[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reborn-starting-from-1993":3,"chapter-reborn-starting-from-1993-reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-63":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Reborn Starting from 1993",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2357047,4611,"Chapter 63: Absorption?","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-63",63,"\u003Cp>“Brother Li, Director Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, when he arrived at the office, a man was already waiting there—Zhang Xiao, the factory director of the Shangguan Town Qi Instrument Factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling saw Zhang Xiao and noticed that, after some time apart, Zhang Xiao had reverted to the weary, haggard state he first appeared in, with even more white hair on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling poured Zhang Xiao a glass of water and smiled at him. “Brother Zhang, you’ve clearly had a rough time lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao didn’t deny it, his face heavy with worry. “You know the situation at the Qi Instrument Factory—satellite dish production has stopped, and there are no new projects. But we still have two thousand mouths to feed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From last year to March this year was the peak half-year for satellite dishes; the Qi Instrument Factory reaped massive profits from the project—some would say it was like stealing money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, with strong profits, the Shangguan Town Qi Instrument Factory hired many new workers, and the Pingyang municipal government also shoved in more people, causing the factory’s workforce to swell from five or six hundred to over two thousand in just a few months—all of them permanent staff, meaning no matter how much money the factory made or lost, they couldn’t lay any of them off—they had to be supported!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the Qi Instrument Factory still had a large cash reserve on its books, so even without income, it could temporarily support these two thousand people. But sitting on the money and watching it drain away with no new revenue was driving Zhang Xiao to desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s the brand licensing agreement for Guanxing Satellite Dishes, and the final dividend payment owed to Dongling High-Tech from the satellite dish project.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed two documents on Li Dongling’s desk. Today, Zhang Xiao had come solely to return the Guanxing brand—the Shangguan Town satellite dish line had ceased production and no longer needed the brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also brought the final dividend after clearing inventory. Li Dongling glanced at it—the final dividend was less than 1.5 million yuan, revealing just how dismal the satellite dish project had become; the remaining stock in the warehouse was likely being sold at a loss in a fire sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling accepted the two documents and looked at Zhang Xiao. He knew Zhang Xiao hadn’t come just to deliver these papers—any manager could have handled that; there was no need for him to come in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, you know the situation at the Qi Instrument Factory. If Dongling High-Tech has any good projects, please lend us a hand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao rubbed his large hands, looking slightly embarrassed as he spoke to Li Dongling. He knew that while Dongling High-Tech had profited greatly from the satellite dish project, the Qi Instrument Factory had taken the lion’s share—nearly half the profits had gone to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Xiao had no choice. He had considered shifting the Qi Instrument Factory into other industries, but all options seemed too risky. Sure, some companies had succeeded in transformation, but those that made the news were the rare successes—countless others had failed, leaving nothing but skeletons. The Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1 was the perfect example!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to recklessly entering other industries, Zhang Xiao still felt it was safer to stick with Li Dongling. The satellite dish project and the Silver Mink mouse had already proven Li Dongling’s capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So today, Zhang Xiao had come, humbling himself, asking Li Dongling to help the Qi Instrument Factory. Whether it was embarrassing or not—he knew clearly: dignity mattered less than the livelihoods of two thousand people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao’s words made Li Dongling fall silent for a moment, then he shook his head. “Brother Zhang, Dongling High-Tech has critical projects underway right now—we simply can’t help the Qi Instrument Factory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Dongling’s refusal, Zhang Xiao showed no dissatisfaction—instead, his expression brightened. Li Dongling had refused, yes, but he hadn’t said he wouldn’t help at all, nor had he ruled out future collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No outright rejection meant there was still hope. No matter what Li Dongling truly thought, Zhang Xiao chose to believe this: partnering with Dongling High-Tech was far more reliable than the Qi Instrument Factory blindly entering new industries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after watching Zhang Xiao leave did Li Dongling turn his gaze away. He understood Zhang Xiao’s intentions—Zhang Xiao was a man who genuinely wanted to accomplish something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the Qi Instrument Factory needed was a project capable of absorbing massive employment. Li Dongling knew such projects existed in his past life—but they weren’t relevant to him now. Right now, Dongling High-Tech had more urgent matters to handle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Redesign the patterns—make the colors vibrant, use that cartoon-style image!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This product is meant for young people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Design at least ten different patterns, and the packaging must be exquisite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chen Tao passed by a lab in Dongling High-Tech’s technical building, he heard the familiar shouting inside—he knew the “Tech Tyrant” had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without pausing, Chen Tao quickened his pace and hurried away. This time, he wasn’t assigned to the electronic pet project—he was still leading the digital cordless phone development team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Dongling’s order to redo the work, the electronic pet design team could only grimace and begin redesigning the product patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Joint Lab, the team developing the mainboard chip for the electronic pet worked alongside Dongling High-Tech’s technical department, which handled pattern design and product feature development. With continuous funding, the electronic pet project advanced rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Li, I toast you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Director Li, you’re a rare guest—tonight, you absolutely must drink with us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After this meal, we’ve arranged evening entertainment—Director Li, please don’t refuse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a luxurious villa-style hotel in Hanzhong’s provincial capital, the banquet table was piled high with rare delicacies—this single meal likely cost over ten thousand yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man being toasted was Li Wenjun, vice chairman of Sitong Group, sent from the Beijing headquarters to audit Sitong’s Hanzhong branch operations and projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past few years, Sitong Group had opened too many branches, so every year, senior executives like directors were dispatched to inspect regional branches—otherwise, branches might vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Literally vanish: for example, a Sitong executive might use company funds to invest in a branch, then declare it independent and claim it as his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t an isolated case. With so many branches, the headquarters couldn’t possibly monitor them all—this was the hallmark of the era: wild, unchecked growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, if Sitong Group’s headquarters sensed a branch had potential, they’d seize it and bring it under direct control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitong Group’s diversification strategy—entering real estate, securities, electronics, healthcare, bonds, and stock investments—had given it the classic ailments of Western conglomerates, with all kinds of chaos erupting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Sitong’s securities division in Jiangcheng had been leased out; someone forged the company seal, used Sitong Jiangcheng Securities’ funds to make over 200 million yuan in government bond trading, pocketed the money, and when the scandal broke, Sitong Group had to repay the illegal gains—and still had to treat the forger well, because they needed him to explain where the 200 million had gone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the group toasting him, Li Wenjun waved his hand. “Today, I won’t drink. When I left, Director Duan personally entrusted me with a task—I won’t dare slack off until it’s done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it was a task assigned by Sitong Group’s president, Duan Yongji, the Hanzhong branch executives dared not toast further. Director Duan’s methods were exceptionally sharp—not just in managing companies and making money, but in office politics and power struggles—he’d maxed out every skill. Everyone knew Sitong’s internal management was chaotic, yet Duan Yongji’s position remained rock-solid, his influence growing, while all his opponents had been purged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly did President Duan ask you to do?” someone on the table inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go to Pingyang. President Duan has some interest in Dongling High-Tech and this Li Dongling—he wants to meet them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Wenjun’s words, several men looked astonished. “Is Sitong going to acquire Dongling High-Tech?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly an acquisition,” Li Wenjun chuckled. “President Duan is merely curious about this young man and Dongling High-Tech. Whether to acquire or not is still undecided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Wenjun said this, the Sitong branch executives still congratulated him: “Congratulations, Director Li—may you successfully absorb Dongling High-Tech!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Wenjun arrived in Pingyang, it caused a media sensation. After all, this was Sitong Group—though Dongling High-Tech had gained some fame, it was still just name recognition. Sitong Group was a national tech giant, with annual revenue exceeding five billion yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when Li Wenjun publicly announced he was coming to Dongling High-Tech for “exchange,” media outlets went wild. Even outlets from the provincial capital and beyond rushed to send reporters upon hearing the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Li, are you here to announce a partnership between Sitong and Dongling High-Tech?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pingyang Daily, Pingyang City Newspaper, Pingyang TV, and newer outlets like Financial Window and Western Qin Observer all crowded around Li Wenjun with questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can only say—everything is possible,” Li Wenjun smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Dongling, still in the technical lab, heard the news from Yao Luoying that Li Wenjun of Sitong had arrived, he was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are Sitong’s people here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling didn’t understand, but he still stepped out of the lab to prepare to welcome Li Wenjun. No matter what the man wanted, he had to treat a national giant like Sitong Group with proper courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>",1576,"2026-06-21T04:42:08.057Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","24b17e385467510d857601e4010e3330efcbf146917ce2a5e1314a686d3bed10","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-64","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-62",989,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freborn-starting-from-1993-cover.jpg"]