Reborn in 96, I started by taking charge of the Dallas Mavericks.

In 96, both Yi Jianlian and Andy Lau were still young.

One is 9 years old, and the other is only 7 years old.

At such a young age, their parents certainly didn't want their children to go to the United States to play basketball alone.

Moreover, neither of them has yet embarked on a basketball career.

However, Chen Fang was not discouraged. He asked Nelson to send someone to keep an eye on the two boys' growth and also informed Chen Lin.

Once Yi Jianlian and Andy Lau choose basketball, he will immediately send someone to communicate with their parents and try to bring them to the United States so that they can receive American basketball culture education from a young age.

After dealing with matters in Guangdong Province, Chen Fang and his group rushed to Shanghai, the "Magic City" of China.

Here, he wants to bring the greatest player in the history of Chinese men's basketball back to the United States.

Inside an arcade in Shanghai.

Two teenagers were engaged in a fierce battle, but these two teenagers were somewhat different from the people around them.

Both of them are taller than their peers, with one of them reaching a terrifying 2 meters.

These two are the future mainstays of the Chinese men's basketball team: Yao Ming and Liu Wei.

"Da Yao, I'm going to the city team soon, so I won't have time to play games with you anymore."

After Liu Wei knocked out Yao Ming again, he said with some reluctance.

The two have been close friends since childhood, training and competing together.

However, with Liu Wei being transferred to the city team, the two had to face separation.

Yao Ming knew Liu Wei was reluctant to part with him, but for his friend's future, Yao Ming could only pretend to be strong and pat Liu Wei on the shoulder.

"Go to the city team and wait for me. I'll come find you there soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wei immediately punched Yao Ming, saying, "Okay, I'll be waiting for you in the city team."

Liu Wei believes in Yao Ming's ability; he'll definitely make it into the city team—after all, he's a little giant.

……

Meanwhile, Chen Fang and his team immediately began their work after arriving in Shanghai.

They went directly to the Shanghai Sports Bureau to inquire about Yao Ming and Liu Wei.

Zhu Ba, Wang Qi, and the others have signed with Chen Lin's club. As long as Chen Lin agrees, they can go back to the United States with Chen Fang.

But Yao Ming and Liu Wei are different; they are currently playing for the Shanghai Youth Team, a team within the national system.

Anything related to the system or the government will bring a lot of trouble.

At this time, Chen Fang was unaware that Liu Wei had already been recruited into the professional team by the Shanghai team.

Shanghai Sports Bureau.

A deputy director surnamed Wang received Chen Fang and his party.

"Mr. Chen, welcome, welcome! I never expected you to have achieved so much at such a young age. You are truly a promising young man, a force to be reckoned with!"

Director Wang proactively extended his hand and said.

Seeing this, Chen Fang hurriedly went up to him, shook his hand and said, "Not at all, Director Wang, you're too kind."

"Director Wang, let me get straight to the point. I'm here today to take Yao Ming and Liu Wei to the United States to play basketball."

As soon as Chen Fang finished speaking, Director Wang's expression changed and his brows furrowed.

Both Yao Ming and Liu Wei are very talented players, especially Liu Wei, who has just joined the city team.

Needless to say, Yao Ming's talent is obvious to the naked eye, and he will definitely join the national team in the future.

He hadn't expected that Chen Fang had come for these two people.

Seeing the change in the other person's expression, Chen felt a pang of anxiety. "Director Wang, to be honest, the training level in our country is limited. Only by going to the United States can we maximize their talent."

"Of course, I will pay the full amount of the breach of contract penalties for both of them."

In Chen Fang's view, breach of contract penalties are minor matters; the most important thing is that the other party is willing to release the person.

After thinking for a long time, Director Wang finally spoke, saying, "I cannot make this decision on my own; I must also consider the opinions of my superiors."

"Okay, I'll contact you as soon as I have any news."

Since that's what they've said, Chen Fang couldn't say anything more and could only wait!

After waiting for three more days, Chen Fang finally received news from Director Wang.

The other party brought both good news and bad news.

The good news is that the other party agreed to release him; the bad news is that Chen Fang needs to pay an exorbitant penalty for breach of contract.

Over three days, high-ranking officials from the Shanghai Sports Bureau held lengthy discussions.

Yao Ming and Liu Wei are still young, and even if they join a professional team, they are unlikely to get much playing time. It would be better to send them to the United States to study.

However, they did not want to let the two go easily, so after discussion, they came up with this exorbitant penalty for breach of contract: one million US dollars per person.

One million US dollars, and that was in 96!

Upon hearing this number, Chen Fang's face immediately darkened.

His willingness to pay the penalty for breach of contract does not mean he is a fool who can be easily manipulated.

"Director Wang, aren't you going too far?"

"Mr. Chen, please don't get agitated. This is all the leader's decision. I can't do anything about it."

Director Wang expressed his helplessness, saying that he was just a messenger and that the real decision was made by those above him.

As a Chinese, Chen Fang was naturally aware of the intricacies involved, and after a moment's hesitation, he spoke.

"Director Wang, I can accept one million, but not in US dollars, but in Chinese yuan."

"Please ask Director Wang to pass this message on to the leadership."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

After Chen Fang left, Director Wang immediately relayed Chen Fang's message to his superiors.

Meanwhile, Chen Fang was not idle either.

He used his special connections to find Yao Ming and Liu Wei in person and told them about his idea of ​​taking them to the United States to play basketball.

Playing in the NBA has been their childhood dream, and they have no reason to refuse.

After obtaining the consent of Yao Ming, Liu Wei, and their families, Chen Fang approached Director Wang again, hoping that he would release them.

One million Chinese yuan was a considerable sum in 96.

So, the Shanghai Sports Bureau finally relented.

Chen Fang paid a two million yuan penalty to secure the opportunity for Yao Ming and Liu Wei to play in the United States.

……

With Yao Ming and Liu Wei secured, the day of the draft is drawing ever closer.

Before returning to the United States, Chen Fang made two more trips to Zhejiang Province and Hebei Province.

Among the main players of the 08 China Men's Basketball Team, Wang Zhizhi and Sun Yue were not included by Chen Fang.

The trip to Hebei Province went relatively smoothly. When Sun Yue's father learned that Chen Fang was the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and was going to take Sun Yue to the United States, he immediately agreed.

However, when recruiting Da Zhi, Chen Fang encountered his first setback.

Wang Zhizhi, born in 96, is already 19 years old and a key player for the Bayi Rockets, as well as the youngest player on the Chinese national men's basketball team.

Even though Chen Fang kept raising his demands, the Bayi Men's Basketball Team and the Chinese Basketball Association still refused to release him.

With the talent show about to begin, Chen Fang had no choice but to give up and end his trip to China.

Although Chen Fang was unable to bring Wang Zhizhi back to the United States, he still gained a lot from this trip.

Yao Ming, Liu Wei, Du Feng, Sun Yue, Zhu Ba, and Wang Qi were all taken back to the United States by Chen Fang.

Once these players reach the required age, they can enter the NBA through the draft.

Chen Fang's move can be seen as an early investment in the future of the Mavericks and the Chinese men's basketball team.