These words sent a chill down everyone's spines.

Previous chip security crises, Supernova's hostile takeover, the Su family's corporate espionage...

These incidents all demonstrate that Qihang Technology has always been caught in a web of open and covert attacks.

Tang Zhong's actions could very well be another conspiracy by certain forces targeting Qihang Technology!

"Technology Department!" Wang Wei immediately ordered, "Activate the highest security response immediately! Re-encrypt all servers and databases! Especially the data for 'Qimingxing Nova' and subsequent R&D projects—there must be no mistakes! Immediately investigate all possible network intrusion paths and strengthen the firewall! We must not give anyone an opportunity to exploit this!"

"Yes!" Several core members of the technology department immediately accepted the order and quickly left the conference room. Intense yet efficient work immediately commenced in the technology center, with lines of code rapidly scrolling across the screen, building invisible digital barriers.

Office of the Ministry of Justice.

The atmosphere was equally tense. The general counsel laid a thick stack of documents on the table, including the port usage agreement signed with Singapore Port, the ocean bill of lading for the first batch of equipment, the contract with the local customs broker, and all the background information he could find about Sihaitong Group and its owner, Tang Zhong.

"Gather everyone! Split up and study them immediately!" The general counsel's tone was urgent but methodical. "Focus on reviewing these documents to see if there are any loopholes that the other side can exploit, or clauses that we can use to retaliate!"

Several senior lawyers immediately gathered around, quickly distributing documents and burying themselves in studying them carefully. The scratching of pens on paper, the tapping of keyboards, and the hushed discussions of legal provisions mingled together.

"This ocean bill of lading is in a standard international format, and the ownership of the goods clearly belongs to Qihang Technology. Sihaitong has no right to seize it!"

Are there any provisions in Sin Chew's Port Management Act and Free Trade Zone Regulations that prohibit malicious obstruction of customs clearance?

"Check if Sihaitong has any similar business misconduct in the past! Especially cases involving monopoly and unfair competition!"

“Tang Zhong… has a very complicated background, and it’s said he’s connected to some local shady forces. We need to prepare two plans: one is to file a lawsuit through formal legal channels, and the other…” The legal director frowned, “We need to be prepared to deal with underhanded tactics. Collect all evidence that can prove Tang Zhong illegally detained the goods and coerced President Lin, even if it’s circumstantial evidence!”

Time was of the essence; every document and every legal provision could be the key to rescuing Lin Fan and striking back at Sihaitong. The lights in the legal department shone brightly all night, and everyone raced against time, trying to find the sword that could cut through the sea of ​​documents and laws.

At almost the same time, Qihang Technology's public relations department.

The department head is urgently convening the core team members to discuss countermeasures. Although news of Lin Fan's detention is limited to the upper echelons, the fact that the equipment is being held in Singapore Port will inevitably spread sooner or later. How to guide public opinion, put pressure on Tang Zhong, without triggering market panic is a delicate art.

"We cannot stand idly by; we must speak out!" the PR director said firmly. "But the wording must be extremely careful!"

“Agreed. Directly accusing Tang Zhong or Sihaitong is too risky. It could easily lead to a passive war of words, or even anger the other party, which would be detrimental to President Lin,” an experienced manager analyzed.

“We can issue an official statement,” another suggested, “saying that Qihang Technology encountered ‘abnormal business obstacles’ in the process of expanding its business in Southeast Asia, resulting in the first batch of key equipment being ‘temporarily stranded’ at Sin Chew Port.”

"Use vague wording, but be firm in your stance!" The PR director's eyes were sharp. "Emphasis should be placed on Qihang Technology's commitment to complying with international business rules and local laws, but at the same time, we 'reserve the right to take all legal means to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests'!"

"The phrase 'all legal means' needs to be emphasized to send a clear signal!"

"At the same time, it implies the importance of this batch of equipment to the construction of the Southeast Asian regional center, which is related to local technological development and employment, and strives for the sympathy and support of local society and public opinion."

"We can contact some international media outlets that we cooperate with, as well as influential technology media in Southeast Asia, and 'casually' reveal some information to guide their attention to this matter. Let Tang Zhong understand that this is not something he can suppress at will!"

A well-written, firm-yet-soft official statement was quickly drafted, and after repeated revisions, it was finally released through Qihang Technology's official channels.

Qihang Technology headquarters, the office of Logistics Director Chen Hai.

Chen Hai picked up the phone again. This time, he tried to contact one of Tang Zhong's deputies, someone he had dealt with a few times before. He lowered his tone, his voice almost pleading.

“Vice President Li, this is Chen Hai from Qihang Technology… Regarding our batch of equipment, could you perhaps communicate with Mr. Tang again? President Lin is also sincerely trying to resolve the issue…”

A dismissive laugh came from the other end of the phone: "Director Chen, this matter... I can't make the decision. You know our boss's temper; once he's made a decision, who dares to object?"

"But three times the price is outrageous! This completely violates market rules..."

"Rules?" The other party's tone was tinged with mockery. "In Xingzhou Port, Mr. Tang's word is law! Director Chen, I advise you to have your General Manager Lin reconsider. Discretion is the better part of valor."

"Then... could I speak with President Lin? Or meet him?" Chen Hai asked, clinging to his last hope.

"Well... Mr. Lin is 'resting' right now, so it's not convenient for him. He'll contact you when he's thought things through." After saying that, the other party impatiently hung up the phone, leaving only the busy tone.

Chen Hai put down the phone wearily, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. He tried contacting several intermediaries who might have connections with Sihaitong, but without exception, they either refused outright or gave vague answers; no one was willing or dared to get involved.

Tang Zhong's attitude was extremely tough, clearly indicating that he wanted to use Lin Fan as a hostage to force Qihang Technology to submit.

In an inconspicuous corner outside the headquarters building of Sihaitong Group in Xingzhou Port.

Several black vans with ordinary license plates were parked there, their windows tinted dark, obscuring the interior from the outside. Inside, several men in plainclothes, but with sharp eyes and taut muscles, were communicating quietly through miniature earpieces. They were Lin Fan's personal security team, belonging to the security department within Qihang Technology.

"The target has been confirmed inside the building, but the exact location is unknown. There are at least twelve guards on the perimeter, some of whom are armed. The situation inside is unclear," the team leader, codenamed "Falcon," reported calmly.

“Our people were observing from the outside. Tang Zhong’s thug, A Biao, led his men in and never came out. All the entrances and exits of the building were guarded, and the surveillance was almost all-encompassing,” another team member added.

“A direct assault is not feasible. The enemy outnumbers us, and this is their territory. If we engage in firefight, the consequences would be unimaginable, and the boss’s safety cannot be guaranteed,” Falcon quickly assessed.