Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

The following morning, a group of people dressed in suits walked out of the VIP passage at Shenzhen Airport.

He Zhihua, general manager of Beibingyang Soda, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, looked at the blinding sunlight outside the glass curtain wall, and whispered to his assistant beside him: "Go to Century Group first according to procedure. Remember to make a big splash. In addition to the reporters we brought, don't forget to notify the local reporters in Pengcheng and let them all come to interview. The publicity must keep up. Also, remember to wait until the afternoon. Find an excuse and say that I am suffering from acclimatization problems... We are here to go through the motions... It's to make foreign investors nervous, understand?"

At the same time, Lu Yang was standing in front of the window of the district government office, his fingertips lightly tapping the Phoenix Dancong tea that Old Man He had just brewed.

The tea rippled in the glass, creating amber waves that reflected the faint smile on his lips.

"Old man, you only need to help me go through the motions for lunch. You don't necessarily have to force them to invest in Pengcheng. But since they are guests from afar, if we really can't reach an agreement, I've prepared a small gift for them as well."

talking.

Lu Yang suddenly turned around and slammed a file folder labeled "Tianfu Cola" onto his desk. "This is the restructuring document of the Sichuan Provincial Light Industry Department this year. I even dug up the original draft. I have to thank our good friend for this. Without Lao Mou's help, I wouldn't have been able to get this."

"How did Sichuan's Tianfu Cola get involved again?"

Lu Yang's move was somewhat chaotic.

This caused He Weijun to instinctively gasp in surprise.

He stood up and reached for the file folder on the table.

But Lu Yang stopped him with one hand, saying, "Old man, you're in a bit of a hurry. This is one of my secret moves, which can only be opened when all else fails. You want to see it now... If it's leaked, it won't work anymore, and you'll have to take responsibility."

"I'll take no responsibility whatsoever!"

He Weijun, his beard bristling and eyes wide, said, "Old man, I leaked secrets? Whose secrets did I leak? You? Everyone knows you're my big benefactor. If you're good, I'm good; if I'm good, you're good. We're in the same boat now. Am I crazy? Would I sink my own boat?"

That makes a lot of sense.

Lu Yang couldn't help but nod, releasing his hand from the folder. "Then take a look."

In fact, the reason he was willing to take it out was to show it to the old man in front of him. After all, the old man was the secretary of the district. Whether it was setting up a new Coca-Cola factory in Futian District of Shenzhen in the future or dealing with the officials behind Sichuan Tianfu Coca-Cola, he would not be able to do without the support of the old man beside him.

He Weijun had already sensed Lu Yang's trust, and with satisfaction, he opened the folder in his hand, took out his reading glasses, and put them on for Lu Yang.

then……

"suspect--"

He looked up, adjusted the frame of his reading glasses with his finger, and stared at Lu Yang with a shocked expression: "You're... using a feint to deceive others while secretly plotting something else?"

What a brilliant use of the phrase "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass"!
Lu Yang's lips curled up like a pout, almost impossible to suppress.

He quickly turned his face away.

He said in a nonchalant tone, "This is nothing, just a small fry. Pepsi and Coca-Cola, those two global beverage giants, are really going big. They're going to wipe out all the well-known old domestic beverage brands in one fell swoop!"

It turns out that this was also an acquisition survey form, and it detailed the negotiation process between PepsiCo, the foreign capital, and Sichuan Tianfu Cola. From the initial contact to each step of the process, everything was recorded in detail in the file.

You could say that with this file, if someone tries to do something malicious or try to steal it, they can easily catch them red-handed.

Only with Mu Qizhong's abilities in the three southwestern provinces could he have obtained it; Lu Yang certainly couldn't.

He Weijun reluctantly put down the file, then took off his reading glasses, pondered it carefully for a moment, and said:
"Although Tianfu Cola is only popular in the Sichuan area, I think it has more potential than Beibingyang Soda, which has almost occupied the entire northern market. In terms of scale, the two companies are about the same. If I had to choose between investing the same amount of money in these two companies, I would choose Tianfu Cola. Beibingyang Soda is also good, but it is an old state-owned enterprise in Beijing. Under the capital, foreign capital can do whatever it wants, but you can't."

I know your ambitions too. You either don't invest at all, or you're pouring so much money into it, you're definitely aiming for a controlling stake, but I think that won't be easy..."

Out of concern, he felt it was necessary to remind the young man in front of him.

Reform and opening up is one thing, but the path this country is taking is ultimately socialist rather than capitalist. Sometimes, we can't be too straightforward in our actions, otherwise we might suffer a great loss if we're not careful.

Lu Yang smiled mysteriously at the old man and said in a friendly manner, "Alright, old man, since you still remembered to remind me, I'll tell you another secret that very few people know right now..."

Upon hearing this, He Weijun put on his reading glasses.

Sit up straight.

As expected of a professor who used to be a university teacher, he looks... just like a primary school student attentively listening to a lecture.

Lu Yang dared not laugh at him.

After clearing his throat, he said, "My people have already found out that just this morning at 10:40, a group of foreigners disembarked from a plane at Beijing Capital International Airport. The leader, let me tell you a name you may have heard of, Christopher A. Sinclair. It's a mouthful, but he's the CEO of PepsiCo's East Asia region. At such a crucial time, why do you think these people would travel so far?"

He Weijun seemed thoughtful. "Are you suspecting that Mr. He from Beibingyang Soda, whom you had arranged to have lunch with to discuss cooperation, actually already knew that people from Pepsi, the foreign company, were coming today?"

If that's the case, then things are getting more and more interesting.

This is enough to prove that the success rate of this cooperation between the two parties is probably less than 10%.

Even if it's only a fraction of what's expected, you still have to go. What's wrong with helping out for free, even if it's just carrying someone else's sedan chair?
"Everyone carries the sedan chair, I don't mind... hehe... it's just annoying to be made a fool of."

Lu Yang's smile was somewhat sinister.

From the very beginning, Arctic Ocean Soda never intended to cooperate with Lu Yang.

What they lack is someone to push them to raise their own prices.

So as long as things are made clear, Lu Yang can also lend a hand without losing anything, since he's just helping his compatriots swindle money from foreigners anyway.

But you can't treat people like monkeys, can you?
"So you're thinking of... countering them from here?"

He pointed to the folder on the table.

"Can't you?"

Lu Yang turned his head to look at him with a half-smile.

“It’s possible, but if your underhanded scheme succeeds, you’ll completely offend this Fortune 500 multinational corporation. Besides, their main product is cola, which clashes with yours. If you want to promote Tianfu Cola, an old domestic brand that only sells fairly well in Sichuan, to the whole south and north, you’ll have to fight a fierce battle with this Fortune 500 company, Pepsi, in the mainland. And it will be a bloody battle. Are you confident you can win?” He Weijun pushed up his reading glasses.

His aged face was etched with worry. Indeed, a world-class... Fortune 500... one of the two giants in the beverage market, with so many trademarks combined, just hearing the name is impressive enough.

Lu Yang raised his wrist, checked the time, and said in a deep voice, "I've already made a reservation at a restaurant. In half an hour, someone will bring Mr. He from Beibingyang Soda, whom we're meeting, over as well. Are you coming with me, or are you staying in your office, worried that I might be crushed or even wiped out by foreign capital?"

Expressing too much determination is less impactful than simply stating your position directly; that's more powerful.

Even He Weijun was moved by Lu Yang's imposing presence. The old man stroked his white beard, stood up, and said, "If even you aren't afraid, what do I have to be afraid of?"

“Our local government is here to provide services to create a favorable business environment for your companies. One of you is a CEO with assets of several billion yuan, and the other is the CEO of a state-owned enterprise in Beijing. You invited me to dinner. How could I, a mere local district secretary, dare to refuse?”

"You brat, aren't you going to lead the way?"

He may have said some sarcastic things, but everything he did was for your benefit.

"That awful, pretentious stench of intellectuals."

Lu Yang shook his head and thought to himself.

But I'm too lazy to argue with this old man. I'll just consider it a way of repaying him for not being intimidated by the news that I'm going to fight against foreign capital!

soon……

The two went downstairs and arrived at the agreed location.

Just then, Mr. He, the general manager of Arctic Ocean Soda, got out of the car, followed by the entire Arctic Ocean team. There were also quite a few people holding long lenses and microphones, who were probably reporters, and they were trying to interview them.

"Mr. He, I heard that you came to Pengcheng this time at the invitation of Mr. Lu of Century Group. The other party intends to offer 1000 million US dollars to acquire 51% of your Arctic Ocean Soda shares, and the two parties will jointly establish a joint venture and set up a factory in Pengcheng. Mr. He, is it convenient for you to answer this question?"

"Mr. He, as far as I know, if this is true, it will far exceed the preliminary agreement you reached with the foreign-funded PepsiCo at the beginning of the month. Does this mean that your Arctic Ocean Soda will take this opportunity to tear up the agreement and completely accept the takeover of Century Group by President Lu?"

"Please answer, Mr. He, could you please take a little time to clarify everyone's questions?"

"Mr. He, is it convenient for us to stop for a moment?"

"Mr. He..."

Lu Yang and the old man beside him exchanged a glance. Almost simultaneously, they saw through the surface and realized that the scene before them was strikingly similar to those period Hong Kong dramas from the Hong Kong TVB Jade Channel.

It tastes like that.

However, this is probably the first time such a scene of businessmen being surrounded and interviewed by reporters has occurred in mainland China.
Both of them were trying not to laugh.

But at the same time, I couldn't help but shake my head inwardly. It seemed the deal was already done. They'd come from afar; their sincerity in genuinely discussing cooperation might be lacking, but their sincerity in putting on an act was absolutely overflowing.

It's too late to say.

Lu Yang forced a smile and, one step ahead of the old man beside him, strode forward to greet him.

Grabbing the hand of Mr. He, the manager of Arctic Ocean Soda who hadn't yet figured out who the young man was, he said, "Welcome, a warm welcome!"

"We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Mr. He. Rest assured, given your sincerity in coming in person, I, Lu Yang, agree to provide the $1000 million. Our only request is that you agree to the same terms you made with Pepsi, the foreign company, as you did with Century Group. We'll contribute an extra $200 million, but we won't ask for any additional benefits. All we want is for our traditional Chinese products to be completely preserved and passed down, no matter the cost."

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

Besides Lu Yang and his company staff, reporters and passersby also joined in the applause.

"well said."

"aweason."

“Our own traditional Chinese brands should belong to us Chinese people. How can we hand them over to foreigners to manage?”

"That's right, that makes sense... Who's this young man? He looks quite good, and he seems energetic. Is he married? My daughter just turned 18 this year, and she's a stunning beauty. Perhaps..."

"Auntie, you're just passing by, but can you at least take a good look at yourself in the mirror before you take a piss?"

"It's not your fault you're ugly, but it's wrong of you to go out and scare people. She's your daughter, she's your daughter! If I think she's not ugly, then I'm already incredibly lucky, she's a beauty..."

"Believe it or not, I just think my daughter is a good match for this young man, so what? You disagree?"

The onlookers, watching the commotion, actually started arguing...

Lu Yang brushed his bangs aside.

He couldn't help but secretly gloat to himself: It's all my fault, it's all my fault for being so charming, tall, mighty, handsome and dashing.

Money is the courage of a hero, and also a man's fashionable attire. Wearing this fashionable attire, even the ugliest man can surpass more than 90% of the poor men in the world after his appearance is enhanced.

"Um...Mr. Lu, I didn't know you were so young. Shall we go inside and talk later?"

Compared to Lu Yang's confidence and vanity, Mr. He from Beibingyang Soda, whose hand he was grabbing to greet, was secretly sweating profusely.

He was thinking to himself: Oh no, judging from this situation, is it going to backfire?
If things were to backfire, it wouldn't be entirely unacceptable on the surface—an extra $200 million is no small sum. However, the decision had already been made: the financing partner for Arctic Ocean Soda was the foreign company PepsiCo. Changing course now would not only be a slap in the face for PepsiCo, but also… what if…

Who can bear this responsibility?
He's just a small factory director in a state-owned enterprise, about to retire, but he can't bear this blame, nor does he want to.

He thought to himself that the young man was audacious and reckless. He just wanted to get through this quickly, have a meal, and then make a run for it.

But Lu Yang wasn't about to let him off so easily, so he personally introduced him to He Weijun, the local Futian District Party Secretary.

In front of reporters and passersby, the three of them chatted for five minutes, as if they were holding a mini press conference.

(End of this chapter)