"Who are you going to deal with first?"
After a brief chat with Li Zicheng, Johnny posed his question.
For Johnny, it didn't matter who Li Zicheng wanted to deal with.
Because his ultimate goal was to draw out the guy behind the scenes, firstly to "restore" his reputation, and secondly, to see who was playing dirty tricks on him from behind.
While he was out cleaning up the list, someone stole his safe house and killed his employer.
Although the employer wasn't killed on the spot, it was enough to cause some damage to Johnny's reputation.
Hearing Johnny's question, Li Zicheng hesitated for a moment.
Actually, he had to get rid of both Lee Joong-ku and Zhang Shouji.
Especially Zhang Shouji, who had been constantly devouring the resources Ding Qing left him, whether it was people or money, he didn't spare a single one.
He claimed that he was sent by Chief Jiang to assist him, and thus openly encroached.
He treated him like an experience package; how could he let him off the hook?
Moreover, the things he did were simply disgusting, completely lacking the qualities a boss should possess, only relying on the kind of personal image built on subordinates from decades ago, which would not allow Goldmoon Group to develop long-term.
In fact, not only Li Zicheng was unhappy with him, but several elders within the group were also very displeased with him.
After he absorbed Ding Qing's forces, he began to feel like he was the most important person in the world.
As for Lee Joong-ku, although he had been released from prison, the Tiger Faction suffered too great a blow, damaging its foundation.
He couldn't contend with Zhang Shouji in the short term, so he chose to bide his time.
No matter what dirty tricks he was brewing in the dark, Li Zicheng decided to deal with Zhang Shouji first.
So he said to Johnny gravely, "Let's get rid of Zhang Shouji first, but it can't be too blatant."
After all, openly eliminating a competitor is not a glorious thing, but for Johnny, this matter was quite easy.
"OK, leave it to me.
Oh, and lend me your four subordinates for a bit."
Johnny made an OK gesture and, by the way, asked Li Zicheng for the Yanbian F4.
Li Zicheng wanted to speak but stopped, finally swallowing the words that were slightly critical.
In front of him, this was a man who killed without batting an eye; it was better not to offer him any suggestions.
Half an hour later, Johnny sat in a Chinese restaurant.
The Yanbian F4, still in their rustic attire, came before him, not daring to cause any trouble, as they had all witnessed Johnny's capabilities.
"The four of you should have another mission, right?"
Johnny asked casually.
Although they were assigned to him, Li Zicheng couldn't have given them no instructions.
Seeing Johnny ask, Kim Byung-ok, the leader of the four, quickly nodded.
"Yes, Chairman Li instructed us to do something else."
Hearing this, Johnny was not surprised.
He just nodded and said to Kim Byung-ok, "I don't care about your matters; if you want to do them, go ahead.
But the things I tell you to do, you cannot neglect them, otherwise, you know."
Kim Byung-ok nodded repeatedly, and then Johnny led them out of the Chinese restaurant.
The four of them stared reluctantly at the table of dishes Johnny had just ordered.
Although Johnny had eaten, he hadn't finished all the food.
However, intimidated by Johnny's presence, they dared not say anything and could only follow him out.
Johnny's arrangement for the four of them was to cause trouble for Zhang Shouji.
He wanted to determine who exactly had hired the killer who kept causing him problems.
On the other side, Zhang Shouji was sitting in his office, with over a dozen of Ding Qing's former subordinates standing behind him.
He sat there, smoking a cigar, looking at the view below, a look of utter contentment on his face.
"You all may leave now.
Find a good place to send Chairman Li off.
We can act after the shareholders' meeting tomorrow."
Zhang Shouji instructed confidently.
He now held significant power and didn't believe Li Zicheng and Lee Joong-ku had any chance of making a comeback.
The next day, Goldmoon Group Headquarters, top-floor conference room.
Around the massive circular conference table, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.
All directors and faction leaders were present, but no one dared to speak loudly.
Zhang Shouji sat in the main seat, originally belonging to Seok Dong and later occupied by Ding Qing, leaning slightly back, a thick cigar clamped between his fingers, smoke curling around him.
His face bore an undisguised, almost inflated, triumphant smile, his gaze sweeping across the room as if reviewing his spoils.
Behind him stood several newly promoted confidants, their eyes arrogant.
Lee Joong-ku sat not far from Zhang Shouji's left, his face terrifyingly grim.
He wore a black suit, his beard neatly shaved, but the dark circles under his eyes and his tightly pressed lips revealed his extremely poor mood and suppressed rage.
His Tiger Faction forces had suffered heavy losses and were now outnumbered on the board.
Facing the arrogant Zhang Shouji, he could only choose to endure for now.
His fingers unconsciously curled under the table, his nails almost digging into his palm.
Li Zicheng sat to Zhang Shouji's right, also in a prominent position.
He kept his head down, his expression calm, even showing a hint of appropriate dejection and submission, as if he had fully accepted the reality of Ding Qing's death and Zhang Shouji's ascension.
When he occasionally looked up at Zhang Shouji, his eyes held only awe and helplessness, perfectly concealing the icy killing intent deep within.
The meeting proceeded with almost no suspense.
Led by several elders who had already been bribed or coerced by Zhang Shouji, resources and power originally belonging to Ding Qing's faction were smoothly transferred to Zhang Shouji and his close associates.
Lee Joong-ku tried to object several times, but seeing the menacing new faces behind Zhang Shouji and his own few, wavering supporters, he ultimately chose silence, only staring intently at Zhang Shouji with his sinister gaze.
Finally, the board of directors, by a "unanimous vote," officially nominated Zhang Shouji as the acting Chairman of Goldmoon Group, with a formal election to be held to confirm his position once the situation stabilized.
"Thank you for your trust and support, esteemed directors!"
Zhang Shouji stood up, beaming with satisfaction, and raised his teacup, "I, Zhang Shouji, will certainly live up to your expectations, lead Goldmoon Group out of its difficulties, and create new glories!
To the Group, cheers!"
Everyone rose and raised their cups, their expressions varied, their thoughts unfathomable.
Lee Joong-ku slammed his teacup onto the table, splashing tea.
He snorted coldly and was the first to rise and leave, walking out without looking back, followed by his few remaining subordinates.
Li Zicheng silently rose, bowed slightly to Zhang Shouji, acting like a respectful and submissive subordinate, then quietly turned and left.
Zhang Shouji watched their retreating figures, especially Lee Joong-ku's angry back, a disdainful sneer curling his lips.
Downstairs at the Group building.
Li Zicheng stood on the street, seemingly waiting for his car.
The evening breeze ruffled his somewhat slender figure, making him look a bit forlorn.
Just then, a black mercedes-benz S600 slowly drove up and stopped in front of him.
The rear window slowly lowered, revealing Zhang Shouji's smug face.
"Zicheng, not gone yet?"
Zhang Shouji wore a seemingly amiable smile, his tone friendly, yet with a condescending scrutiny, "Get in, it's on my way, and I want to hear your thoughts on some matters regarding the Group's future plans."
This was an "invitation" that could not be refused.
It was both a test and a show of power.
Li Zicheng's body stiffened slightly.
He looked up, his face quickly contorting into an expression of flattered surprise mixed with slight apprehension: "Chairman, you're too kind.
How could I possibly bother you..."
"Oh, we're all family, no need for formalities."
Zhang Shouji waved his hand, cutting him off, his tone becoming a bit firmer, "Get in."
The car door had already opened from the inside.
Li Zicheng hesitated, a fleeting cold glint flashing deep in his eyes, but he ultimately nodded submissively, bent down, and got into the spacious back seat.
The car door closed, sealing off the outside world.
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