Chapter 425 The Art of Struggle
Lu Chengwen was imposing in all directions.
He picked out a few birds that stuck their heads out and ruthlessly beat them down.
Actually, what many people said made sense. The overall person in charge disappeared, causing losses, which indeed should be borne by Dasheng Group, or at least they should bear part of the responsibility.
However, this wasn't the place for reasoning.
Whether doing business or pursuing a career, talking reason, rules, law, credibility... all fine.
But, the marketplace is a battlefield.
This place is more about strength, strategy, vision, methods, and power plays.
Lu Chengwen didn't intend to be irresponsible; taking responsibility was possible.
But he absolutely couldn't let this mob unite to besiege him.
If he took even one step back, they would attack him en masse, wishing they could skin him and pull his tendons. For a loss of one yuan, they'd dare demand a hundred from him.
Don't ask Lu Chengwen how he knew; just say he guessed.
So, taking responsibility was true, but first, he had to beat them down hard.
Afterward, present a conciliatory plan. This way, they could accept it, and Lu Chengwen wouldn't be bled dry by them.
Mayor Zhao's side would also have an easier time.
Actually, merchants at this level, within a certain scope, interacting a bit, accommodating some procedures, or bringing two beauties for a visit...
These are all unspoken rules within the industry; everyone does it.
This kind of thing, as said in TV dramas, doesn't weigh four liang (old weight unit) off the scale, but put it on the scale, even a thousand jin (another old unit) won't stop it. (Meaning: trivial if ignored, but a huge deal if brought into the open)
For example, that bald man with insufficient qualifications. Mayor Zhao was right here. If truly investigated,grasping this point, it was really possible to confiscate his entire investment amount, and also penalize him.
Not just him, everyone who helped him smooth the connections would have to be rooted out and prosecuted.
But obviously, Lu Chengwen and Mayor Zhao's battle objective today wasn't to deal with such small fish.
The bigger picture was the construction of Chengwen District, the future commercial map of the entire city. The bigger picture was that nearly two hundred thousand people were currently working in Chengwen District, needing a plan quickly to appease and suppress the various lords, preventing them from rebelling.
If they really singled out the bald man and beat him to death, which other family could guarantee all their procedures were so perfectly flawless?
Perfect things rarely exist in this world.
Beating one bald man to death is easy, but wouldn't the rest be scared to death by you?
They'd quickly have to find ways to retreat, pull their real gold and silver back into their own pockets, and never dare show their heads again.
War is fought for macroscopic strategic objectives.
Wipe out an entire regiment for a few guns? No one would do such a thing.
Mayor Zhao certainly wouldn't be so foolish and short-sighted.
Hu Shuhui saw Lu Chengwen's momentum was too strong, no one could restrain him anymore. He stood up, just about to speak.
Lu Chengwen laughed heartily: "Hu Shuhui, I was waiting for you! Come, come, come! Be a human for me to see!"
Hu Shuhui was instantly intimidated by Lu Chengwen's vicious smile: "No, I... my leg's numb, I stood up to move around, it's fine now."
Hu Shuhui's action completely destroyed the morale of the entire room.
Even Hu Shuhui chickened out, who else dared stand up?
But were they convinced? No one was convinced!
They really couldn't beat you, but their own losses... were real!
Aren't you, Lu Chengwen, just relying on your strong backing and thick family assets to forcibly suppress us?
Everyone was helpless now. It seemed this time, they could only swallow their broken teeth.
At this moment, Mayor Zhao spoke: "Chengwen, you've been shouting for half a day, must be tired?"
"Mayor Zhao, please instruct."
Mayor Zhao said: "This... Boss Lu's disappearance recently, actually, he reported to me immediately upon returning. It was because he was injured from a fall in the mountains, and there was no signal, so he lost contact."
"Everyone indeed suffered some losses because of this matter. I was thinking, we are not highway robbers, nor are we bandits who plunder homes. We still need rules when doing things. You are all respectable people. Respectable people should think about problems, study problems, and solve problems respectably. Right?"
Mayor Zhao said: "Chengwen, do you have any specific solutions? Why not lay them out and discuss with everyone, pool wisdom! We are a team. When problems arise, everyone thinks of solutions together. Ah."
"Yes, Mayor Zhao."
Lu Chengwen sighed: "To be clear, for this matter, I bear responsibility, I admit it!"
Hearing this opening, everyone perked up.
Lu Chengwen continued: "But! If anyone wants to take advantage of the opportunity to benefit from me? Lose one yuan and want to earn a hundred from me, then sorry, you won't get a single cent! But!"
Lu Chengwen slapped the table: "If everyone trusts me, Lu Chengwen, still cares about the friendship between us, still thinks of being friends with Dasheng Group in the future... I, Lu Chengwen, will absolutely not be a coward hiding in his shell!"
Lu Chengwen asked Leng Qingqiu: "Qingqiu, specifically, do you have any thoughts on your end?"
Leng Qingqiu said: "Specifics require detailed research and data aggregation. But our four major families are willing to jointly take responsibility for everyone's losses this time. However, please don't misunderstand, this responsibility is not responsibility to the end, nor is it full responsibility."
"We will calculate based on actual data materials, according to the actual situation, from the total project funds. As for the compensation amount, your respective companies will be responsible for sixty-four percent, and our four major families will be responsible for the remaining thirty-six percent."
"This money will not arrive immediately but will be returned to each investment enterprise after Dasheng Group profits from this project."
"And all enterprises that suffered losses in this incident will receive priority project dividends after the project becomes profitable."
"Those who disagree can withdraw their investment now. Whatever is left is what you get. Our four major families will take over your projects entirely. Those who agree, after the meeting ends, go to the office next door to sign the contract. Someone will receive you there."
Leng Qingqiu checked her wristwatch: "You have one and a half hours to consider."
Lu Chengwen spread his hands: "Who agrees? Who opposes?"
...
"Satisfying! Hahaha! Satisfying!" Secretary Wu was incredibly happy: "Boss Lu, apart from too much swearing, the young lady taking meeting minutes is about to go crazy, hahaha, perfect! Perfect!"
Lu Chengwen also smiled: "Then I'll leave this side to you. Qingqiu and I still have things to do."
Mayor Zhao said: "Chengwen, thanks to you."
Lu Chengwen laughed heartily: "Working for the government is working for the common people, that's working for heaven, earth, and human hearts. It's what should be done."
Mayor Zhao said: "Implement some of the detailed work from today's meeting as soon as possible. Can't delay anymore."
Lu Chengwen nodded: "If delayed further, even I can't bear it. If the houses really don't sell, I'm not far from bankruptcy."
Mayor Zhao patted his back: "Alright, I know you must be swamped today. We'll talk again after you're done."
"Yes, Mayor Zhao, you attend to your business. Secretary Wu, you attend to yours."
...
Walking out of the building, Leng Qingqiu directly got into Lu Chengwen's car.
She brought a young girl with her. The girl was almost a carbon copy of Leng Qingqiu.
Not in appearance, but in temperament.
Also with a straight face, serious manner. Others felt uneasy seeing Lu Chengwen, she seemed to not take Lu Chengwen seriously at all.
After receiving instructions from Leng Qingqiu, she began reporting on Dasheng Group's recent projects, engineering, progress, her analysis, and handling results.
The girl spoke like a string of firecrackers, concisely stating all key matters.
Lu Chengwen couldn't keep up with her thinking at all.
"Uh... can you slow down a bit? I didn't understand some parts."
The girl was somewhat surprised, and also somewhat disappointed.
Lu Chengwen thought:
[What kind of thing are you!? What's with that expression!?]
[Clearly looking down on me! Think I'm stupid? What is this thing? Damn, exactly like Leng Qingqiu when she first started managing Qianfeng Group!]
[You're just an employee, why the attitude!?]
Leng Qingqiu suppressed her laughter.
The girl looked calmly at Lu Chengwen: "Boss Lu, may I ask where you started not understanding? I can reintroduce it with emphasis."
Lu Chengwen looked at her: "Starting from 'Respected Boss Lu, now I will report to you the key contents of Dasheng Group's recent work...'"
The girl looked at Lu Chengwen: "Okay, apologies, I thought you could follow my train of thought. This time I will speak slower. If you feel I'm too fast, you can interrupt me... Respected Boss Lu..."
"Alright, alright, alright, just leave the report, I'll read it myself. Zhao Gang, stop the car, let her get out!"
The girl was somewhat unhappy: "Boss Lu, this is my duty, and also your duty. I have an obligation to quickly update you on the current overall operational status, including..."
Lu Chengwen looked at her: "Nice stockings."
The girl was clearly angry but suppressed it forcefully: "Boss Lu, I am different from that Publicity Director. I only provide my talent and effort, I don't sleep with you."
Lu Chengwen said: "You wish! I want to have car sex with my wife now, you get out first."
The girl pushed open the car door discontentedly and got out, pouting angrily.
The girl stood by the car door and bowed: "Wish Boss Lu successful car sex."
Lu Chengwen turned his head away, pressed the button, and the electric car door slowly closed.
Leng Qingqiu giggled non-stop: "Finally someone can handle you, hahaha!"
"Where did you recruit such a stubborn mule?"
"Hahaha! Why do you care if she's stubborn? Very talented."
Lu Chengwen wrapped his arm around Leng Qingqiu: "Far worse than my Qingqiu wife."
Leng Qingqiu smiled and said: "You really want to have car sex?"
"What? Can't I?"
Leng Qingqiu showed an apologetic expression: "You still have some work to do."
"Still!?"
Leng Qingqiu said: "There's a project, a piece of land waiting for development about seventeen kilometers from Chengwen District. I looked at it; this project seems to only have various documents and forms. Procedures, certificates, funds, labor... all missing. Like a shelf project. And I also saw the person in charge is Xu Xuejiao, what's going on?"
"Ah." Lu Chengwen smiled: "This project is purely for scamming Long Aotian's money."
"Is he a serious threat to us now?"
"It had eased a lot originally, but now it's become serious again."
"You snatched his woman?"
Lu Chengwen looked at Leng Qingqiu: "Wife, you truly are a genius."