Chapter 1856

Chapter 1856: Chapter 1856

Fengliang Company is a food company primarily engaged in selling rice, and is one of the key enterprises in Jiangzhou City, occupying nearly thirty percent of the rice market in Jiangzhou City.

Song Guanchao has a deep impression of this company, simply because Fengliang Company offers a slightly higher purchasing price for rice compared to other companies.

Don’t underestimate the difference of a few cents; when dealing with large quantities of rice, a few cents or even just a few pennies can amount to a considerable sum.

Additionally, Fengliang Company has established an employment channel for disabled individuals, accommodating a large number of people with disabilities.

Fengliang Company has never actively promoted this fact, and not even many of the city’s leaders know about it.

If it weren’t for Song Guanchao coming down for research, he wouldn’t have known there was such a company in the city.

So his impression of Fengliang Company was very strong and positive.

"What’s happened to Fengliang Company?" Song Guanchao asked.

Zhou Xingjian replied, "Someone has reported that their company’s secretary added artificial flavoring."

"Is that all?" Song Guanchao was taken aback, thinking it would be something major.

Which company hasn’t been reported before? ℯℯ𝑙.

It’s a trivial matter, is it worth a special phone call?

Zhou Xingjian said, "If it was just a report, it wouldn’t be much of a problem, but the key is, it’s the 12th today."

Song Guanchao didn’t understand his meaning: "What’s special about the 12th? Reporting requires checking the calendar?"

Zhou Xingjian said, "In three days, it will be the 15th. Director Song, have you forgotten what day the 15th is?"

"The 15th..." Song Guanchao couldn’t think of it for a moment. Zhou Xingjian reminded him: "The 315 Consumer Rights Day."

Song Guanchao suddenly realized, the 315 exposure gala!

Originally, March 15th was just an ordinary day, but since CCTV designated this day as the Consumer Rights Day, it has been extensively covered, reaching household awareness in the very first year.

Any product or brand that gets exposed on the gala will definitely see a significant drop in market value, or inventory will become unsold.

More serious cases are directly called out for correction by the local government, or even bankruptcy.

Early 315 was indeed doing practical work for the people, but as time went on, this annual exposure gala also became a money-making tool for some people.

For example, it was once exposed that reporters specifically collected dirt on some companies, contacting them before the gala to demand hush money; otherwise, they’d let the company face exposure in the gala.

This behavior is difficult to say whether the gala organizers themselves did it, but there are definitely insiders who are not clean.

After all, with such huge traffic, it’s inevitable that someone will have crooked thoughts.

No one expected that such a tactic would be used against a company that is a key focus of Jiangzhou City.

"If this matter appears on the gala, Fengliang Company’s reputation will definitely be affected. By then, the company’s sales will plummet, and the planned annual rice procurement will have to be cut down. Those farmers, who have been continuously supplying, rely on grain companies for purchase; if the purchasers suddenly don’t buy, their year’s revenue will be lost."

"Moreover, internally Fengliang may also face layoffs..."

Zhou Xingjian’s concerns are not unwarranted; the gala’s huge traffic has a significant impact on a company.

Except for some irreplaceable industries, most industries find it difficult to withstand being exposed.

Song Guanchao said, "Let’s eat first and then head over to Fengliang Company for a face-to-face talk."

"I’ll notify President Huang," Zhou Xingjian called President Huang, telling him that he and Director Song would come over shortly.

At 1:10 PM, they arrived at Fengliang Company.

President Huang, the company’s general manager, was already waiting at the entrance.

"Director Song, Director Zhou." President Huang greeted them with a smile and led them into the reception room.

An employee brewed a pot of tea and brought them two exquisite porcelain cups. After pouring the tea, they were called out by President Huang.

"President Huang, I’ll get straight to the point," Song Guanchao said.

"Director Song, please go ahead."

"I ask you, is the content the reporter wants to report true?"

President Huang pondered for a long time, gritted his teeth, and nodded: "It’s true, but this matter has issues."

"What issues?"

"Our company purchases rice, and during processing, as well as before packaging and listing, there are several testing procedures. Moreover, our rice is forbidden from adding flavoring."

President Huang’s face showed more doubt when he said this: "But the batch of rice reported indeed detected flavoring components. I’ve already sent someone to trace back, but the specific situation hasn’t been uncovered yet. However, I can firmly say our company’s rice definitely has no issues!"

Song Guanchao asked, "You mean someone did it deliberately?"

President Huang shook and nodded: "I can’t say recklessly before things are clarified. I can only assure you, our company wouldn’t do such a thing. Director Song also knows we are the city government’s key-supported company, and our sales are very stable. Adding flavoring merely saves a few bucks; we have no reason to do this."

The logic is indeed somewhat sound, but Song Guanchao cannot blindly trust.

The two aren’t particularly close, and a normal person’s first reaction to a problem is always to shirk responsibility.

Hence, he can’t be sure President Huang is telling the truth.

Seeing Song Guanchao silent, President Huang became a bit anxious, saying: "Director Song, I promise what I say is absolutely true, without a shred of falsehood!"

Song Guanchao asked, "How much does the reporter want?"

"He didn’t say," President Huang said with a bitter smile, "If he dared to demand money, wouldn’t that be extortion?"

Song Guanchao chuckled, "He’s quite a crafty one. So, how much are you planning to spend to avoid trouble?"

President Huang said, "We’re still discussing..."

"Stop discussing, a million should do."

"This..."

"You have to spend money to stay safe. Pay the money first, then slowly investigate. At least get past the hurdle of the 315 gala. Regardless of whether someone deliberately messed with you, if you do get on the gala, the company’s loss won’t just be a million."

Song Guanchao said, "As long as the flavoring wasn’t added by your company, you can trace it back and investigate. Once you find out, let the culprit suffer!"

"Okay, I’ll follow Director Song’s advice."

"Don’t follow my advice, I’m just giving you a suggestion. A million is not a small amount; going through your public account will definitely require a meeting for discussion."

Song Guanchao tapped the table: "But I’ll say the hard words upfront; if this matter wasn’t caused by outsiders, either way, I won’t intervene if the reporter is extorting you, and I’ll even have people check your company’s production line."

President Huang said seriously: "Director Song, rest assured, our company is not afraid of scrutiny!"

"Alright, let’s do it this way. First, give the person the money to stabilize the situation. I’ll contact the city bureau later and send people over to assist you in the investigation."

After the conversation, he could largely confirm that President Huang probably wasn’t lying.

Fengliang Company was probably genuinely set up.

However, this reporter is quite bold, daring to target a company supported by the city government; perhaps he has a death wish!

After leaving the company, Song Guanchao asked, "Old Zhou, what do you think about this?"

Zhou Xingjian stood by the car, lit a cigarette, and pondered, "President Huang probably wasn’t lying; someone’s likely scheming behind the scenes."

Song Guanchao nodded: "We’re thinking along the same lines."

Zhou Xingjian said, "Director Song, I’m a bit worried."

"Worried about what?"

"I fear the ones setting this up might be competitors of Fengliang Company."