In fact, Chu Zhongtian himself once thought of this question: James Merry is a very good person. As an agent, he has always tried his best and has no problem to pick. If he has to say anything, it is that as a British man, he doesn't understand China too much. After all, he is a Chinese player and has business to be carried out in China. An agent who is completely unfamiliar with China is not able to handle the work of dealing with Chinese people, and he cannot go barefoot and do those very trivial things himself.

Then it is important to find a broker who knows a lot about China.

This kind of understanding is not just about people who can understand and speak Chinese, but also about understanding the human nature of many Chinese people and knowing how to deal with a real Chinese.

In addition to this requirement, as a broker who manages Chu Zhongtian's financial affairs, he must also gain Chu Zhongtian's trust. Otherwise, if the person who distrusts him deceives Chu Zhongtian, he might have to count the money for that person.

Chu Zhongtian didn't want all the money he earned to end up in someone else's pocket. He is not the protagonist of the tragic scene.

Therefore, he is very strict in choosing an agent, rather than being too little than being too bad.

Xu Hongtao, who came to the door on his own initiative, might be a suitable candidate. He has the qualifications - he has successfully worked as Li Tie and Sun Jihai, and Hao Haidong who went abroad to study abroad, and is their agent. Being able to become the agent of those big guys is no problem. He is also famous - he is an agent who is often exposed in the media. At least after he introduced it, Chu Zhongtian remembered that he had seen or heard his name in those media. Famous people are generally trustworthy, at least they don’t have to worry about donating money and absconding.

However, when it comes to money issues, Chu Zhongtian has to be more cautious. Is it really worth cooperating? Some investigation still needs to be done.

First, Chu Zhongtian, who returned home, called James Merry, who was far away in the United States, and told him about the idea of ​​adding a broker who was specifically responsible for domestic affairs in China.

Meili considered and agreed to Chu Zhongtian's proposal. He also thought that he was not a suitable candidate to help Chu Zhongtian open up the Chinese market, and the Chinese market was really attractive. Many clubs hoped to enter the Chinese market to make money. Since Chu Zhongtian is a Chinese player, this is his advantage. Why not make good use of his advantages? Therefore, the Chinese market must enter, but it is not dominated by him. He can only speak Chinese "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye" and "goodbye", and cannot even communicate, let alone better serve Chu Zhongtian in China.

However, Meili reminded Chu Zhongtian: "That Xu, how much do you know about him, Chu?"

"Honestly, I don't understand at all."

"In other words, what you just introduced was completely relaying his original words?"

"Yeah, yes, retell."

"Go and learn about him. He is Chinese like you. You must have a way to know some information about him than me. Look at his information before making a decision. We are not in a hurry anyway. You are doing well in Metz now, and there will be many people coming to you like this. Don't worry about signing a few days late to make less money."

"I'm not worried about that, Mr. Merry."

"Haha! Do it well, maybe I'll call you some good news in a few days and will come back?"

After hanging up the phone, Chu Zhongtian thought for a while. Mr. Meili asked him to know Xu Hongtao, but who should I find? First of all, this person must be a Chinese, and secondly, he must be from the football circle to know a lot about Xu Hongtao. Finally, this person must be very familiar with him and will not deceive him... After thinking about it, he thought of Xu Xiaodi.

Xu Xiaodi is a Chinese and a senior football reporter. She must be very familiar with the things in the Chinese football circle. In the end, Xu Xiaodi is very familiar with him and should not deceive herself.

Just look for him!

Chu Zhongtian called Xu Xiaodi: "Brother Xu, have you eaten? I'll ask you for someone."

"You said you said."

"It's your family, Xu Hongtao. Do you know this person?"

Xu Xiaodi didn't expect Chu Zhongtian to ask this person, but he knew something about this person. "I know a little, but what do you ask him for?"

"He suddenly came to me today..."

"Wait! He's coming to you? Where is it? In Metz?"

"To be precise, it was outside the Holy Mountain Forian training base. He came to me and wanted to be my agent, who was responsible for developing the domestic market for me."

Xu Xiaodi frowned and listened to these words, then asked, "Have you promised him?"

"No, don't I come to you first to find out what kind of person he is?"

"Well... I advise you not to cooperate with him."

"Ah? What's wrong?" Chu Zhongtian was a little surprised. A famous agent with a high exposure in the media should be the most famous and outstanding football agent in China, right? Why did Xu Xiaodi say such words?

Xu Xiaodi thought about it and could not explain clearly on the phone: "Are you at home now? Is there anything wrong?"

"Yeah, it's okay. Are you coming?"

"Yes, you can only explain it clearly in person. This is related to your financial prospects. I think it is better to be cautious."

From Xu Xiaodi's serious tone, Chu Zhongtian also felt that Xu Hongtao might not be simple. He agreed to Xu Xiaodi's request to meet and asked him to come to his home to have a good talk with him.

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Xiaodi knocked on Chu Zhongtian's door.

Seeing that Chu Zhongtian did not exchange greetings, Xu Xiaodi took a few photos for Chu Zhongtian to show and asked if the person he saw was the person in the photo.

When Chu Zhongtian saw that his round and fat face looked like a blessing, he was indeed the one who was looking for him outside the Holy Mountain Fulian Training Base today. He nodded.

When Xu Xiaodi saw Chu Zhongtian nodding, he asked with a smile: "When he introduced himself, in addition to saying that he was an agent, did he say that he was the chairman of Chengdu Sheffield United Football Club?"

Chu Zhongtian was shocked. An agent or the chairman of a football club? He felt that this was simply unimaginable. So he shook his head hard: "No, no, absolutely not." Then he asked: "Xu Hongtao is really the chairman of Chengdu Sheffield United?"

He saw Chengdu Sheffield United online. It is said to be a British football club, which is considered a sub-club of the Sheffield United club in England. However, he would not understand the more detailed information.

Xu Xiaodi nodded: "Yes, the chairman of Chengdu Sheffield United Football Club. He formed the Chengdu Sheffield United Club."

"If he is already the chairman of a football club, why should he be an agent?" Chu Zhongtian could not understand this. In his opinion, being the chairman of a club is obviously better than being an agent. After he became the chairman of a club, he was very busy all day long, so how could he go to Europe to be an agent?

"Chu Zhongtian, do you know your influence in Chengdu now?" Xu Xiaodi did not answer Chu Zhongtian's question, but asked another question.

Chu Zhongtian shook his head.

"After this game, what do you think if I say you are a city hero in Chengdu?"

Chu Zhongtian was surprised. The hat was so big... "Don't be surprised, the fact is that. As far as I know, Xu Hongtao's Chengdu Sheffield United, although it is claimed to be wholly owned by the British side, actually did not invest much money at all. He had to solve all the funds for the entire club operation by himself. In the field of football, you are a Chengdu native and have a very important significance to Chengdu. Don't rush to refute, whether you admit it or not, the fact is that. I think Xu Hongtao may think that if you can win your trust and support, you can discuss cooperation with Chengdu under your banner. He now needs Chengdu to pay money to inject funds into the club..."

Chu Zhongtian felt that all this sounded like a fantasy. How could a person who was honest in a small European town be related to the "money prospects" of a football club in his hometown?

"Of course, I might be guessing all this." Xu Xiaodi shrugged. His words made Chu Zhongtian breathe a sigh of relief. "But his identity is too confusing. But even if he is not the chairman of Chengdu Sheffield United, don't cooperate with him."

"Why?"

"Because he is not an agent either."

Xu Xiaodi's words shocked Chu Zhongtian even more than Xu Hongtao's other identity before. An agent who can run Li Tie, Sun Jihai, and Hao Haidong abroad and appears in the news media frequently is not an agent?

This sounds a bit difficult to describe, but it is easier to accept than that fact, right?

"Xu Hongtao, whom the public knows, is a successful agent and is considered to be the agent of the top five international players. But in fact, what my reporter friend told me is actually nonsense. Do you know which six of the top five international players are?"

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. He lacked attention and understanding of Chinese football in recent years. He did not know which national team these five internationals were.

"Wu Chengying, Zhang Enhua, Hao Haidong, Li Tie, Sun Jihai." Xu Xiaodi said to Chu Zhongtian with his finger.

Chu Zhongtian knew these five people, and they were basically the main players among the countries that successfully competed for the World Cup in 2001.

"But Wu Chengying has nothing to do with him. Zhang Enhua was brought to the UK by Horton and Horton's translator Xie Qiang. Hao Haidong was indeed practiced by him, the famous 'one pound transfer', but because of business disputes, he did not go in time and did not play in the Championship. Another famous person who is well-known for his successful case is that Li Tie transfers to Everton, but was actually brought to the UK by Marcos, an employee of Bafang Global. Sun Jihai's agent was not him, but Liu Yi... Look, which one is his representative of his success?"

Looking at Chu Zhongtian's surprised expression, Xu Xiaodi knew that his reaction was normal, because he was telling a "secret" that is absolutely unknown to outsiders. If he dared to let these words go out, he would definitely cause an earthquake in the domestic football world. Maybe he could even bring out more things. Pull up the radish and bring out the mud. Maybe there is something bigger underneath waiting to scare people.

This is part of the inside story of Chinese football, or it is the real Chinese football. So Chu Zhongtian was lucky enough to debut abroad and became famous... "There is another fact. In fact, Xu Hongtao does not have the qualifications to be an agent at all. He is just using the resources he has to integrate and make profits. He has actually been using his cousin's English sports agent certificate..."

"I heard from Mr. Meili that the agent's certificate can only be held by himself and cannot be borrowed." Chu Zhongtian raised his question.

"You are right. This is the rule of FIFA. But rules are rules. So-called policies are the ones above and there are countermeasures under the bottom." Xu Xiaodi smiled. His smile was very strange, with a little ridicule, disdain and self-deprecating. "In China, where the emperor is far away, FIFA does not care so much? Besides, Chinese football has been professionalized for so many years, and what are the real professionals? The delisting system has been in place for many years. How many people know what FIFA's management regulations on agents can be done and what cannot be done? The foreign-related part... hasn't he done nothing?"

"Do you know what Xu Hongtao is walking in this world?"

"I don't know..." Chu Zhongtian said.

"Help the leader to help his children go abroad." Xu Xiaodi was shocked when he saw Chu Zhongtian again and simply laughed out loud, "Ha! Is he very surprised? Do you think this is completely unbeatable to football?"

Chu Zhongtian was speechless and had nodded.

"Xu Hongtao was once a member of the Xi'an Municipal CPPCC, and this title was because he was a person who was studying in the UK for a child. That person was a well-known figure in Xi'an. After Xu Hongtao helped this, he immediately turned him into a member of the Municipal CPPCC. It was this identity that brought many benefits to Xu Hongtao, not only in Xi'an, but also in Chengdu, the identity of this former CPPCC member also helped him gain a lot of trust. In short, he is a big liar. If you find him as an agent, you will even defend him even if he sells it! He wants to be an agent for you, but he just likes your current popularity and reputation."

Chu Zhongtian was sweating coldly when he heard this. On this mid-April night, he couldn't tell whether he was cold or hot. "Since it's so...unbearable, why have you never seen these things reported in the media?"

Xu Xiaodi grinned and said, "These things are all news that reporters have obtained through various channels in private, but they can't actually be sent out at all. The Chinese football stall... has long been rotten, but I can't say that if I want to continue to make a living by football, I have to pretend that I don't know anything. Because if you reveal Xu Hongtao, you may involve more things, including people and clubs, and a lot of mud was brought out by Xu Hongtao's carrot. This is challenging the collective interests of the entire circle, and it is an enemy of everyone, from the leaders of the Football Association, or larger officials, to coaches and players, from referees to club investors... they are tied together with a line of interests."

Chu Zhongtian was frightened when he heard it. When he played football in a professional team, he knew some dark stories, just to give red envelopes to the coach, to compete for the main position, to get rid of his teammates, etc.... It means that he knew the dark side of the entire Chinese football. Now he realized that Chinese football was far worse than he thought.

When he thinks of Wimbledon's simple and happy fans, he feels really sad - why is it the same sport of football, in the UK, everyone can enjoy the happiness brought by football, while in China, it can only make people disappoint or even despair.

For a moment, he was a little lost.

"... It moves the whole body, and if it moves, it means death. If you want to survive, it is best not to get involved in those bad things..." Xu Xiaodi's voice was still ringing. He looked at the brightly lit night sky outside the window and murmured. "Maybe it is only when Chinese football completely rotted into a pool of pus, smelly, and maggots, which attracted the attention of higher levels of people. What I told you today may be told..."

Chu Zhongtian, who was in absent mind, asked reflexively: "How long will this take?"

When Xu Xiaodi heard this question, he suddenly thought of a very ancient joke. When the joke was originally born, the artistic conception was untestable, but at least ten years later. The general meaning is that Chinese, Japanese and Korean fans went to worship the Bodhisattva and asked the Bodhisattva to tell them when their respective national teams would win the World Cup. The last Chinese fan asked the Bodhisattva so much that he cried because the Bodhisattva himself didn't know when Chinese football would be able to win the World Cup.

He suddenly felt that changing that joke was in line with the reality of Chinese football:

"Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, I am a Chinese football fan. I want to ask you, when will our Chinese football be on the right track and say goodbye to those dark sides?"

The Bodhisattva cried: "I don't know when that day will be. Maybe I can't wait..."

Is it ridiculous?

It's so sad!

※※※After sending Xu Xiaodi away, Chu Zhongtian already had an answer in his heart. Xu Hongtao definitely couldn't do it. Judging from the "insider stories" Xu Xiaodi told him, Xu Hongtao's values ​​are inconsistent with Chu Zhongtian. Chu Zhongtian could not give his image development and operation in China to such a person.

Don’t mention the ability to do things, character is the most important. People who are not capable but have good character will at most miss the matter, but people who are capable but have no character can do things very badly, causing very serious consequences. At that time, it may not be possible to make up for the loss of some money.

Since Chairman Xu is so busy and wants to raise funds for the newly established Chengdu Sheffield Union, don’t stay in Metz and waste time.

For such humane considerations, Chu Zhongtian called Xu Hongtao the next day and told him that he had no intention of seeking Chinese agents to develop the Chinese market. He still focused on football and just wanted to gain a foothold in Metz, play football well, and consider other things when the season is over.

If Xu Hongtao is really a talented person, he should understand it. The subtext is - I am not satisfied with you, and I don’t plan to find you as my agent, so we don’t contact you.

Xu Hongtao naturally tried hard to win, but Chu Zhongtian just refused. No matter what Xu Hongtao said, even if he hinted that he had a very unusual relationship with many leaders in Chengdu, Chu Zhongtian was not moved.

Chu Zhongtian was just a stubborn donkey, and he won't look back if he knew what he knew.

Xu Hongtao, the "famous agent" who was invincible in domestic football, finally defeated Chu Zhongtian, the "stubborn donkey". He could only leave France by plane with regret and disappointment, and even a little annoyed.

After rejecting this big name in domestic football, Chu Zhongtian also realized that he did not live in a sterile environment or on Mars. Although he did not return to China to play football, he also had to contact China.

This will bring him a lot of fame and fortune, and will not avoid attracting some flies and mosquitoes.

How to deal with those flies and mosquitoes is really a headache for him...
Chapter completed!