Chapter 139: This Is the Most Normal Kind of Business Competition

“So, it was Xu Kuang who came up with the idea, using leverage to coerce Ji Heng into pulling strings and kicking my toy factory off the shortlist. Am I right in my conclusion?”

In the reception room of Blue Side Toy Factory, Zhang Tianfeng sat with one leg crossed over the other, watching as Liu Yueguang arrived, slightly out of breath.

Liu Yueguang nodded, saying, “Exactly. Not a word off.”

“Then, leader, what do you plan to do?”

“Ji Heng is already under investigation, and the deputy town mayor is temporarily filling in.”

“Oh, so that’s it?”

“Of course not. Your qualifications remain valid.”

“Leader, don’t take this the wrong way, but please don’t treat me like a fool.”

Zhang Tianfeng straightened up, his tone serious. “In this matter, regardless of who was the mastermind or the accomplice, whoever deserves the full force of the law will receive it. No one gets away.”

“Besides, as a participant following your rules to compete, if I’m kicked out just because someone’s unhappy, who compensates for the losses?”

The Canton Fair had been underway for two days. Some bosses were making millions daily; others had nothing to show for it.

But Zhang Tianfeng was confident that with his abilities, he would at least rank among the top.

Who would cover these losses?

Moreover, Ji Heng was detained, but what about Xu Kuang?

After hearing these demands, Liu Yueguang smiled wryly and nodded. “Regarding the losses, I’ll discuss with the leaders of the two cities. There should be preferential policies concerning export qualifications and taxes.”

“As for Xu Kuang, he’s not escaping either.”

“Then once you’ve dealt with everyone involved, come talk to me again.”

“You...” Liu Yueguang’s expression turned fierce.

Zhang Tianfeng ignored his glare. Having suffered such a great injustice this time, he wouldn’t let it go unless he got something out of it.

“All right, I’ll start handling those people immediately.”

Liu Yueguang gritted his teeth. “But you must promise me, once this matter is settled, Alex’s order—”

“I guarantee the transaction volume at this Canton Fair will set a new record.”

“Good. Then it’s a deal.”

After a handshake, Liu Yueguang left with his men.

Back in the car, he rubbed his face and suddenly smiled.

The staff nearby shivered, wondering if the young man surnamed Zhang had made him sick from anger.

“Just as expected from the Blue Side Toy Factory boss—young and hotheaded. Let him get a little advantage, and he’ll never have a good outcome.”

“Director, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. That was all an act, just testing the kid’s attitude.”

Liu Yueguang leaned back, pleased with himself.

This time was a big gain. At least he saw Zhang Tianfeng’s strength and his ability to host foreign guests.

His English was even better than the translator’s, completely confusing that Alex.

Such talent couldn’t be let go; otherwise, it would truly be troublesome.

After a moment, Liu Yueguang asked, “Have the officers to arrest Xu Kuang left yet?”

“Called half an hour ago, they’re on the way.”

“All right, let’s head to Zhucheng first and discuss tax policies for Blue Side Toy Factory.”

Ji Heng not only confessed to conspiring with Xu Kuang to frame Blue Side Toy Factory but also revealed another matter.

Ji Heng had helped Xu Kuang apply for export qualifications for a batch of toys with dubious origins.

These toys were made with counterfeit and inferior materials by Xu Kuang. If they reached foreign markets, they would severely damage the country’s reputation.

Xu Kuang’s crimes were grave this time; even the Xu family might not be able to protect him.

As for Liu Yueguang, he cared even less.

He had ties with the Xu family, but only from having worked with Xu Kuang’s father for two years long ago.

Since then, they barely kept in touch.

Such a person deserved whatever punishment was due.

...

At Deep City Sixth Hospital, Xu Kuang slowly regained consciousness.

After realizing he had fallen into another trap laid by Zhang Tianfeng, he was so furious he fainted and was rushed to the hospital by his henchmen, Bai Yihai and Chu Sheng.

His vision remained blurred for a while before he saw two figures sitting by his bedside.

“Why are you two here? Shouldn’t you be guarding the booth at the Canton Fair?” he asked.

Bai Yihai lowered his head. “Boss, all three of our entries to the Canton Fair have been canceled.”

“What? Who canceled them? Call Ji Heng.”

“The Canton Fair officials said we didn’t comply with the qualifications and kicked us out immediately. As for Ji Heng, we can’t reach him at all.”

“Damn that old bastard! Always dropping the ball at critical moments! Help me up.”

“Your health...”

“It’s an old ailment. I’m not dying!”

He still had debts to repay. If he stayed bedridden, he might never return home.

After getting dressed and removing the IV, just as he steadied himself, a squad burst in.

The lead officer showed an arrest warrant. “Mr. Xu Kuang, I am a police officer from Deep City Headquarters, badge number 125642.”

“Following citizen reports, you are charged with manufacturing and selling counterfeit goods, abusing power, and bribing key state officials. Please come with us for investigation.”

Seeing the red official stamp made Xu Kuang dizzy.

He knew this time he was done for—there was no rising from this fall.

The police had actually been waiting outside for some time, fearing he’d refuse to come along due to his health.

Only when he said, “Old ailment, not dying,” did they rush in.

He had spoken those words himself, and they had enough evidence.

This time, Xu Kuang didn’t want to leave quietly, but he had to leave with some dignity.

With Xu Kuang’s arrest, his entire gang was exposed one by one, marking the largest counterfeit goods case solved in Deep City in ’93.

The Xu family, worried about repercussions, publicly announced that Xu Kuang had long been expelled from the family register.

Later, those holding real power in the family personally went to Tangwan Town to apologize to Zhang Tianfeng, pleading that he not pursue the matter further.

This became the hottest topic in the coastal region over the past two years.

Of course, all this was still in the future.

For now, matters had to continue along their original course.

As Xu Kuang was imprisoned, Alex finally made up his mind.

“Mr. Alex, you’re serious? You really intend to sign a $100 million contract?”

Alex nodded firmly. This was the amount he decided after weighing many factors and gathering all his connections.

If not for his own debts, he could have signed an even bigger contract.

“Mr. Zhang, your factory’s toys are affordable and of good quality. I believe there’s great potential for growth in the U.S.”

“Therefore, the $100 million will be split into three phases, with a new contract signed at each phase. We can discuss the details tomorrow, if that’s all right?”

“Of course. Then let’s end our discussion here for today. How about I treat you to some local coastal delicacies?”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Zhang.”

It wasn’t until 10 p.m. that the car taking Alex back to the hotel departed.

Standing at the street’s end, watching the taillights fade into the distance, Wang Tiancai grinned and said, “Boss, I don’t quite understand your intentions.”

“You mean why I kept delaying signing the contract?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Others with foreign currency orders were eager to sign on the spot, whether or not the terms were finalized.

But Zhang Tianfeng? Today, several times, he ignored Alex’s requests to become the exclusive agent and to sign the contract immediately.

“You’ll see soon enough. Let’s go.”

It wasn’t just Zhang Tianfeng busy today; others were too, especially Yun Qian, the young girl who had been following him all day and hadn’t gone home yet.

Back at Uncle Si’s night snack stall, the girl sat happily on Gao Ran’s lap, enjoying an ice pop.

“Oh, Big Brother is back!”

As soon as Zhang Tianfeng appeared, Yun Qian abandoned Gao Ran, who cursed Zhang fiercely for stealing her away.

Soon after, Tang Tianxiong arrived, panting, carrying a stack of documents.

“Boss, I’ve completed your first task successfully.”

“Thanks for your hard work, Boss Tang. Have a seat.”

Opening the files, Zhang Tianfeng saw they contained information about Alex.

After a moment, he looked up. “Boss Tang, your connections are impressive.”

“Not as strong as your big ship, though. Are you satisfied?”

“Very much so!”

The files contained not only Alex’s current personal and company information and financial status but also the companies he had worked for before, even including credit card statements.

Such a thick dossier covered about 80% of Alex’s life.

“Ran Ran, translate the first page for them.”

Zhang Tianfeng placed the folder before Gao Ran and picked up a cold beer to drink leisurely.

“Alex James, male, 36 years old.”

“Graduated from the University of California, currently general manager of Aries Company. According to investigation, he is the sole shareholder with six employees.”

“Currently, the company is not doing well, with 16 loans totaling $542,154, eight of which are nearing maturity, totaling $365,454.”

The first page alone took five minutes to read aloud.

Wang Tiancai grew colder by the minute.

This was no wealthy tycoon, but a seasoned con artist!

He was drowning in debt yet pretending to be a big spender domestically, casually talking about billion-dollar orders.

“Boss, you’re amazing, seeing right through his background at a glance,” Wang Tiancai praised.

The longer he worked with Zhang Tianfeng, the more useful and practical knowledge he gained.

“I’m calling to report that scoundrel tomorrow.”

“It won’t help. This is quite normal abroad and is called rational capital operation.”

“Besides, Alex didn’t lie. You just didn’t listen carefully.”

When Alex last mentioned signing the contract, he said it would be split into three stages, each with a new contract.

This meant the first contract might only be for several hundred thousand or a few million dollars.

After he sold that batch in the U.S. for cash or converted it through business means into more cash, he’d come back to China to sign the second order.

This cycle would repeat until the $100 million goal was met.

Hearing this, Wang Tiancai was dumbfounded, speechless for a long while.

Only Yun Qian, the little girl, said something both amusing and naive.

“Big Brother, but he still lied. Liars should get a spanking!”

Zhang Tianfeng couldn’t help but laugh and rubbed Yun Qian’s little head. “Little one, this is the most normal tactic in business battles. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

“Boss, what do we do next? Continue negotiating cooperation with him?”

“We’ll negotiate, definitely. Cooperation, that’s uncertain. We’ll talk tomorrow. Time to eat!”