Chapter 115: Boss, They’re Copying Us

Having obtained Zhang Tianfeng’s consent, Chu Hongyuan set off at once.

At this stage, every city, in the name of economic development, had made one sacrifice after another, the greatest of which was the environment.

As long as a business could generate enough tax revenue for the city, even the worst pollution could be treated as if it did not exist.

But what if, at a time like this, there were a company that could both bring in tax revenue and keep environmental damage to a minimum? How would the leadership in Pearl City choose?

Naturally, they would pick the better option.

Chu Hongyuan’s plan was simple. Gather evidence of the pollution, have someone perform an appraisal, and then let Zhang Tianfeng step forward and propose the idea of building a low-pollution enterprise. It ought to work.

In any case, they had to try. It was better than sitting here and waiting helplessly.

In the office, Gao Ran had kicked off her high heels, revealing a pair of white, delicate feet.

The gathering the night before had made her temporarily abandon the idea of staying at school; she planned to muddle through until classes started and then go back.

“Have you ever figured out how many factories are under your name now?”

“Your fourth uncle’s snack shop doesn’t count. There’s one toy factory and one brokerage company. If Chu Hongyuan succeeds over there, you’ll have two factories and one company.”

“The old saying goes that a person should stay focused and not try to do too much. Aren’t you afraid of scattering your attention until you end up accomplishing nothing?”

Gao Ran’s slender brows drew together, her tone faintly worried.

“Don’t worry. My main focus is still the toy factory. Otherwise I wouldn’t have spent money buying so many copyrights.”

“As for the company side, you and Huo Wenxi can handle it. And if the carton factory really works out, I won’t put too much energy into it either.”

Zhang Tianfeng’s ultimate goal in business was to make money while lying down. If the right conditions ever came, he could even hand the toy factory over to someone else to manage and simply live off the dividends himself.

That goal would, at the latest, be achieved in 1995, when the internet began to rise.

“As long as you know what you’re doing. When are we going to Shuangshen Village?”

“We?” Zhang Tianfeng shot her a surprised look. “Aren’t you supposed to be studying? Shouldn’t you report to your teacher?”

“I’m not in any hurry these next couple of days. Besides, you’ve even found a high school for you. When are you going to start studying?”

“Probably after we come back from Shuangshen Village.”

By then, the promotion work would basically be finished, and he would also have seen the potential of Wang Tiancai and the other three. Zhang Tianfeng could then relax with peace of mind and go study, to better himself.

The next day, at the Youle Carton Factory.

This was the factory built by that backstabbing bastard Chen Ke, with Wan Xiong’s support.

Since the Zhongcai Carton Factory had gone under, their own business had grown more and more prosperous, and life had become increasingly comfortable.

Just look at Chen Ke now: he was lying in the office with the air conditioner running, smoking a cigarette, while a female worker massaged his feet.

“General Manager, Boss Wan called again. He wants you to hurry up and acquire the Zhongcai Carton Factory.”

“Why the hell are you so panicked? He sits in his office every day smoking, drinking, and fooling around with women. I finally get to enjoy myself for a bit and he starts催ing me already. Damn it.”

After cursing, Chen Ke tossed a pack of cigarettes to the underling who had come to report and asked, “How’s Zhongcai doing?”

“It’s just about dead. Old Master Yuan’s illness still hasn’t improved, and Yuan Yi is practically living in the hospital all day.”

“Oh, right. Yesterday some fat guy went over there and talked with Yuan Yi in the toy factory for about half an hour. No one knows what they were discussing.”

“Who was he? Did you find out?”

This was the time to launch a fierce assault on Zhongcai Carton Factory. There could be no mistakes.

If this was handled well, Chen Ke’s title as manager would be promoted to shareholder status. That was the position he had dreamed of for years—lying back and making money without fear or worry.

“We found out. He’s from the Blue Square Toy Factory.”

“What?” Chen Ke sprang to his feet in alarm, and his stinking foot nearly kicked the female worker massaging him.

“You damn fool, why didn’t you say so sooner?”

“Is that Blue Square Toy Factory really that impressive? I don’t think so.”

Seeing the foolish grin on his underling’s face, Chen Ke wanted nothing more than to slap him senseless and send him back into his mother’s womb to be remade.

“Get lost. Don’t let me see you at the factory again.”

After barking the order, Chen Ke hurried off to Wan Xiong’s residence.

The underling who had come to report was left stunned. What had he said wrong? How had he suddenly lost his job?

Half an hour later, in Wan Xiong’s mansion, Chen Ke sat upright and proper, looking at Wan Xiong, who was lounging on the sofa.

“Boss, Zhang Tianfeng seems to have set his sights on Zhongcai Carton Factory.”

“Heh. Young people these days sure have big appetites. First he wants to swallow up the three Canton Fair slots, then he wants to run the toy factory well, and now he’s trying to eat up a carton factory too.”

“So he really thinks he’s something just because he got lucky once?”

After muttering to himself for a moment, Wan Xiong said, “Send someone at once to warn Yuan Yi. If she dares to sell the carton factory to Zhang Tianfeng, I’ll make her father stay in that hospital bed for good.”

“Boss, wouldn’t that be a little improper...”

Chen Ke only wanted to make a little money. He could not afford to touch things with a black edge.

“That’s how the marketplace works. As long as Yuan Yi dares to sell the carton factory to Zhang Tianfeng, I guarantee he’ll back out within three days. And at the same time, I’ll make sure every direct member of the Yuan family keeps away from the father and daughter.”

Oh, so it was sowing discord. Then it was fine.

Chen Ke wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “Boss, that Zhang Tianfeng is reckless beyond his station. He even dares to go up against Boss Xu. He definitely won’t listen to our warning.”

“If he won’t listen to ours, then he’ll have to listen to the authorities, won’t he?”

Wan Xiong smiled coldly. He had plenty of ways. Dealing with Zhang Tianfeng would be simple enough.

Take the most obvious weakness, for example. One major reason the Zhongcai Carton Factory had gone bankrupt was its equipment. That stuff was stupidly expensive.

If Zhang Tianfeng took over the factory, he would face two choices: keep the old equipment and start production immediately, or replace it.

If he did not replace it, the factory would generate massive pollution. Then Wan Xiong could make a call straight to the city government, spend some money to buy off the newspapers and TV stations, and have them run a few soft articles to blow the matter up.

If he replaced the equipment, he would have to invest even more money. By the time everything was ready for mass production, the chance would already be gone.

Chen Ke blinked. “Boss, if we bring in the people from above, wouldn’t our own carton factory and printing shop be unable to escape either?”

“Do I need to teach you to put on a show for two days and bribe the neighbors around us?”

Wan Xiong shot him a disappointed look and said, “As long as we get through this hurdle, the pricing for packaging in Tangwan Town will be in our hands. Do you understand what that means?”

If they set the price themselves, then the whole market would be theirs to cut apart at will. Was that not a paradise on earth?

Imagining that beautiful scene, Chen Ke’s mouth nearly split into a grin.

“You wait here. I’m going to make a call.”

Since Chen Ke had come to report, Wan Xiong also had to inform Xu Kuangdao, after all. He still had to rely on other people for a living.

He went out onto the balcony and called, explaining the whole matter in detail.

After hearing Wan Xiong’s idea, Xu Kuangdao laughed loudly.

“Good. Very good. You’ve really driven that brat to a dead end.”

“Old Wan, let them take over that factory. You just put on a show and pretend to stop them.”

“Brother Dao, I don’t quite understand what you mean.” Wan Xiong could not make the turn in his head and could not grasp Xu Kuangdao’s true intent.

“You fool. We’re draining his cash flow and wasting his time.”

Xu Kuangdao said, “As far as I know, he’s already sent his sales team to the provincial capitals, planning to set up branch offices and begin promoting his products.”

“Once that succeeds, the momentum he creates will be unstoppable. In terms of reputation, no factory in Tangwan Town will be able to match him.”

“As expected of Boss Xu. You’re always thinking long term.”

“Nonsense. Otherwise, how would I be able to direct you?” Xu Kuangdao said. “Handle the rest yourself. Remember, the factory must be sold to him. Don’t mess this up, or I’ll come after you.”

“Understood, Boss. Goodbye.”

After hanging up, Wan Xiong returned to the living room. Before he could even sit down, he heard Chen Ke’s phone ring.

“Is there something urgent?”

After muttering a few words, Chen Ke’s face suddenly changed. He lowered his phone and said, “Boss, this is bad. Our plan has been copied by that brat Zhang Tianfeng!”

“What... what do you mean? What are you talking about?”

“Our carton factory is being investigated. The people involved are the city leadership team, along with reporters from Pearl City Television and the Pearl City newspaper.”

Chen Ke gritted his teeth. “That damned bastard is really something. We hadn’t even spread the word yet—how did he copy it first?”