Chapter 2102

Chu Hongjun fell into deep thought. Back then, the scale of Jiangzhou Distillery compared to the textile mill was vastly different.

One was a large factory with forty thousand people, the other a small local distillery with fewer than two thousand—there was simply no comparison.

But when Jiangzhou Distillery underwent reform, the commotion it caused was enormous; he couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to.

At that time, Zhou Andong truly had a clean slate, with no connections whatsoever, yet under such circumstances, he carved out a bloody path for himself. And this wasn't just figurative—it was literal.

Jiangzhou, Fengjing, and even the provincial level saw fifty to sixty people fall from grace, including three bureau-level officials and one vice-minister; the verdicts were handed down, executions carried out, and this doesn't even count the gangsters dragged into the affair.

One could say the four characters "Yugong Group" were written in blood. One can imagine how perilous the reform of Jiangzhou Distillery was back then—if it had been him, the grass on his grave would have grown several rounds by now.

At this moment, the waiter brought the wine, and shortly after, Chen Min also arrived. Seeing Chu Hongjun still lost in thought, Chen Min picked up the wine bottle, used his chopsticks to pry open the cap, and with a pop, the cap flew off.

Chu Hongjun came to his senses, took the wine bottle Chen Min handed him, tilted his head back, and gulped down half the bottle in one go. A refreshing sensation spread through his body, his skin pores instantly opened, and the feeling of relief made him let out a moan.

"Damn, that feels good."

Chen Min also raised his wine bottle and took a sip, then picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of tripe, and put it in his mouth.

"Zhou Andong becoming factory director is already a settled matter—what are your plans?"

Chu Hongjun, who had been picking up vegetables, stopped moving his chopsticks, then put them down, picked up the wine bottle, and took a sip.

"I think we should first observe and wait. If he truly can break through the situation, I wouldn't mind being his vanguard."

"Sending charcoal in the snow is far more precious than adding flowers to brocade." Chen Min shook his head slightly: "Only comrades who fought side by side on the battlefield can share a cup to celebrate victory."

Chu Hongjun frowned: "What do you mean?"

Chen Min picked up a slice of cucumber, put it in his mouth, and crunched it loudly.

"Only by following the dragon can one get the biggest share when the cake is divided."

Chu Hongjun stared blankly. Their knowledge of Zhou Andong was limited to news reports; they knew little else.

If they had rushed to align with Zhou Andong from the start, and if he were defeated and retreated to Maicheng, they too would be purged.

"You—have you really made up your mind?"

Chen Min nodded: "One seeks wealth and honor in danger. I'm this old—if I don't make one bold move now, I won't get another chance."

Chu Hongjun fell silent again. Chen Min was seven or eight years older than him, usually very steady in his actions, yet on this matter, he was surprisingly radical.

But Chen Min is older, while his age is just right—if he makes this move, he will surely surpass Chen Min in the future.

"This matter, I need to think it over."

Chen Min smiled. When Chu Hongjun said he needed to consider it, that meant the matter was as good as settled.

"Come, let's have a drink."

Chen Min raised his wine bottle; the two clinked bottles with a ding.

…………………………

Tokyo!

Zhou Andong was holding a meeting in the hotel conference room. Since he was no longer needed here, he would return to China tomorrow, so some things must be clarified.

"Exchanging Sony shares for Sony Records and Sony Pictures is already settled—I won't elaborate. The main issue is the VCD patent fee: my bottom line is fifteen dollars per unit sold, payable to us."

Just thinking about Americans profiting from MPEG technology while charging Chinese manufacturers twenty dollars in patent fees makes me angry—Zhou Andong gritted his teeth in fury.

Yet now, he only charges Sony fifteen dollars for the complete machine patent, which already includes MPEG technology—this is already quite generous.

He thinks fifteen dollars isn't much, but when others hear it, they can't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Yuan Wanqi hesitated before speaking: "Boss, are you sure you want to charge fifteen dollars? Will Sony accept it?"

Zhou Andong smiled and shook his head: "Fifteen dollars isn't much at all. Whether Sony accepts it or not is up to you to negotiate. But remember, fifteen dollars is my bottom line—if Sony refuses to pay, just tell them there's nothing to discuss."

Yuan Wanqi nodded: "You're the boss—your word is law. We'll give it our all."

"Then it's settled." Zhou Andong glanced at his watch: "That little Japanese devil Mitsui must be waiting impatiently by now."

Saying that, Zhou Andong stood up, left the conference room, and then went to the reception room.

"Mr. Mitsui, thank you for waiting."

"Don't mention it." Mitsui Yuan-zhu smiled and asked: "Can we leave now?"

"Yes!"

Zhou Andong replied, then the two left the reception room, took the elevator downstairs, and got into Mitsui Yuan-zhu's car.

But they hadn't gone far when they stopped at a small wine bar.

"The red wine here is quite good—I often come here when I'm alone."

The two entered the small wine bar, where a waitress in a kimono bowed deeply to them.

"Welcome."

Mitsui Yuan-zhu nodded to the waitress and walked toward the bar. The bartender, wearing a tailcoat, looked quite old—probably in his forties.

"Major Zuo, today I've brought a distinguished guest—please bring out my cherished bottle of red wine."

Hearing the name "Zuo," Zhou Andong couldn't help but chuckle, and he deliberately took a close look at this old Japanese devil before him.

To be honest, although Zhang Zuo is a bit of a clown, he's far more handsome than this old devil.

"Mr. Mitsui, it's been a while since you last came by."

Major Zuo turned around, bent slightly, gracefully opened the storage cabinet beneath the wine rack, and took out a bottle of red wine.

Zhou Andong doesn't understand red wine, nor does he like drinking it, so he didn't ask further—he just quietly watched Major Zuo skillfully open the bottle and carefully pour it into the decanter.

Mitsui Yuan-zhu pointed to the corner booth; Zhou Andong understood instantly and nodded, and the two walked over and sat down.

Zhou Andong could clearly feel that Mitsui Yuan-zhu, this little Japanese devil, was full of sincerity and goodwill toward him.

Yet he himself was being unscrupulous, treating the other as a mere pawn on the chessboard. So he decided to have a proper talk with Mitsui Yuan-zhu.

After all, he also considered Mitsui Yuan-zhu a worthy friend to associate with. Whether this little devil would feel angry or dissatisfied from being used—those things don't matter.

Because he knows Mitsui Yuan-zhu, this little Japanese devil, will certainly not hold it against him.