Chapter 278: An Unripe Idea

Yunshang Teahouse.

It was the same private room, with the same people.

“Gentlemen, our gains this time are substantial. The Zhou Family is vast, and even if we divide it among ourselves, it wouldn’t be a small share.”

Xu Shaochen was still seated at the head of the table. This time, targeting the Zhou Family, these people had truly put in a lot of effort. They even tore up several contracts and invested large sums of money to acquire shares in various Zhou Family companies.

“Chairman Xu, we’ve all discussed this. You contributed the most this time, so we don’t want any part of the Zhou Family’s assets. Everything should belong to you.”

The group looked at each other, and then one of them turned to Xu Shaochen, the others quickly expressing their agreement.

“That’s right. Last time, we already got a piece of the meat from Zhou Chaohu’s company. This time, everything should go to Chairman Xu.”

“Please, Chairman Xu, you mustn’t decline…”

The little bits from Zhou Chaohu are nothing compared to the enormous Zhou Family.

They obviously wanted a piece of this big pie.

But after some discussion, they decided to opt for a longer-term vision. Ruthlessly, they decided to let go of any claim to the Zhou Family’s assets.

In the past, they viewed the Zhou Family as an unshakable giant.

This was true. Even though the Zhou Family wasn’t as prosperous as before, they were still much stronger than these people.

But now, Xu Shaochen had easily solved the Zhou Family problem. Although they did contribute, they believed that even without their help, Xu Shaochen could have taken down the Zhou Family.

So, they thought, as long as they follow Xu Shaochen, they’ll always have more than enough to eat and drink. Why bother over some temporary gains? If they pleased Xu Shaochen now, he’d think of them when the time came to divide the spoils later.

“Alright, since that’s the case, I won’t be overly polite. It would be disrespectful not to accept it.”

Xu Shaochen didn’t refuse. Why turn down something that’s being handed to you?

Besides, if he didn’t take it, they might not feel secure.

It’s like someone giving you money to complete a task, and you say, ‘I won’t take the money, but I’ll definitely do the job.’

They wouldn’t believe that. If you don’t take the money, they’d worry you might not put in your best effort.

So, sometimes, accepting what others give is just to reassure them.

“Gentlemen, I have an unripe idea that I’d like you to consider.”

As Xu Shaochen looked at the group, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind.

“Please, Chairman Xu, enlighten us,”

the group turned their attention to Xu Shaochen, waiting for him to speak.

“This time, our collaboration was very successful. Everyone here is a leader in Yunzhou’s business circle. How about we form an organization similar to a business association? We can help each other, advance together, and seek greater profits.”

Xu Shaochen slowed his pace as he spoke. A solitary hero needs three helpers. If someday the people present here could all become internationally renowned enterprises,

then his position as chairman of the Xu Corporation would be unshakable. Internally, he’d hold the moral high ground and have his own assets. Externally, he’d have these people pressuring and supporting him, and the old guard would have no choice but to retire.

In the early stages, he’d definitely use the Xu Corporation’s resources to help these people develop, at least helping them break out of Yunzhou first. After that, they’d rely on mutual support to expand further and explore new markets.

Business competition on a one-on-one basis might be fair, but what happens when it’s a group against a single company?

Of course, to prevent anyone from growing too powerful and getting any ideas, Xu Shaochen would leave behind some means to control them as he helped them expand.

“Chairman Xu, this proposal is excellent. If we join forces, Yunzhou will be ours, and stepping out of Yunzhou, out of Longguo, to the world stage will be within sight.”

“Exactly. We’ve all been fighting alone all this time. None of us could take on the Zhou Family alone, but together, we dealt the Zhou Family a fatal blow. This is the benefit of cooperation.”

“You’re right. I suggest that Chairman Xu be the president of this association.”

“We naturally have no objections…”

Hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up. They could all see the benefits. The fact that their collaboration had defeated the Zhou Family was proof enough.

Together, they could easily gather hundreds of billions in cash in no time.

Remember, that’s cash, not assets. Not even publicly listed ‘billion-dollar’ companies could easily muster that kind of cash.

“Good. Since everyone is interested, I’ll go back and draft some detailed rules. If everyone agrees, we’ll settle it.”

Xu Shaochen didn’t talk about signing contracts or guarantees. Contracts have always been made to be broken.

Only interests are eternal. As long as there’s profit to be had, this circle will stay united and face outsiders together.

And the world is vast, with countless profitable opportunities.

Even if competition arises among them in the future, that will be a long time from now, when they’ve all grown into giants.

By then, competition will be inevitable, but it will be difficult to bankrupt any of them.

With this settled, Xu Shaochen was the first to leave. Everyone stood up to see Xu Shaochen off at the door.

Xu Shaochen called Zhang Wei, asking him to draft the rules and send them before he returned to Jiangzhou.

Xu Shaochen had Long Er drive him to Yunzhou University.

After sending Zhao Qingyu a message, he went to her dorm to wait for her. Naturally, Zhao Qingyu had given him the key.

It was just a matter of ten minutes before Zhao Qingyu rushed into the dorm, throwing herself into Xu Shaochen’s arms.

“Why did you come suddenly?”

Zhao Qingyu wrapped her arms around Xu Shaochen’s neck, her face filled with the happiness of a girl in love, like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old.

“I missed you, so I came.”

As Xu Shaochen spoke, his hands were not idle either. Have you ever heard of a move called ‘Heavenly Descent’—*****…

“Get up, take a shower. I’ll take you out for a walk.”

After resting for a while, Xu Shaochen pulled Zhao Qingyu off the sofa.

“Mmm~ hug me.”

Zhao Qingyu clung tightly to the sofa, refusing to get up, blinking her eyes as she coquettishly pouted at Xu Shaochen.

“You’re so heavy, like a pig. How could I possibly lift you?”

After saying this, Xu Shaochen quickly ran into the bathroom.

“Xu Shaochen!!!”