Chapter 348: 344. Zhang Ran

Facing Tu Guojian's inquiry, Zhang Ran did not stand on ceremony and said directly: "I believe the leader also knows something about the situation at Fengli Group. To be honest, with them the way they are now, I am not very optimistic about them."

"Oh?" Tu Guojian felt a bit of doubt in his heart; he realized that Zhang Ran did not mean to drive up the price.

However, Tu Guojian kept a straight face and merely gestured for Zhang Ran to continue.

Zhang Ran said: "The reason I chose to cooperate with Fengli Group this time is partly because I think highly of Zhao Lifeng as a person. Back in the day, he and I shared a bit of fate, and I never expected him to actually complete the online payment plan so 'recklessly.' Although the result might not have been as good as I imagined, just based on him doing this, and the fact that Fengli Group has grown so large now, it is worth my investment."

After listening, Tu Guojian fell into deep thought. He heard something in Zhang Ran's words and felt a bit of astonishment in his heart.

"When Old Zhao was pushing for online payments, I also advised him against it, but he wouldn't listen. And I also heard him say that this wasn't something he came up with, but rather someone had told him long ago that such a day would come; he had waited for this day for too long.

So in the end, he didn't take my advice and stubbornly chose to face it head-on. In that case, this person is Mr. Zhang?" Although Tu Guojian appeared to be asking, his tone was quite certain.

At the same time, Tu Guojian felt a bit startled. He knew Zhang Ran's situation; if that were the case, had this person envisioned all of this at least twenty-nine years ago?

Zhang Ran smiled and said: "If I hadn't told him these things back then, and he had waited until he thought of them himself, perhaps the current situation wouldn't have occurred."

Indeed, Zhao Lifeng was a bit too hasty at the time, but he truly couldn't wait any longer; he had already waited for nearly twenty years!

So, there really was some of Zhang Ran's doing in this!

Tu Guojian examined Zhang Ran carefully once more; he found that he couldn't quite understand the person in front of him.

However, Zhang Ran did not say anything more on this topic and steered the conversation back to the right track.

"I believe the leader also knows something about the situation at Fengli Group. Their current decision-making layer has problems; power is too dispersed and too bloated. It needs to be cleaned up, otherwise, Fengli Group will only hold me back, and there would be no need for me to choose it," Zhang Ran said calmly.

Tu Guojian could tell that this was Zhang Ran's honest opinion.

He also knew about the affairs of Fengli Group, but these were internal corporate matters. Not to mention that they in Lin'an had consistently maintained a hands-off stance toward Fengli Group, even if they were to provide full support, he could not interfere with Fengli Group's internal affairs.

However, Tu Guojian still couldn't help but say: "Is Mr. Zhang always this direct when speaking?"

Zhang Ran smiled: "Of course I have to be more direct when speaking with the leader." After finishing, he paused for a moment and continued: "And I also have a rule of my own."

"What rule?"

"I never get involved in politics," Zhang Ran said softly.

Tu Guojian nodded in understanding and did not say anything more on this aspect, asking: "Then what is Mr. Zhang's intention?"

Zhang Ran did not answer this question, but instead asked Tu Guojian a question: "Leader, I wonder if you have heard it said online that Fengli Group is a member of my Zhang Ran System?"

At this moment, Zhang Ran did not hide anything and stated the term "Zhang Ran System" directly to Tu Guojian's face.

Tu Guojian asked: "Isn't it?"

"No, at least not right now," Zhang Ran said firmly.

Tu Guojian narrowed his eyes. What did Zhang Ran mean by telling him these things?

"So if Fengli Group fails to meet my requirements, I will immediately switch to another partner. I hope the leader will not take offense," Zhang Ran said softly.

"Your enterprises must also consider your own interests; I understand this point. Mr. Zhang doesn't think we are such petty people, does he?" Tu Guojian said with a smile.

Unknowingly, his conversation with Zhang Ran seemed to have become somewhat more sincere. This sincerity did not mean saying everything that came to mind, but rather, there were far fewer riddles, and every sentence hit the mark.

This also seemed to be one of Zhang Ran's charms!

"Of course not, leaders are all magnanimous," Zhang Ran offered a compliment.

Tu Guojian chuckled and didn't ask anything further, starting to wait for Zhang Ran's next point.

Zhang Ran continued: "I already stated my position to the leader before; I am very optimistic about Fengli Group and am willing to cooperate with them. But I have a somewhat impatient temperament and cannot wait indefinitely. So, if I am unable to handle their internal affairs this time, I will immediately switch partners; I won't wait even a quarter of an hour."

"Dahe Express is already fully prepared. As long as those other companies have an intention to cooperate, are fast enough, and meet my requirements, then I don't mind cooperating with them."

Tu Guojian nodded silently after listening, but asked an off-topic question: "Mr. Zhang, I am a bit curious, what is President Meng of Dahe Express's view on this?"

Zhang Ran smiled and said: "Meng He and I are brothers."

Meng Mingxuan spoke for the first time at this moment: "My father fully supports all of Zhang Shu's actions."

"And who is this?" Tu Guojian asked with a smile.

"This is Meng He's son, Meng Mingxuan. I brought him along this time to gain some experience," Zhang Ran introduced with a smile.

"Truly young and promising," Tu Guojian praised.

Meng Mingxuan had long since learned to handle himself; with a smile containing a hint of respect for his elder, he said: "Thank you for the praise, leader."

"Haha, the young people of today," Tu Guojian said, shaking his head with a smile.

"I understand Mr. Zhang's meaning. I wonder what kind of support you want from us?" Tu Guojian finally got to the main point.

This was a logical progression, though if it weren't for Zhang Ran's previous words, it likely would have taken until after lunch to reach this topic.

Zhang Ran said: "Previously, I was prepared to see if I could integrate Fengli Group internally before coming to talk, but now that it has reached this point, there is no need to drag it out."

"I hope that Lin'an can fully support Fengli Group. After all, Fengli Group is a top-tier enterprise in Lin'an, and it should enjoy the treatment it deserves."

Tu Guojian nodded silently; now that the matter had mostly passed, there was no need to be difficult.

"If there is any pressure on Lin'an's side, I can go to the banking system to mediate; I believe there won't be any problems," Zhang Ran said very blandly, but that confidence made Tu Guojian look at him with surprise.

He then smiled: "Rest assured, we can still resolve such matters."