Chapter 9: Engaging in Unconventional Ventures

"Let's go, there is nothing to see, the bull market has passed, and we are now facing a major bear market," said Song Weiyang

"My plan is as follows..." Song Weiyang whispered into Zheng Xuehong's ear.

Such fools are countless in the deep city; some adapt quickly and evolve, while others leave in despair, battered and bruised.

Zheng Xuehong belongs to the former category; he quickly confronts reality, adjusts his mindset, and does not mention any five-year plans, but only wishes to start with some small businesses that can generate profit

"No, no," Song Weiyang shook his head repeatedly

The only concern is the fear that Zheng Xuehong is too principled and unwilling to engage in illegal or unethical activities

"Hmm, I am Director Zheng," Zheng Xuehong said, suddenly shaking her head, her facial fat trembling. "No, when being a con artist, one cannot use their real name."

Survival of the fittest, the law of natural selection

Gazing at the expanse of green on the electronic screen, Zheng Xuehong intuitively remarked: "Red light means stop, green light means go; this market is doing well. Which stock do you think we should buy?"

Zheng Xuehong, like a country bumpkin entering the city, finds everything astonishing and confidently remarks: "So this is the stock market. I have heard that as long as you buy stocks, you can make money. Some people have even set fires and caused disturbances because they couldn't buy stocks."

"You are too timid," Zheng Xuehong mocked

In the following days, Song Weiyang and Zheng Xuehong strolled through the streets, in their words, searching for business opportunities

Zheng Xuehong pondered for a while and finally relented: "Then shall we ... ... give it a try?"

"It is not good to deceive others; smuggling is a more reliable option, as at least it does not weigh on one's conscience," Zheng Xuehong said with difficulty.

Zheng Xuehong chuckled and said: "It's just a small matter, how can it be considered smuggling? Besides, even if we don't do it, there are others who will engage in this business. Who isn't making a profit? We are also contributing to the economy of the mainland"

Song Weiyang asked: "How is your acting skill?"

Song Weiyang said: "Only a fool would not take the bait. Who would bother to deceive? If one were to deceive, it would be the clever ones. Well, I can't say deceive, as that sounds too harsh. I am helping them grow happily."

Song Weiyang suddenly grinned and said, "Smuggling lacks technical content; it would be better for us to engage in fraud, which is safer and easier"

Zheng Xuehong suddenly burst into the shared apartment and said to Song Weiyang: "Brother, how about we engage in wholesale trading?"

Song Weiyang has limited startup capital, and after spending along the way, he now has just over 3600 left. It is impossible to earn quick money legally.

In the coming days, we will act separately," Song Weiyang said, "You go out to buy drinks, pay close attention to the addresses, and specifically choose manufacturers from Guangdong Province and its surrounding areas. Avoid big brands, only select those second and third-tier brands. I will find someone to create fake materials and rent an office space, then we can fully unleash our efforts!

Song Weiyang said with a smile: "Rest assured, although it is a scam, we do not harm others. Even if the other party knows they are being deceived, they willingly and happily send their money into our hands. This is akin to Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, one is willing to hit, and the other is willing to suffer."

Song Weiyang immediately took several photos of the manuscript and said with a smile, "I have already written the materials and am currently translating them into English. When the bilingual version in Chinese and English is ready, it will look international at a glance, ensuring that those people will be completely bewildered."

From various perspectives, our Director Zheng is indeed a fool

"No way." Zheng Xuehong was somewhat bewildered

Zheng Xuehong listened and became confused, questioning: "Is this really possible? Those people are not fools."

Zheng Xuehong said, "I have never acted in a play"

Upon arriving in Shenzhen, Song Weiyang and Zheng Xuehong's first impression was that the prices in the Special Economic Zone were exceedingly high

Now it is settled, Zheng Xuehong has actively proposed to engage in smuggling, and naturally, committing fraud and similar activities is also not out of the question

"This name is quite good," Zheng Xuehong said with great satisfaction, suggesting, "Little brother, you should also come up with a pseudonym."

Zheng Xuehong angrily said: "Do you take me for a three-year-old child to amuse?"

No, "Song Weiyang put down the ballpoint pen in his hand, stared at Zheng Xuehong for a while, and said with a strange expression, 'Brother, you are the director, you are a party member, how can you think about engaging in smuggling? We are so brave and righteous on the train, we cannot do illegal things.'

In 1993, the highest housing prices in Shenzhen had already exceeded 10,000, which was completely unreasonable. Meanwhile, rents also skyrocketed, forcing them to seek accommodation in the suburbs.

In recent days, Song Weiyang has been inspecting projects while also evaluating Zheng Xuehong. Due to his young age and lack of facial hair, it is difficult for him to gain the trust of the deceived. In contrast, Director Zheng, with his corrupt image, is the ideal candidate among the accomplices of the fraud.

The Shenzhen Stock Exchange is undoubtedly a place that must be examined

Song Weiyang said: "That needs practice, I will start learning tonight. No, from now on, I will call you Director Zheng, you are the Director of the South China Branch of the China Private Enterprise Development Promotion Association in Shenzhen!"

Everything originated from the great leader's southern tour last year, which led to a frenzy of fortune seekers pouring into the deep city from across the nation. Consequently, the prices here became chaotic, rising by 10% within a year, while housing prices soared like a rocket, only beginning to cool and decline after two to three years

They all dare not rent houses in the city because they cannot afford to live there

"That was last year," said Song Weiyang

Zheng Xuehong gave a thumbs up: "Awesome!"

As a bureaucrat with a background as a weightlifter, Zheng Xuehong holds only an elementary school diploma. He suffered a severe back injury at that time, which nearly left him paralyzed, and it took several years of rehabilitation before he could walk again. This delay forced Zheng Xuehong to return to his hometown to work as a physical education teacher, and with the assistance of his former teammates, he gradually advanced to the position of deputy director in the county sports bureau.

"Huh?" Zheng Xuehong thought she had misheard.

On the fifth day of arriving in the deep city, within a suburban residence

Narrow-minded and lacking in culture, all understanding of the Special Administrative Region comes solely from news reports and personal fantasies, and they are even unaware that a border pass is required to enter the deep city

Zheng Xuehong explained: "This is how it is. First, we will buy bicycles, then go to Zhongying Street to wholesale goods from Hong Kong, and finally drive through the barbed wire to cross the border. I inquired about it, and as long as the goods are transported to Huadu, there will be a profit of 20 to 30 percent upon resale"

Song Weiyang thought for a moment and said: "Why not call yourself Liu Huateng instead."

I still find it unreliable, " Zheng Xuehong said, shaking her head

Song Weiyang said with a serious expression: "A true man does not change his surname in action, nor his name in sitting. Even if I, Ma Qiangdong, am a fraudster, I will use my real name to deceive with satisfaction!"

Song Weiyang said: "Don't worry, the cost of fraud is low anyway. Even if we don't make any money, we won't suffer much loss."

Ideals are bright, while reality is cold

There are too many points of contention, and Song Weiyang does not know where to start. He simply explained: "A bear market means that everything you buy declines in value. Do you see all that green? It's all losing money."

Zheng Xuehong glanced at the unfinished English manuscript on the table and admired, "You are impressive, little brother, you actually understand English, like someone who is capable of handling significant matters"

Song Weiyang said: "Engaging in smuggling carries too much risk, and it may also encroach on others' businesses. If someone quietly reports it, one could be caught red-handed on the spot."

"What are you reselling?" Song Weiyang did not look up, quickly writing an English manuscript while leaning on the table

Zheng Xuehong joyfully said: "Bears are great, they eat meat, while cows can only eat grass"

Zheng Xuehong frowned and said, "That is indeed a problem"

No problem. Zheng Xuehong is also gearing up.