Extraordinary Genius

Chapter 973 – Another invitation

“Old Li, the sales of Genie had been doing well, and you must remember to maintain a good image of our cars. Also, the development of new models must be faster. We need to provide more models for consumers.”

In Feng Yu’s previous life, all the top automobile manufacturers have dozens of models for sales at the same time. Of course, they will focus on a few models to target the different segments of the market. Few companies can survive if they only focus on the high-end or low-end cars.

“Manager Feng, should we speed up the development of our sports car too? Based on our current progression, it should be developed around 2,000. If we speed up the development, it will be ready around next year. But if we are going to focus on the sports car, the city off-road model’s development will be delayed.”

“Focus on the sports car first. It will be the same old rules, even for sports cars. There must be at least a high-end and a cheaper version. Also, the appearance is very important.”

“Yes. You will not be disappointed. Are you going to the US this time to set up a factory there?”

Feng Yu is going to the US again, and Li Mingde is fantasizing that Bing City Machinery Company will be setting up a branch factory there and will start selling their cars there like Russia.

“Don’t be so anxious. We will look into setting up factories after our sports car is developed. I am going there for other business. I will handover Bing City Machinery Company to you. Remember, agricultural machinery development is very important too. You must not neglect it, as we are an agricultural country.”

Feng Yu had wanted to return to the US later. He Zhaoji and his team were still speculating the Southeast Asian countries’ currencies.

But now, He Zhaoji and his team were more conservative, and the profits were lower than before. At the same time, they are monitoring Soros’s funds. This is to guard him against attacking Hong Kong again.

But two days ago, Feng Yu received a call from Bill Gates. Bill Gates is helping Steve Forbes to get an interview with Feng Yu again, as Steve Forbes wished Feng Yu would appear on his Forbes Billionaires list this year.

Feng Yu thought for a while and agreed. This time, Steve Forbes estimates Feng Yu’s wealth to be over 20 billion USD. No matter if Feng Yu agrees to be interviewed by him, he will still announce it in his magazine.

Since this is the case, Feng Yu decided to take the initiative by letting him interview. At least he can say something to his benefit.

Feng Yu realized that if his name appears on the billionaire list, and his position is higher than George Soros, it will be easier for him to rally support to defend Hong Kong or Russia against the latter.

It should be more effective if Feng Yu’s name is positioned higher on the list.

Also, Feng Yu needs this ranking to suppress the opposition voices within Microsoft. He needs to let them know that his wealth is about the same as Bill Gates and let them think if it is worth standing on Paul Allen’s side, and stop them from finding trouble with him now and then.

Of course, Feng Yu will also be making use of this opportunity to announce that he will be entering the venture capital industry. He will be welcoming young people to look for him for investments. But actually, Feng Yu had set his sights on a target.

It is different if Feng Yu approaches someone to invest in their company. If it is the other party that approaches Feng Yu, Feng Yu’s share of profits will be higher.

The second day after Feng Yu returned to New York, he met two important guests in his Empire State Building office.

Bill Gates and Steve Forbes were close friends, and Bill Gates had accompanied Steve Forbes to meet Feng Yu.

“Hi, do you want to try Chinese tea?”

“Sure. Chinese tea has a longer history than coffee.” Bill Gates replied with a laugh.

Feng Yu poured two cups of tea for them. It was Pu’er and not the English tea they were used to.

From their expressions, Feng Yu could tell that they do not like this tea, and he prepared English Tea for them.

“Feng, I’m glad that you had finally agreed to be interviewed by <Forbes>. Can I use a recording pen? When we entered your office, I had handed over my recording pen to your bodyguards.” Steve Forbes was excited. He believes that after this interview is published, that issue will reach another peak. <Fortune> magazine still had not noticed this super tycoon.

“Mr. Forbes. Let’s do away with the recording pen. Bill told me that we are only going to have a chat, and I agreed to let you publish what we said in your magazine. I don’t like this session to be too formal.”

Without recordings, Feng Yu can get away even if he said the wrong things. But with recordings, people might twist his words, or what if this recording pen goes missing?

“Alright.” Forbes shrugged his shoulders and was slightly disappointed.

“Feng, can I ask any questions?” Steve does not even have a pen and paper with him. Even his first interview with Bill Gates is not like this.

Feng Yu gestured for him to start and took a sip of Pu-er. These two foreigners do not know how to appreciate the heavenly taste of Chinese tea.

“Mr. Feng, many people are saying that Soros’s Quantum Fund had caused the Asian Financial Crisis. But we received news that you are also involved. Is it true that you own an investment firm in Hong Kong?”

“I don’t want to commend on who started this crisis. My company did make some investments, is there any problem?”

“Can you reveal how much profits you had made during this period?”

Feng Yu smiles. “A lot.”

Steve took a glance at Bill Gates. Bill Gates is also interested in Feng Yu’s answer. Although Bill Gates had mentioned to the media several times that he does not mind about the rankings, but when he knew that he might lose his position of the number one spot, he grew concerned.

“Based on our findings, this Wind and Rain Consulting Firm manages funds of over 30 billion USD. How much of these are your profits?”

If Feng Yu had not registered another fund company to hide some of his profits, people would know Wind and Rain Consulting Firm manages more than 40 billion USD!

Feng Yu looked at Steve and took a glance at Bill Gates. “About half.”

Bill Gates’ eyes opened wide. Half? Does that mean Feng Yu had made around 15 billion USD? With Feng Yu’s Microsoft shares and his other investments, his assets will be much around Steve Forbes’ initial estimation.

Although there is still a gap between Bill Gates’ and Feng Yu’s assets, who knows if Feng Yu has other sources of income. The figures published in <Forbes> will not be very accurate, as it’s hard for them to verify the news in China.

If Feng Yu’s companies got listed, he might catch up with Bill Gates and even overtake him!

Bill Gates starts to consider if he should invest in funds to make more money.

Translator’s notes:

Forbes Billionaires list