Age of Legends

Chapter 335 A Great Embarrassment
In truth, Shen Mingbo was well aware of his wife's hesitation; she probably feared he was desperately grasping at any straw. After all, his investment in the new equipment production line was essentially an attempt to break free from dependence on Taixun Group. But having just left Taixun and then immediately joining Nanguang, what difference was there between this and before? At least, that's probably how Ning Wenjing perceived it.

Shen Mingbo couldn't explain the difference for a moment, nor could he explain it. After all, when Zhang Zhonghua talked about cooperation, it was only in words. The two sides hadn't finalized the details or reached any agreements. Who could know if there were any problems?
Moreover, if he is unwilling to let his daughter be controlled by Liu Yan, then he can be controlled by Zhang Zhonghua in the same way in the future.

These things always need to be clarified.

Therefore, Shim Myung-bak did not particularly expect a great deal of cooperation between the two parties, and he also planned to have autonomy and would divide the ownership with the other party accordingly, at least leaving himself a way out.

There are still many issues to sort out in this regard, and the final outcome is uncertain.

To be honest, this is good news and a good start. And to be honest, Shen Mingbo was also moved by Zhang Zhonghua's words, "Let's work together to make domestic color screens bigger and stronger."

Is he an idealist? Shen Mingbo doesn't think so. After so many years of struggling in society, what kind of faces haven't he seen? In business, there are all sorts of talk and talk, but how many messes of things have happened afterward?
But why am I so excited?

Perhaps, the person opposite me is Zhang Zhonghua.

……

Putting aside Shen Mingbo's paranoia, after Zhang Zhonghua and Shen Mingbo were seen arm in arm at a dinner party, Zhang Zhonghua did not continue to communicate with Shen Mingbo to advance future matters. This was not because he had forgotten, but because the joint venture Chenguang Company was facing an internal power struggle.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a battle.

The reason stemmed from Park Jung-soo, the South Korean representative. His attempts to suppress Zhang Zhonghua in the early stages were thwarted, leading to the South Korean board approving Zhang Zhonghua's proposal. Ultimately, the joint venture gave the Chinese side a core advantage in cost control, and Park Jung-soo was unable to hold his head high at the South Korean headquarters.

It's important to know that large South Korean corporations have always operated under a chaebol system and a seniority-based hierarchy. Park Jung-soo was sent to China by his own faction to gain experience and accumulate seniority.

He should have taken full control of the billions of dollars in capital of Rongcheng China Company, then conquered the Southeast Asian market, firmly controlled the joint venture's voice in the East Asian market, and become the "supreme emperor" here.

However, due to Zhang Zhonghua's repeated insistence and negotiations, the high-cost, high-premium proposals put forward by the Korean side were repeatedly rejected. Instead, Zhang Zhonghua's advocacy of "lower cost and domestic substitution" was gradually recognized by the board of directors.

For Park Jung-soo, it was not only a loss of face but also a blow to his career development. Korean companies value "performance equals dignity," especially for managers stationed overseas. The ability to suppress the Chinese side and satisfy headquarters directly impacts their career prospects.

Previously, he was full of confidence in front of senior executives at headquarters, claiming that China was just a "production base" and that the Korean side's technology and management model would be absolutely dominant. However, Zhang Zhonghua stole the limelight in reality, so something unexpected happened at the first senior management meeting of LG Chenguang.

His trump card at the strategic meeting was to purchase a batch of expensive coating equipment from South Korea. The quoted price far exceeded market value, and he claimed it was "the only solution that could guarantee quality." In this regard, Nam Kwong Chairman Zhou Ping favored the South Korean side, believing it would save face for foreign companies.

However, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Zhonghua rejected the proposal, instead presenting his team's domestic alternative, which boasted lower energy consumption and 30% cost savings. At the board meeting, Zhang Zhonghua publicly refuted Park Jung-soo: "The domestic solution fully meets the process requirements. If you insist on importing at high prices, you're just trying to make us pay the exorbitant prices." The atmosphere froze; even Zhou Ping, the once-unquestionable chairman of Nanguang, dared not utter a word.

Later, the relevant provincial authorities gave their opinion, clearly supporting "domestic products first," which can bring advantages to the supply chain and is conducive to the joint venture's long-term cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

In the final vote, Zhang Zhonghua's proposal passed with a high number of votes and became the official technology of the joint venture. The Korean side had nothing to say on the spot, but Park Jung-soo's face turned ashen.

However, the claim that Zhang Zhonghua "showed great power at the board meeting, questioning the Korean side on the spot, and even Zhou Ping, who always bowed and scraped to the Korean side, was silenced!" was spread throughout Nam Kwong Company.

Now, anyone would think Zhang Zhonghua has the potential to hold a leading and controlling position in the new joint venture. Within the group, everyone speaks of Zhang Zhonghua with awe.

But in the eyes of some speculators: You still say Zhang Zhonghua isn't a front man? With this kind of toughness and boldness, it's hard to believe there isn't a high-ranking provincial leader backing him up!

However, some people are worried that although Zhang Zhonghua has temporarily gained power in Chenfei Company, which may have an annual output value of several billion yuan, the Koreans are not so easily subdued. They also have a strong desire for power and control. If the Koreans suppress him with technology one day, will Zhang Zhonghua still be able to maintain his current charisma? What will be the future of Chenguang Company?
Of course, this news would also reach Zhang Chen. At least Zheng Xue told him: "My mom said your dad has a lot of prestige now. She used to joke with him, but now she only dares to greet him from a distance."

Zhang Chen was both amused and exasperated. When he got home and told Zhang Zhonghua about it, Zhang Zhonghua slapped the back of his head and said, "I was wondering why your Aunt Wang Xia has been avoiding me lately. I'm not that scary..."

Zhang Chen said, "Dad, those in high positions naturally have an aura. Now, a single word from you can control the livelihoods of many people and cause their positions to fluctuate. You may not realize it yourself, but others might. That's why people feel uncomfortable approaching you. If you get close, they'll say you're sycophantic; if you stay away, they're afraid you'll hold a grudge. Sometimes, even a casual remark you make can be over-interpreted as having ulterior motives. In short, from now on, you'll probably find it hard to have the relaxed social environment you used to have where you could just chat with someone for a bit."

"You know it all better than I do!" Zhang Zhonghua paused for a moment, scratched his head, half self-deprecating and half sentimental: "In my early years, I was just an engineer, working overtime all day with blueprints, who cared about you? Back then, you had to wait in line for ages just to get food in the cafeteria. Who would have thought that now, you can say anything and someone will write it down in their notebook. Even old friends feel uncomfortable looking at you."

Zhang Chen said, "Perhaps this is the price to pay."

Zhang Zhonghua chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Sometimes others might think you're being pretentious, but hey, how many people are aiming for this position?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "Dad, the fact that others respect you means you've achieved something. Although it can't be like before, I think it's okay. Those who truly understand you will eventually reciprocate with sincerity and won't be blinded by appearances. If you're always hesitant and indecisive, you won't be able to get anything done."

"Moreover, I think South Korea will definitely not be willing to accept this. They have advantages in patents and supply chains, and they will not let these losses go unpunished. They may even have some underhanded tactics against you in the future."

Zhang Zhonghua laughed, already used to his son, who was practically a man he could discuss things with as an equal rather than a child. He said, "Are you urging me to reschedule with Mr. Shen? Don't worry, the LCD route is indeed our trump card. I'll do some preliminary work first, and the cooperation with Mr. Shen won't be delayed."

Zhang Chen was extremely embarrassed: "That's not what I meant."

(End of this chapter)