34: Chapter 34: The Old Fox's Overt Scheme
Vice President Qian Feng slunk back to the capital in disgrace, and the news exploded within elite circles.
No one expected that the fearless young master of Huanyu Group would stumble so badly over a national project that no one had even heard of.
For a time, the "Kuafu Project" and that Chief Consultant Jiang became the subject of legendary rumors in the circle.
But Chairman Qian Boan's moves were faster and more ruthless than anyone had imagined.
Barely had his son been kicked back when he made his move.
Huanyu Group, that money-printing machine, began to pour money frantically into the Northwest.
First, Huanyu injected capital into the largest specialty steel plant in the Northwest and took a controlling stake.
Then, without a word, Huanyu forcibly acquired the only domestic plant capable of producing high-grade, corrosion-resistant cement at a three-fold premium.
There were also several transport lines leading to the desert, and the logistics company under Huanyu bought out all shipping capacity for the next three months.
In less than a week, Chief Engineer Wang Heshan and Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo sensed that something was wrong.
"What's going on? The specialty alloy we ordered last week—the steel plant says the production line is broken and they can't deliver?"
"And that set of filter membranes we bought from Germany—why did customs seize it? They say our qualifications are problematic?"
"The most fatal thing is the railcars! The heavy equipment arriving later is all piled up at a train station hundreds of kilometers away, and the logistics company just says there are no cars and tells us to wait! Wait until when?"
In the command center, Chief Engineer Wang Heshan slammed his fist onto the table, splashing water from his cup.
Once is a coincidence, twice is also a coincidence? With so many things happening at once, it's clear that someone is pulling strings behind the scenes!
"It's Huanyu Group! It must be them!" Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo's face turned blue with anger. "This is cutting the ground from under our feet; they want to use these low-down tactics to force us to bow!"
"I'm calling Director Zhao Lixin immediately!" Chief Engineer Wang Heshan grabbed the encrypted phone. "I want to see if Huanyu Group really can cover the sky with one hand!"
However, the news brought by Director Zhao Lixin was like a bucket of cold water poured over them.
"Chief Engineer Wang, this matter is more troublesome than we thought." On the phone, Director Zhao Lixin's voice was heavy. "Huanyu's moves this time are all legal and compliant. It's all normal business operations; we can't interfere with administrative orders."
"Then what do we do? Just watch them choke us?" Chief Engineer Wang Heshan roared. "Without these things, the expansion of The Oasis and the laying of the pipeline network will all have to stop!"
The other end of the line was silent for a moment.
"Chairman Qian Boan has just issued a formal meeting invitation through official channels." Director Zhao Lixin said slowly. "He wants to come over personally and talk with us."
The command center fell silent instantly.
Everyone understood.
First, block all your paths, leave you with no way out, and then run over pretending to be the savior.
This business tycoon's methods were indeed black-hearted enough.
"Talk? What is there to talk about with him!" A young engineer was furious. "This is kidnapping!"
"No, we must talk." Chief Engineer Wang Heshan, on the contrary, calmed down. He waved his hand. "He has played his cards; we must go and see what exactly he wants to do."
Two days later.
A private jet with the Huanyu Group logo landed on the base's simple airstrip.
This time, there were no sports cars, no internet celebrities.
Chairman Qian Boan brought only a female secretary and two bodyguards, wearing an inconspicuous Zhongshan suit as he stepped off the plane.
He looked at the lush, large-scale Oasis before him, and at the massive array base, and the greed hidden behind his lenses could no longer be concealed.
"Chief Engineer Wang Heshan, Chief Engineer Wang, it is an honor." Chairman Qian Boan reached out his hand, smiling happily, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened.
Chief Engineer Wang Heshan and Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo had dark faces as they reluctantly shook his hand.
The meeting took place in the command center's conference room.
Jiang Ning and Director Zhao Lixin also arrived.
As soon as Chairman Qian Boan entered, he fixed his eyes on the quiet young woman in the main seat.
This is Jiang Ning?
He didn't say a word, calculating in his heart.
This young woman was not what he had expected. Not arrogant, nor like some eccentric genius. She just sat there, as if nothing had anything to do with her.
This feeling made Chairman Qian Boan very uncomfortable; he couldn't see through her.
"Chairman Qian Boan, please speak directly." Director Zhao Lixin spoke first. "What exactly do you want to do with this visit?"
Chairman Qian Boan smiled and pushed a proposal to the middle of the table.
"Everyone, I have come with sincerity this time." He scanned the room. "We, Huanyu Group, hope to participate in the great project that is the 'Kuafu Project'."
He opened the proposal, which contained a cooperation plan that looked as good as it could possibly be.
"Huanyu is willing to provide all the funds, materials, equipment, and world-class talent needed for the subsequent construction of the project, all free of charge."
"We don't want shares, and we won't interfere with the core technology. We only hope that once the project generates benefits, we can obtain priority procurement rights and exclusive overseas agency rights for a portion of the products."
"Simply put, the state handles the construction, and we, Huanyu, are responsible for selling the products to make money."
"This is beneficial for everyone; the country develops, and our enterprise makes money."
After Chairman Qian Boan finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair, looking at everyone with a smile.
In the conference room, no one made a sound.
One had to admit that the terms were too tempting.
He lowered his posture significantly, almost avoiding all sensitive issues. If this were a different project, it would be impossible to refuse.
Even Chief Engineer Wang Heshan was furrowing his brows, pondering the feasibility of the matter in his heart.
Director Zhao Lixin stared at the proposal without speaking. He knew clearly that this was just bait.
The real killer move was still to come.
Sure enough, Chairman Qian Boan's gaze turned to Chief Consultant Jiang, who had not spoken from beginning to end.
"Chief Consultant Jiang," his tone suddenly became especially sincere. "I know that because of my good-for-nothing son, there has been some misunderstanding between us."
"I am here to formally apologize to you."
He stood up and bowed to Chief Consultant Jiang.
"To show my sincerity, I am personally willing to donate 10 billion in cash to your research foundation to support your research."
"In addition, the position of Chief Director of the Huanyu Group Technical Committee will always be reserved for you. No need to go to work, no need to manage affairs, and you will receive one percent of the group's annual net profit as a dividend."
"I only have one small request."
He stared at Chief Consultant Jiang, finally revealing his fangs.
"I hope you can serve as the Honorary Chairman of our joint venture company."
The fox's tail was finally revealed.
He had gone around in such a big circle just for these last words.
He didn't want technology, he didn't want shares; he wanted Chief Consultant Jiang herself.
As long as Chief Consultant Jiang's golden signboard was tied to his business empire, the future of this project would be in his hands.
Everyone was holding their breath, looking at Chief Consultant Jiang.