Chapter 545: The Hands Behind the Supplier

Chen Yang felt He Wanqiu's skin wasn't thick enough; as a president, she was still a bit immature.

Of course, he was even more dissatisfied with Du Yue'e. Hu Qingwan originally had her come to the company to help him control the purse strings. As a result, the company had repaid several tens of millions of debt at year-end—such an important matter—yet this boss of his knew nothing about it.

Chen Yang drove straight to Heavenly Enlightenment Pharmaceutical. Then he summoned He Wanqiu and Du Yue'e to his office.

Chen Yang first said to He Wanqiu, "Manager He, from now on, no matter who comes to collect debts, have them come to me. Your duty is to manage the company's internal affairs and drug R&D."

He Wanqiu apologetically said to Chen Yang, "Chairman, sorry, I just wanted the company to get back on track quickly."

Chen Yang waved his hand and said, "The past is past; I don't want to pursue it further. I just want to remind you that our top priority now is not repaying debt, but developing new products and laying out the chain pharmacy network. Only when the company has stable profitability will shareholders and those suppliers have confidence in us."

Seeing that Chen Yang didn't intend to pursue responsibility, He Wanqiu's mood visibly improved. She respectfully said, "Chairman, rest assured; with sufficient financial support, I will definitely complete the chain pharmacy layout within this year."

Chen Yang also reminded her, "Regarding the investment in a medicinal herb base in Yunnan Province, later you discuss with the marketing department and come up with a plan. If we don't want to be strangled by suppliers, we must prepare contingency plans in advance."

He Wanqiu nodded and then left the office.

After she left, Chen Yang turned his gaze to Du Yue'e. He first asked, "Sister-in-law, the company repaid several tens of millions of debt at year-end—why didn't you tell me?"

Du Yue'e already knew she had made a mistake while Chen Yang and He Wanqiu were talking. She explained, "Chen Yang, sorry, I thought the company's internal funds were sufficient, and clearing the debt early would completely rid the company of its negative image."

Chen Yang felt she still didn't grasp the seriousness of the problem, and he patiently said, "Sister-in-law, your job is to help me control the purse strings. Without my knowledge, suddenly several tens of millions disappeared from the pocket—do you think your work is satisfactory?"

"Chen Yang, sorry..." Du Yue'e, seeing Chen Yang truly angry, immediately explained, "Actually, I wanted to call you to report during the Spring Festival, but Lin Wei wouldn't let us contact you."

Chen Yang hadn't expected Lin Wei to be sabotaging; he said helplessly, "Couldn't you have secretly called or texted me? She can't watch you twenty-four hours a day."

Upon hearing this, Du Yue'e lowered her head in shame. After all, Chen Yang had changed her fate in the Lin family, yet she had dragged her feet at a critical moment.

Chen Yang really felt a bit disappointed in Du Yue'e. But the words of Old Master Chen also enlightened him—now, falling out with the Lin family would bring him no benefit at all.

He took a deep breath, then asked Du Yue'e, "Sister-in-law, what are the family members' current attitudes toward me?"

Du Yue'e thought for a moment and said, "Lin Wei seems quite dissatisfied with you, saying she'll make you look bad when you go to Qingshui. Mom and Dad are fine; your older brother isn't too upset either—it's just that Old Master is very dissatisfied with you."

Chen Yang had no hope left for Old Master Lin; as long as Lin Jianguo and his wife aren't opposed to him, there's still room for maneuver. He again reminded Du Yue'e, "Sister-in-law, from now on, whenever the company has major financial expenditures, you must consult me in advance. Otherwise, I can only transfer you back to Qingshui City."

Du Yue'e had grown accustomed to life in Xingcheng and didn't want to return to that godforsaken place in Qingshui City. She immediately promised, "Chen Yang, rest assured—I will absolutely not make another mistake."

Chen Yang had her get back to work, then called Zhao Xiaoli to inquire about the progress of the pharmacy layout.

What relieved him was that Zhao Xiaoli worked efficiently; in Xingcheng she had already found thirty-two suitable locations for pharmacies and had basically settled the transfer agreements for half of them.

This way, Heavenly Enlightenment Pharmaceutical only needed to conduct market research and then contact suppliers nationwide to purchase the required medicines.

However, because the company was ST'd at year-end, its reputation with suppliers is not high. Previously, when it owed them money, it still had negotiating leverage. Now it likely has to pay first and then receive goods, which greatly increases financial pressure.

The key is, Chen Yang always feels there is a pair of hands behind the scenes influencing those suppliers, making them deliberately cause trouble for Heavenly Enlightenment Pharmaceutical.

Chen Yang suddenly thought of Wang Haifeng; although this guy hasn't called him in a long time, he still feels the other party is up to no good.

To verify his suspicion, Chen Yang called Chen Bing and asked him to check whether any of Heavenly Enlightenment Pharmaceutical's suppliers in Xingcheng have contacts with overseas individuals.

Three days later, Chen Bing's investigation finally yielded results, confirming that two pharmaceutical companies in Xingcheng have ties with overseas entities.

Chen Yang immediately took Chen Bing's investigation evidence to Liu Jianghua to complain. "Governor, I am following your orders, wholeheartedly wanting to make Heavenly Enlightenment Pharmaceutical succeed. But some people have colluded with Wang Haifeng, deliberately stabbing me in the back. This work can't go on!"

After carefully examining the investigation report Chen Yang brought, Liu Jianghua's eyes suddenly flashed a hint of ferocity. He gritted his teeth and said, "A loser of a chamber of commerce president actually able to affect Dongjiangsheng's economic development—looks like I've been too lenient!"

Chen Yang rarely sees Liu Jianghua so angry. But this anger is exactly the effect he wanted.

"Governor, I have already laid out thirty-two chain pharmacies in Xingcheng; now my biggest worry is the difficulty of procuring medicines. You know our company's image is poor now; many suppliers refuse to cooperate with us. Even those willing to do so impose harsh terms. Could you please intercede for us?"

Upon hearing that Chen Yang planned to open thirty-two chain pharmacies in Xingcheng all at once, Liu Jianghua's anger instantly dissipated, replaced by delight and relief.

Over these years, the tasks he has assigned Chen Yang have not only been completed but have consistently produced different surprises. Therefore, whenever there is a thorny issue, he instinctively thinks of Chen Yang.

But he also realizes he can't let Chen Yang bear every trouble alone. If Chen Yang can't hold up and is forced to flee, the loss would be the entire economic development of Dongjiangsheng.

"Chen Yang, regarding medicine procurement, I will find someone to help you coordinate. Anyone who dares collude with criminals to sabotage Dongjiangsheng's economic development will surely face legal sanctions. However..." Liu Jianghua paused, then with a solemn expression told Chen Yang, "Your company's financial situation has just improved a bit, yet you're making such a big move—won't that be too rash?"