I changed the world.

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The unspoken message here is that, because of their daughter's situation, Qianluo Group is willing to agree to any business collaborations, as long as they aren't too outrageous, even if it means taking a loss.

Of course, he might not have said it so explicitly, but as the saying goes, a loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer; An Zhengquan had already adopted this humble stance. After all, Yunxiao Mountain's attitude from beginning to end had been impeccable to him, showing no intention of taking advantage of his vulnerability. This attitude made An Zhengquan very comfortable. As the saying goes, if someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect. Naturally, he had also made some concessions regarding his bottom line for achieving cooperation.

However, while he could sincerely express his gratitude, Li Jingxin dared not claim credit for it, otherwise, if word got out, he would be unable to face the people of Kunlun. He quickly waved his hand and said, "I dare not accept such praise... I truly dare not accept Mr. Boyue's words..."

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 905 Immortal Techniques

“Yes, yes, although I still don’t know which high master of the Yunxiao lineage that expert is, Master Li is the head of the Yunxiao sect, so naturally, Master Li deserves this credit no matter what.” An Zhengquan thought Li Jingxin was just being polite, so he quickly continued.

"It's not that I intentionally refused, it's just... it's just..." Li Jingxin hesitated for once, unsure how to explain. After all, according to Kunlun's rules, even if An Zhengquan was An Huiling's father, he couldn't reveal the sect's secrets, or even their existence.

"Is there some hidden story? Please speak frankly..." An Zhengquan looked at Li Jingxin's expression, and since it involved his daughter, he couldn't help but worry again.

"Mr. Boyue, don't worry..." Seeing his expression, Li Jingxin quickly waved his hand and then smiled, "Your daughter's teacher, well... is of a very high seniority... therefore, even I dare not overstep my bounds and take credit for it." As Li Jingxin spoke, he mentioned Zhang Taihe and, to show his respect, he specially cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

An Zhengquan was taken aback when he saw him like this. To be honest, he had thought about how Li Jingxin would respond after he expressed his gratitude to him, but he never expected that the response would be like this.

After all, in his eyes, the Master Li in front of him was the head of Yunxiao Mountain, appointed by the current emperor. Such a position already made him a leader in the Xuanmen sect. He never expected that there would be someone who would make him so respectful when he mentioned him...

Even so, in his opinion, Master Li was probably an old-fashioned person who valued seniority very much, and seemed to be a true gentleman, which made him feel even more favorably toward him.

So he couldn't help but laugh and say, "Since it's a true person saying so, then he must be an elder of Yunxiao Mountain! Speaking of which, this child is also destined for the Xuanmen (Taoist sect). Before, she and some ignorant classmates went to Linzhou to participate in some club activities. I later learned that those kids had actually concocted some incredible evil things. Fortunately, it is said that a Xuanmen immortal happened to pass by and saved her..."

This was also the first time Li Jingxin had heard the story of his second martial uncle. Unlike An Zhengquan, he immediately knew that his second martial uncle must have entered the sect in this way. He couldn't help but sigh, "He is truly blessed!"

"To be honest, I'm just an ordinary person. To tell you the truth, this matter sounded too bizarre at the time, and I always thought it was just a rumor..." An Zhengquan said, taking another sip of tea.

Li Jingxin thought for a moment and decided that he should reveal something to the person in front of him. So he picked up the teapot next to him and added water for An Zhengquan: "Actually, there are some things in this world that are real, but they are usually hidden..." As he spoke, the boiling water in the teapot in his hand poured into the teacup like a white line, and soon filled the teacup. However, Li Jingxin did not stop and continued to pour water.

An Zhengquan thought Li Jingxin was distracted and hurriedly reminded him, "Master, the water is full, the water is full..." Then, he froze, seeing that the teacup, which was already overflowing, should have spilled onto the table. However, the overflowing tea was as if some force was binding it in mid-air, continuing to rise, already reaching the height of two teacups, yet still showing no sign of overflowing. It was truly a miraculous skill!

At this moment, An Zhengquan's gaze towards Master Li changed completely. Although he had previously heard that Master Li was a highly accomplished and virtuous immortal, and that even the current emperor bestowed great favor upon him, today it seemed that his reputation was indeed well-deserved. This great sect of Xuanmen truly possessed genuine talent!

Only then did Li Jingxin belatedly realize what was happening and say, "The moon wanes when it's full, and water overflows when it's full... I was distracted just now..." As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and the tea that had risen above the cup's surface rose into the air, gathering into a water sphere. Then, like swallows returning to their nests, it naturally fell into the wastewater collection bowl beside him...

Hearing this, An Zhengquan felt that there was a sharp veil of meaning in every word, but he couldn't quite figure out what Master Li was implying. So he simply exclaimed, "Master, your skill is truly divine! I have truly broadened my horizons with these immortal techniques!"

"This is just a trivial skill, not worth mentioning..." Li Jingxin simply waved his hand.

"It's a pity my daughter didn't come today, otherwise I really would have let her listen to the master's teachings..." An Zhengquan seemed a little regretful.

Upon hearing this, Li Jingxin's smile froze slightly. He thought to himself, "Thank goodness my second martial uncle didn't come along, otherwise, this scene would be so awkward..."

He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Mr. Boyue, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise. Your daughter's cultivation is far superior to mine..." In his heart, he thought, "Not to mention my teacher, even your daughter's cultivation is above mine..."

Of course, he couldn't say this directly, and An Zhengquan naturally thought that Li Jingxin was just being polite. However, since this was the second time he had heard Li Jingxin mention An Huiling's teacher, he naturally had a better understanding of the situation and thought that his daughter probably had a teacher who was highly skilled, had a high status, and was senior within the Yunxiao Sect.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the conversation gradually shifted to matters related to investing in Southern Bank, which was the real reason An Zhengquan had come to visit.

“Previously, I heard from my daughter that Southern Bank is preparing for a new round of capital increase and share expansion. To be honest, Qianluo is in a rather awkward position at this point in time.” An Zhengquan pondered for a moment and continued, “Therefore, this visit to you is also to express our stance in person. No matter what conditions the bank has, Qianluo will try its best to agree to them as long as it is within its capabilities.”

An Zhengquan's father adopted a very humble attitude, showing no intention of concealing the current situation of the Qianluo Group. In fact, this was because he was very clear that the Qianluo Group's predicament, in the current information explosion, could not be kept secret from the all-powerful master in front of him.

Even though he was a monk, he didn't believe the other party would be so uninformed as to be completely unaware of the current turmoil facing the Qianluo Group. After all, such matters could be roughly deduced with a simple search. Therefore, insisting on concealing the truth and pretending it never happened would only make things awkward for both parties; it was better to be direct and show sincerity.

Regarding Ling's dream of increasing capital and expanding shares of Southern Bank, as the largest shareholder holding 18% of the shares and two board seats of Ling Southern Bank, the opinion of this old man will be of great importance.

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 906 Southern Bank

As for whether the other party is willing to invest in Qianluo, that goes without saying; they are certainly willing, because if they weren't, there wouldn't have been this meeting in the first place. In other words, what the two sides need to agree on is simply the terms of the investment.

An Zhengquan was actually worried that the other party would make exorbitant demands and propose conditions that Qianluo could not agree to. However, the previous exchanges between the two sides had been very amicable, which gave him some hope. Therefore, he decided to be straightforward and stated directly that whatever conditions the bank had, Qianluo would try its best to agree to them as long as they were within its capabilities.

Of course, there's an underlying message here: if it can't be done, then there's nothing that can be done...

“Mr. Boyue, you flatter me, you flatter me…” Li Jingxin did not make any of the manipulative gestures that An Zhengquan had repeatedly discussed with his subordinates. Instead, he smiled and said, “Indeed, as the oldest and largest bank in the empire, Southern Bank has faced some pressure in recent years to expand its business scope and increase its customer base. Therefore, they have a requirement to increase capital and expand shares. Of course, as of now, this plan is still being discussed at the board level. As far as I know, the matter is indeed correct and will be announced to the public soon.”

"Of course, as a monk, I myself, and even Yunxiao Palace, do not really participate much in the operation of the bank. It is only because the shareholders and directors are so kind as to give Yunxiao Palace some face that we have a certain say in such important matters."

"You're too modest, Master. You are highly respected and admired by all, which is only natural..." An Zhengquan hurriedly flattered. As for the fact that Yunxiao Mountain is the largest shareholder of Southern Bank, he simply ignored it, since it was an indisputable fact that needed no further explanation.

"I am but a humble person, and this is all thanks to everyone's generosity... Monks regard wealth as external possessions; one cannot take it with them when born or when one dies. From the perspective of Yunxiao Temple, these are all items for protecting the Way, not for accumulating personal wealth, but for the Heavenly Venerable to spread the Dharma and benefit all sentient beings." Li Jingxin glanced at An Zhengquan and then smiled:

"To be frank, in my opinion, if Southern Bank wants to achieve stable operations and further growth, it needs to explore more lucrative industries. Of course, this also requires the introduction of further strategic investors."

"As the saying goes, 'Live in a good place, cultivate a pure heart, be kind to others, speak truthfully, govern well, be capable in your work, and act at the right time...'" Li Jingxin picked up his teacup and took a sip: "As far as my Xuanmen is concerned, whether it is running a business, a temple, or cultivating oneself, it is all about choosing the right time, the right place, the right opportunity, adapting to circumstances, and going with the flow..."

"Given the current economic situation, Mr. Boyue is a wise and shrewd businessman in the economic field, so I don't need to elaborate. Southern Bank's business scope is mostly in traditional areas. Previously, due to the trend of deep space exploration, it also entered into a considerable number of related businesses. Therefore, its operating performance will likely be significantly affected in the near future." Li Jingxin nodded to An Zhengquan: "This is also something I need to inform Mr. Boyue about."

"Qianluo has made preparations for this," An Zhengquan nodded in agreement. He was naturally prepared for the impact of the poor economic situation on the banking industry, as it was obvious. Otherwise, the shareholders of Southern Bank might not have been willing to release some shares for capital increase. As for Qianluo Group itself, this investment was strategic, and its purpose was not to gain profits in the short term.

"Qianluo Group is optimistic about the future of Southern Bank, not short-term profits. This investment is strategic for the group, so please rest assured, Mr. An," An Zhengquan naturally stated at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Li Jingxin nodded: "In my opinion, Qianluo Group is actually a very good investor. Qianluo Group is a world-renowned internet giant with businesses covering a huge young population. It has performed very well in social networking, media, and entertainment. Especially in the current uncertain economic situation, it will be a great complement to Southern Bank's business, allowing the bank's business to extend to a broader level."

"To be honest, Mr. Boyue, before you came here, I had already had preliminary communication with some of the bank's major shareholders. The shareholders are actually happy about Qianluo Group's investment. Even if some individual shareholders have some different opinions, I think they can all be resolved through communication," Li Jingxin said with a smile.

"I really have to thank you for your kind consideration, Master. I'm clumsy with words, I really..." An Zhengquan expressed his gratitude. He had to admit that Li Jingxin's attitude so far had exceeded his expectations. As the saying goes, the one who complains is the one who buys. According to the normal logic of business negotiations, even if both parties want to reach a deal, they will usually point out a lot of the other party's shortcomings in order to lower the price. This is the normal situation. An Zhengquan and the other executives who came with him were fully prepared for this. However, up until now, this Master Li had really acted like a reasonable old friend, without mentioning the biggest problems of Qianluo Group at all.

“Of course, although I am a monk and not very well-informed, I have heard about the difficulties that Mr. Boyue mentioned that Qianluo Group is currently facing.” Li Jingxin raised his teacup and took a slow sip. “To be frank, I suppose Mr. An has these concerns about investing in Southern Bank this time, right?”

“What the real person said is correct. To be precise, there have been quite a few voices attacking Qianluo Group in the public opinion field recently…” An Zhengquan sighed: “Even at the Institute of Political Science at Beijing Normal University, there are some discordant voices. It is said that some members of parliament are preparing anti-monopoly related bills. To be honest, I am quite worried about this.”

These are all from Liuming brand, so Er'an Zhengquan had no intention of hiding anything. After all, given the connections of this Master Li in front of him, it's impossible that he was completely unaware of such matters. Even if he truly was completely unaware, prior to a large-scale acquisition like the Southern Bank's capital increase and share expansion, relevant background checks would inevitably have been conducted. Rather than waiting until various problems arose, it was better to clarify things now, demonstrating his integrity and openness.

“I’ve heard about this before.” Li Jingxin nodded slowly, which made An Zhengquan think to himself, “Just as I thought…”

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 907 The True Lineage of the Mystic Sect

"As the saying goes, 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' There are always some unscrupulous people in this world who try to gain without effort..." Li Jingxin narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, "Mr. Boyue, please rest assured. I still have some influence and can protect you from some of the storms..."

"That's really... I really have to thank you again, Master. I am deeply grateful and have no way to repay you..." An Zhengquan felt relieved and stood up again, about to bow, but was stopped by Li Jingxin.

“Mr. Boyue, why are you doing this again? We hit it off immediately, it’s not appropriate to do such vulgar things.” Li Jingxin stroked his beard and laughed.

"This is really... really..." Upon hearing this, An Zhengquan could no longer bow and had to sit down again.

"As for the capital increase and share price expansion of Southern Bank at that time... the board of directors has not yet discussed it, so it's impossible to give a definite answer now. However..." Li Jingxin pondered for a moment, then stroked his beard and said, "Given the current economic situation, the stock market decline is likely to continue. Today, Southern Bank's total market capitalization is approximately 500 billion, and in the future, it's estimated that the price will fall further..."

"Judging from the current situation, this round of capital increase and share expansion will likely involve issuing about 10% more shares on top of the existing market capitalization. In other words, if the market capitalization is 500 billion, then it would be about issuing 5000 billion more shares. Of course, the specific details will depend on the share price at that time." Li Jingxin looked at An Zhengquan and pondered for a moment before asking, "Mr. Boyue, do you intend to finalize this matter as soon as possible, or wait for the share price to rise further?" Li Jingxin asked, as if he were discussing a business deal worth only 5 yuan, leaving the choice to An Zhengquan.

An Zhengquan was taken aback when he heard this. He naturally knew that the stock market was currently in a downtrend. At present, bank stocks as a whole have lost about 30% of their market value. In the future, it would not be surprising if they lost another 30% or even halved.

For such a large-scale private placement, this is the difference between tens of billions of real money.

However, at this moment, what was most important to Qianluo was no longer the billions of dollars in cash, but rather what was even more important behind the shares. Especially since Master Li was so understanding, An Zhengquan naturally couldn't be a petty person and try to profit from the difference, lest he be looked down upon. So, he directly said, "Let Master Li know. If conditions permit, the sooner the better. As for the amount, Master Li can decide."

"My Dharma name is Xin (信), which my master once told me: 'Cultivate virtue with sincerity and refine oneself with faith.'" Li Jingxin said with a look of reminiscence, then looked at An Zhengquan: "Besides, although this is my first meeting with Mr. An, we feel an instant connection. Your daughter is from the same school as me, so it's only right and proper that I don't let you suffer a loss. Therefore, we will use today's closing market price as the benchmark for the share issuance. I will personally explain the situation to the board of directors. What do you think, Mr. An?"

"Then... are there any other requirements?" An Zhengquan was taken aback upon hearing this and subconsciously asked.

"That's all, there's nothing else to ask for..." Li Jingxin smiled and refilled An Zhengquan's teacup. "I know you have concerns, sir. Please don't overthink it. My Yunxiao Temple is a legitimate sect of Taoism, the sacred site of the Supreme Heavenly Venerable. We've weathered over two thousand years of trials and tribulations. We're not some short-sighted, wicked cult. How could we possibly do anything so despicable as to take advantage of someone's misfortune..."

"Master Li, you flatter me...you flatter me..." An Zhengquan hurriedly said, but he was genuinely moved at this moment. In his prior discussions with his subordinates and senior executives, besides guessing that Yunxiao Mountain might take advantage of this opportunity to make an exorbitant demand, what he was most worried about was not the price dispute, but that Yunxiao Mountain would take advantage of Qianluo Group's need for help to seek some other benefits.

For example, at this juncture, a share swap could be proposed, using Qianluo Group's shares to exchange for Southern Bank's shares. Alternatively, a round of capital increase and share expansion in Qianluo Group could be proposed, effectively making Qianluo Group a shareholder.

After all, at this point in time, the profit prospects of Qianluo Group, as the largest social media platform in Dazhao, and its many valuable subsidiaries, are obvious.

However, what was unexpected was that Yunxiao Mountain's attitude was so high, without any intention of coercion or any additional conditions.

Not only that, but the price of the share issuance was not intended to be exploitative. According to Li Zhenren, it would be based on today's closing market price. Although, given the current economic situation, there is certainly room for further decline, and in extreme cases, the decline could be enormous, Qianluo's current focus is not on these windfall gains. On the contrary, An Zhengquan sees this as a good thing.

After all, such a large-scale acquisition of bank shares should, even according to capital market practices, command a high premium. If it weren't for the current timing, even with Li Zhenren's absolute authority and Yunxiao Mountain being the bank's largest shareholder, it wouldn't be possible to trade at the current market price. After all, 82% of the bank's shares are held by other small and medium-sized investors, and a significant portion of these shares are traded on the stock market.

Furthermore, if Qianluo Group truly pursues the lowest possible price for its shares, such an aggressive approach would inevitably provoke resentment from other shareholders, which would be detrimental to An Zhengquan's plans. It's important to understand that, in An Zhengquan's view, Southern Bank is, frankly, merely an entry ticket for a local power group in the southeastern empire bound together by the Xuanmen faith of Yunxiao Mountain. As a newcomer, An Zhengquan clearly understands the relative importance of these factors.

Losing some wealth and letting future allies gain some benefits will save face for everyone and help Qianluo integrate as quickly as possible.

Numerous thoughts flashed through An Zhengquan's mind, but he genuinely exclaimed, "The True Man is of noble character and lofty integrity; he truly possesses profound wisdom and virtue! The Yunxiao Mountain sect's pure and upright tradition is truly admirable and inspiring..."

“Then we will do as you say!” An Zhengquan solemnly stood up and extended his hands to Li Jingxin.

"Then it's settled. As for the other shareholders, I will speak on your behalf, and we'll have a result soon." Li Jingxin smiled as he stood up and grasped An Zhengquan's hands.

An Zhengquan grasped Li Jingxin's hand, shook it vigorously, and then let go.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Master, I have another request, and I hope you will grant it..."

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 908 Entering the Mountain Gate

"What is it? Mr. Boyue, please tell me." Li Jingxin asked with some curiosity, gesturing for An Zhengquan to sit down before speaking.

"I have always admired the teachings of the Celestial Venerable and longed to enter the Xuanmen and become his disciple, but I have never had the opportunity. Today, I have come up the mountain and have many feelings, especially the demeanor of the True Man Sect, which I admire deeply. I am willing to join the sect and become a lay Buddhist. I wonder if this is possible?"

"This..." Li Jingxin took a deep breath. He was inclined to agree. In terms of sheer power, An Zhengquan joining the sect would naturally be good for Yunxiao Mountain. Not only would it further strengthen the relationship with his second senior uncle, but the Qianluo Group itself was absolutely incredibly wealthy. As for the political troubles it would bring, Yunxiao Mountain would have to bear them anyway, whether An Zhengquan joined the sect or not.

However, if one does enter the sect, then who should one take as a master? This is a huge question!

Lay Buddhist practitioners, also known as lay disciples, don't have high requirements for their disciples. Generally, they only need to occasionally visit temples to listen to lectures, offer incense, and participate in some charitable activities. Some people even join the sect purely for social or business reasons, as this allows them to establish a "master-disciple" connection with many well-known figures.

This is true not only in the East but also in the West. Many immigrants who go to the West convert to local churches not for faith itself, but to integrate into the local social circles.

An Zhengquan would not be so utilitarian, but in terms of actual operation, the biggest problem is that after the disciple becomes a disciple, a master is usually designated, and the disciple becomes a disciple of this master.

Generally speaking, if someone is a well-known figure or from a wealthy or noble family, then their master must also have a certain status. So the question is, if An Zhengquan were to become a disciple, which master should he choose?

Logically speaking, the highest-ranking Taoist priest in Yunxiao Temple should be Li Jingxin himself, and An Zhengquan's words just now were actually a subtext that he wanted to become Li Jingxin's disciple.

However, this put Li Jingxin in a difficult position. It wasn't that Li Jingxin was unwilling to accept this lay disciple, but rather that, in terms of seniority, counting from his grandmaster uncle Zhang Taihe, he was currently An Huiling's junior disciple. If he were to resign from his position as abbot of Yunxiao Mountain and become a disciple of his grandmaster uncle, then he would be An Huiling's junior brother. In any case, he would be lower in seniority than An Huiling.