Zhang Liunian raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? That's why you've all been letting them dominate and exploit you all these years?"
"..."
No need to rub salt in the wound.
The members of the National Chamber of Commerce were collectively ashamed and embarrassed, followed by anger and resentment.
Yes, they hadn't managed to do anything to the Hong Kong businessmen in so many encounters, but what right did Zhang Liunian have to mock them?
He wasn't that much more capable than them, wasn't he also pushed to the brink by the Hong Kong businessmen?
If the Hong Kong businessmen hadn't suddenly collapsed, he might still have been begging for mercy somewhere, trying to get rid of the trouble those Hong Kong businessmen had caused him.
Where did it give him the right to mock them?
"Even if we haven't won a single time, we are still the largest chamber of commerce in Pengcheng. You, a mere individual operator, have no right to mock us.
If you insist on going against us, Pengcheng will have no place for you.
However, if you are willing to put up ninety million to cooperate with us on a new project, I will allow you to join the chamber and become one of us. You know better than anyone how this deal stacks up."
President Wen's demeanor, as if he was doing Zhang Liunian a huge favor by letting him in, disgusted Zhang Liunian.
Who said he wanted to join the National Chamber of Commerce? Even if Pengcheng only had them left as a chamber of commerce, it didn't mean he had to join.
And he wanted to threaten him? Sorry, that wouldn't work on him.
"I appreciate President Wen's kind offer, but I must decline. I am used to being free and always act on my own whims. I'm not well-suited to joining a chamber of commerce and following others' arrangements. So, I may have to disappoint President Wen's good intentions."
Zhang Liunian's words were a refusal of both investment and joining the chamber.
This angered President Wen. This Zhang Liunian really was choosing defiance over politeness. He had offered him entry, and instead of being grateful, he looked disgusted. It was truly excessive.
"If you didn't have a bit of money, we might not even be willing to let you join.
Also, I must remind you that currently, only our chamber of commerce in Pengcheng can undertake large-scale projects, because no one else can.
If you want to undertake large projects and invest for profit, you can only consider cooperating with us.
Otherwise, you won't find another partner for large projects.
If you absolutely refuse to cooperate with us, then your money definitely won't be used. Money that isn't used is just dead capital.
I'm sure you understand this point."
The arrogance in these words was obvious. Anyone who could understand human language would grasp the implied meaning.
He was essentially saying that the National Chamber of Commerce was the biggest player in Pengcheng now. And if Zhang Liunian wanted to develop projects, he had to rely on them, otherwise, he wouldn't find suitable projects.
Of course, there might be something more. For example, if Zhang Liunian wanted to undertake a project, as long as the members of their National Chamber of Commerce were present, they wouldn't let him succeed.
Zhang Liunian laughed in anger. How he wanted to use his money, or how he used it, was not their concern. "Thank you for the reminder, President Wen. But I think besides cooperating with you, I also have the ability to develop projects independently. I don't necessarily have to cooperate with others, do you think so?"
President Wen's face darkened. He hadn't expected Zhang Liunian to intend to go it alone.
In that case, they wouldn't be able to get Zhang Liunian's investment. How could that be acceptable?
Without Zhang Liunian's investment, how would their bus station project proceed? How would their integrated commercial project proceed?
Without money, nothing could be accomplished.
"You truly are a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger. You're still too young. After you've been roughed up in Pengcheng, you'll realize whether my words have any sense." President Wen adopted the attitude of someone who would make Zhang Liunian unable to get by in Pengcheng if he didn't cooperate.
Seeing his petty behavior, Zhang Liunian was about to speak again when Zhang Ya's voice came from behind him.
"Who says comrade Zhang Liunian can only cooperate with you?"
Zhang Liunian's heart leaped at the sound of Zhang Ya's voice, and he turned excitedly. He saw Zhang Ya and Comrade Sun had already arrived in front of him.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, don't be afraid. You are a great contributor to our Pengcheng. No one can bully you."
Just from a distance, Comrade Sun had seen the members of the National Chamber of Commerce coercing and tempting Zhang Liunian, wanting to get their hands on his money.
But Zhang Liunian's money was the funding for their railway station project. He would not let Zhang Liunian hand the money over to these good-for-nothings from the National Chamber of Commerce.
It seemed he would have to issue a notice tomorrow, to facilitate things for Comrade Zhang Liunian.
"Comrade Sun?"
The members of the National Chamber of Commerce were shocked when they recognized the newcomers.
They had almost forgotten when they last saw Comrade Sun. Wasn't it the time they were competing with Hong Kong businessmen for a project, which led to the road construction being halted?
And this Zhang Ya, who always tried to snatch their projects, why was he here too?
Why were they speaking up for an outsider, an individual operator?
What was Zhang Liunian's relationship with them?
"President Wen, it's truly been a long time. Your presence is as strong as ever. You dare to boast that comrade Zhang Liunian can't find project partners in Pengcheng? Who gave you the audacity to say such a thing?"
Comrade Sun was blunt, almost pointing at President Wen and saying, how dare you speak like this? Aren't you afraid of the wind blowing your tongue off?
Upon hearing this, President Wen started to sweat. Comrade Sun was the second-in-command in Pengcheng and should not be offended lightly. Now that he had witnessed him pressuring a mere individual operator, it was indeed undignified.
Moreover, judging by his attitude, he seemed to dislike him even more. It would be difficult for them to obtain rights for good project development in the future.
However, he had not expected Comrade Sun to appear at this time and speak up for Zhang Liunian. If he had known, he would never have spoken about Zhang Liunian like this.
"Comrade Sun, you misunderstand. How could I say such a thing? Whether we can get good projects depends on whether Comrade Sun and the others grant them. We don't have such great ability. You must have misheard." President Wen wiped the sweat from his forehead, refusing to admit what he had just said.
If he admitted it, it would make him look foolish.
After all, good projects also depended on approval from higher authorities. If Comrade Sun blocked them, they could only watch anxiously.
Zhang Liunian found it amusing to see President Wen acting like a mouse encountering a cat when he met Comrade Sun. Truly, every man has his master.
"Could it be that I am deaf? I heard President Wen say from afar that comrade Zhang Liunian could only cooperate with you. Was it a ghost speaking?"
"..."
Comrade Sun had no intention of letting President Wen off the hook so easily. Who told him to bully his people?
That's right, in Comrade Sun's eyes, Zhang Liunian was his person. Although not as important as Zhang Ya, he highly approved of Zhang Liunian's ideas and values. Pengcheng needed businessmen like Zhang Liunian, who had correct values, to lead everyone towards a better life.