The sun shines through the dense leaves of the liquidambar tree, casting its shadow onto the ground. The south wind brings the fragrance of spiked shirts, and the smell of freshly cut grass is also filled with familiar cells.
The house is located at the southernmost end of the boulevard, and the gentle coolness is trying to dispel the heat of early summer. Although it has been defeated repeatedly, it is not discouraged.
The sky is blue and clear, which is a rare good weather. The few clouds moved slowly, and were inadvertently blown into strips by the wind. They were kneaded a few times and thrown further away. The liquidambar trees in the garden made a rustling sound, and the symmetrical rhythm rubbed their brothers and sisters, exchanging their thoughts over the past few days.
Stepping onto the kind land, with the spider eggs he planted on his back, facing the melancholy of history and feeling diluted by the feeling of home again, Huang Xuan swept the green leaves on every tree with joy, and beat the hard tree hard. The loquat tree shouted to the small building behind the yard: "I'm back."
Butler Zhou ran out quickly and couldn't help laughing when he saw Huang Xuan dressed in a singlet, and said, "My eldest son, why have you been like this in the past two days?"
"It's hot." Huang Xuan chuckled and said, "Where are my parents?"
"They've all gone to work. They seem to be very busy these days."
For this time period of P11, Huang Xuan has been away for nearly 4 days. Fortunately, he talks to his family on the phone every day. Zhang Xinyi only thought that he went to Shanghai to deal with some port affairs, but she also gave him some encouragement. Naturally, Huang's father would not have What objection.
Huang Xuan took two sips of water, wiped his mouth and said, "What about Li Qing?"
"I'm still staying in the hotel. I heard from the guy who went there two days ago that the experts my wife called are exhausted. Li Qing also stayed up all night. Others didn't sleep, but he didn't dare to sleep. It was quite hard. "When Butler Zhou said this, he was quite complaining. Huang Xuan just smiled. He was free at P101. The roar of the printing press could make people's heads explode. He was anxious to spend money during the day. After that, he spent several days in a row. Haven't slept at all. When he was leaving, a biological bomb knocked out half of the factory, and then he let out a bad breath, allowing it to disturb people's dreams again.
"How is Grandpa?" Huang Xuan took the short-sleeved shirt handed to him by the housekeeper and asked in a low voice.
"It's still the same." Zhou Lian didn't say much.
Huang Xuan nodded and said he understood. He would also ask about his grandfather's condition on the phone in the past two days, but as people get older, recovery is always unsatisfactory.
After taking a shower in the small bathroom in the yard, Huang Xuan wiped his head and walked out. This small bathroom was built together with the swimming pool at that time. Unfortunately, due to the site, the swimming pool was filled in by Huang Xuan. Now the underground is entirely made of earth and stone structures that were moved in after the site was removed.
"Call Li Qing and tell him that I've finished my work. Uh..., how did mom say thank you to those experts?" Huang Xuan asked, somewhat unsure.
Zhou Lian put a bathrobe on Huang Xuan and said, "Madam must have approved projects for several professors and sponsored research. I don't know the specific situation."
Huang Xuan nodded and said: "I'm going to the United States tomorrow. I don't have time to see them. How can you thank them conveniently? Don't say I'm back. Just leave it like that."
Naturally, the housekeeper was familiar with the matter of welcoming and sending off guests. Zhou Lian immediately agreed and said without hesitation: "Originally, everyone said that the young master of the Huang family doesn't like to study, but they didn't expect that you have a way of doing business."
Huang Xuan chuckled and said, "This is because my mother's genes are good."
"Madam's academic qualifications are very good." Zhou Lian was talking, and the two of them had already entered the room. He stopped and said, "You have just got off the plane. If you are tired, go to sleep first. I will make porridge for you." , Madam, does she know you are back?"
"Please inform me. I came back by car and I'm really sleepy." Huang Xuan yawned and walked halfway up the stairs. He stopped again and said, "Uncle Zhou, there is one more thing. Can you help me?" I'll tell Aubrey, the Citigroup manager, to come over before dinner. If he doesn't know the phone number, ask Li Qing."
"good."
…
There was no noise or odor. Huang Xuan had an extremely sweet sleep. By the time he regained some consciousness, it was already five or six o'clock in the afternoon.
Yawning, Huang Xuan pulled off a T-shirt. Zhou Lian heard the voice and walked in. He looked at him and smiled and said, "Mr. Aubrey has been waiting for you for almost two hours. You Should I take a shower first or see him now?"
"Just now." Huang Xuan woke up at this time. He went back to the house to get a small box, put a few diamonds he got from P101 into it, and then slowly walked downstairs. Because precious metals consume too much plane energy, far exceeding the value of gold and silver itself, so except for a few works of art such as Faberge eggs, other such things have been stripped away, except for giving to Hans Some were sent abroad, but most were sent back to China.
For Aubrey, it was only 4 days since he saw Huang Xuan, but for the latter, it was almost two weeks.
It seems that this professional manager of Citigroup is living an increasingly prosperous life. Not only does his skin show signs of maintenance, but his suit has also been changed to Dunhill, making him look several years younger.
Huang Xuan was afraid of the light and covered his eyes. He squinted at Aubrey and said with a smile, "How are you doing, Mr. White? Have you gone to Beijing to see the Great Wall?"
"Where do I have time?" Aubrey quickly clarified. He guessed that Huang Xuan must be busy raising money these two days. A US$100 million financing bond would be easy for a company to purchase, but it would be too difficult for an individual to raise funds. At the same time, it is difficult for either Huang Xuan's mother's Sifang Group or Huang's Fund itself to spend such a large amount of money to purchase bonds. In fact, the debt ratios of these two institutions are not low. How dare Aubrey travel on her own while the sponsor is on the run.
Huang Xuan nodded noncommittally, took out the small box he just took out, put it on the table, and said, "Mr. White, take a look at this first."
"Okay." Aubrey took the box in his hand as he spoke, and the translator beside him sat out consciously. In fact, Huang Xuan no longer needs an interpreter when talking to others, and Aubrey brought He also wanted to go out for convenience.
The box contains diamonds carefully selected by Huang Xuan, with an average weight between 5 and 5.99 carats, a color grade of E, and a clarity of VVS1 or above. According to GIA's latest international diamond report, its price should be US$808,000. Huang Xuan’s purchase price was also around US$100,000. However, since the weight has exceeded 1 carat, the market price usually has a premium of 5% or more on GIA's guide price.
Aubrey carefully picked up one and looked at it. He was not familiar with diamonds, but every international bank manager knew that diamonds are different from ordinary jewelry, especially since the establishment of eBeers Consolidated Mines in 1944, this legal The monopoly industry maintains global prices through the supply of diamonds from a central sales organization. Regardless of economic depression or inflation, De Beers has successfully established their ability to stabilize diamond prices.
In modern banks, diamonds are currency. They can endorse international loans, repay debts, trade payments, and purchase firearms. In the face of a fragile world economy and a depreciating currency, diamonds can do almost anything.
The diamond shone brightly under the light. Aubrey carefully put it back into the small box and said, "Mr. Huang wants to use the diamond to buy bonds?"
"It's not just about buying bonds. In fact, I want to use diamonds as collateral for loans. I don't think Citigroup will refuse."
"Of course." Aubrey smiled. Compared with real estate, stocks, and bonds, the stability of diamonds is unparalleled. No bank will refuse such a loan with almost no risk.
After rummaging through the table, Aubrey asked a little strangely: "Do you have an appraisal report for these diamonds? There is also a Kimberley progress certificate."
"No." Huang Xuan replied without thinking.
Aubrey and the translator changed their minds at the same time. The diamond without complete documentation can easily be associated with a very bad word: "blood diamond". But of course Aubrey couldn't ask like this. He just said with some embarrassment: "Mr. Huang, without an appraisal report, the bank cannot grant a mortgage as usual."
Diamonds are the only rare gemstones whose value has been clearly defined internationally. Including its color, clarity, cut, and weight. Among them, the accreditation institutions with the strictest and most famous international audit standards include The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), European Gem Laboratory (EGL), International Gemological Institute (IGI), and the American Gemological Society (AGS). Therefore, when ordinary people purchase diamonds, they must purchase certificates from these appraisal companies. This way, the diamond will also be easier to sell if needed.
"Not every diamond has an appraisal report." Huang Xuan shrugged and said, "This is part of the property left to me by my family. There was no such system at that time." The Kimberley System began in the millennium. started, but would not be signed by most countries until the next year.
"Have you or your family not applied for re-registration?"
Huang Xuan spread his hands and said: "Chinese people are very particular about not revealing their wealth. I think you already know this after being in China for so many days. Okay, you don't have to think about this issue anymore. I just want you to tell me clearly whether you are willing to do it for me." Diamond Mortgage.”
"Mr. Huang, this question..." Aubrey started his slimy state again.
Huang Xuan asked: "Can it be done, or can't it be done?"
Aubrey's lips were dry and she drank a glass of water but remained silent. Of course Huang Xuan knew what he was thinking. He sat next to him and whispered to him: "Although the diamonds in my hand do not have Kimberley progress certificates, these diamonds are polished diamonds. When did you hear about smuggled diamonds?" Was it done by an excellent turner?" He used the term smuggled diamonds instead of blood diamonds. Of course, most blood diamonds are crudely crafted, but not always.
Of course Mr. White didn't know this, so he still said cautiously: "Mr. Huang, I can't decide on such a big matter."
Huang Xuan nodded helplessly. It seemed that he was a little anxious, so he smiled and said: "Then put the diamonds aside first. I also have a batch of oil paintings on hand, especially the belongings of the former Russian royal family. These things can be No certificate, still the same rules, mortgage.”
"No problem." Aubrey agreed more readily this time.
Huang Xuan took a breath. According to Lorraine's calculations, there is no problem in bringing back more than 100 million US dollars. However, it is very troublesome to take action quickly, but it is not as good as a direct loan. The original value of the diamond is The most certain thing is that the larger the diamond, the higher the value, but the loss of transportation energy will not increase much, but now it seems that the artwork is more convenient to value.
He stood up and said: "I want to go to the United States in the next two days, so I would like to have a chat with Mr. Aubrey and Mr. Steele." Steele is the president of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Aubrey understood that Huang Xuan wanted him to complete the loan within two days. He nodded heavily and said: "Our relationship with Sotheby's is not bad. I will negotiate with the headquarters when I get back. It is best with Sotheby's." Bi and Citigroup jointly appraised it. "He is responsible for most of Huang Xuan's asset management. He naturally understands that if Huang Xuan wants to raise US$100 million, he will need to borrow at least US$800 million. Naturally, he does not dare to take such a large amount of money lightly. Of. Fortunately, after Citigroup merged with Travelers Group, its insurance business expanded smoothly, and there were no problems in the appraisal of artworks.
Beyond word count: Some days there are no readers to catch bugs. Although VIP cannot be copied, Dolphin still hopes that readers who see typos can report them. Just bring the chapter name and a few nearby words. There are always many loopholes in checking by yourself. You can post it in the pinned correction post or in the comment area.
Many readers raised some questions about setting and plot, and Dolphin answered them in the comment area. Do you need me to answer them uniformly within the chapter? It seems to affect reading a bit.
Another note: This chapter has 4,000 words, and the evening chapter seems to be even more. It’s just a small burst, and readers with monthly votes can vote by the way. (To be continued)