Chapter 1861

Chapter 1861: Chapter 1861

"Director Ma, take your time investigating. Give me a call when you have findings."

With the anti-counterfeiting event settled, the matter has come to a temporary close. What’s left is to uncover the people within the company who have been bribed by Ruilang Company.

However, this matter will not be simply brushed aside. Ruilang Company has engaged in such unfair competition to seize the market. If we don’t teach them a lesson, where would Jiangzhou’s reputation go?

Fengliang Company is a key unit supported by Jiangzhou, and with Jiangzhou’s economy at a downturn, such an incident at this time is intolerable for both Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao.

"Alright." Director Ma nodded, continuing to examine the surveillance footage.

President Huang saw them off from the company. Before leaving, Song Guanchao said, "Once you find clues, don’t rush to contact Ruilang Company. Let Director Ma come to me, and I’ll handle it."

"Sure." President Huang now had unconditional trust in him.

If not for Song Guanchao stepping in, the company wouldn’t know how much loss they’d have suffered.

On the way back, Zhou Xingjian asked, "Are you planning to sweep this matter under the rug?"

Song Guanchao replied, "It depends on Ruilang Company’s attitude."

Returning to the City Government, Song Guanchao began preparing for the next phase of research.

By the afternoon, he received a call from Director Ma.

The person bribed by Ruilang Company has been identified!

It was a team leader from the Fengliang Company production line, who had taken their money to secretly add essence to one of the production lines.

Thus, when Li Zhengyi conducted a covert investigation on the production line, he easily discovered the truth.

The team leader has already been apprehended by Director Ma.

"Who instructed him to do this?"

"Hu Yong, the chairman of Ruilang Company’s Jiangzhou branch."

"Chairman?" Song Guanchao was astounded. He would never have thought a high-ranking executive like a chairman would personally engage in such underhanded tactics.

This business battle is truly anything but glamorous.

Unable to help himself, Song Guanchao remarked, "Is there surveillance of their meeting place?"

"It’s already been retrieved." Director Ma was thorough in his work, anticipating what Song Guanchao would consider.

"Is there enough evidence to detain him?"

"There is."

"Send me Hu Yong’s number."

Receiving the number, Song Guanchao dialed it.

"Who’s this?" The voice sounded around forty, with a rough tone.

"Chairman Hu, this is Song Guanchao from the Jiangzhou City Government Office."

Hu Yong was surprised, his voice now tinged with amusement: "Hello, Director Song, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Song Guanchao said, "I’m not sure if Chairman Hu has some time. I’m planning a visit to your company for some research. I’d like to meet with Chairman Hu to discuss a few things."

Turns out it was for research. Hu Yong smirked slightly. What research is a director doing, putting up such a show?

"I don’t usually stay at the company much, Director Song. When are you thinking of coming? I’ll make arrangements in advance."

"Anytime is fine, mainly based on Chairman Hu’s schedule."

Seeing that Song Guanchao was determined to meet him, Hu Yong had no choice: "I do have some time now."

"Alright, let’s do it now." Song Guanchao decisively hung up the phone and set off with Zhou Xingjian.

Zhou Xingjian was baffled. Just when he thought he could have a half-day rest, they were going on another research trip.

And it was to Ruilang Company.

While waiting at a traffic light, Zhou Xingjian glanced at Song Guanchao, thinking that this wasn’t just research; it seemed more like stirring up trouble.

Before coming, Song Guanchao had done some brief research. Ruilang Company’s headquarters are in Beihu Province, and the production lines are also there. In Jiangzhou, it’s more like a branch office, having rented only over 200 square meters of office space with about twenty employees, half of whom are sales representatives.

Therefore, Song Guanchao’s research had no substantial purpose. Hu Yong guessed it was just a formality.

As soon as they arrived, Hu Yong made them some tea and invited the two to sit with a smile.

Song Guanchao asked, "Has Ruilang Company considered adding a production line in Jiangzhou?"

Hu Yong shook his head, "That’s not something for me to worry about."

Song Guanchao, smiling, said, "If a production line is added in Jiangzhou, the branch’s status would also rise. Has Chairman Hu not thought about this?"

Hu Yong’s gaze flickered. To say he never thought about it would be impossible.

Why else would he target Fengliang Company?

It’s all for seizing the market. Once the market share increases, headquarters would proactively establish a production line in Jiangzhou without needing his suggestion.

The current problem is that Ruilang Company’s market share in Jiangzhou is in an awkward, stagnant state.

Hu Yong discreetly glanced at Song Guanchao, thinking that perhaps this Director Song was serious about more than just formalities.

He chuckled wryly and said, "After all, Ruilang is an out-of-town company, with limited market share. Adding a production line might not even recoup the cost. Only if the market share goes up will headquarters consider it."

Taking a sip of tea casually, Song Guanchao said, "So Chairman Hu bribed an internal employee of Fengliang Company to secretly add essence, then invited journalists to investigate, intending to tarnish Fengliang Company’s reputation at the anti-counterfeiting event to seize market share?"

Splat.

Hu Yong’s teacup fell to the table, tea spreading across its surface.

He stared at Song Guanchao in shock, dumbfounded for at least two seconds before snapping back to reality, panic evident in his voice, "What is Director Song talking about?"

Song Guanchao waved his phone, "Should I invite the police over to have a detailed chat with you?"

"I..." Swallowing hard, fear seized Hu Yong, temporarily robbing him of his ability to think.

It took a while for Hu Yong to regain his composure.

He realized he was temporarily safe.

Song Guanchao’s intent was not to arrest him.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come, and Hu Yong wouldn’t still be sitting here calmly drinking tea.

There was another purpose...

He wants the headquarters to establish a production line in Jiangzhou!

In an instant, Hu Yong understood the critical point, forcing a smile, "Setting up a production line in Jiangzhou is really difficult. Ruilang Company is a private enterprise, and private enterprises focus solely on profit. Market share is the only metric; if it doesn’t meet the standards, even if I argue vehemently, headquarters would never agree."

Song Guanchao replied, "Here are a few suggestions for you."

"Please go ahead, Director Song." Hu Yong sat upright, like an attentive student.

Song Guanchao said, "First, shut down the branch."

Hu Yong was taken aback; what kind of suggestion was this?

"Second, sell the branch; I’ll help find a buyer."

"Third, have your headquarters set up a production line in Jiangzhou."

Hu Yong understood; Song Guanchao’s ultimate goal was still to increase the production line.

Either Ruilang Company would do it themselves, or they would sell the company, allowing others to build a production line locally.

He didn’t care who set up the production line, only who could create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Even though Ruilang Company’s market share isn’t as large as Fengliang Company’s, the share in Jiangzhou is something beyond what a small company could match.

If a production line is established locally, it could bring in tens of millions in direct annual taxes.

The indirect taxes produced would also be a significant number.

Even the smallest gains are still meat, and this isn’t small at all.

Understanding Song Guanchao’s real intention, Hu Yong found himself in a dilemma, only able to remain silent.

"The tea is quite good." Placing down his teacup, Song Guanchao stood up, "Chairman Hu, please give me a response by tomorrow evening."