Chapter 929 - 895: Targeted

Xu Chunliang said, "You don’t need to do anything. I just think there’s something suspicious about this matter. I have no acquaintance with Cao Bingyi whatsoever, and there’s been no sign of him involving himself in the Renhe Hall affair. If possible, can you help me find out what’s on his mind? If he’s purely in it for business, then everything is negotiable. But if he has other schemes in mind, you know me well enough; I definitely won’t let it go."

Xiahou Mulan said, "According to what you said, back then, Elder Zhou Renhe gave you the Renhe Hall trademark and thirty percent of the shares?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Through the will established by the lawyer, things went smoothly during the inheritance division. It’s been so long since then, yet suddenly there’s a new kink."

Xiahou Mulan said, "It might be that the Zhou Brothers have come to terms with reality, believing that since the trademark usage rights are in your hands, keeping that seventy percent stake doesn’t hold much meaning. They might as well transfer it for cash and start anew."

Xu Chunliang said, "If it’s regular business behavior, that’s nothing. But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something odd here—the lawyer responsible for the will emigrated not long ago. Today, someone commissioned a lawyer to sue me over the Renhe Hall trademark."

Xiahou Mulan, experienced in this field, immediately sensed Xu Chunliang might be targeted and softly asked, "Is the Shennong Group suing you?"

Xu Chunliang said he wasn’t sure; it was too late today, so he planned to ask someone to investigate tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Xu Chunliang first took his grandfather to the high-speed rail station. The old man insisted on catching an early train back to Dongzhou. Xu Chunliang took a taxi to send him off and forwarded the train information to Zheng Peian to meet him.

After leaving the high-speed rail station, Xu Chunliang headed to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration, having pre-arranged with Lin Sijin.

Although Renhe Hall was facing significant storms, Xu Chunliang wasn’t overly worried. He guessed that the real mastermind was likely Huang Youlong, with the Shennong Group probably just being a front.

On his way to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration, Xu Chunliang received a call from Xiahou Mulan. Xiahou Mulan had already sought confirmation from Cao Bingyi; indeed, the Shennong Group bought seventy percent of Renhe Hall’s shares, but the trademark was unrelated to them.

The one intending to sue Xu Chunliang over the trademark was Zhao Hengyi, who now claims to be the rightful holder of Renhe Hall’s trademark. Zhou Renhe used deceit to forcibly seize the Renhe Hall trademark rights, which under the current trademark law, is called prior infringement.

Based on Zhao Hengyi’s account, the name Renhe Hall was coined by his father. The three characters currently used for Renhe Hall were penned by his father himself.

The initial Renhe Hall storefront was purchased from him—it was a herbal medicine shop back in the day. They transferred the storefront to Zhou Renhe but the trademark was not handed over, which Zhou Renhe allegedly took through deceptive means.

Xu Chunliang had never heard Elder Zhou Renhe mention this part of history nor heard of this person.

Xiahou Mulan urged him to prepare early. According to Cao Bingyi, the opponent already holds sufficient evidence; this time, they not only intend to take the trademark but also to pursue illegal usage of it, essentially seeking compensation from him.

Xu Chunliang reached out to Fang Wenzheng but received no response to his call. It’s now pretty much confirmed that Fang Wenzheng is no good either, having concealed many things from the start. He might have been involved in a setup with others since Elder Zhou commissioned the will.

Before coming to the capital, Xu Chunliang had spoken with Lin Sijin over the phone. Lin Sijin knew his purpose then, informing Xu Chunliang that Huichun Hall and Renhe Hall had been added to the review list.

Xu Chunliang handed Lin Sijin the prepared documents, currently only the ones for Huichun Hall, due to the uncertainties with Renhe Hall—timing was off.

After hearing Xu Chunliang’s explanation, Lin Sijin also believed it inappropriate to include Renhe Hall on the review list before the trademark dispute’s resolution.

Xu Chunliang said, "Godmother, sorry to trouble you this time."

Lin Sijin chuckled, "Why do it if I’m your godmother? I’m just simplifying the process for you; the review will follow protocol. To be honest, Renhe Hall is more renowned compared to Huichun Hall."

Xu Chunliang said, "I didn’t expect this issue to arise, but rest assured, I’ll resolve it soon."

Lin Sijin said, "Any lawsuit means the problem can’t be solved quickly. Anyway, don’t worry; if anything arises, I’m here." Being quite protective, she thought to herself, considering they’ve even got their eyes on my godson’s brand, it seems you don’t intend to stay in this industry.

Xu Chunliang said, "I must uncover and uproot the masterminds behind this."

Lin Sijin said, "Are there any leads?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Without concrete evidence, I can’t say for now."

Lin Sijin smiled, "So you have suspects."

Xu Chunliang smiled in silence.

Lin Sijin didn’t press further, sipping her tea and casually remarked, "I heard a while ago that Qingya went to Dongzhou?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Sister Qingya went to attend her senior sister’s art exhibition."

Lin Sijin sighed and said, "My daughter, she’s not young anymore, but she’s still naive, easily taken advantage of. People aren’t inviting her to attend for support, they actually want to use her."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Qingya can actually see through it."

Lin Sijin glanced at him, "Do you know her better or do I know her better?"

Xu Chunliang grinned cheekily, "Of course, you do. A mother knows her daughter best."

"You brat, stop flattering me. I don’t understand her at all. Ever since she grew up, we haven’t had conversations like we do. She treats me like a stranger."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sometimes, it’s not one person’s fault."

Lin Sijin said, "Are you saying I should look for reasons within myself?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Godmother, if I keep talking, you’ll misunderstand me."

Lin Sijin laughed, "As if. Chunliang, how has Qingya been feeling since the divorce?"

Xu Chunliang said, "To me, she’s doing quite well. At least she’s improving quickly in her art."

Lin Sijin nodded, "If neither of them likes the other, separation is best; why be a constraint on each other?" She was talking about her daughter’s situation but thinking about herself and Ye Changyuan. Their couple’s conflict started with the Zhou Family and Ye Family’s alliance. The daughter’s already divorced, but their relationship also cannot be restored.

Lin Sijin had another meeting to attend, and Xu Chunliang didn’t want to delay too long, so he got up at the right moment to bid farewell.

As he was leaving, Lin Sijin asked the bureau office director, her nephew Li Kaiqiang, to see Xu Chunliang out.

It’s the second time Xu Chunliang met Li Kaiqiang, he politely said, "Director Li, please stay, I can leave by myself."

Li Kaiqiang clearly knew about his connection to Lin Sijin and smiled, "You’re one of us. Don’t be polite, just call me Brother Li."

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Li, you guys seem really busy recently."

Li Kaiqiang said, "It’s always like this at this time of year. The country is increasingly emphasizing traditional Chinese medicine, so each year key supportive projects are selected, and those on the list receive special funding."

Xu Chunliang said, "Is it the project I applied for?"

Li Kaiqiang laughed, "Not the same, what you applied for is a key protected brand, which doesn’t receive subsidies upon selection. I’m talking about key supportive projects that focus primarily on the cultivation, processing, and production of Chinese medicinal herbs. In the past, subsidies for herbal cultivation were mainly local, given as special subsidies for the cultivation of specialty crops. Herb cultivation subsidies are determined by planting area, usually subsidized per acre, with standards differing by local policy, generally ranging from 100 to 500 yuan/acre, higher than ordinary crop subsidies."

Xu Chunliang thought of Xiahou Mulan, no wonder she’s running an herbal planting base, integrating selling herbs, processing raw materials, and producing patented medicine. The profits are already substantial, plus the national subsidies, the earnings are soaring. Take her currently contracted 30,000 acres for example, if each acre is subsidized 500 yuan annually, she’d get 15 million yuan just in subsidies each year, and that’s only at the local level.

Li Kaiqiang said, "Of course, this money isn’t easy to get. State subsidies are mainly for Chinese medicine enterprises that successfully cultivate endangered national herb species."

Xu Chunliang said, "Is Mulan Group on this list?"

Li Kaiqiang shook his head, "I know Mulan Group, so far I haven’t received their application, but many influential domestic Chinese medicine enterprises have submitted reports trying to get on the key supportive list."

Xu Chunliang then mentioned Shennong Group, Li Kaiqiang nodded this time. Xu Chunliang secretly thought, after going in circles, he finally found a breakthrough. Since Shennong Group’s Cao Bingyi can meddle with Renhe Hall’s matters, he can also meddle with theirs. I’ve always been one to hinder rather than succeed, since Cao Bingyi gives me trouble, I must foil your application for national support.

Li Kaiqiang was very courteous to Xu Chunliang, escorting him all the way to the gate, mainly because Xu Chunliang had come by taxi.

Xu Chunliang called for a cab, and even after Xu got in, Li Kaiqiang hadn’t left right away, waving goodbye to him. Xu Chunliang clearly knew he didn’t command such respect; Li Kaiqiang’s politeness was entirely based on him being Lin Sijin’s godson.

Xu Chunliang stayed at the Ji Family’s courtyard last night with his grandfather, and after his grandfather left, he went to the Star. Hua Zhuyue had given him a card, with that card he could eat and stay for free at all Star Hotels domestically.

Staying at hotels while alone is more convenient.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t been settled for long when Ye Qingya called him, asking him to take grandfather fishing tomorrow. Only then did Xu Chunliang mention that grandfather had already returned to Dongzhou.

Ye Qingya couldn’t help but blame, even if leaving, should at least say goodbye, why leave without a word?