After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 413 Killing someone with a borrowed knife

"Yu Zhaolin?" Zhou Haoran feigned surprise. "Is your competition fierce?"

Zhang Yongxiang sighed, "Currently, Yu Zhaolin and Nanji Ren occupy 70% of the national thermal underwear market. It can be said that the competition in this industry mainly revolves around these two companies."

"That's it!"

Zhou Haoran thought to himself that this industry was really strange.

Thermal underwear should be more needed in the north, but two companies from seaports dominate the market.

Zhang Yongxiang paused for a moment, then said bluntly, "Yu Zhaolin did it first. I saw that they were doing very well, so I followed suit and founded Nanji Ren. Actually, I didn't want to target them; I just wanted to do my own thing well. But they've been watching me closely. Yu Zhaolin has been cooperating with Hongxing TV for many years, and this incident is very likely due to their instigation behind the scenes."

"You want to deal with Yi Changping..." Zhou Haoran looked troubled. "He has deep roots and strong connections. It won't be easy to touch him."

"Won't it work?"

Zhang Yongxiang was unwilling to be blackmailed like this and couldn't swallow his anger.

Zhou Haoran asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Zhang Yongxiang said, "I want to find an opportunity to lure him out, and then set up a hidden camera... Aren't many of the programs on 'People's Livelihood Investigation' secretly filmed? I think this will work. Then, I'll record the process and use the evidence to report him."

"I'm afraid that won't work."

Zhou Haoran shook his head.

This plan is too crude.

Even if the process was filmed, it doesn't prove anything. His improper behavior was for the benefit of the TV station, not an abuse of power for personal gain. Moreover, no consequences resulted from the threat, so any accountability would be very minor—a simple disciplinary action would suffice, not even dismissal.

Another point is, would Yi Changping really fabricate negative news to smear Nanji Ren?

If this is true, then the situation is very serious.

They will be severely punished!

Dismissal is the least of their worries.

If, during this process, he personally accepted money from Yu Zhaolin, or there were improper dealings between the company and the media... then that would be a violation of the law, enough to warrant a few years in prison.

The problem is that Yi Changping might just be bluffing. The entertainment channel has only been established for a few months and needs money in all aspects. He hopes that Zhang Yongxiang will provide some financial assistance.

There was no evidence, and no substantial adverse consequences occurred.

It becomes very difficult to hold people accountable.

To put it bluntly, the conflict wasn't intense enough!
Zhou Haoran was looking for revenge; he couldn't let Qiao Suiqing, Hu Xiaochen, and Tang Shiyi suffer in vain.

How can we handle it with care?
The conflict must be escalated!
Only when the incident escalates can more serious consequences occur and greater costs be incurred!
Zhou Haoran has the TV station on his left and Zhang Yongxiang on his right. He's in the middle, planning and controlling information from both sides. As long as he makes good use of the information gap...

There's a lot of room for maneuver!
Zhang Yongxiang was puzzled. "Is that not allowed?"

"I'll say it again, Yi Changping has deep roots in Hongxingtai, and it's very difficult to deal with him. Even if you record the video and prove that he is indeed blackmailing you, it probably won't have much effect."

Zhou Haoran appeared mature and composed.

Zhang Yongxiang said bitterly, "So, do we just have to accept his extortion? Give him a million for nothing?"

"That's not true..."

Zhou Haoran drew out a long syllable and slowly pondered before speaking.

"Oh?" Zhang Yongxiang's eyes lit up. "Teach me, Master!"

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "Putting everything else aside, Nanjiren is a company based in the harbor, so it's only natural for them to advertise on Hongxing TV. Why don't you come?"

Zhang Yongxiang said, "All my marketing expenses were spent on Crown TV. Yu Zhaolin has been advertising on Red Star TV for many years, and he has taken all the good resources."

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "That's not necessarily true. I have some connections at Red Star TV. I can help you plan this 100 million yuan marketing budget, which might have a significant effect."

"Thank you so much!"

Zhang Yongxiang was overjoyed to hear that the master was willing to help.

“That’s one thing,” Zhou Haoran said confidently. “Second, do you know why Yi Changping is in such a hurry, even resorting to extortion of private business owners? It’s because he’s the director of the entertainment channel, which has only been established for a few months and needs money in all aspects. He’s facing a cash crunch.”

"No wonder!"

Zhang Yongxiang then understood the inside story.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "He threatened you, and you can't swallow it. Here's what you can do: you put up 100 million yuan for advertising on Red Star TV, but deliberately avoid the entertainment channel. He works hard, but ends up with nothing, while other channels get sponsorships. He'll be furious. He extorted you, so you can vent your anger and that'll even things out. There's no need to make a big fuss; it might not be good for your business."

Zhang Yongxiang laughed heartily, then said sincerely, "Although you are young, Mr. Zhang is mature and versatile in your handling of affairs. You are truly extraordinary!"

"It's not over yet, there's a third layer of consideration!"

"Oh?"

“Yi Changping is unruly; a little lesson is enough. But if he doesn’t repent and goes even further, daring to act forcefully again, then we won’t be so lenient!”

Zhou Haoran's tone turned cold.

Zhang Yongxiang found this very appealing. "Sir, this is exactly what I've been waiting to hear! I've met that Yi Changping twice, and he's clearly not a good person... I'm sure he has dealings with Yu Zhaolin, otherwise why would he have approached me? Once this happens, there will be a second and a third!"

Zhou Haoran said, "That's why we need to plan ahead!"

"Raise what?" Zhang Yongxiang really didn't have much education. "Raising money? I'll handle that! Nanji Ren signed Andy Lau as their spokesperson, and the endorsement fee is several million a year. I'm not short of money!"

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "To be prepared for a rainy day means to make preparations in advance. Yi Changping is deeply rooted in the TV station, but Nanji Ren and Hongxing TV have no dealings. How can that be? This time you go to Hongxing TV and spend 100 million yuan on advertising. If you do it well, you will form a community of shared interests."

"A community of shared interests..."

Zhang Yongxiang found the great man's choice of words very enlightening.

Zhou Haoran said, "Once you spend that 100 million yuan on advertising, Red Star TV will have your money, and naturally, they'll have people speaking up for you. The next time Yi Changping attacks you, when you're ready to report him with evidence, there won't be as many people protecting him. This shift in power could reverse the situation." "100 million yuan can have such a big effect?"

Zhang Yongxiang could hardly believe it.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "Normally speaking, it's not quite enough. However, it depends on where this million is spent. If it's spent on the core projects of Hongxingtai, it will be enough to achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

"Then we'll have to rely entirely on you, Master."

Zhang Yongxiang raised his coffee, wanting to clink glasses, but then felt it would be inappropriate.

Zhou Haoran laughed heartily, raised the coffee beside him, and clinked glasses with him.

As he was leaving, Zhang Yongxiang said in a low voice, "Sir, I know you don't lack anything. I happen to have a friend who works at a car dealership, and he has an Audi A6. I've decided on it. When do you have time to go and take a look?"

"No need, no need, don't be so polite with me!"

Zhou Haoran felt it was unnecessary.

The Audi A6 is a very popular model in China because it is the official car of leaders, and only those at the department level or above are qualified to be equipped with it.

In Hongxing TV station, there is only one vehicle, which is used by station director Shan Wendong.

No one should drive the same car as the station director.

After finally seeing Zhang Yongxiang off, Guo Guanchang breathed a sigh of relief, "It's finally over!"

Zhou Haoran chuckled and said, "Why does it look like you're suffering?"

"Don't come to me for this kind of thing next time."

Guo Guanchang no longer wanted to act with him.

Zhou Haoran said, "If I had known, I wouldn't have needed you to come. This General Manager Zhang is quite honest and has a bit of a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) spirit."

"You handled this matter very well." Guo Guanchang nodded, expressing his approval. "Since ancient times, the common people have never fought with officials. If he really can't swallow this insult and fights with that Yi Changping, even if he wins in the end, he will still suffer losses."

Zhou Haoran glanced at him and said, "I have a grudge against Yi Changping!"

"Ok?"

Guo Guanchang was slightly taken aback.

Zhou Haoran said, "I work at a TV station, didn't you know?"

"I know..." Guo Guanchang said, somewhat puzzled. "Aren't you just a low-level employee? What kind of conflict could you possibly have with such a high-ranking leader?"

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "He had no conflict with me, but he framed one of my good friends. My friend only wanted to make the show and wasn't good at workplace politics, so he framed him."

"Is that Yi Changping really the kind of person that General Manager Zhang described?"

Guo Guanchang was very surprised.

Zhou Haoran thought for a moment, "Pretty much."

"You were able to downplay it, that's quite composed."

Guo Guanchang felt that he did not act rashly because of personal grudges, and had a maturity that was beyond his years.

Zhou Haoran snorted, "Then you're wrong."

"how?"

Looking at his unpredictable expression, Guo Guanchang knew things were about to go wrong.

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "Small-scale scrambling is meaningless."

"Then what do you want..."

Guo Guanchang opened his eyes wide.

Zhou Haoran didn't need to hide anything from him, saying frankly, "Since we've started, it has to be a fatal blow. Like a wildfire that can't be extinguished, it will spring up again with the spring breeze... It'll be troublesome if we don't eradicate it completely!"

Guo Guanchang finally understood his meaning and exclaimed in surprise, "You want to use someone else to do your dirty work!"

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "You said it yourself, I'm just a low-level employee at the TV station. How could I possibly compete with a channel director?"

"Is it reliable?"

"Try it."

"Don't you find it tiring?" Guo Guanchang shook his head secretly, not quite agreeing. "If it were me, I wouldn't participate."

Zhou Haoran said dismissively, "A gentleman doesn't leave a grudge unavenged!"

"You own several companies. Zhongbo Group is no smaller than Fuxing Group, is it?" Guo Guanchang was completely puzzled. "If you have the energy, why not run your businesses well? What's the point of being a lowly employee at a TV station?"

“My wife is a host at Red Star TV, Qiao Suiqing, you know her, right? I also have two apprentices who work at the TV station, I have to protect them from being bullied.”

Zhou Haoran still needs the TV station's resources to do many things for the time being.

For example, smart cards.

For example, Tangren Media, which was just established.

Before the advent of the Internet age, television stations were the center of resource integration, and television media were the gathering place for social information.

Only by having access to information can you spot opportunities to make money immediately.

Even the title of "Master" was spread among the people of the harbor through letters.

The success of writing the letter relied on the resources of the television station.

(End of this chapter)