Chapter 95: In a Narrow Path, the Brave Prevail

Siemens is an undisputed century-old giant in today’s tech industry, spanning home appliances, energy, transportation, healthcare, and industrial software; most people encounter Siemens through its home appliances—washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners—but in industrial fields, few companies can match Siemens’ dominance.

Anyone facing such a behemoth would be foolish to claim they felt no concern; when Ren Yuefeng, Zhang Ao, and others heard Siemens had stepped forward to become the blocking tiger, their faces darkened.

If the Shenzhou phone were sold only domestically, Dongling High-Tech wouldn’t fear Siemens—Siemens had only just entered the Chinese market, and though led by CEO Feng Bile, it was rapidly expanding inland, establishing fifteen offices and subsidiaries across the country this year alone.

But since it had only just entered the domestic market, Dongling High-Tech still wasn’t intimidated by Siemens in home turf—but now, the Shenzhou digital cordless phone was set to be sold in Siemens’ European stronghold, and that was a different matter entirely.

Dongling High-Tech might have some reputation in China’s tech sector, but compared to Siemens overseas, the gap was enormous; Siemens’ annual revenue alone was over a hundred times greater than Dongling High-Tech’s, and under these conditions, there was simply no visible path to victory.

Just now, Ning Wenke of Ning’s Trading Company called Li Dongling, informing him that Siemens had suddenly emerged with intentions to seize the digital cordless phone market, and also asking whether Li Dongling intended to delay the product launch.

How many companies today dare challenge Siemens head-on? Even before battle begins, most would already be trembling with fear!

Seeing the expressions on Ren Yuefeng, Zhang Ao, and Hu Zi’s faces, Li Dongling knew what they were thinking and said directly: “This time, Dongling High-Tech has no retreat. The Shenzhou digital cordless phone has already consumed too much—R&D, advertising, promotion—all funds are spent. If we pull back now, it’s not just about losses.”

It’s that the Shenzhou phone may never enter Europe—and future Dongling High-Tech products may never be sold there again!”

If Dongling High-Tech flees before even fighting, how will European appliance distributors view us? Future European tech firms will all want to bully us, trample on us—this isn’t just human behavior; companies are even worse. Whoever looks weak, everyone kicks.

“The Warring States general Zhao She once said: ‘In a narrow path, the brave prevail.’ This time, Dongling High-Tech has reached the moment to duel Siemens in the digital cordless phone field. If we win, we claim this prize. Even if we lose… we won’t let Siemens walk away unscathed!”

Besides, who says we’ll lose? Who says Siemens is guaranteed to dominate the phone market?”

Though Siemens calls itself the Right Hand of God, it isn’t omnipotent—especially in the mobile phone industry, its performance pales beside its reputation; otherwise, in its past life, it wouldn’t have sold off its entire phone business and brand.

Li Dongling wasn’t overly concerned about Siemens’ competition in the digital cordless phone field—Siemens was too big; digital cordless phones were just a minor side business for them. Fighting one of Siemens’ divisions was entirely different from fighting Siemens as a whole!

In fact, if we really wanted to annoy Siemens, we had plenty of tactics—we could stage a European version of the refrigerator smash incident, leak negative news and accidents involving Siemens to the media, and guarantee we’d drive them into chaos.

But these tactics work only temporarily—they can’t win the war. In the end, victory still depends on real strength; otherwise, even if we gain early advantage, we’ll lose it all later.

Hearing Li Dongling’s words and realizing his resolve to challenge a giant like Siemens, Ren Yuefeng, Zhang Ao, and others felt both anxious and exhilarated.

Ren Yuefeng hadn’t expected that his first major battle at Dongling High-Tech would be against such a titan. If we lose, fine—but if we win? Ren Yuefeng would become a legendary manager across China, even all of Asia, his value soaring over a hundredfold. Who wouldn’t chase and fight to hire a manager who defeated Siemens?

“Let’s fight!”

It was Ren Yuefeng, usually so cautious, who first shouted out: “If Siemens also launches a digital cordless phone, we must pour more advertising and promotion into Europe—get Shenzhou digital cordless phones onto shelves at MediaMarkt, Carrefour, MediaWorld, MediaCity, Saturn Electronics, and other retail chains!”

“I’ll go to Europe!”

Zhang Ao stood up, gritting his teeth: “As Dongling High-Tech’s marketing manager, my presence on the front lines will be far more effective—I can handle problems immediately without waiting for approvals across oceans and layers of bureaucracy.”

“Dongling High-Tech will provide the European office with sufficient funding. In emergencies, you may decide on your own—report to headquarters afterward.”

Li Dongling stood, walked a few steps, and granted Zhang Ao full autonomy in Europe: “If necessary, approach Logitech—offer them a larger profit share so Shenzhou phones can ride their sales channels. Also…”

Since Siemens was making trouble, Li Dongling no longer needed to play by the rules: “If needed, ship a batch of units to Europe and bundle Shenzhou phones with electronic pets—buy a Shenzhou phone, get an electronic pet free!”

Faced with Siemens’ sudden pressure, Dongling High-Tech didn’t cower—it surged with astonishing resilience. Both Ren Yuefeng and Hu Zi could see: if this pressure didn’t crush Dongling High-Tech, the entire company would undergo a qualitative transformation. From now on, even giants like IBM or Japanese Sony would no longer inspire fear.

All Dongling High-Tech executives sprang into action. Zhang Ao selected several capable staff, secured flight tickets to Europe through the provincial industry bureau, and flew out that very night.

Domestically, promotion of the Shenzhou phone proceeded steadily—production capacity increased, advertising ramped up. As Ronaldo’s endorsement grew hotter, the Shenzhou phone’s brand recognition climbed steadily.

In Hong Kong, Ning’s Trading Company: after hanging up the phone, Ning Wenke shook her head at the executives seated in her office: “He refused to delay the Shenzhou phone launch.”

Everyone in Ning Wenke’s office were Ning’s Trading executives; even though her father Ning Wantian remained unconscious, Ning Wenke had firmly secured control of the company.

As Dongling High-Tech’s exclusive Southeast Asian distributor, Ning’s Trading received 20% of electronic pet sales revenue. Though this seemed lower than other products’ margins, electronic pets were currently a craze, sold at premium prices. Ning’s Trading bought them from Dongling High-Tech for $15, then sold them to distributors and retailers for $16, $17, even over $18—earning $3–$4 profit per unit.

Ning’s Trading had now fully overcome its crisis, with monthly revenues setting new historical records. Under Ning Wenke’s leadership this year, the company might surpass the peak years under her father Ning Wantian.

No one in Ning’s Trading dared oppose Ning Wenke anymore—no one dared. Who would risk losing money? All other shareholders, big and small, followed Ning Wenke’s lead, terrified she might quit.

“Stand up to Siemens?!”

“Is Dongling High-Tech insane? That’s Siemens!”

Upon hearing Li Dongling refused to delay the launch and would confront Siemens head-on, the executives in Ning Wenke’s office erupted.

“In brand recognition, influence, sales channels, product quality—where does the Shenzhou phone compare to Siemens? If they fight, they won’t even know how they lost!”

One Ning’s Trading executive couldn’t help speaking: “I truly feel Dongling High-Tech is throwing an egg at a stone. If Ning’s Trading follows them to the bitter end, our newly recovered finances will be dragged down again. This isn’t an electronic pet—this phone costs $150 per unit! The capital pressure is enormous!”

The Shenzhou digital cordless phone was priced at $150 per unit, or 1,200 RMB—between a regular landline and a “brick phone.” Brick phones now sold for 10,000–20,000 RMB, equivalent to $1,000–$2,000; the Shenzhou phone was far cheaper than those, yet still pricier than ordinary landlines.

Ning Wenke glanced at the speaking executive: “I believe the Shenzhou digital cordless phone won’t be inferior to Siemens.”

“But it’s Siemens…” the executive started to protest, but seeing Ning Wenke’s gaze, he fell silent, muttering under his breath: “Why abandon the hot-selling electronic pets? Why bother with phones? Only a big company could handle that!”

“Ning’s Trading must stand with Dongling High-Tech. Starting tomorrow, contact all our distributors and begin official promotion and distribution of the Shenzhou phone. The first batch of 30,000 units will arrive this Sunday!”

With Ning Wenke’s current influence in the company, even veteran executives dared not oppose her. Who could argue when she was the one making money? Whoever delivered profits held the power.

After everyone left, Ning Wenke held a cup of coffee, stood by the window, and watched the bustling crowd below, recalling her meeting with Li Dongling. Though they’d met only once in Hanxi, that afternoon had irrevocably changed her and Ning’s Trading’s fate.

Others didn’t believe Li Dongling or Dongling High-Tech could defeat Siemens—but Ning Wenke harbored quiet hope for Li Dongling. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt, inexplicably, that Dongling High-Tech might turn the tide this time. She didn’t believe in Dongling High-Tech—she believed in Li Dongling.

Since taking over Ning’s Trading, Ning Wenke had seen endless scheming and betrayal. Yet across Hong Kong, even across the mainland, how many dared continuously challenge foreign giants?

Ning Wenke raised her coffee cup, as if faintly seeing Hanxi, and gently tapped it against the windowpane. This time, she’d gamble—align Ning’s Trading with Dongling High-Tech, even if it meant losing all future chances to cooperate with Siemens!

(End of Chapter)