Reborn with Consumption System-Chapter 635 - 277: The Gentleman Bandit

"Teacher Han, our last meeting was so hurried that I didn't get a chance to go in-depth with you. How do you see the overall financing predicament in the real estate industry?"

Gu Yong's question was quite interesting. He didn't ask about the development trend of the real estate industry itself, but focused solely on financing—confident, clear-eyed, and highly precise.

Han Lie glanced back at Gu Yong and asked with a smile, "It seems President Gu still has a high regard for the industry's development prospects?"

"Yes!"

Gu Yong appeared ambitious and content. "Within the association, there is a consensus about the industry's prospects. After all, housing is always the ultimate commodity that Huaxia's common people yearn for the most. The sentiment for land is a mark seared into our Chinese bones; without one's own house, what can be called a home? And where are we? Magic Capital! The financial pearl of Huaxia, the economic capital! If I didn't have strong confidence in the market itself, why would I go all out to drive the Ming Capital project?"

TSK TSK, that's right!

Despite the widespread pessimism regarding real estate in public opinion, including among industry insiders in 2013 and 2014, many experts judged that housing prices would not fall. They endlessly criticized high housing prices as a hindrance to people's livelihoods, which were already heavily burdened. In fact, even by 2023, housing prices had only differentiated, rather than collapsing.

In his previous life, an author named Su Muwu wrote a piece in 2018 that prophesied domestic developmental dilemmas. It was almost entirely accurate, providing Han Lie with immense inspiration. Then, once reborn with his knowledge and Intelligence replenished, Han Lie had almost completely grasped the overall trend for the coming decade.

Looking solely at Magic Capital's real estate, residential properties of modest size within the city scarcely worried about sales. This held true regardless of the larger dismal environment of 2013 and 2014, or the bloodbath in luxury real estate of 2022. Good times brought price hikes; challenging times called for discounts and promotions. Homes under 90 square meters always remained in high demand. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

So Gu Yong's confidence was not misplaced at all.

The problem lay in...

The Ming Capital project was aimed at high-end, improvement-type residential housing. Gu Yong's ambition was vast. His benchmarks were a series of popular projects—perhaps a prominent developer's signature mansion in a key district, or another's well-known bay-front properties, and so on. However, his project lacked the locational advantages and buzz of those hit developments, so its prospects were very uncertain. If everything was executed flawlessly, he might just make it through. If any aspect was even slightly lacking, the outcome would be far from great.

Gu Yong's clarity was that he knew all difficulties arising from the industry itself could only be overcome by himself. Consulting Han Lie on such matters was like blindly seeking a doctor for an undiagnosed disease. So he only asked Han Lie questions related to financing—that was Teacher Han's specialty.

And what Han Lie needed to do was add more fuel to his ambition.

If Gu Yong didn't become overconfident, how could he possibly follow the planned path obediently and then make a mistake?

How could swallowing an elephant be so easy?

Although Han Lie was plotting in plain sight, it wasn't a case of waiting for the prey to fall into a trap and then watching them walk away before he could reap the rewards. Every single phase required either Han Lie or Panzi to exert effort and push forward.

Han Lie probed, "President Gu, you're not short on cash, are you?"

Gu Yong laughed. "Which real estate developer would dare say they aren't short on cash? Money—the more, the better. Cash flow is our lifeline, isn't it?"

TSK TSK, he sounds quite lucid...

Gu Yong was no fool. It's just that Han Lie was extremely devious. When a prophet begins to dig pits, all the prey can do is pray.

Han Lie smiled, toasted everyone, and then said leisurely, "I see. In terms of money, President Gu, you can rest easy. First, 2.5 billion is already more than enough for the Ming Capital project. Second, even if something unexpected happens, it'll be easy to find new money."

"Oh? Really?" Gu Yong was overjoyed. Gao Diaomao and 'Little Green' also pricked up their ears.

Han Lie smiled easily, exuding a strong, reassuring confidence. "I never boast."

And he wasn't just talking through his hat; his reasoning was substantial.

"You, President Gu, are underestimating the power of the ABS project. Indeed, I brought it to Magic Capital, but this is historically inevitable, not merely my own achievement. If you don't believe me, just wait and see. Similar projects will surely emerge one after another, like bamboo shoots after rain. A win-win situation like this is a grand feast no one will want to miss. Due to costs, real estate companies are indeed the disadvantaged party in this transformation. They might face interest rates above 22%, but their profit margins can sustain it, right? So, if Mingu Real Estate encounters issues, I daren't promise more, but I can certainly find you cash of a billion or eight hundred million, President Gu. Or perhaps I won't even be needed. The Magic Capital financial circle would definitely be willing to extend a helping hand to the first benchmark project. Around 20% for a short-term fix, that's enough to tide you over, right?"

Gu Yong thought carefully and nodded in pleasure. "That's indeed the case! Mingu Real Estate won't have major problems. If there really is a cash flow gap, a short-term loan of several hundred million should solve it. It seems I was overthinking..."

As he spoke, he gestured to the waiter to stop, stood up, and personally poured wine for Han Lie. "Come, Teacher Han, I offer you a toast. I won't say much in thanks; it's all in the wine. I'll finish mine, and you just take a sip. Please, please, give Old Gu some face!"

Wow, what a good brother, so courteous!

Han Lie watched Gu Yong down his drink with a smile. Then, instead of complacently accepting the high praise, he boldly finished his own glass as well.