Meanwhile, online, the Southwest Chamber of Commerce also established new companies. They acquired some of the original internet companies and bought film and television companies. They had their eyes on the lucrative online market and even created a shopping platform. This was a full-scale offensive.
Leveraging the influence of the eighteen families, they were making a comprehensive foray into the internet. Their offline businesses were already strong enough; now it was time to enter the internet arena. Competition in the physical industry was unlikely to change much, but the internet was different. Only through online and offline synergy could the entire group further advance.
"Talk to the livestreamers on the future platform, get them to switch, bring them over. Buy back the previous movie broadcasting rights, rotate them on the platform, and attract viewers." A serious meeting was underway in a magnificent group building. Nearly sixty people were present, all elites from various families.
The Southwest Chamber of Commerce was very united, distributing profits proportionally. Those with ability earned big money, those without earned small money, and there was no intention to swallow up other families. Overall, the atmosphere is quite good. Each family needs to contribute talent to the group, and the goal is to maximize the use of these talents to make money while ensuring a fair distribution of profits. As for lazy family members, there are plenty of ways to provide them with jobs.
"The streamers on the Future platform are all under contract. They can't be poached unless they pay an exorbitant penalty, as high as a billion. Even the earliest contracted streamers won't be able to leave until three years later. That path is not feasible," a HR manager replied.
This is indeed true. Streamers who can bring revenue to the platform have signed high-priced contracts. Gaining more also requires paying more. Female streamers, needless to say, if they catch Zhao An's eye, they'll definitely be taken advantage of.
"Find a few small streamers, pay them, and have them smear the Future platform. Then the PR department will write advertorials to expose the Future platform's contracts. Lowering their reputation and attracting traffic is the most important thing. The streamers aren't important. I've already negotiated with streamers in South Korea to bring them over," Xu Chun, the group's head, said sharply. At only thirty-five years old, she's very young. To become the president of a group branch at such a young age makes her future as chairman of the group almost a certainty.
"Regarding the fleet, Future Group owns all its fleets; there's no way to poach them," another manager reported. This was an attempt to create a trap for Future Group, diverting their attention and then seizing the opportunity to rise.
"Then start elsewhere, dig up their traffic first, and then use that to distract them. Get those cosmetics promoters involved. Also, raise the raw material prices for all the factories under Future Group," Xu Chun continued, instructing. Cooperation? He had tried contacting Qian Yuling, but his words were somewhat frivolous, and he was immediately rejected.
In the past, Qian Yuling wouldn't have been surprised by this. She was very charming, and men would fawn over her. Men are lustful; they just wanted to have some fun or see if they could get a chance to be intimate with her. But after being with Zhao An, Qian Yuling was very disgusted by this behavior. Zhao An could do whatever he wanted with her, but other men wouldn't. Therefore, the cooperation was rejected.
Enraged, Xu Chun began his revenge, determined to cripple the Future Group commercially and force Qian Yuling to bow her head and beg him for mercy.
As for Zhao An? Xu Chun didn't take him seriously at all. Just a lucky poor boy; good fortune couldn't last forever, and the four major families hadn't intervened. Whatever his motives, he was going to seize the opportunity to make a move.
Qian Yuling didn't tell Zhao An about this; in her eyes, it was a trivial matter. If he got angry, even better—she'd have something to do.
After just one phone call, the conversation didn't go smoothly, and the cooperation was terminated. Some people are so self-important, insisting on arguing with Zhao An. Since he's going to argue, let him take the challenge. Hopefully, the upcoming retaliation won't kill him on the spot.
He would cut off the supply of raw materials. The Southwest Chamber of Commerce indeed monopolized many raw materials. If they didn't want to sell, he simply couldn't buy them.
Back at the villa, he enjoyed a massage from his third aunt's gentle hands. Zhao An squinted. "Just some bored guy coming to retaliate?"
"You could say that. Your wife is too charming; any man would be attracted to her." Qian Yuling exhaled smoke rings. Even pregnant, she still enjoyed smoking, occasionally stroking her belly. Inside was the first child she had ever looked forward to giving birth to, because she loved Zhao An deeply. Even knowing that Zhao An had only pursued her to sleep with her, she felt no resentment. Men pursue women, isn't it all about sleeping with them? The difference is whether it's a one-night stand or a permanent affair after marriage.
"You are indeed very beautiful. My wives are all beautiful. Xu Chun, right? That bastard, I feel like he's been acting a bit strange lately." Zhao An snorted. Someone really is courting death. He had previously wondered how small and medium-sized families, not affiliated with the four major families, survived. He hadn't known about alliances; he'd really learned something new.
"Can't you just get some work done? You need to be careful. The Southwest Chamber of Commerce controls imported raw materials. That Xu Chun is no good; he's like Tang Wu, he'll stop at nothing to get you. Even the Bai family can't suppress his power; the entire Chamber of Commerce is even stronger than a single family." Qian Yuling frowned. She was too beautiful for her to control. If she didn't take good care of herself, how could she keep a man's heart?
"Their main business is selling raw materials, right? Since they're targeting me, I'll let them buy at rock-bottom prices." Zhao An's eyes turned incredibly fierce. The overseas stock market was already fluctuating, and many shrewd families had already withdrawn. The calm before the storm—even a small loss didn't matter; getting out quickly was the best choice.
Many companies in the Southwest Chamber of Commerce were listed on the NYSE. Since that was the case, they were Zhao An's targets. Normally, business should be mutually beneficial. But some people just get carried away and cause trouble, and Zhao An certainly wouldn't back down.