Rebirth: Super Banking System

Chapter 1404: Chapter 1251: A Buttload of Debt (Please Subscribe!)

Hearing this.

Bai Qing still felt a bit uncomfortable.

What to film.

It is their freedom to do so, coming here is to showcase a real Africa... cough cough, seeing Chu Sheng’s serious face, it seemed to be an issue too, so she had no choice but to say: "No problem."

Then.

She instructed the camera operator to be careful.

Chu Sheng didn’t say anything more.

About this matter.

Once was enough, these people will definitely have to pass an audit before they can broadcast, considering CCTV’s caution and low profile, it’s impossible not to have filtering measures in place. She was just fulfilling her responsibility.

...

Five minutes later.

The convoy was driving on the wide road.

Just after exiting the main gate.

Bai Qing asked a bizarre question.

"Captain Chu, does everyone here live in wooden houses?"

"..."

This actually stumped Chu Sheng.

After thinking for a bit.

"You’ll find out soon."

At those words.

Bai Qing rolled her eyes.

What’s so difficult to say?

It wasn’t her first time in Africa, she had visited some places in Tanzania last time, a country that was a bit ’more developed’ than Congo Gold, where tribes primarily lived in wooden houses.

Soon.

The convoy passed by the Weihe Camp.

Looking at the distant national flag,

in an instant,

a sense of kinship surged in her heart. They didn’t stop, as their schedule didn’t include this, to film a video of Weihe they had to apply to the United Nations related departments first, it wasn’t their decision to make.

"Wow!"

"This is..."

"Oh my God..."

Half an hour later.

Upon arriving at a tribe, Bai Qing and the others were stunned by the scene before them, staring blankly at the small villas springing up not far away, orderly situated within the valley.

At the foot of the mountain.

Mid-mountain.

Mountain top.

All were, the short ones two stories, the larger ones three stories, they estimated at least hundreds in plain view, and those were just the finished structures, not to mention an equal number under construction, and some tower blocks?

The entire valley.

Was one massive construction site.

"Ding Ding Dong Dong..."

"Squeak squeak."

"..."

The sounds of hammering

and cutting.

Were endless. At the entrance where they stood, trucks loaded with construction materials were continuously driving in, and many of the Africans coming and going gave them friendly looks.

"This is... Captain Chu... I’m not seeing things, am I?"

Bai Qing looked towards Chu Sheng.

Chu Sheng was quite pleased with Bai Qing’s expression, nodding with a smile: "Journalist Bai, you’re not seeing things. This is one of the African tribes, actually, it’s the largest tribe within dozens of kilometers around here."

Bai Qing: "But these..."

"Our company’s products!" Chu Sheng smiled and said.

"Your... products?"

"Yes. These villas are our company’s products. Through modular design and assembly, they can be easily and conveniently constructed into these small villas. They are not adept at building houses, but they find assembling things simple."

With this.

Chu Sheng couldn’t help but praise Tang Qing once again.

This example really made him understand how truly great the business model ’If there is no demand, I will create it for you.’ is, once operational, it can create miracles.

Africa.

Everyone thinks it’s backward.

So they should all live in thatched huts?

Yes.

That’s possible.

But from a businessman’s perspective, if everyone lives in thatched huts, such a situation does not offer much of a consumption market. However, now, when these people move into these villas, have electricity,... everything is hugely different.

With good houses.

Shouldn’t we buy some nice furniture?

Shouldn’t we buy some quality electrical appliances?

Shouldn’t we throw all those dingy and discolored pots and pans into the rubbish heap?

Shouldn’t we buy a car to drive around in?

Shouldn’t we wear a set of clean and decent clothes?

Now.

These kinds of things keep happening here, people are starting to pursue ’decency’. Inside the park, there’s even a specific import-export trade company, affiliated with Wan Qing Mining, that can provide all of the above.

These villas.

First, they consume the output of the steel factory.

Second, they make a good deal of money.

Third, they offset the mineral resources of various tribes.

Chu Sheng has found out that currently, the amount owed by the tribes for the construction of these villas is enough to guarantee the park’s mineral supply for the next five years without having to pay the tribes a dime.

As for after five years?

Heh.

Chu Sheng laughed again.

Five years.

A lot can happen. The company will surely find a way to keep these people revolving around it, slaving away to get these consumer goods, because... it’s hard to transition from luxury to frugality.

After all.

Now I sell you a villa.

Some day.

I might talk you into handing out cars to the tribal members. Of course, this model only works in Africa; it wouldn’t fly anywhere else because the assets here are neither state-owned nor privately owned, but owned by the tribes.

Up to now.

All the tribes are deep in debt.

In an era without electronic payment, they’re already enjoying the pleasure of ’painless consumption’. Moreover, there’s no sign of stopping, and it’s even sparked a competitive trend.

Surrounding tribes are frantically ’borrowing money’.

One wants to build a five-story tribal council building.

Another is claiming to build a ten-story one.

"How much for one building?"

Bai Qing’s eyes sparkle.

It must be said.

The design of these villas is truly attractive, both in their color schemes and craftsmanship, giving off a comfortable vibe. Clearly, Wan Qing Mining has put in quite an effort.

"About 200,000 RMB," Chu Sheng quotes a figure.

"Pfft~~"

A colleague, who was drinking water, spat it out.

"What?"

Bai Qing is somewhat stunned.

"???"

Chu Sheng also shows a puzzled expression, unsure what their reaction means. Is it too high, or too low? Anyway, he feels that 200,000 is a bit low; it should be higher. The higher it is, the greater their debt.

"How can it be so expensive?" Bai Qing exclaims in surprise.

200,000.

For this?

What a rip-off.

If it was constructed back in the rural area at home, 200,000 could build an even larger one, fully furnished. Besides, this is Africa where labor costs are almost negligible, and these are steel structures to boot.

Isn’t this a ... scam?

"Expensive?" Chu Sheng retorts.

They all nod in agreement.

Chu Sheng’s expression.

Makes them want to punch him.

"Whether it’s expensive depends on the quality of the goods. Our product, first of all, has an appearance that speaks for itself; secondly, it’s durable and sturdy; and lastly, it’s about the facilities that come with the villa."

"Each villa comes with connected network, electricity, and gas. The rooftop panels you see, they’re all solar panels, which come as a bonus. Inside the rooms, we even provide a large color TV..."

After hearing all the details.

They realize that this isn’t just the price for an empty house, but includes some ’little perks’. No wonder. Otherwise, even if the Africans haven’t seen much of the world, they wouldn’t be this foolish.

"As for the furniture, we have packaged sales, and the same goes for various electronic products. So, the final charge for a fully equipped villa is around 300,000 RMB."

Chu Sheng does a quick mental calculation.

With this set of villas.

The company nets a profit of about 200,000 on each unit, and due to tax incentives, all of that is pure profit.

"Where do they get the money?"

"The tribes pay."

"..."

Bai Qing and the others suddenly realize.

This scheme.

It’s really clever.