Chapter 331: Chairman of Xingcheng Heavy Industry

Chen Yang hadn't even waited for Qian Duo Duo and Qin Qin to arrive in Qingshui City to conduct due diligence on the feed factory when Liu Jianghua's secretary called him to Xingcheng.

In the office of the Provincial State-owned Enterprise Reform Group on the second floor of the Dongjiangsheng provincial government, Chen Yang unexpectedly saw Wu Junhui, the chairman of Xingcheng Heavy Industry.

He was about fifty years old, roughly the same height as Chen Yang, wore glasses, and looked like a knowledgeable scholar. However, his skin was slightly darkened, clearly a mark from long-term outdoor activity.

"Are you Chen Yang?"

"Hello, I'm Chen Yang. And you are?"

"I'm Wu Junhui, chairman of Xingcheng Heavy Industry. I heard you used our company's insider information to earn your first pot of gold. I want to know if it's true."

"Chairman Wu, you shouldn't listen to gossip. I bought shares in Xingcheng Heavy Industry purely as a bet that the stock would bottom out and rebound. I never expected my luck to be so good, coinciding with your company's restructuring."

What surprised Chen Yang was that the chairman of Xingcheng Heavy Industry had also joined the provincial state-owned enterprise reform group. But facing the other's questioning, he wasn't the slightest bit nervous.

After all, his insider information came from foreknowledge of the future, not from someone supposedly inside Xingcheng Heavy Industry.

In fact, he didn't know any of the management personnel inside Xingcheng Heavy Industry—not even Wu Junhui, whom he only learned about during their self-introductions just now.

"Since you have no insider information, why did you invest a huge sum in a stock suffering heavy losses?" Wu Junhui said, carefully observing Chen Yang's microexpressions as he spoke.

Although Director Huo Yunyan of the State-owned Assets Commission had told him that Chen Yang was skilled at stock trading, he still didn't believe that the latter had engaged in no cheating in his dealings with Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock.

Chen Yang wasn't afraid of Wu Junhui playing psychological games. Although the head of the provincial state-owned enterprise is a bureau-level official, he can't control Chen Yang. Moreover, there's hardly any business dealings between Chen Yang's companies and his.

"Chairman Wu, investing in stocks inherently involves risk and opportunity going hand in hand. The riskier everyone thinks a stock is, the higher its potential return. When I initially bought shares in Xingcheng Heavy Industry, I was naturally betting on its high potential return."

Wu Junhui saw no flaw in Chen Yang's face and felt slightly disappointed. He curiously asked Chen Yang: "You like taking risks this much—aren't you worried that if you lose the gamble, you'll end up with nothing?"

Chen Yang smiled and said: "Everyone comes into the world naked and with nothing. If you lose, you lose; at worst you return to square one and start over. I'm still young, I can afford to lose."

Wu Junhui looked at Chen Yang, secretly thinking that this youngster was a bit overconfident. He kindly reminded him: "Chen Yang, I think young people should be steadier. After all, life's road is long, and no one knows what difficulties and setbacks one might encounter. If one day you really take a nasty fall, you probably won't be as carefree as you say now."

Chen Yang didn't agree with Wu Junhui's viewpoint. He smiled and rebutted: "Chairman Wu, I understand your good intentions, but I believe that if young people only sought stability, society would likely stagnate."

"I have always believed that for society to advance and technology to develop and innovate, we must dare to take risks and try. We must find the correct direction amidst countless failures."

Seeing Chen Yang unwilling to heed advice, Wu Junhui helplessly shook his head.

At that moment, Liu Jianghua's voice suddenly came from outside.

"Chen Yang, well said! Young people should not fear failure and should dare to take risks. I also hope you can bring this spirit to the reform group!"

Chen Yang and Wu Junhui looked up and saw Executive Vice Governor Liu Jianghua and Director Huo Yunyan of the Provincial State-owned Assets Commission slowly walking in from outside; they hurried forward to greet them.

"Governor Liu, Director Huo, I've reported for duty!"

"Governor Liu, Director Huo, I've also reported for duty!"

Liu Jianghua glanced at Wu Junhui, then at Chen Yang, and then said with a smile: "You two—one revived Xingcheng Heavy Industry, the other revived the Red Star Food Processing Factory—you are both models of our provincial state-owned enterprise reform. I hope you can share your respective success experiences with other colleagues."

Wu Junhui, praised by Liu Jianghua as a model of provincial state-owned enterprise reform, felt a bit light-headed, yet affected modesty in saying: "Governor Liu, Xingcheng Heavy Industry's rebirth like a butterfly couldn't have happened without the province's key support. Personally, I merely fulfilled the duties a company manager ought to; what qualification do I have to be a model for other enterprises? As for success experience, I hardly know where to begin."

Chen Yang thought to himself, disparaging Wu Junhui harshly. If he didn't want to share his success experience, why come here at all?

But then he heard Liu Jianghua laugh and say: "Old Wu, don't be modest. Xingcheng Heavy Industry's latest quarterly revenue growth ranks second in the province, second only to Chen Yang's Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company. This achievement has satisfied the provincial leaders, who also hope you'll keep pushing forward and create new brilliance."

Upon hearing this, Wu Junhui's face changed several times in an instant. After Xingcheng Heavy Industry's restructuring, its performance soared, achieving the goal of turning losses into profits within just three months. He never expected that in the end, a company selling agricultural products would steal the spotlight.

"Governor Liu, if we're talking about success, how could I compare to Chen Yang? His Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company and Meat Industry Company are now well-known star enterprises throughout Dongjiangsheng. I think it's better to let him share his experience with everyone."

Liu Jianghua waved his hand and said: "Old Wu, you don't need to make excuses. Chen Yang manages small and medium-sized enterprises, while you manage large enterprises; only by complementing each other's strengths can we make the greatest contribution to our reform work."

Upon hearing this, the smug look on Wu Junhui's face appeared again. No matter how capable Chen Yang is, his enterprise remains a small or medium-sized firm, incomparable to Xingcheng Heavy Industry.

"Governor Liu, rest assured—any work that helps the reform group, I will devote myself to it with utmost dedication, even to the point of death."

Chen Yang forcibly suppressed the urge to vomit. At the same time, he greatly admired this old brother's skill at flattery—truly unmatched.

Of course, Chen Yang also dared not underestimate Wu Junhui. Being able to turn a provincial large state-owned enterprise around, his abilities certainly go beyond mere flattery.

At this moment, Liu Jianghua's gaze formally turned to Chen Yang.

"Chen Yang, I heard Comrade Kong Jie say you're preparing to acquire the Qingshui City Feed Factory. Could you share your reform plan with us?"

Chen Yang hadn't expected that he hadn't even started talks with the Qingshui City Feed Factory about acquisition when Liu Jianghua's side already received the news. He frankly said: "Governor, the acquisition plan for the Qingshui City Feed Factory hasn't officially begun yet. I'm merely sending people to conduct due diligence to understand the company's problems. Before the due diligence report comes out, I dare not speak recklessly."