So, just as Shen Chong said, before the project succeeds we have to keep it watertight.
Otherwise, given how other countries operate, they'll definitely play dirty with raw materials or the patents we need.
And for a big, high-profile company like Huawei, even on the global stage there's no escape—sanctions can come at any moment.
The CFO wasn't immune either; they arrested her just like that.
But what if this company were state-owned?
Then the situation would be completely different!
Imagine: whom could they possibly arrest when the owner is the state?
Once it escalates to the national level, an arrest would amount to a declaration of war.
The repercussions would be vast and the impact enormous.
Which country would dare make a rash move?
Jiang Cheng's lips curved in a faint smile. "Old Shen, stop beating around the bush—spit it out."
Shen Chong chuckled. "The Second Elder hopes you'll partner with the state. It brings plenty of benefits: first, the company gains rock-solid backing and competitiveness; second, the project will be managed like a military secret, guaranteeing security; and third, this special relationship will raise your social standing even higher. You're already respected, but with this halo… in the future—"
Jiang Cheng cut him off. "Enough, I get it. This involves long-term national strategy; money isn't the key factor. I have no objections."
Relief flashed through Shen Chong at Jiang Cheng's ready agreement.
He went on: "As for profit distribution, we'll take the lead. After all, the goal is sustainable growth. If international backlash arises, no single individual bears the blame—everyone's in the same boat."
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Besides lithography machines, chip-making has other steps. How are we doing in those areas?"
Shen Chong pondered. "I'm not fully up to speed on the rest of the supply chain. I'll start an in-depth investigation right away."
"Good. Our target isn't just producing lithography machines; we need the whole ecosystem—raw materials, every minute step of chip fabrication. We wrap it all up in one package, understand?"
The moment he finished, the system page pinged.
Shen Chong: Favorability +10!
Shen Chong: Favorability +10!
Shen Chong, barely containing his excitement, replied, "You're absolutely right. I'll look into it at once. As the Second Elder said, you're truly far-sighted."
???
Jiang Cheng was sure he'd never scanned Shen Chong's profile.
He tapped Shen Chong's name and opened the character sheet.
[Name: Shen Chong]
[Age: 59]
[Height: 172 cm]
[Weight: 75 kg]
[Favorability: 100 (Loyal)]
Seeing the perfect score, Jiang Cheng was surprised.
Previously the man's favorability had only been around 80.
Now it had jumped a full 20 points straight to 100.
Unlike Wang Sheng, Shen Chong wasn't assigned by the system.
Humans are complicated creatures.
Without overwhelming benefit or fear, absolute loyalty is hard to secure.
How many Bodyguards would really take a bullet for you?
Those who would either expect a huge payout for their families or act out of faith—like the bond the system had forged between him and Mario.
There was one other possibility.
As Shen Chong had hinted: when your fate—or your family's—is completely in someone else's hands, choices are forced upon you.
He could understand 100-point loyalty to the Second Elder.
But he and Shen Chong had met only once.
Even with that connection, a perfect score seemed excessive.
Jiang Cheng couldn't help wondering if the system had flipped him again.
In truth, Shen Chong's feelings were tangled.
Since his twenties he had followed Jiang Chenghong, witnessing the rise and fall of the Jiang Family.
Now that Mingsheng Group would soon pass to Jiang Cheng, Shen Chong felt uneasy.
As Jiang Cheng had noted, 80 favorability from a single brief meeting wasn't low.
That first impression had been of an arrogant rich kid.
Yet these two recent calls had overturned that view.
Whether it was Jiang Cheng's power in Tyrande or his thorough business planning, Shen Chong realized he was no mere heir coasting on family clout.
At just eighteen he could think so comprehensively; his strategic vision commanded respect.
With that, Shen Chong's doubts about Jiang Cheng's ability to lead Mingsheng Group vanished into thin air.