreement; such an agreement can make a billionaire go bankrupt easily.

Decades of effort would go down the drain.

Borrow or not.

If we don't borrow, what will the company do, how will the wage arrears be solved, and how will the Zaocheng Bank loan account be repaid.

If we cannot pay wages on schedule, the workers will continue to cause trouble and sue. The company's reputation being ruined is secondary; the impact on Kong Shi, Zhu Sheng, and others is what is truly frightening.

Moreover, the Zaocheng Bank overdue will only add insult to injury, pushing the company toward bankruptcy.

If we borrow and cannot repay Southern Group on time, I will lose everything.

At this point I said to Ya Li, "General Manager Kang, could you give me fifteen minutes to think."

Ya Li said, "Alright, Chairman Zhao, you hold a meeting to discuss, we will wait downstairs for fifteen minutes."

After speaking, Ya Li went downstairs with her assistant.

Only I, Shi Yong, Shi Jinhe, Xiao Hua, and Xiao Feng remained in the room.

The room was quiet; everyone remained silent,

all staring at me with their eyes.

Everyone knew what signing the betting agreement meant.

The company's operations were no longer free, because Southern Group installed the Supreme Emperor.

We cannot remain silent like this; a decision must be made.

Before deciding, I will have a cigarette first.

Shi Yong lit a cigarette for me,

I took a deep drag; the smoke rushed straight into my lungs.

Then it traveled from my lungs to my brain.

Before signing the agreement, I need to calculate my repayment ability.

Whether I can repay them will be decided later.

Fifteen minutes is enough.

I asked Jinghe, "Jinghe, for our three newly developed projects that will be handed over in September, how many units will there be, and how many houses in Guanghua Community remain unsold now?"