Chapter 1991: A Strange Decision

Reading too many books probably leads to only two outcomes.

One is becoming foolish, turning into a bookworm who only knows scholarship and ignores the world outside.

The other is becoming too clever, reading the word 'scheming' out of books.

Clearly, Liu Qiangdong was undoubtedly the latter.

It must be admitted that China's top universities have indeed cultivated a large number of successful businessmen.

But these people only learned how to do business in college; they didn't learn much in other areas.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't hostile to the rich, but he knew very well what these people would do in the future.

Merchants pursuing profit is normal, but if they abandon certain principles in the chase for gain, that's truly contemptible.

"Alright, stop being angry over there."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Dong Chenxi, "Wait. When Jingdong goes public and its market value soars, we'll sell the shares."

"Huh?"

Dong Chenxi was surprised and looked at Zhao Fusheng in confusion. "You don't plan to hold them long-term?"

She had originally thought that Zhao Fusheng, who valued Liu Qiangdong so much, might hold Jingdong shares long-term.

Otherwise, why put in so much effort?

"Heh, you."

Zhao Fusheng laughed.

He really hadn't expected Dong Chenxi to think that way.

"In that case, why do you keep investing?"

Dong Chenxi asked Zhao Fusheng in confusion. "Isn't it better to let Liu Qiangdong seek outside funding?"

"Not yet."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Given Jingdong's current growth rate, this money will probably only last about a year. We'll just ignore the next round of financing."

"Ignore?"

Clearly, Dong Chenxi didn't quite understand Zhao Fusheng's meaning.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly. "Yes, we ignore it. Let him develop on his own."

That was his true feeling. In Zhao Fusheng's view, he had given Liu Qiangdong a boost. If Jingdong still couldn't develop, it would only prove that the company's ceiling was that low.

By then, he would sell his shares and make a small profit.

"Okay."

Dong Chenxi nodded. To be honest, for Zhao Fusheng, an investment like Jingdong really wasn't necessary.

In Dong Chenxi's view, the return cycle on investment was too long; she might as well invest in internet companies abroad.

After all, although the world was in the midst of an economic crisis, the development of internet companies was still highly regarded.

Everyone knew that while the physical industry had suffered a huge blow, various businesses were flourishing online.

The future world would surely be ruled by the internet!

……

……

A few days later, Future Investment officially announced that it would inject capital into Jingdong Mall again.

This time, the amount was thirty million US dollars.

"Thirty million! In US dollars! Is Future Investment crazy?"

"Yeah, Jingdong is currently competing with Gome!"

"Is Liu Qiangdong a relative of Zhao Fusheng?"

All sorts of speculation came thick and fast; almost everyone thought that Future Investment's move at this time was unwise.

After all, Huang Guangyu's track record in recent years was truly formidable!

With such a powerful Gome Group standing against Jingdong, the outcome was undoubtedly sealed from the start.

Under these circumstances, Future Investment's decision to inject capital into Jingdong Mall was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

This was no joke!

Future Group was very powerful, and Future Investment was also very wealthy, with liquid assets conservatively estimated at over three billion US dollars.

But the problem was that Jingdong was not Zhao Fusheng's company.

He was only a major shareholder, not the founder; the company's management and operational rights were in Liu Qiangdong's hands.

Under these circumstances, Future Group could not go all out against Gome.

So this thirty-million-dollar investment would most likely go down the drain.

Unless Dong Chenxi was confident that Zhao Fusheng would agree to her continued support of Liu Qiangdong.

"Why did you do this?"

In Zhao Fusheng's office, Zheng Yao looked at him with confusion and asked, "I don't think you're the kind of person who casually throws money into investments."

She knew Zhao Fusheng well; he was definitely not someone who liked to do charity.

That didn't mean he was unkind—when helping those in need, the weak, Zhao Fusheng spared no effort, not even caring about gains or losses.

But in business, Zheng Yao knew that Zhao Fusheng could be chillingly calm at times.

This was an extremely important quality.

Business is like a battlefield; if a businessman harbors sentimental feelings or unnecessary compassion, it would be difficult for his business to grow big and strong.

Zheng Yao didn't quite understand this at first, but as time passed, she gradually came to grasp the principle.

And the more she understood, the more she couldn't comprehend why Zhao Fusheng would invest in Jingdong Mall and even risk offending Huang Guangyu, that titan of domestic business.

Hearing Zheng Yao's question, Zhao Fusheng laughed and waved his hand. "I have my reasons. Do you think I'm the kind of person who enjoys doing good deeds?"

"I know you're not, but now everyone outside is saying we're going to fully acquire Jingdong Mall, which is why you did that."

Zheng Yao said helplessly, "Gome has already terminated our advertising partnership."

Previously, Future Advertising had cooperated with Gome, but now they had directly canceled the contract.

Nine times out of ten, it was because of Zhao Fusheng's decision.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily. "If they want to cancel, let them cancel."

"Ah?"

Zheng Yao was taken aback. It was clear that Zhao Fusheng didn't seem surprised at all; he had no sense of shock, only an attitude of indifference.

"Huang Guangyu is too rigid and easily breaks."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly to Zheng Yao, "Gome's path has been too smooth in recent years. He knows how many people he's offended. For one thing, believe me, once Huang Guangyu gets into trouble, Gome will surely struggle in the entire home appliance sales industry."

Zheng Yao was dumbfounded. She really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to say that.

"What, you think I'm wrong?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao shook her head. "You're right. I've met him a few times, and his personality is indeed very tough."

After all, as leaders of major companies, Huang Guangyu and Zheng Yao had met several times, mostly at business events, occasionally exchanging a few words.

Based on Zheng Yao's understanding, Huang Guangyu was exactly as Zhao Fusheng described—too domineering and overbearing.

Of course, that's not to say it's bad. After all, a corporate leader without sufficient toughness would undoubtedly find it hard to grow the company.

But the problem is, while such a tough leader can drive a company's rapid development, it also leaves a deep personal imprint on the company as it grows.

As Zhao Fusheng said, the entire company is tied to one person; once something happens, it will inevitably cause a huge shock.

So Zheng Yao had to admit that Zhao Fusheng's words actually made a lot of sense.

But the problem is, Huang Guangyu is at the peak of his power right now. How could anything happen to him?

Wait!

Looking at Zhao Fusheng's calm expression, a sudden flash of insight struck Zheng Yao.

"Do you know something?"

Zheng Yao asked slowly, looking at Zhao Fusheng.

She was only guessing, not certain.

But based on her understanding of Zhao Fusheng, if he didn't know something, he wouldn't so openly support Jingdong Mall in opposing Gome.

Unless he was sure that something would definitely happen to Huang Guangyu.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. Zheng Yao was really sharp.

Or rather, after years of training, Zheng Yao's intuition at times was almost beast-like, making it hard to believe she had once been just a college counselor.

And it was hard to imagine that in the original timeline, she had gone abroad to marry, only to end up divorced and return in defeat.

Sure enough, circumstances change people, change their fate.

"I've received news that Huang Guangyu is under investigation."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly to Zheng Yao.

"Investigation?"

Zheng Yao frowned. "That shouldn't be a big problem for him, right?"

Huang Guangyu had his hands in too many industries, and with Gome's vast empire, he had been investigated more than once. In Zheng Yao's view, it was nothing new.

In fact, Zheng Yao thought it wouldn't affect Gome's business at all.

After all, no one would care about such a trivial investigation; it wouldn't cripple Gome.

In other words, for a large enterprise, this level of attack wouldn't have any real impact.

This could be seen from Baidu in later years.

Even when the whole internet condemned it, it had no effect on them. Robin Li remained a big shot in the internet industry, even as Baidu's reputation crumbled day by day.

"What if he gets arrested?"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly said coldly.

"What!"

Zheng Yao was startled.

Her expression turned serious. She looked at Zhao Fusheng. "You're not joking, are you?"

This was a big deal!

If something really happened to Huang Guangyu, it would definitely affect Gome, and could even cause the collapse of a home appliance empire.

Today's Gome could well be called an empire in the home appliance sales industry.

And now Zhao Fusheng was telling her that the man who built this empire might be arrested and sentenced!

It was like someone suddenly telling Zheng Yao that Zhao Fusheng might disappear or sell off Future Group.

Zhao Fusheng to Future Group, Huang Guangyu to Gome—it was the same.

Seeing Zheng Yao's shocked expression, Zhao Fusheng smiled and was about to speak when his phone rang. Glancing at the number, he frowned, puzzled.

It was Han Bin.

What did this guy want with him?