Chapter 117 Attending Industry Association Meetings

As soon as the meeting ended, Xu Qingmin, as was his custom, called Song Yilin to his office.

With Song Shiyu absent, Song Yilin entered Xu Qingmin's office as casually as if it were her own.

When people from other branches came to report, Xu Qingmin didn't shy away from Song Yilin and even specifically talked to her about the company's overall operation and development.

As soon as she entered Xu Qingmin's office, he pushed her onto his sofa and handed Song Yilin a pile of documents: "I'm a little tired today. Can you approve these documents for me?"

Sometimes Xu Qingmin would show her documents, and she had gotten used to it. Song Yilin could also say a word or two about many things.

But this is the first time I've directly criticized Song Yilin.

Song Yilin smiled and said, "President Xu, aren't you afraid I'm Wu Zetian?"

"So how do you think Wu Zetian rose to power?"

Song Yilin and Xu Qingmin share similar views on history. Many film and television works portray Li Zhi as weak and incompetent, but without Li Zhi's authorization, how could Wu Zetian have had the opportunity to seize power?

That was a patriarchal society.

A woman cannot break down that barrier simply by relying on her knowledge, ambition, and talent.

"But if I were Wu Zetian, wouldn't the Xu family's empire have changed hands?"

"If the Xu family could take the surname Song, that would be a good thing, as it would mean that the Xu family has the opportunity to become a century-old enterprise."

Having been in business for a long time, they also know that no one stays at the top forever. There are very few century-old enterprises, not only in our country but also in the world, and there are even more that have maintained their glory.

In business, the best outcome is to remain humble when things are going well, not to mock those who have fallen on hard times, and not to drag others down when things are going badly. The best course of action is to handle the aftermath properly.

After handling matters with Xu Qingmin, or rather, after Xu Qingmin personally taught her how to manage the company, she returned to her office.

Then Wang Qianqian called.

"Mr. Song, this matter may require you to come to Binzhou."

Wang Qianqian rarely spoke about anything so seriously.

She must have put in a tremendous amount of effort and couldn't hold on any longer before making this call.

"Okay, I understand."

He dialed an internal number: "Xiao Zhang, can you buy me a phone number to Binzhou?"

As Song Yilin was packing her things to go to Binzhou, Wang Yide from Yishi called.

"Mr. Song, I'm really sorry, but our store is currently facing discrimination. The local automobile dealership association has banned us from participating in auto shows."

"Why?"

"Because of our rest system."

"I understand. I won't deduct your performance bonus for not participating in the auto show, don't worry."

The Automobile Dealers Association is a non-governmental organization formed by the owners of 4S stores of different brands. Generally, car shows and automobile-related events are decided by this association. I used to have a lot of dealings with them when I was in Yilan City.

Generally, the sales volume of a car show is roughly equivalent to half a month's sales for a 4S store. There is one car show per quarter, and if a 4S store does not participate in a car show, it will suffer a great loss.

After telling her family, Song Yilin flew directly to Binzhou.

As soon as she got off the plane, Wang Qianqian had someone pick her up at the airport.

Wang Qianqian would never have done something like this before.

Wang Qianqian is becoming more and more of a seasoned veteran in the workplace.

Upon arriving at the 4S store, Wang Qianqian was still discussing matters with the Automobile Dealers Association.

Upon seeing Song Yilin arrive, he hung up the phone with the person on the other end.

What kind of pressure is the Automobile Dealers Association putting on you?

Wang Qianqian looked distressed and forced a smile: "Other shop owners are demanding that we immediately cancel our six days off per month if we are not allowed to participate in this year's auto show. If they don't agree, they will not include us in any future automotive industry events."

At this time, Yang Lan called her and said that other 4S stores were also being ostracized.

Song Yilin pondered for a moment: "President Yang, is there someone behind this, pushing things along?"

Yang Lan paused for a moment on the phone: "I also suspect that someone is pushing this, but there is no evidence. Zhou Jian is no longer in this industry, so it is difficult to directly point to him. Someone is pushing this, but we have touched the interests of other bosses."

"knew."

This matter has threatened someone else's interests, and some people are dissatisfied. Their dissatisfaction might only be 3 points, but if someone continues to push it forward, the consequences of this matter will reach 5 points.

Wang Qianqian looked at Song Yilin with concern and gently placed her hand on Song Yilin's shoulder: "Are you alright, Yilin?"

Song Yilin gave Wang Qianqian a reassuring smile: "It's okay. I'm going to a meeting of the Automobile Association later. You don't need to go since you have a child."

Wang Qianqian knew that her going wouldn't be of much use; this matter was a game between different investors.

Besides, Wang Qianqian wouldn't be able to get into that kind of setting.

She had anticipated that other 4S store owners would be dissatisfied when she did this, but she didn't expect this outcome. She thought that even if other stores were dissatisfied, they couldn't really do anything; at most, they would have some criticism. She gave her employees two extra days off, and the loss was to the interests of their own Xin'ao Group. No matter how dissatisfied they were, the impact wouldn't be significant.

Song Yilin tidied herself up. This time, she didn't bring Xiao Zhang; she went to the meeting alone.

This association, seemingly established for the harmonious development of the automotive industry, is actually a group of owners behind 4S stores. When the economy is bad, they say they are sticking together for warmth; when the economy is good, they conspire to rip off consumers.

How to package low-cost car services, such as loan processing fees, financial service fees, car maintenance packages, and other low-cost car services, to sell them at a good price?

This association allows you to witness the dirtiest side of the lowest level of capitalism.

They don't usually have a fixed venue for their meetings; they are generally organized by the organizers of the auto show.

When Song Yilin arrived, the car business owners were already inside, talking at length.

It wasn't surprising to see Song Yilin; they knew they had forced her to appear.

But she didn't expect that Chen Yan was there too.

My phone was confiscated by the organizers as soon as I went in.

In this situation, it's perfectly normal not to have a cell phone.

Things that are normally discussed, and things that are said here, cannot be said to others.

Without a certain amount of capital, you can't get in here.

Song Yilin was the only person who wasn't the boss but was allowed to join.

When Chen Yan saw her come in, he stood up and greeted her: "President Song, what brings you here?"

Song Yilin said with a forced smile, "Didn't the wind from Binzhou blow me here?"

The organizer quickly went up to the stage to introduce, "Good morning, everyone. Our guest is Ms. Song Yilin, the CEO of Xin'ao Group. Please welcome her with applause."

However, not a single one of the dozens of business owners present applauded.

Chen Yan stood up and applauded.

Seeing that Chen Yan was clapping, the others reluctantly clapped along.

Song Yilin looked at Chen Yan, trying to figure out what he was up to.

But you couldn't tell anything from his carefree, nonchalant face.