CHAPTER 539: CHAPTER 305 BEIJING REPUTATION ALLIANCE_2

"700 million."

"600 million."

The others mentioned their bottom lines.

Chen Cheng nodded, his gaze finally resting on Wen Shulin.

As she faced the widest shortfall, and also due to the divorce, it was evidently very difficult for her to put forth the money.

But since everyone else had already expressed their stance, she couldn’t refrain from revealing her chips, "I can put forth 1 billion."

Chen Cheng looked at her deeply, "Good, now we have gathered 7.8 billion in total, we are still short by 12.2 billion."

He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and wrote down the names of all the institutions: CGG, LinkedIn, Red Mountain, Tao Fu, Antai, Pan Shi...

Everyone watched him, wondering what Chen Cheng was about to do.

After he finished writing the names of the nine institutions, he swung his arm and drew a circle, encompassing everyone’s names inside it.

"7.8 billion is just our first step in self-rescue."

Chen Cheng’s voice was low and powerful, "This shows that we have the determination and the capacity to resolve this crisis. But this is far from enough."

He tapped on the circle on the whiteboard, "You nine institutions are a whole. United we prosper, divided we fall. Today we sit here not to shirk responsibility, but to share the burden, to overcome difficulties together."

Chen Cheng’s gaze swept across everyone, "The 12.2 billion shortfall, we must figure out a way to fill it together."

"So, I propose that you jointly form an alliance and sell off this 12.2 billion debt as a package."

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

Chen Jin was the first to speak, "Package? What discount?"

"My personal suggestion is 70%," Chen Cheng wrote this number on the whiteboard and returned to his seat, "that is, to sell off this 12.2 billion debt at a price of 8.54 billion."

The room fell silent, only occasionally interrupted by the crackling sound of a cigar burning.

A 70% deal meant they would be taking a huge loss.

But under the current circumstances, it might be the best choice.

"But..." Zhao Liangyou was also unsure as he raised the most crucial question, "Who would be willing to take on this hot potato at this time?"

Wen Shulin also hesitated, "Mr. Chen, looking across the entire market, it’s difficult to find such a buyer who could swallow this in one gulp, not to mention at a time like this."

Chen Cheng listened to their discussions, "Buyer, I have already found one."

"What?"

"Who?"

Chen Cheng slowly stated, "If you all agree, Dili Private Equity is willing to buy out each of your respective 12.2 billion debts at a price of 8.54 billion."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

Everyone knew that Chen Cheng had recently been busy with this private equity firm, but no one imagined that his yet-to-open company’s first deal would be making such a huge profit from themselves.

"How about it, everyone?" Chen Cheng scanned the crowd, "Can you accept it?"

The atmosphere now seemed to revert to that day at Wanbao Hall during the bidding.

But this time, Chen Cheng was doing it for himself.

A suffocating silence enveloped the room, the smoke from the cigars swirling in the air, blurring each person’s face and masking their complex thoughts.

A 70% price like a sharp stab, affixed in everyone’s hearts.

It wasn’t just about losing money, it was a denial of their years of hard work.

Wang Xinan adjusted his slipping glasses, indecision flickering behind the lenses. He was the first to break the silence with a hint of bitterness, "Mr. Chen, isn’t the 70% price too low?"

His words resonated with the others, and Zhao Liangyou followed, saying:

"Yeah, Mr. Chen, although the 12.2 billion debt carries some risks, it’s not worth just 8.54 billion. If we accept this price, the loss would be too great."

Chen Cheng listened to the complaints of the crowd, not interrupting as he knew they needed an outlet for their frustrations.

When the voices in the room finally settled, he slowly spoke, "Everyone, I know the 70% price is low, I know it’s hard for you. But have you considered, if I don’t take off your hot potato, what other options do you have?"

He leisurely swept his gaze over everyone, "The market is in panic, and the cash drain is still spreading. I personally am not in a hurry, as I have never been involved in these businesses, and also Deng Xiong is dead."

"But it’s different for you."

Chen Cheng sat with his legs crossed, "You are the bosses of your respective companies, with a large staff under you. I don’t need to spell out what a financial default would mean for all of you, right?"

Chen Cheng paused, allowing them time to digest, "Now, there are only two paths before you. Either sell to me at a 70% discount, I will support you. Or, you figure it out yourselves."

He shrugged his shoulders, "Of course, I hope it’s the former. After all, we are friends, and I’d like to help you out."

Although Chen Cheng spoke lightly, his words were sharply poignant.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became even heavier.

Everyone understood that Chen Cheng’s words were not just a bluff.

If they didn’t accept Chen Cheng’s proposal, they would face even greater difficulties, higher risks.

"I accept," Wen Shulin was the first to express her position, taking a deep breath with a firm tone, "CGG is willing to sell the debt to Dili at 70% of its value."

She knew this was the best and only choice.

Rather than sitting idly by, it was better to take the initiative to fight for a slim chance of survival.

Wen Shulin’s resoluteness also prompted others to make up their minds.

"I accept too," said Chen Jin.

"I accept."

"I accept."

The others in the room also expressed their agreement.

They knew this was their last hope.

If they missed this opportunity, they would be doomed.

Chen Cheng watched everyone, a barely noticeable smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He knew his plan had succeeded.

He had successfully used the crisis to gather the debt of the other eight institutions into his hands.

And the cost to him was merely 85.4 billion.

For him, this amount of money was trivial.

But for the other eight institutions, it was everything.

Chen Cheng stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and circled the words "70% discount" heavily.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure doing business."

"But Mr. Chen," Zhao Liangyou continued, "including your money, we are still 36.6 billion short. What about that?"

Chen Cheng smiled slightly, he re-circled the box containing the names of the nine institutions, then wrote "Dili Private Equity" in large letters inside it.

"As I just said, the nine of you form an alliance, now, my Dili will join as the tenth."

Chen Cheng’s gaze was piercing, "I will lend you the shortfall at the same interest rate as the banks, each of you claim your share."

The others looked at each other; Chen Cheng’s move was profoundly astute.

He not only acquired their distressed assets at a low price, he also placed himself within this alliance.

A private equity fund unknown to fame, in an instant, stood equal with these nine established institutions, even becoming a creditor; this was truly reaching the ultimate level of ’multiplying without effort’.

Chen Jin forced a smile and applauded, "Mr. Chen, this move is brilliant."

The others also concurred, their words filled with admiration, yet tinged with bitterness.

They had to admit, Chen Cheng’s tactics were too sophisticated.

They were completely under his control, powerless to resist.

Wen Shulin looked at Chen Cheng with different eyes, at this moment, she saw a strong aura and a tough hand emanating from him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your compliments," Chen Cheng responded calmly, "I think we can draft a joint statement now, can’t we?"

Chen Jin silently nodded, he asked, "What should we title our group of ten institutions?"

Chen Cheng swept his hand grandly, and boldly wrote on the whiteboard six large characters—Beijing Reputation Alliance.

Chen Cheng turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said emphatically, "From now on, we are all in the same boat."

And there, the "Beijing Reputation Alliance," these six large characters, prominently declared the start of a new arrangement.