Chapter 71: The Enemy's Enemy is His Friend

The three of them walked out of the office, each harboring different feelings.

Zhong Xiaoyao naturally felt a hint of disdain for the other two; when it came to providing information and background research, her contribution was the greatest.

From the expression on Zheng Qian's face, it was easy to tell that he was most satisfied with her.

She was certain she had scored full marks on this assignment.

The other two didn't think so.

Yao Manman and Qin Xueli felt that Zhong Xiaoyao was merely opportunistically stumbling into success. While Zheng Qian was most satisfied with her, that assessment was based on the foundation of the information they had both provided.

In a way, Zhong Xiaoyao had stolen the fruits of their labor.

Qin Xueli felt she had to work harder to stand out among the three of them.

Zheng Qian's feelings toward her were decent; at the very least, his attitude was on par with how he treated Yao Manman.

But Qin Xueli disdained to associate herself with Yao Manman.

She wanted to make Zheng Qian see her in a different light.

Yao Manman, on the other hand, was completely confused and harbored a grudge against Zhong Xiaoyao, her face accumulating more and more resentment.

"Alright, let's consider this the starting point for the three of us."

"You... do you really intend to handle this matter yourself, without waiting for President Chen?"

"It would certainly be safest for President Chen to handle it, but I can't reach him right now, and I can't just sit here and wait for my doom."

"Let's go. It's time to meet this President Ma Wencheng."

...

Jiyuan Woodworking.

Inside the chairman's office sat two middle-aged men and one young man.

They were President Ma Wencheng, Chang Dashan, and Hu Yuebin.

The three of them were smoking together, filling the office with a thick white haze. The secretary standing nearby coughed incessantly, almost to the point of passing out.

"Go open the window."

While the female secretary went to open the window, President Ma Wencheng gave her perky backside a hard squeeze. The secretary dared not resist and could only endure it obediently.

"Cough, cough... cough, cough..."

"Alright, alright, get out. Don't just stand there."

The female secretary, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly retreated from the office.

"President Hu, this move of yours is truly ruthless. Zhengxin must be in complete chaos right now," President Ma Wencheng couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

This sniping operation was spearheaded by Hu Yuebin, involving their two companies.

"Of course. I've already investigated Zhengxin Group. Chen Weiqiang has gone to Magic City to discuss business and isn't in Yebai."

"Zhongguang Fund alone is enough to keep Liu Shiqi busy. Since she's in the financing stage right now, she definitely won't have time to deal with this."

"Besides, that foul woman Liu Shiqi is just a nominal vice president with no real power in the company. She can't intervene unless she gets authorization from Chen Weiqiang."

"Speaking of Chen Weiqiang, President Chang, have you handled things on your end?" Hu Yuebin asked. Chen Weiqiang was the key figure in this trap, and he had to be kept under control for the time being.

"It was taken care of last night. Chen Weiqiang's phone has been confiscated, and he's eating prison food now. He won't be coming out for eight or ten days."

"That's fine. A few days is enough. You did well." Hu Yuebin patted Chang Dashan on the shoulder.

This made Chang Dashan very displeased, but he still forced a smile.

"You patting my shoulder? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Even if your father came, he could at most pat my arm."

"When I started from scratch, your father hadn't even ejaculated you yet. You're just a spoiled brat, and Yamei Group will be dragged down by you sooner or later."

The enemy of an enemy is a friend; Chang Dashan knew this well.

Currently, the three were in an alliance. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse, and Yamei Group was several times larger than the other two companies.

Chang Dashan had no choice but to endure it for now.

"There's still that unknown little vice president left. I heard he's only been in office for a few days and is doing business for the first time. He must be rushing to ask Chen Weiqiang for help right now."

Hu Yuebin was targeting both Zhengxin Shipyard and this Zheng Qian.

"But President Hu, if Chen Weiqiang comes to find me, what should I say?" President Ma Wencheng felt a vague sense of unease.

He and Chen Weiqiang were acquaintances, after all. Not only was he withholding the shipping fees, but he had also sent a lawyer's letter, preparing to sue Zhengxin Shipyard. It would be awkward to talk if they met face-to-face.

"President Ma, that's not being righteous. President Hu is giving Jiyuan Woodworking a price 35% below market rate; why would you even need to meet with that kid Chen Weiqiang?"

"Alright then."

President Ma Wencheng thought about it carefully and realized it was true. This price was enough for him to turn against Chen Weiqiang and become enemies.

Jiyuan Woodworking produced finished wood products, mainly exporting to island nations and Singapore. Manufacturing and labor costs were not high, but transportation costs accounted for the majority of all expenses.

Using an acquaintance to reduce costs by nearly 20%—saving that much money over a year—was worth it.

"President Ma, President Chang understands this clearly. In the business world, there are no long-term friends, only long-term interests."

"What does Zhengxin have? A few broken ships. What can they compare with me?"

When Hu Yuebin said this, his eyes were full of disdain. He looked down on Zhengxin Shipyard from the very beginning.

"Yes, yes, yes. President Hu's lesson is correct. Compared to the Yamei Shipyard founded by your father, Zhengxin Shipyard is nothing but a fart."

"Hahahaha!"

The three of them burst into laughter.

Chang Dashan was the happiest. He was dying to see Zhengxin Shipyard and that Zheng Qian make a fool of themselves.

In that respect, his goal was the same as Hu Yuebin's.

Back then, when Chen Weiqiang came to demand the two million in shipping fees, he was like a soul-reaping demon, saying he wouldn't even grant a few more days of grace.

Chang Dashan had even made his own son kneel and lowered his pride to beg Chen Weiqiang, yet he was still forced to pay the shipping fees, or else be sued.

Now, it was time to let Zhengxin Shipyard taste the feeling of being sued.

"There's such a thing? Zhengxin is being too ruthless. What's two million? Can't Chen Weiqiang even cover that little amount? Then why is he even doing maritime shipping?"

This was also the first time Hu Yuebin had heard of this.

"It's absolutely true. If I hadn't hurriedly borrowed a sum from a friend, Chen Weiqiang probably really would have sued."

After Chen Weiqiang left, Chang Dashan had no choice but to take out a private loan, using Dafu Timber as collateral, and even promised high interest rates.

He had reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Yamei Shipyard, intending to make a comeback.

"Small-minded. Such a person can't accomplish anything," Hu Yuebin cursed.

If Chen Weiqiang couldn't even cover two million, then this time, seven million would surely break Zhengxin's capital chain, right?

Thinking of this, Hu Yuebin felt extremely satisfied.

He knew all too well what would happen if a shipyard's capital chain broke.

Unable to pay the wages of captains, first mates, and sailors, and unable to refuel, the ships would have to stay docked at the pier. The daily docking fees alone would cost a lot.

With this, it would be very difficult for Zhengxin Shipyard to expand. Seeing these bad debts, investors wouldn't dare to invest, and clients wouldn't dare to let Zhengxin take their cargo orders.

When the time came and the ships couldn't even sail, how would they be able to accept orders from Jinxiu Group?

That bastard named Zheng Qian took down Jinxiu Group at an extremely low price, wasn't that just to extend an olive branch to Xu Shuyun?

Hu Yuebin knew this very well because he had planned to do the same thing, only to be beaten to it by Zheng Qian.

Daring to snatch the woman he had his eye on, he had to teach the guy a harsh lesson.

Now Zheng Qian hadn't succeeded in wooing the girl and had played himself into a dead end.

He already had a premonition that it wouldn't be long before Xu Shuyun would sue Zhengxin Shipyard, forcing them to pay an extremely high compensation.

Then Xu Shuyun would take the initiative to contact him, hoping that Yamei Shipyard could transport Jinxiu Group's goods.

At that time, Hu Yuebin would pretend to be very troubled and reluctantly agree to help Xu Shuyun.

Heh, it's just a game.

Xu Shuyun was already his pillow beauty; she just didn't know it yet.

"President Ma, there is a man named Zheng Qian downstairs who claims to be the vice president of Zhengxin Shipyard and says he wants to see you."