The economy of Long Country is seen in Donghai, and the economy of Donghai is seen in Mindong.
This was a saying once circulating in the business circles of Long Country.
While this saying had an element of exaggeration, it also, to some extent, illustrated Mindong's position in the business world of Donghai, and even Long Country.
Mindong District was the most economically developed district in Donghai, housing a large number of high-tech enterprises and being the district with the highest economic output in Long Country.
Long Teng Pharmaceuticals and the Tian Yao Group, a joint venture with Su Shi Group, were located in Mindong District.
Tian Yao Group was primarily responsible for the production and sales of qi and blood pills.
Originally, Su Shiyun had planned to establish the headquarters of Tian Yao Group in Donghai, with the production subsidiary located in Sucheng. This would have ensured that the formula for qi and blood pills and the core manufacturing technology remained in the hands of Su Shi Group.
However, after learning that Li Lianyi was Jiang Wuming's fiancée, Su Shiyun changed this decision. Not only did she place the headquarters of Tian Yao Group and its two subsidiaries for production and sales in Donghai, but she also revealed the formula for qi and blood pills and the core manufacturing technology to Long Teng Pharmaceuticals without reservation.
At that time, Su Shiyun's decision was opposed by everyone, including the patriarch of the Su family. But Su Shiyun insisted on doing so, her reason being that this was her pre-emptive betrothal gift for Jiang Wuming to the Li family.
After the establishment of Tian Yao Group, Su Shiyun served as the chairman and major shareholder, while Qian Jin, a vice-president of Long Teng Pharmaceuticals renowned in the pharmaceutical field, served as the general manager of Tian Yao Group.
Qian Jin hailed from the coastal region of Nanguang, with generations of his ancestors involved in business. He was influenced from childhood, possessed excellent business acumen, and was hardworking. After taking over the family business, he developed it exceptionally well.
Later, Long Teng Pharmaceuticals acquired Qian Jin's family business for a substantial sum. Qian Jin agreed to the acquisition but did not take cash. Instead, he exchanged his company at a discounted price for shares in Long Teng Pharmaceuticals, and he himself took on the position of vice-general manager of Long Teng Pharmaceuticals.
At that time, the scale and influence of Long Teng Pharmaceuticals were far from what they were now, and Qian Jin's decision was considered a mistake by many.
In response, Qian Jin simply said: "It's good to have shade under a big tree."
As it turned out, that was one of the wisest decisions Qian Jin had ever made.
Today, Long Teng Pharmaceuticals' market value had multiplied by over a hundredfold. As one of its major shareholders, Qian Jin was one of the wealthiest individuals in Long Country, at least on the surface.
Moreover, his wealth was tangible, fundamentally different from the 'accountant managers' of the powerful elites displayed publicly.
After Tian Yao Group was established, Long Teng Pharmaceuticals decided to appoint Qian Jin as its general manager. Qian Jin agreed immediately but stipulated that he would exchange some of his shares in Long Teng Pharmaceuticals for shares in Tian Yao Group.
Li Shanglai agreed to Qian Jin's request, taking a small portion of the shares held by Long Teng Pharmaceuticals in Tian Yao Group for Qian Jin to exchange.
This was a reward from Li Shanglai and Long Teng Pharmaceuticals for Qian Jin's diligent work over the years, and also an impetus for him to excel in his new role.
Upon receiving the shares in Tian Yao Group, Qian Jin moved his office to Tian Yao Group and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the development of the company.
Under Qian Jin's leadership, Tian Yao Group developed at an extraordinary pace, and within a short period, the company began producing qi and blood pills.
One day, Qian Jin arrived at the company as usual, processed some documents in his office, and was about to change his clothes to inspect the production workshop as he normally would.
However, just as Qian Jin finished changing, his assistant entered the office with a rectification notice.
"Manager Qian, a joint inspection team from several district departments just conducted a surprise inspection of our production workshop. They said we violated environmental protection and electricity rationing regulations during production and are demanding that we immediately halt production and rectify the existing problems."
The assistant quickly reported the situation and handed the rectification notice to Qian Jin.
"Rectification notice?" Qian Jin was bewildered.
Tian Yao Group was hailed as the new golden goose of Long Country's pharmaceutical industry, laying golden eggs every day.
As a result, the leaders of both Donghai City and Mindong District placed immense importance on Tian Yao Group, granting them a smooth path from the company's inception to factory construction.
Now that the company was officially in production and operation, receiving a rectification notice left Qian Jin utterly confused.
"Inform the subordinates to temporarily suspend production. All other matters will be addressed after my notification."
Qian Jin quickly read the rectification notice. Seeing the seals from several departments, he immediately understood that someone was looking for trouble, and he issued instructions accordingly.
"Why is someone suddenly looking for trouble? Has someone set their sights on this golden goose? That shouldn't be the case; it would mean offending the Li family."
After the assistant left, Qian Jin pondered the matter in his mind but could not come up with a satisfactory explanation.
Thus, he stopped thinking about it and made a phone call to inquire about insider information.
An hour later, armed with insider information, Qian Jin arrived at the office of Li Shanglai, the head of Long Teng Pharmaceuticals Group.
"Manager Li, this is the detailed situation."
Qian Jin reported the receipt of the rectification notice by Tian Yao Group and the insider information to Li Shanglai.
According to the insider information he had obtained, this matter was initiated by Wei Qianyuan, the leader of Mindong District, who requested Li Shanglai to personally visit his office for a face-to-face discussion.
"Manager Li, what is Wei Qianyuan's problem, asking you to meet him in such a manner?" Qian Jin was still baffled after his report.
If Wei Qianyuan wanted to meet Li Shanglai, he could have called Li Shanglai directly or visited Long Teng Pharmaceuticals for an inspection. There was no need for such a roundabout approach.
"There's more to this matter. You can go back; I will go meet Wei Qianyuan."
Li Shanglai, however, instantly grasped the crux of the issue.
As the chairman of Long Teng Pharmaceuticals and a member of the Li family, he was also a prominent figure in Donghai's high society. Naturally, he had heard about the incident at the Donghai Hotel, and he surmised that Wei Qianyuan's request for a meeting was likely related to that event.
...
An hour later, when Li Shanglai met Wei Qianyuan at the Mindong District compound, Wei Qianyuan first offered an apology: "I apologize, Manager Li, for meeting you in this manner."
"Director Wei, I have seen the rectification notice. I have also heard about the recent power resource shortage in the city, but we can purchase green electricity, which would mean we are not violating energy consumption regulations. As for the environmental issues, I have reviewed them, and they are minor problems."
Although Li Shanglai had guessed Wei Qianyuan's intentions, he played dumb while understanding the situation, addressing the matter factually.
"Manager Li, we will discuss the temporary suspension and rectification of Tian Yao Group later. I have asked you here today to discuss another matter," Wei Qianyuan stated directly.
"Please proceed."
Li Shanglai was very polite, even respectful.
This was because he knew that Wei Qianyuan was regarded as the future of the Wei family and a rising star in the political arena of Southern Country, with an immeasurable future.
"Manager Li, you must have heard about what happened at the Donghai Hotel?"
Wei Qianyuan asked with a smile, appearing completely unfazed by the incident.
"Yes, I have heard some things," Li Shanglai nodded.
"Manager Li, what do you think was the reason for Huangfu Weixia's actions?" Wei Qianyuan asked again, his smile undiminished.
"..."
Li Shanglai was speechless. He couldn't possibly say that Huangfu Weixia had cuckolded Wei Qianyuan, could he?
"Huangfu Weixia and Jiang Wuming are romantically involved; to be precise, they are lovers. They have been intimate, and not just once," Wei Qianyuan stated casually.
"Uh..."
Hearing Wei Qianyuan's words again, Li Shanglai was shocked.
He couldn't imagine how deep Wei Qianyuan's reserves of composure must be to speak so lightly about his fiancée's involvement with another man.
Amidst his shock, he didn't know how to respond.
"Manager Li, Jiang Wuming is betrothed to Li Lianyi. Does Li Lianyi and the Li family not mind him stealing her away like this?" Wei Qianyuan asked again.
"I do not know."
Li Shanglai shook his head. He had called Li Lianyi yesterday to tell her about the incident at the Donghai Hotel, but Li Lianyi had been as calm as ever, leaving him utterly perplexed.
"I believe that Li Lianyi and the elders of the Li family must care. However, due to the existence of Tian Yao Group, it is difficult for them to break off the engagement with Jiang Wuming at this moment," Wei Qianyuan stated his deduction.
Hmm?
Li Shanglai's heart stirred; he thought this possibility existed.
"Manager Li, from what I understand, Tian Yao Group, the joint venture between Long Teng Pharmaceuticals and the Su family, is primarily funded and managed by Long Teng Pharmaceuticals. The Su family merely provided the pharmaceutical technology, and the team from Long Teng Pharmaceuticals has already mastered the specific manufacturing techniques."
Wei Qianyuan spoke again, his tone quite inflammatory, "Since that is the case, why should the Li family continue to cooperate with the Su family?"
Li Shanglai remained silent, waiting for Wei Qianyuan to reveal his ultimate objective.
"Manager Li, the incident at the Donghai Hotel caused great embarrassment to me and the Wei family, and also to Li Lianyi and the Li family.
As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
As a friend, I am giving Li Lianyi and the Li family a gift."
Wei Qianyuan no longer concealed his intentions, directly stating the purpose of his meeting with Li Shanglai, "I will find a reason to shut down Tian Yao Group.
Then, Long Teng Pharmaceuticals can use this opportunity to terminate its cooperation with Su Shi Group and start anew, handling this business on its own.
This way, Long Teng Pharmaceuticals can monopolize the wealth, and Li Lianyi and the Li family can also break off the engagement with Jiang Wuming without any scruples!"
Swish!
Li Shanglai's expression changed drastically, his pupils widening, and his heart pounded.
"Manager Li, if you are unwilling to accept this gift, then consider me presumptuous. However, I believe the elders of the Li family will adopt this proposal, and you will also benefit from this matter within the Li family!"
Wei Qianyuan inwardly sneered, adding fuel to the fire.
"Thank you for your kindness. I will consider it carefully!" Li Shanglai replied.
"Good!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Qianyuan's heart settled.
He knew that Li Shanglai had been swayed, and he was confident that the Li family would not refuse such a generous gift!
Using his own methods against him.
Jiang Wuming had ruined Wei Qianyuan and Huangfu Weixia's engagement, causing Wei Qianyuan and the Wei family to lose face. Wei Qianyuan intended to ruin Jiang Wuming's engagement and cut off his financial resources!
At that time, given Jiang Wuming's modus operandi, he would inevitably go to the Li family ancestral land to seek an explanation, or even become an enemy of the Li family.
Killing with a borrowed knife!
...