Warlord: Starting with Subduing Little A Qiao

"Open a bank account?"

Xu Wenqiang was hurriedly summoned back to the Paramount Ballroom, where he heard this news.

Upon hearing this, his eyes widened immediately, and a hint of excitement flashed across his face.

It's important to know that Ye Bai's businesses are currently divided into several parts.

One part is the industrial sector, which is under the Ye's Business Group and is managed by Song Jizu.

The other part consists of the entertainment industry, such as casinos and nightclubs, which are also Ye Bai's most profitable businesses.

However, these entertainment industries are generally considered low-class by the public.

Since joining Ye Bai's company, Xu Wenqiang has been in charge of the Mei Hua Theatre's business, in addition to the latest Xinmin Daily.

Although it has a wide range of businesses, its scale and the level of importance it enjoys are far inferior to the first two parts.

The thought of Ye Bai opening a bank and entrusting the business to him made Xu Wenqiang's heart burn with excitement.

You should know that banking is a crucial step into the financial industry.

Banks can borrow money and generate interest, endlessly.

It is not only a way to make money, but also helps Ye Bai to better enter high society and build more connections.

This is also a great opportunity for Xu Wenqiang to show his skills!

At this moment, Xiao Aqiao, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Opening a bank must require a lot of money, right? What if no one deposits money in the future?"

Xiao Aqiao's words naturally make sense.

After all, the capital required to open a bank is often enormous.

At the same time, we also face a huge risk.

In other words, if no one deposits money after the bank opens, the bank will have to close down and face huge losses.

Upon hearing this, Ye Bai couldn't help but smile.

Seeing Ye Bai smiling, Xiao A Qiao's curiosity intensified.

Did I say something wrong?

Thinking this, she asked the question aloud as well.

"Brother Ye, what are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?"

Seeing this, Xu Wenqiang took the lead in explaining.

"There's no need to worry about that; there's a tacit rule in the banking industry."

"Unwritten rules?"

Seeing Xiao Aqiao's gaze sweep over, Xu Wenqiang began to explain in even greater detail.

"There is an age-old rule in the financial world: no matter which bank opens, its peers must deposit a sum of money as a congratulatory gesture. This is called 'piling flowers'."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Aqiao immediately understood.

In other words, the opening of a new bank only requires a dozen or so banks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange to attend.

With over a dozen deposits coming in, it adds up to a considerable sum.

Seeing a look of realization flash in Xiao Aqiao's eyes, Xu Wenqiang continued.

“Currently, everyone in Shanghai, from high-ranking officials to people from all walks of life, has close ties with our Brother Ye. So we don’t need to worry about anyone not depositing money with us.”

"As long as people from the same industry who are opening new businesses come to deposit money, with Brother Ye's connections, five or six million will definitely be deposited. Wouldn't that make us money?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Bai nodded in agreement.

In that case, let's invite all the prominent figures in the banking industry over next Friday evening. It'll be a casual dinner for everyone.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: Only Half the People Attended Ye Bai's Banquet?!

The news that Ye Bai planned to open a bank quickly spread throughout the banking industry.

And soon it was Friday.

Little Aqiao was at the mansion in the Paramount early in the morning, making arrangements well in advance.

"Today we're hosting a banquet for the elites of the banking industry, so you absolutely mustn't make any mistakes!"

The maids in the mansion were all given detailed instructions by Xiao Aqiao, and they were especially focused that day.

Time flies.

As it approached five o'clock, Ye Bai, Xu Wenqiang, and the others had already taken their seats in the main seats.

The banquet invited a total of 240 people, with 20 people per table, for a total of 12 tables.

However, the banquet hall, which should have been packed with guests, now looked rather empty.

Several tables had only one guest seated at each table, and several tables were completely empty.

Ye Bai's brows furrowed slightly.

Logically speaking, if the banquet starts at 5 o'clock, people who are used to arriving early will usually arrive before 4:30. Even if they arrive late, they probably won't be too late.

But now there are only ten minutes left until five o'clock.

In other words, some people are unable to come.

Ye Bai already had a vague guess in his mind.

After all, the financial industry is a hot commodity in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and many people want a piece of the pie.

Some people seem unhappy about my meddling.

While Ye Bai was pondering, Xiao Aqiao, Xu Wenqiang, and the others couldn't hold back any longer.

At this moment, maids kept coming in to report incoming phone calls.

"Tonghui Bank manager Li Yongheng called to say that he had a high fever today and couldn't come."

"Manager Chen from Bank of Communications said he's on vacation with his family today and probably won't be able to come..."

One phone call after another brought bad news: I couldn't attend.

Seeing this, Xu Wenqiang's expression turned slightly unpleasant.

After all, he guaranteed that with Mr. Ye's connections, raising five or six million would definitely not be a problem.

As a result, half of the people on the invitation list did not show up for the banquet!

Little Aqiao, standing to the side, already looked incredulous.

"It's really strange. We invited 240 people, but 100 of them were sick. The others either had sick parents or daughters, went back to their hometowns, or went on vacation!"

Xiao Aqiao didn't say the second half of her sentence, but everyone understood what she meant.

What a coincidence!

Xu Wenqiang's face showed a rare hint of dejection, and he took off his felt hat and said in a deep voice.

"In the end, none of the guests who have come so far are of any use; not a single important person has shown up!"

Hearing what the others were saying, Ye Bai remained silent.

At this moment, the atmosphere among everyone was at its lowest point.

Just then, a maid rushed in and raised her voice to report.

"Manager Chen Guangfu from the Commercial Bank is here!"

As soon as the sound rang out, a hint of joy appeared in Xu Wenqiang's eyes.

Commercial banks are among the top names on the invitation list.

After consulting with Ye Bai, who was standing to the side, Xu Wenqiang immediately stepped forward to greet him.

A moment later, Xu Wenqiang strode in with a middle-aged man in a suit and a subordinate standing beside him.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ye!"

Ye Bai saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses, a gold tie, and a brown suit speaking politely to him.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I have to entertain some foreign guests, so I can only say hello now and have to leave soon!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Bai's eyes narrowed slightly, and a pleasing smile appeared on his face.

"Manager Chen is so busy, yet you still managed to find time to come. You're really giving us face. Please come in!"

Ye Bai gestured for Manager Chen to sit down, and Chen Guangfu across from him waved and smiled.

"That's why I was determined to come here no matter what."

"Mr. Ye's influence and power in Shanghai, and his involvement in the banking industry, are something that makes everyone in the industry extremely envious."

"When it comes to business, everyone does their own thing. Those people are too narrow-minded."

"Mr. Ye, please rest assured. I will find a way to help you adjust things in the industry. When I switched from cotton yarn to banking, they treated me the same way."

"Just tell me the amount you need for your bank's opening, and I'll do it immediately. If there's anything else you can do for me, just let me know, and I'll be there whenever you call."