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

At the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, a signing ceremony and press conference that attracted the attention of various financial media outlets has just concluded.

The embers of the spotlight had not yet dissipated; the air was filled with the scent of settled dust and a hint of the gunpowder of a new era.

On the platform, the huge backdrop silently proclaimed the end of one era and the beginning of another.

On the left: The four gold-plated characters "Dazhong Electronics," which once symbolized the dominant position of home appliance retail in northern China, are now covered by a dark blue velvet cloth.

On the right: The golden logo of "Century Electrical Plaza (Northern) Co., Ltd." shines brightly under the spotlight.

One corner of the covering cloth has been lifted, and the visual impact of the transition between old and new is far more persuasive than any words.

Lu Yang stood on the stage, facing the barrage of cameras and microphones, his expression calm, his voice clearly carried through the microphone to every corner of the venue:
"Dear media friends and partners, I am honored to announce that, after friendly negotiations, Century Group has completed the acquisition of the main equity of Dazhong Electronics."

Effective immediately, Dazhong Electronics will be officially integrated into the home appliance retail business system under Century Group and renamed 'Century Electronics Plaza (Northern) Co., Ltd.'

This is not only a crucial step for Century Group in integrating the national market and building a comprehensive channel network, but also brings consumers in northern China a higher quality, more convenient, and more competitive shopping experience.

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Dazhong, who was sitting in the front row below the stage.

The former retail giant in the north is now wearing a brand-new suit with the Century Group logo, and the nameplate on his chest clearly indicates his new identity: President of Century Electrical Plaza (Northern) Co., Ltd.

Zhang Dazhong's expression was complex, showing relief at being relieved of a heavy burden, melancholy at saying goodbye to the "child" he had created, but more so, it reflected the pragmatism and determination inspired by his new role, new platform, and the "big and round" future prospects promised by Lu Yang.

He nodded slightly to the camera, as if responding to Lu Yang's gaze and sending a signal to the outside world that the transition would be smooth.

"We thank Mr. Zhang Dazhong and his team for their outstanding contributions to the development of Dazhong Electronics, and highly commend their extensive industry experience and profound understanding of the northern market. Mr. Zhang will continue to serve as the president of the new company and lead the team to complete the integration and upgrading."

Lu Yang's affirmation was just the right thing to soothe the hearts of Zhang Dazhong and his former subordinates.

The reporters in the audience could no longer contain themselves, and their flashbulbs went off wildly again.

A pointed question was immediately raised: "Mr. Lu, it is understood that the acquisition of Mr. Zhang Dazhong's team shares only cost RMB 2 million, while it was previously rumored that Hong Kong capital had offered HKD 5 million to participate in Dazhong's expansion. Does this price difference mean that Mr. Zhang Dazhong's team made a huge concession?"

Mr. Lu, please answer this: is there any suspicion of taking advantage of someone's misfortune in this transaction?

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Dazhong and his team executives, who were sitting below the stage, glared angrily at the reporter, while looking nervously at Lu Yang on the podium.

What a joke.

The company has already been sold, even if we didn't want to. What if we offend this new boss and he makes things difficult for us?
Just as Zhang Dazhong was about to speak, he ordered someone to throw out the reporter who had paranoia and spoke recklessly.

On stage, Lu Yang smiled knowingly.

He had anticipated this problem.

He raised his hand to calm the audience, and confidently said into the microphone, "As we all know, price is never the only standard for measuring the value of a transaction, or even the most important one."

There was a pause.

He calmly replied, "The 2 million RMB is a reasonable price given by Century Group after a full assessment of Dazhong Electronics' assets, brand value, and its strategic position in the northern market. This money is real, one-time payment to Mr. Zhang and his team, guaranteeing the entrepreneur's financial freedom and right to choose."

After saying that, he changed the subject, his tone carrying a subtle sharpness as he stared at the reporter who had just asked the question: "As for the HK$5 million you mentioned, that is not an equity acquisition payment for the founding team, but a capital injection commitment for the company's expansion."

Whether the promises can be fulfilled, whether the expansion will be successful, and how much the founding team will ultimately benefit are all still highly uncertain.

More importantly…

Lu Yang's voice was steady yet firm, "That promise ultimately did not come true, but Century Group always keeps its word and settled all accounts."

A brief silence fell over the venue, followed by an even louder burst of camera flashes.

Lu Yang's answer not only explained the price difference, but also cleverly revealed the dishonesty of Li Zekai, the second son of the Li family, who is a little superman. It clearly conveyed to the public the key factors for Zhang Dali's choice of Century Group - security, certainty and respect.

Zhang Dazhong nodded silently from below the stage; Lu Yang's words were exactly what he had in mind.

Rather than following the untrustworthy second son of the Li family, going hungry nine times a day, and risking the company going bankrupt because it can't beat the competitors on stage, it's better to sell the company to President Lu in front of me and make a profit.

In fact, before signing the contract, Lu Yang was also asked a question: "Isn't this too cheap for this General Manager Zhang?"

Lu Yang shook his head at the time: "There's no such thing as cheap or not cheap, it's just the best choice. Besides, it's not easy for this Mr. Zhang to start from scratch and build such a big company..."

In fact, no one knew better than Lu Yang that Dazhong Electronics would be valued at 36.5 billion yuan and would be fully acquired by Guomei Electronics in the near future.

Although it may not be worth 36.5 billion RMB right now, the strategic location of Dazhong Electronics determines its importance. Whoever can acquire it will directly have more than half of the market in the north. For Century Group's home appliance plaza, which urgently needs to expand rapidly, this will be a rare boost to quickly leave its competitors behind and directly become the domestic market leader. Therefore, the 2 million RMB spent is very worthwhile.

After the press conference, Lu Yang did not linger among the media.

In the VIP lounge, he met Liu Zhi, who was already waiting there.

The face of the person in charge of Lianxiang no longer showed the gloom and struggle he had displayed in the office a few days ago; instead, it showed a complex weariness and cautious observation.

"Mr. Liu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Lu Yang extended his hand, his smile still gentle, exuding the composure of a controller. He sized up this senior businessman who had just made a crucial decision under pressure.

Liu Zhi grasped Lu Yang's hand with a firm but not too strong grip, his gaze like a searchlight trying to pierce through Lu Yang's calm surface: "President Lu, you are a force to be reckoned with. You won this round beautifully." He paused, his voice low, "I just want to see with my own eyes who this person is who can make me, Liu Zhi... well, make Lianxiang make such a choice."

He ultimately swallowed the word "forced," but the resentment and inquiry in his tone were clearly audible.

Lu Yang chuckled and gestured for the other person to sit down.

"Mr. Liu, you flatter me. In the market competition, cooperation is mutually beneficial. The collaboration between Century and Lenovo has only just begun."

He avoided the main point and steered the conversation toward the future, while also observing Liu Zhi to assess the true mindset and exploitable value of this "ally."

"Mr. Lu, after acquiring Dazhong, and with the addition of my Lianxiang Dazhong shares, Century Group has become the controlling shareholder. What are your plans regarding the Asia Audio-Visual Foundation, which still holds a 25% stake?"

"It's simple. Inform the eldest son of the Li family that the Asian Audio-Visual Foundation, which was spearheaded by the Li family, is currently under his management. Can you pass on my message and tell him to voluntarily withdraw from Dazhong Electronics? I will still buy his shares at the market price. Of course, he can refuse."

At this moment, Lu Yang's words were calm, yet contained an undeniable force.

He didn't care whether he offended the Li family because of this. In business competition, face is something that is given to each other. If the other party doesn't want it, he naturally doesn't need to be polite anymore.

“President Wei,” Lu Yang turned to look at the elegant and capable Wei Shu beside him, “You will be in charge of following up on the subsequent communication with the Li family. Give our eldest son of the Li family two choices: one, sell his shares to Century Group at the current fair market price; two, refuse to sell. If he chooses the latter, as the controlling shareholder, we will initiate a capital increase and share expansion process in accordance with the company’s articles of association and the Company Law to ensure the strategic development needs of the new company. At that time, the rights and interests of non-participating shareholders will be diluted accordingly. You can clearly tell him that, out of respect for his father, I can only give him a maximum of one week to consider.”

"Understood, boss."

Wei Shu nodded in agreement, her eyes sharp, and she glanced at Liu Zhi, the president of Lianxiang, across from her without making a sound.

The other person's expression was indeed quite subtle.

It seems the boss is trying to make an example of someone.

Just as Lu Yang and Liu Zhi were having this delicate meeting, the wind that had been blowing from Beijing had reached Hong Kong. A document detailing the process and plan for Lu Yang's Century Group's acquisition of Dazhong Electronics and its cooperation with Lianxiang was being rapidly delivered to the desk of Li Zeju, the eldest son of the Li family in Hong Kong, through encrypted channels.

Hong Kong, Victoria Peak.

The atmosphere in Li Ka-shing's study was unusually calm, lacking the fury of smashing the cup he had displayed last time.

Li Ka-shing stood with his back to the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the still dazzling yet seemingly shrouded night view of Victoria Harbour. His expression was calm and composed, but the chill in the depths of his eyes was more unsettling than any outburst of rage.

"Father, Lu Yang is too arrogant; this is practically extortion!"

Li Zekai looked at the copy of the letter his brother handed him and couldn't help but growl again, his handsome face contorted with humiliation.

The failure of Dazhong Electronics, which allowed Lu Yang to snatch the fruits of victory at such a low price, and now receiving such a humiliating "notice," almost made him lose his composure.

"Shut up!" Li Ka-shing didn't turn around. His voice wasn't loud, but it was like an ice pick piercing the air, instantly silencing Li Zekai.

He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over his two sons before finally settling on his eldest son, Li Zeju: "Zeju, what do you think?"

Li Zeju appeared much more composed than his younger brother. He pushed up his glasses and calmly analyzed, "Father, Lu Yang holds absolute control. His capital increase and share expansion is an open conspiracy. We cannot confront him head-on. Staying inside will only result in us being exploited and ultimately becoming worthless. Accepting his 'fair' price, although it may look bad on the surface, will at least allow us to recoup some funds."

He emphasized the word "fair" with a hint of irony.

"Are we just going to admit defeat like this? Hand over our foothold in the northern market to others?"

Li Zekai said unwillingly from the side.

"Admit defeat?" Li Ka-shing finally spoke, a cold smile curving his lips, his eyes gleaming like a seasoned hunter locking onto a new prey.

“Your elder brother is right. Flowing water does not compete for the first place, but for the continuous flow. Da Zhong is dead, so there is no point in arguing about it. A momentary argument based on pride is worthless.”

He walked to the huge mahogany desk, tapping his fingers heavily on the surface, making a dull sound: "This young man thinks that by taking over Dazhong, he has control of the North? The chessboard of home appliance retail is still very large! Zeju!"

“Father!” Li Zeju immediately straightened his back.

"Have you come to any results from your investigation in mainland China?" Li Ka-shing's gaze was piercing.

"Yes!" Li Zeju's spirits lifted, and he quickly pulled out a report from the folder. "Sulin Electric Appliances! Founded in 1990, headquartered in Nanjing, it is currently a highly promising chain enterprise in East China, especially in the air conditioning sub-sector. The founder, Zhang Jinxi, is quite capable, the company is expanding well, and has a solid foundation. Moreover... they don't currently have a strong capital backer, and most importantly..."

With a shrewd calculation in his eyes, Li Zeju said confidently, "It is at a critical stage of its transformation from a professional air conditioner retailer to a comprehensive home appliance store, and it urgently needs funds and support. This is the best time for us to enter the market!"

Li Ka-shing took the report, quickly scanning the key data and intelligence. A cold smile, truly befitting a hunter, finally appeared on his face: "Good! Very good! Su Lin! The fact that you're doing well with air conditioners shows you have the genes for cultivating channels and services. Transforming into a comprehensive retailer? That's exactly where we need to provide assistance! Lu Yang spent 2 million to buy the 'past' (Dazhong), so we'll use 5 million or 10 billion to invest in the 'future' (Su Lin)!"

He looked up, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he pierced Li Zeju: "Zeju, you take charge personally! Utilize all our resources in mainland China and the funds of the Asia Film and Television Foundation, with only one objective:
At all costs and as quickly as possible, take over Suzhou! I want it to become a nail driven into East China, radiating across the entire country, a countermeasure against the century!

Saying,

The old man turned his gaze northward, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and said, "Go, do this well, let this young man know that while it's easy to devour a large country, he's not yet qualified to be king in this game of retail!"

"Yes, Father! I will set off for Jinling immediately!" Li Zeju accepted the order, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

A battle for control of Sulin Electric Appliances officially began under Li Ka-shing's cold command. (End of Chapter)