The Rich Man's Life Begins with a Comeback

Chapter 217: The Test of Knocking and Flipping the Table (4k)

Previously, the "regional governors" of Zhencui Group were store general managers like Xu Liang and Guo Jiahui. However, after Gu Heng proposed Zhencui Group's investment and expansion plan, all the senior executives present knew that from now on, only the regional general managers who were sent out would be worthy of the title of "regional governor".

Be independent!
To seize sole power!

All matters related to team building, market expansion, operations management, and resource allocation for the entire city will be centralized in one person's hands.

His position carries power that will rival that of the group's vice president.

If it's a regional manager in a top-tier city, the power and influence of that position would probably make even the group's vice president envious.

In addition, regional managers stationed abroad are far from the group headquarters, which means they are far from the group's control. As long as they do not cause any problems at work and their performance satisfies the group, they will have a very high degree of freedom.

At this moment, most of the group's senior executives were staring intently at Gu Heng, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"Fengtian, Chen Zhifeng is the preliminary candidate for regional general manager."

As Gu Heng announced the first regional manager, all the senior executives of the group looked at the middle-aged man sitting in the middle, and many of them could not hide their envy.

Chen Zhifeng is currently the General Manager of Zhenhai Shengyan, a veteran employee of Zhencui Group. He has worked in many departments of Zhencui Group and has rotated through the three catering brands of Yuanzhi, Chaoyu and Yanronghui.

He has extensive management experience and a calm and meticulous personality.

Gu Heng's selection of Chen Zhifeng was somewhat expected.

After all, looking at the entire group's senior management, the only people who can surpass Chen Zhifeng in terms of seniority and experience are those senior executives who have already been appointed as the group's vice presidents.

"Thank you for the group's trust!"

"Thank you for your trust, Chairman Gu, General Manager Qi, and General Manager Zhuang!"

"I promise to complete the task!"

Chen Zhifeng stood up from his seat, his face filled with determination.

"it is good!"

Gu Heng smiled and nodded.

Chen Zhifeng sat down, and Gu Heng lowered his head and called on his subordinates again: "Guo Jiahui is the preliminary candidate for regional general manager of Bingcheng."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the senior executives of the group turned their heads again.

At this moment, Guo Jiahui, sitting in the back row, felt dizzy under everyone's gaze, and his face flushed red with excitement.

If Chen Zhifeng's selection was expected, then Guo Jiahui's selection as the regional manager was somewhat unexpected.

Although Guo Jiahui is qualified and capable, there are at least eight or ten other senior executives in the group who can rival him.

Chen Zhifeng was chosen, and everyone was convinced of his merits, but what about Guo Jiahui?
Some of the group's senior executives, who considered themselves no less capable than Chen Zhifeng, felt somewhat resentful.

"Mr. Guo!"

"congratulations!"

"From now on, you are the true regional governor of our group!"

"Don't forget your little brother when you become successful!"

Xu Liang immediately offered his blessings to Guo Jiahui beside him, while his eyes also revealed an undisguised look of envy.

Despite his envy, he was very self-aware.

Guo Jiahui is a veteran, and the group appointed him as the regional manager. There may be some people in the group who are not satisfied, but they can't say anything. After all, everyone's conditions are similar. At most, they might complain a little in their hearts.

In comparison, he was lucky to be sitting next to Guo Jiahui today. If it weren't for Wu Tao, the former general manager of Sushi Cloud, leaving his post and making a mistake, and if his good friend Fan Hong hadn't vouched for him, he would never have been promoted to this position.

Under these circumstances, he was secretly delighted that even if he managed to get some scraps from the group's capital injection and expansion, let alone be seated at the table to eat the main course, he would still be overjoyed.

In response to Xu Liang's blessing, Guo Jiahui merely nodded, then quickly stood up and, following the example of Chen Zhifeng and others, expressed his gratitude and determination to the group and leaders such as Gu Heng.

Soon after the preliminary selection of the regional general manager for Shimen, the last second-tier city in the first batch of pilot target cities, was announced, many group executives who were not selected were somewhat disappointed.

However, their ability to rise to high positions in the workplace is due to their exceptional mindset. They quickly adjusted their mindset, considering that these are just the first batch of pilot cities, and there are still 8 cities to be expanded to.

At the scene, only the regional general manager of Tianjin City remained undecided among the four target pilot cities, prompting many senior executives of the group to turn their attention to the front row.

Even a key figure in the group like Chen Zhifeng is only a regional manager in a second-tier city. Therefore, the regional manager in a first-tier city should most likely be chosen from among the group's vice presidents.

For other group executives, becoming a regional manager is considered a promotion.

However, for those group vice presidents, even regional general managers in first-tier cities are likely to be beneath them.

The reason is simple: as the group grows, as long as these vice presidents remain in their original positions, the power they wield will naturally increase.

After all, in a normal business system, the position of group vice president is basically the top. The next position above that is the executive president.

Given this situation, if they leave the group headquarters and are assigned to other cities as regional managers, it is uncertain whether they will be able to return to the group headquarters in the future.

If they fail to expand the market, they will be criticized in a public notice at best, and transferred to another position at worst, thus becoming a marginal figure in the group and finding it difficult to regain their former glory.

Overall, leaving the group headquarters to take on the role of regional manager in Jinshi is clearly more harmful than beneficial, and carries significant risks.

At this moment, facing the attention of numerous senior executives behind them, and the gazes of Gu Heng, Qi Min, and Zhuang Hanyu in front, the six vice presidents of the group sitting in the front row all had slightly flickering eyes, their thoughts unknown.

"Jinshi ranked 11th in the national GDP rankings in 2023."

"Among the many cities in the north, it is the top, and it is adjacent to Yanjing, with an extremely important geographical location and extraordinary commercial value. It is no exaggeration to describe it as a strategic location that is fought over by military strategists."

Gu Heng's gaze swept across the faces of the six group vice presidents in the front row one by one: "If we can successfully establish a foothold in Tianjin, we can use this standardized expansion template to expand to the other three first-tier cities in the north, which will achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"Moreover, Jinshi will also provide many convenient conditions for our future entry into the high-end catering market in Yanjing, which can be said to be very beneficial."

"Without a doubt, Jinshi is a tough nut to crack."

At this point, Gu Heng smiled as he looked at the six group vice presidents in front of him.

"so……"

"For this assignment to Jinshi as the regional manager, I plan to select from our group's five vice presidents, excluding President Zhang, and follow the principle of voluntariness. I wonder which vice president would like to volunteer?"

The room fell silent immediately after Gu Heng finished speaking.

'Chairman Gu's move...'

That's really ruthless!

None of the people qualified to sit in this large conference room today are simple-minded; they are all the most shrewd of the shrewd.

Anyone could see that this was a test that Gu Heng had put forward for the five vice presidents of the group.

In fact, Gu Heng could have simply chosen his generals as he had just done. Regardless of whether the chosen vice president of the group was willing or not, he would have had to take on this heavy responsibility.

However, Gu Heng chose not to do so. Instead, he chose to use a so-called "voluntary principle" to get these group vice presidents to volunteer.

Don't they always talk about loyalty?
Now, a tough challenge has emerged in the group's development path.

As high-ranking vice presidents of the group, the group now needs you to take the lead. Will you choose to meet the challenge head-on or choose to protect yourselves?
If one chooses to face the challenge head-on, it means giving up the position of vice president of the group and leaving the group headquarters for Tianjin to help the group overcome this difficult challenge. However, the road ahead is uncertain and the future is unpredictable.

But if you choose to protect yourself, wouldn't your so-called loyalty become a joke?

Since you failed to demonstrate responsibility, competence, and fulfill your duties during the group's difficult times, it seems only natural that the group would choose to optimize your position or make you give way to others in the future, right?
Now, for these five group vice presidents...

Whether they stick their necks out or not, they'll still get stabbed; it all depends on their choice.

The questions that so many senior executives of the group could understand, the five vice presidents in front of them could naturally understand as well. Looking at Gu Heng's smiling face, they all felt a chill inexplicably in their hearts.

Since Gu Heng fully acquired Zhencui Group, the overall structure of the group has remained largely unchanged. They were already the group's vice presidents before Gu Heng took over, and they remain vice presidents after his takeover.

Over the past six months, their tension had begun to ease, but they never expected that Gu Heng would suddenly bare his fangs at this moment.

Do you want to rest on your past laurels and reap the rewards without sowing?

Want more power but unwilling to contribute to the group?

Think beautiful!
With the group about to receive capital injection and expand, it will be in need of personnel in the future.

If you want more power, then produce results!

If you want to maintain your current position, then produce results!

If you don't want to fall behind the group, then produce results!

Everything depends on results!
Gu Heng is running a business, not doing charity.

These group of vice presidents receive generous annual salaries, all of which come from Gu Heng's pocket. Naturally, they should give Gu Heng a corresponding return; otherwise, why would Gu Heng support them for free?

Gu Heng looked at the five vice presidents of the group in front of him. He still looked all smiles on the surface, but his eyes were gradually turning cold.

"Chairman Gu, I am willing to go to Jinshi."

Just a dozen seconds after Gu Heng finished speaking, one of the five group vice presidents finally stepped forward and took on this heavy responsibility.

Xie Jianlin, Vice President of Zhencui Group, is a veteran member of the group.

The catering brands Zhenhai and Chaoyu were created by Xie Jianlin himself. He is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer of Zhencui Group, responsible for talent development, establishing a salary and performance system, and implementing corporate culture.

"President Xie truly lives up to his reputation as a pillar of the group; we can only rely on him in crucial moments!"

Gu Heng felt a little relieved when he saw Xie Jianlin step forward.

At this moment, the other four vice presidents of the group panicked when they heard Gu Heng's last three meaningful words.

Gu Heng said Xie Jianlin was reliable, so wasn't that indirectly saying they were unreliable?
“I have been an employee of Zhencui Group since its inception. Now, under the wise leadership of Chairman Gu, Zhencui Group is about to usher in a new chapter. As a senior leader of Zhencui Group, I should take the lead and set an example.”

"Here, I solemnly declare to all the leaders and colleagues of the Group that I will go all out on this trip to break through this tough nut, remove this obstacle, strengthen the bridgehead, serve as the vanguard, and build a pioneering force!"

"Accept the mission without conditions!"

"No excuses when carrying out a mission!"

"Complete the mission without compromise!"

"We are determined to ensure the smooth progress of the Group's comprehensive expansion plan in the northern market!"

Xie Jianlin's voice was loud and deafening, each voice louder than the last.

Many senior executives of the group listened to Xie Jianlin's statement and were internally screaming "Holy crap!" Their facial expressions were absolutely priceless.

Too bad!
It is really better for me to die than for my fellow Taoist to die!

Xie Jianlin is treating the other four group vice presidents like Japanese people!

You want to cower in the group headquarters and hide away, right?

You want to avoid risks and reap the benefits without sowing, right?
Fuck you!

I'm going to flip the table!
None of us should have an easy time!

Gu Heng's simple "I can rely on you" was already enough to hurt, but Xie Jianlin's words went beyond that; it was like stabbing those group vice presidents in the heart with a knife.

Phrases like "setting an example," "leading the way," "no conditions," "no discounts," and "no excuses" are simply blatant attacks on the other four group vice presidents.

No?

Is the relationship between the leaders of your group really that bad?

The eyes of many senior executives kept lingering on the group's vice presidents in the front row, their expressions all looking somewhat strange.

At this moment, the expressions of the four vice presidents of the group sitting next to Xie Jianlin were truly as if their mothers had died. If looks could kill, Xie Jianlin would probably have been reduced to dust by them long ago.

We're not human, but you really are a dog!
You're spouting all those fancy words, are you planning to take the civil service exam?!

Are you trying to kill us all?

The four vice presidents of the group cursed Xie Jianlin in their hearts.

Zhang Shengfei, the only one among the six group vice presidents who could remain unscathed, looked at Xie Jianlin with a gaze filled with amazement and emotion.

'The elder brother is indeed the elder brother!'

Compared to the senior officers, I feel like a complete greenhorn!

'Brother Xie is truly a man of few words and ruthless actions!'

'I still have to study!'

Zhang Shengfei thought to himself, and at the same time reminded himself that he should never offend the other party if he could avoid it in the future. This person is definitely ruthless!

"it is good!"

"very good!"

"very good!"

Just after Xie Jianlin made his statement, the room fell silent for a few seconds. Then Gu Heng stood up and praised him loudly three times: "In my opinion, President Xie is the one who truly embodies the spirit of Zhencui in both words and deeds. You should all take President Xie as your role model and learn more from him!"

Gu Heng originally only wanted to give these group vice presidents a warning, to stop them from having any illusions about reaping the benefits without effort, but he never expected Xie Jianlin to give him such a big surprise.

'how?'

Is this a desperate gamble?

'Do you want to be a lone wolf in the company?'

Gu Heng outwardly praised Xie Jianlin, but inwardly he was pondering Xie Jianlin's intentions.

During this period, as Gu Heng continued to read those historical classics, his thinking ability and intellectual level improved significantly.

Learning from history, we can know the rise and fall.

By learning from others, we can understand our own gains and losses.

The changes that reading history books brought to Gu Heng were subtle and gradual, like a gentle rain nourishing the earth.

Having navigated the ups and downs of the workplace for half his life, Xie Jianlin is certainly not a brainless or reckless person.

His decision to flip the table in public today must have had its reasons.

Gu Heng's mind was racing, but due to the occasion, he didn't have time to think about it in detail.

At this moment, Xie Jianlin remained composed and dignified in the face of Gu Heng's high praise, while many senior executives of the group echoed what Gu Heng had just said.

"Mr. Xie, I'm entrusting Jinshi to you."

After the meeting room quieted down again, Gu Heng said solemnly, "If you can successfully take over Jinshi, it will be enough to prove your ability. You are definitely a talented person worthy of being put to good use. At that time, you will probably have to work harder and go to Yanjing again next year..."

(End of this chapter)