Chapter 150: A Bit Too Much Face

Two days later.

Yebai, Long Lake.

Qianhe Group headquarters.

Hu Jingyi picked up the pen with a trembling hand; he hesitated for a long time, unable to sign the contract.

"Elder Hu, please sign it. You should have signed this contract half a month ago," Zheng Qian reminded him.

"President Zheng, let Elder Hu think about it a bit more. After all, such a large enterprise—it hurts more than cutting off a piece of his own flesh," Chen Weiqiang whispered into Zheng Qian's ear.

Hu Jingyi had come to Qianhe Group early this morning to discuss the sale of Yamei Group with Zheng Qian.

After a morning of negotiations, both sides decided that Qianhe Group would acquire 95% of Yamei Group for 270 million, with the remaining 5% to be kept permanently as founder's honorary shares.

Put simply, this 5% was because Hu Jingyi feared that after he passed away, Hu Yuebin would squander all the money and end up starving to death.

With these 5% of shares, he would be able to receive a considerable dividend every year, ensuring he would live better than an average person.

In the end, Hu Jingyi endured the pain as if his flesh were being cut and signed his name on the contract.

Yamei Group's loans only had a one-year term, and now that the docks were carved up, there was no other way but to bow his head to Zheng Qian.

Chen Weiqiang looked at the contract with satisfaction, his heart blooming with joy.

It was only because it was Zheng Qian; if it had been him, he estimated he would have had to fight with Yamei Group for three to five years, and even then, he might not have won.

In two months, Zheng Qian had merged Yamei Group.

Chen Weiqiang wouldn't have dared to dream of this speed of expansion.

Zheng Qian appeared very calm.

Yamei Group had long been in his pocket; it was just a matter of time.

After the merger, Qianhe Group's maritime transport capacity would be greatly increased, rising from the original 25 cargo ships to 47.

If these cargo ships operated at full power, they could finish transporting the orders from the three exporters won at the bidding conference in four months, bringing in at least 3 billion in profit.

"Now Yamei Group is yours," Hu Jingyi sighed helplessly.

In the end, he had lost.

"Can you tell me, what are your plans for the future?"

Hu Jingyi looked at this young, promising man and asked.

He had no conflict of interest with Zheng Qian now and was very curious about what Zheng Qian would do next.

"Of course, if you don't want to say, I won't force you."

"How could that be? Elder Hu, you are a senior in the industry. Please give me some guidance on what I should do next."

Zheng Qian had already held a meeting with Chen Weiqiang and the others last night and formulated two plans, but they hadn't started implementing them yet.

He put on an appearance of humbly asking for advice, wanting to hear Hu Jingyi's opinion.

"If you want to expand further, whether you follow the ecological model of self-production, self-sales, and self-transport, or consolidate your maritime status like Asia Shipping, you need to further expand your market. You cannot be limited to a small Yezhou."

Back then, Hu Jingyi had made the wrong judgment, placing the core focus of his enterprise in Yezhou, a strategic blunder that had profound consequences for the future.

"I am willing to listen to your guidance, senior." Zheng Qian acted like a humble disciple seeking knowledge, putting himself in the lowest posture.

Previously, he and Hu Jingyi were competitors; now, Hu Jingyi was his teacher.

If Qianhe Group wanted to further expand its business territory, the next target would definitely be the Qilu land closest to Yezhou, competing for the market with the Qilu side.

Hu Jingyi analyzed calmly.

Outside Yezhou is the vast Bohai. You must build an impregnable base nearby, which would allow you to blockade Jinmen and Dongyi, and reach Liaodong directly.

Besides that, the Huai River estuary is also a vital commercial hub. The long Huai River can reach half the territory of the Nine Provinces; it can reach the interior and connect to the outside. It is the tiger's mouth location of the maritime transport industry.

Usually, it doesn't look like much on a map, but given Qianhe Group's situation, this place is of paramount importance.

To summarize, there are two paths.

Either build a base near Bohai.

Or take the Huai River estuary and defend it strictly.

Hu Jingyi was experienced and had a sharp eye; he broke the deadlock with one word.

After hearing Hu Jingyi's analysis, Zheng Qian couldn't help but admire this senior.

His analysis was extremely accurate, almost identical to the plans Zheng Qian and his team had discussed in their meeting.

It was just that he wasn't sure which plan was better to implement.

Judging by Hu Jingyi's implication, he intended to take the step toward the Huai River estuary.

"Elder Hu, it's almost dinner time, don't leave yet."

"We are holding a victory banquet on Wangyue Island today, with a hundred tables set. I hope you can do us the honor."

Zheng Qian had Chen Weiqiang accompany Hu Jingyi directly to the banquet, while he went to pick up Xu Shuyun from Jinxiu Group.

On Wangyue Island.

It was decorated with lanterns and festoons, magnificent and resplendent.

Zheng Qian had invited many executives and key employees to attend this victory banquet.

He also took this opportunity to announce the news of the official establishment of Qianhe Group.

"Why are there so many people today?" After meeting with Zheng Qian, Xu Shuyun saw the scale at Wangyue Pavilion and felt a little stage fright.

She had thought it would be a simple victory dinner, at most two or three tables. She didn't expect Zheng Qian to put on such a big show, setting up a hundred tables.

"What's wrong? You're not shy, are you?" Zheng Qian took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and stroked Xu Shuyun's leg.

"What are you doing? There are so many people here, can you keep your hands to yourself?" Xu Shuyun's face turned bright red.

She was actually quite happy.

She was attending this banquet on behalf of Jinxiu Group today, and also as Zheng Qian's date.

Every intimate move between the two would be seen by others.

By then, everyone would know that she was Zheng Qian's woman.

As for the Qianhe Group that Zheng Qian had set up, Zheng Qian rarely talked to her about it; Xu Shuyun still didn't know what Qianhe Group did.

Wangyue Island was bustling with people, incredibly lively.

Xu Shuyun held onto Zheng Qian with her arm as fair as snow. Every few steps they took, someone would come over to greet Zheng Qian, while also looking at her with a surprised expression.

"President Zheng, you're here?"

"President Zheng, you've worked hard."

Zheng Qian nodded to them and, without avoiding anything, led Xu Shuyun toward the main table.

Those who saw this scene couldn't help but whisper, discussing the relationship between Zheng Qian and Xu Shuyun.

Ordinary friends?

Business partners?

Boyfriend and girlfriend?

"President Zheng! Please, please!"

After reaching the main table, several people quickly stood up to welcome Zheng Qian.

When Xu Shuyun saw this posture, her eyebrows furrowed.

At the same table were: President Ma Wencheng of Jiyuan Woodworking, Boss Chang Dashan of Dafu Timber, Boss Han of Wangyue Island, and Boss Ni of Luyuan Villa.

Even the senior from Yamei Group, Hu Jingyi, had come!

Zheng Qian's reputation seemed a bit too big!

No, that's not right. Wasn't Hu Jingyi's Yamei Group Zheng Qian's competitor? Why would he come to celebrate Zheng Qian's victory?