He did this for fear that Mu Jiahe would ask too many questions and reveal something. She strongly opposed defeating enemies with non-magical means. She always said that magic was a weapon bestowed by the heavens, and if they didn't practice it well, always thinking of taking shortcuts and relying on physical means to defeat enemies, then this world would slowly turn into an era of no magic. At that time, ordinary people wouldn't know magic, and the army would have no magic users. After many years, magic would become mere illusion, only for appreciation, a performance without any power.
Xiao Xun knew that Mu Jiahe had a point, but the enemies were already at their doorstep, and many countries had been destroyed. At such times, all that mattered was victory; what use were those empty words?
However, he didn't want to argue with Mu Jiahe. This world was hers, this country was hers. She did it for this world, for this country. As for Xiao Xun, he lived only for Mu Jiahe. Everything he did was for her.
This winter was about to pass, and spring was approaching. All things would revive, and the enemy's offensive would be exceptionally fierce.
Sainti Luoman had no time. Although the elves had obtained the Tree of Life, which had resisted most natural disasters, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions still occurred frequently.
Vickina's true purpose in seizing the Tree of Life was for the elf nation's restoration plan. The territory they chose was Pearson, not the place Xiao Xun had initially selected for them.
The God of Magic, Gussna, was actually an elf. Xiao Xun had been used as a pawn, a grievance he could only swallow for the moment, as there were more important matters to attend to.
As the New Year approached, Xiao Xun returned to his original world more frequently. First, to purchase New Year's goods, and second, to prepare for the annual meetings of Longtan Company and Sainti Luoman.
Xiao Xun was in his office looking at a shopping list when Secretary Fan walked in. "Mr. Xiao, are you busy?"
"Busy, the New Year is almost here! I have many relatives and friends, and I still need to prepare red envelopes for the children."
Secretary Fan presented a proposal. "There's a live-streaming company that's been particularly popular recently."
Xiao Xun didn't look up. "Live-streaming? Aren't there many websites that do live-streaming? Singing, dancing, or playing games, it's boring. How much money can that make?"
"Their company does live-streaming on mobile phones, where you can start a broadcast anytime, anywhere. Moreover, they can also clip the broadcast content to create short videos. I think this project is quite good, and risk control has also approved it. Should we follow up?"
"Short videos plus live-streaming?" Xiao Xun pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. "Forget it. With what's right in front of us, I have a better way to promote products."
Secretary Fan held the proposal behind his back. "What way?"
"The Spring Festival Gala."
Secretary Fan looked at Xiao Xun's smug expression and thought, "He's really not cut out for business."
"Our company already has product placement and brand sponsorship in the Spring Festival Gala."
Xiao Xun wagged his finger. "I'm not talking about that. I want every viewer watching the Spring Festival Gala on New Year's Eve to use our company's software."
Secretary Fan didn't understand. Xiao Xun took out his phone, tapped the button next to the chat box, and said, "Look at this!"
"Red envelopes!"
"Yes, on New Year's Eve, I want to give red envelopes to people all over the country."
Secretary Fan, thinking about the number of people watching the Spring Festival Gala, exclaimed, "How much would that cost! And this is giving it away for free, we don't have this budget."
"It's a red envelope grab! Those with good luck grab more, those with bad luck grab less. It's just data on the phone. Report it to the bank in advance. If they spend it directly, the money is still ours. If they withdraw it, we'll charge them a handling fee."
"Shouldn't we discuss this with Mr. Feng? After all, if we really do this, it's about the money..."
"Do you understand what 'traffic is king' means? Now that the whole country is using your software, your recognition will skyrocket."
Secretary Fan's expression was not good. "Our Longtan Company is already the number one internet company in the country."
"I don't need you to remind me. Just do it!"
"Yes."
Then Secretary Fan took out the proposal again. "What about this live-streaming?"
Xiao Xun found it difficult to completely dismiss Secretary Fan's suggestion. "Old rules, invest directly. Otherwise, we'll have to recruit and start over, which is expensive and might not be effective. Several previous projects failed due to independent operation. It's better to invest and earn returns directly."
Secretary Fan left with the proposal. A moment later, another assistant walked in. "The game development team you requested has been hired from abroad. They can compress large games on PC configuration to run on mobile phones in the shortest possible time."
Xiao Xun nodded. "That's great. Hand over all our company's popular PC games to them and Zhuoyue Mobile Games for joint development, and then let our company's most profitable operations department manage them."
The assistant nodded. "Mr. Xiao, the supervisor of one of the teams wants to see you."
"What is it?"
The assistant explained, "It's like this, his ancestral home is in our country, and he particularly wants to create a national style online game that rivals foreign blockbusters."
"Why doesn't he directly tell the game operations department about this?"
"The operations department said that such a plan cannot pass risk control and will not receive funding support, so he wants to talk to you."
Xiao Xun thought for a moment. "Tell him to communicate with the current head of the game operations department. If he can convince him, we'll bypass risk control, and I'll approve a special green pass."
"Okay, Mr. Xiao."
As this assistant left, another one came in. "Mr. Xiao, there's a meeting at three in the afternoon to discuss the annual meeting matters. Mr. Feng requires your attendance as well."
"Got it."
As this assistant left, a secretary walked in. "Sainti Luoman's new president, Wang Sucheng, wishes to see you."
Xiao Xun glanced at his watch. "Let him in."
"Yes."
The secretary had just left when Wang Sucheng strode in.
"Long time no see, Mr. Wang."
Wang Sucheng slightly bowed. "Not at all, not at all. Mr. Xiao is extremely busy, and it's truly not easy to get an audience with you."
"I'm at ease with Sainti Luoman in your hands. That's my base, you must guard it well."
"Rest assured, Mr. Xiao. I may not be good at conquering territories, but I am absolutely capable of defending them."
"The reason I appointed you as the president of Sainti Luoman is first your competence, and more importantly, your recognition of my talent. You promoted me directly to company director back then, which was a huge leap. And I've only promoted you from general manager to president."
"Don't underestimate the difference between general manager and president. That step is a chasm, an abyss, that many people cannot reach in several lifetimes."
Xiao Xun opened a drawer in his desk and took out a crystal box. Inside were six aluminum tubes, a kerosene lighter, a small bottle of kerosene, and a cigar cutter. It was exquisite. "As you know, I don't smoke, but this is a special allocation from the company. It's for you."
Wang Sucheng didn't step forward, standing in place and rubbing his hands. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Xiao. How could I possibly accept this?"