Chapter 1011: Admitting Defeat

Chapter 1011: Chapter 976: Admitting Defeat

After tasting defeat, Cao Bingyi finally understood that he was no match for them. He went to Qiaocheng to apologize to Sect Leader Dai Xiahou Mulan and painfully transferred his shares in Renhe Hall to Xiahou Mulan at a low price.

Yet, this still didn’t earn Xu Chunliang’s forgiveness. Xiahou Mulan suggested that he personally make a trip to Dongzhou and talk face-to-face with Xu Chunliang, which led to today’s visit.

In fact, Xiahou Mulan had already informed Xu Chunliang in advance, telling him that Cao Bingyi might visit soon.

Xu Chunliang instructed Kang Yueqi to invite Cao Bingyi to his office. It’s only proper to greet him since Cao Bingyi has already transferred his shares in Renhe Hall to Xiahou Mulan, showing enough sincerity, so he couldn’t just shut him out.

Cao Bingyi, forty-one years old, is one of the most powerful figures in the Medicine Sect, of course referring to economic power, not martial expertise or medical skill.

In today’s world, money has become the most universal measure of strength. Being wealthy represents power. Although Cao Bingyi’s status in the sect is not as high as the four elders, there has always been a saying that his Shennong Pharmaceutical Group is more powerful than the Mulan Group. Certainly, within the sect, the wealthiest is one of the four elders, Zhai Pingqing.

The numbers on the books once made Cao Bingyi lose himself, even believing he had the strength to challenge the sect leader. It wasn’t until his stumble in acquiring Renhe Hall that he began to reconsider. If he hadn’t felt the sting, he wouldn’t have given up the opportunity nor lowered himself to travel to Dongzhou to meet Xu Chunliang.

Cao Bingyi has a kindly face, looking dignified and upright. Before coming to Dongzhou, he made sure to study diligently. The more he understood Xu Chunliang, the more he regretted getting involved in the Renhe Hall affair.

Entering Xu Chunliang’s modest director’s office, Cao Bingyi beamed a smile and reached out a hand as he entered: “Director Xu, hello, I am Cao Bingyi from Shennong Pharmaceutical Group.”

Xu Chunliang stood up to greet him and shook his hand: “I’ve heard much about you, President Cao, please have a seat.”

Cao Bingyi sat opposite Xu Chunliang, who then had Kang Yueqi pour tea for the guest.

After Kang Yueqi left, Cao Bingyi smiled at Xu Chunliang: “I’ve come especially to visit Director Xu today.”

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, “President Cao, you have such a busy schedule, there’s no need to make a special trip. Whatever needs discussing can be done over the phone, as we’ve done before.”

The last call wasn’t pleasant; Xu Chunliang proactively made concessions, yet Cao Bingyi didn’t agree to the terms offered. However, there’s no remedy for regrets.

Cao Bingyi sighed and said: “Some things are better said in person to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Xu Chunliang gestured for him to drink tea.

Cao Bingyi took a sip of tea and said: “This time, I’ve mainly come to explain to you face-to-face. I don’t really understand the situation with Renhe Hall. At the time, I just thought of taking advantage of a deal, not foreseeing being tricked by the brothers Zhou Yiwen.”

Xu Chunliang smiled warmly at Cao Bingyi, as if saying, “You must be joking.” Cao Bingyi is crafty; he certainly believed the trademark ownership of Renhe Hall was unclear, and Zhou Renhe’s will had problems, which led him to intervene. Though he intended to profit for sure.

Xu Chunliang said: “It’s best not to interfere with others’ family affairs. President Cao’s quick retreat shows good judgment.”

Cao Bingyi thought, “Could I retreat? You employed tactics, making various supervisory departments incessantly audit my company. If I don’t wise up, my foundations might be disrupted beyond peace.”

Cao Bingyi nodded and said: “Director Xu, misunderstandings have been clarified. Please don’t let it weigh on you.”

Xu Chunliang said: “Mulan has already spoken to me. Rest assured, President Cao, harmonious relations yield prosperity. Mulan’s side will need your support in the future.” Letting Cao Bingyi off not only acknowledges his compliance in transferring Renhe Hall shares but also considers his influence within the sect.

For Xiahou Mulan to successfully become the formal sect leader, she not only needs to pass the sect’s six core tests but also gain the support of influential figures within the sect. They secured this three-month period to use as a buffer to first settle internal affairs, but currently lack a suitable intermediary candidate.

Xu Chunliang looked at Cao Bingyi before him, feeling this fellow is highly suitable.

Cao Bingyi said: “Without a doubt.” Though his words were insincere, pondering how to support? They inherently compete, why support her exclusively and have only cold sustenance to endure?

Xu Chunliang didn’t elaborate further; it’s essential to show some stance given Cao Bingyi traveled such a distance.

Cao Bingyi, whether mindful of pride or believing he’d shown enough sincerity, didn’t express further. After some pleasantries, he sensed Xu Chunliang’s attitude toward him was somewhat superficial, prompting him to say farewell. Really, his visit was just to show face; any real conditions would be discussed through Xiahou Mulan.

After leaving, Cao Bingyi had the driver take him to Enheng Pharmaceutical, as they were long-term collaboration partners. This trip served as an opportunity to visit with them.

Cao Bingyi is quite familiar with Sheng Chaohui and Liang Wenjing, even addressing Sheng Chaohui as a brother.

He first contacted Sheng Chaohui, who was at the company, informing him that Liang Wenjing was attending meetings in Hu Hai these recent days.

Cao Bingyi arrived at Enheng Headquarters, Sheng Chaohui was working out in the gym at this time. This guy has a background in kickboxing. Although his lifestyle is not very disciplined, he is quite self-disciplined in sports and exercises every day.

Cao Bingyi went directly to the gym and saw Sheng Chaohui running. Cao Bingyi smiled and said, “Brother Sheng.”

Sheng Chaohui waved at him, indicating he had five more minutes.

Cao Bingyi looked around his gym. After Sheng Chaohui finished running, he wiped his sweat and said, “Sorry, brother, I give myself a task every day, and I must complete it.”

Cao Bingyi said, “Brother Sheng’s self-discipline is admirable.”

Sheng Chaohui smiled and shook his head, saying, “The body is getting worse, can only improve through exercise. Brother, you’ve gained weight, need to increase exercise. At our age, we must control body fat percentage.”

Cao Bingyi laughed and said, “I don’t live as meticulously as you.”

Sheng Chaohui asked his secretary to take Cao Bingyi to the lounge first, he needed to take a shower, which shows he didn’t consider Cao Bingyi an outsider.

Cao Bingyi sat in the lounge for a short time, then Sheng Chaohui came over and sat next to him, “Brother, why didn’t you give me a heads up before coming over this time?”

Cao Bingyi said, “Just passing by, so came to see you.” He handed the two boxes of premium deer antler and deer penis he brought with him to Sheng Chaohui, knowing what this guy likes.

Sheng Chaohui patted him on the shoulder and said, “I’ll arrange for tonight. Let’s have a good catch-up and let you experience Dongzhou’s nightlife.”

Cao Bingyi laughed and took out a box of cigarettes, handed one to Sheng Chaohui, and lit one himself. He came to Enheng Pharmaceutical not just for catching up, nor for experiencing Dongzhou’s charm, he took a puff of smoke and said, “Brother Sheng, recently Enheng’s purchase volume has decreased a lot.”

Sheng Chaohui sighed and said, “It’s not easy, you must have heard, we had some trouble at Enheng Pharmaceutical recently and a salesperson died.”

Cao Bingyi said, “The one who jumped from the building?”

Sheng Chaohui nodded, that guy called Chen Jianxin, he is not a fool, Chen Jianxin is Zhao Xiaohui’s ex-boyfriend. In the past, he didn’t think much of this spineless waste. It was Chen Jianxin who let Zhao Xiaohui approach him actively to get a promotion at Enheng, but obviously, Chen Jianxin didn’t expect it would end in failure.

Until Chen Jianxin jumped off a building, Sheng Chaohui learned through certain means that this guy actually had a pretty good relationship with his wife, Liang Wenjing. Sheng Chaohui was very clear that he had been cuckolded, and from that time onwards, the cold war between their couple became more intense. Sheng Chaohui tried to get half of the family assets through divorce, and at the same time gain the freedom he longed for, but Liang Wenjing just wouldn’t let him get his way. The couple is actually living separately now.

Cao Bingyi said, “I heard recently you allocated some orders to Mulan Group?”

Sheng Chaohui said, “I’m not too clear on that, you know, I don’t have decision-making power in the company.” Actually, he knows very well, Enheng Pharmaceutical has recently made some adjustments to the purchasing channels. Just take herbal medicine procurement as an example; in the past, seventy percent of the goods were from Shennong Pharmaceutical Group, and now a large share of the orders has been given to Mulan Group.

The main reason is Xu Chunliang built the connections, of course also because the quality of herbal medicines produced by Mulan Group is indeed better than Shennong Pharmaceutical Group. The prices are about the same, under the same price conditions, the better quality is naturally chosen.

Cao Bingyi said, “Brother Sheng, we’ve been cooperating for many years and it’s always been very pleasant.”

Sheng Chaohui said, “Brother, under the same conditions, Enheng would definitely consider cooperating with you first, but since you’ve touched on business, we should speak frankly, recently your herbs have indeed had some quality control issues.”

Cao Bingyi said, “It’s always been the same standard, I can guarantee our output has always been very stable.”

Sheng Chaohui said, “Then you guys haven’t made any progress in product development over the years, compare the same medicinal materials with Mulan Group’s.”

Cao Bingyi couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing Mulan Group snatched his orders again and said, “So it was Mulan Group.”

Sheng Chaohui said, “Actually I want to help you strive for more orders, but over there they’re also friends, I have to treat everyone equally, you also know your sister-in-law’s character.”

Cao Bingyi said, “Won’t sister-in-law consider our past friendship?”

Sheng Chaohui said, “Mulan Group was introduced by Xu Chunliang, we also have a very good relationship.”

“Xu Chunliang?” Cao Bingyi secretly sighed, it’s Xu Chunliang again, Dongzhou is Xu Chunliang’s base, with his connections in Dongzhou, these local businesses have to give him some face.

Sheng Chaohui said, “I heard you had a lawsuit with Xu Chunliang?”

Cao Bingyi smiled bitterly and said, “Where did you hear that news?”