Chapter 111: Lu Chen's Design, Extreme Risk Isolation

Lu Chen walked through the somewhat dim corridor, stopped at the entrance of the conference room, and slightly straightened his suit.

Only then did he push the door open.

He nodded slightly toward everyone in the conference room.

He sat down in the main seat.

"Many things have happened recently, but they are all in the past."

Lu Chen swept his gaze over everyone, nodded slightly toward Zhao Chenhui, and then spoke softly.

"Starting from tomorrow, all work will return to normal. Manager Zhao, construction on the Tianran Gang side can begin."

Zhao Chenhui nodded slightly and spoke softly.

"The investment for the port is huge. Currently, the company has over 100 million pounds in directly usable funds, plus 500 million scattered across various companies."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, then spoke softly.

"Is 600 million enough for the near future? If it's enough for the initial investment, I won't transfer funds back for now. We can communicate about funding issues at any time."

"600 million is only enough for the initial costs; it might not even be enough for the port's underground engineering. If we can delay the material suppliers' payment terms by another month, we can basically complete the underground work."

Zhao Chenhui quickly calculated on paper, then looked up at Lu Chen.

"If you have issues with funds, we can slow down the port construction and focus entirely on building the factories. That should be most beneficial for us. 600 million is enough to complete the entire Nitan factory planning, residential buildings, and the resettlement of relocated residents—a whole series of projects."

Lu Chen frowned and tapped the table lightly.

He lit a 555, took a few puffs, and then spoke softly.

"If we build them simultaneously, how long can these funds last?"

"If we start everything at once, our total funding requirement must reach at least 1.1 billion pounds to initially complete the main structure, and we will need about another 500 million to perfect the port later."

Zhao Chenhui calculated again, a trace of hesitation on his face. After several minutes, he spoke softly.

"According to your design, the total investment requires 2.3 billion pounds to be fully realized. If we cut some unnecessary supporting facilities, it can be reduced to 1.7 billion. Initial completion would take about 1.1 billion Hong Kong dollars."

After a pause, Zhao Chenhui continued.

"With 600 million in construction costs, if we start simultaneously, it can support us for about three months—meaning by the end of this year, these 600 million will be exhausted."

"The main thing is that it's almost the end of the year. We have to pay the workers, and we have to pay the various material suppliers."

Zhao Chenhui added.

"How much time is left until the Lunar New Year?"

Lu Chen frowned and asked softly.

"Our funds need time to circulate. If the Lunar New Year is a month away from our payment cycle, our turnover will be easier."

"Let's do this: agree with the workers to pay all wages three days before New Year's Eve and give them a New Year red envelope. As for the material suppliers, settle accounts according to the normal cycle, and clear all material payments before the New Year."

After a few seconds, Lu Chen added.

"Invite the Crown to evaluate the Tianran Gang for a standard commercial loan. Sign a loan contract for about 10 years, pay interest annually, and settle the principal when it matures in ten years."

Lu Chen looked at Zhao Chenhui, took a puff of his cigarette, and spoke somewhat reluctantly.

"If Wei Er and the others ask, just say our total investment is 5.5 billion."

"Manager Zhao, you handle the corresponding procedures, and I will contact Wei Er."

Lu Chen paused, then spoke again.

"Do you have any other questions?"

"If there are no problems, start everything. I will borrow enough funds from the Crown before the money runs out."

After Lu Chen crushed the cigarette, he nodded slightly to Zhao Chenhui, signaling him to follow Lu Chen to the study later.

Zhao Chenhui nodded slightly and began to speak, following Lu Chen's lead.

Many of these were matters regarding project management, safety, and even gang coordination.

Lu Chen sat in the main seat, listening silently, smoking leisurely.

Until Zhao Chenhui finished all the arrangements, Lu Chen stood up and returned to the study, waiting for Zhao Chenhui to finish up.

Seeing Zhao Chenhui walk in, Lu Chen tossed him a cigar.

Zhao Chenhui took the cigar, still wearing a look of confusion.

But he still preheated it and took a puff.

Lu Chen then spoke softly.

"Chenhui, are you still confused?"

"Our existing funds are indeed enough to build the port and the entire Nitan, but this is not a good thing for our company's development. Other funds overseas cannot be withdrawn."

Lu Chen took a puff of the cigar, exhaled the smoke, and then explained.

"I assume you've seen the port purchase contract. The price of 1 pound has a condition in it that forces me to be aggressive."

Zhao Chenhui was stunned, and the hand holding the cigar trembled involuntarily.

He opened his mouth but didn't speak, only looking at Lu Chen in confusion.

"Your suggestion is very good. If it weren't for this port, I would have wanted to build it that way too."

Lu Chen patted Zhao Chenhui on the shoulder and then spoke softly.

"But we must take the port. This is our window to the world, and the price is that by the end of the year, I must establish a shipping company and acquire a fleet."

Lu Chen sighed softly, stopping Zhao Chenhui, who wanted to say something.

"This port is the only one we can control. You can look at the map; in Xianggang, except for this one, all ports are controlled by banks and foreign firms. It's only Nitan that they are unwilling to get involved in, otherwise, there would be no business for us. This is an opportunity, and the only opportunity."

"If we only build factories and give up control of this port, then in the future, our goods will have to be at the mercy of the foreign firms. We won't have the right to free trade. Starting the factories a day early can indeed bring us stable income, but what about the noose around our necks?"

Lu Chen did not stop but kept rambling on. The light in his eyes grew brighter, and his fingers holding the cigar turned slightly white.

"But haven't you already accepted the Crown's investment? To borrow from the Crown again..."

Zhao Chenhui finally sighed after Lu Chen finished speaking.

After taking two puffs of the Cigar, he then asked in a soft voice.

After Lu Chen heard Zhao Chenhui's question, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he then spoke softly.

"They are merely a group of independent offshore companies; what does that have to do with our company?"

Lu Chen paused, then sat up straight, looked at Zhao Chenhui, stood up, and took a Wax Seal document bag from behind his desk.

"Take a look at this. This is the company shareholder document and the company structure."

Zhao Chenhui looked at Lu Chen with some confusion, then opened the document bag sealed with the Wax Seal.

His pupils shook slightly, and he looked at Lu Chen in disbelief.