Hu Rong was a little bewildered by Zhuang Rui's actions. Just a moment ago, he said he had no money, but now he was asking about investing in shares.
Zhuang Rui laughed and said, "Brother Hu, just because I don't have money doesn't mean I can't get it. Tell me your story..."
Hu Rong tilted his head and looked at Zhuang Rui suspiciously for a long time in the moonlight. He wanted to figure out if Zhuang Rui was still drunk or talking nonsense.
"Brother Hu, please tell me. I'm fine. To be honest, these mines produce pyroxene, which is a necessary condition for the formation of jadeite. I just don't believe that such a big mountain wouldn't have jadeite veins. I just want to take a gamble!"
Zhuang Rui looked at Hu Rong with a determined gaze and said, "Although I'm not very old, only lived for a little over twenty years, I've been incredibly lucky. My first pot of gold came from finding bargains in antiques and paintings, and then I gambled on jade. Gambling on jade is gambling, and I'm gambling that this mine will yield a vein, which is also a gamble. Life and death are in the hands of fate. Wealth and fortune are determined by heaven. It all depends on whether you, Brother Hu, dare to take my bet..."
"Brother, are you... are you telling the truth?"
Upon hearing these words, Hu Rong knew that Zhuang Rui was not joking.
Zhuang Rui said decisively, "Of course it's true!"
Hu Rong took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, opened the pack and handed one to Zhuang Rui. After lighting it for both of them, he silently smoked. Zhuang Rui didn't urge him on; he knew that Hu Rong was calculating his own gains and losses.
"20 million euros, 20% of the shares. No more than that, and you can't transfer these shares. You can only receive a share based on the jade produced and sold from the mine. If it turns out to be an abandoned mine, your entire investment will be lost. After liquidation, you'll get back whatever you can. The contract can be signed in China, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the Myanmar government..."
After finishing one cigarette, Hu Rong lit another, and continued smoking until his third cigarette. Then he stubbed out the cigarette he had just lit and said the words above.
"Brother Hu, when will this money arrive in your account?"
Zhuang Rui knew that Hu Rong's suggestion to sign the contract in China was to put his mind at ease, because once the contract was signed and notarized in China, it would be protected by Chinese law even if the investment was located in Myanmar.
Hu Rong thought for a moment, held up one finger, and said, "If you can raise this money within a month, I'll go to China to sign the contract with you. Otherwise, I'm prepared to dispose of this mine..."
Although Hu Rong's funds could last for another six months, the Hu family needed money elsewhere and couldn't possibly throw it all into this bottomless pit. Hu Rong invited two Chinese geological experts this time to strengthen his resolve to dispose of the jade mine.
"A month?"
Zhuang Rui frowned. Making 20 million euros a month, which is 200 million RMB, is really difficult. He should be able to get 50 million from Uncle Tian first, but he doesn't know where the remaining 150 million will come from.
However, thinking about that jadeite vein that resembled a celestial river, Zhuang Rui was truly unwilling to give up. What he had seen was only the edge of the vein; he didn't know how deep it could penetrate. If it could penetrate even one centimeter deeper, its value would increase by hundreds of millions.
The jadeite that Zhuang Rui saw was probably worth more than 2 billion RMB. With 200 million RMB representing a 20% stake, the investment would yield a 100% profit.
"Okay, it'll be a month, Brother Hu. I've invested in this mine. Please prepare the contract. I should get news within half a month of me returning..."
Zhuang Rui gritted his teeth and agreed. If Hu Rong really sold the mine to someone else, Zhuang Rui would definitely regret it.
As for the funding issue, Zhuang Rui had also thought of it. He would mortgage the courtyard house to the bank and see if he could get a loan. Someone had offered 200 million for his courtyard house, so getting a loan of 150 million shouldn't be a big problem, right?
If this path doesn't work, Zhuang Rui plans to borrow money from Song Jun and Fatty Ma. Both of them are big spenders, especially Fatty Ma. One or two hundred million is something he can easily come up with at any time. He's a resource tycoon in China, and he's doing much better than people in Myanmar.
Even if all else fails, Zhuang Rui still has raw stones. He bought those twenty-odd raw stones not to display them. If all else fails, he can hold a stone appreciation event and invite all the jewelry merchants in the country. If he can cut one or two stones now, it can solve the funding problem. However, this is a last resort, and Zhuang Rui does not plan to use it.
"Brother, are you really sure?"
Hu Rong couldn't describe the feeling in his heart. He was afraid that his bottomless pit would drag Zhuang Rui down with him. If the mine really turned out to be abandoned, he wouldn't know what to say when he saw Qin Haoran in the future.
"It's decided, Brother Hu. I'll treat it like gambling on jade... no, gambling on a mine. I'm betting it will be a huge success..."
Zhuang Rui burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the guards, who all turned to look. Shouts of reprimand came from several rooms, clearly indicating that someone's sweet dreams had been disturbed.
"Alright, Brother Hu, everyone go to your own rooms and get some sleep. Oh, and I'm going hunting tomorrow, so please prepare two good guns for me. Also, whatever you do... whatever you do, don't let that 'cook' follow me..."
Zhuang Rui stood up, patted the dirt off his backside, and turned to walk back to the wooden hut where he slept. He wasn't going to tell Hu Rong the location of the jade mine yet.
After the contract is signed, Zhuang Rui will suggest that Hu Rong re-survey the various parts of the mountain, but he will not give specific directions. Zhuang Rui would rather spend more money than play the role of a fortune teller.
Chapter 497 Savage Mountain (1)
It was just past six o'clock the next day. Zhuang Rui got out of bed, walked out of the cabin, and was immediately captivated by the scenery outside.
Just then, a sliver of light appeared on the horizon. At the foot of the mountain, white mist filled the air, enveloping the entire Savage Mountain in the morning fog. The milky white fog flowed and receded, and through the gaps in the clouds, the dark blue peaks and trees were faintly visible.
After about ten minutes, the fog gradually dissipated, the sky turned a clear blue, and the undulating Yeren Mountain could be seen. The rugged mountain road and the clouds and mist swirling around the mountain made it look so mysterious and unpredictable.
Some members of the mine protection team were already up making breakfast. The rising smoke and the lingering mist created a scene reminiscent of rural life.
"What? What are you looking at, bro? You can't go too deep into the Savage Mountain. Just look around the perimeter to see if there are any animals to hunt..."
As Zhuang Rui was gazing at the Savage Mountain, Hu Rong walked up to him. Seeing that Zhuang Rui was wearing camouflage clothing and high-top combat boots, Hu Rong immediately understood Zhuang Rui's intentions.
Hu Rong's eyes were bloodshot. He had barely slept all night and his mood was extremely complicated. With Zhuang Rui's agreed investment, the pressure on him had been greatly reduced, but at the same time, it had also weighed heavily on his mind. If the mine really turned out to be a waste, it would also harm Zhuang Rui.
"Don't worry, Brother Hu, we'll just take a short drive around the outskirts and have a go at shooting. Having a gun is illegal in China..."
Zhuang Rui said insincerely that after returning to the cabin last night, he chatted with Peng Fei and learned that now is the best time to go into the mountains. If it were the rainy season, it would be impossible to walk in the mountains.
Furthermore, this is the coldest time of year in Myanmar. Although some tropical venomous snakes do not need to hibernate, their activity level will be greatly reduced, and they will not actively attack humans unless attacked.
"Alright, I have plenty of bullets here. I guarantee you'll never want to shoot again. Let's go eat first..."
Hu Rong patted Zhuang Rui on the shoulder and pulled him to have breakfast. Peng Fei was already waiting there. When he saw Zhuang Rui come over, he ladled out a bowl of porridge and handed it to him.
The side dish to accompany the rice was pickled radish strips. Zhuang Rui often ate this when he was a child. Back then, in winter, radishes and cabbage were basically the only vegetables available at home. Zhuang's mother would cut the radishes into strips, pickle them with salt, and then dry them in the sun. They were crunchy when you chewed them.
After drinking three large bowls of porridge and eating two sesame balls, Zhuang Rui finally stopped. This was something Peng Fei had specifically instructed him to do: make sure he was well-fed and watered, because there were many uncertainties after entering the mountains, and things might not go as smoothly as they had hoped. Maintaining physical strength was a basic condition for survival in the forest.
"Brother, since you won't let Zhu Fanpo accompany you, then have a few of them come with you..."
After breakfast, Hu Rong prepared to go up the mountain. However, before going up, he needed to make arrangements for Zhuang Rui's hunting trip. He was absolutely worried about letting Zhuang Rui and Peng Fei go alone.
"Boss Zhuang, it's been a long time since I've gone hunting either..."
The "cook" looked at Zhuang Rui with a resentful expression, and with her right hand fingers forming a delicate gesture, she pointed at Zhuang Rui, startling him so much that he quickly took a few steps back and almost vomited up the food he had just eaten.
"What's wrong with you...?"
Zhuang Rui cursed inwardly, even thinking he'd pay the guy to go back to Thailand and get it cut off.
"His name is Zhang Guojun, he's Chinese, call him 'Big Brother,' and listen to him. This forest is no joke; many people have gone in and never come out..."
Hu Rong introduced a burly man in dark green camouflage to Zhuang Rui. Zhuang Rui knew that this man was the captain of the mine protection team. He had chatted with him briefly when they were drinking the day before. He was a man with three wives.
"Dajun, I'm entrusting Zhuang Rui to you. You must ensure their safety. If anything happens, I'll hold you accountable..."
Hu Rong turned back and gave Zhang Guojun another instruction. In fact, he knew that there was no danger in hunting small animals on the outskirts, otherwise he would not have agreed to Zhuang Rui's request.
"Brother Hu, don't worry. I've been into this Savage Mountain several times, it's fine to wander around outside..."
Zhang Guojun patted his chest and agreed. Although he didn't know Zhuang Rui's exact identity, he could tell from Hu Rong's attitude towards Zhuang Rui and the two professors that Zhuang Rui should be one of their own.
"Okay, bring some food. If we don't get back by noon, don't go hungry. We'll head up to the mine now..."
Hu Rong wasn't in the mood to go hunting with Zhuang Rui right now. He still needed to take the two professors to continue exploring for jadeite veins, hoping to find them and escape their current predicament.
"Mr. Zhuang, take these two guns, and also carry this ammunition belt. I'll teach you how to use them first..."
After Hu Rong left, Zhang Guojun took two AK47 assault rifles that were about 60-70% new and two heavy military green bullet belts and handed them to Zhuang Rui and Peng Fei.
“Brother Zhang, just call me Zhuang Rui. We’re all on the same side, no need to be so formal. I know how to use this gun, I’ve handled them before…”
After Zhuang Rui took the gun, he skillfully removed the magazine, pulled the bolt to check the gun, which surprised Zhang Guojun. He knew that there weren't many people in China who knew how to handle guns.
"Alright, then I'll call you Brother Zhuang. You two wait a moment, I need to go and give some instructions..."
Zhang Guojun is the captain of the mine protection team, and he's out for a day. He needs to make sure security is in place. While Myanmar is generally safe, that's in cities without conflicts of interest; in this remote mountain valley, it's a different story.
"Brother Zhuang, is this any good? If not, give me two magazines..."
Peng Fei skillfully slung the bullet belt over his shoulder. Although he was using an AK47 assault rifle, the bullet belt was a domestic Type 81 rifle bullet belt, which could hold a total of six bullet clips.
Now, these two bullet belts are filled with four magazines, each containing thirty bullets. They are quite heavy, and when they hang on my chest, they feel very heavy.
"It's okay, I'm fine..."
After putting on the bullet belt, Zhuang Rui jumped around a few times on the spot. He didn't feel that it affected his movements. In fact, in terms of physical fitness alone, he was probably stronger than Peng Fei. After all, Zhuang Rui often used his spiritual energy to cleanse his body when he had nothing to do, just like a massage. The feeling of spiritual energy entering his body was very comfortable.
Including the magazines that come with the submachine gun itself, there are a total of five magazines, 150 rounds of 7.62mm bullets. Hu Rong is being quite generous. In his opinion, these bullets are enough for Zhuang Rui to satisfy his gun cravings.
"Brother Zhuang, let's go. If we can catch another big one today, we'll be in for a treat..."
After Zhang Guojun finished explaining the work, he came over with four people. The other mine guards all looked at them with envy. You know, going into the mountains to hunt is a good job, much more comfortable than standing guard here.
"Brother Zhang, let me carry this..."
Peng Fei saw that Zhang Guojun was carrying a bag. Knowing that it contained food and water, he quickly stepped forward and snatched the bag from his hand.
"No, no, you're guests. Hey, young man, are you sure you can manage?"
Zhang Guojun was about to decline, but Peng Fei had already snatched the bag away. Zhang Guojun couldn't help but glare at his men, who had no sense at all. How could they let a guest carry things?
However, after some back and forth, the bag was carried by Peng Fei, and the group of five walked along the foot of the mine towards the Savage Mountain to the north.
There's an old saying that "looking at a mountain makes a horse run itself to death." Zhuang Rui had never experienced this before, but now he truly felt it. Standing in the campsite, looking at the Savage Mountain, it seemed right in front of him, but it took him nearly an hour to reach the edge of the Savage Mountain.
The distance they covered in that hour was only four or five li (about 2.5 kilometers), and that was without going up the mountain, even though everyone had quickened their pace.
Peng Fei's face also turned serious at this moment. He realized that his previous calculations had been somewhat flawed.
According to Peng Fei's calculations, it is about 20 kilometers of mountain road from here to the location of the treasure. For him alone, Peng Fei is absolutely confident that he can make a round trip in four or five hours. However, with Zhuang Rui included, it may not even take four or five hours one way.
"Brother Zhuang, if you can't go, then don't go. I'll just sneak over and take a look myself..."
Peng Fei gave Zhuang Rui a wink, and the two of them trailed at the very back of the line.
"What's wrong? Didn't we agree to find a time to get rid of them?"
Everyone has curiosity, and with the submachine gun in his hand and the five magazines full of bullets, Zhuang Rui was brimming with confidence. Even if he were to be surrounded by a pack of wolves again, he wouldn't be afraid now.
In the morning, Zhuang Rui and Peng Fei had already discussed that once they entered the jungle, they would find an opportunity to shake off their pursuers. Zhuang Rui also knew that Hu Rong would not allow the two of them to enter the Savage Mountain, as the legends there were not so pleasant.
“Brother Zhuang, it’s about forty kilometers round trip from here. Even for me alone, it would probably take most of the day. If you come with me, then…”
Peng Fei didn't finish his sentence, but Zhuang Rui understood what he meant. He was afraid that Zhuang Rui couldn't keep up with him, and that he was being underestimated.
Zhuang Rui waved his hand with a smile and said, "It's nothing. Your brother Zhuang used to be a long-distance running champion. Running 30 or 40 kilometers is no problem for me..."
Zhuang Rui wasn't bragging; his best time for a 5-kilometer run during his university years was 18 minutes and 22 seconds.
Back then, his eyes hadn't undergone any strange changes. Now, with spiritual energy within him, he could recover from fatigue at any time, so Zhuang Rui no longer cared about the 40-kilometer round trip.
Chapter 498 Savage Mountain (2)
"Brother Zhuang, that's not how it works. This mountain road is hard to run on, and you can't pick up the speed. Even for me, I'm lucky if I can walk five kilometers an hour..."
Peng Fei scratched his head. He had oversimplified the trip, and he had also made a common-sense mistake: the distances on the map were very different from the actual distances, especially in mountainous environments.