Chen Fan and Jiang Tiansheng spent a full week in Jinling.
A week was enough for many things to happen.
For example, under the sustained pressure and crackdown from the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, many high-level executives of Shengshi resigned and jumped ship, including those in important and critical positions.
Another example was that various media outlets were filled with interviews and reports about Su Yuhua, and smear campaigns against Jiang Tiansheng.
Some media even questioned Mr. Long's business achievements, suggesting that his success was largely due to luck.
This perspective explained both Shengshi's imminent collapse and Mr. Long's recent years of disappearance from public view.
Mr. Long, once considered a business legend, was steadily falling from his pedestal.
In contrast, Su Yuhua was viewed by many in the Hangjiang business community as the new legend.
In the past two days, people visiting the headquarters of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce had practically worn down their doorstep.
At the Shengshi headquarters, in the board of directors' meeting room.
The atmosphere was still grim.
"Has Director Jiang said when he's returning to Hangjiang?"
"I fear that even if he returns, it might be too late."
Pessimistic voices echoed in the meeting room.
One by one, the directors lit cigarettes, filling the room with smoke.
"If Shengshi falls, Mr. Long won't treat us unfairly," Yin Qian said.
"Even if Mr. Long treats us fairly, what then?" one director lamented. "Are they going to arrange for us to join Longteng?"
Several directors looked helpless, puffing on their cigarettes with dejected expressions.
Longteng was Shengshi's parent company. While joining Longteng might seem like a promotion for Shengshi shareholders, few actually wanted it.
The reason was simple: they were all from Hangjiang, with their roots, connections, and families there. They did not want to leave Hangjiang.
"Then what else can we do? The building is about to collapse, and we can't blame Mr. Long, can we?"
Luo Jiuzhang, while cleaning his pipe, was also in a bad mood.
A hush fell over the room.
However, amidst the wavering loyalties, some directors harbored other thoughts.
But no one dared to voice them in such a setting.
The companies under the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce were offering exorbitant prices to poach Shengshi's high-level executives. For the directors, the offers would only be higher.
Of course, they were not lacking in wealth or assets, which was not enough to sway them.
What truly tempted them was the skyrocketing momentum of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce.
Under such circumstances, if they were to leave the collapsing Shengshi and join the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, they would be embracing a future.
Luo Jiuzhang observed the expressions of the directors and sneered inwardly.
Others might not know Mr. Long's methods, but he did.
He would rather lose everything than betray Mr. Long.
Otherwise, the fate of He Yifeng and others, now reduced to dust, served as a stark reminder.
As he pondered, his phone rang.
He picked it up and saw it was Jiang Tiansheng.
"Director Jiang?"
After answering the call and exchanging a few words, his expression became solemn. "Alright, I will have my subordinates handle it."
Hanging up the phone, Luo Jiuzhang said with a hint of excitement, "Mr. Long and Director Jiang are on their way back!"
Upon hearing this, all the directors' spirits lifted.
Those who had harbored other thoughts also put them aside.
As one of the nine directors, changing allegiance required considering the moves Mr. Long and Jiang Tiansheng would make upon their return.
The news of Mr. Long and Jiang Tiansheng's imminent return quickly spread.
Reactions varied.
Only the old employees who remained loyal to Shengshi were filled with anticipation.
Most people still remained pessimistic about Shengshi's prospects.
As for the outside world, it was widely believed that even if Mr. Long returned, he would not be able to salvage the situation.
The facts seemed to confirm their predictions.
Upon his return to Shengshi, Jiang Tiansheng convened an emergency meeting, mobilizing employees to prepare for the challenges ahead.
However, their response was to acquire a cosmetics factory, revamp a cosmetic product, and bring it into production as quickly as possible.
Shengshi's focus was entirely on this new product.
Upon hearing the news, many media outlets believed that Shengshi had exhausted all its options and was incapable of recovery.
The cosmetics market was already saturated with numerous brands. Shengshi had no prior experience in this industry; how could it compete for market share?
Shengshi did not lack products; its sales channels were severed, its products couldn't be sold, and the daily losses were immense.
Without addressing the sales problem, what was the use of focusing on product development?
Even if, hypothetically, Shengshi's cosmetic products became a hit, what then?
With Shengshi's massive scale, could a single product really lead to a breakthrough?
It was an absurd notion.
Time passed, and three days went by in a flash.
With the full mobilization of Shengshi's resources, news emerged that the trial product had been finalized, and all procedures and testing had been completed.
However, the pessimistic voices regarding Shengshi grew louder throughout the Hangjiang business community.
At the headquarters of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, the atmosphere was lively.
"Haha, that's hilarious. Mr. Long and Jiang Tiansheng went all the way to Jinling and came back with this solution?"
Zhou Mingfeng burst into laughter.
"Cosmetics, tsk tsk. Is this the extent of Mr. Long's abilities? I thought it would be something more significant."
"If you ask me, Shengshi is doomed. Once this cosmetic product hits the market, it will mark the beginning of Shengshi's downfall. I suppose Mr. Long will have no face to remain in Hangjiang!"
"What Mr. Long? He's just a live-in son-in-law of the Su family. Do you think a sane person would give up being a business mogul with hundreds of billions and become a live-in son-in-law, treated worse than a dog?"
"..."
Amidst the mockery, Su Yuhua appeared thoughtful.
After a moment of contemplation, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, everyone, hold your celebration. First, let me ask, does anyone have a way to get a sample of Shengshi's cosmetic product?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Mr. Su, it's just a cosmetic product, destined to fail. Why bother getting a sample?"
"Don't be complacent. We must treat every enemy with caution, especially when the opponent is Mr. Long," Su Yuhua said with a grave expression.
"This time, Shengshi has mobilized its old employees, and production processes are kept strictly confidential. It won't be easy to get a sample!" someone said.
Su Yuhua nodded, not overly concerned. "As soon as Shengshi's product is released, we'll purchase it for testing. If there are no problems, we'll create some. We must not give our opponents any opportunity, understood?"
Although they found Su Yuhua to be a bit overly cautious, they all agreed and went about their business after the meeting.
Of course, the smear campaign against Shengshi and Jiang Tiansheng did not cease.
Meanwhile, in the Purple Bamboo Forest.
Chen Fan leisurely sipped his tea.
Before him sat Jiang Tiansheng, Elder Tang, and Li Xiangbei.
Elder Tang glanced at Chen Fan and said, "The permits and approvals are all in place. This cost me quite a bit of face!"
"Elder Tang, you're complaining?" Li Xiangbei chuckled. "You're getting a ten percent investment!"
"As for projects led by Mr. Long, I only regret not being able to invest more. Mr. Li, you have thirty percent; why not give me one percent?"
Li Xiangbei laughed, "Elder Tang, do you think I would give it up?"
Elder Tang couldn't help but sigh.
None of them were short of money. If Shengshi's project failed, it would merely be a financial loss, not a catastrophe.
The key was being associated with Mr. Long, especially during Shengshi's current turbulent times. This connection was invaluable.
Jiang Tiansheng said, "Production has officially begun, but the capacity hasn't ramped up yet. However, a week's worth of inventory should be ready. After a week, it will be time for the press conference, and we'll also promote it online. Mr. Li, it's up to you then!"
"No problem!" Li Xiangbei grinned. "Let's see if those people from the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce can still laugh then!"