Chapter 131

Zhou Wenyang, standing to the side, hissed. He had recently been cramming professional knowledge about the lighter industry, and in the lighter industry, one absolutely could not bypass the company Zippo, just as one could not bypass Chanel or Hermès in the luxury goods industry. Some even regarded this brand as a luxury item for men.

Ordinary lighters sold for a few dollars, while high-end ones sold for tens or hundreds of dollars. Yet, old models from Zippo from decades ago could be auctioned off for the sky-high price of 250,000 dollars.

Some people even made a business out of collecting and repairing them, claiming that collecting them would never depreciate. This already showed that this brand had transcended the scope of a lighter; it had the significance of a luxury item and a collectible, and had even become a symbol of men. This was the reason it could sell for such a high price.

Now, suddenly hearing that Li Dongling wanted to challenge this brand, which had been praised by Eisenhower and appeared in countless Hollywood movies, how could Zhou Wenyang not be shocked?

When Wu Yaoguo heard this, his expression was also unusual. He now somewhat understood why Li Dongling was different from the bosses of other companies. Entering an industry and daring to challenge the industry hegemon—if this were said by someone else, it would be called having ambitions higher than the sky and overestimating one's own strength. But coming from Li Dongling, coupled with Dongling Gao Ke's past track record, it made people's blood boil and their hearts surge!

Seeing the expressions on the faces of Wu Yaoguo and Zhou Wenyang, Li Dongling said, "The Torch Group will sooner or later enter the high-end lighter industry. Zippo will definitely be Torch's opponent. One should respect an opponent, not fear them. Once you fear an opponent, you will never be able to surpass them!"

It was just like two opponents in the boxing ring; you could give the other party the greatest respect and go all out in a brawl with them, but if you were afraid of them from the bottom of your heart and just wanted to dodge, or hoped the other party would show mercy, then you would definitely end up being carried out of the ring lying down!

"The current landscape of the global lighter industry has not yet completely stabilized. Brands like Ronson, Tokai, Leica, and Hansen have not yet monopolized the entire high-end lighter brand market. The Torch Group still has one last chance!"

"If we lose this chance, we will end up like the hundreds of domestic knife companies that cannot beat a single Swiss Army Knife company, where the profits of thousands of lighter companies might not even equal the revenue of a single Zippo brand!" Li Dongling said to Wu Yaoguo.

As long as the Torch Group could develop a low-cost disposable lighter, it would be enough to form a shock to the global lighter industry landscape, and brands like Zippo would also be affected.

Strike while it's sick, take its life; beat the old master to death with chaotic punches. As long as we can seize the opportunity, the Torch Group has a chance to cut them down and take them into our own pockets during the transition period of brands like Zippo!

These words were mainly spoken to Wu Yaoguo. According to the equity within the Torch Group, Dongling Gao Ke held 40%, the original component factory—that is, the Pingyang municipal government—held 30%, and the Hanxi State Investment Group held 30%.

The Pingyang municipal government was definitely on Li Dongling's side. The only one that might cast a dissenting vote on the Torch Group's board of directors was the Hanxi State Investment Group, especially regarding profit distribution, product planning, and other aspects. Perhaps in the early stages, the Hanxi State Investment Group might not get many dividends and instead would have to continue investing money into it.

Dongling Gao Ke could certainly force a vote through on the Torch board with the Pingyang municipal government, but the Hanxi State Investment Group, as the largest investment group in Hanxi Province, also represented the Hanxi provincial government. If not necessary, Li Dongling was unwilling to fall out with Wu Yaoguo; it would be too counterproductive.

Hearing the meaning in Li Dongling's words, Wu Yaoguo laughed heartily, "Li Zong, I am a few years older than you, so I will boldly call you Brother Li. Although I, Wu Yaoguo, dare not say I have great ability, I do have some vision. I can guarantee you that as long as Dongling Gao Ke is still the major shareholder of the Torch Group, and as long as it is the plan and development direction you, Brother Li, have made for the Torch Group, I, Old Wu, will fully support it without a second word!"

Wu Yaoguo's words were very clear: as long as it was a decision made by Li Dongling, he would fully support it. He was not the kind of short-sighted person who would make a scene just for the sake of immediate, short-term interests.

If Torch really developed to the point Li Dongling described, where it could acquire brands like Zippo, then the Hanxi State Investment Group's investment would likely earn even more. Moreover, this investment might very well become a classic investment case and achievement for the Hanxi State Investment Group and him, Wu Yaoguo, in the future.

Even if it didn't meet expectations and the Torch Group didn't make that much money and was operating at a loss, Wu Yaoguo wasn't worried about not being able to recoup the investment.

What was the Hanxi State Investment Group's greatest asset? It wasn't how much capital it managed, nor how much money it could get from banks, but that it represented investment from Hanxi Province. Behind it, it had close relationships with the Hanxi provincial government and various cities within the province. It possessed networking relationships and resources that other companies wouldn't even dare to imagine!

With these networking relationships and resources, what did it matter if the Torch Group lost money? Wu Yaoguo was equally confident in restructuring the Torch Group's business, making its books look good, and bringing in a large amount of investment. He could even package it for an IPO. Wu Yaoguo had too many ways to make the Hanxi State Investment Group's investment break even; why be in such a hurry?

For Wu Yaoguo, if he could use this investment to build a relationship with Dongling Gao Ke—the current rising star that was making a name for itself in the tech industry—and even become an investor in Dongling Gao Ke, that would be even more profitable than investing in a Torch Group!

"Many thanks for your support, Manager Wu!" Li Dongling reached out his hand to Wu Yaoguo.

"Brother Li is too polite," Wu Yaoguo said after shaking hands with Li Dongling, pulling him in. "Our State Investment Group is here to support companies and projects with potential within Hanxi Province. These are all part of our duty. In the future, Dongling Gao Ke and the Hanxi State Investment Group should cooperate more!"

Hearing Wu Yaoguo's words, Li Dongling's expression became somewhat strange. Since Wu Yaoguo had delivered himself to his doorstep, it would be unpleasant if Li Dongling continued to be too polite.

"Dongling Gao Ke does have a few new projects. If Manager Wu is interested, perhaps you could invest in them. However, these projects, like the Torch Group, although they can all provide a large number of high-paying jobs and even foreign exchange, the initial investment might be very high, and the risks are somewhat large!"

Wu Yaoguo's eyes lit up. Would the State Investment Group be afraid of high investment and high risk? Isn't that exactly what the State Investment Group does? Supporting the tech industry is always better than speculating on land like the State Investment Groups in other provinces!

"As long as it's a Dongling Gao Ke project, the Hanxi State Investment Group is interested. If you need anything, just come to me!" Wu Yaoguo said, patting his chest.

Li Dongling nodded. Dongling Gao Ke's lithography machine, semiconductor, and panel projects were all money-burning giants. Li Dongling had always been troubled by money. If Wu Yaoguo wanted to bring the Hanxi State Investment Group into the field, then Li Dongling couldn't be more welcoming.

Li Dongling wasn't lying to him about these projects either. Whether it was lithography machines, semiconductors, or panels, as long as they could be developed, which one couldn't provide tens of thousands of high-paying jobs? If he could really get these projects invested, he, Wu Yaoguo, would absolutely be the number one person in the mainland's State Investment Groups, and the Hanxi State Investment Group would probably be deified!

Wu Yaoguo didn't know what kind of projects Li Dongling was preparing to have him invest in. He put his arm around Li Dongling and walked outside, "From now on, the Hanxi State Investment Group is Dongling Gao Ke's strategic investment partner!"

As the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the establishment of the Torch Group approached, it became increasingly noisy. When Li Dongling and Wu Yaoguo appeared, they immediately attracted a lot of attention. A host of big shots from Yanjing and the Hanxi provincial capital, seeing the two of them together, all had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

Li Dongling and Wu Yaoguo first came to the side where the various ministries from Yanjing and the leaders from the Hanxi provincial capital were located. Seeing Li Dongling, these people all showed smiles. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they took a group photo with the photographer waiting on the side. On such occasions, this was basically just expressing an attitude; it was impossible to have any deep discussions.

After meeting with everyone on this side, Li Dongling felt that the smile on his face had become somewhat stiff, and his eyes were sore from the camera flashes, but these things had to be done by Li Dongling himself.

Afterwards, Wu Yaoguo acted as an introducer, introducing Li Dongling to the heads of various Hanxi units and state-owned enterprises present today. These people were basically here to show support today, and the Torch Group would also have to deal with these units and companies in the future.

"This is General Manager Wei of the Hanxi Iron and Steel Group, General Manager Zhang of the Hanxi Petrochemical Corporation..."

The noisy scene continued until noon. A red silk ribbon was finally pulled up. Li Dongling, Wu Yaoguo, Zhang Xiaocheng, and others stood in front of the red ribbon with a host of leaders from Yanjing and the provincial capital.

After some speeches, followed by the sound of salute cannons and fireworks, amidst the noise, the silk ribbon was cut, and the Torch Group was officially established!

It wasn't until evening, at the Pingyang Hotel, that the various people from Yanjing and the provincial capital had left one after another, and Li Dongling, feeling a bit tipsy, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In contrast, Luo Junwu, who had also been busy all day, was extremely exhausted but in high spirits. Letting his secretaries and assistants leave first, Luo Junwu said excitedly to Li Dongling, Yao Zhengru, and Zhang Xiaocheng, "The province has agreed to abolish Shangguan Town and incorporate it into Pingyang City, making it Pingyang's Economic Development Zone. The document will be issued next year!"

Li Dongling and Yao Zhengru looked at each other, then said to Luo Junwu, "Congratulations, Mayor Luo!"

With Shangguan Town becoming the Shangguan Economic Development Zone, plus the establishment of the Torch Group, Li Dongling felt that Luo Junwu was likely to be promoted. He just didn't know who would become the next helmsman of Pingyang after he left. Li Dongling's gaze couldn't help but turn toward Yao Zhengru.

Yao Zhengru also noticed Li Dongling's gaze, but he shook his head slightly. Apparently, he couldn't be sure either.

Huang Xinhai had driven all the way to Pingyang in the evening. Without time to rest, he drove straight to Shangguan Town.

It was already evening. Huang Xinhai came to a high slope and looked down at Shangguan Town below. The moment he stood there, he couldn't help but open his mouth wide. At this moment, he suddenly felt that all the small lighter workshops in the country, except for Torch, were finished.

(End of chapter)