"Let Yang Song get what he deserves?"
Zhao Laoda, the fierce-looking bald strong man, looked at the small cassette tape in his hand with a hint of disbelief.
"Director Wang, you're saying this tape contains evidence to bring down Yang Song?"
"That's right, this is a recording. The content is his own confession of what he's done, like the unauthorized transfer of equipment, misappropriation of government compensation funds, falsifying debts, and so on. Each of these offenses is enough to keep him inside for a lifetime."
Now all that's needed is a concerned citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, to report this and hand over the recording.
Then... I don't need to teach you what to do next, do I?"
Wang Yu smiled gently at Zhao Laoda, earning him a look of slight awe.
Of course, this didn't need to be explained further; only a fool wouldn't know what to do!
As for the anonymous concerned citizen, who else could it be but Old Zhao himself?
What truly surprised Zhao Laoda was that Yang Song was a seasoned veteran, a tough nut to crack, who had seen all sorts of storms. He shouldn't have been so easily caught.
Yet, Wang Yu actually managed to obtain a recorded confession from him, which was truly remarkable!
It seemed that Wang Yu was not just wealthy, but also possessed formidable means!
Perhaps throwing his lot in with him wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Zhao Laoda mused, and quickly agreed.
But then again, Yang Song was full of wicked schemes. If he were to be brought to justice, wouldn't that be considered punishing evil and promoting good?
Hmm, who would have thought? Old Zhao would have a day when he'd be a good person, and even get paid for it.
Zhao Laoda muttered to himself and soon turned to leave.
Watching Zhao Laoda depart, Wang Yu nodded with satisfaction.
This so-called leader of Changhe Street's Nine Dragons and One Phoenix was more adept at handling matters and dealing with people than Brother Hu.
Even during the recent conflict with Yang Song and the people from Heda o, Zhao Laoda had stood silently by Wang Yu's side without a word, and had acted on Wang Yu's arrangements without question.
If it had been Brother Hu, he would have likely been loud and boisterous by now.
Unlike Zhao Laoda, who knew when to advance and when to retreat.
"It seems this public relations representative was chosen quite well."
Wang Yu chuckled and turned to leave.
...
The next morning, a group of people gathered at the entrance of the Jiangyang County Automobile Factory.
These were the component suppliers and contract manufacturers who had previously attempted to extort Wang Yu.
There were about forty to fifty people scattered around, led by Huang He, the director of the bicycle factory.
Although Huang He was over sixty years old and appeared quite aged, his spirit was very good.
His face was ruddy, and his eyes and brows were filled with smiles, likely embodying the saying that good news makes one's spirit soar.
"Director Huang He, why did Director Wang suddenly call us for a meeting today?"
Someone in the crowd asked him.
Huang He was the oldest and most experienced among them, as well as the earliest and largest collaborator with Wang Yu.
Therefore, he was deservedly the de facto leader of the price-hiking alliance.
All eyes fell on Huang He, who relished the feeling of being in the spotlight. He stroked his beard with a proud smile.
"Heh heh, Wang Yu can't hold on any longer," Huang He said with an air of confident control. "He asked us to wait a week before and even threatened to part ways if necessary. That was just a delaying tactic, a way to bluff and scare those among us with wavering resolve."
Huang He analyzed with a smile, "But once he stops cooperating with us, his factory will completely grind to a halt. So many orders will force him to come to us with his tail between his legs.
If he insists on a showdown with us, the liquidated damages alone for so many breached contracts would bankrupt him, not to mention the damage to his reputation.
Therefore, he must be at his wit's end, hence calling us for a meeting. You just wait and see, he'll surely try to appease us, or perhaps try to use the contracts as leverage.
But it doesn't matter. As long as we all stick together and refuse to budge, so what if we breach the contract and pay damages?
We'll only lose a bit of money, but Wang Yu will face the collapse of his factory. Considering the stakes, even if he's unwilling a million times over, he'll have to grudgingly accept the price increase!
After all, compared to his other losses, the small increase we demand is negligible. This is a clear, open stratagem. Wang Yu has no choice but to accept, whether he wants to or not!
Since Wang Yu has made so much money, it's time to take from the rich and give to the poor, and share some with us."
"Hahahaha!"
Huang He couldn't help but laugh heartily at this point.
Hearing him speak, the others' eyes lit up, and they too began to laugh triumphantly.
That's right, they were all taking advantage of the situation to raise prices, but this was a blatant, open stratagem!
What could Wang Yu do? Unless he was willing to abandon those orders!
"But..." someone in the crowd voiced a dissenting opinion, "What if Wang Yu decides to swallow his pride and yield this time, only to settle the score later when production isn't so tight?"
"What then?"
Huang He tilted his head slightly, "What else can be done? We have the local advantage. Unless he's willing to abandon his business, he won't turn his back on us.
Even if he has the ability to source from elsewhere, the costs involved would be astronomical. Wang Yu used this tactic before to suppress the agricultural machinery factory with a price war, outsourcing and procuring from out of town, which almost crushed the agricultural machinery factory with high costs.
However, the difference is that the agricultural machinery factory had the backing of the Metallurgy General Plant, but Wang Yu deliberately cut off his own retreat by making an enemy of the Metallurgy General Plant. Now, if we unite, he'll be at a complete loss!"
Huang He's words were coherent and logical, making everyone smile with joy.
"So, as long as Wang Yu wants to continue his business, he has no choice but to submit to us.
Heh heh, he works so hard to expand his business, only for us to reap the rewards? Who told him he didn't have the strength but tried to bite off more than he could chew? Now, it's like we're raising pigs, fattening them up only to carve them up and cook them!"
Huang He's words once again drew cheers from the crowd.
"Alright, everyone, let's go to the automobile factory together. Remember to present a united front. Of course, we should still give him some face, after all, we don't need to turn down money!"
Huang He instructed the crowd, and everyone readily agreed with laughter.
"We'll all listen to Director Huang."
"That's right, that's right. How can that kid Wang Yu, who's still wet behind the ears, compete with our Director Huang?"
"Listen to Director Huang, and there'll be meat to eat!"
...
The crowd walked into the automobile factory, laughing, acting as if no one else mattered, with their heads held high.
Especially when they saw that all the factory buildings were locked and empty, they became even more arrogant.
Look, look!
Without us, Wang Yu's factory can't operate at all. It's closed for rest now, I suppose all the workers have been given leave?
The group, with an air of utter self-importance and swagger, headed directly to the conference room.
Wang Yu was already waiting for them.
Upon seeing the crowd, Wang Yu showed a meaningful smile.