Chapter 677: Chapter 371: Money Can’t Solve Everything
As soon as Chen Cheng stepped onto the deck of the Ferretti 960, the girl who had boarded ten minutes earlier hooked her arm around his, smiling, "Hello, boss."
Wen Shulin was no exception, her side had girls on both the left and right.
Looking over at Jiang Wenlong sitting on the sofa, he was already pulling another girl’s hand and puffing on a cigar while saying something.
Wen Shulin walked over to him, "Chairman Jiang, showing another young girl her palm?"
Jiang Wenlong looked up, "Chairman Wen, you sure know how to choose people."
Wen Shulin sat down with two people, pointing at the seat opposite her as a signal for Chen Cheng to sit as well, "What’s there to say about that?"
"Just looking at this palm," Jiang Wenlong pinched the girl’s hand beside him, laughing, "You can tell she’s a newbie!"
"Boss~" the girl said coyly.
The three on the deck laughed too.
A moment later, Wen Shulin stopped laughing, "Chairman Jiang, I’ve already arranged the meeting for you. Is there something you need Mr. Chen’s help with?"
Jiang Wenlong looked at Chen Cheng, who had just accepted the cigar extended to him.
"Chairman Chen, you helped Chairman Wen solve the spin-off issue recently, and your capability astounds us old-timers!"
Faced with the praise, Chen Cheng smiled faintly.
Not usually one to show off, he remembered Wen Shulin had specially instructed him before boarding to give her some face, so he said, "The spin-off is just a small task of moving eggs from one basket to another."
"Chairman Chen, so young yet so poised in conversation, truly admirable,"
Jiang Wenlong praised, though a hint of cunning flickered in his eyes. "I heard Dili Private Equity was established less than two months ago; such speed is breathtaking.
I’m curious how Chairman Chen obtained the financial license; it’s a tough issue that has stumped many."
Chen Cheng exhaled smoke slowly, "Just lucky, happened upon some opportunities."
He didn’t reveal the truth, as it involved Cao Yue’s connections, and the quick acquisition of the license’s details wasn’t convenient to disclose.
Seeing Chen Cheng was unwilling to say more, Jiang Wenlong didn’t press, instead smiling meaningfully, "Chairman Chen is indeed low-key. But of course, someone with your capability doesn’t need to boast."
He paused, then changed the topic, "Actually, the reason I’m here, besides witnessing Chairman Chen’s brilliance, is to ask for your help with something."
Chen Cheng’s heart skipped; he had guessed what Jiang Wenlong was about to say.
"Please, Chairman Jiang."
Jiang Wenlong put down his cigar, and became serious, "Chairman Chen, as you know, since Chairman Wen’s Beijing CGG went through the spin-off, our Shanghai CGG hasn’t been doing well."
"Not only has business volume shrunk, but the parent company’s demands have increased."
Chen Cheng listened carefully, as Jiang Wenlong continued, "In recent years, the financial sector hasn’t been doing well; many big players went out and never returned. So, our Shanghai CGG wants to expand some business, change some strategies."
He leaned forward, smiling at Chen Cheng, "Personal loans are our next focus."
Chen Cheng felt a chill in his heart; he roughly understood Jiang Wenlong’s intent.
"But obtaining a financial license for lending is really tough! Could Chairman Chen give some guidance?"
In China, financial licenses are roughly divided into nine categories, approved by different departments.
Firstly, there are bank licenses, insurance licenses, and trust licenses approved by the Financial Regulatory Bureau.
Secondly, securities licenses, fund licenses, and futures licenses approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Thirdly are third-party payment licenses approved by the central bank.
Financing rental licenses are jointly approved by commerce and tax authorities,
Lastly, there’s the small loan license for Jiang Wenlong, approved by provincial financial regulatory departments.
Personal lending operations, after years of wild growth, are now strictly regulated, and risks have increased. Without the necessary licenses, it’s hard to operate, and Jiang Wenlong’s words seem intent on getting this license through him.
"Chairman Jiang, obtaining a financial license is indeed not easy,"
Chen Cheng spoke cautiously, "Not only do you need to meet a series of conditions, but you also need to go through rigorous approval processes. And the regulations are getting stricter, making it increasingly challenging."
Jiang Wenlong sighed, "Yes, I know it’s not easy. That’s why I want to ask for Chairman Chen’s help. Given you’ve obtained a private equity license in such a short time, you surely have your own connections. If Chairman Chen can help, I’d be grateful."
Chen Cheng didn’t respond immediately, quickly contemplating.
He knew Shanghai CGG’s interest in personal lending was fueled by high profits, yet it also meant high risk.
While Chen Cheng was pondering his response, Wen Shulin spoke, "Chairman Jiang, Mr. Chen’s company was just established; many things are still in the exploratory stage. Asking him to assist with obtaining a license might be too demanding."
Double act has always been Chen Wen’s specialty since the beginning.
Jiang Wenlong quickly explained, "Chairman Wen, that’s not what I meant. I just wanted to seek Chairman Chen’s advice, nothing more."
Wen Shulin smiled and turned to Chen Cheng, "Mr. Chen, since Chairman Jiang is asking, have a look. But do know your limits; some things aren’t within our reach."
Chen Cheng understood, but still kept the conversation going, "Chairman Jiang, you want to do personal lending business... what kind?"
Jiang Wenlong thought for a moment, saying, "Mostly short-term small loans, like cash loans, consumer finance, etc."