Chapter 112: Chapter 112: They're all old foxes!
"You're backing out of a deal you agreed to?"
Song Yun seemed somewhat surprised. The Ye family, after all, was a reputed noble clan of Magic Capital. Despite their declining population, their assets and the charitable deeds of Father Ye over the years undoubtedly proved their status. So now, for them to say they would not come simply showed they did not take the banquet seriously.
"There's no helping it. It's tough being squeezed in the middle for a big shot. The higher his position, the more adept he becomes at maintaining a balance."
"So is tonight's banquet canceled or not?"
Hearing Song Yun's words, Father Ye shook his head. Though the absence of the big shot was regrettable, there were many family heads from Magic Capital attending the banquet. Wooing these people to form the first line of defense in business was also very important.
By six o'clock in the evening, cars had begun to trickle into the Ye residence.
This banquet was held at the Ye family home, a sort of family banquet, with guests being business allies and collaborators.
In the years of partnership with the Ye family, they had been tied to the Ye family's "big ship." Should the Ye family suffer a serious setback from the attack by the rival family, their interests would certainly not be safeguarded.
Therefore, in this world, there are no everlasting relationships, only everlasting interests. It is only under the drive of interests that allies will stand by you.
The banquet went on until eleven at night. In the later part of the evening, more than twenty middle-aged men followed Father Ye into the study. A group of bosses, who in the eyes of ordinary people seemed nothing special, were now gathered to discuss how to keep their strength intact in this confrontation.
They each laid out their areas of business and methodically predicted where the rival family would strike next.
It must be said that though these bosses appeared well-fed, they were absolutely thrice as adept at scheming. Song Yun was flabbergasted as he listened on the side.
It turned out many business maneuvers could be resolved using The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
For instance, they had already made a contingency plan. Should the rival family target any one of them, all the rest would unconditionally support their ally with both finances and connections, resisting the rival's onslaught.
And they intended to undermine their opponent by targeting the core business of the rival family.
For these old foxes, the murkier the waters, the easier it was to fish!
After a long discussion, it was past two in the morning when the bosses left the Ye residence, all looking energized.
Father Ye, however, seemed a bit fatigued, massaging his temples.
"Dealing with these people is so mentally draining. They all talk big about selflessness and honesty, but when it comes down to action, they're as protective as dogs with their food."
He sighed and said, "I didn't have you attend for any other reason but to give you a heads-up. If you plan to make a mark in the business world one day, dealing with these types of people is inevitable."
"Thank you, Dad. Should I get the Mountains and Waters Corporation involved too?"
"No way!"
Father Ye was unexpectedly adamant. He said seriously, "Though the Mountains and Waters Corporation's biggest shareholder is you, it's after all a joint multinational corporation, with too many complications involved. Our issue with the rival family is an internal struggle. No matter who wins in the end, the capital must stay in Magic Capital.
If Mountains and Waters Corporation gets involved, everyone will turn against you first thing!"
"I see..."
Song Yun nodded thoughtfully. It seemed like everyone thought this matter was quite important. Even if they came to blows, the capital wouldn't end up in the hands of outsiders.
Song Yun bid farewell to Father Ye and returned to Ye Qingqing's boudoir.
Ye Qingqing was leaning against the headboard, holding a book and reading under the bedside lamp.
At the sound of the door opening, Ye Qingqing cheered, leapt out of bed, and jumped into Song Yun's arms.
"Hubby~ I'm so sleepy, let's sleep~"
...
A night went by without a word, and the next day, Song Yun got up well-rested and feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep.
As he was about to finish his breakfast, Ye Qingqing had just finished putting on her makeup and came downstairs.
"Xiao Yun, will you accompany me to the corporation later? I'll introduce you to the senior executives inside the group,"
Ye's father said as he looked at the newspaper.
Song Yun swallowed the fried egg in his mouth with one gulp, shook his head, and said, "Dad, Qingqing and I are going to Forty-nine City in a while."
"???"
Ye's father put down the newspaper and looked at Song Yun with a questioning face. Weren't you just there recently?
Why are you going again?
If I didn't know that you are unaware of your father's identity, I would suspect you're going to Forty-nine City behind my back to secretly meet those big shots.
"There's a little problem with my cousin's side of things."
Song Yun went through the issue with Ye's father, detail by detail.
After listening, Ye's father also seemed somewhat angry, but after years in a high position, his first thought was on how to solve the problem.
"Qingqing knows how to contact your Uncle Deng; if you really can't solve it in the end, give him a call. As an old native of Forty-nine City, he'll be better at dealing with these stubborn characters than you guys."
Song Yun thanked his father-in-law, and after Ye Qingqing finished her meal, the two of them set off.
When they landed in Forty-nine City again, the person who picked them up this time was Lu Guan.
Lu Guan was driving a Mercedes, his eyes full of bloodshot veins, as if he had just spent the night up.
"Old Lu, you're not young anymore; you need to exercise some restraint,"
Song Yun joked to ease the atmosphere upon seeing his own CEO for the second time, not as cautious as he had been during their previous encounter.
"Boss, I spent last night at Old Master Xiao's, and you wouldn't believe it, there were indeed some idiots who tried to cause trouble. Our guys handed them over to the police, and even as they were being taken away, they were boasting about how they'd find another chance to make a comeback,"
Lu Guan said with a bitter expression, indicating that he didn't really have a good solution to dealing with these hooligans. After all, they adamantly insisted that they were just out for a walk late at night, and as for the paint they were carrying, they claimed it was for home renovation purposes.
So there wasn't an immediate solution at hand.
"You've worked hard. When Tianyu expands, we'll still be relying on you, my general!"
Song Yun always treated his subordinates this way: if you dedicate yourself to carrying out my orders, I will never let you down.
Lu Guan became somewhat excited at these words, and said, "Rest assured, boss. I, Old Lu, am known in the industry as a workaholic demon. Any business that passes through my hands never fails."
"Hmm, after you drop us off at the location, find a hotel nearby to get a room and have some sleep. You look like you're on the verge of driving while fatigued, and that's not acceptable,"
Song Yun's words of concern flowed into Lu Guan's heart like a warm current.
What was he working so desperately for?
One was for social status, and the other to fulfill his lifelong dreams.
Now it seemed that Song Yun was a wise leader whose capabilities and temperament both commanded Lu Guan's respect.
Under Song Yun's leadership, those ideals buried deep within him would surely be realized!