"Who is the insidious and vicious person targeting the company?" Ie Ye Meizi asked with confusion and curiosity.
"The head of the Environmental Protection Bureau." Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, aren't you overthinking it? Even if the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau wanted to harm the company, does he have the strength to do so?" Ie Ye Meizi asked dismissively.
"Of course he has the strength. Ie Ye Meizi, you're not involved in politics, so you might not understand how terrifying the power dynamics in politics can be. Let me put it this way, even though the Environmental Protection Bureau is an inconspicuous government department, it has the power to shut down our company within days." Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? I believe the Environmental Protection Bureau can bring down small companies. However, your company is a large one. It's absolutely impossible for a mere head of the Environmental Protection Bureau to harm our company." Ie Ye Meizi said dismissively.
"Meizi, you are still too young. You know nothing about the power of politics. Take China as an example, a small county magistrate can cause a company worth over a hundred million to collapse in an instant. Japan is a replica of China, so China is governed by officials, and so is Japan. In countries governed by officials, no matter how much money you make, if you are targeted by the political elite, it's all in vain; you will eventually be ruined by some excuse from those in power." Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense. No wonder so many bosses are polite to people in power, regardless of whether they are high-ranking or not, fearing offending them. It turns out to be the influence of officialdom. The problem is, we don't seem to have offended the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau, do we? Why would he want to harm the company?" Ie Ye Meizi asked with confusion.
"Based on my experience in politics, it's not that the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau wants to harm the company. Instead, our competitors have bribed the Environmental Protection Bureau to target us. If our company collapses, they can seize our market share. There are too many instances of collusion between the business world and the political sphere." Chen Feng explained.
"Chen Feng, are you implying that Hongyu Corporation wants to harm us?" Ie Ye Meizi probed.
"Most likely. Our company has a core business: the global supply chain of robot components. This is a high-tech industry and very profitable. Hongyu Corporation also wants to establish a global supply chain for robot components, so they are meticulously planning to bankrupt our company."
"I still don't understand, Chen Feng. If Hongyu Corporation wants to harm us, why didn't they approach a politically influential figure with real power, such as taxation, economic investigation, or development and reform... Why did they specifically target the Environmental Protection Bureau? The Environmental Protection Bureau has no presence, and even less real power." Ie Ye Meizi asked, utterly perplexed.
"Meizi, you're making the same mistake as most people. You underestimate the less prominent government departments. These departments may not have much real power, but they can easily destroy a company. Simply put, no matter how obscure or insignificant a department is, it is backed by the state. No matter how powerful a business magnate is, can they be more powerful than the state?" Chen Feng's explanation convinced Ie Ye Meizi.
No wonder Chen Feng, at such a young age, could become a rising star in Chinese politics; it was not without reason, as his grasp of political dynamics was impeccable.
"Then what should we do? The head of the Environmental Protection Bureau is acting as if nothing has happened, undoubtedly brewing a malicious plot. There's an old Chinese saying, 'A direct spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.'" Ie Ye Meizi said with a worried expression.
"It's not a major problem. We can resolve this by 'removing the firewood from under the cauldron.'" Chen Feng said with confidence.
"What does 'removing the firewood from under the cauldron' mean?" Ie Ye Meizi asked, bewildered.
"'Removing the firewood from under the cauldron' is a stratagem from Sun Tzu's Art of War. It means solving a thorny problem by addressing its root cause. The head of the Environmental Protection Bureau is brewing a scheme, isn't he? I will directly talk to the boss of Hongyu Corporation, and then we can cooperate. No matter how good the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau's scheme is, it will be in vain." Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Well said, 'The Art of War.'" Ie Ye Meizi couldn't help but exclaim.
"Chinese culture is profound and extensive; it's not just for show. However, you need to be prepared. After I negotiate with the boss of Hongyu Corporation, you will follow up and ensure the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau is thrown into prison. I will teach you how to do it then." Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Haven't we already dealt with Hongyu Corporation? Why do we still need to target the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau? I remember very clearly, you told me that when doing things, it's best not to go too far, not to be too ruthless. Why this time, your attitude towards the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau..." Ie Ye Meizi asked with confusion.
At the same time, Ie Ye Meizi's heart was in turmoil.
How to put it, being with Chen Feng truly leads to rapid growth.
Before, she wasn't very good at playing the stock market. After learning from Chen Feng for a while and understanding the essence of the stock market, she dabbled in it occasionally and usually made profits. Moreover, each time, following Chen Feng's advice, after making money, she would stop for more than half a year, waiting for the market to recover its vitality before playing again.
Also, in the past, her business dealings were quite ordinary.
Since learning business from Chen Feng, to be honest, Chen Feng's business philosophy is very effective for making money.
For example, Chen Feng generally starts with high-tech industries... Generally, as long as you act quickly, you can make money.
Another point is that Chen Feng believes that in business, you must be willing to invest.
Investment in raw materials, investment in advertising fees... The more you invest, the more you earn.
He generally avoids "get rich quick" schemes.
In Chen Feng's words, "get rich quick" businesses are essentially gambling.
If you win, you can indeed make a lot of money.
However, if you lose, you can basically go bankrupt.
And gambling, you generally lose more than you win.
Furthermore, Chen Feng's biggest money-making secret is to know when to stop.
You must never be greedy; the more greedy you are, the less money you will make.
"People like the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau must be sent to prison, otherwise, it's easy to breed trouble for the future. People like the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau have no bottom line for money. Those without a bottom line are often very destructive."
"Chen Feng, with your explanation, I know what to do. I am Japanese, and with your guidance on how to proceed, dealing with the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau should not be a big problem. I have one lingering doubt: cooperating directly with Hongyu Corporation to resolve their attempt to harm our company sounds very dangerous. Isn't that like 'seeking a tiger for its skin'?" Ie Ye Meizi asked worriedly.
Frankly speaking, only an experienced old hand in politics and business like Chen Feng could come up with such an unconventional plan.
"Meizi, it's not an exaggeration to say that if an ordinary person used this method against a business rival, they would most likely be backfired upon. I am a seasoned veteran of politics and business, and I can easily handle it, neutralizing Hongyu Corporation's desire to retaliate with a single move." Chen Feng explained calmly.
"What move is that?" Ie Ye Meizi asked curiously.
"Mutually acquiring each other's company shares. I buy Hongyu Corporation's shares, and Hongyu Corporation buys our company's shares. With a stake in each other, Hongyu Corporation will naturally and honestly develop and make money with our company." Chen Feng continued to explain calmly.
Ie Ye Meizi was stunned.
My goodness,
How does Chen Feng's mind work?
So many brilliant ideas.
"Chen Feng, now that all matters in Japan are settled, are you returning to China?" Ie Ye Meizi probed.
"Yes, I have to return to China tonight. If I don't return soon, Director Qin Yan might lose her position..." Chen Feng replied with a serious expression.