Book One Chapter One

  In March 2003, New York's International Financial Center hosted a grand gathering that was not particularly notable to outsiders but was significant for those in the world of economics. The event was an auction of cultural relics, with Zhu Ao, the current CEO of Dongfang Shenglong Group, as the main protagonist. Zhu Ao earned widespread acclaim and trust from his peers worldwide with his unique vision and integrity. This led to his company's rapid growth, with Forbes magazine ranking Dongfang Shenglong among the world's top 500 companies. However, astute observers knew that the group's assets were far more substantial than that. Enthusiasts estimated that Dongfang Shenglong's wealth was likely within the world's top 100, if not even higher.

  A black stretched Lincoln slowly pulled up from the corner of the building and stopped at the entrance. The doorman was about to walk over to open the door when the car door opened and several bodyguards escorted an elderly man with a hint of white hair out of the vehicle. At this time, the reporters had already swarmed forward. "Mr. Zhu, you never attend any meetings, why did you make an exception this time? What is the theme of this meeting?" Another young female reporter quickly asked: "Chairman Zhu, will your feud with Mitsubishi be completely resolved in this meeting?" At this time, the bodyguards were ready to escort Zhu into the building. Zhu stopped and took over the microphone from the female reporter, saying: "I'm glad you asked such a sharp question. First of all, I want to tell you that the organizer of this meeting is Quantum Fund, not Mitsubishi, so my so-called feud with Mitsubishi will not be decided in this meeting. Secondly, my previous non-attendance at any meetings does not mean I won't attend meetings. My spokesperson and I have never made any public statements about me never attending meetings. This is just your media's speculation. So it's not surprising that I'm attending the meeting. Okay, after the meeting ends, I'll answer more questions for you. If I make you wait too long, I'll find you to ask questions." After finishing speaking, Zhu looked at the reporter's embarrassed expression and entered the venue under the escort of his bodyguards. As they walked into the elevator, a middle-aged man next to Zhu said: "Father, it's said that there is an important national treasure in this auction. I don't know if it's true or not." Zhu glanced at his son and said: "You should be able to tell that it's absolutely true. If it weren't true, even if I came, Mitsubishi's Inuyama wouldn't get any benefits. This time our group's heavy industry has taken over their business in Europe, causing their market share in Europe and the US to plummet. Now Mitsubishi's shareholders have no patience to listen to Inuyama's explanations. So Inuyama can only use our Chinese national treasure to attract our attention and force us to give up the European market. I know it's absolutely true. What I'm thinking now is how to make both sides happy and complete this transaction."

  The elevator doors opened with a "ding", and this was the highest floor of the entire building. The grand conference hall on the top floor was designed by the famous Chinese-American designer, Bei Luming. The entire venue was decorated in an American style, with simple lines that embodied the practicality of Americans. As soon as he walked into the spacious hall, he saw Mitsui's Inukai walking towards him from afar. A sinister glint flashed in the eyes of the Japanese man, and Inukai smiled at Zhu Ao with a self-satisfied smile, saying: "Mr. Zhu, I'm glad to see you here. Do you have time to chat with me?" Zhu Ao replied to Inukai: "Mr. Inukai, if you want to talk about Europe, I'd be happy to chat with you. However, it depends on whether Mr. Inukai has come to find me with sincerity. If your sincerity can move me, then I'd be delighted to see a win-win situation."

  The dog turned its small eyes and said: 'Mr. Zhu, I'll be straightforward then. The main reason for this meeting is that our company's winning bid has put a lot of pressure on me as a shareholder. I was wondering if Mr. Zhu could consider transferring the market, so I can have some say in the shareholders' meeting, and Mr. Zhu can also get what he wants.'

  Zhu Ao looked at Inuyama's urgent expression and knew that there was still some room for negotiation this time. So he calmly said: "Inuyama, the European market is also important to our Shenlong Heavy Industries. As for what you want me to get, I can tell you clearly. My acquisition of cultural relics is just to buy back the treasures stolen by thieves like you for my motherland. However, if it would sacrifice too much of the company's interests, I will still choose the company's interests, Mr. Inuyama should understand this."

  The dog raised its head and thought for a moment before saying: "Alright, Mr. Zhu should take a look at the goods first and then make a decision. Let's see how much market value it has in Europe and we can discuss it later." As he spoke, he made a welcoming gesture with his hand.

  Zhu Ao followed Inuyasha into a side hall next to the main building, which was specially designed for VIPs to hold internal meetings and rest. After entering the living room, Inuyasha gestured for Zhu Ao to sit down, then he clapped his hands, and a Japanese woman carrying a brocade box walked up to Inuyasha's side. Inuyasha indicated that she should put it on the tea table in front of him, and the woman retreated. Inuyasha said to Zhu Ao: "Mr. Zhu, please!"

  Zhu Ao suppressed his excitement and slowly lifted the lid of the box, revealing a beautifully crafted wooden box with a dragon carved on top. The box was made of red wood and had no signs of decay. On the lid of the box, there were two rubies embedded in the eyes of the dragon, making it look piercingly bright. The box was not locked, and Zhu Ao carefully opened it with his trembling hands. As he lifted the lid, a dazzling light burst out, stimulating both his eyes and his heart. He couldn't help but wonder if this was really the symbol of power that everyone in the feudal dynasty had been yearning for. But then he thought about how this treasure had ended up in the hands of an outsider, and he felt a pang of sadness. Zhu Ao carefully took out the jade seal from the box, holding it as if it were a precious work of art. Although one corner of the seal was slightly damaged, it still evoked memories of how many people might have lost their lives for this small token. He thought to himself, "One man's success is built on the bones of countless others." This was indeed the best explanation for achieving fame and fortune. The bottom of the jade seal clearly read "Da Ming Yu Xi" (Great Ming Jade Seal). Zhu Ao tried his best to calm down his excitement and looked at the Japanese man in front of him, who had a hint of a victorious smile on his face. He spoke slowly, saying: "Mr. Inuyama, thank you for finding this precious item for me and my country. I think now is the time for you to state your conditions."

  The dog turned around habitually and narrowed his eyes into a straight line, stroking the short whiskers on his chin and said: "Mr. Zhu is indeed a straightforward person, if I'm not being straightforward, it would be hypocritical of me. Mr. Zhu, let's get straight to the point, as long as you can give up half of your company's market share in Europe, this deal between us will be successful. Here's a document regarding the transfer of market share, just sign it and you can take the things on the tea table away."

  Zhu Ao thought for a moment and said: "Dog breeding, I still have to say that using money and a small part of my company's profits to collect cultural relics is something I think I should do as a Chinese person. But I don't think this Ming dynasty jade seal is worth giving up half of our market share in Europe. If we do that, your company will increase its market share in the heavy industry sector to 37%, while ours will drop to 32%. Once your company replaces us and becomes the world's leading heavy industry giant, I don't need to explain how much damage it will cause to our company's interests."

  Zhu Ao continued: "So, if you can agree to my terms, there is still room for consideration between us. Otherwise, you'll just have to wait until I acquire your company and then buy the jade seal from you." Dog breeding was sweating at this point, nodded his head and said: "Okay, Mr. Zhu, please tell me what your conditions are. And you should know that it's not easy to acquire Mitsubishi either."

  The two men were engaged in a verbal sparring match, with Zhu Ao continuing the conversation: "My company can give up 25% of our market share in Europe to you, that's my limit. That way, our losses won't be too great, and you can also give your board of directors a satisfactory answer. I think this win-win situation is something Mr. Dog breeding would be happy to see."

  Dog breeding stood up at this point, smiled and said: "Alright, it's settled then! Mr. Zhu's sincerity towards his country is truly worthy of respect from any nation or people. Cheers to our cooperation!"

  Here is the translation:

  Zhu Ao also stood up and said, "Alright, it's settled then. Let's go out and see how the meeting is going." He took the brocade box and walked out. The bodyguards waiting outside followed him. Zhu Ao handed something to one of the bodyguards and said to his son, Zhu Yanhui, "Yanhui, I'm leaving everything in your hands now. You're also taking over as chairman of the board. I'm going to Wanjing Island (more about this island will be introduced in later chapters)." Without waiting for Zhu Yanhui's response, he walked out of the hall and said to a bodyguard beside him, "Go prepare the helicopter for me to go to Mexico." As he walked out, his stride was still firm and strong.

  The next day, major media outlets reported extensively on "Zhu Group Signs Transfer Contract with Japan's Mitsubishi" and the world was in an uproar. Even more astonishing were the reports of "Zhu Group's New Generation Takes Over, Zhu Yanhui Succeeds as Chairman" and the latest ranking from Forbes magazine, which listed Zhu Group as 49th among the world's top companies. The world was even more shocked, marveling at how Zhu Group always managed to surprise people with its magic.

  The Washington Post won the best news award of the year for an article titled "How Many More Secrets Does Zhu Group Have?"