Chapter 685: 681. Worthy of Being Mr. Zhang (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

For Zhang Ran, this matter was perhaps just something done in passing; after all, helping domestic enterprises develop is something Zhang Ran has always been doing.

Zhang Ran might have forgotten about it shortly after; what seemed very difficult in the eyes of Ren Guofeng was not particularly difficult in the eyes of Zhang Ran.

Especially at that time, Zhang Ran had basically become a golden touch in the capital market and an angel investor that people yearned for.

Therefore, a single word from Zhang Ran caused the situation to change.

"Haha, it seems this Mr. Zhang is truly becoming increasingly mysterious. I have heard you mention this matter before, Old Ren; you even specifically looked into it some years ago, but you just couldn't find anything," laughed Hong Qi, the person in charge of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Everyone then shifted the topic to Zhang Ran, seemingly no longer concerned about the matter of the South Africa Development Bank.

"Old Hong, how much do you know about Zhang Ran's affairs over in the United States?" asked Xin Youmin.

When the conversation reached this point, Hong Qi's expression became solemn; he was the one who had organized today's gathering.

"This is exactly what I wanted to tell you all. According to our investigations, Zhang Ran truly stirred up the winds and clouds back then in the United States.

You should all know about the oil turmoil from those years, right?" asked Hong Qi.

"I know. That time allowed many people to witness the cruelty of capital; it was truly a case of people fighting until their brains were spilled. Although I didn't witness it myself, I heard about it. That time back then crippled quite a few prominent families," Ren Guofeng said with a sigh.

Back then, he was just a small figure, only listening to others recount certain events, and most of it was distorted hearsay.

Xin Youmin reacted quickly and immediately thought of something: "Are you implying that Zhang Ran was also involved in the oil turmoil back then?"

The others also looked over; they all knew that this person Zhang Ran was very capable and had great ability, but they still hadn't expected that Zhang Ran had actually meddled in such an affair.

Hong Qi sighed and said: "If only he had just been involved, that would have been fine."

"How so?" Xin Youmin's heart skipped a beat.

"That incident back then was caused by Zhang Ran. He was the center of the storm, and those prominent families were the ones he crippled. Of course, he also paid a heavy price and was even secretly expelled by the United States government at the time," Hong Qi said with emotion, his eyes unable to hide his shock.

When he learned of these things, he was truly incomparably shocked; that far-reaching event was actually single-handedly manufactured by Zhang Ran.

And most importantly, because of this incident back then, Huaxia's oil enterprises gained a great opportunity; it could be said that Huaxia also had a bountiful harvest because of this event.

The importance of oil goes without saying; every country that lacks it is trying every possible way to obtain more oil, and cheaper oil.

Back then, Huaxia was still far from rising, and in terms of oil, it was constrained everywhere. But precisely because of this incident, several oil tycoons in the United States suffered huge losses, and they had new opportunities.

Because that incident back then was truly of such massive impact, and because it involved methods that were not easy to speak of openly, it was quickly hidden away, and not many people knew about it.

Many people do not know that all of this was actually caused by Zhang Ran.

"I really didn't expect this," Ren Guofeng sighed after a long while.

The others also nodded in deep agreement; they truly hadn't expected it.

Never mind back then, even now they would not have the ability to do such a thing. They are indeed leaders in some industries now, but to say they could reach such a level, they lack the ability.

Yet Zhang Ran achieved it thirty years ago.

Thinking back to Zhang Ran's age at the time, their hearts felt even more shocked!

"How did Zhang Ran end up clashing with them back then? From what I understand of Zhang Ran, he shouldn't have that kind of personality. Also, while the oil industry is good, it brings even more trouble. Would Zhang Ran really do that?" said Xin Youmin.

Hong Qi did not answer his question, but instead asked: "Then what kind of personality do you think Zhang Ran has?"

Xin Youmin was silent for a moment and said: "Casual, lazy..."

Just as he finished these two evaluations, someone couldn't help but say: "Old Xin, lazy? Did you get that wrong?"

Zhang Ran is lazy?

How many years has it been since he returned? The entire Huaxia business world was almost overturned by him; how many major events are related to him?

From the pharmaceutical industry to the supermarket industry, as well as investment banking and so on, Zhang Ran has practically stirred up most parts of the Huaxia business world. And you call this lazy?

Xin Youmin looked at them and said speechlessly: "Think about it carefully, this guy is just coordinating the overall situation. Have you ever seen him manage any specific affairs?

Also, this guy Zhang Ran is incomparably carefree every day, eating, drinking, playing, and having fun. What exactly gave you the illusion that he is diligent?"

Once Xin Youmin said this, everyone recalled it, and it seemed that it really was the case.

"Continue with what you were saying," Hong Qi coughed dryly.

Xin Youmin stopped paying attention to them and continued: "According to what I know of Zhang Ran, this guy values relationships and righteousness, and he actually doesn't care much about profit; at the very least, he is not the kind of person who would give up many things for the sake of profit.

Think about it, whether it's Yaotian Pharmaceutical or Galaxy Capital, if you really calculate it, as long as Zhang Ran conducts negotiations at the end, it would be beneficial in many aspects, and besides..."

Xin Youmin spoke about the Zhang Ran he understood.

After listening to Xin Youmin's words, Hong Qi sighed and said: "If that's the case, then that's correct."

"What's correct?" Xin Youmin did not know what he was talking about.

Hong Qi looked at everyone and said: "This time is actually an opportunity for everyone to choose. Zhang Ran's trip to the United States this time is not for the shares of the South Africa Development Bank."

"Then what is it for?" asked Ren Guofeng.

"Yes, Old Hong, stop keeping us in suspense," urged Xin Youmin. He had very senior status, and plus, these people often gathered together, so there was not that much formality.

Hong Qi looked at everyone and said solemnly: "If I'm not mistaken, Zhang Ran is likely going there to take revenge this time."

"Huh?"

"Revenge?"

The group was puzzled.

Hong Qi said: "According to the latest information, Zhang Ran and several other oil tycoons were actually schemed against back then, and the people who schemed against them were likely the siblings of the Rhode Family, who were good friends of Zhang Ran back then."

As for where the news came from, Hong Qi did not say much, and the others did not ask further.

"If that's the case, if we accept the shares this time, does that mean we have to take a stand with him?" asked Xin Youmin.

Hong Qi said: "I'm not very clear on the specifics, but I think I understand Zhang Ran's intention. He isn't asking us to act as the main force, but to be able to contribute some effort at critical moments; after all, in some matters, he might not necessarily do as well as we do."