Chapter 95: Medicine (Part One)
Translator: Etern, Kim_Guo
The sunshine streamed through the sweetgum tree’s dense layer of leaves, lighting up the ground. The south wind brought the clean smell of mango-pine, mixed with the aroma of fresh-cut grass brought a sense of familiarity.
The house was located at the southernmost end of the boulevard. Gentle cool air was trying to disperse the heat of early summer, and although it was repeatedly defeated, it never gave up.
The sky was blue and clear, a rare day of good weather. The rare few clouds were moving slowly, was then blown into a bar shape by the wind, beaten a bit more and then thrown to a distance farther away. Rustling sound were made by the sweet-scented ash tree in the garden, its rhythmic motions rubbing against its siblings.
Stepping on the familiar earth, leaning against the aspidistra he had planted himself, the melancholy of time travel being washed away by the feelings of home, with a pleasant mood, Huang Xuan looked at each tree’s green leaves, thumped the Loquat tree, then faced the backyard and shouted: “I’m back!”
Butler Zhou ran out quickly. Seeing Huang Xuan wearing an undershirt, he couldn’t help but say: “My young master, what happened to you these last two days?”
“It’s too hot outside.” Huang Xuan smirked and said, “Where are my parents?”
“They went to work already, it seems like they’ve been very busy these last few days.”
Huang Xuan had been gone from P112 for nearly 4 days. Good thing he was able to call his family everyday. Zhang Xinyi thought he had gone to Shanghai to deal with some business at the port. She had given him some encouragement, and of course, his father had no objections.
Huang Xuan drank two mouthfuls of water, wiped his mouth and asked, “How about Li Qing?”
“Still resting at the hotel. I heard some news, the experts that the Madam hired have been exhausted. Li Qing has been working through the night as well, he won’t go to sleep until everybody had gone to sleep. He’s been working hard as well.” It sounded like Butler Zhou was complaining. Huang Xuan smiled, it’s not like he was relaxing in P101. The rumbling of the printers could explode you brains. In the day, he was busy trying to spend the money, and he didn’t even sleep during the last few days. When he was about to leave, a bomb blew up half the factory. Only this could let him release his anger, who told it to constantly disturb his dreams?
“How is grandpa doing?” Huang Xuan asked softly while taking the t-shirt the butler passed to him
“Same old, same old.” Zhou Lian didn’t elaborate.
Huang Xuan nodded, he had been keeping up to date on his grandpa’s condition over the phone. He was old though, so recovery will be slow.
Huang Xuan took a shower in the small bathroom in the yard and walked out while drying his hair. The bathroom was initially built together with the pool, but because of the base, Huang Xuan had the pool filled in. Since the base had moved, all that was left underground was earth and stone.
“Call Li Qing and tell him that I’ve completed my business. Also, what did my mom say about how we should thank the experts?” Huang Xuan asked uncertainty.
Zhou Lian helped Huang Xuan put on a robe and answered, “Madam helped the experts set up some projects for their areas of research. She’ll also help sponsor the research. I’m not too clear on the details though.”
Huang Xuan nodded and said, “I’m going to America tomorrow, so I won’t have time to see them. You decide on a proper way to show our appreciation, but don’t mention to them that I came back. That should be good enough.”
The butler was naturally more familiar with this sort of tasks, so Zhou Lian immediately agreed. “Originally, everyone said that the Huang Family Scion didn’t like to study, but unexpectedly, you have a knack for business.”
Huang Xuan chuckled. “I am my mother’s son after all.”
“Madam did well in her studies though. ” As Zhou Lian spoke, the two reached Huang Xuan’s bedroom, so he stopped and said: “You just got off the plane so you must be tired. Get some sleep, i’ll get someone to make some congee for you. Does Madam know that you’ve returned?”
“You help me tell her. I came back by car, so I’m really quite tired.” Huang Xuan yawned and started to go upstairs. Halfway up, he turned around and said, “Uncle Zhou, one more thing, please tell Aubrey, the manager of Citibank, to come find me before dinner. If you don’t know his number, just ask Li Qing for it.”
“OK.”
_________________________________
Without any noise, without any bad smells, Huang Xuan slept very well. When he woke up, it was already 5 or 6 o’clock in the afternoon.
Huang Xuan yawned and lazily put on a t-shirt. Zhou Lian heard the noise and came in. Seeing Huang Xuan’s state, he smiled and said: “Mr. Aubrey has been waiting for you for almost two hours. Do you want to shower first or meet him now?”
“Now is good.” Huang Xuan was awake now. He grabbed a small box and put in some of the diamonds he got from P101. Only then, did he slowly go downstairs. Due to the fact that metals cost too much energy to transport, except for small amount in valuable artworks such as the Faberge Easter Eggs, most of the metals had been striped off and sent to China (in P101).
To Aubrey, it’s only been four days since he last saw Huang Xuan, but for Huang Xuan, it’s been almost two weeks.
From the looks of it, Aubrey’s lifestyle has been getting better. Not only does his skin shows signs of being treated, his suit had been upgraded to a Dunhill suit as well. It made him look younger than before.
Huang Xuan shaded his eyes like he was afraid of the light, he looked at Aubrey, eye’s squinted, smiled and said: “How have you been, Mr. White? Did you go to Beijing to see the Great Wall?”
“I haven’t had any time.” Aubrey clarified quickly. He suspected that Huang Xuan had been using the last two days to raise money. To deal with $1.2 billion USD worth of loan bonds, a company had ways to buy them back easily, but for an individual, it was difficult. Also, neither Huang Xuan’s Mother’s World Group nor the Huang Family Fund could afford such a large amount. The truth is, the debt ratio for both of these institutions were quite high. Aubrey didn’t dare go on holiday while the investor was so busy.
Huang Xuan didn’t comment on this and nodded his head. He took out the small box, placed it on the table and said: “Mr. White, please take a look at this first.”
“Alright.” Aubrey said while picking up the box. His translator sat off to the side. Truth is, the current Huang Xuan didn’t really need a translator to talk with other people. Aubrey only brought him along to make it easier to get around.
The diamonds inside the box were all carefully selected by Huang Xuan. Their average size was between 5 and 5.99 carats, the color grade was E, and the clarity was at least VVS1. According to the newest GIA (Gemological Institute of America) International Diamond Report, the value of these diamonds should be around $808,000 USD each. Huang Xuan had spent just $100,000 USD on each diamond. Additionally, since the diamonds were larger than 1 carat, the market price was usually at least 5% higher than the GIA guidance price.
Aubrey carefully picked one up and studied it. He wasn’t too familiar with diamonds. However, every international bank manager knew, diamonds are different from other gemstones, especially after the De Beers group gained a legal monopoly over diamonds and used it to control prices. No matter if there was a shortage or a surplus, DeBeers demonstrated their ability to control the price of diamonds.
In modern banking, diamonds were a currency, it could be used as collateral, repay loans, trade payment or to purchase guns. Facing the weakening world economy and the depreciating currency, diamonds could do almost anything.
The diamond sparkled and glistened under the light. Aubrey carefully put it back in the box and said, “Mr. Huang, are you thinking of using the diamonds to buy back the bonds?”
“Not only that. Truth is, I want to use diamonds as collateral for a loan. I’m sure Citibank won’t refuse.”
“Of course.” Aubrey said while smiling. Compared with real estate, stocks and bonds, diamonds were much more stable. No bank would reject this type of low-risk loan.
Looking around the table, a confused Aubrey asked: “Do these diamonds have an appraisal report? How about a Kimberley Process Certificate?”
“No,” Huang Xuan answered directly.
Aubrey and the translator were shocked, a diamond without certification would easily be associated with “Blood Diamonds.” Of course, Aubrey could directly ask this, so he awkwardly said: “Mr. Huang, the bank won’t allow a diamond without an appraisal report to be used as collateral.”
Diamonds were the only kind of rare gemstones where the international value had been clearly defined. This definition used the diamonds color, clarity, cut and carat size. Some of the strictest and most famous institutes were the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), European Gem Laboratory (EGL), International Gemological Institute (IGI), and the American Gemological Society (AGS). Due to this, most people looking to buy diamonds were first look for a certificate issued by one of these institutes. As a result of the certification, the diamond would be easier to sell if needed.
“Not every diamond has a certification.” Huang Xuan shrugged his shoulders and said: “These are part of my inheritance, there wasn’t a process like this back then.” The Kimberley system was established with the start of the new millennium, but wasn’t signed by most countries until three years later.
“Didn’t your family apply for re-registration?”
Huang Xuan spread his hands and said: “Chinese people don’t like exposing their wealth. I think you know this after spending so many days in China. Anyways, don’t think about this problem. Just tell me, are you willing to take the diamond as collateral for a loan?”
“Mr. Huang, this question…” Aubrey was hesitant.
Huang Xuan forcefully asked: “Yes or no?”
Aubrey’s mouth was dry, but still didn’t speak after drinking a glass of water. Of course, Huang Xuan knew what Aubrey was thinking, so he sat beside him and whispered: “Although my diamonds don’t have a Kimberley Process Certificate, but they are well processed and polished. Have you ever heard that smuggled diamonds that have been processed by an elite workshop before?” He used the term “Smuggled Diamonds”, instead of the sensitive term “Blood Diamonds”. Indeed, most blood diamonds were just processed roughly, but this isn’t always the case.
Of course, Mr. White didn’t know about all this, so he still cautiously said: “Mr. Huang, this issue is too large, I can’t make the decision on it.”
Huang Xuan nodded helplessly, it seems that he had been too eager, so he smiled and said: “Let’s put the diamonds aside for now. I have some oil paintings, especially ones owned previously by the Russian Royal Family. These don’t have any certificates either. I want to use them as loan collateral as well.
“No problem,” Aubrey said readily this time.
Huang Xuan took a deep breath, according to Rolin’s calculations, the items they brought back this time should be worth at least $1.2 billion USD, but the problem was trying to sell them. That’s why he decided to use these items as loan collateral instead. Originally, he thought that the value of the diamonds would be the most certain, and the cost to transport them didn’t go up too much with increased size. Now though, it seems like it would be easier to sell the artwork.
He then stood up and said: “I’ll be going to America sometime in the next two days. I’ll have to trouble Mr. Aubrey to go have a chat with Mr. Steele.” Steele was the president of Pfizer Pharmaceutical.
Aubrey understood, Huang Xuan wanted him to complete the loan within the next two days. He nodded and said, “We have good relations with Sotheby’s. I’ll discuss with headquarters when I get back. It will be best to have Sotheby’s and Citibank do the appraisal together.” He managed most of Huang Xuan’s wealth, so naturally, he understood that Huang Xuan needed $800,000,000 USD to reach the $1.2 billion USD he needed. With such a large amount, he naturally couldn’t just wait around for it. Fortunately, after Citigroup acquired some travel agencies, insurance business developed smoothly, and wouldn’t even have any issues with Art appraisal.
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