Chapter 71

When Song Shu and the other two entered, the guests invited to the banquet had basically arrived. After a while, Mr. Smith went on stage to give a speech.

On the stage, Mr. Smith stood on a platform two steps above the ground, from where he could look down at the people below. This behavior of looking down on others from a high place gave Mr. Smith a secret sense of pride. He usually looked at people with this kind of eyes, and no one could make him look at them differently.

Similarly, if he wants to get something, he will get it even if he uses all means. He glanced at Chen Zonghao in the audience, feeling a little contemptuous. He had a hundred ways to deal with this kind of young people who were just starting out. This kind of greenhorn who had just entered the business world was the easiest to deal with.

After the banquet started, the focus was on socializing at the banquet venue, and Chen Zonghao and Song Shu were undoubtedly the focus tonight.

Previously, few people knew them, and their names had never been heard of in Hong Kong's upper class society. However, it was unknown how this young couple, within just half a year, one of them became a famous fashion designer and opened his own clothing brand.

One of them made a name for himself in the electronics industry with a DVD player, and they were both so young. What’s even more surprising is that these two equally outstanding young people are actually husband and wife.

Several wealthy ladies who had met Song Shu briefly at the Xu family's birthday party gathered around her. One of them said, "I didn't expect that Ms. Song and Mr. Chen are actually married. Ms. Song is so amazing, so her husband is also amazing."

"Yes, they are so young and promising. They look the same age as my children at home, but they are much more capable than those losers like us." Another rich lady exclaimed.

The others nodded with deep emotion, seeing that others could earn a fortune at a young age, while most of their children could not accomplish anything even with the help of their parents, and the more useless ones only knew how to eat and wait for death. It was really frustrating to compare yourself to others.

A wealthy lady looked at Song Shu and said with a smile, "Ms. Song, the DVD player made by Mr. Chen is really a good product. Just look at the fact that almost every household in Hong Kong has one recently. I heard that there is also a big market for it in other countries. It's really enviable."

The other rich ladies also raised their eyebrows and said, "I wonder what Mr. Chen's plan is. Well, I'm not afraid to tell you that my family has several factories that made some electronic parts..."

"Hey, no one would come up and brag about themselves. Ms. Song, I really like the cheongsam you designed before. I wonder when you will have time recently? I can visit you anytime." Another wealthy lady interrupted.

"Tsk, you speak so nicely. Who doesn't know your purpose? And you come to my house in person? I've known you for such a long time, how come I didn't know you were so easy to talk to?" said a wealthy lady who was dissatisfied with you with her words.

"Who are you talking about..."

Before Song Shu could say anything, she saw the voices of the several wealthy ladies surrounding her getting louder and louder. If they hadn't been concerned about being at a banquet, they would have thrown aside their usual etiquette and started arguing.

Fang Yun, who was standing next to Song Shu, couldn't stand it and interrupted them, saying, "Everyone, this is not a vegetable market, don't make fun of us."

After hearing this, several wealthy ladies secretly glared at the others and then shut up. When interests are involved, even the closest friends can become enemies.

Song Shu put on a smile and said politely, "Excuse me, Mr. Chen and I usually have nothing to do with each other in business. To be honest, I may know less about his company than you do."

Everyone looked at her in surprise, as they had not expected her to say that. The wealthy wives did not believe what they said about husband and wife not interfering with each other's business, because usually they married her husband in order to have closer industrial ties and for the bride's family and the in-laws to support each other.

Now, when they heard Song Shu say that she didn't understand her husband's business and couldn't get involved, they didn't believe it. Some thought that she didn't want to reveal too much to them, and some secretly thought that maybe the relationship between Ms. Song and her husband was not that good, so she had no say.

Song Shu knew from their expressions what they might be guessing, but she didn't explain any more. What she said was the truth. She and Chen Zonghao had a tacit understanding not to interfere too much in each other's business. They both felt that not interfering too much in each other's business was a sign of respect for each other, and if they interfered too much, it might easily affect their relationship, because no matter how good the relationship was, it couldn't stand the test of interests.

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Song Shu's conversation was quite subtle, but Chen Zonghao and the others' conversation was full of swords and sabers.

Mr. Smith walked over to Chen Zonghao and Xu Changlong with a Japanese businessman. "Mr. Chen, let me introduce you to Mr. Yamamoto Takeichi who came all the way from Japan. Mr. Yamamoto, it just so happens that Mr. Yamamoto is also involved in the electronic technology industry."

The Mr. Yamamoto mentioned above had a pair of mustaches. He looked at Chen Zonghao and stretched out his hand, "Hello, Mr. Chen."

Chen Zonghao raised his eyes and politely extended his hand to shake it, "Hello, Yamamoto-kun."

Mr. Yamamoto withdrew his hand, and kept looking at Chen Zonghao. He spoke again with a hint of arrogance, "Mr. Chen, you probably don't know me, but I think you must have used our company's products before. For example, the popular video recorders on the market are our company's patents, and the recorders..."

Mr. Yamamoto mentioned several famous electronic products in succession, which had previously been best-selling products in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Although those VCRs have recently been completely monopolized by the market of more advanced and powerful DVD players, resulting in almost all of them being unsold and languishing in warehouses, causing Mr. Yamamoto to suffer heavy losses, fortunately other tape recorders and mobile phone products have not been greatly affected, otherwise Mr. Yamamoto would have no interest in coming all the way to Hong Kong to attend the banquet.

Mr. Yamamoto, who had previously occupied an important share in the electronic product market, had the right to be arrogant. However, when he met Mr. Chen Zonghao, he looked down on him and thought he was too young. He thought that the reason why he was able to produce a DVD player was probably due to his research in college, which allowed DVD players to circulate in the market. Mr. Yamamoto also checked and found that the young man was backed by the Hong Kong-based Xu Group. If it weren't for the Xu Group, the young man's DVD player might have been snatched away by others long ago.

Therefore, Mr. Yamamoto attributed his success to luck and did not think that this young man had the ability to go far in the business world.

Chen Zonghao felt his gaze, glanced at it indifferently, and then looked away.

Mr. Yamamoto's gaze paused. How could he feel the same contemptuous look from the young man? Mr. Yamamoto instantly became angry. This ignorant young man actually dared to look down on him. Tonight he would let him know what the fate of those who are unable to protect the treasure will be.

Thinking of this, he and Mr. Smith looked at each other, and Mr. Smith looked back at him and nodded.

Mr. Yamamoto received his gaze and smiled at Chen Zonghao again, saying, "Mr. Chen, I heard that your DVD players are planning to enter the Japanese market. As a businessman who has been developing industries in my country for so many years, I would like to give Mr. Chen a piece of advice: don't take such a big step."

Xu Changlong, who was standing next to Chen Zonghao, changed his expression when he heard what Mr. Yamamoto said. It was obvious that there was other meaning in his words.

Chen Zonghao looked at him without changing his expression. "Mr. Yamamoto is indeed a powerful businessman. We have indeed encountered some resistance in Japan recently. I wonder if Mr. Yamamoto has any advice."

Mr. Yamamoto's mustache rose up, and his expression looked sincere, but because of the mustache, he always felt a little cunning. "As I just said, I have been developing business in Japan for many years, and I can help Mr. Chen in this regard."

"Oh? If Mr. Yamamoto can help us, it will definitely be an honor for our Huasheng Company." Chen Zonghao shook a glass of red wine in his hand, and he was somewhat flattering to him in his words, but his expression was extremely calm. "But we have an old saying in China, 'There is no free lunch in the world'. Mr. Yamamoto's generosity is really frightening."

Xu Changlong glanced at him. During this period of time working with Chen Zonghao, he truly realized that even if a person is very young, it does not affect his sophistication in handling things. Some people seem to be born with the ability to strategize.

Therefore, he was not worried that he would fall into the trap prepared by Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Smith. Seeing his calm appearance, Xu Changlong was happy to watch the show from the side.

After hearing Chen Zonghao's trepidation and flattery, Yamamoto's contempt in his heart became even greater, but he still smiled and said, "With me, Yamamoto, here, we can definitely help you, Mr. Chen, to open up the Japanese market. But as Mr. Chen just said, there is no free lunch in the world. I can help you, Mr. Chen, enter the Japanese market, but Mr. Chen needs to promise me that within five years, your DV machine patent will be granted to my company for commercial production free of charge. In addition, authorize my company to be the sole agent for the sales rights of DVD machines in other Asian countries except Mr. Chen's country."

Chen Zonghao's expression didn't change after hearing this, but Xu Changlong's face turned black and he almost burst into cursing at the damn Japanese. They didn't just want to have a piece of the pie but wanted to grab most of it. What do you mean other Asian countries except his country? Listen to what people say. They are planning to grab all the markets in Asia.

Not only that, he also wants a five-year free patent for the DVD player. Isn't this clearly asking for something for free? Moreover, with the advancement of technology, the speed at which various electronic products are updated and replaced has become faster. Who knows whether this DVD player will be replaced by other products in five years? He really dares to ask for it.

Chen Zonghao did not answer him first, but glanced at Mr. Smith, "I think Mr. Smith also knows that our DVD players have encountered some resistance in the European market. Maybe Mr. Smith has some good ideas."

Mr. Smith glanced at Chen Zonghao, who had a calm expression, and was extremely surprised. This young man had a really good psychological quality. He did not change his expression when he heard Yamamoto's conditions. Instead, he directly stated his purpose.

Mr. Smith was a little wary of him. For someone to be so unfazed by insults, either this young man had a way out and was not worried about their threats at all, or he was desperate and had no other choice but to give up. Mr. Smith was more willing to believe that the young man in front of him was the latter.

Suppressing the worry that flashed through his mind, Mr. Smith said, "Just as Mr. Yamamoto said, my Bookers family still has some influence in Europe and America. If Mr. Chen wants to fully open up the DVD player market in Europe and America, relying on my family is undoubtedly the easiest and most convenient way."

Mr. Smith observed Chen Zonghao's reaction as he spoke. He saw the man frown, and he breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "The Bookers family is fully capable of this. Mr. Chen only needs to authorize Bookers to be the sole agent for the production and sales of DVD players in other European and American countries, and let Bookers pay half of the price for the patent fee within five years. We, the Bookers family, still attach great importance to business etiquette and will not take other people's things for free."

After he finished speaking, Mr. Yamamoto next to him was the first to change his expression. The second half of Mr. Smith's sentence was just trampling on his previous proposal to enjoy the patent fee of Washington Technology Company's DVD player for free, making his Books family look much more generous than Yamamoto's company.

Xu Changlong glanced at Smith and Yamamoto and cursed in his heart. They were indeed capitalists who would turn against each other for the sake of profit. However, these two were hyenas. One wanted to seize the Asian market and the other the European and American market, but the company that invented the DVD player could only sell it in their own country. How ridiculous.

But this is also a fact and helplessness. In this era, China's international economic development lags far behind other European, American and Japanese countries. In the international market, due to various economic sanctions from European and American policies, China's economic development has become more difficult.

Therefore, if large companies like Mr. Smith and Mr. Yamamoto join forces, it is entirely possible that their DVD players can enter the markets of these countries. Although it cannot be completely blocked, it is still possible to affect 80% of the market.

If dragged down by various means, their company will be unable to move forward.