Chapter 686 Change of Plan

If you want to get along, you must keep your word and eat what you say you will eat.

Fang Zhuo kept his word and not only treated Paulson to breakfast, but also carefully selected a time-honored restaurant on Tiyuguan West Road.

At 6:30 in the morning, four black cars slowly stopped at the entrance of Huixingju, No. 7 West Road.

"Boss, can we book the place?"

Fang Zhuo got out of the car and asked the startled boss before he had time to shake hands with Paulson.

The old boss looked at the situation and said in embarrassment: "Neighbors, this is not good."

"Yeah, OK, set up a table outside." Fang Zhuo did not force it, and smiled, "Neighbors, I'll pay for breakfast today."

The boss looked at the car and the foreigners, gave a thumbs up to the young man in front of him, and asked: "What's your name?"

"Fang, Fang Zhuo." Fang Zhuo gave his name and took a few steps towards Paulson, who arrived in the early morning and took a short break, "Steamed buns and fried liver, serve first."

The boss ordered the waiter to move the table outside and shouted to the house: "Old and young men, today's breakfast is paid by Mr. Fang outside!"

The neighbors who were eating and buying inside were not polite when they heard this, and responded with "nothing to say" and "Mr. Fang is angry".

So, in the lively voice, Fang Zhuo and Paulson completed their first handshake when they met.

"Fang, it seems that you often come here to eat?" Paulson has been to China nearly a hundred times, but he does not understand Chinese, and only sees a lively scene.

"It's my first time here, but I can make friends for the first time." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Sit down, please sit down, Paulson, I know you are very familiar with Hua Xia, I wonder if you have eaten street snacks like this?"

Paulson shook his head, this was indeed the first time to eat like this.

The table that was moved out was not big, just right for four people.

But Fang Zhuo didn't call Deutsche Bank, United Bank, Washington and others, he just sat down by himself, and his assistant stood behind him.

Paulson also sat opposite, behind him was Hu Zuliu, the chief economist of Hua Xia at Goldman Sachs.

"Go in and eat." Fang Zhuo saw the breakfast being brought over, said to the assistant, and also said to Hu Zuliu who was standing, "A Zu, go in and eat even if you haven't eaten yet, Paulson and I have been friends for a long time, and he knows me too."

Hu Zuliu frowned, didn't speak, and didn't move.

Paulson saw the action of Fang Zhuo's assistant behind him, guessed the general situation, raised his hand, indicated that it was not in the way, and said in English: "Fang's spoken English is very good, there is no problem in communication between us."

Hu Zuliu went in to eat silently.

For a while, only Fang Zhuo and Paulson had one-on-one communication.

"Fang, I was surprised to hear your name appear on the list of potential partners of ICBC." Paulson came up very directly, "Especially, the way you appeared surprised me even more."

He frowned and said, "I thought Goldman Sachs helped Bingxin and we were friends. I never expected you to treat your friend like this?"

Paulson did know Fang Zhuo. Goldman Sachs was the underwriter of Yike's listing. Moreover, Goldman Sachs not only invested in the semiconductor company of the man in front of him, but also made a lot of efforts to approve his equipment procurement and technology import licenses.

From this perspective, Paulson heard the voice of the executives saying "this is a betrayal" at the internal temporary meeting held before coming to Beijing.

Although Paulson did not think so, he knew that the Chinese people's moral values ​​had a saying of "propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame", and felt that this was a suitable way of communication.

Chinese people often give more friendship and rewards to those who regard them as friends.

"It is because I regard Goldman Sachs as a friend that I cannot bear to see its reputation fall, especially at this critical time." Fang Zhuo gave the reason lightly, knowing that this person must be aware of his attack on Goldman Sachs. Then, he politely handed the bowl of fried liver to Paulson.

Paulson has been in charge of Goldman Sachs for many years and has a good grasp of people. When he heard this kind of words, he immediately felt that, well, Fang Zhuo is polite.

Then, it cannot be judged by common sense.

He drank a mouthful of fried liver, frowned, put down the spoon, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Fang Zhuo lowered his head and took a bite of the bun, pondering and thinking, what is this question about?

Seeing this, Paulson continued, "It's been less than half a month since U.S. Bank received the news of this project. I haven't asked Washington Mutual Bank yet, so it's probably about the same. So, Fang Zhuo, what are you thinking? What do you want?"

Although the consortium put together by the MIGA Fund caught Goldman Sachs off guard, this trip was not a headless fly. Paulson's information channels were very smart, and he assisted in his judgment by starting with U.S. Bank.

The opponent in front of him was a temporary patchwork that could not be more temporary.

It was quite absurd that such a patchwork was put on the conference table of the ICBC headquarters for discussion.

Paulson believed that his opponent was not only Fang Zhuo, but more about the direction of opinions within ICBC.

Fang Zhuo also drank a mouthful of fried liver, which was not very appetizing.

He put down the spoon, knowing that Paulson's "you" did not refer to himself and Deutsche Bank, but himself and ICBC or his leaders. The plan in his mind switched back and forth, and he was quite hesitant about how to deal with Paulson's inquiry.

Paulson, the helmsman of Goldman Sachs.

Fang Zhuo is familiar with him, but not only with this identity, but also with the role he will become as the Treasury Secretary.

From a wealthy man to a cabinet member, such a path is not uncommon in the United States.

It is said that Paulson has rejected Bush's invitation many times, but it may not be long before he agrees to take the position.

Fang Zhuo cannot but consider the influence of such a person.

Moreover, Paulson is a typical business conservative, representing big capital, big finance, big business, and big enterprises.

Internally, it advocates free market economy and opposes administrative intervention. Externally, it promotes trade and investment liberalization to maximize economic benefits.

To a certain extent, this concept is indispensable for SMIC and Ice Core to obtain purchase licenses for advanced equipment and technology, although the intermediate process is also difficult.

This combination of Paulson and Xiaobu complements each other quite well.

Since joining the WTO, Xiaobu has vetoed China's bearing and drive quota restrictions in 2002, refused to suppress China's clothes hanger products in 2003, ductile graphite casting in 2004, and furniture products in 2005.

Both Xiaobu himself and Wall Street lobbyists are trying to ensure that the relationship between the two parties is maintained, at the expense of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United States, and the benefits are those large Wall Street companies.

Goldman Sachs, which Paulson still runs, is one of them.

The strategic investment in ICBC involved this time is only a small part.

Fang Zhuo's thoughts ran around the earth, and finally he put them into the pork and garlic buns in his hands. Facing Paulson's gaze, the lion opened his mouth and said in a deep voice:

"We want the share from Allianz and American Express."

If plans change, try American Express.