Both men who were like arch-enemies, put their arms around each others’ shoulders after the successful settlement.
This was the Resource Chamber of Commerce Meeting. This was the first procedure of the meeting: mediation! No matter what kind of grievances and hatred there was or how big a loss, at the meeting, the five magnates were around as everyone’s backing. If it were at any other meeting, in order not to lose face, both would fight until the end. But here, if one dared to name their conditions, if the conditions were reasonable, the other would accept it!
After accepting, the relationship improved, and both parties continued to work together closely. There would be more profits than losses!
“These two.” Quite a few people sighed. “He Boming’s cost was reduced by 8%, the price of their company’s electrical appliances will be reduced by a lot. It will be more competitive in the market. Although Li Weiqi reduced his price, there’s still earnings to be had. In the future, He Boming will look for him whenever he needs anything. He will benefit, too.”
“That’s right.” Everyone agreed. “Their reconciliation is a win-win situation.”
Hearing the discussions, Hong Weiguo became quiet.
He Boming and Li Weiqi reconciled successfully with a win-win situation. How about him and Qian Guangzhao? Was an amicable settlement possible?
Following that, a few more people went up for mediation. They all ended successfully, and both parties gained a lot of benefits.
Soon, it was quiet in the venue. Everyone’s attention was on Hong Weiguo and Qian Guangzhao.
“It’s Hong Weiguo and Qian Guangzhao’s turn! I wonder how they will reconcile. This should be quite entertaining!”
“That’s right, that’s right. Hong Weiguo has always been tranquil and calm. I’ve never seen him do anything impolite. He is really a good example of a hero. If we can see him get angry once, it’ll be worth it!”
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for the entire meeting. I heard that if the settlement cannot be achieved, Qian Guangzhao is going to impeach him.”
“I’ve heard that, too. Alright, it’s starting soon.”
At that moment, Wen Jianan looked intently at Qian Guangzhao and Hong Weiguo. He decisively knocked his gavel once. “The eighth pair of mediation applicants: Qian Guangzhao, Hong Weiguo. Mediation content: Business grievance.”
When Wen Jianan, the head of the five magnates said that, the entire Door to Heaven International Convention Center became silent in an instant. One could even hear a pin falling.
Wen Jianan cleared his throat and looked at his documents. He started to introduce Hong Weiguo and Qian Guangzhao—
“Qian Guangzhao, Heavenly State’s biggest energy company. CEO of Heavenly State Qian Family Energy Group Co., Ltd. Founded in 1914, Integration of assets completed in 2012. The group has 22 branches, mainly dealing with primary energy such as raw coal, crude oil, oil shale, and natural gas. Nuclear fuel: uranium, thorium, deuterium, etc. Secondary energy: coal washing, coke, gas, artificial petroleum, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, thermal power, heat, etc. Among them, the mining and sales of nuclear fuel and natural gas ranks 9th in the world. As of the end of 2013, the total assets have reached 65.4 billion yuan, of which 32.2 billion yuan were fixed assets. Just in 2013, the net sales was 145.4 billion yuan and the net income was 9.84 billion yuan.
“Hong Weiguo, CEO of Sangle Network Technology Co., Ltd. Sangle Technology was founded in 1999 in Tianjing Guanzhong Village. It was an emerging network technology company. It ranks 284th among the world’s 500 largest companies, 16th among the world’s online companies, and has operations in more than 40 countries. It has 19,500 employees and is the most popular and influential Chinese website in the country today. With thousands of R&D engineers, Sangle has the best technical team in Heavenly State and the world. This team has the most advanced search engine technology in the world.
“Their search engine products and services include: web-based search engine, Tieba forum-based community search, area- and industry-based search, Mp3 search, portal channels, IM, etc. It covers all the search needs of the online world. According to third-party authoritative data, Sangle Search covers over 80% in Heavenly State. In 2013, its total assets were 22.8 billion yuan, sales were 15.9 billion yuan, and profits were 4.6 billion yuan.
“Mediation starts now.”
In just two minutes, Wen Jianan had summarized Qian Guangzhao’s Qian Family and Hong Weiguo’s Hong Family businesses. Although members of the Chamber of Commerce had done their homework before attending the meeting, hearing Wen Jianan introduce them still triggered discussions—
“It won’t be easy for Hong Weiguo this time. Qian Family is too powerful. Fixed assets of 32.2 billion yuan. Just the net income for last year was up to 9.8 billion. That’s close to the five magnates’ standard.”
“That’s right. Hong Weiguo doesn’t have a stable ground. Although this settlement is headed by the five magnates, both sides should be well-matched in strength. Otherwise, the other party won’t give him face. There have been failed settlements in the past.”
“You don’t know this. But Hong Weiguo is a business genius. How long has Sangle been in the market? It has achieved so much. It seems Qian Guangzhao is slightly better than him now. But in another one or two years’ time, it’ll be hard to tell.”
“Aye, let’s not care so much. Let’s see how it goes.”
“Yes, yes, yes. This is the highlight of today’s meeting!”
Hearing the soft discussions, Liu Yihui and Mu Tie looked at each other and frowned. They sighed softly and shook their heads helplessly.
Qian Family, represented by Qian Guangzhao was powerful indeed. Without strong backing, Qian Guangzhao wouldn’t dare to think of impeaching Hong Weiguo. It was no exaggeration to say that the difference between the two was just not a bit. This time, there was no one who could help Hong Weiguo. Everything would depend on whether the plan worked or not.
“Let’s see if they are able to reach a settlement first.” Liu Yihui whispered. “Qian Guangzhao is a sly fox. It’s right for us to drag on. It’s not wise to go head-on against him.”
“Yes. The most important thing is to drag the time.” Mu Tie nodded in agreement. “I hope things won’t be too bad.”
The three of them were now in a strategic partnership. The internet was a big business, they couldn’t do without the others. If one fell, all three would fall together. It was no joking matter.
Everyone had their attention on Qian Guangzhao and Hong Weiguo. If their stares were tangible, the Door to Heaven would be crushed into a powder.
The head of the five magnates, Wen Jianan looked at both of them and took a deep breath. “Mediation starts now.”
“Hehe, Hong Weiguo,” Qian Guangzhao laughed as he looked at Hong Weiguo. He looked rather at ease. “Remember what I said? I want to attack you, disrupt you, affect you! I’ve waited fourteen years for this day. I’m going to use all I have to weaken you, defeat your spirit, kill your fighting spirit. I will leave you with no chance to rise again! Forever!”
“Of course I remember.” Hong Weiguo stood steadily. “Go on. I’m listening.”
“Now, all the members of the Resource Chamber of Commerce are present.” Qian Guangzhao was flushed with excitement. “I want everyone to know that anyone that tries to go against me won’t come to a good end! But, I’m in a good mood today. I’ll give you a chance!”
Hong Weiguo remained silent.
“Beg me. Kneel down and beg me!” Qian Guangzhao’s veins bulged on his face. He shouted, “If you kneel down and beg me, I’ll let you go. How is it? I’ll forget about our years of grudges. We’ll settle it once and for all today! Beg me! Come and beg me! Beg me, quick!”
Hearing Qian Guangzhao’s almost demented voice, everyone was dumbfounded!
No one had expected Qian Guangzhao to say something like that!
In the Resource Chamber of Commerce Meeting, it was common to see people shouting abuses at each other, or even rolling up their sleeves and fighting. After the shouting and fighting, they would sit down, list out their terms and finish the mediation. Everyone would be happy after.
But Qian Guangzhao wanted Hong Weiguo to kneel down and beg!
Men should not go on their knees so easily. Hong Weiguo had always stood straight and upright! It was impossible that he’d agree to it!
“This a**hole Qian Guangzhao!” Liu Yifei clenched his fists! Hong Weiguo was his ally. His ally was being insulted and he identified with him!
“As long as we continue to breathe, we will make a comeback!” Mu Tie looked all somber, clenching his teeth!
On the rostrum, Wen Jianan’s eyebrows twitched. He could feel a sense of crisis! As the richest man in Heavenly State, he was shocked as well. He immediately slammed the gavel and said angrily, “Qian Guangzhao, mind your words! This is the Resource Chamber of Commerce Meeting. This is not the place for you to push your weight around!”
As the head of the five magnates, Wen Jianan, the host of the meeting, had always appeared pleasant. It was rare for him to flare up. But this time, he actually pointed at Qian Guangzhao’s nose and reprimanded him! This was a scene not commonly seen.
After his thunderous reprimand, the entire International Convention Center became silent.
After a while, Hong Weiguo looked at Qian Guangzhao indifferently. He didn’t respond to what Qian Guangzhao said. Instead, he said coolly, “I thought you would curse and swear, or even raise your hand, then list unreasonable terms that I cannot accept.
“Originally, if it were just verbal, or getting scolded by you, it was nothing. It’s common for that to happen. Even if the terms you listed are too much, being in the industry together, perhaps I would have given a deep thought about it. It’s a pity, however. After hearing what you just said, I have changed my mind.”
