Chapter 338: Different Paths, No Common Language

"Duan Zong, your style remains the same!"

Wang Jizhi said to Duan Yongji with a hint of teasing. Others might be afraid of this godfather of Sitong Group, but he wasn't!

As the former chief engineer of Sitong Group, Wang Jizhi had made great contributions to Sitong. As a result, when Sitong went public, Wang Jizhi didn't get a single bit of equity. After failing to compete with Duan Yongji for the position of Sitong president, he was driven out of Sitong by Duan Yongji.

Today, saying it was a "coincidence" to run into Li Dongling wasn't quite right. Although Wang Jizhi had left Sitong, he had stayed in Sitong for so many years, and he still had quite a few old friends and subordinates, including Wang Zhidong, the general manager of Sitong Lifang, all of whom were recruited by Wang Jizhi.

It wasn't difficult for Wang Jizhi to find out some news from Sitong. He did indeed have something he wanted to discuss with Li Dongling today.

"It has indeed been a long time. Old Wang, you left Sitong and are now in a high position, so you don't want to get close to us old brothers anymore!"

Duan Yongji said lightly. Winners and losers—for him, whether he owed Wang Jizhi anything didn't matter.

Back then, Wang Jizhi's philosophy didn't match his, and he competed with him for the position of head of Sitong Group. Of course, he wouldn't have any intention of going soft when dealing with Wang Jizhi. That was a life-and-death matter, not playing house. How could he afford to be indecisive?

Hearing Duan Yongji's words, Wang Jizhi's breathing couldn't help but become heavy. What did he mean by he was in a high position and didn't want to get close to old brothers? After leaving Sitong, he was unsuccessful everywhere, and his career fell into a trough. Duan Yongji was clearly mocking him.

Back then, when Duan Yongji used various methods to target him openly and secretly, driving him out of Sitong, he didn't care about the friendship of old friends for many years. When he took action, he was truly ruthless.

After Duan Yongji finished speaking to Wang Jizhi, he looked at Li Dongling. For Wang Jizhi, he didn't have any old friendship now. In his view, Wang Jizhi, who had left Sitong, no longer posed a threat to him, and there was no such thing as old friendship. After a few years, he and Wang Jizhi were no longer in the same circle.

"Li Zong, want to hit a few balls?" Duan Yongji handed a golf club to Li Dongling with a full face of smiles.

Li Dongling took the club, whispered a few words into Wang Jizhi's ear, and then walked toward the golf course. Wang Jizhi glanced at Duan Yongji and snorted before sitting to the side.

Li Dongling asked Wang Jizhi to wait for a moment. Wang Jizhi and Academician Ni and the others were all of the same ilk—they were excellent at technology, but when it came to glibness and political maneuvering, they couldn't hold a candle to the likes of Boss Liu or Duan Yongji. Because their skill sets were fundamentally different, how could they not be defeated when attacking the other's strengths with their own weaknesses?

"Li Zong, speaking of which, we should have met a few years ago, otherwise there wouldn't have been so many misunderstandings!"

Duan Yongji said with a full face of emotion and regret. Zhang Yue looked at this scene with curiosity. "It seems Duan Laoge and Li Zong are old acquaintances?!"

Li Dongling swung a golf club, and the golf ball flew directly into the distance. Putting down the club, Li Dongling laughed. "It can indeed be considered old acquaintances. I have to thank Duan Zong for being able to value Dongling High-Tech back then!"

Back then, relying on the Silver Mink mouse, Dongling High-Tech had its first popularity. Sitong Group was indeed the company that ran over earliest to want to invest in or even acquire Dongling High-Tech, but things were a bit unpleasant later on.

Zhang Yue had only been running to Yanjing since last year and had been in Xiangnan before, so he didn't know much about the grievances between Dongling High-Tech and Sitong.

At this moment, hearing that Sitong "almost" invested in Dongling High-Tech back then, Zhang Yue immediately understood Duan Yongji's expression just now. Looking at Dongling High-Tech today, whoever it was, could they not regret it until their legs broke?

Before the Little PHS mobile phone, Shenzhou U-disk, and other products were released, investment institutions like Japan's Mitsubishi Bank had already placed Dongling High-Tech's valuation at an astonishing 5 billion US dollars!

If one said that at that time, this valuation still had quite a bit of moisture, then now, with the release of Little PHS mobile phones and Shenzhou U-disks, there was no doubt about Dongling High-Tech's valuation. Even a valuation of 5 billion US dollars was far too low for Dongling High-Tech.

Now, with the decline of the typewriter business, Sitong Group's stock price and revenue were also constantly shrinking. If Sitong could have obtained Dongling High-Tech's equity back then and become Dongling High-Tech's parent company, Zhang Yue dared not imagine how high Sitong Group's stock price and market value could have risen today, and how high Duan Yongji's Jianghu status could have reached!

"However, it was still a difference of one thought!"

Duan Yongji sighed. This matter had become his heart knot. "Back then, Sitong Group and I personally were indeed very optimistic about Dongling High-Tech. Not being able to invest in Dongling High-Tech, I have deeply regretted it for these years!"

Li Dongling swung another club but didn't chime in on Duan Yongji's words. Even if they talked ten more times back then, Li Dongling wouldn't have accepted Sitong's investment. With Duan Yongji's office politics skills, Li Dongling dared to let him enter Dongling High-Tech's board of directors? It was estimated that Dongling High-Tech would have been turned upside down today.

Li Dongling didn't want Dongling High-Tech to step into the pit that Sina stepped into in his previous life. Back then, Sitong invested in Sina's predecessor, Sitong Lifang. Duan Yongji swore to support Wang Zhidong, but in the end, didn't he stab him in the back?

"The past is already past, isn't it?!" Li Dongling turned his head and looked at Duan Yongji.

Duan Yongji was stunned, then laughed loudly. "It's me who got stuck. Things that have already passed are useless to mention again. We must all look forward!"

"Today, I invited Li Zong over, besides hitting two golf balls, there is another matter," Duan Yongji looked at Li Dongling with a solemn expression. "I am willing to act as an introducer to invite Li Zong to join the Taishan Industry Research Association proposed by Lenovo's Boss Liu!"

The golf club Li Dongling was about to swing froze in the air. He looked at Duan Yongji in surprise.

"Taishan Industry Research Association?"

For this name, Li Dongling felt a bit strange, but also vaguely familiar.

The Taishan Industry Research Association was quite mysterious now and not yet known to the public. But a few years later, after it was renamed the Taishan Chamber of Commerce, it became famous in the country, becoming an existence that countless domestic wealthy people flocked to, and also becoming a symbol of net worth, power, and status. Countless wealthy people were proud to join it.

Some people even called it the domestic Skull and Bones. Skull and Bones was the most well-known fraternity in America, producing countless powerful figures in America, including American presidents, federal supreme court justices, Ivy League university presidents, etc.

Li Dongling didn't expect Duan Yongji to invite him to join this Taishan Industry Research Association, and for a moment, he was a bit stunned.

Seeing Li Dongling's expression, Duan Yongji was triumphant. He thought Li Dongling had heard of the Taishan Industry Association's great name.

"The Taishan Industry Research Association now has an internal publication, 'Taishan Newsletter.' This is an internal publication of the Taishan Industry Research Association in cooperation with relevant departments. It has the latest domestic industry information and relevant industry policies. Of course, members can also speak freely and express their opinions on it!"

"The Taishan Industry Research Association currently has eight official members, as well as multiple influential consultants, directors, secretaries-general, etc. To join the Taishan Industry Research Association, there is a net worth threshold. Now the requirement is that the net worth must exceed 100 million, or the company managed must have a valuation exceeding 100 million. In addition, there must be an introducer and a guarantor, and it can only be allowed to join after a unanimous vote by the members!"

"Of course, Dongling doesn't need these. With me and Zhang Yue introducing and guaranteeing, there will definitely be no problem!" Duan Yongji said with a smile.

Li Dongling looked at Duan Yongji and Zhang Yue before him. He didn't expect them to already be members of the Taishan Industry Research Association.

"Joining the Taishan Industry Research Association means everyone communicates with each other and supports each other. If one side is in trouble, eight sides support. As long as one member is in trouble, the other members must fully support."

"When there are good businesses and projects, members of the Taishan Industry Research Association can also cooperate with each other. Like the Minsheng Bank, it is one of the projects cooperated by members of the Taishan Industry Cooperation Association. Now, Shi Laoban of the Giant, who is a member of the Taishan Industry Research Association, is a shareholder of Minsheng Bank. He is also our member!" Duan Yongji said with full momentum.

"Dongling-xiong, Yuanda Air Conditioning and Dongling High-Tech both have foreign trade businesses. Only we ourselves know how difficult foreign trade is now. Yuanda's development to this day, whether in terms of funds or policies, is inseparable from the support of the brothers of the Taishan Industry Research Association."

"Not only domestically, but overseas, there are also supporters. When you are voted through and enter the Taishan Industry Research Association, you will understand!"

Zhang Yue said to Li Dongling with a smile, looking like he was treating Li Dongling as one of his own.

"Thank you, Duan Zong, for your kindness. However, Dongling High-Tech is currently at a critical moment and really cannot be distracted. I don't have time for the time being to participate in the gatherings and other activities of the Taishan Industry Research Association. I am really sorry!"

"What?"

Duan Yongji, who had just been smiling, saw his smile stiffen there when he heard this. He didn't know if he had misheard. Zhang Yue also looked at Li Dongling in shock.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 339 =====

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