Chapter 066: Mutual Effort, Zhang Tianfeng’s Grand Design

In the end, Sun Xian still didn't have the courage to utter the words, "I want to see your boss."

When he set out, he brimmed with confidence, convinced he'd found a loophole in Zhang Tianfeng's operations. He wasn't hoping to win outright in a short time, but at the very least, a truce seemed possible.

But after experiencing the job application process himself, Sun Xian lost his nerve.

He realized he didn't know enough about Zhang Tianfeng yet. Meeting rashly without understanding his adversary would only lead him to make more mistakes, which would be detrimental in the coming battle for territory.

Without paying any fees, and with the staff bidding him a warm farewell, Sun Xian exited the store.

He stood for a moment under the sunlight, then walked toward the east end of the village, in the direction of the Rosewood Bay villa district.

Inside the store, Chen Jiaqi, following standard procedure, archived Sun Xian's information in a specialized system. Barely had she entered the data when the computer emitted a warning beep.

This was the built-in talent alert system; whenever a candidate who met their requirements appeared, the computer would sound an alarm.

Her expression changed. She immediately printed Sun Xian's file and hurried to the break room door.

“Boss, here's a talent report. Would you like to take a look now?”

“Come in.”

She entered, placed Sun Xian's file before Zhang Tianfeng, and stood quietly behind him.

The name didn't ring a bell—not a renowned figure from his previous life.

Education: junior high school—nothing remarkable.

But his work history was intriguing. From a menial worker, he had risen to a management position in a plastics factory, even becoming the technical supervisor.

With only a junior high education, he managed to master advanced technical matters. At the very least, his learning ability was exceptional.

“Redhair, have your people track down this gentleman. I think he could become the head of equipment at the toy factory.”

“Boss, wouldn't this be considered internal recruitment?” Chen Jiaqi asked.

“No,” Zhang Tianfeng replied, “They’re two separate business entities. Every cent due will still be paid.”

He continued, “Bole Group must grow and become the leader in the job placement market. To this end, we must decisively eliminate nepotism. Even if both companies are mine, all procedures must be followed meticulously, without any carelessness.”

“Understood.”

“Go, and remember to treat this gentleman with courtesy. If he truly refuses to come, find out where he lives—I’ll visit him personally.”

In every era, talent is the most crucial asset.

With the factory just opening, Zhang Tianfeng was already considering cultivating his own technical backbone.

Only when technology is not hostage to outsiders can there be true innovation and development.

Redhair and Chen Jiaqi left as the meeting resumed. Less than ten minutes later, Redhair burst back in, flustered.

“Boss, bad news. That guy is up to something.”

“What’s happened?”

“I saw him get into Xu Juncong’s car with my own eyes.”

“Isn’t that Xu Juncong’s father’s car?”

Muttering under his breath, Zhang Tianfeng’s heart skipped a beat. Could that Sun Xian fellow be from Yuanli Group?

Only a competitor would go to such lengths to gather intelligence. Someone like Xu Kuangdao, with his nose perpetually in the air, would never stoop to this.

After a moment’s thought, he stood up. “Sister Lan, get ready and implement the plan we just discussed. I want results by tonight.”

“Boss, shouldn’t we consider this carefully? What if he’s not from Yuanli Group?” Qin Yuelan asked.

“Hesitation is your deadliest flaw,” Zhang Tianfeng replied. “We’re bound to clash with Yuanli Group sooner or later. It’s better to strike early, while they’re still leaderless, and cripple them outright.”

“If you wait for your enemy to prepare before launching an attack, your days are numbered.”

Hearing the warning in his tone, Qin Yuelan lowered her head. “Understood. I won’t make this mistake again.”

“Go. I need to visit those three friends of mine who are nearly rusting away.”

Jin Haijun and his two companions were still staying at the hotel. Since Yuanli Group was planning to ally with the Xu family, Zhang Tianfeng would have to take decisive action.

...

At Cangyue Restaurant, in room 305.

The table was laden with delicacies, Maotai liquor set to one side, spinning slowly on the lazy Susan.

After gesturing for Sun Xian to sit, Xu Kuangdao took the principal seat, and Sun Xian sat beside him.

“Mr. Xu, you’re being too generous. If there’s something you want, just say it—no need for such a lavish meal.”

“I had to eat anyway, and since I ran into you on the road, I thought you might as well join me.”

Just happened to meet? That was a little too coincidental.

Sun Xian didn’t point it out. Instead, he asked, “Mr. Xu, did you come here because of Juncong?”

“I’m sorry, I only arrived an hour ago. First, I followed company orders and did some market research. I was just about to head over when you invited me.”

“I understand. I invited you here to inquire about Yuanli Group’s intentions,” Xu Kuangdao said, not bothering with pleasantries and getting straight to the point.

He lifted his glass, took a sip, and asked, “After being thrown into such chaos by an unknown upstart, your president must be furious, right?”

“Furious is an understatement—he nearly flipped the table!” Sun Xian replied with a bitter smile. “I happened to be out reporting back on something when I heard him roaring. I thought he’d lost a fortune in the stock market. Only later did I learn it was because of the trouble at Tangwan Town.”

“That Zhang kid is a real troublemaker—he’s driven the boss mad. He sent me here to test the waters, and the Four Marshals of Expansion will be arriving soon.”

“Oh? They’re coming too? Your boss really is angry!”

Yuanli Group had started as a small employment agency, led by President Wang Zicheng, and the Four Marshals of Expansion were his earliest and most trusted aides.

Each of the four was highly competent—any one of them could take charge of a major operation.

Other companies had offered astronomical sums to lure them away, but they’d refused.

Wang Zicheng was not only shrewd in business, but also excelled at fostering loyalty among his subordinates.

“This Tangwan Town is the last piece of territory of strategic importance to Yuanli Group. Taking it is vital for the company’s future plans.”

“Boss Wang is absolutely determined to seize this area. No one else will be allowed to meddle here.”

Xu Kuangdao raised his glass. “Thank you for the information, Mr. Sun. That puts my mind at ease.”

“You’re too polite, Mr. Xu. It’s not exactly a secret. With your skills, you could have found out easily enough,” replied Sun Xian.

“No, it’s different hearing it from you.” Xu Kuangdao leaned in across the table and said, “Mr. Sun, do me a favor, will you? I want Zhang Tianfeng utterly destroyed—ruined beyond all hope.”

“Mr. Xu, I…”

“You don’t need to say anything—just listen. In this cooperation, you won’t have to cross any lines.”

“All you need to do is cooperate fully with your head office and do your utmost to bring down Zhang Tianfeng’s human resources company.”

“And while you’re at it, unobtrusively pass me some information—like the addresses of his family, his friends, his staff.”

“Mr. Xu, you mean to…” Sun Xian hesitated, then said, “I should warn you, he’s something of a celebrity in Zhucheng—an honorary citizen.”

“Last time, when he was proving his innocence, I heard that a retired mayor was publicly supporting him.”

“And his relationship with the Huo family isn’t quite what the rumors suggest. Think this through.”

“That’s none of your concern. Just answer yes or no.”

So what if he had ties to the Huo family? The Huo family had personally assured them over the phone that they wouldn’t be involved in this matter—that was enough.

And as for being an honorary citizen? What did that matter to Xu’s family? Someone of Zhang’s stature could never threaten their survival.

With the Xu family’s resources, crushing him in the business world would be child’s play.

“If you agree, I’ll pay you a hundred thousand for every useful piece of information.”

“Provide ten useful pieces, and the total sum doubles.”

Sun Xian’s breath quickened. So this was the legendary financial temptation—after all these years, he was finally seeing it for himself.

But what if Xu used the information for criminal acts?

After thinking it over, Sun Xian said, “Mr. Xu, I still need to know what you plan to do with this information. I won’t participate in anything illegal.”

“Nothing illegal. I just want dirt on his family and friends, to force him to kneel and apologize to me.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll accept this cooperation.”

“Good. Here’s a deposit of one hundred thousand.” As he spoke, Xu Kuangdao tossed over a bank card. “The password is the last six digits of the account number.”

Just as Sun Xian reached for the card, his pager started vibrating at his waist.

“Sorry, I need to make a call—my boss is looking for me.”

“Use mine,” Xu offered, pushing his mobile phone over.

Thanking him, Sun Xian called his supervisor. “Boss, what’s up?”

“The president has spoken. We’re abandoning the Tangwan Town market. Gather all staff immediately—I want you back at headquarters by midnight.”

After hanging up, Sun Xian was dumbfounded.

What was going on? Just before leaving, he’d been full of bravado, determined to take Tangwan Town at any cost.

How, in just half a day, had everything fallen apart?

“What happened?” Xu Kuangdao asked.

“Mr. Xu, our cooperation is off. Headquarters just told me to pack up and go home. Zhang Tianfeng is untouchable. We’re not fighting anymore!”

The smile froze on Xu Kuangdao’s face.

After a moment, he rose and said, “Wait here for me—I need to make a call and find out what’s going on.”