A man in his thirties stood up. He was tall and slender, wore glasses, and possessed an imposing demeanor.
Qi Yuchen, an emerging entrepreneur in the high-tech electronics industry, was a young and promising talent.
His company, Chenguang Technology, had a market value of over fifty billion yuan and was experiencing strong growth, earning it favor from many.
While not comparable to established conglomerates like the Lin or Wen families, within the business circle of Jiang Province, Qi Yuchen held immense potential and considerable influence.
His speaking up at such an occasion was hard to dismiss as accidental.
After all, Su Yuhua wouldn't directly recruit members at the summit, but rather after it concluded.
Major events like the establishment of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce required a sense of order and momentum.
Appearing too hasty would reflect poorly and lead to underestimation, causing hesitation.
Qi Yuchen's refusal to join the chamber could have easily been addressed after the meeting. His choice to do so now naturally invited speculation.
"Mr. Qi, may I ask for your reason?"
Under everyone's gaze, despite his internal displeasure, Su Yuhua maintained his composure, smiling gracefully.
"It's simple; a blueprint that is too beautiful becomes too illusory!" Qi Yuchen stated. "From the first day I started my business, I believed that there are no free lunches."
"Furthermore, the more people there are, the less unified their hearts become. For an ordinary chamber of commerce, it would be fine, but for an organization of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce's scale, please forgive me for not daring to participate!"
With that, Qi Yuchen actually rose and left. "My apologies, there's something urgent at the factory. I must take my leave!"
A shadow fell across Su Yuhua's face.
Yuan Liangping could barely conceal his surging anger.
Qi Yuchen was known for his direct personality, yet they still suspected someone was pulling the strings behind him.
This disruption was bound to make many hesitate and observe.
After all, most attendees were elites; none were fools.
Qi Yuchen's words were also pointedly accurate.
An overly beautiful and tempting blueprint, and a lack of unity among people – these were indeed critical factors.
Chambers of commerce existed across the country, but they were all loosely organized, serving merely as platforms for entrepreneurs to connect and communicate.
Su Yuhua and Yuan Liangping aimed to go further by integrating the entire business circle, a bold step indeed.
"A blueprint is naturally beautiful; otherwise, how could it be called a blueprint?" Su Yuhua declared loudly. "During the actual execution, there will certainly be obstacles and difficulties. But I believe in my own capabilities, as well as the insight and foresight of everyone present!"
"How about this: any friends who are not interested are welcome to leave at any time!"
He turned the tables, implying freedom to leave and showcasing his magnanimity and control.
However, the moment his words fell, several figures rose from their seats.
At a glance, there were no less than twenty people.
Such blatant disrespect?
Su Yuhua's expression immediately turned grim.
He had only said it casually, never expecting so many to stand up and depart.
Even waiting a few minutes until the summit concluded before leaving would have shown some consideration, but instead, they left early, just like Qi Yuchen.
Of course, compared to the nearly a thousand people present, twenty-odd individuals weren't many.
But their synchronized actions, as if they had pre-arranged it, put Su Yuhua in a difficult position.
Moreover, as his gaze swept over them, he noticed many individuals of significant status and importance.
For instance, Luo Jiuzhang, Lu Zecheng, and Yin Qian – all well-known and influential figures in the Jiang Province business community.
And most importantly, Jiang Tiansheng himself!
Indeed, influenced by them, many people began to show hesitation.
"Mr. Jiang, are you also of the opinion, like Mr. Qi earlier, that the blueprint is too beautiful and the hearts are not unified?"
If Qi Yuchen's departure could be overlooked, Su Yuhua could no longer remain silent. He narrowed his eyes and asked.
Jiang Tiansheng smiled, took a microphone, and said, "Not at all. It's simply because the capital of Mr. Su and Mr. Yuan is not strong enough."
"If I were to board your ship, I fear it would capsize!"
Su Yuhua's face darkened.
Even with his considerable composure, he could barely hide his rising anger.
Jiang Tiansheng's refusal to join the chamber was, in fact, anticipated.
But he suspected, and was almost certain, that Jiang Tiansheng had instigated the others.
This was clearly an attempt to publicly embarrass him and disrupt the event.
Naturally, regardless of Jiang Tiansheng's intentions, this act constituted a disruption.
Jiang Tiansheng, or rather, Shengshi Group, held considerable influence in Jiang Province.
This would set a trend, leading people who had business dealings or connections with Shengshi Group to refuse joining the chamber.
He had sent an invitation to Jiang Tiansheng to demonstrate his own power, not to be publicly humiliated.
"Oh, so Mr. Jiang doesn't think highly of us?" Su Yuhua sneered. "With Yuhua Group, combined with Yuan, Lin, Wen, Dai, and many other corporations, we are still not strong enough in Mr. Jiang's eyes?"
"Then is Mr. Jiang's Shengshi Group strong enough? Can it contend with us?"
Since the gloves were off, he naturally ceased showing weakness, directly positioning Jiang Tiansheng and Shengshi Group as adversaries.
This move not only created a contrast to highlight his own strength and the opponent's perceived weakness but also forced other attending business elites to make a choice.
Who was stronger, and who to choose – the answer was obvious!
The audience below erupted in murmurs and discussions.
When it came to making a choice, based on paper strength, there was little need for deliberation.
Shengshi Group had been rooted in Jiang Province for nearly a decade and was indeed powerful, but its scale was roughly equivalent to Yuhua Group's several billion yuan.
With the support of local magnates and the ability to mobilize sixty billion yuan at any time, even if Shengshi Group were a subsidiary of Longteng, it would pale in comparison.
Jiang Tiansheng stopped walking and smiled, "Mr. Su says that Shengshi is naturally not strong enough to contend with the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, but..."
He paused and then said leisurely, "Shengshi is a non-controlling subsidiary of Longteng!"
"Our Mr. Long said that the ship of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce is not very stable, and it's better for Shengshi to mind its own business!"
His tone was relaxed, with a hint of mockery.
But as soon as this statement was made, the entire venue became abuzz.
Mr. Long had personally said such a thing?
Then, perhaps the soon-to-be-established Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce was indeed not very stable?
If anyone else had said this, it would not have had such an impact.
But Mr. Long was different. He was the founder and controller of Longteng Group, a legend in the business world, the mysterious helmsman of a colossal conglomerate.
The name "Mr. Long" itself carried unfathomable weight for most people.
To many of Mr. Long's admirers, if Mr. Long did not think highly of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, then joining it was indeed questionable!
A dark cloud descended over Su Yuhua's eyes.
And Yuan Liangping couldn't help but clench his fist.
Mr. Long, like a pitch-black shadow, enveloped him.
It was exactly like the last time when he hosted a banquet and auction.
At that time, Chen Fan's generous ten billion yuan expenditure on behalf of Mr. Long had doomed his plans.
And now, a single sentence conveyed by Mr. Long through Jiang Tiansheng had damaged the success of today's summit, leaving the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, even before its official establishment, in a precarious state?