Chapter 371: 371: Conspiracy (3) The Winner Becomes King, Loser Becomes Bandit, All At Once Here

Chapter 371: 371: Conspiracy (3) The Winner Becomes King, Loser Becomes Bandit, All At Once Here

Translator: 549690339

Conference room.

Kiru’s words left everyone in the room dumbfounded.

No one knew exactly what had happened.

What does he mean by ruthless, brutal behavior?!

Song Zhizhi stared directly at Mr. Kiru.

Ye Wenhan appeared to be incredibly shocked as well. Looking very puzzled, he asked, “Mr. Kiru, where do your words come from? Commercial Management has a history of hundreds of years in Beixia Country, always adhering to the principle of prioritizing the interests of the public, never doing anything like what Mr. Kiru just described. Everything Commercial Management does is based on the interests of the citizens, where is the brutality in that?”

“This is also another reason why our James Group chose your organization as a last-minute substitute. As everyone knows, our James Group, though one of the top ten enterprises globally, does not merely comprise traditional businessmen. Indeed, our enterprise primarily aims for profit but never at the expense of others. Moreover, the James Group has always been involved in philanthropy. Philanthropy is an essential part of our James Group’s culture. Our charitable works are spread across the entire world, and every one of our group members takes pride in this.” Kiru said confidently, “Before coming to Yanshang Country, our review of the Commercial Management organization was based on its uniqueness in the world. Commercial Management is the only business sector built on the foundations of the masses, unlike any other worldwide enterprise. However, now the recent actions of the Commercial Management organization have left us deeply disappointed and even heartbroken.”

Everyone was still confused.

After all the extensive groundwork he laid, just what had happened that caused Mr. Kiru to praise Commercial Management so highly, then speak critically of it?

Song Zhizhi seemed to have noticed something.

But because everyone in the conference room had handed in their phones to ensure the absolute confidentiality and discipline of the conference, she couldn’t be entirely sure of what had occurred.

She kept her gaze fixed on Mr. Kiru and Ye Wenhan at the center of the conference room.

Ye Wenhan looked anxious, seemingly also not knowing exactly what had transpired.

“Mr. Kiru, if there is something, feel free to speak directly. If there’s anything lacking in our Commercial Management, we will immediately rectify it.” Ye Wenhan declared his stance.

Kiru firmly rejected, “For our James Group, it seems to be an error that is impossible to rectify. We just received a notification that during the designation of the location where James International Business Circle is to be established, Commercial Management violently suppressed the local residents and forced to relocate them without consulting them. This has provoked vigorous backlash from the residents! Not only does this behavior contravene humanity, it also tarnished the James Group’s reputation for being unkind and unrighteous. This is highly detrimental to the James Group.”

“You mean, our relocation has caused a negative response?” Ye Wenhan still looked astonished.

“In the plan that I just saw of your local residents’ resettlement, I thought you did an excellent job. You made thorough considerations for each household, fulfilling their needs to the greatest extent, and even gained their willing support for our entry. However, what we see now is completely different from the results in the plan. I can’t help but question how much padding exists in your plan.” Kiru’s expression grew increasingly serious, “I’m sorry, but we at the James Group can no longer cooperate with your organization. The business circle entry project ends here.”

Saying this,

Mr. Kiru immediately stood up.

Ye Wenhan quickly followed suit. “Mr. Kiru, there might be some misunderstanding, our Commercial Management has never encountered such an issue...”

Kiru dismissed him coldly, “Perhaps it’s just that it was never exposed before, or perhaps it’s because this project could bring great profit to your organization so you’ve resorted to such drastic measures. Regardless of either case, James cannot accept a partnership with such organizations. Mr. Ye, you need not see me off, goodbye.”

Kiru outrightly rejected Ye Wenhan, showing no mercy as he left the conference room with big strides.

Ye Wenhan stood at the entrance of the conference room, looking at Kiru’s retreating figure, his face darkening.

After a long period,

He returned to the conference room.

His face looked conspicuously displeased.

Having been in Commercial Management for so long, Ye Wenhan rarely lost his temper. He was generally encouraging. His sudden coldness silenced everyone in the room.

“Secretary Qian,” Ye Wenhan summoned Qian Guanshu authoritatively.

“Yes, Mr. Ye.”

“Find out exactly what happened according to Mr. Kiru’s words, now!”

“Yes.” Qian Guanshu quickly left the conference room.

“Everybody else wait here. Till we find out the root cause, no one is allowed to leave!” Ye Wenhan instructed.

Everyone bowed respectfully, saying nothing.

The conference room felt oppressively silent.

Everyone was somewhat fearful and alarmed.

Even though they could vaguely learn from Mr. Kiru that the accident happened on the demolition site, they still feared collateral damage.

Except for Song Zhizhi.

Song Zhizhi seemed extremely calm.

What she was thinking now was, do Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu really not care about the five billion in profits?

Five billion could bring so many benefits to the people, yet Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu gave up so easily just to achieve their goals.

It’s not merely a direct profit value of five billion.

James Top World Group, wherever it goes, is the focus of global attention. James publicly rejected the partnership with the Commercial Management, the implication of this on an international level can be really harmful. The negative impacts it could create for the Yanshang Country’s future economy and the huge economic loss it could cause, are all unpredictable.

Yet Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu can completely disregard all these.

Just to deal with her, alone?

Or their Song family?

And in this project, she had never thought of Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu trying to meddle.

Anyway, these are the profits of the entire population. No matter how bad or ruthless Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu are, they wouldn’t do such a thing. They are, after all, the helms of the Commercial Management. All their decisions are not only for their own benefit but also for the welfare of the entire population. But they completely gave up on Yanshang Country just for their personal desires.

Such people truly do not deserve to helm the Commercial Management. They really don’t!

In the past, she at least believed that no matter how Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu acquired the Commercial Management, they could at least manage it well and continue to serve the whole population, continue to earn the public’s adulation. Regardless of their personal grievances, the interest of the nationals is still the premise of their management.

However, it’s not the case.

Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu do not deserve to sit in such high positions, and they do not deserve the respect of everyone.

She tried to remain calm, tried to behave calmly.

Because she was fully aware that there would be a long period of conspiracy and conflict ahead.

And she absolutely cannot lose.

She can’t allow Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu, who disregard others’ interests, to do whatever they want in the Commercial Management body and abuse their power.

This time they could harm the interests just because of her, and in the future, they could do more such things for other reasons.

With her lips tightly pressed, she watched Qian Guanshu return after leaving.

Looking very grave.

Everyone’s eyes were on him.

Ye Wenhan asked, “Have you found out?”

“Yes.”

“Speak out,” Ye Wenhan said sternly.

In front of everyone, Qian Guanshu said, “Just now there was a media leak, it is now being widely spread on all news client apps and internet platforms in Jin City. The content is about a resident from the Airport District who wanted to commit suicide by jumping from the rooftop of an apartment building due to be demolished. He was heckling that we in the Commercial Management were inhumane and were destroying the place that generations of his family had lived. Because he wouldn’t move out, we threatened and frightened him. His elderly mother was so scared that she landed in the hospital. He was beaten and had multiple injuries. His child is being threatened with removal from school, if they don’t move. Unable to tolerate our ruthless behaviour in the Commercial Management, he wished to tell the whole world through his death, to give him justice!”

“How could this happen!” Ye Wenhan suddenly slapped the conference table in front of him, the whole person stood up from the seat, his anger was evident.

All the people below fell silent, not daring to breathe.

“Who is in charge of the demolition?!” Ye Wenhan was furiously asking.

Song Zhizhi pursed her lips.

Zhan Song was so scared at that moment that he couldn’t speak clearly, “It’s, it’s Song...”

“It was me.” Song Zhizhi stood up from her seat.

“Song Zhizhi, to achieve your selfish ends, you actually did such a thing! What were you thinking? Didn’t I tell everyone before? If you encounter difficulties, you should bring them up, and we’ll solve them together. You unilaterally chose your own way to achieve your ends. Do you realize the extent of the loss you’ve caused?”

“I didn’t do anything of the sort!”

“What good does arguing do! If it wasn’t you then who was it? You were in charge of the project, not anyone else! I admit, I pledged that the individual or group that performed best upon project completion would receive the greatest reward. I also said I would promote those who contributed greatly to the project. But even so, even if you wanted to get ahead for your own interests, you can’t commit such inhumane acts! You’re bringing shame to the Commercial Management!”

“I tell you, I didn’t do it!”

“Enough!” Ye Wenhan didn’t give Song Zhizhi any chance to explain.

Song Zhizhi glared at him.

“That’s enough, Song Zhizhi. You’ve always been distinguished in Commercial Management and won everyone’s approval. Commercial Management trusted you with the most important projects, thinking you could bring us a pleasant surprise, but we ended up with a shock instead! I’m truly disappointed in you, and very angry. Nothing of this sort has ever happened in Commercial Management in all its centuries. But you’ve done it. You’ve disregarded everyone else for your own benefit! As Commercial Management’s helmsman, I have the right to fire you on the spot. From this moment on, you’re no longer an employee of Commercial Management. Leave immediately!”

The voice was loud.

It echoed through the meeting room.

Ye Wenhan was still furious. He said in a deep voice, “As for how much damage your actions will cause to Commercial Management and Beixia Country, and how much responsibility you’ll have to take on, the law will tell you!”

With that, Ye Wenhan angrily left.

Everyone was watching Ye Wenhan, seeing him so furious.

Perhaps it was really because Song Zhizhi had infuriated him to the extreme.

After Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu left the conference room, everyone exhaled a tense breath.

But none dared to make a big move.

Yue Dong, CEO of Commercial Management, looked extremely troubled. As the leader in charge of all the work of Commercial Management, he naturally took responsibility for the accident. Not caring that Song Zhizhi was Song Shan’s daughter, he bluntly said, “I always thought you had the greatest potential for growth in Commercial Management. I highly value you and even thought, after this project finished, I would propose a promotion for you. Now when I think back, it’s like I was slapping myself in the face.”

With these harsh words, he also stormed off.

Zhan Song also looked terrible.

Being Song Zhizhi’s direct boss, at this moment, he couldn’t help but reproach her.

But all things considered, he restrained himself. After all, in Commercial Management, his position didn’t allow him to cause a scene.

He then also left the conference room.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror-like glass, she saw her somewhat defeated self.

She forced a smile on her face.

Having been given a second life, what has she to fear!

The elevator doors opened.

Before she could enter the door password, the door was abruptly flung open.

Seeing Ji Baijian in front of her, in the next second, she was harshly pulled into his embrace, held tightly, clearly feeling the warmth and the sense of security he was giving her.

At that moment, Song Zhizhi did not push back, burying her face into his chest.

Ji Baijian always knew what she needed the most.

When she was wrongly accused, she should not react in anger or resist. What she wanted was not to be questioned by people important to her like her father did. But to feel their trust.

She lay in Ji Baijian’s arms for a long time.

For a long time.

Eventually, she still left.

She knew she could not indulge in this warmth.

She could not evade her troubles; she could only face them head-on.

She looked up at Ji Baijian and said, “Ji Baijian, I need your help.”

“I would be happy to serve my wife.” Ji Baijian smiled.

No doubts, no discontent, just waiting to comfort and help her.

She didn’t know why she was so fortunate in this life to meet someone as perfect as Ji Baijian.

All she knew was that for everything Ji Baijian has done for her till now, she would repay him in her lifetime.

Song Zhizhi pulled Ji Baijian to the sofa, both sitting down.

Song Zhizhi explained the situation in detail, “James Group planned to construct the world’s top business district in the Jin City Airport District, generating a direct profit of 50 billion for our country. The driven economic development is unpredictable. However, now due to the dissatisfaction with the demolition incident at the Airport District, the project has been cancelled, and our country’s inhumane actions have drawn worldwide condemnation. This has created a great negative impact for Yanshang Country.”

Ji Baijian listened quietly.

After Song Zhizhi briefly laid out the cause of events, she continued, “The person responsible for the so-called demolition incident is me. The incident occurred when a resident of the Airport District accused me of using violence for the demolition by threatening to commit suicide by jumping off a building. I was accused of intimidating their family, physically assaulting him, and threatening his child’s school. This has sparked the wrath of the public; and allegations against me have filled Jin City. There are too many harsh words – I have held back from looking at.”

“Not looking is a good thing.” Ji Baijian smiled.

Song Zhizhi continued, “What’s severe is that now my father is also implicated because of my involvement. If at this time, Ye Wenhan makes Song Shan resign, it would be reasonable and lawful, and he could even receive a tremendous endorsement from the people nationwide.”

“Hmm.” Ji Baijian nodded.

Song Zhizhi said, “I know that Qian Guanshu is a sharp one. If he can outsmart Ye Taiting, he is not to be underestimated! His perfect way to deal with our Song Family has left me utterly convinced. The only thing I didn’t expect was that Qian Guanshu would be so indifferent to the public welfare. Not only for the Song Family but for all mankind, we can’t let Qian Guanshu have his way.”

“Very well said.” Ji Baijian agreed.

“So now, I need your help to completely pull down Qian Guanshu and Ye Wenhan from the stage of history!”

“That is precisely my intention.” Ji Baijian said, “Madam, I’ve been waiting for this day for long enough. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

Song Zhizhi laughed.

Despite facing a great problem, Ji Baijian managed to speak so lightly about it.

“Now let me analyze the current situation.”

Song Zhizhi was serious.

“First, you have been identified as using violence in the demolition, and Ye Wenhan blamed everything on you immediately. He will definitely play the victim and solve this accident. As a result, you will be despised by everyone, and he will be admired. Second, the loss caused by this incident is tremendous, so someone must be held accountable, which means you may face legal sanctions. Depending on how Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu pursue this, they will definitely strive to maximize the impact. Third, Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu, after incurring such losses, will surely take this opportunity to target your father, there’s no doubt about this. Fourth, it’s an honor for our Yanshang Country that James Top Group chose Jin City. Now that we have been rejected like this, they will surely never give Yanshang Country a chance again in the future. This is indeed a significant loss for our Yanshang Country. We mustn’t abandon the interests of Yanshang Country for the personal benefits of Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu. We must regain our collaboration with the James Group.”

“Hmm.” Song Zhizhi nodded, “You’re right. This time, it’s not just a matter of clearing my name; I also want to ensure Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu receive the punishment they deserve and recover the losses for Yanshang Country.”

“So the priority is to clear our names. The current media bias has pointed all contradictions towards you, which is highly unfavorable for us now. We need to first understand the specific situation. First, we need to investigate whether the so-called victim was assigned by Ye Wenhan, or whether Ye Wenhan secretly ordered others to persecute the victim under your name. If the victim was directed by Ye Wenhan, it’s fine; we only need to find a way to make the victim admit under pressure that he was instructed by someone to clear our names. However, considering Qian Guanshu’s cunning, I doubt he would conduct such a risky move. So my guess is the latter, that is, he secretly had someone intentionally cause the demolition incident. If it’s this way, it would take time and wouldn’t be easy to find the intimidator.” Ji Baijian was straightforward, “More importantly, during the time we search, this matter is likely to be settled.”

“Instead of wasting time, it might be better to learn the truth from others. Qian Guanshu cleverly used the current multimedia era for information dissemination, amplifying the incident to a point where the public is outraged, evoking empathy. We can also use the same method to clear my name. I am very clear in my heart that I have obtained everyone’s consent in the demolition matter. There’s no forceful eviction of residents. I can let others vouch for me.”

“That’s a very good method.” Ji Baijian agreed, “The normal line of thinking would be that we go back and investigate the truth. Find the actual person involved and clear up the matter. Therefore, Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu must have prepared well in advance for this event. It would be difficult for us to investigate. On the other hand, we could use other means to clear our name. However, we can’t give up investigating the truth. On one hand, it can distract Ye Wenhan’s attention, making them believe we’re focusing on the person involved. This would reduce their guard and give us a chance to do what we want. On the other hand, we do need to find out the truth. The truth can bring those with ulterior motives to justice.”

“Right.”

“So, we now have a consensus. I’ll have someone investigate the truth, and you come up with a way to get people who can vouch for you.”

“Okay.” Song Zhizhi nodded.

“Before that, we need to make a statement to the people.”

“Hmm?” Song Zhizhi looked at Ji Baijian.

“The accident has happened, and only Ye Wenhan’s side of the story is out there. It will lead to everyone’s misunderstanding of you. As analyzed earlier, Ye Wenhan is now supported by everyone, so he will use the excuse of following public sentiment to quickly end this event, expel you, and pull down your father. If we express our stance, at least it won’t give Ye Wenhan an excuse to punish us. He also needs to give the public a good impression, so he won’t be arbitrary.”

“I understand what you mean.” Song Zhizhi nodded.

“I’ll contact Yin Qin. I’ll have him arrange for you. You get ready.”

“Okay.”

“Before that, I have a suggestion.” Ji Baijian hesitated.

“Go on.” Song Zhizhi took it seriously.

“Your father should also express his stance on this matter.”

Song Zhizhi’s brow slightly furrowed.

It seemed as if Ji Baijian could see through her thoughts.

He said,” Your father should be clear about the present situation. If he doesn’t resign voluntarily, he will be forced to do so by Ye Wenhan. Instead of reacting to what others do, and causing the public to resent him, he should better accept this mistake openly. Let the public see his regret and guilt, then we rectify the chaos. Your father will win the public’s heart.”

“I see. I actually thought about this earlier, but my father might not agree.” Song Zhizhi didn’t hide anything from Ji Baijian. “I feel that my father is more obsessed with power than I thought.”

Ji Baijian laughed.

Song Zhizhi looked at him,” You noticed?”

“Hmm.”

How foolish of her not to have seen it.

Perhaps because it was her own father that she didn’t want to doubt him unless something serious happened.

“I’m afraid that if I persuade my father to admit his mistakes in front of the media, he will resent it even more.”

“This is the best solution I can think of to minimize negative news about your family right now. You can suggest it to your father. What he chooses in the end is his business, but we must do our best.” Ji Baijian stated frankly.

“Okay.”

“Now I have some matters to arrange.”

“Ji Baijian.” Song Zhizhi called him.

Ji Baijian turned around.

“Thank you.”

“Fool.”

“Thank you for staying with me,” Song Zhizhi said, very seriously.

She wouldn’t thank him for having done so much and thought so much for her—the only thing she was thankful for was his unwavering commitment.

Ji Baijian smiled.

He bent over and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll always be with you. No matter what happens.”

“Mmhm.” Song Zhizhi nodded, her eyes getting a bit red.

She was always easily moved by him.

Ji Baijian gave her a light smile, then turned and left.

Song Zhizhi took a deep breath and then made a phone call to Wei Ziming to pick her up.

Starting from now.

Her war with Ye Wenhan was truly about to start—it was a fight to the death!

Twenty minutes later, Song Zhizhi was sitting in Wei Ziming’s car.

She hesitated, then dialed Song Zhidao’s number.

The other end picked up, “Sis, are you okay?”

The anxious voice obviously showed concern.

With a smile at the corner of her mouth, Song Zhizhi found comfort at that moment.

Everyone was fine except her father.

Her heart warmed as she answered, “I’m fine. But I need your help with something right now.”

“Tell me.”

“Can you bring dad back to Song Family mansion right now? I’ll wait for you two at the mansion, we need to have a discussion.”

“Okay,” Song Zhidao agreed readily.

Song Zhizhi hung up the phone.

As she looked at the Jin city outside the window, her eyes tightened!

The fate of the king and the vanquished was at stake!