Chapter 500

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Jingzhong Development staked the company's entire future on the "Most Love Sweets" ceremony.

If it succeeded, they would become a famous company capable of conducting market research for millions across the province and hosting celebrations for hundreds of thousands; if it failed, even a pet could tell the prospects were grim.

Doing business is like being a person — one must only keep moving forward. Time waits for no hesitator; regret and fear cannot alter the natural course of events. Once Jingzhong Development made its decision, it was tantamount to handing the accelerator to Chen Yi, who charged left and right with single-minded focus, solving all manner of problems.

The ceremony was ultimately held at the Jiangning Workers' Stadium.

80,000 people who advanced through online voting and multiple rounds of interviews gathered inside the venue, and together with 320,000 "Food Enthusiasts" who failed to gain entry, they sampled 1.2 million pieces of cake produced by famous merchants and top chefs, with 5,000 people participating in the volunteer cake distribution, and as many as 25 pastry manufacturers taking part, along with no fewer than 50 domestic and foreign media outlets.

Everyone was extremely interested in this free tasting event, and coupled with various rankings and selections, the engagement of merchants and "Food Enthusiasts" was extraordinarily high.

As for the cost, the 1.2 million cakes cost no more than 10 million yuan; some were made on-site, some pre-made, all well within Chen Yi's budget. But to others, this was still a charity event — after all, it wasn't a long-established large-scale event, so even with the West River Association's active sponsorship, turning a profit was basically impossible, and on top of that came enormous management demands and risk costs; no one but Chen Yi would have undertaken it.

On the second day of the ceremony, the host, as required, said on stage: "Please join me in praying to Heaven, wishing that everyone in the world may taste their beloved delicacies, wishing that our world will forever possess delicious food..."

400,000 people willingly pressed their palms together.

Inside the cake-shaped model, Chen Yi, Yin Senchen, Yin Senjin, Yin Sen Sheng, and Yin Sen Chong — five people in total — sat cross-legged in a pentagram formation, silently awaiting the approach of Source Energy.

Not everyone is unable to advance to high-level Divine Arts; in early ceremonies like the Buddhist Opening Light rites, devout believers were indeed numerous, and although they might not reach the 70% devotion threshold, maintaining 50-60% was achievable. Yin Senyong's Divine Art "Phase Gate" had already risen to the level of a Level 3 Divine Art, making it top-tier even across the West Continent. Yin Sen Guan, who had gained a Divine Art, also showed a trend toward breaking through to Level 2...

The Combat Knights on the VIP stands of the stadium gazed enviously downward.

They had not received the corresponding Konjac, could not understand the Chinese spoken during the ritual, but as Level 8 or 9 Knights, they could sense the surging Source Energy approaching.

"When can we hold the ceremony?" The Fire Dragon Temple's Knights were all extroverted; their patience couldn't compare to those Water Dragon Temple fellows.

Yin Senyong replied in the Continent's common tongue: "Seven days at the fastest, and it still depends on your performance."

The Knight said impatiently: "We gave you the gold, and we want to become Divine Art Knights too."

He held out a pair of hands; the Space Ring on them remained, but the gold inside was gone.

Yin Senyong let out a "Hmph" and said: "You want the gold back?"

His attitude couldn't be good. Now all the Divine Art Knight slots on Earth had gone to the Yin Sen Family's Knights; although they knew this situation wouldn't last too long, it didn't stop them from loathing the Water Dragon Temple and Fire Dragon Temple guys.

Combat Knights wouldn't dare directly confront Divine Art Knights, so everyone fell silent, their gazes only growing more fervent.

Who wouldn't want to become one in a million — the world's absolute top?

At that time, they could finally straighten their backs and speak.

Yin Senyong's shoulder twitched suddenly, then he said happily: "It's started."

Chen Rongxi, who was also present, finally couldn't help but ask: "What exactly are you all talking about?"

The two girls with her also looked up curiously, cake crumbs still lingering at the corners of their mouths.

Yin Senyong had learned Chinese in half a month, and now regretted understanding it. Standing behind the transparent glass, he froze for a long while before answering: "Source Energy activated; they can begin choosing to reshape or stabilize their Shenjia."

He spoke extremely fast, like reciting an incantation; Chen Rongxi actually heard the words clearly, but couldn't understand them at all.

The other two girls were even more so; bored, they lowered their heads and continued struggling with the cakes.

Three consecutive days of sacrificial activities, like a magical cake festival. Famous pastry chefs from Jiangning and Southeast Province appeared one after another; the finished cakes they produced, aside from those used as prizes for the venue activities, were sent to the various VIP boxes if there were extras. They sweetened the tongues of media and officials alike, so the program could proceed smoothly.

The Divine Art Knights in Chen Yi's box didn't eat pastries; after Chen Rongxi discovered this secret, she took up permanent residence there, wishing there were a gym inside so she could constantly digest and make room for more delicious food.

This day was absolutely the best time for pastry sales in Jiangning.

While the 80,000 inside the venue and the 320,000 outside savored the delicious pastries, viewers watching the program on TV were drooling. Thousands of cake masters worked day and night to supply the entire city's pastry consumption. The "Food Enthusiasts" ran everywhere emptying their stomachs, and their critiques of various snacks sparked disputes both inside and outside the venue.

Sometimes, disputes are good — especially when devout hearts aren't deep enough; they help strengthen faith. That's why Buddhism often engages in repartee, and Christianity holds various debates.

The disputes undoubtedly solidified the participants' devotion; whether they were on the affirmative or negative side, they were all people who loved food, just like Catholicism and Protestantism — the general direction hadn't changed, but rather the overall power of faith was enhanced.

Merely the dissipated power made Yin Senyong shout in exhilaration; even after the program recording inside the stadium ended, he didn't leave.

On the third afternoon, the Source Energy's vortex storm finally weakened somewhat, and the TV station's originally planned entertainment activities finally all appeared as scheduled.

Singers, dancers, comedians — barely pulling the ratings back to their previous track, especially the closing ceremony after 8 PM, which seemed even more enthusiastic than the opening.

This was also unavoidable; Chen Yi's goal was to obtain faith-based Shenjia, and a noisy environment easily distracts believers' attention — only after the ritual ended could the TV station enjoy a little freedom.

On the grand stage, men and women sang, danced, and clowned around, lively as a temple fair, while the Xijing crowd, who had been constantly observing Chen Yi and Jiangning's situation, were thoroughly depressed.

No political maneuvering, no dark warfare, no public opinion attacks... Jiangning acted as if nothing had happened, still peaceful and prosperous, still a riot of colors — and Xijing, which lives off national tax revenue, hates nothing more than the Southeast District's peace and prosperity.

By the time Chen Yi finished the ritual and came out stretching comfortably, Wu Jingjing's call had already come through: "Cao Yuan wants to terminate the agreement with us."

Chen Yi let out an unsurprised "Oh."

"You're not anxious?" Wu Jingjing's voice was soft, full of ladylike airs, but her tone held genuine concern: "Cao Yuan isn't backing down; word is the Cao Family wants to take over this business, and they've found the money."

Chen Yi gave another "Mm," and said: "Gao Qiu's been transferred away; the Four Major Banks' agreement from back then is naturally void, so whoever makes a move isn't strange."

With the Central Bank's appeal failing, using the funds on hand to buy gold was simplicity itself. Wu Jingjing clearly understood the crux too, and hurriedly said: "I've retrieved most of the Gold Bonds, but several billion yuan worth of bonds remain in his hands; Cao Yuan says it's repayment, so he must have found investors."

"No problem." Chen Yi offered a couple of reassuring words.

"You have a way?"

"Reduce the volume of Gold Bond sales, distinguish between individual and corporate clients." All authority over Gold Bonds rests with the Bond Committee; Jiangning Bank is merely an issuer. As long as Head Office suppresses daily sales from 1.5 billion to below 1 billion, several hundred billion in gold can last over a year, and Jiangning Head Office's redemption business needn't stop — no sales means no redemptions.

Wu Jingjing immediately grasped it, then regretted: "I should have taken those several billion from Cao Yuan's hands; that would have bought us another week."

Chen Yi laughed heartily: "No matter, the Four Major Banks probably can't even be bothered to wait two months."

"What if they force their way in?"

"You know China pretty well." Chen Yi remarked with feeling, then said: "The Chen Family isn't a soft persimmon; 1,000 tons of gold is 'carrying a jade brings its own crime' to others, but to us it's a Jade Bi — whichever faction steps up, they're targeting the Chen Family."

"The Gold Bond situation is a bit different, though?"

"Slightly, but we can handle it. In any case, many thanks for your help." Chen Yi spoke sincerely.

Wu Jingjing hung up half-believing, half-doubting; she couldn't figure out how Chen Yi maintained his political advantage. In any Asian country, politics always takes precedence over economics.

The same questions kept arising in the Bond Committee and the Family Internal: the newly appointed Jiangning Head Office Bank President was named Fu Polin, a Deputy Silting of the Central Bank Legal Department who had specialized in hunting down clause loopholes, plus political struggle and persecution, ever since graduating from the School; his first thing upon transferring to Jiangning Bank was to examine the Bond accounting data and account books.

Chen Yi acted as if he hadn't seen it, paying it no heed whatsoever, and single-mindedly sat in the West River Association brushing divine power.

According to Jingzhong Development's last round investigation report, he could obtain at least one Level 3 Divine Technique. Chen Yi's optimal choice was naturally "Exemption," belonging to the Faith "Words and Deeds Consistent."

For an ordinary person to achieve complete Words and Deeds Consistent is extremely difficult; according to the late Mr. Wang Yangming's words, this kind of "Unity of Knowledge and Action" cultivation realm can only be reached by a Saint. However, through scientific decomposition, we know that the so-called "Unity of Knowledge and Action" is forever only of a certain aspect.

A person cannot achieve round-the-clock "Words and Deeds Consistent." For example, when Confucius created Kong Lao'er, when he was happy he wouldn't necessarily say it out loud, when he was unhappy he wouldn't necessarily propose it either; sometimes insincerely criticizing a few sentences, praising a few sentences, are presumably common occurrences. The key point lies in that he must guarantee Words and Deeds Consistent for the majority of the time.

Applied to the Divine Art Knight, when Words and Deeds Consistent one gains divine power, when words and deeds inconsistent one loses even more. Chen Yi then took out the West River Association's account books, and in accordance with the previously drafted Charter, began to carry out reward and punishment on the enterprises within the Association.

Naturally, rewards were many, punishments few.

Every time a contract was signed, it meant fulfilling a Words and Deeds Consistent oath once.

Thus, right as his divine power went "shua shua shua" rising, it instead caused Fu Polin to sniff out a smell; he immediately wanted to go investigate the West River Association — a consortium organization already with hundreds of affiliated enterprises, absolutely a world-class accounting firm's nightmare.

……(Unfinished. If you like this work, welcome to come to Qidian (qidian. com) to cast recommendation tickets, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)