Chapter 1012: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

Chapter 1012: Chapter 977: If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them

Sheng Chaohui said, “Although I rarely get involved in company matters, I’m still aware of any industry changes. Brother, it’s not that I’m telling you what to do, but Renhe Hall’s issue is a family dispute, what are you mingling in for? Even a wise judge finds household affairs hard to manage, do you think you can make sense of it?”

Cao Bingyi sighed and admitted that he had transferred the shares of Renhe Hall that he had already acquired.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Chaohui immediately realized Cao Bingyi suffered a huge loss, which was expected. Sheng Chaohui himself had been handled expertly by Xu Chunliang, let alone anyone else. Seeing Cao Bingyi’s troubled expression, he understood that this trip to Dongzhou was essentially to concede to Xu Chunliang.

Sheng Chaohui said, “It seems you don’t understand Xu Chunliang. Don’t be fooled by his youth; his influence is not something we can compare to. Just consider Dongzhou, where he is close friends with Wang Jianming, who holds the top position. Isn’t Peninsula Lucky Star Group impressive enough? They came to Dongzhou to invest in the China-Korea Industrial Park, claiming to invest USD 15 billion. Their condition was to obtain the 100 acres reserved by the city for building an Infectious Disease Hospital. Such a massive investment would be worshipped like a God of Wealth by any city, yet what happened in the end? The city didn’t agree to Lucky Star’s demands; the land was still given to the Infectious Disease Hospital.”

Cao Bingyi said, “Xu Chunliang has quite a background.”

Sheng Chaohui said, “As business people, never go against those in the system. I’ve lived most of my life and know a lot of people, but those who can navigate both Jianghu and the temple are rarely seen. Xu Chunliang can be considered the only one.”

He patted Cao Bingyi on the shoulder, “Think it through. There’s a saying, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’

This saying gave Cao Bingyi a moment of clarity. He’s often heard others say ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, but when it came to himself, it was quite confusing. After a series of setbacks, he had given up opposing Xu Chunliang, and even transferred Renhe Hall to Xiahou Mulan. Today’s outcome after meeting with Xu Chunliang wasn’t ideal; although Xu Chunliang was polite, he made no promises.

Sheng Chaohui’s words awakened him; if he can’t beat them, he’ll join. For him, it’s not about joining Xu Chunliang. He’s inherently a member of the Weary Sect, and Xiahou Mulan is the Weary Sect’s acting leader. If he joins Xiahou Mulan’s camp, it’s equivalent to joining Xu Chunliang’s camp.

Cao Bingyi drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, and asked softly, “Brother Sheng, do you know the relationship between Xiahou Mulan and Xu Chunliang?”

Sheng Chaohui said, “I don’t know much, but Xu Chunliang’s appeal to women has always been good. Our company hasn’t had much business with Mulan Group, but this isn’t through his introduction. By the way, I heard Mulan Group is set to invest in Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, supposedly several billion. For a normal relationship, Xiahou Mulan wouldn’t invest such a huge amount.”

Cao Bingyi thought their relationship is definitely not ordinary; Renhe Hall has become their joint venture.

Sheng Chaohui said, “How about I act as a mediator and arrange for Xu Chunliang to meet with you for reconciliation?”

Cao Bingyi shook his head, stood up, and said, “I have other matters to attend to, I’ll be leaving first.”

Sheng Chaohui said, “Hey, why leave so suddenly? Let me arrange the evening.”

Cao Bingyi said, “No, I really have matters to attend to.”

When Xu Chunliang was about to leave work, he received another call from Cao Bingyi.

This time, Cao Bingyi didn’t hesitate and directly said to Xu Chunliang, “Director Xu, after consideration, I’ll fully support Miss Mulan, and I want to cooperate with you.” He clarified his stance: First, he supports Xiahou Mulan as the Sect Leader, and second, he’s convinced and wants to join Xu Chunliang’s camp.

This was the attitude Xu Chunliang was hoping for. Xu Chunliang smiled, “President Cao, I appreciate straightforward people like you. Have you left Dongzhou yet?”

Cao Bingyi said, “I’m still in Dongzhou.”

Xu Chunliang said, “How about this, I’ll host this evening, let’s have a meal together and discuss some matters.”

Cao Bingyi didn’t stand on ceremony with Xu Chunliang; in Dongzhou, he follows Xu Chunliang’s arrangements.

Soon, Xu Chunliang sent him an address.

Cao Bingyi went to the address Xu Chunliang provided and found it was the construction site for the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Xu Chunliang invited him to eat at the site cafeteria.

Yang Qingyuan prepared four cold dishes, a pot of lamb, and a pot of chicken. Dongzhou’s pot dishes are one of the local specialties.

Cao Bingyi’s driver frowned at the site environment. In his impression, President Cao, who pursued a quality lifestyle, rarely eats in such places, but Cao Bingyi’s long-suspended heart finally felt at ease. Xu Chunliang inviting him to eat here showed he was opening up to him.

The dishes might be ordinary, but the liquor prepared was Maotai.

Xu Chunliang invited Cao Bingyi to take a seat, and the room was silent except for the sound of construction outside.

Cao Bingyi looked out the window in curiosity and asked, “Is this the new Infectious Disease Hospital being built here?”

Xu Chunliang nodded and poured wine for Cao Bingyi, who promptly expressed his gratitude, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Xu Chunliang said, “It’s just the two of us here, no need for formalities. I don’t see you as an outsider.”

Cao Bingyi thought, “We don’t seem that close.”

Xu Chunliang raised his glass, clinked it against Cao Bingyi’s, and they both took a sip of the wine. Xu invited him to try the dishes.

Although the dishes didn’t look particularly appetizing, they surprisingly tasted quite good.

Xu Chunliang asked, “How does President Cao plan to support Mulan?”

Cao Bingyi replied, “I will publicly announce that I support Miss Mulan’s leadership in the Weary Sect from now on, without waiting for any examination of the Weary Sect’s Six Techniques.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “Your support alone isn’t enough. As far as I know, Xiahou Zun held a special meeting in the Capital City indicating his intention to pass the Sect Leader position in the Weary Sect to Mulan. Unfortunately, it didn’t gain approval from the four elders, especially from Meng Huaiyi and Zhai Pingqing.”

Cao Bingyi said, “That’s the tradition of the Weary Sect; each leader must pass the Six Techniques examination to be eligible for the position. Are you worried Miss Mulan cannot pass the examination?”

Actually, Cao Bingyi also believes that Xiahou Mulan cannot pass the examination. In the history of the Weary Sect, no one under the age of thirty has passed the Six Techniques examination, and Xiahou Mulan isn’t seen as inherently gifted. The four elders stress the examination to reject Xiahou Zun’s proposal.

“Even if she passes, those opposing will continue to do so, possibly coming up with new ideas. There are still three months until the examination. During this time, we should unite all possible allies to the fullest extent. As an outsider, Mulan cannot step in herself, so…”

Xu Chunliang smiled warmly at Cao Bingyi.

Cao Bingyi understood that Xu Chunliang wanted him to take on the task of connecting within the Weary Sect, uniting colleagues, and supporting Xiahou Mulan. He nodded and said, “I will do my best. These two people are indeed troublesome. Meng Huaiyi is a veteran of the Medicine Sect, and he boasts and trades on his senior status. Essentially, he’s a peddler of fake medicine, now mainly dealing in the acquisition of expired drugs, instigating chaos in the world.”

Xu Chunliang has only met Meng Huaiyi once, but he agrees with Cao Bingyi’s accurate assessment and took the initiative to toast him.

Cao Bingyi continued, “As for Zhai Pingqing, he’s now focused on healthy aging, bright and wealthy, arguably the most powerful in the Weary Sect. He opposes because he believes only he is qualified to be Sect Leader in the current Weary Sect. He doesn’t care about money and has many followers in the sect.”

Xu Chunliang said, “You don’t need to worry about these two, I’ll take care of persuading them.”

Cao Bingyi was somewhat puzzled and asked, “Actually, the position of Sect Leader has become somewhat redundant; why does Miss Mulan insist on having it?”

Xu Chunliang thought, “The real reason can’t be disclosed to you. Only by having Xiahou Mulan as the Weary Sect Leader can Xiahou Zun’s affairs naturally be concluded, permanently concealing the underground secret of Hidden Soldier Cave.”

He smiled casually, “The same sword can capture the enemy’s leader among tens of thousands in one person’s hand, yet in another’s hand, it is only used for chopping wood. The issue isn’t the position, but the person occupying it.”

Xu Chunliang said, “You and Mulan can complement each other in business rather than compete. Mulan has mentioned that your group operates in different regions, suitable for cultivating different herbal medicines.”

For businessmen like Cao Bingyi, intimidation alone won’t work. At times, offering benefits will prompt willing cooperation. Only by showing him additional benefits will he be wholeheartedly willing to join your ranks.

Cao Bingyi actively refilled Xu Chunliang’s glass, raised his cup to toast him, and despite knowing he shouldn’t ask, couldn’t help but inquire, “Our group has recently received special attention from the management department. Could Director Xu help us negotiate?”

Xu Chunliang smiled, “In such cases, you must first find the cause within yourselves. As for help, I certainly have no problem. I heard you were eliminated from the list of key project support from the Chinese Medicine Management Bureau?”

Cao Bingyi nodded, lamenting that it was Xu who caused this trouble.

Xu Chunliang said, “There’s another chance for review. Once I return tonight, I’ll help you submit the application. I anticipate good news soon.”

Cao Bingyi poured a glass of wine and drank it in front of Xu Chunliang. Xiahou Mulan had mentioned this to him before, and although tempted, he had no guarantee of success, knowing only three slots were available. Now, Xu Chunliang’s personal promise assured him; those capable of removing him are equally capable of elevating him.