Chapter 129: Promoting You to Deputy Director

Zheng Qian didn't know much about ships, but Chen Weiqiang said he planned to expand the fleet to 25 vessels, which would include two hundred-thousand-ton cargo ships.

By then, the scale of Zhengxin Shipyard would already be comparable to Yamei Group.

"However, President Chen, there's one more thing."

"With only our two maritime transport companies in Yenan Dock and Yebai, the two piers definitely won't be able to accommodate so many ships."

"Our ships are mainly in Yebai. Yebei Pier is much smaller than Yenan Wharf, not big enough, and its geographical location is also a bit poor."

"My idea is to cooperate with the pier and appropriately expand its scale, and we will cover the cost."

"Will the pier cooperate with us?" Zheng Qian asked.

"Expanding the pier requires a land reclamation permit. As long as we can get that, the pier will definitely be willing. They get to expand the pier without spending a single penny, and we will enjoy the highest priority."

Chen Weiqiang told Zheng Qian that he had already contacted the director of the Marine Administration, and all the documents and procedures had been submitted. He wanted Zheng Qian to go over and have a meeting in a couple of days.

Thinking about it carefully, Zheng Qian realized that what Chen Weiqiang said indeed made sense.

It was like originally having only one car; one parking space was enough.

But if you suddenly became rich and bought ten cars, you couldn't possibly take turns parking them in that single space.

Zheng Qian's plan was not just to develop in Yenan Dock and Yebai; he wanted to build a business empire across the entire Jiuzhou.

In the future, as the scale of Zhengxin grew larger and larger, Zheng Qian's attention would also shift.

Yebai was just the beginning.

To the east was Qilu, to the north was Jinmen and Yijie, and to the south were Shanghu, Zhehang, Minnan, and Danzhou.

Zhengxin, or rather Qianhe Group, still faced many difficulties.

With such grand ambitions, Yamei Group was destined to be nothing more than a stepping stone on Zheng Qian's business path.

Knock, knock, knock.

Manager Li Tao knocked and entered at this moment.

"President Chen, President Zheng, are you busy?"

"Director Li, we're not busy. Come in and chat," Chen Weiqiang invited Manager Li Tao in.

"What's wrong, Brother Tao? Is something the matter?" Zheng Qian said warmly.

Manager Li Tao looked solemn. After sitting down, he expressed that he indeed had something he wanted to talk to Zheng Qian about.

"Sure, with our relationship, just speak directly," Zheng Qian told Manager Li Tao not to be so formal.

"It's about Team Leader Xiao," Manager Li Tao explained slowly.

Zheng Qian frowned.

He had already had a talk with Xiao Xinhao last time and dropped some subtle hints. Had some new trouble arisen?

"Xiao Xinhao? What happened?"

"Qian, given our relationship, as an executive and a member of this company, I have to tell you."

"Brother Tao, don't treat me like an outsider. Just tell me what's going on."

Manager Li Tao nodded.

"Team Leader Xiao was indeed very impressive during last week's price war, but he has become even more excessive with his subordinates than before."

"He has figured out exactly who is close to you in the company and who is President Chen's confidant. He is polite to me, but it's hard for those below. Relying on his relationship with you, he has been bullying others and throwing his weight around in the company."

"There are even three or four female colleagues who have privately complained to me, saying that Team Leader Xiao sexually harassed them."

"There are even rumors in the company that you are usually a 'Mr. Nice Guy' and that you brought Xiao Xinhao into the company specifically to do the dirty work of offending people for you."

Zheng Qian was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Xiao Xinhao not to change at all; that previous conversation had been completely in vain.

The reason Xiao Xinhao had become even more excessive might be because he wanted to find out who had snitched on him.

Zheng Qian felt that he also shared some of the blame.

As for the sexual harassment of female colleagues, Zheng Qian was even more astonished.

It was said that a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its own nest. Yet, relying on his relationship with Zheng Qian, Xiao Xinhao had caused such rumors to spread, which was truly damaging to his reputation.

Zheng Qian observed Chen Weiqiang's expression; he didn't look surprised at all, as if he had known all along.

"President Chen, did you know about this?"

"Uh, I did know about these things, but the company has been very busy lately, so I haven't had time to deal with it." Chen Weiqiang rubbed his forehead. "Since you happen to be here today, let's discuss what to do."

Zheng Qian didn't believe the excuse of "not having time to deal with it."

It was more likely that it was just too awkward for him to handle.

If he wasn't mistaken, Manager Li Tao's arrival at Chen Weiqiang's office at this moment was an intentional arrangement.

Zheng Qian was the company's major shareholder and had invested another 300 million yuan, making him the helmsman.

Since Xiao Xinhao was Zheng Qian's fellow townsman and college classmate, Chen Weiqiang certainly wouldn't find it easy to bring this up without knowing Zheng Qian's stance.

That was why he had Manager Li Tao bring it up instead.

"My relationship with Xiao Xinhao is indeed very good, and he helped me a lot during college."

"However, I can make my stance clear right now: I will definitely not be soft on any bad apples in the company."

Zheng Qian said firmly and powerfully.

"I already talked to Xiao Xinhao last time, but I didn't expect it to still have no effect. I'll talk to him again in a bit."

"Alright, Qian, with those words of yours, I can put my mind at ease." Manager Li Tao nodded and said with satisfaction.

"By the way, President Zheng, there's a Jiuzhou Maritime Trade Bidding Conference in a few days. We'll need to attend then." Chen Weiqiang suddenly remembered something and quickly reminded him.

After the three of them finished their meeting, Zheng Qian called Xiao Xinhao to his office.

Upon seeing Zheng Qian, Xiao Xinhao seemed a bit excited.

Before Zheng Qian could even speak to him, he asked excitedly, "Qian, did you make an additional investment? You should be the largest shareholder of the company now, right?"

Zheng Qian was slightly surprised.

This matter had not yet been publicly announced in the company, and very few people knew about it. Xiao Xinhao was certainly not among them.

How did he find out?

It turned out that Chen Weiqiang's secretary, Xiaomei, had told him. The company's account suddenly had an extra 300 million yuan, and Chen Weiqiang had knelt down to thank Zheng Qian, so it was highly likely that Zheng Qian was the one who invested it.

Judging by Zheng Qian's hesitant expression just now, Xiao Xinhao felt that his guess was indeed correct.

Although it hadn't been announced in the company yet, Zheng Qian was now the true helmsman of Zhengxin Shipyard, the de facto chairman, directly overshadowing Chen Weiqiang's position!

Xiao Xinhao didn't know where Zheng Qian got so much money, but he knew that his college classmate had struck it rich now, and Zhengxin Shipyard was probably just one of the enterprises under his name.

Such a thick thigh to cling to—Xiao Xinhao had to hold on tight.

"By the way, Qian, what did you call me here for?"

"I'm short on hands lately, so I'm temporarily seconding you to my team for a few days."

Zheng Qian changed his approach. Calling it a secondment, he actually wanted to remove Xiao Xinhao from his post and leave him out in the cold for a few days.

This way, even without him saying anything, Xiao Xinhao should realize what was going on.

"Secondment?" Xiao Xinhao furrowed his brow, not quite understanding.

"Yes, don't think too much of it. Both President Chen and Director Li said you performed very impressively during the price war and have strong professional capabilities."

"Once we get through this busy period, we'll promote you to the position of Deputy Director."

Hearing this, Xiao Xinhao was ecstatic.