Even someone as good-natured as Hu Youdao could get angry?
And dare to yell at him?
Du Wanming was genuinely bewildered, standing there dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.
He and Hu Youdao were inseparable, having weathered many storms together. They were practically inseparable, so why was Hu Youdao so angry this time?
"Old Hu, is it really necessary to be so angry?"
Du Wanming's tone softened as he said, "I admit, hitting someone in the Chamber of Commerce is a bad influence. I'll stop right now!"
"You all leave now. Go back to your posts."
The group of security guards immediately left upon seeing this.
"Old Hu, let's talk this out!"
Du Wanming felt that by softening his stance, he could finally reason with Hu Youdao. He said, "Our relationship is practically brotherhood, isn't it? This Qin Mu has a grudge against me, so why did you let him into the provincial chamber of commerce?"
"Are you deliberately trying to antagonize me?"
"Let this kid get lost, and we brothers can talk behind closed doors, how about that?"
Du Wanming always felt he had the same status and position as Hu Youdao in the provincial chamber of commerce, and given their close relationship, asking a mere county magistrate to leave didn't seem like a big deal, right?
The leaders they usually dealt with were often at the bureau level or even higher; a county magistrate from a remote area was nothing to them.
To put it bluntly, many county magistrates from remote areas came to the provincial capital begging for cooperation from their chamber of commerce.
What was Qin Mu anyway? "Du Wanming, this is the Chamber of Commerce, not your江湖 (jianghu, a world of martial arts and chivalry) where you call yourself brothers."
However, things didn't go as Du Wanming expected. Hu Youdao retorted without hesitation.
"You're just the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. You have no right to decide who the Chamber cooperates with, much less to order me, the president, to listen to you."
Hu Youdao's voice was icy cold. "According to the Chamber of Commerce's bylaws, you have no right to interfere with the guests I've invited. Therefore, what County Head Qin does in the provincial capital's Chamber of Commerce, and how long he stays, is perfectly fine. Please shut up!"
"If you don't want to ruin things, please leave now. Take your leave. Don't cause trouble here, don't be unreasonable, and don't affect the overall work of the Chamber of Commerce!"
Upon hearing this, Du Wanming was completely dumbfounded.
Has Old Hu gone mad?
He's actually speaking to me in this tone?
Unbeknownst to him, Hu Youdao was actually giving Du Wanming a chance. On the surface, he was reprimanding him, but the core message was for Du Wanming to leave immediately.
Leaving now still offered room for maneuver.
If he continued to cause trouble, Du Wanming would be completely ruined.
However, Du Wanming didn't understand Hu Youdao's meaning. His anger was burning inside him, unable to subside, and he just wanted to explode.
"Old Hu, you gave me leave just to entertain this brat Qin Mu?"
Du Wanming finally realized what was happening and shouted, "I won't accept it! Even if we have to tear off all pretenses today, I'll kick this brat out! It's either me or him!"
Excellent!
That's exactly what he wanted to hear!
Qin Mu was worried that Du Wanming might back down at the last minute. He needed this kind of tough attitude. He had just talked a lot with the provincial capital's chamber of commerce and had to admit that the people in the chamber were all shrewd, capable, and powerful. Deepening cooperation would greatly benefit the economic development of Huaining County.
But before cooperating, some bad apples must be removed, otherwise wouldn't that affect the cooperation?
This bad apple is definitely Du Wanming.
Since he's backing down now and remains in the provincial chamber of commerce, he'll definitely try to sabotage things behind the scenes.
If he continues to confront him head-on, Hu Youdao will have to choose between Du Wanming and himself. With the support of Vice Governor Sun and Director Wan, Hu Youdao won't sever cooperation with him, so the only option is to sacrifice Du Wanming.
"Chairman, what's going on?"
"Wasn't Old Du on vacation? Why is he back?"
"This is a mess, Old Du, you need to apologize to the chairman and County Head Qin, then go back on vacation and don't show your face again."
...
The commotion drew everyone out of the meeting room. Seeing Du Wanming's appearance, they all more or less guessed what was going on.
Everyone's here?
Du Wanming was speechless. Everyone in the provincial chamber of commerce's management, except for himself, was present.
Judging from this setup, it seems they're actually welcoming Qin Mu?
This is...
Du Wanming almost fainted from shock.
He never imagined that one day he would become an outsider in the Chamber of Commerce.
"Shut up, all of you!"
Du Wanming said viciously, "Are you still my brothers? You kept it from me and entertained Qin Mu?"
"I won't accept this! Today you have to kick Qin Mu out, or I'll never forgive you!"
Du Wanming was consumed by rage, instinctively thinking about how to unleash his fury, completely forgetting one thing: by doing this, he was making an enemy of the entire Chamber of Commerce.
Standing against all the management, there was only one outcome…
Being abandoned!
"Everyone is here today. In the name of the Chairman, I initiate the removal process. Those who agree to remove Du Wanming as Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, please raise your hands!"
Hu Youdao glanced at Qin Mu, who had been staring at him. He knew he had to make a decision and immediately spoke up loudly.
After speaking, Hu Youdao was the first to raise his hand.
Slowly, all the other members of the management team followed suit.
The entire chamber of commerce—one president, eight vice presidents, and the president plus the other seven vice presidents—unanimously agreed to remove Du Wanming from his position as vice president.
"Du Wanming, effective immediately, you are removed from your position as vice president of the chamber of commerce. Please leave the provincial capital chamber of commerce!"
Hu Youdao said coldly, "If you don't leave, don't blame me for being impolite!"
With that, he beckoned to the security captain not far away, who understood and walked to Du Wanming's side, signaling him to leave immediately.
"Hu Youdao, you wait, this isn't over!"
Du Wanming trembled with rage. He glanced around the provincial capital's chamber of commerce, finally fixing his gaze on Qin Mu. "And you, don't think you can get away with this just because you've gotten on good terms with these guys. I'll make you all pay the price!"
"Get out!"
Hu Youdao's patience had completely worn off. He waved his hand, and several security guards shoved Du Wanming out.
"County Chief Qin, I'm so sorry, it was just a small accident. Please don't mind."
Hu Youdao breathed a sigh of relief, walked to Qin Mu's side, and said apologetically.
"Chairman Hu, you don't need to be so polite."
Qin Mu waved his hand slightly and said, "That was quite a sight! I witnessed Chairman Hu using swift and decisive methods to eliminate the cancer within the provincial capital's chamber of commerce. At the same time, I also witnessed the unity and cooperation of all the chamber's managers. I'm very happy to be able to cooperate with such an organization and such managers!"
Those were truly beautiful words! Hu Youdao was filled with admiration. No wonder Qin Mu had risen to the position of county magistrate at such a young age; his emotional intelligence alone far surpassed that of his peers.
Having been frightened and surrounded, he not only wasn't angry but even praised them. Who could match his magnanimity?