Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 461 Confrontation
August 17, 2008, more than a week after the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The embers of the fireworks above the Bird's Nest had not yet dissipated, and the blue waves of the Water Cube were still rippling.

The open-air screen in Wangfujing is always crowded with citizens waving flags. Taxi drivers use newly learned English words to give directions to foreigners. An old man at the entrance of the alley sings "Beiping Welcomes You" off-key, but it makes it all the more sincere.

During the past Olympic Games, Guo Jingjing's leap was frozen in a perfect arc, Zhong Man's sabre pierced the European and American monopoly, and the men's gymnastics team completed a century-long rebirth accompanied by "The Yellow River".

Just like the first and second halves of the opening ceremony, gold medals were won and breakthroughs were achieved in both traditional and Western-dominant events, and the number of medals won by the Chinese delegation is climbing at an astonishing rate.

The entire nation is waiting for Liu Xiang, the Asian sprint king, to win another gold medal for the country on home soil and make history tomorrow.

Everything is proceeding as planned, including the ongoing and heated discussion about Lu Liu's wedding, which, like the blazing sun, continues to ferment and generate buzz, as well as the veiled criticisms from figures like Zhu Nanfang, which are showing an increasingly intense trend.

But none of the parties seemed surprised by this.

People seem to have gotten used to the fact that every achievement and breakthrough of Mr. Lu is accompanied by a similar cycle in the public opinion arena.

When praise from mainstream media and the public floods in, there are always a few stubborn critics who stand on the opposite side, seemingly opposing for the sake of opposing.

People like Zhu Dake are like pre-programmed machines. No matter what international recognition Lu Kuan gains or what industry miracles it creates, they will always mechanically repeat the clichés of "capital manipulation" and "authoritarian aesthetics".

After the earthquake, netizens unanimously mocked Zhu Dake, who had tried to directly confront Boss Lu, and he was so criticized that he had to close his Weibo account.

But soon he shamelessly returned, continuing his unoriginal cacophony like an unkillable cockroach.

Everyone seems to be getting what they want. You, Zhu Nanfang, are making your fortune and status, while I, Zhu Nanfang, am the news and commentary hero who is "the only one who is sober in a world of drunks".

As a result, many mentally weak netizens were brainwashed, seeing themselves as one of the few who possessed the truth, and launched verbal attacks against this seemingly unyielding authority figure online.

True power never reveals itself; it is as silent and irreversible as the movement of the earth's crust.

When those noisy critics finally realize that the ground beneath their feet is beginning to tremble, they may understand that they are merely insignificant supporting characters in the script of those in power, who could be wiped out by the tide of the times at any moment.

At noon on the 17th, after the opening ceremony, Leader Liu finally took some time to host a banquet on behalf of the Organizing Committee for all members of the creative team, thanking them for their hard work in presenting a magnificent event to the world on behalf of the country.

The banquet was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, which was specially used for Olympic affairs. Everyone's faces showed a long-lost sense of relaxation, and the tension and pressure of the past two years turned into the joy of celebrating the victory at this moment.

After several rounds of drinks, Leader Liu, who had other reception duties to perform, offered the above congratulations at the end.

He picked up his glass, smiled, and rose, his voice warm and gentle:
"Before I came, my superior instructed me to convey his encouragement and affirmation. He said—"

"First of all, congratulations to Comrades Lu Kuan and Zhang Yimou, as well as all members of the creative team, directing team, and cast and crew. Your work is fruitful and inspiring, enabling a cross-temporal dialogue between five thousand years of civilization and the new era of China. It is a perfect fusion of cultural confidence and technological innovation!"

"This is a model of dialogue between civilizations, an elevation of the national image, and a great victory for our country's Olympic cause!"

The organization's praise was concise, but it didn't stop everyone, including foreign artists such as Lin Ying, Ma Wen, and Cai Guoqiang, from applauding with excitement.

This level of recognition and praise is something that these overseas individuals would rarely obtain in other projects and works; it can be written as a glorious chapter in their artistic career.

Leader Liu leisurely departed, saying, "Comrades, please forgive me for only being able to say this much for now. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I would like to thank you all once again for your hard work! Thank you!"

Everyone applauded as they saw him off. Leader Liu gestured to Boss Lu to accompany him for a walk to dissipate the effects of the alcohol, and then waited for the driver to arrive.

"Xiao Lu, you deserve immense credit."

"In fact, my personal gains far outweigh my contributions in terms of my duties," Lu Kuan said with a smile.

"Whether it's film staging, cross-cultural aesthetic integration, or the symbiotic relationship between technology and art, the opening ceremony gave me many opportunities to put my ideas into practice."

"In the world, I am probably the only director who has the most brilliant culture, the largest audience, and the largest performing group."

He exclaimed from the bottom of his heart: "Especially under such overwhelming pressure, the artistic inspiration that bursts forth from that pressure is all the more precious."

Leader Liu nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "I don't understand what you're talking about. I only know that the chairman of the London Organizing Committee, Bastian, has contacted me many times. They do want to invite you, at least to be the artistic advisor for the 2012 London Olympics."

Lu Kuan waved his hand: "Forget it, they can't offer a high salary anyway, and it would interfere with my filming and making money."

Leader Liu laughed loudly: "Does this imply that I've hindered your career development as the richest man in the past two years?"

"Not at all! If I hadn't been put in this position as the chief director, I would have at least brought some Wujin specialties to visit the leaders."

"Then I really missed a chance to receive a gift, haha."

Following the success of the drone disaster relief and the opening ceremony, the relationship between the two has clearly expanded to a higher dimension, demonstrating a new collaborative paradigm that transcends the traditional business model.

In some respects, regarding the collaboration between drones and the opening ceremony—

Whether it's helping DJI drones access the nation's top scientific research resources;

It was Liu himself who elevated Lu Kuan to the position of chief director, a position that allowed him to transcend the realm of art and take charge of the overall situation.

Essentially, they are all based on the grand narrative of serving national strategy and realizing national rejuvenation.

The two sides have built a high-dimensional partnership based on professional complementarity and shared mission. As a reform promoter, Liu has opened up policy space for technological innovation and artistic breakthroughs with his positive wisdom.
Lu Kuan, through his cross-disciplinary innovation capabilities, transforms national will into a cultural expression with global influence.

When scientific research requires breakthroughs, the allocation of resources within the system and the technological vitality outside the system resonate harmoniously.
When cultural export requires innovation, the forward-looking planning of administrative power and the creativity of artists create a chemical reaction.

It breaks away from the outdated logic of "officials dominating businesses" or "businesses depending on officials," replacing it with a collaborative ecosystem where everyone can leverage their strengths under a common goal. This maintains the correctness of the overall policy while unleashing the creativity of market players.

Because there were no vested interests involved, Leader Liu dared to delegate power and did not need to hide his praise, favoritism, or policy inclinations.

The two stood on the eaves waiting for the driver, and even the secretary, Xiao Li, stood far away, with no one coming forward to disturb them.

After exchanging a couple of jokes with him, Leader Liu suddenly asked a completely unrelated question: "What is your relationship with Liu Chuanzhi?"

Lu Kuan was slightly taken aback: "We met at the two meetings, and we said we'd have dinner sometime, but we've never really crossed paths."

Leader Liu carefully chose his words: "After the Olympic sponsors meeting a few days ago, he asked a leader to come to me and say that he knew I was familiar with you and wanted to get to know you so that we could all get together."

He paused, his voice low yet clear: "The boss joked that he'd ask me to accompany him then."

To accompany.

These two words alone say it all.

At these kinds of dinners, the so-called introductions and company are just pretexts. If the person is a close leader, they might just show up and leave. The real purpose is to introduce the two parties and create a good start for cooperation.

A good outcome means that both sides have revealed some of their cards to avoid strategic miscalculations.

However, in situations where even a leader like Liu would refer to himself as "accompanying," it's clear that important figures would avoid suspicion and be mindful of the impact. It's more likely that Liu Chuanzhi, Lu Kuan, and others would hold private banquets.

Boss Lu became very wary. He had never had any dealings with Liu Chuanzhi, let alone any grudges or favors. Why was Liu Chuanzhi looking for him so seriously?
Little did he know that back in May, during the desperate battle between Huayi and Ali, the sycophantic words of Boss Lu, who suspected that "there must be a Han Chinese behind it all," came from this old chairman. However, he and Fan Jianchuan's plan resolved the situation, and the credit was shared with Lao Han, helping him to advance further.

The two had already clashed in the battlefield beneath the table.

The online ticketing strategies of Huayi, Ali, Baidu, and Lianxiang, which are attempting to "select the best," can only be considered the second round.

Just as Boss Lu was about to ask a question with a puzzled look, Leader Liu suddenly gestured a number towards Lu Kuan.

The latter understood immediately and didn't say anything more.

Looking at his somewhat somber expression, Leader Liu sighed, "Xiao Lu, to be honest, this is the first time in all these years that I've met an entrepreneur like you. You are very clear-headed, detached, and self-disciplined."

"Many former leaders asked me to act as matchmaker, and I was thinking of introducing you to a good wife so that you can have nothing to worry about in the future. You can fully display your talents without having to worry about anything else."

Lu Kuan remained silent and nodded slightly.

Such words could never come from the mouth of someone like this unless they were truly open and full of admiration.

When have they ever talked about feelings?

Leader Liu laughed and said, "You're a young man and an artist, always good at coming up with romantic ideas. This time you almost stole the show from our opening ceremony."

"Actually, it's good. Having a virtuous wife is a stable foundation for a man's career. You chose the family aspect of marriage, which is not a bad thing."

Actually, Liu still felt some regret. The other aspect of marriage is actually more meaningful and helpful to a young mainland tycoon like him.

Lu Kuan laughed nonchalantly and said, "One should not seek things outside of oneself. I am perfectly content now and have nothing else to consider."

"Well said, what a profound statement about not seeking externally. Your understanding is very high," Leader Liu remarked. He then gestured slightly, and his secretary, understanding the implication, instructed the driver to bring the car over.

Before leaving, the two shook hands, and Leader Liu said in a low voice, "I know that you and Liu Chuanzhi are not people who can work together. No matter what happens when you meet tonight, you should handle it carefully. This is not the same as the situation with the people before."

"His reputation and connections in the system and industry are no less than yours, after all, he has been in the business for thirty years longer than you."

It doesn't matter if he ate for thirty more years; what matters is the era this "business magnate" experienced during those thirty years—thirty years of dramatic changes in national policy and thirty years full of historical opportunities.

This also includes those who grew up with him and now hold prominent positions.

How could Lu Kuan not understand this meaning?
Liu Chuanzhi's friend and foe are unknown. He is afraid that his methods this time will be as aggressive as before. He may be able to deal with Zhou Jun and Hua Yi with overwhelming force, but such old foxes are most adept at scheming and are not easy to deal with.

Lu Kuan's gaze was calm: "Leader, all reactionaries are paper tigers, don't worry."

Leader Liu smiled and said, "Contact me anytime if you need anything. Just call my other number."

"it is good."

. . .

He faced whatever came his way, from a lowly official's son to a wealthy and powerful family, he had fought his way through many years of bloodshed and turmoil. Boss Lu remained unmoved and continued to handle his work methodically.

After parting ways with Leader Liu, he went directly back to the Wenjie Building to handle the company affairs that had been delayed during this period.

Both Wenjie and Zhijie's work is progressing steadily. Apart from the fact that there is still no breakthrough in the cinema strategy, the success of "Meteor Shower" has brought huge traffic to the mall and Weibo. The exclusive cooperation with the Olympics has also given Zhijie Video a boost of adrenaline.

With PaymentTong having conquered almost all regions across the country except Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, Wenjie Mall was able to successfully overtake Ali in logistics and payment, establishing a strategic advantage, despite Ali's lagging position in B2B and B2C markets.

Perhaps the most brutal final battle will take place in the next two years.
-
In the afternoon, I called Xiao Liu to say I had a social engagement. At 7 p.m., Afei drove Lu Kuan to Chang'an Club, one of the four major clubs in Beijing.

As a godfather-like figure among domestic entrepreneurs, Chairman Liu has long served as a director of the club, and the Taishan Club often holds closed-door meetings here.

Around 2008, the Chang'an Club was the preferred venue for political and business elites to conduct their business dealings, and Lianxiang hosted international partners there on many occasions.

The richest man in mainland China and the chief director of the Olympics entered by scanning their faces and were immediately welcomed as top guests. Etiquette ladies dressed in custom-made cheongsams came over, which was a sight to behold.

Her makeup was light and elegant, with a subtle dusty rose lip color, eyebrows shaped like distant mountains, hair neatly styled in a bun, and pearl earrings adorning her earlobes.

It perfectly matches the club's aesthetic standard of "refined yet not ostentatious".

The collar and cuffs are embroidered with subtle cloud patterns, retaining both traditional charm and a modern, clean cut. A gilded nameplate is pinned to the chest, engraved with the employee number and club emblem.

"President Lu, this way please. Chairman Liu is already waiting for you."

"Okay, how many people have arrived?"

The hostess lowered her brows slightly, looking at the dashing and wealthy man with great admiration. She whispered at the corner, "President Liu and a lady."

Miss?

The hostess pushed open the carved door of the private room, lightly touched the door frame with her right hand, and tilted her body slightly to the side at a 15-degree angle, guiding the view without blocking the guests' view.

The width of the road thus answered his question about its length of more than ten meters.

Chairman Liu and his daughter stood up with smiles, showing no airs of a business tycoon, and went to the door to greet them.

The pampered CEO of Lianxiang, his cheeks round and flushed, shook hands with Lu Kuan with a friendly smile: "President Lu, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

"President Liu, you flatter me. I should be the one treating you to this meal. I made it a promise to visit you at the beginning of the year, but I'm just serving the country and I can't afford to be lazy!"

"Of course, of course, the country will always be a strong backing and cornerstone for us entrepreneurs." Old Liu was very happy with this dream start of mutual flattery. He never thought that the young tycoon would have any "different opinions" about him.

Like Lu Kuan, the former president in 2008 had already achieved his goal, and his business status and influence within the organization were only increasing.

He is widely recognized as a living example of "science and technology industry reform". Not long ago, he interpreted industry policies and corporate strategies on CCTV's "Dialogue". With his status as a representative of the National Congress and his background in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, he also has a certain voice in policy-making.

More importantly, Chairman Liu believed that he and Lu Kuan had never had any disagreements and that the two should be close friends despite their age difference. How could he have imagined so many things?

"Mr. Lu, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Liu Qin."

Liu Qin was also very respectful, not daring to underestimate this young tycoon who was three years younger than her. She bowed slightly and said, "President Lu, I am Liu Qin. I have long admired your name."

"President Liu is still here, so I dare not say anything more." Boss Lu smiled innocently, flattering the old chairman in just a few words.

Liu Chuanzhi smiled and invited him to sit down. Liu Qin, then executive director of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific, also silently observed this legendary Mr. Lu.

With an upright posture like a pine tree, the well-tailored suit and white shirt accentuate the broad shoulders and narrow waist, a simple yet standard outfit for a business professional.

However, the smile playing at the corners of his lips added a touch of carefree arrogance.

Liu Qin knew that this was a prodigal son who, at least on the surface, had turned over a new leaf. This was the first time she had ever been interested in the romantic and private lives of a business figure.

Because the youngest business leaders I've ever met since I was a child, those I've seen with my father, are all in their forties or fifties; it's rare to see someone this young.

Even among the world's top second-generation political and business figures at Goldman Sachs, those with this kind of temperament are extremely rare; there is a world of difference between the demeanor of an entrepreneur and that of a successor.

President Liu and Lu Kuan were exchanging pleasantries and probing questions, while Liu Qin silently observed the latter's eyes—

Unlike the worldly-wise and cynical nature of ordinary entrepreneurs, he was like two clear pools reflecting the stars, exuding a youthful spirit rarely seen in a thirty-year-old man.

Oh, no, that's not right either. He's only about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

This is her job as an executive director at Goldman Sachs; investing is about investing in people, so how to observe entrepreneurs and investment targets is obviously crucial.

"Liu Qin, Liu Qin?" The old chairman patted his daughter's hand. "What are you daydreaming about? Raise your glass, let's welcome President Lu together."

Liu Qin smiled and said, "Okay, Dad."

Lu Kuan maintained his polite demeanor, neither too close nor too distant: "Let's not talk about welcoming them, let's just wish our Chinese delegation the best of luck in topping the gold medal tally on home soil this time!"

"Haha! That's a very fitting toast. You're the director, and Lianxiang is the chief sponsor." Chairman Liu was increasingly impressed with the young man. "Come on, cheers!"

After a few rounds of drinks, Lao Liu, like a college student leader, habitually tried to recruit new members for his club: "Boss Lu, have you ever heard of the entrepreneurs' association that Lao Lu, Lu Zhiqiang, and I started?"

"Oh, of course, as steady as a mountain, it matches your temperament very well."

Liu Chuanzhi smiled and said to Liu Qin, "A great artist like President Lu must prefer to be alone and keep a low profile in the industry."

"I heard that the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and CEIBS have both extended invitations to Wenjie and Mr. Lu himself, but unfortunately they were all politely declined, haha."

"President Liu is criticizing me for being arrogant, but I really don't have much time, and I only have a superficial understanding of business matters."

Liu Qin, with a reproachful expression, countered, "If people heard this, they would really say that you, President Lu, are arrogant and conceited. You call this ignorance? Then my father and the others can only be described as mediocre."

Liu Chuanzhi pointed at his daughter and laughed, "Look, your charm is too great, your old man immediately puts you aside." He changed the subject very naturally and got straight to the point: "But speaking of which, the business school is still a bit superficial, unlike our more cohesive business association, which can still help each other in critical moments."

Mr. Lu smiled and gently put down his wine glass. It was almost predictable that he would bring up Shi Yuzhu, Brain Gold, and so on as a means of propaganda.

At this moment, he felt that even drinking with these two people would be too much, and he missed the pleasure of drinking with his beloved wife Liu Xiaolv at home.

Liu Yifei is right. In essence, he is still a hedonist and has no interest in the invitation from a prominent figure or the promise of a meteoric rise to wealth.

He only thinks of the grapes and wine at home, the glowing quilt at night, and the cherries he desires urge him to eat in bed.

Lu Kuan waved his hand, seemingly unmoved: "President Liu, I'm not being modest. If you're talking about making movies, I can share some insights, or even about industries related to film."

"When it comes to business, I'm a complete novice. Otherwise, how could I have been so busy with the Olympics for so long? We're all counting on Zhuang Xu and his team to carry the torch!"

"I'm really afraid of embarrassing myself if you ask me to join the Taishan Club."

Liu Chuanzhi's smile faded slightly. He felt that everything had been incredibly harmonious from the start, and it was clear that the leaders who had come to invite him were influential enough to intimidate the young man in front of him.

I consider myself to be "respectful and courteous to scholars," and I have flattered and offered wine to him several times. Why did he suddenly change his mind when it came to the key issue and refuse without even trying to be polite?

Boss Lu simply doesn't want trouble; otherwise, he'd be constantly dealing with these mundane matters.

Without breaking through this barrier, it's impossible to discover Liu Chuanzhi's true purpose. Playing games with someone like him requires immense patience.

"President, please don't stand on ceremony." Lu Kuan smiled warmly: "The 'trade-industry-technology' approach you proposed is now regarded as the gold standard in the domestic technology industry. In addition, we at Wenjie often study your nine-character policy of 'building a team, setting a strategy, and leading the team'."

“I travel between China and the US all year round, and I also have to deal with foreigners at various film festivals in Europe. If I join the association but don’t have any exchanges, discussions, or integration, wouldn’t that be just holding a position without doing anything? It would be bad if it made everyone unhappy.”

Liu Chuanzhi was speechless. Organizing regular talks was a rule of the Taishan Society. In his previous life, Ma Yun had been "severely fined" hundreds of thousands for not following the rules.

Money is a small matter, but it's embarrassing to talk about.

In addition, since he had always refused to open up Ali to member companies, he simply parted ways and started his own Jiangnan Club.

Boss Lu had a serious expression, adopting a posture of upholding the authority of the other party's organization, which made it difficult for Liu Chuanzhi to say anything more, so he could only put the matter aside for the time being.

"Mr. Lu, how is Wenjie's cash flow situation right now?"

"It's nothing special." Lu Kuan told the truth, and there was no need to hide anything. He believed that Liu Chuanzhi had already investigated before calling him here today.

Chairman Liu nodded and gestured to his daughter, who was standing silently to the side: "Liu Qin has some influence in Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific. If you need financing, you can ask her to lend you a hand."

Liu Qin smiled: "President Lu, I hope to have this honor."

Wenjie is doing well, but Zhijie is indeed an asset that investment banks in the industry are eyeing. If its valuation can be lowered during the financial crisis, it will be a great boost to Liuqin's performance.

However, this mutually beneficial, or rather, more beneficial to Liu Qin, cooperation was described by Liu Chuanzhi as the latter's assistance.

Knowing he'd be rejected, why is he still saying that?
He was accumulating "anger points for justifiable attacks".

If I ask you to do something and you refuse, your reason is valid.

When I brought up the second thing, you still refused.

Thirdly, and fourthly, if you, Lu Kuan, continue to be so oblivious to the times and don't show any attitude, then this meal will be quite pointless.

It's a small matter, but perhaps there's still room for maneuver.

That was incredibly boring. Next time we meet, I'll say "don't say I didn't warn you."

After all, Liu Chuanzhi's assessment of the situation was that he had "two birds in one hand" and held absolute initiative.

Besides, with a top leader leading the way today, and even a figure of such stature as him being so approachable, you, Lu Kuan, even if you are a capable young talent, shouldn't be so disrespectful to me.

This is not how Chinese people conduct business.

Mr. Lu had anticipated this trap, and said calmly, "We're still managing to survive for now. But if we really become a dry well, who knows if it will be too late to ask Goldman Sachs for a drink of water then?"

Liu Qin was somewhat taken aback; it was the first time she had ever heard someone speak to her father like that.

It wouldn't be accurate to call it disrespectful, but there was definitely a certain arrogance that kept people at arm's length. At this moment, Lu Kuan's gaze changed slightly in her eyes.

Despite their smiling faces, there seemed to be a sense of boredom and leisure, as if they had been spoiled, and they showed no surprise at the questions posed by their father and daughter.

The Goldman Sachs director, with his keen observation skills, glanced sideways and saw him holding the latest iPhone, checking the time, and then lingering on the screen saver for a few seconds.

That was a photo that Liu Xiaolv forced him to use. He was also forced to use it on the iPhone because the screen saver looked best on a large screen.

Damn it, is he still thinking about his wife and a warm bed at a time like this?

Are you really that interested in this pretty but talentless female celebrity?

Liu Qin sighed inwardly. Today, her father had brought up the leader and shown sincerity. If it were an ordinary young entrepreneur, he would at least be respectful, if not bow down.
The person in front of me was quite humble at first, but why did they become increasingly impatient as we talked?
To her, this was a completely illogical thing.

The Taishan Club is a coveted exclusive circle for many domestic entrepreneurs.
It is a close-knit organization that brings together top entrepreneurs, who support each other and can provide support in critical moments. Why would he adopt such an aloof attitude from the very beginning?

What she didn't know was, just as the astute leader Liu had said:

They and Lu Kuan are not from the same boat at all.

One liked to leverage power, the other liked to intercept it. Even after entering the small circle of the Taishan Club, they ended up becoming enemies, even worse than when Old Ma left in the previous life.

For Boss Lu, what he's most curious about right now is why you, Chairman Liu, are making such a big fuss.
It's about recruiting people to join?

He didn't want to be constantly bothered by this old fox. There's no reason to guard against a thief for a thousand days. He might as well go all out and make his stance clear to see what cards the old fox had up his sleeve.

Even if it's just a clue, with your foresight, you might be able to figure it out.

After being rejected twice in a row, the atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat awkward.

Liu Qin remained neutral, offering toasts one after another, which Mr. Lu accepted without hesitation, until the old chairman smiled and brought up the topic again: "Mr. Lu, it seems that Wenjie has quite a deep involvement in the field of public opinion."

"Ah, yes, the cultural industry is all about making a name for itself; you have to shout it out loud yourself," Lu Kuan said with a smile.

Liu Chuanzhi nodded: "To be honest, the domestic authorities have a fairly deep grasp of this area."

"The fact that Wenjie was able to acquire Travel Channel, Focus Media, Blogcn, Weibo, and even video websites that also have broadcasting attributes actually carries significant policy risks."

"The reason why we are safe and sound now is actually because your status, reputation and word of mouth as President Lu make the higher-ups feel at ease, especially after May and August."

Boss Lu was quite frank: "I can't hide it from the old chairman, that's how it is. However, we've always acted according to the rules, and I've also given all my media businesses a nine-word mantra—"

"Strict review, high standards, and positive energy—our propaganda stance is always consistent with the country's and the interests of the vast majority of the people."

Liu Chuanzhi seemed to be annoyed by his lazy demeanor, much like a teenager facing a slippery washing machine. The old chairman directly uttered a hurtful remark:
"Mr. Lu, do you want to become the Murdoch of Dongda University?"

"Actually, I can see the shadow of Lianxiang in your business strategy—"

"We want a voice in the industry, we want the right to speak out for ourselves, and we want a legitimate status for private enterprises. Is that too much to ask?"

Chairman Liu continued his persuasive tactics: "We cooperate with top universities in China to run schools, you founded the Pan-Asia Film Academy, we maintain good relations with Nanfang and Guangming, and you control the mouthpiece of online public opinion."

"The numerous subsidiaries scattered under Wenjie and Zhijie are actually just different types of members in the Taishan Club."

"Look, doesn't it look just like it?"

Boss Lu drank his wine expressionlessly. How dare this scoundrel humiliate me like this!
Of course, Lao Liu and Liu Qin on the other side saw this as praise.

You, a rising star in the martial arts world who is not yet thirty, are quite similar to the "leading figures of Mount Tai and the Big Dipper." Isn't that a compliment?
Lu Kuan laughed and said, "I'm not interested in being Murdoch. Putting everything else aside, my fiancée is far superior to Mrs. Murdoch—"

He suddenly stopped the conversation, feeling that comparing Xiao Liu to Deng Wendi was an insult to his girlfriend: "Forget it, that comparison is a bit offensive, let's not talk about it."

Liu Qin covered her mouth and laughed, "Dad, Murdoch and Wendy Deng had some unpleasantness with President Lu a few years ago, look at you."

She met the couple a few times during her time at Goldman Sachs in the United States.

"Really? Haha, as long as Mr. Lu understands what I mean."

Lu Kuan waved his hand: "President Liu thinks too highly of me. I don't have that ambition, and it's not realistic for me either."

"President Lu, I've heard there's a Tongji University professor named Zhu Dake who hasn't gotten along with you much." Liu Chuanzhi laughed, "Think about it, if you had built a good relationship with Nan Fang, would you still need to listen to the buzzing of these flies?"

“I have some connections over there. Mr. Zhu from the Taishan Club is also a local from Guangdong Province and has some influence over Nanfang.”

He never mentioned that he was already Nanfang's biggest financial backer.

The former chairman was quite confident in the offer he was receiving.

Putting himself in their shoes, he found it extremely distasteful that several academicians and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences kept harping on his "reasonable business operations."

The key issue is that these people are even more difficult to deal with than Zhu Dake; they are all industry experts who receive state subsidies.

Let's leave Ni Guangnan aside for now.

Another scholar, Zhang Jie, who comes from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out long ago that the proportion of profits paid to the executives of Lianxiang was abnormally high, while the profits received by the Chinese Academy of Sciences as the major shareholder were far lower than those of the executives.

In a sense, Lu Kuan and Liu Chuanzhi, two successful entrepreneurs, faced similar attacks, only one was false and the other was true.

This is also the norm in society.

Even if you're successful, you're just a businessman. Can you really silence all the gossip in the world?
However, among these casual remarks, some were engaging in sophistry, while others were speaking the truth.

From this perspective, it's not unreasonable that Lao Liu felt a sense of kinship with Lu Kuan before today.

The Liu father and daughter looked calmly at the young tycoon in front of them, not believing that he would not be tempted by such a thing.

Who wants to be targeted by the nation's largest newspaper group by writing long articles every day?

Moreover, there are cultural scholars like Zhu Dake, who appear glamorous on the surface, yet dare to launch a lengthy and sensationalist attack on the second day of the Olympics.
Of course, this was due to Lao Liu's secret support.

Unfortunately, Liu Chuanzhi's "three visits to the thatched cottage" today has completely failed, and Lu Kuan seemed to only hesitate for two symbolic seconds:
"President Liu, you may have misunderstood me. I have absolutely no interest in Zhengzhi, and I have no outrageous ambition to control public opinion."

Boss Lu accepted it with relish, seemingly impervious to criticism: "Regarding the criticisms from Nan Fang, Zhu Dake, and others, I'll correct them if they're true, and strive to improve if they aren't. I'm not RMB; how can I expect everyone to like me?"

He said meaningfully, "Even if I am the RMB, who knows if there are people like Zhu Nanfang who prefer the US dollar?"

"Mr. Liu, don't you agree?"

This statement completely froze and brought to an end today's "Feast at Hongmen".

Liu Qin barely dared to look at her father's face. Just as she had expected, the old chairman's slightly tired face made no attempt to hide his gloomy gaze.

"Hehe." Liu Chuanzhi's laughter was almost squeezed out of his throat, but he himself did not realize how hoarse and terrifying it was.

“Mr. Lu is right, I’ve also suffered quite a bit from these intellectuals,” Chairman Liu said with a smile. “But I must remind Mr. Lu of something—”

"It's not that barking dogs don't bite. Sometimes, if the owner loosens the leash, their sharp teeth might become the jagged teeth of the victim."

Liu Qin's throat bobbed as she helplessly looked at the face that had been half-torn apart, while the once humble and warm guest who had entered the door earlier had now gracefully risen to his feet.

Lu Kuan's long, slender fingers rested on the back of the chair, his wrist bones tracing a clean arc under the light.

As he stood up, the hem of his suit jacket swayed with just the right amount of movement, exuding an innate aura like a black eagle spreading its wings.

"President Liu, in our local dialect, we say 'worse than pigs and dogs,' meaning that dogs and pigs are practically the same."

"Your words suddenly reminded me of a line from a skit I watched with my fiancée at home yesterday—"

"The pig is going to run into a tree, but who will run into the pig?"

Boss Lu nodded slightly, then exchanged a glance with Liu Qin: "Thank you for the hospitality, I'll be going now."

The carved wooden door was gently closed, and Liu Chuanzhi inside the room suddenly smiled.

"Dad? You?"

President Liu shook his head with a sigh, picked up his small wine glass and took a sip: "What? You think I'm really angry and turning on you?"

He sighed deeply and said, "I haven't seen a young man like this in all these years. He can't be coaxed, lied to, or scared. He's a real talent."

"Forget it, it seems that Wenjie has no chance with online ticketing or Damai. Let's see who's the real deal."

Liu Qin said regretfully, "The assets of Wenjie and Zhijie are indeed very excellent, it's a pity."

"What's the pity? Dad has already lowered the valuation for you. What difference does it make if you go back to discuss it a year later?"

Liu Chuanzhi pondered for a moment and said, "If coaxing, deceiving, and scaring don't work, then let's hit them! They'll learn their lesson if they feel the pain."

"The smarter a person is, the better they are at assessing the situation. The current situation is unclear, and the children are a bit arrogant. Let's wait and see!"

He stretched, seemingly unconcerned about his recent exchange with Lu Kuan: "His black tea is quite good. Let's have some and then head over."

Liu Qin responded by pouring tea, and the hot water in the cup steamed with rising vapor.

Liu Chuanzhi's confident assertion echoed in his ears, but what lingered in his mind was Lu Kuan's clear, piercing eyes as he left.

Will Father be able to operate the Lenovo Think Tank as smoothly this time?

. . .

Mr. Lu returned home reeking of alcohol. Liu Yifei was engrossed in reading the first draft of the script for "Ball Lightning" in her study on the second floor. Hearing the noise, she hurried downstairs in her slippers.
"So early? I thought you were going to sit down and have a philosophical discussion with Liu Chuanzhi. Isn't he a big businessman?"

Xiao Liu is still completely unaware of the truth; even industry professionals in this era would find it extremely difficult to discern the true trajectory of later generations.

"He threatened me!" Washing Machine crouched down, looking like a scoundrel, and snuggled into his girlfriend's arms for comfort, rubbing against her softly.

"It stinks! You didn't even take a shower the moment you got back in the summer." Liu Yifei pushed her boyfriend away with a look of disgust, then asked curiously, "How did he threaten you?"

"It's nothing, they just said they wanted to find someone to write a short essay for me, which really scared me."

Xiao Liu covered her mouth and giggled: "Really! It's okay, don't worry. My fans are also quite good at writing essays. They've all honed their skills by criticizing you over the years. I'll immediately have someone organize an essay contest in the group!"

"Tomorrow, we'll have the Thinking Organization send them to attack Zhu Dake again. They'll tear him apart until he doesn't even recognize his own mother!"

The washing machine looked speechless. Ge You, comfortably lying on the sofa, took out his vibrating phone from his pocket, glanced at it, and smiled.

"Looks like it's not necessary; the pig is about to crash into the tree."

(End of this chapter)