Sire Shui was part of the generation where time was difficult. According to Su Tao’s thoughts, he only wanted commemorative items from that room like shoes that were worn before or an enamel jar to cause a sensation in the charity auction. However, Su Tao never expected that Sire Shui would be willing to part with something so precious like calligraphy.
This calligraphy was done by the leader who founded the country, and it holds significant meaning and price.
According to the current market price, a piece like this was worth at least ¥50,000,000. Most importantly, this was something with a price tag and not a market. Most of the works were already collected by the relevant departments for museum purposes. This was because the political and historical significance of the work was greater than the skill itself.
Hence, it was shocking that Sire Shui was willing to part with it. If it was someone else, they would definitely not be willing to part with something like this.
With an embarrassed smile, Su Tao asked, “Isn’t it too extravagant to put this in the auction?”
“As long as it’s used for charity, what’s extravagant about it? Back then, this calligraphy was personally given to me as a form of encouragement. In my heart, this item is priceless. At the same time, what you’re doing is priceless as well. To use a priceless item to do something priceless is meaningful to me.”
Hearing those words, Su Tao was deeply impressed by Sire Shui’s breadth of mind and replied, “If there were more people like you in the world, someone who’s filled with feelings for the country, there wouldn’t be so much injustice in the world.”
Waving his hand, Sire Shui laughed, “Stop your sweet words. I prefer you to be casual with me.”
“I believe you still have other treasures that were given to you by the founding leader.” Su Tao naturally did not reject and chuckled while stowing the scroll in the box before carefully placing it in his medical box.
“Stinking brat, stop being so greedy!” Sire Shui couldn’t help rolling his eyes. At the same time, his expression and action had already sold him out. Evidently, he must have more treasures kept.
Looking at Su Tao scratching his head with an awkward expression, Sire Shui smiled before his expression turned grave. “You’ve fought with that brat from the Qin Family a few times now, so what do you think about him?”
Su Tao never expected that Sire Shui would ask him about this, so he bitterly smiled. “He’s bold and cunning, someone who plans and prepares. At the same time, he’s also an ambitious and ruthless person. There were signs of him behind the Love Representative Charity Funds, but he’s smart and remotely manipulated it. He hid well, and this is the reason why there wasn't any evidence or clues on him.”
Nodding his head, Sire Shui replied, “Let me tell you about the relationship between the Qin Family and Dragon Group, along with the Shui Family and Fire Beacon.”
After that, Sire Shui started to talk about the Dragon Group and Fire Beacon’s background along with the problems that they faced in their development to Su Tao.
Listening to Sire Shui’s explanation, Su Tao inwardly sighed. He finally knew the meaning behind the Fire Beacon that Sire Shui gave him. Although Sire Shui did not put it blatantly, Su Tao could tell that the old man has the intention of nurturing him to become the next generation’s ‘Fire Deity.’
However, Su Tao did his best to not show any stance. After all, he’s only a physician. If he joined an organisation like the Fire Beacon and holds such a prominent position, it would restrict him instead.
But truth be told, Su Tao was tempted by it. If he managed to control such a massive underground organisation like the Fire Beacon, he would be able to fight with Qin Jingyu.
“I heard that you intend to set up a medicine factory?” Sire Shui suddenly changed the topic.
With an embarrassed smile, Su Tao knew that Yuan Lan had already reported it to her superior, which circulated to Sire Shui.
“Our ancestors left behind many precious things, but we failed to inherit and make full use of them. In the current TCM market, both Korea and Japan hold an advantage. As a member of the TCM industry, I feel that I need to change this situation. Even England’s medicine products and health supplements have submitted patents of TCM medicine prescriptions. I intend to set up a factory partly to make preparation for patents, and I also want to develop it, bringing China into the international market to contend with western medicine.” Su Tao explained.
Letting out a sigh, Sire Shui replied, “We’re indeed, too far behind on TCM medicine prescriptions. If we want to make a breakthrough, we can only quicken our steps and learn from others.”
Instantly, Su Tao explained his intentions, “I’m preparing to make a trip to Japan to study them and see if I can bring any talents back with me.”
Gently patting his palm on the table, Sire Shui agreed, “You have my full support on this matter.”
When Jin Guoxiang heard this from the side, he smiled. He knew that if Su Tao was successful, the military would be his biggest customer. Even before Su Tao set up the factory, he already had a huge order source. Su Tao was truly cautious in doing business without taking any risk.
Then again, the medicines produced by Su Tao were genuinely superb, especially the external injury medicine. The medicine was effective without any side effects.
Su Tao had a bountiful harvest in this meeting with Sire Shui. Not only did he obtain the calligraphy of the founding leader as an auction piece, he even received the acknowledgement from the old man to establish a TCM medicine factory.
Three days away from Qihuang Charity Funds’ auction event, the central media in China, China’s Youth Report, released an article with the title, “The Calligraphy of the Founding Leader appears in a Charity Auction.”
The moment it was released, it instantly swept waves in the country. In the article, the reporter also gave an interview to the President of the Qihuang Charity Funds, Su Tao.
Su Tao said that Qihuang Charity Funds was established to promote China’s TCM culture, and at the same time, to help the disadvantaged social groups. The appearance of a great figure’s work wasn’t the main focus here, the main focus was to borrow the great figure’s charm to attract more people’s attention to charity.
When the news was published, the Qihuang Charity Funds’ marketing department exploded with calls. Countless enterprises called, hoping that they could attract the attention of the media. If they could show their face at the event, it would be equivalent to an advertisement for their brands.
Even though the charity industry had just undergone a massive setback, the Qihuang Charity Funds instantly turned things around. Everyone was discussing their expectations for the bid on that calligraphy.
Sitting in the office, Qin Meimei wore a smile as she massaged Su Tao’s shoulders. “Our President is truly mighty to resolve the crisis so easily and even attract so much attention. Due to the fact that there are too many enterprises who expressed their wish on attending and the limited space we have, we’ve already announced that we’ve stopped accepting new participants for the time being.”
Nodding his head, Su Tao smiled. “We have to be cautious with the list of enterprises that I gave you from Russia’s diplomatic exchange. They might not be on the Forbes list, but there’s no doubt that they’re rich and powerful. Furthermore, they’re also especially interested in the calligraphy. At the same time, it’s acceptable for the calligraphy to be in their hands.”
Enterprises who can go on a diplomatic exchange with a leader definitely had political background, and this was also the reason why they’re especially interested in the work of a founding leader. There were even a few of them who declared their determination to obtain it in the group chat.
When the door was knocked, Qin Meimei immediately retracted her hands. They’re still in the office, and she has to pay attention to her image in the company. Receiving her approval, her secretary entered, “The top philanthropist in the country just contacted us in hopes of attending the auction. Furthermore, he’s also willing to cooperate with us on our advertisement.”
Letting out a sigh, Qin Meimei bitterly smiled. “Get him to scram. We no longer require his help now.”
Seeing that Qin Meimei was being so prideful, Su Tao wryly smiled. After the secretary left, Su Tao said, “Since he’s willing to attend, then let him come and consider it another highlight for us.”
“I already had enough people like him. Back then, when we requested for his help, he used all sorts of reasons to refuse us. For the sake of meeting him, I even personally visited him several times, but he refused even to meet me. Someone like him is just a hypocrite.” Qin Meimei sneered in disdain.
Su Tao evidently did not expect this and solemnly said, “Then, he’s definitely not allowed to participate! We might not be able to ensure that all the enterprises that we’ve invited are charitable people who intend to help the weaker population, but a hypocrite like him must definitely be firmly rejected.”
Su Tao was instantly filled with enmity and firmly stood on the same side as Qin Meimei.
Looking at Su Tao’s young yet manly face, Qin Meimei inwardly sighed. People were truly different. If it was Li Yede standing in Su Tao’s position, he would definitely allow the top philanthropist in the country to attend and make use of the latter’s fame to add another highlight to the event for more profits.
This was the clear difference between Li Yede and Su Tao.
Li Yede was someone who prioritised profits and lacked a bottom line.
On the other hand, Su Tao was someone who had his principles, a righteous hero.
In the past, Qin Meimei would never believe in heroes in the world. Or to put it in other words, there’s no stage for a hero in this world. But right now, her view has changed since Su Tao was changing her and the things around her with his own effort.
“Big Sister Meimei, is there something on my face?” Su Tao looked at Qin Meimei in shock.
“Yeah, let me clean it up for you!” Qin Meimei instantly reacted to conceal the awkwardness. As her nail gently scraped on Su Tao’s cheeks, she smiled. “Done!”
However, Su Tao inwardly sighed. He’s not a fool, Qin Meimei was definitely smitten when she looked at him earlier. It was as if she wanted to gobble him up.
