Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Nothing Special

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Despite being known as “Sister Hong,” Zhang Weihong actually had a pretty good reputation in society.

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Men knew she was not someone to mess with, but women were certain about one thing, as long as you didn’t provoke her, she was quite easy to deal with.

After they went up the mountain, they found a wind-sheltered spot by the pond, set up a small gas stove, and boiled water to drink.

It was the beginning of the coldest winter days, but there had been no wind recently, and the temperature in Zhengyang had been surprisingly warm. Even in the mountains, the winter sun felt warm on the skin, lulling one into a bit of drowsiness.

Sister Shen came looking and whispered to Sister Hong, implying she wanted to become a distributor of jade.

“Distributing is out of the question,” Sister Hong stated bluntly, “My boss said we’re going to scale back on our business next year. If you want to buy jade, I can sell you some for the first half of the year. For the second half of the year, even if you want to buy, I might not have any stock.”

“Why scale back?” Sister Shen blinked, “Your business is doing so well, it’s exactly the time to expand operations.”

“How dare I ask Boss Feng so many questions?” Sister Hong said with a wry smile and shook her head, “Anyway, the boss has the money to do as he pleases. If he says he doesn’t want to do it anymore, can I force him?”

Sister Shen’s eyes darted around, “Then he must have found a better project, right?”

“Maybe he has, but he hasn’t said anything yet,” Sister Hong spoke with a lack of enthusiasm, “Why don’t you just wait and see. If you think the new project is suitable, we could consider collaborating.”

“Don’t be like that,” Sister Shen was just making small talk, trying to get closer. Seeing that Sister Hong didn’t want to talk anymore, she couldn’t help but steer the conversation back, “I think we could collaborate on the jade project.”

Sister Hong had been dealing with this kind of thing a lot lately and responded very directly, “We can collaborate, but it has to be cash-and-carry… the price will definitely be right for you, you can be assured of that.”

“Wei Hong, we’re not strangers, we go way back,” Sister Shen said with a smile, “Cash-and-carry ties up a lot of capital. Since we all know each other, why don’t we make an exception?”

“You have plenty of money at your disposal, don’t come crying poor to me,” Sister Hong said half-jokingly, then straightened her expression, “Right, once you get the jade, where are you planning to sell it?”

Sister Shen was taken aback, “Come on, once I buy your goods, it’s not your business where I sell them, is it?”

“How can it not be my business?” Sister Hong said with a bemused shake of her head, “Although my business isn’t huge, I still need to divide territories. Since you’re willing to buy my jade, that makes us good friends. If everyone trades without regard, how can I be fair to my friends?”

Sister Shen didn’t rush to answer, but her eyes were quickly spinning.

Seeing this, Sister Hong could guess what she was thinking and simply stated, “I think we have nothing we can’t discuss. Zhang Weihong alone can’t cover such a huge national market…”

“I just want to understand the situation better so I can help coordinate. If you absolutely refuse to tell, that’s fine too. But in the future, if there’s an overlap with someone else’s market, I’ll surely give priority to those friends who have registered with me. Don’t blame me for not taking care of you then.”

Sister Hong’s words were more than fair, leaving no room for complaint. Sister Shen hesitated, then could only respond with a wry smile, “I have a partner who has some connections in the East Three Provinces and Youzhou Province.”

“The East Three Provinces are easy to handle,” Sister Hong nodded, “But Youzhou Province… are you aiming for the capital city?”

This question was very direct, and Sister Shen couldn’t evade it. She could only say vaguely, “The capital… we might include it somewhat, but rest assured, we won’t actively sell there.”

“You’re pretty well-informed,” Sister Hong looked at her with a half-smile, “If you only want to do business in the East Three Provinces, I can agree to that right away. But if you’re thinking about Youzhou, then I’ll have to speak to Boss Feng first.”

“Just doing business in the East Three Provinces isn’t very promising,” Sister Shen sighed, “The economy there is in a slump, Youzhou is really worth it… and it’s impossible to completely bypass the capital city.”

Zhang Weihong spoke noncommittally, “Try your best to bypass it. President Feng has a bad impression of the capital city…”

After Feng Jun learned of Sister Shen’s intentions, he specifically summoned her, “Haven’t you heard that I do not supply goods to the capital city? And now you want to enter the Youzhou market?”

“I won’t go and sell in the capital,” Sister Shen found that she still felt pressured facing President Feng and could only stubbornly argue her case, “But my partner has been operating in Youzhou for many years, and it would be a pity not to leverage such an advantage.”

Feng Jun was not about to believe such excuses. He chuckled, “Whether it’s Youzhou or the capital city, I’d rather not inquire. If you want to work in Youzhou, I have one condition.”

Sister Shen nodded, “Tell me. As long as it’s within my ability, there won’t be a problem.”

Feng Jun glanced at her sideways, stroking his chin, “You should know, my relationship with Jubaozhai is very bad.”

“I’m aware of that,” Sister Shen nodded and then, with a twinkle in her eye, smiled and said, “Do you want me to take care of it for you?”

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Feng Jun laughed, “I’ve heard Sister Shen is a remarkable woman, but the market in Youzhou, that’s really not something anyone can take control of just like that. If others are unconvinced, I still have to provide a reason, don’t I?”

“Fine, I get it,” Sister Shen nodded, speaking proudly, “I wouldn’t dare claim I can handle just anyone, but as for Jubaozhai… I really am quite confident. Just wait for my good news.”

When Feng Jun heard this, he couldn’t help raising his eyebrows, “No way, are you actually that confident?”

Sister Shen smiled and replied with full assurance, “In the jewelry business, how could one possibly circumvent the banks? I’ve seen with my own eyes the way Wang Tiechen applies for loans, it’s just that… now that his family has grown big and wealthy, he probably doesn’t recognize old friends anymore.”

Only then did Feng Jun remember that in Sister Shen’s family, there seemed to be more than one person holding a leadership position in the bank.

Anyway, with someone stepping forward to help him deal with Jubaozhai, it saved him a lot of trouble, “I’ve already released the rumor that I’m targeting Jubaozhai. Do your best, and try not to fall behind others.”

“I’ll start with a tax inspection on them,” Sister Shen stated indifferently, “If it doesn’t drive him to cry for his daddy and call for his mommy, then I’m incompetent!”

Over the next two days, Jubaozhai really did encounter various difficulties; not only did the Industry and Commerce Tax authorities come knocking, but the bank also began demanding loan repayment—it was the end of the year, after all.

If these issues could still be considered tolerable, some of the difficulties were completely irrational, such as someone complaining that the lights at Jubaozhai at night were too bright, affecting their rest, calling it “light pollution”!

There were also complaints that the fluctuations of Jubaozhai’s neon lights caused electromagnetic pollution—’the fry my tropical fish gave birth to, all deformed, that’s just too horrifying.’

Having turned off both the spotlights and neon lights, now someone complained that… there was water pooling on the road at night, making it difficult to see and easy to trip and fall. There were also people spreading disharmonious fliers in the cover of darkness.

In short, a whole assortment of trouble-making left Jubaozhai in complete disarray.

Wang Tiechen certainly knew that he was being targeted by someone. He had never taken Feng Jun too seriously, always thinking that the impact on himself wouldn’t be too great—actually, even if the impact were great, what of it? If the Fengs intended to destroy the Wang family’s foundation, all he could do was counter it.

However, the endless tricks of the enemy still made him feel an increased pressure, especially now, when that wretch had even thrown out the jade distribution rights as a guise, inciting others to make moves against Jubaozhai.

Given Jubaozhai’s size, the mere distribution rights for jade were not enough to shake it. If any random person could throw out a temptation and take down a large corporation, then large corporations wouldn’t be worth much.

But then again, as a corporation grows larger, its social influence certainly increases, but it also develops deeper connections with other corporations, some positive and some negative—competitors are everywhere.

And one could imagine that around the fat prey, covetous eyes would never be lacking. When Jubaozhai was strong enough, they had the power to protect their own interests, but… what about when someone started targeting them?

If someone could tear a big enough hole in them, naturally there would be scavengers that gathered around for a feast.

It must be pointed out that Feng Jun’s hostility towards Jubaozhai was felt by more than one person.

Many, in order to curry favor with him and secure enough jade, did not mind kicking Jubaozhai while it was down—directly harming Jubaozhai carried substantial risk, but following others to beat a fallen dog, that was much easier.

Even Li Dafu began to reduce his cooperation with Jubaozhai. Previously, financial exchanges between the two businesses were done on credit, but now they demanded cash on delivery.

Li Dafu did not say that they were creating obstacles because Feng Jun wanted to cause Jubaozhai trouble; rather they simply believed that Jubaozhai’s financial situation might deteriorate, and to mitigate risk, they henceforth insisted on cash transactions.

Cash settlement was mutual, and not only when you buy our goods but also when we purchase from you, it’s cash payment.

However, while that was the stated reason, Li Dafu being a large business with an array of supply channels did not lack for anything.

As the industry leader in Funiu and a state-owned enterprise, they had abundant resources. Many small jewelry businesses grew by relying on Li Dafu’s capital and supply.

Otherwise, Li Yongrui wouldn’t have obtained a status akin to that of a Martial World overlord in Funiu’s jewelry industry.

So, for Li Dafu, whether or not Jubaozhai’s purchases were cash or credit, it really didn’t matter— if Jubaozhai dared to demand cash, Li Dafu certainly wouldn’t come back to them for goods the next time.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes. That’s the trend now.

Doesn’t this scenario feel very familiar? That’s right, when Xu Leigang’s older brother’s business in the capital was being targeted, it was the same scene. This society is indeed too realistic.

At first, when Sister Shen sought help from the bank, she used her own connections. But later on, as the banks realized someone was targeting Jubaozhai, they didn’t hesitate to proactively tighten the credit lines.

The banks were just such an institution—handing out umbrellas on a sunny day, taking them back when it rains.