16: Chapter 16 is truly a brilliant tactic!

Thinking this, Xu Hao couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

If these negative public opinions were allowed to fester, it would have a detrimental impact on Xu's Heavy Industry.

However, eliminating these rumors was a very troublesome matter.

Once public opinion gathers momentum online, trying to refute rumors or offer explanations is often extremely difficult.

He opened his mouth, about to instruct Wang Qian on a few things, when the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

Xu Hao picked it up and saw it was a call from Director Guo Fan.

Frowning and thinking for a moment, Xu Hao swiped to answer, "Hello, Director Guo!"

"Chairman Xu, this... what is going on online? Why did it suddenly..."

Director Guo Fan was not as polite this time; instead, he got straight to the point and asked directly.

Having just returned to the set from Xu Hao's company, he had seen all sorts of incriminating rumors about Xu's Heavy Industry online.

This immediately made him feel that something was wrong, so he hurriedly called to ask Xu Hao what was going on.

If it wasn't controlled well, it would easily affect the filming progress on his end, as well as the promotional effect!

For a movie, this is quite fatal!

"Regarding these things online, I must first apologize to you, but we are still investigating the specifics."

Xu Hao sighed slightly and replied.

"Chairman Xu, through this collaboration, we know your character."

"But you also know that these online comments have an impact on the movie itself that is..."

Director Guo Fan hesitated, leaving the implication unspoken.

The film's investors had also learned about the news online.

They had sent a message to Director Guo Fan, meaning that Xus Group should resolve this as soon as possible so as not to affect 'The Wandering Earth.'

"Rest assured, Director Guo, we are working hard to investigate the matter and will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

Without Director Guo needing to say it, Xu Hao knew how huge the impact of negative news was on a movie.

Therefore, he also wanted to resolve this online public opinion issue as soon as possible, eliminate the public's negative perception of Xu's Heavy Industry, and minimize the impact on 'The Wandering Earth.'

"Alright, Chairman Xu, if there is anything you need help with, just ask."

"The sooner the matter is resolved and the truth is clarified, the lower the impact will be."

Director Guo Fan nodded and said.

"Alright!"

Hanging up the phone, Xu Hao's worries did not diminish.

Investigate—it definitely had to be investigated clearly.

But now the enemy is in the shadows, and we are in the light.

Wanting to investigate thoroughly is not an easy task.

Having looked at so much, besides some posts from onlookers just wanting to watch the drama.

The rest were almost all long-winded essays, various screeds talking about the incriminating rumors of Xu's Heavy Industry.

If there were no trickery in this, Xu Hao wouldn't believe it.

"Assistant Wang!" Xu Hao called out.

"Chairman Xu, please speak!"

Wang Qian had also slowly calmed down from her initial panic.

Since the matter had already happened, only by doing her best to resolve it could they weather this storm of public opinion.

"First, no matter what methods you use, find out immediately where these comments originated."

"Second, proactively invite the Long Tax Bureau to conduct a tax inspection of Xu's Heavy Industry. A straight body doesn't fear a crooked shadow; although Xu's Heavy Industry isn't doing well right now, we have never been behind on taxes!"

"Third, collect all kinds of slanderous comments online, especially those from big influencers. Then, based on their so-called 'exposés,' produce our evidence and subsequently file lawsuits against them one by one!"

"Fourth..."

Just as Xu Hao was about to continue his instructions, the phone rang again.

He picked it up and saw it was an unknown phone number.

Xu Hao's brows furrowed even deeper.

Not many people knew his phone number.

Signaling Wang Qian to pause for a moment, Xu Hao answered the phone, "Hello..."

"Haha, Xu Hao, are you busy and overwhelmed right now?"

On the other end of the line came the voice of a middle-aged man.

Hearing this familiar voice, Xu Hao immediately knew who was calling.

"Chairman Dong?"

"I didn't expect Chairman Xu to still remember me; I am truly honored."

Chairman Dong Baili lay on his chair, while the secretary standing behind him was massaging his back.

"Chairman Xu, the public opinion about Xus Group online is not looking too good~"

"If this continues, I'm afraid it will be sealed off and shut down directly."

Chairman Dong Baili jeered, patting the secretary's hand to let her massage his feet instead.

"No need for your concern, Chairman Dong." Xu Hao's tone was flat, revealing no joy or anger.

"Back in the day, your father and I were good friends. He established Xu's Heavy Industry, and I created Baili Heavy Industry; decades have passed in the blink of an eye."

"Seeing Xu's Heavy Industry become like this now, I cannot bear it. If your father knew about this in the afterlife, he certainly wouldn't want to see Xu's Heavy Industry become like this."

"How about this... your uncle will take a loss; on top of the 5.5 billion, I'll add another 500 million! I'll acquire Xu's Heavy Industry for 6 billion! How about it?"

"Xu's Heavy Industry really can't afford to delay any longer. The internet is full of insults, and the authorities will be coming to investigate soon. When that time comes, no one will be able to save you."

Chairman Dong Baili added another 500 million, wanting to acquire Xu's Heavy Industry.

Between his words, there was hypocritical concern, and his face was full of mockery and disdain.

At this point, Xu Hao finally knew where those sudden incriminating rumors online had come from.

He was furious, his face gloomy.

He didn't expect that Chairman Dong Baili, failing to acquire it during the day, would resort to such underhanded tactics after returning.

Using online public opinion to blackmail him and force him to sign an acquisition contract.

"Chairman Dong, what a cunning tactic." Xu Hao's tone was icy; he sneered, suppressing the anger in his heart.

"Haha, thanks for the compliment. How about it, do you want to re-negotiate the acquisition?"

Chairman Dong Baili took a puff of his cigar, looking as if victory was already in his grasp.

Playing against him, Xu Hao was still too inexperienced.

As long as he made a slight move, Xu Hao would be completely unable to parry!

Xu Hao took a deep breath, letting his head calm down.

"Still the same words: No clearing out! No selling land! No acquisition!"

"Xu's Heavy Industry is currently operating in good condition, and all work is proceeding sequentially. Regarding the acquisition, there is no consideration whatsoever!"

"Chairman Dong, you should give up!"

After speaking, Xu Hao 'slammed' the phone down.

His breathing was rapid, his eyes glared forward, and his hand gripping the phone tightened slightly, his fingers turning white.

After a while, he finally calmed down slowly.

Then, with a serious expression, he said to Wang Qian:

"Do as I asked, and be quick about it!"

"In addition, do not respond to any online comments for now; wait for my notification before acting!"

Wang Qian nodded, her expression serious.

"Also, send me the detailed information on Baili Group, including all information from its founding to the present!"

Staring at the screen, a never-before-seen seriousness washed over Xu Hao's face.