Chapter 7 The Fate is Set: The New Dynasty's Commercial Empire
The battle at Xinrui Materials was like a red-hot blade, precisely and ruthlessly cutting open the last stubborn problem within the group. Chairman Zhao and Chairman Qian, along with their factional networks painstakingly cultivated over many years, not only suffered severe economic damage, but more importantly, the myth of their "irreplaceability" and "deep roots" on which they relied to maintain their positions was completely shattered by Li Shimin with irrefutable facts.
Within the group, all public dissent ceased. Even the most stubborn conservatives, after experiencing the audit storm, the backlash from the honey trap, and the ruthless strangulation at the capital level, had come to a complete understanding of reality. That excessively young yet incredibly resourceful consultant, Li, not only had Wang Yi's unwavering support but also wielded a level of political maneuvering and execution power that far surpassed their comprehension, almost like a game-changer. To resist would only lead to certain death; to submit might allow them to secure a share of the spoils in the new格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape).
Li Shimin astutely grasped this shift in mindset. He did not relentlessly pursue the matter or try to eliminate them completely. Instead, after the Xinrui case was settled and the new management took over smoothly, he, through Wang Yi, extended limited "goodwill" to several veterans whose attitudes had softened and whose own problems were relatively minor—for example, by allowing them to retain some influence in subsidiaries with non-core businesses, or by making slight concessions on some personnel arrangements that were not of great importance.
A combination of kindness and severity, firmness and flexibility—this was a tactic he had mastered since the early years of the Zhenguan era, when he pacified the Guanzhong aristocracy and balanced the Shandong gentry. Applied to modern corporate management, it remains remarkably effective. Potential resistance quickly dissipated, and the entire group achieved unprecedented unity and efficiency. Various reform measures, especially the Southeast Asia digitalization strategy spearheaded by Li Qingyun, progressed at a significantly accelerated pace.
With internal stability achieved, attention naturally turns to the external world.
On this day, the atmosphere in the strategic conference room at the top of the group was completely different from the somber atmosphere of the previous occasions. On the huge curved screen, instead of headache-inducing audit reports or complicated equity structure diagrams, there was a dynamic map covering major economic regions around the world. Different colors and dots marked the existing business distribution, main competitors, potential market opportunities, and key nodes in the supply chain of "Yihua Group".
Wang Yi, Li Shimin, Li Qingyun, and several newly promoted or outstanding core executives sat around the table. Li Qingyun was the main presenter. She had changed out of her usual slightly heavy business suit and was wearing a neat beige pantsuit. Her expression was less tense than before and more confident and strategic.
“Based on the latest market analysis and feedback from our initial pilot projects,” Li Qingyun said, manipulating a laser pointer that drew a prominent circle around Southeast Asia on a map, “the first phase of infrastructure development and user acquisition for the Southeast Asian digital retail ecosystem, centered on Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, has been largely completed. User growth and transaction volume have both exceeded expectations. In particular, our ‘community e-commerce + cross-border premium products’ model, which combines local characteristics, has been remarkably effective in solving the ‘last mile’ and trust issues.”
A series of exciting data and graphs popped up on the screen.
“Based on this,” Li Qingyun said firmly, “I propose that we officially launch the second phase of the ‘Nanyang Plan’: vertically deepen our supply chain, horizontally expand to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, and try to cooperate with local fintech companies with strong capabilities to embed payment and consumer credit services and create a closed-loop ecosystem.” She paused, her gaze unconsciously turning to Li Shimin, “This requires the group to make larger-scale and longer-term investments in capital, technology, and the introduction of local talent.”
Several executives exchanged views in hushed tones; some nodded, while others looked cautious. The second phase involves substantial investment and the financial sector, increasing regulatory risks and uncertainties.
All eyes eventually fell on Li Shimin. He sat beside Wang Yi, his back straight, unconsciously twirling an expensive pen between his fingers, but his gaze was not focused on the map of Southeast Asia, but seemed to pierce through the screen and fall on a more distant place.
Instead of immediately responding to Li Qingyun's suggestion, he raised a seemingly unrelated question: "In the North American market, how much has the profit margin of our traditional manufacturing sector declined over the past three quarters?"
The vice president in charge of the segment was taken aback and quickly pulled up the data: "The year-on-year decline of about 5.7% is mainly due to rising raw material costs, increased tariff uncertainty caused by domestic protectionist tendencies, and... intensified competition from 'New Tech Industries,' who have recently secured several cutting-edge orders from the military and aerospace sectors, enhancing their technological reputation and putting pressure on our mid-to-high-end market."
“Newtech Industries…” Li Shimin repeated the name, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Does their core technology overlap with that of the precision instrument company we acquired in Germany, ‘Heinz Precision’?”
"There is some overlap, especially in high-precision sensors and special metal processing," the technical director replied.
Li Shimin nodded, finally shifting his gaze back to the map of Southeast Asia, then quickly jumping to Europe, and finally settling on North America. "I agree in principle to the second phase of Qingyun's 'Nanyang Plan.' The group will provide full support in terms of funding and resources."
A look of joy flashed in Li Qingyun's eyes.
“However,” Li Shimin changed the subject, lightly tapping the North American region with his pen, “our strategy cannot focus on just one direction. Southeast Asia is the engine of future growth, and we must cultivate it deeply. But North America is our traditional strength and the cornerstone of our profits; we cannot lose it, much less be passively attacked.”
He stood up, walked to the screen, and spoke with an air of composure, as if surveying the world. “‘Newtech Industries’ secures military and aerospace contracts not because of cost, but because of technological barriers and so-called ‘security.’ We have ‘Heinz Precision’ in Germany, an AI algorithm team we’ve invested in in Silicon Valley, and an affiliated ceramic materials research institute in Japan.” He gestured over these locations. “Why not integrate these scattered technological advantages? With ‘Heinz Precision’ at its core, uniting the algorithm team and the materials research institute, we can establish an ‘Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Solutions Alliance’ spanning Europe, Asia, and America?”
The meeting room was quiet, with only Li Shimin's calm voice echoing.
“This alliance doesn’t aim for controlling stakes, but is based on technology sharing, joint R&D, and market synergy. The initial goal isn’t to directly compete with ‘Newtech Industries’ for existing orders, but to target next-generation aerospace materials, deep-sea exploration sensors, and even high-tech fields related to space exploration. These fields have higher technological barriers, higher profits, and,” he paused, a cold smile playing on his lips, “we’ll handle the narratives of ‘security’ and ‘technological credibility’!”
Several executives with technical backgrounds suddenly brightened up. This was a concept that allowed them to escape the red ocean of traditional manufacturing and directly seize the commanding heights of future industries!
"At the same time," Li Shimin's gaze swept across the global map again, "Southeast Asia's digital ecosystem needs hardware support. We can invest in and build a high-standard 'smart factory' demonstration project in Vietnam or Indonesia, applying some of the mature technologies in the 'alliance' (such as intelligent quality inspection and flexible production lines) first. This will not only demonstrate our strength but also provide the local market with higher-quality and more technologically advanced products, thus supporting the 'Nanyang Plan.' Meanwhile, the R&D results from North America and Europe can also be rapidly iterated and commercialized through the Southeast Asian market."
He walked back to his seat and slowly sat down. “In this way, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America will no longer be three isolated markets and R&D centers, but a global strategic triangle that supports each other, facilitates technology flow, and links markets. We can advance to target the high-end market and build our brand; or we can retreat to solidify our foundation and ensure profits. And the hub that integrates and connects all of this,” he looked at Wang Yi, “is the group headquarters. We need to establish a brand-new ‘Global Strategic Coordination Office,’ directly responsible to the board of directors, to coordinate resources, break down departmental silos, and ensure the strategy is implemented.”
Wang Yi met his gaze and slowly nodded, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration. Li Shimin's vision far exceeded her initial expectations. This was not merely commercial expansion; it was drawing up a completely new, forward-looking, and highly collaborative global business empire. The grand scale and profound thought behind it all stirred even her, a veteran of the business world for many years.
Li Qingyun listened with great interest. Her father's vision and courage made her see the limitations of her own plan, but also a wider range of possibilities.
"Regarding the specific structure of this 'alliance,' the profit-sharing mechanism, and the site selection and investment plan for the 'smart factory,'" Li Shimin looked at the executives present, "you all need to come up with a preliminary feasibility study and implementation framework within a week. Qingyun, your second phase of the 'Nanyang Plan' also needs to be revised and enhanced based on this new framework."
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness.
The meeting concluded in an atmosphere of both excitement and pressure. The executives hurried away, their minds already racing, considering how to implement this grand strategic vision.
Only Li Shimin and Wang Yi remained in the conference room.
“You always manage to surprise people.” Wang Yi looked at him, her tone complex, “No, it’s more like awe.”
Li Shimin gazed at the boundless sky outside the window, sunlight streaming through the glass and shimmering in his eyes. "With internal troubles eliminated, it's natural to expand our territory. Maintaining the status quo is not my... not my wish." He turned to Wang Yi, "This group is now truly in our hands. Now, it's time to let it shine as it should."
Wang Yi walked to his side and stood beside him, looking down at the bustling city below. "Sometimes I think that bringing you back might be the luckiest thing that has ever happened in this era."
Li Shimin did not answer, but simply reached out and gently took her hand. His palm was warm and firm.
The tide has turned. Internal strife and obstacles are now a thing of the past. A new imperial blueprint, personally drawn up by the Heavenly Khan and blending classical wisdom with modern business logic, is slowly unfolding. And the era belonging to Li Shimin, Wang Yi, and their daughters is just beginning its most glorious chapter.
On the global business landscape, a dazzling new star is rising with unstoppable momentum.
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