The next day, many people were still discussing the news about the establishment of Cloud Rider Mining Company when they received a fresh new piece of gossip.
The two state-owned enterprises that had just signed contracts with Cloud Rider Mining Company found out that the so-called aluminum mine at Hill County had all been a set-up!
The sales contract they had signed was also fraudulent!
Once the two state-owned enterprises found out, they immediately halted the upfront payments they were supposed to make to Cloud Rider Mining Company. That helped prevent any major losses for the two enterprises.
However, the two state-owned enterprises would take legal action against Cloud Rider Mining Company for the fraudulent contract.
Everyone’s initial reaction was to laugh when they first heard the news.
They had just signed the contract yesterday, but they were claiming it was all a hoax today? Everything sounded ridiculous. It must have been some guy with a death wish who was spreading the rumors about.
However, as more and more detailed news was released, everyone achieved an understanding.
Some even claimed to have seen with their own eyes the huge aluminum mine at Hill County. Except for that one layer on the surface, it was just soil and rocks all around without even a trace of aluminum ore.
In an instant, everyone felt a wave of shock ripple through them.
Jasper and Conrad’s collaboration had always smelled fishy. Now, the basis of the whole collaboration, the mine, was said to be fake.
Who was the one who had been tricked?
What would Jasper and Conrad do after this?
Everyone stared intently at Cloud Rider Mining Company, which had only been established for a day, as they waited for the company to issue a statement.
However, creepily enough, there were no reactions at all.
Both Jasper and Conrad seemed to not care one bit about the rumors flying around. The two seemed to have gone mute as they did not provide any updates.
While the rest of the world was flying into a frenzy over the reveal of the set-up, Jasper was having coffee with John.
“I had an old friend of mine harvest these black tea leaves from their hometown, a tiny village in Empress Wood Village. There’s only this tiny bit available for harvest, and you can’t buy it no matter how much money you have. Tastes good, doesn’t it?” John said to Jasper.
Jasper picked his cup up and took a sip. It tasted sweet, refreshing, and much better than your average tea.
“Not bad. This is good tea,” Jasper said.
In his past life, he had never understood why the rich enjoyed drinking tea. However, now that he had achieved a certain level of status himself, his stance on this topic had changed.
When you were nearer to the bottom of the social ladder, the tables would be filled with bottles of beer that were drunk in exchange for a business deal. However, when one was not required to drink as a means of earning money, they would realize that tea was a great beverage.
It did not have much to do with wellness or showing off, but merely a simple understanding that tea was superior to beer.
“What do you think about the thing I mentioned to you just now?” John asked as he put his cup down, a concerned expression on his face.
“The set-up has been exposed, but Agricultural Bank has not lost a single cent from the loan they issued. They’re in awe of your abilities and are trying to get you to join them from Commercial Bank?” Jasper asked.
John nodded as he smiled bitterly, saying, “I’ve been working in Commercial Bank ever since the start and have never thought about job-hopping. They might both be in the banking industry, but you begin forming attachments as time passes…
“But Agricultural Bank was super sincere and promised me that I’ll hold the position of vice-president at the province branch. I’ll be in charge of the province’s corporate banking department. Who knows how long it’d take me to get to that position if I stay in Commercial Bank?”
Jasper smiled and said, “Vice-president of the province branch and in charge of corporate banking. Seems like whoever in Agricultural Bank who made this decision is a ruthless person.”
“They have their eye on our relationship. Agricultural Bank has always been the weakest among the four major banks in terms of corporate banking while Commercial Bank is the most powerful. And we have such a close relationship…”
“They’re hoping to attract all the companies under my name to Agricultural Bank through you.”
John smiled and said, “That’s precisely it, which is why I’ve purposely come to seek your opinion.”
Jasper hummed to himself. He could tell that the more his abilities improved, the larger the butterfly effect he brought about would be.
Take John as an example. He did not have anything like this happen to him in his past life and had always worked in Commercial Bank. He had pretty good luck too and retired as the vice-president of the province branch.
Although both spots were vice-presidents of the province branch, the responsibilities that came with the position were different, which led to the amount of power held being vastly different.
For example, Agricultural Bank was letting him be in charge of corporate banking. Besides bank savings and loan issuance, corporate banking was the third pillar holding it up. As the country’s economy developed and socialism became ever more prevalent, new companies were emerging rapidly and corporate banking was becoming essential.
Corporate banking was definitely high in demand.
It would be beneficial to both Jasper and John.
“I think you can accept it,” Jasper said.
When John heard what Jasper said, he heaved a huge sigh of relief.
To put it frankly, is there anyone who would refuse the opportunity to climb up the corporate ladder?
Agricultural Bank was providing John with so many benefits that he was finding it hard to refuse.
However, John understood at the same time what Jasper was referring to. Agricultural Bank might as well admit they were extending an olive branch to Jasper in hopes of working with him by offering John such an illustrious position in the company…
