Twenty years of cold chain

Chapter 429 Overseas Region (1)

After the meeting, a subtle atmosphere emerged within Tongxing. After a period of calm and reflection, many people realized that they had to "take action" and began to whisper among themselves.

If Hu Shutong had agreed that day, everyone would have been happy. With President Hu behind, President Yang pushing forward, and us all striving forward, it would have been a fantastic situation. However, with Hu Shutong's complete rejection of the listing, there are more things to ponder, and many people have begun to analyze the relationship between Hu and Yang.

Since the speculation about the IPO was wrong, it was pointless to blame everyone. As the matter fermented internally, the focus shifted entirely to Yang Chenghai. And as people shared similar views in their private conversations, they had already banded together.

Only then did people realize that Yang Chenghai had indeed made a mistake in this matter. What people thought was a decision jointly promoted by Hu Shutong had gradually turned into "what was thought to be Yang Chenghai's instruction." Those who made contributions at the meeting described the matter as an "implementation plan that was accepted by both superiors and subordinates."

Yang Chenghai hadn't been to Tongxing for more than ten days. The deputy general manager of the distribution department began to coordinate Tongxing's distribution business. The financing team was not expanded; instead, the entire financing section was handed over to Hu Yuntong, who had a background with Mammoth Fund.

People began to urgently distance themselves from Yang Chenghai. Some insisted they were kept in the dark, while others claimed Yang Chenghai was violent and coerced. Many others filed complaints, with some saying Yang Chenghai had made prior promises to the stock exchange, and rumors even circulated that Yang Chenghai had accepted bribes from various departments.

Never before had the internal affairs of Tongxing been presented to Hu Shutong in such a vivid and real way.

One evening after the rain had cleared, Hu Shutong had just left Tongxing when he received a call from Yang Chenghai. The two had not seen each other since that meeting.

The place Yang Chenghai arranged wasn't remote, yet it had a quiet charm amidst the hustle and bustle. It was a bar on the third floor, with a supermarket on the first floor, a billiards hall on the second. The tables weren't large, but they were separated by thick, dark, and uneven partitions that resembled rows of chimneys.

He had been waiting for a long time. The ashtray was full of cigarette butts, and Hu Shutong had never seen him dressed like this before. He was dressed loosely and sportily, as if he was preparing for a night run.

Yang Chenghai had already ordered the drinks, but that was all he ordered.

"Mr. Hu, I'm planning to leave. I've written all this over and over again, but I think I'll just give up now."

Hu Shutong showed no surprise, simply asking, "Where are you planning to go?"

Yang Chenghai was about to speak when Hu Shutong added, "Preparing to take a break? Planning to change your mood? Anything else?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Chenghai gave a wry smile, "Consider it as you answering for me."

The ease with which Hu Shutong appeared at this moment actually surprised Yang Chenghai. The matter had had a huge internal impact and the outcome was disastrous. He had been waiting for a question from Hu Shutong, but had never been asked, including now—perhaps their last interaction regarding Tongxing—the other party seemed uninterested in asking.

"On the way here, Lao Liu also called to say goodbye."

Yang Chenghai's hand, which had just raised its glass, suddenly trembled. He didn't drink the wine, but instead stared intently at Hu Shutong. "He took the initiative?"

Hu Shutong nodded, and just then, an unexpected scene unfolded.

Yang Chenghai's eyes widened, his teeth clenched, his cheeks looking as if they were filled with iron. After a moment, those eyes, which were usually so sharp that no one dared to look into them, suddenly welled up with tears!

"I've committed a terrible crime! I've committed a terrible crime!"

In an instant, Yang Chenghai's eyes filled with expectation, "Is there still room for negotiation? Tongxing can't do without him! I'm leaving to take on everything; there's no way we can keep him here!"

"Don't worry, he'll come back."

"Come back? When will he be back? Tomorrow or next year? Without him, Tongxing will be exhausted, Old Hu!"

Hu Shutong had never seen Yang Chenghai like this before. He was heartbroken and regretful. He felt an overwhelming sense of self-reproach and deep sorrow. Moreover, as they looked at each other, he felt a deep concern for the man before him who was struggling on his way and weary from the hardships of life and death.

Over the years, he had come to understand Hu Shutong and deeply admired Hu Shutong's grasp of priorities. However, the problem was that this person sometimes placed too much importance on important matters. Especially in places where one had to rely on professional skills, there were few people besides himself whom he could trust to take charge. If Liu Zhiying were no longer around, he couldn't even imagine how many more days of constant vigilance would have been added.

"Old Liu said he has tentatively booked a flight for the 10th of next month. Once the joint forum of the five ports in Central Asia is completed, he will return to China, so that he can have some time to prepare for the Longshan Summit."

Yang Chenghai, his eyes vacant, reached for the wine glass, took a small sip, and then, with a great sense of resentment, tilted his head back and downed the entire glass.

"Hu Shutong! You!"

Hu Shutong quickly picked up a wine glass and poured Yang Chenghai a glass of wine.

"Old Yang, let's talk about something serious."

Yang Chenghai remained silent, lighting a cigarette. His mood was not much better than before; he had been thoroughly confused and was somewhat embarrassed by his earlier actions.

A moment later, Hu Shutong took out a piece of paper.

How could he let Yang Chenghai leave? Tongxing has many honest people, so honest that they form groups to uphold their duties, creating a "self-proclaimed faction" within the company.

People dare to say that some positions need more training, and that some personnel need to be reassigned, but no one dares to say a word about Tongxing's direction. Only a fool would put himself in the position of "holding on" when he could "keep it."

Yang Chenghai was the most exceptional one.

Yang Chenghai wasn't born with the ability to speak. When he first joined Tongxing seven years ago, he held a position that no one understood: "Delivery and External Affairs Manager." He took it one step at a time.

Although the paper that Hu Shutong took out only marked a few locations, Yang Chenghai was very familiar with it. In fact, this was the plan that Hu Shutong had made at the meeting that day.

A matter concerning "what Tong Hsing will do next".

Putting aside current emotions, this is a future worth imagining.

Hu Shutong plans to establish a large group, a business group that transcends warehousing and distribution, and can complement Tongxing's domestic market. In other words, two major lines will be drawn up in the domestic and international markets to unify Tongxing's international supply chain.

Some things were unattainable before, because even the scattered pieces were invisible. Now, the pieces are in place, the path is formed, and the net is revealed. In the torrent of competition, while the riverbed and banks are still visible, it's time to wedge this step in.

Now it's called "Tongxing Overseas Department".

In the not-too-distant future, as the intermodal transport system expands and deepens, Tongxing will be inscribed on masts, on wings, and amidst the clanging of steel camel caravans—

"Greater Overseas Region"!

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.