"Mortgage?"

Portuguese Finance Minister Dacruz's eyes widened as he looked at the group of Chinese sitting in front of him. These were the same delegations that had come to negotiate a financial bailout with the Portuguese government, including officials from China's Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the heads of several large companies.

"Yes, mortgage." Huang Gang, from the National Development and Reform Commission, said with a smile, "Mr. Dacruz, with all due respect, Portugal's sovereign credit is no longer enough to ensure the safety of tens of billions of euros in bailout funds, and we need you to come up with more ...... Sincerity. ”

Dacruz said: "Ladies and gentlemen, you must know that this is Europe, not South America, and you actually do not believe in the sovereign credibility of a European country? ”

Huang Gang shrugged his shoulders lightly and did not answer Da Cruz's words, but silence was the best answer at this time: yes, we just don't believe it, what should we do?

Lu Yajuan, a female director from the Ministry of Finance, said: "Mr. Dacruz, although our Chinese government is also very short of funds, for the sake of Sino-Portuguese friendship, we are still willing to give some funds to help Portugal tide over the current difficulties. However, as far as we know, all countries in Europe are currently facing the threat of a fiscal crisis, and several major international credit rating agencies have given a negative outlook for the credit outlook for Europe as a whole. In this case, it is understandable that we have doubts about the safety of the funds we have taken out, right? ”

"Uh......" Dacruz had nothing to say, in fact, he himself did not know that Portugal's financial difficulties were a dead knot, and unless the government carried out drastic reforms, reduced fiscal spending, reduced social welfare, and stimulated economic growth, the fiscal situation could not be solved. Now borrow money from China. For Portugal, it can only be saved for a while, what to do next, and when will the money be repaid. The whole government has no bottom in mind, so it is no wonder that the Chinese feel unsure.

There is a little institutional advantage in Western countries, that is, their governments are so-called democratically elected, and if they can't do it for a single term, they just pat themselves on the ass and step down, and throw the mess to their successors. And when the successor comes up, he can also use the excuse that the money owed is borrowed by the predecessor. Not your own fault, so that things can drag on.

Dacruz also had this idea, he wanted to borrow the money first, and by the time he was about to repay the money, he had already stepped down, how could the people behind him repay the money, and what did it have to do with him?

However, the Chinese are not stupid. They saw the problem and took a bite that there must be a mortgage, otherwise they could not lend money to Portugal. This time Dacruz was choked.

"How do you say mortgage?" After a few moments of silence, Dacruz asked.

"Our assumption is that, given the current situation, we are ready to convert intergovernmental loans into the form of direct investment from enterprises," Lu said. We select a number of large enterprises in China to form an investment consortium. China's Ministry of Finance disbursed the funds intended to bail out Portugal to the consortium in the form of loans, which then bought shares in Portuguese companies, especially state-owned enterprises.

In this way, the Portuguese government can get this financial bailout fund. And the equity of these enterprises becomes the collateral for these bailout funds. In the future, when the Portuguese government's financial situation improves, we can buy back these shares from Chinese companies, so that the safety of our funds can be guaranteed. ”

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the Portuguese officials participating in the negotiations changed. This hand on the Chinese side. But it was ruthless enough, it was clearly said that it was borrowing money, and as soon as it was turned in this way, it would become the Portuguese side selling its assets to realize it. Who knows when Portugal's finances will improve, and if they can't improve in ten or twenty years, won't these enterprises become the pockets of the Chinese? …,

Since the Chinese want to buy the equity of enterprises, they will naturally choose those enterprises with better profitability, so that the profits of these enterprises will also flow into the pockets of the Chinese, which is much higher than the interest on government bonds. One of the advantages of government bonds is that the debt burden can be reduced through currency depreciation, but this is not effective for investors who own equity, because once the currency depreciates and domestic prices rise, the price of equity will rise accordingly.

"It's impossible!" Dacruz also figured this out, and he said categorically, "Our state-owned enterprises are engaged in industries related to the national economy and people's livelihood, how can these industries be handed over to foreign consortia to operate?" ”

"Actually, there's nothing difficult about it." Huang Gang said, "Mr. Da Cruz, the companies we choose are all internationally renowned large enterprises, such as Mr. Lin Zhenhua next to me, the company he represents is China Hanhua Heavy Industry Group, which is currently one of the top 10 large enterprises in the world's heavy equipment manufacturing enterprises, and such enterprises will not do anything wrong."

In addition, if we invite these enterprises to acquire the shares of your state-owned enterprises, we can also introduce a more effective management system and a wider range of business cooperation relationships for your state-owned enterprises, which will be of great benefit to help your enterprises increase their income. In the future, when the Portuguese government's finances can turn around its losses, and then buy back these shares, won't everyone be happy? ”

"But ......" Dacruz couldn't find a reason, think about it, Chinese is not a living Lei Feng, why do people lend you money for no reason, and you have to bear the risk of borrowing money? Looking at the meaning of these Chinese officials, if they refused their request, it is estimated that they would directly get up and brush their sleeves away, and now it is the Portuguese who want to borrow money, and the Chinese can sell it at a price.

"I have no right to call the shots in this matter. Still, I'd like to hear your thoughts, which of our industries are you interested in? Dacruz said.

"In this regard, I think it is better to listen to the opinions of our entrepreneurs." Huang Gang made a gesture to several business leaders who accompanied the negotiations, signaling that they would negotiate terms with Da Cruz.

Several business leaders looked at each other and laughed. Gu Jiahua, the president of Xingbei Heavy Machinery, pointed at Lin Zhenhua and said, "Zhenhua, among us, you are the youngest, so let's say it." ”

"What's the reasoning?" Lin Zhenhua said with a smile, "You old comrades are more experienced, it should be you who say it." ”

Gu Jiahua said: "We are all people who are about to retire after this term, and we will cooperate with the Portuguese side for a long time in the future." It's just you, so it's up to you to say the specific conditions. ”

Lin Zhenhua smiled and agreed. In fact, when everyone discussed the negotiation strategy earlier, many of the ideas were made by him, and everyone had already said that he would make the statement at that time, and his previous concession was just a modest gesture. He pressed the switch on the microphone in front of him and said:

"Gentlemen. I am Lin Zhenhua, Chairman of China Hanhua Heavy Industry Group Corporation, and I am entrusted by the member companies of our Special Investment Consortium to introduce our proposal to you. First of all, we are very interested in the maritime transport sector in Portugal and we would like to be able to obtain the rights to operate the two seaports located in Setúbal and Aveiro.

If we are able to acquire these two seaports, we will invest an additional 300 million euros to renovate and expand these two seaports to make them important ports for connecting Europe and Asia to maritime transport. At that time. These two ports will not only provide the Portuguese government with more tax revenue, but will also be able to create more than 2,000 new jobs. ”

The entire land area of Portugal is only half the size of half a province in China. The Portuguese officials here are very familiar with the geography of their country. The two ports mentioned by Lin Zhenhua are both important ports in Portugal, but due to the economic recession, the throughput of these two ports is not satisfactory. …,

Lin Zhenhua's intention to buy the two ports and to add up to 300 million euros to renovate them is also clear. In recent years, trade between China and Europe has developed very rapidly, and a large number of Chinese goods have been transported to major European ports across the sea. In the past, Chinese merchant ships encountered some obstacles when arriving at the port, such as when the port was busy, and Chinese merchant ships might have to anchor outside the port to wait for berths. In other cases, the customs of various countries may also make it difficult for Chinese merchant ships when accepting goods, and the time and money lost are very considerable.

China has always been committed to having its own ports in Europe as the main port of call for merchant ships. When the European economy was still passable, no country would hand over the right to operate its ports to the Chinese, but now the opportunity has come.

What does it mean to rob while the fire is hot? Lin Zhenhua's plan. It's a complete robbery while the fire is burning.

The Minister of Economy and Employment, Crato, hesitated and said, "Mr. Lin, with all due respect, your request is too much...... Harsh, right?

Lin Zhenhua smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Minister, I think this is a win-win plan, not only for us in China, but also for Portugal. If we have the ports of Setúbal and Aveiro, most of the Chinese merchant ships will dock here in the future, which is equivalent to transferring the port income originally scattered in various countries to Portugal, which is not good news for Portugal? ”

"That's just as well." Krato's eyes lit up, isn't it, now Chinese goods are wreaking havoc in Europe, and countless Chinese merchant ships dock at major European ports every day. If all these ships stop in Portugal, won't all the revenue from these ports go to Portugal? After the Chinese goods are unloaded in Portugal, they will definitely be transported to European countries by road and railway, and the resulting transit traffic costs are also very considerable.

For the Chinese, merchant ships always have to dock anyway, and it is the same in any port. Having your own port can save you countless troubles, so it is natural that you will choose to dock at these two ports in Portugal.

"Krato, do you think we can accept this plan of the Chinese?" Seeing Krato's thoughtful thoughts, Dacruz couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Krato also replied in a whisper: "Dacruz, I think this plan is beneficial to us. At present, the operation of these two ports is also very difficult, and it is difficult to say that if they are handed over to the Chinese to operate, they may be able to come back to life. ”

"Well, I see." Da Cruz nodded, however, it was impossible for him to express his position immediately on such a big matter, he turned his head to look at Lin Zhenhua and said, "Mr. Lin, please continue." ”

"Second, we want to acquire a part of the Portuguese national electricity group." Lin Zhenhua continued.

"It's unlikely." Dacruz immediately said, but this time his tone was not so crisp, but with a bit of negotiation, "Mr. Lin, the power grid is the lifeblood of a country, and we can't hand over such important infrastructure to you to operate. ”

Lin Zhenhua smiled: "Mr. Minister, I don't think you are too sensitive. We are a business, and there is no hostile relationship between China and Portugal, so we don't have any need to control your power grid. That's why we want to get the equity of the State Power Group, just because the equity of the Power Group is the most reliable, it is impossible for it to go bankrupt. ”

In a country, all kinds of enterprises have the possibility of bankruptcy, but the water, electricity, gas and other departments related to people's livelihood cannot go bankrupt, unless the people of the country no longer use water, electricity and gas. As long as the power grid is still running, people will have to pay electricity bills, which constitutes the income of the power company. …,

Lin Zhenhua previously told Huang Gang that he wanted to follow the example of the European powers in the past, control the customs of the other country, and use customs duties as a guarantee for arrears, but this will not work under the modern international order. In many countries, the grid is run by private companies and foreign companies are not uncommon.

"If we can participate in the operation of the Portuguese National Electricity Company, we will try to raise funds to build two new large wind farms on the Portuguese waterfront, thus changing the energy mix of Portugal." Lin Zhenhua then threw out a big pie, which made the Portuguese officials' eyes straighten again.

Wind power is the most fashionable thing nowadays, Portugal has always wanted to go to wind power projects, but suffered from lack of funds, and now Chinese companies are willing to pay for wind power projects in Portugal, which is really a big pie from the sky.

"Mr. Lin, I have to admit that you are a very good negotiator." Dacruz said helplessly, "The conditions you put forward are always impossible to refuse. ”

Lin Zhenhua said with a smile: "Mr. Minister, you have won the award, in fact, I am just more sincere." ”

Ahem! Huang Gang hurriedly took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, and pretended to cough, in fact, he just wanted to hide his smile. This Lin Zhenhua, who is black to the bone, is actually embarrassed to say anything sincere to others. (Your support is my biggest motivation.) )