Leveraging
The list of "Pilot Enterprises for Market-Oriented Reform of Data Elements" announced by the city was like a sudden pardon, or a protective umbrella appearing out of nowhere, instantly carving out a path to survival for Li Ming that he had never imagined before. The document stamped with a bright red seal now weighed heavily in his hands; its symbolic meaning far outweighed its actual content—it represented some kind of official, at least superficial, approval and endorsement!
Almost instantly upon seeing the list, Li Ming's plan to deal with the dangerous overseas forces was completely overturned and reconstructed. A bolder, more ingenious, and even somewhat opportunistic strategy quickly took shape.
His first action wasn't to respond to the ultimatum from overseas forces, but rather to immediately have Li Ziqing, on behalf of the company, draft a passionate and responsible press release. This release prominently announced that "Mingyu Technology" was honored to be selected as a pilot enterprise, and elaborated on how the company would actively explore the value of data elements and empower the local real economy under the premise of "legality, compliance, security, and controllability." The press release was quickly distributed through all channels, and congratulatory calls and emails poured in. The somewhat oppressive atmosphere within the company, previously caused by the Zhao Zhen scandal, was instantly dispelled by this "policy benefit."
Immediately afterward, Li Ming personally dialed Zhang Lei's assistant's number, his tone a perfect blend of excitement and humility: "I just received a notification from the city that our 'Mingyu' has been fortunate enough to be selected as a pilot for the market-oriented reform of data elements. This is inseparable from the guidance and support of General Manager Zhang and Lei Yao! We will definitely cherish this opportunity, strictly follow the national policies and the committee's requirements, work steadily and surely, and strive to achieve results, living up to this trust!"
He cleverly linked this "official certification" with Lei Yao's "guidance," expressing gratitude while subtly implying that "Mingyu" is now a company with "background" and that more caution is needed when making moves.
The assistant on the other end of the phone was clearly also a little surprised. He offered a few polite congratulations and said he would pass on the message to Mr. Zhang.
After completing these superficial formalities, Li Ming took a deep breath and reopened the encrypted chat window. Faced with the overseas forces' ultimatum demanding the opening of the API interface, he didn't try to bargain further, but replied with a tone that mixed "regret" and "unquestionable":
"I'm sorry, the cooperation plan needs to be postponed."
"Our company has just been officially included in the 'Pilot Enterprises for Market-Oriented Reform of Data Elements'. According to relevant regulations, all data interfaces and core technical architectures must undergo more stringent and frequent compliance reviews and security assessments. During this sensitive period, any unauthorized opening of interfaces will be considered a serious violation, which may directly lead to the cancellation of pilot qualification and trigger unpredictable legal consequences."
"To ensure the safety of both parties, all matters previously discussed must be postponed indefinitely. Thank you for your understanding."
He used his status as a "pilot enterprise" as his strongest shield, directly deflecting the challenge. His reasons were plausible and unassailable. He was betting that no matter how arrogant the other party was, they wouldn't dare to openly challenge a company that had just received official endorsement, especially in the extremely sensitive field of data security.
After the message was sent, the chat room fell into a deathly silence. The other party neither immediately erupted in anger nor replied. This silence, instead of disbelief, only reinforced Li Ming's belief that he had made the right move! The other party was indeed wary of him!
A few minutes later, the chat window flickered, and a new message popped up. The tone was still cold, but the previous aggressive momentum seemed to have subsided somewhat:
"Pilot enterprises? Interesting."
"Then congratulations, Mr. Li. I hope this 'protective charm' can truly safeguard you."
"The draft architecture can be put on hold for now. But we hope to see 'Mingyu' achieve more 'creative' results within the pilot framework. Perhaps that will be the foundation for our better cooperation in the future."
After saying that, the chat room closed again.
Li Ming let out a long sigh of relief, his back soaked with cold sweat. He had successfully averted the crisis! Not only had he temporarily escaped the dangerous demands for an open API, but he had also indefinitely postponed the pressure to deliver the architecture draft. Furthermore… the other party's words seemed to hint at a new expectation regarding what he could do using this pilot role?
This undoubtedly planted a more dangerous time bomb in the future, but at least he gained valuable breathing space and is in a relatively safe position.
In the days that followed, Li Ming began to take this "pilot enterprise" status seriously. He no longer regarded it merely as a shield, but began to study the details of the pilot policy in depth, looking for opportunities that could be combined with his own vision of a "decentralized ecosystem network".
He found that while the pilot policies emphasized "security" and "compliance," they also encouraged "exploring the value realization paths of data elements in different scenarios," especially mentioning "promoting the digital transformation of SMEs" and "activating the potential of data to serve the real economy." This subtly aligns with his vision of empowering micro-enterprises and building a value-oriented ecosystem.
No longer keeping his ideas hidden, he began to formally launch carefully crafted "micro-innovation" projects aligned with pilot policy guidelines. For example, he used blockchain technology to create immutable "digital IDs" and circulation records for the handicrafts under the "Artisan Program"; and he explored how, with user authorization, anonymized community interest data could help local small businesses optimize inventory and services more accurately.
For these projects, he proactively developed detailed plans and submitted them to the "Safety Committee" and relevant government guidance departments for "filing" and "consultation," adopting an extremely humble attitude and following the procedures meticulously. He no longer sought to circumvent regulations but instead tried to find even the slightest loophole within the regulatory framework where he could operate.
His change of heart seemed to have some effect. Zhang Lei stopped exerting new pressure, and the occasional "guidance and suggestions" were more procedural than substantive restrictions. The overseas force also seemed to have disappeared, no longer making any proactive contact.
However, Li Ming did not relax in the slightest. He knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were still surging.
Despite the damage to its stock price and some impact on its business after the media storm, Zhao Zhen's "Zhenhua Trading" has managed to survive thanks to its large size and continued support from Lei Yao Capital, and appears to be undergoing some kind of internal adjustment and restructuring. Zhou Ruilin's "Kuaituan.com," on the other hand, remains lukewarm but shows no signs of decline.
What made Li Ming most uneasy was his father, Li Jianhua.
His father's leg injury was healing well, and he could walk slowly after the cast was removed. But one day when Li Ming came home, he overheard his father and mother chatting. They were talking about how several technical experts from "above" had recently come to the factory to conduct some kind of "intelligent transformation survey." The questions they asked were very detailed, not only about the equipment, but also subtly inquiring about the factory's veteran employees, especially the old masters like his father who had worked there for ten or twenty years. They even mentioned terms like "technology inheritance" and "datafication of experience."
His father mentioned it as something new, but Li Ming felt a chill run down his spine. "Intelligent transformation"? "Datafication of experience"? These words sounded particularly jarring coming from the mouth of an expert from a small local factory. He instinctively connected this matter with the "Seventh Research Institute" and the investigation into his past.
Could it be that... the investigation into the source of his "specialness" has become so detailed and in-depth? They've started by examining the seemingly unrelated traditional factory where his parents worked their entire lives?
This pervasive yet elusive method of investigation made his nerves, which had just relaxed a little, tense up again.
That evening, he was in his study studying supplementary documents for the pilot policy when his phone vibrated. He received a message from Wang Hao, encrypted through the internal system, seemingly a discussion of technical issues. But hidden within a specific section of code was the true message:
"A new type of scan targeting the blockchain nodes of the 'Craftsman Project' has been discovered. The source IP is disguised in multiple layers, and the final exit point partially overlaps with the IP segment that attacked 'Zhenhua' in the previous 'Gift' incident. The scanning behavior is very subtle, seemingly for observation, and no attack is being carried out."
Li Ming's eyes sharpened instantly.
That overseas force...didn't truly leave. They simply changed their tactics, shifting from overt threats and extortion to more covert observation and probing. And their target was none other than the "Craftsman Project" blockchain project he was piloting—a project containing the nascent form of "decentralization"!
The other party was indeed "very interested" in his new idea!
Meanwhile, faint rumbles of thunder drifted from the night sky outside the window. A storm was brewing.
Li Ming walked to the window and looked at the flashing lightning on the city's edge skyline, his heart filled with turmoil.
Being a pilot enterprise is a double-edged sword. It provides temporary protection, but it also exposes the enterprise and everything it does more clearly to the scrutiny of various forces.
He borrowed the "momentum," but was also propelled by this "momentum" to the center of an even more dazzling stage.
Who will be next? And how will he continue that dangerous dance under the spotlight?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
