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

In the private conference room on the top floor of the headquarters of Dazhong Electronics in Beijing.

The air was so heavy it seemed you could wring water out of it; the ashtray was piled high with unextinguished cigarette butts; the pungent smell of cigars mingled with the anxious breath of sweat.

Old Liu slammed the brand-new promotion plan he was holding onto the mahogany table. The papers flew everywhere with a crisp "crack," breaking the deathly silence.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Li Zekai, who was sitting at the same table, and Zhang Dazhong, the CEO of Dazhong Electronics. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his voice was hoarse as if sandpaper was being rubbed together.

"I disagree with this plan, so why should I be allowed to avoid it?"

"Changing policies every morning and evening, is this your sincerity in cooperating?"

"Lianxiang's Hong Kong-listed shares plummeted 50% intraday today, wiping out billions in market value! The phone at the Chinese Academy of Sciences hasn't stopped ringing; the leaders are practically pointing their fingers at me and asking, 'Old Liu, how have you been managing this company?'"

He was panting heavily, and he stabbed Li Zekai hard with his finger.

"If you want to cooperate, stop talking the talk. Was the '100 Cities, 1000 Stores' agreement you signed before just for show?"

What happened to the promised HK$500 million in cash?

"Take it out!"

"That guy surnamed Lu and Zhang Ruimin's 'strategic symbiosis' are practically riding on our necks, and we're still holding meetings today and tomorrow to discuss it. By the time we've had Century Electronics Plaza stores practically opening up Zhongguancun!"

"If you dawdle any longer, you won't even get to eat hot shit before it's even hot!"

It's no wonder he cursed so harshly. In the past, he certainly wouldn't have wanted to offend the second son of Li Chao, a bigwig in Hong Kong.

But things are different now. The fire is burning right up to their eyebrows. If it weren't for the fact that Lao Liu still has some background and connections, and a large group of people supporting him within the company, those arrogant and fierce soldiers wouldn't submit to anyone without him.

Otherwise, by now, voices supporting his resignation would probably have already been raised.

Even so, no matter how deep your network of connections is, it can't withstand this kind of drain!

Li Zekai sat in the leather sofa, his face ashen.

The second young master of the Li family in Hong Kong suppressed the humiliation of being publicly reprimanded, but managed a reassuring smile: "Old Liu, calm down. Lu's move to cut off our supply lines is indeed ruthless, but Yingke's promise remains unchanged. The funds are being allocated, and the first batch of HK$100 million will arrive within three days."

He paused, glancing at the trembling Zhang Dazhong out of the corner of his eye, and then changed the subject, "But you also know that market panic is a chain reaction. The collapse of Lianxiang's stock price, although affected by the Asian financial crisis, has dragged down the reputation of the entire alliance. The most urgent task is to stabilize investors, not to cause internal strife."

At that time, PCCW Digital, which was under his own name, was still a private company and not listed on the stock exchange, so it could be said that way.

So what if you're young?
He was much calmer and more composed than Lao Li, whose opponent had clearly lost his composure and was somewhat on the defensive.

in contrast.

Zhang Dazhong, the CEO of Dazhong Electronics, felt extremely uneasy. His large body shrank back in the chair, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

When Lao Liu's artillery fire turned on him, he almost collapsed.

"Old Zhang! You're even more outrageous!"

"It's nothing, there's no official announcement, it's just inside information provided by an informant, and you're already scared out of your wits."

Old Liu was practically pointing his finger at him and yelling, "What's the point of holding closed-door meetings? As the company's CEO, what you should be doing is to tour stores across the country, boost morale on the front lines, and get new stores up and running, not agonizing over whether or not to go against that guy surnamed Lu. You've chickened out and don't want to play anymore, do you think he'll let you off the hook?" he said.

Anger surged up again.

He slammed his hand on the table and said, "If you ask me, let's just go all the way. From now on, completely remove all electrical products produced by companies affiliated with his Century Group from the shelves. Things like Little Genius learning machines, Little Genius computers, Little Prodigy VCDs... stop selling them. What's there to be afraid of? Let's fight him to the end. No matter what the final outcome is, let's make sure that Lu's products can't be sold in our great Beijing."

Old Liu, too, came from humble beginnings, and he certainly possessed the courage to fight and take risks, even at the cost of his life.

only……

Zhang Dazhong's lips trembled upon hearing this.

"President Liu, I... I'm not afraid, but Century Group even sells our competitors' products. If we announce a complete ban, what will consumers think? Wouldn't that be cutting off our own escape route?"

Even the most powerful company like Dazhong Electronics only owns a dozen or so electronics stores.

It is indeed the largest electrical appliance chain retailer in Beijing and the surrounding areas.

But if you really dare to do something that would kill a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own, you might not even be able to keep your existing market if the other side seizes the opportunity. Moreover, the damage to the other side would be limited and wouldn't have much effect. At most, it would just annoy the other side and delay the smooth sales of their products in Beijing for a few months.

This is still the most ideal situation.

The worst-case scenario is that it won't even delay the other party for a few days. Instead, the other party might seize the opportunity to use their dominant market position to force other appliance retailers to take over their large market share.

A heavy silence descended once again in the conference room.

Old Liu slumped back into his seat, rubbing his temples. He hadn't thought things through when he said those words; he was just confused by anger. But after thinking about it carefully, he realized he really couldn't do that. Although Dazhong Electronics was only the third largest shareholder, and the two guys opposite were the largest investor and the second largest shareholder, if they really ruined this northern electronics chain retailer, their own stronghold in Beijing might be in danger, and the situation would be even worse.

Forget it, we'll discuss this in more detail later when the situation becomes clearer.

Suddenly, the phone in Lao Liu's waist bag started ringing incessantly.

Meanwhile, Li Zekai's phone was also vibrating incessantly.

The message came from my assistant: "Quantum Fund has started selling off Lianxiang bonds. Soros is stirring things up."

This is a really bad day for Lianhe!
He cursed under his breath, but forced a more gentle expression onto his face: "Mr. Liu, once the funds arrive, we will launch the 'Lightning Store Opening Plan.' Lu Yang wants to use Haier, the largest white goods manufacturer in China, to deal with us. We will crush him with our market scale. But you have to withstand the internal pressure. Lianxiang cannot be in disarray."

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open, and the marketing manager of Dazhong Electronics rushed in, his voice trembling, "Boss, it's terrible! The latest news is that Century Group and Qingdao Haier Brothers have just issued a joint statement reaching an agreement on 'joint technology research and development terms,' and Haier Brothers' 'Rock Solid Plan' has received billions in credit support... Also... both parties have jointly invested in Century Electronics Plaza, and the '100 Cities, 1000 Stores' plan has been announced to be launched simultaneously... Calling Mr. Liu... Mr. Liu's company's Hong Kong shares are experiencing another round of sell-offs!"

The voice just fell.

Old Liu's pupils constricted suddenly in the conference room. He grabbed his coat and rushed out, yelling, "Meeting adjourned! Li family brat, if the money isn't in the account by tomorrow, the alliance is over. From now on, everyone can go their own way."

Li Zekai stared at his back, a sinister glint in his eyes.

This old fox, no matter how deep his connections are, can't withstand a few rounds of attrition.

Zhang Dazhong slumped in his chair, muttering, "It's over...it's all over now."

Compared to the wealthy and powerful second son of the Li family, Liu Zhi, with his rock-solid position and unfathomable background, is the one in the most danger, facing the impending tsunami-like impact on the electronics retail market. (End of Chapter)