ORCBRB – Chapter 85

Chapter 85

The next day, at the board of directors' meeting, Jian Cenyu arrived at the conference room twenty minutes early. She was surprised to see Jian Zhiyan was also there. After walking over to greet her, she realized the number of people present was enough for a shareholders' meeting.

Jian Zhenyang had come prepared. Besides the senior directors of Jian Corporation, some non-managing shareholders who usually only attended the general shareholders' meetings were present, and even Old Master Jian had been invited.

Jian Zhiyan lowered her voice and complained to Jian Cenyu, "Classes officially start tomorrow, and I haven't even finished my lesson plans, yet I was called here to watch a show. Looking at this setup, it seems like they're planning to stage a coup at a shareholders' meeting. You and my second brother must have prepared for this, right?"

Jian Cenyu's gaze swept around the room. "To save Huaxing, they wouldn't be foolish enough to risk the entire Jian Corporation," she said calmly.

Jian Zhiyan sneered. "It's not the first or second day they've been foolish. Do you really expect your grandfather to weigh the pros and cons and back you up on this?"

Jian Cenyu didn't say much more. "Jian Corporation isn't grandfather's one-man show."

As they were speaking, the others arrived one after another. As soon as the meeting began, Jian Zhenyang proposed that Jian Corporation act as a guarantor to raise funds for Huaxing.

Before he could even begin his speech on the benefits of supporting Huaxing, Jian Cenyu cut him off. "The seizure of Huaxing's oil mine in Europe was no accident. Europe is already introducing new policies on energy taxes and will very likely ban extraction altogether. This seizure is just the beginning. This proposal was redrafted half a month ago, and Heli Charlie, the one who proposed the bill, has now been promoted to the cabinet."

After she spoke, she had Secretary Gu display the bill on the projection screen, with a Chinese translation beside it. At the very bottom, the personnel changes in European politics were listed.

The people in the conference room looked at each other, and an uproar ensued.

Jian Zhenyang's face changed drastically. He blurted out, "This is impossible! Even if it's true, how could you know about an unreleased bill that even Europeans don't know about?"

He questioned Jian Cenyu sharply, "Jian Cenyu, I know you've never liked me, but Huaxing's oil mine can bring enormous profits to Jian Corporation. Even if you don't like me, there's no need to joke about the interests of the entire company!"

Jian Cenyu withdrew her gaze from the screen and met Jian Zhenyang's calmly. "As I said, this is a preliminary bill drafted half a month ago. As long as it has been proposed, the complete proposal can be obtained. You are free to investigate whether it's a forgery."

This was similar to proposals in the National People's Congress, where representatives express their views before the official meeting, but only a few proposals actually pass. There were proposals regarding oil resources every year, but they were never taken seriously, so Jian Zhenyang naturally paid them no mind—until the person who proposed this bill entered the cabinet this year.

Coupled with the seizure of Huaxing's shipment, Europe's stance was already very clear.

A director finally understood the meaning behind their words and asked, "So, for Huaxing's oil field in Europe, it's not just that this shipment can't be delivered, but that no future shipments can be delivered either? Doesn't that mean it's completely useless?"

Jian Zhiyan was already annoyed about being forced to attend the meeting. With such clear evidence laid out, this shareholder still had to ask questions. Her temper flared. "Isn't it obvious? The oil business is over. Forget shipping it back to the country; it's useless even if you ship it to Africa or the Americas. Europe is going to completely cut off external energy exports. The best strategy is to sell the oil field quickly before the law takes effect."

A shareholder who had invested in Huaxing immediately retorted loudly, "Since we've gotten wind of this, they must know even more in Europe. Who would dare to buy this land now? How much money would we lose?"

Jian Zhiyan threw up her hands and spoke sarcastically, "Yes, you'll lose a lot of money. But wasn't it Jian Zhenyang who swore to you all that you'd make a profit, and no one could talk you out of it? If you don't sell now, you might as well wait until the land becomes a complete garbage dump before selling."

Reminded by Jian Zhiyan, those few directors looked at Jian Zhenyang with a hint of resentment.

Jian Zhenyang noticed and looked at Jian Zhiyan with a cold smile. "Why sell the land? It's just a temporary bill. There's still a long time before it's officially enacted. As long as we purchase and allocate resources from other countries to fill this gap, the stock price will stabilize. Those retail investors can help us cover all the losses, and it won't be too late to plan then."

He then looked at the profit-driven shareholders and assured them, "As long as Jian Corporation helps me resolve this, I can guarantee the interests of everyone present."

Gradually, some shareholders began to waver again.

"It's best if we can avoid harming the company's interests. After all, Europe hasn't officially enacted the law, so there's really no need to be too hasty."

"Selling now would mean nothing but losses. It's not worth it, not worth it."

Once the first one spoke, a second and third followed. In the face of profit, those retail investors were merely tools to be harvested in their eyes. As long as they could ensure they didn't lose money, they would do anything.

"Are you all crazy for money? The Securities Regulatory Commission has already targeted Huaxing once. Are you still going to be so stubborn?" Jian Zhiyan slammed the table and stood up. "I don't want to go to jail with you lot. If you dare to do this, I'll report you the moment I walk out this door."

Jian Zhenyang said dismissively, "Auntie, what have we done? We're just delaying the sale of that oil field. European policies change in an instant. What's wrong with me suppressing public opinion for a bit? As for those retail investors, they're just stupid and want to throw their money away."

"Jian Zhenyang, you—"

"A'Yan, sit down." Old Master Jian, who had been sitting at the head of the table, finally spoke. His cloudy eyes looked at Jian Zhiyan with the same authority he had held for decades.

Jian Zhiyan was incredulous. "Dad!"

Old Master Jian repeated, "A'Yan, sit down."

Jian Zhihuan looked at Jian Zhiyan and nodded at her. Jian Zhiyan kicked the leg of the conference table and sat back down.

Old Master Jian then looked at Jian Zhenyang. "Zhenyang, how confident are you that you can cover Huaxing's losses? How long will it take?"

Jian Zhenyang immediately took out a prepared document and walked to Old Master Jian's side. "Grandfather, this is the budget I specifically prepared last night. Please have a look."

All eyes in the conference room fell on Old Master Jian. It was deathly silent, with only the occasional sound of Jian Zhenyang's explanations.

After Old Master Jian finished reading the document, he turned to Jian Zhenyang. "Since Europe has already made a move, and a new official is eager to make his mark, you can't drag this out for that long. Three months is still too long."

Jian Zhenyang immediately said, "This is the most conservative estimate. In fact, I already contacted the seller who sold me the land last night. The policies enacted by Europe will affect us, but not them. I will negotiate a reasonable price with them to ensure the company's interests are maximized."

Old Master Jian nodded and raised no further questions, having already made a decision in his heart.

Jian Zhiyan's heart sank. She stopped trying to be subtle with her glances and directly gripped Jian Cenyu's arm, shaking her head at her.

Jian Cenyu patted the back of Jian Zhiyan's hand, giving her a reassuring look, just as Jian Zhihuan spoke. "Everyone, I am still sitting in the position of President of Jian Corporation, and I have absolute decision-making power over its operations. I will not agree to this decision. I will not let you gamble with the reputation of Jian Corporation. Huaxing's oil field must be sold off immediately."

"I also support President Jian's decision. If you try to use retail investors to cover your losses, the Securities Regulatory Commission will definitely not let you off. At that time, Jian Corporation will have to bear the consequences of Huaxing's mistakes."

"Bear the consequences? Jian Corporation has the pharmaceutical reform project in hand, with the government's backing. What are you worried about? If Jian Corporation is affected, wouldn't the people who entrusted the project to us look even worse?" Jian Zhenyang was fearless. "Director Chen, President Jian, I'd like to ask you both, if we sell the oil field now, who will cover the twenty-billion-yuan deficit? You?"

Jian Zhihuan said sharply, "Then who will guarantee Jian Corporation's hundreds of billions in capital? You?"

That shareholder chimed in with a sneer, "Who said Jian Corporation has to bear the entire twenty billion? Whoever made the stupid mistake should bear the consequences."

"I—" Old Master Jian interrupted Jian Zhenyang and looked at Jian Zhihuan. "A twenty-billion-yuan loss is no small sum. It doesn't just concern Huaxing, but the interests of all Jian Corporation shareholders."

Jian Zhihuan knew his father was biased, but he never expected him to be so indiscriminate. "Dad, market regulations are strict now. This isn't your era anymore. This won't work. It will only cause the group to suffer even greater losses."

"Enough." Old Master Jian slammed his hand heavily on the conference table. "I said, implement Zhenyang's decision."

Jian Cenyu's hand suddenly clenched as she looked at her father. Jian Zhihuan sat below Old Master Jian, maintaining a pensive posture, the veins on his temples bulging.

Everyone was watching Jian Zhihuan and Old Master Jian. From the day Old Master Jian supported Jian Zhenyang's oil field expansion project, the company's senior management had anticipated this day would come, but they hadn't expected it to come so soon.

"I said, I do not agree." Jian Zhihuan spoke slowly and heavily, meeting Old Master Jian's gaze directly.

"Dad, as long as I am president of Jian Corporation for one more day, I will not allow Zhenyang to do that. The European oil field must be sold immediately, and a public apology and compensation must be issued."

"You unfilial son, you—" Old Master Jian clutched his heart, looking as if he was about to pass out.

Normally, Jian Zhihuan would have given in to Old Master Jian at this point. But today, he just calmly turned his head and instructed his secretary to bring in the family doctor. "Take my father to the hospital."

"I'm not going!" Old Master Jian lowered the hand on his heart and pointed at Jian Zhihuan. "Do you have to oppose me? The company clearly has a way to avoid losses. You just don't want to give Zhenyang a chance, is that it?"

Jian Zhihuan's face was tense. "Dad, if that's what you think of me, then I have nothing more to say."

"Fine, fine, fine. You said that as long as you're president, Jian Corporation won't approve this decision. Well, it just so happens that all the shareholders are here today. I demand a re-election for the position of President of Jian Corporation!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even the minor shareholders who had been dozing off and minding their own business woke up.

"Old Master, is this really necessary?"

"It's just one decision. President Jian has served the company for so many years. How can you just replace him on a whim? That's not right."

"President Jian, this... why don't you talk it over with the Old Master? You're all family, why make things so ugly?"

"That's right, Old Master. The higher-ups favor Jian Corporation now largely thanks to Junior CEO Jian's efforts. If he's replaced, who knows who will snatch away the pharmaceutical reform project."

For a moment, the entire conference room was in chaos. Before the minor shareholders arrived, they knew something big was going to happen today, but they never imagined it would be a direct replacement of the president. For a company worth hundreds of billions like Jian Corporation, replacing the president without any major blunder seemed far too reckless.

"Let's do as my father says. The vote will begin in twenty minutes." Jian Zhihuan stood up and walked straight out.

Jian Cenyu stopped Jian Zhiyan from getting up and followed him alone.

Jian Zhihuan hadn't gone far. After leaving the conference room, he entered a small, empty meeting room next door. When Jian Cenyu went in, Jian Zhihuan was silently gazing at the skyscrapers outside Jian Corporation's building. He turned his head slightly, and upon seeing it was Jian Cenyu, he beckoned her over.

Jian Cenyu quietly walked to Jian Zhihuan's side and recounted as calmly as possible, "I've calculated the shareholder support rates for us and for Jian Zhenyang. Father, you don't need to worry too much."

"Did you include the Sang family's share?" Jian Zhihuan asked. "The Sang family has helped Jian Corporation a lot recently. Let's not drag them into this."

Jian Cenyu nodded. "I understand. I didn't include their shares."

"That's good." Jian Zhihuan nodded and continued to gaze at the skyscrapers outside the window, leaving Jian Cenyu with his silent back.

Twenty minutes later, the shareholder vote to remove Jian Zhihuan from his position as president of Jian Corporation officially began. If the number of shares supporting Old Master Jian's decision exceeded half, Old Master Jian would reappoint the president of Jian Corporation, which meant choosing Jian Zhenyang as the new CEO.

The minor shareholders voted first. After their votes were counted, all eyes turned to the major shareholders whose faces betrayed no emotion, as they mentally calculated the outcome of the vote using Jian Corporation's publicly disclosed share distribution.

On the Jian family's side, Jian Zhihuan and Jian Cenyu first cast votes of opposition, and Jian Zhiyan followed suit. Jian Zhenyang's family and Jian Cenyu's other aunt voted in favor. When all eyes fell on Old Master Jian, he cast a vote of approval.

Within the Jian family alone, the outcome was no surprise.

Differing from the publicly disclosed 33 percent held by the Jian family, Jian Zhihuan and Jian Cenyu held 15.7 percent, the two aunts each held 3 percent, and Old Master Jian and Jian Zhenyang's family held 5 percent and 10.3 percent respectively.

It was nearly a tie, with Jian Zhihuan winning by a slight margin.

Among the other five major shareholders, three abstained, two opposed, and three approved.

At this point, Jian Zhenyang's side was ahead of Jian Zhihuan's by an advantage of 1.3 percent.

This situation was not much different from what Jian Zhihuan had anticipated. He just hadn't expected that one of the shareholders he had personally promoted would choose to abstain. Although it was unexpected, it didn't affect the final result, except for—

There were still two major shareholders, each holding nearly five percent of the shares, who had not yet stated their position. One was a shareholder who had built the company with Old Master Jian but had clearly sided with Jian Zhihuan during the family split, helping him win the right of succession. The other was a shareholder who had abstained in every shareholders' meeting for the past five years, not participating in any of Jian Corporation's decisions.

Jian Zhiyan turned her head and whispered to Jian Cenyu, "What's with these two? Why haven't they voted? Did you visit them beforehand?"

Jian Cenyu shook her head. "A last-minute visit would be too deliberate. Both of them are people with long-term vision; they won't be swayed by immediate gains."

Jian Zhiyan nodded, thinking that made sense. Jian Zhenyang's plan was practically a gamble with the entire Jian Corporation. Even if he had offered benefits before the meeting, they were far from being worth more than a shareholder's stake in the company.

Jian Zhihuan looked at his old friend who had always supported him. The shareholder lowered his head, avoiding his gaze. Jian Cenyu caught this, and her heart sank.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, that shareholder slowly spoke: "I abstain."

A rustle of discussion filled the conference room. Many shareholders looked at the person who had just abstained in disbelief. Jian Zhenyang smiled with confidence and shot a provocative glance at Jian Cenyu.

Jian Cenyu's expression flickered, and her face gradually darkened.

Jian Zhiyan couldn't hold back any longer. "Director Xu, how could you abstain? Do you also support taking money from retail investors? You also started from scratch. If you really do that, how many families will be ruined? You have to have a conscience!"

The face of Director Xu, who had been addressed, was equally grim. "Professor Jian, I am also considering the overall situation of Jian Corporation. I heard all of this morning's proposals very clearly, and I am well aware of all the risks."

Jian Zhiyan was confused. "Then how could you—"

Jian Zhenyang interrupted her. "Auntie, I'm just conducting normal market manipulation. Don't imagine me as some kind of vicious criminal. I'm also doing this to save Jian Corporation."

Jian Zhiyan held her tongue, not directly questioning the last shareholder. Instead, she requested a ten-minute recess.

Old Master Jian frowned in displeasure, but with the outcome all but decided, he said nothing.

The moment the meeting was paused, Jian Zhiyan pulled Jian Cenyu outside the conference room. "What about the Sang family? Don't they have three points in shares? I remember they acquired another 0.7 not long ago, so that's 3.7 percent. That's enough. Quickly get them to send someone over to vote."

"It's no use." Jian Cenyu didn't know why Director Xu had abstained, but if even he had been persuaded, it was impossible that Jian Zhenyang had overlooked the remaining shareholder.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Director Lin still holds nearly three points in shares. Adding Jian Zhenyang's current 1.4 percent advantage, it's already hopeless."

"Who says Director Lin will definitely vote for them? Director Lin has abstained so many times, he'll surely abstain this time too." Just as Jian Zhiyan took out her phone, before she could dial, the elevator doors chimed open with a 'ding—'.

Jian Zhiyan and Jian Cenyu turned their heads at the same time. The gunmetal-silver metal doors opened, revealing a familiar figure.

Sang Shi'an was dressed in a well-tailored white suit. Even her long hair, which she usually wore down out of vanity, was tied back neatly. She was followed by two unfamiliar assistants. As her gaze fell on Jian Cenyu, she raised the folder in her hand and asked nonchalantly, "Why wasn't Shengyu notified that Jian Corporation was holding a shareholders' meeting? Is this how you treat your shareholders?"

Jian Cenyu was stunned on the spot.

It wasn't until Sang Shi'an stood before her that she softly called out, "An'an, I..."

Sang Shi'an pressed the folder against Jian Cenyu's lips, her clear, pleasant voice tinged with a smile. "I made a special trip from school to get here. You'd better think hard about how you're going to thank me after you win."

With that, Sang Shi'an led her assistants toward the conference room. The moment the door opened and all eyes turned to her, Sang Shi'an mimicked Jian Cenyu's usual meeting demeanor. With a stern face, she walked straight to the front, greeted Old Master Jian, and then, full of authority, demanded a seat be added above Jian Zhenyang.

Jian Zhenyang was immediately displeased. "Sang Shi'an, why are you everywhere? Today isn't a day for playing around. Get as far away from here as you can."

Sang Shi'an acted as if she hadn't heard him. She turned her head and handed a document to Old Master Jian. "Grandpa Jian, my mother has entrusted me to exercise the shareholder rights for the three percent of shares in my name."

Three percent, by rights, should have put her on the same level as Jian Zhiyan. But it was rare for someone from the Sang family to attend a shareholders' meeting, so Old Master Jian still gave Sang Shi'an this courtesy and had a seat added. "Sit."

Sang Shi'an sat down with a clear conscience and asked about their progress. Jian Zhenyang eagerly took over the assistant's job, arrogantly explaining the previous progress to Sang Shi'an, with particular emphasis on his current 1.4 percent lead, as well as Director Lin's nearly three percent and Sang Shi'an's three percent of shares.

"...Look at me, I almost forgot your brother holds seven-thousandths of Jian Corporation's shares. I wonder if you've obtained the proxy for that portion. Every little bit counts, right, Miss Sang?"

Jian Zhenyang was not afraid at all. Before the shareholders' meeting began, he had already anticipated that Sang Shi'an would come running to support Jian Cenyu. But so what if she had 3.7 percent of the shares?

Jian Cenyu was bound to lose.

Jian Zhenyang straightened the lapels of his suit, a smile spreading across his lips. "Director Lin, may I ask your choice?"

Director Lin, who had remained silent for so long, delayed no further and stated decisively to everyone, "I agree with Old Master Jian's proposal."

The smile on Jian Zhenyang's face widened. He instructed the vote-counting assistant, "Quick, add Director Lin's votes. What's the result now?"

After filling out the form, the assistant replied, "Reporting to Young Director Jian, Old Master Jian is leading by 4.2 percent of the votes."

Jian Zhihuan clenched his fist heavily. The situation was lost. The shareholders on his side glared resentfully.

Jian Zhenyang was not intimidated by such stares. He stood up and walked to Old Master Jian's side. "Grandfather, please announce the appointment of the new president."

Old Master Jian looked at Jian Zhihuan. Although he felt a pang of regret, he still said, "A'Huan, you're not young anymore. It's time to relinquish power..."

"Grandpa Jian, wait." Sang Shi'an interrupted Old Master Jian, her aura composed. "It seems you haven't asked for my choice yet, have you?"

This time, even Jian Zhiyan couldn't help but try to console her. "Sang family girl, don't say any more. The result is already set."

"My math may not be top-notch, but I can still do this simple calculation." Sang Shi'an raised her hand, and the assistant standing behind her handed her two more documents.

She looked at the vote-counting assistant and asked again, "Grandpa Jian's support is 4.2 percent higher than Uncle Jian's, is that right?"

The assistant double-checked and replied, "Yes, Miss Sang."

Sang Shi'an's gaze swept over to Jian Cenyu, and her lips curled into a quick, faint smile. Then, she slapped the two new documents in her hand onto the conference table and announced loudly, "But I hold a total of 5.5 percent of Jian Corporation's shares. I demand that President Jian continue to serve as CEO of Jian Corporation, that the European oil field be sold immediately, and that an application be filed for Huaxing's delisting."

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