Chapter 5: A Turbulent Surprise

m behind, staring at their figures for a long time.In this society, it has become increasingly rare to pay attention to two strangers like this.She got off at the Nan Road intersection station and poi...Chapter 5: A Shocking Wave

"Faceplate Chinese's lawsuit bill may ultimately be indefinitely shelved..." On the top floor of one of Shanghai's two tallest CBD buildings, Jian Hua made a phone call, and outside, a secretary placed a report on the table between Gao Heng and his seat.

"Really impressive skills," High-level executives Gao Canghai and Gao Langtao smiled slightly. "You took control in America, yet they abandoned their lawsuit"

"Why don't they sue us" Gao Heng lit a cheap cigarette he had bought from a small shop selling tobacco and alcohol downstairs when he arrived. People familiar with him like Jian Hua knew that every time there was something significant, he would smoke this kind of cheap cigarettes because such cigarettes were strong enough to stimulate his throat to secrete more mucus and concentrate his mind.

Taking a drag, Gao Heng murmured in amusement. "There's a very scary thing in American corporate law called BJR (Business Judgment Rule). The American Law Institute (ALI) has given the most comprehensive definition of this, followed by many states having different case precedents regarding it. That’s why we could openly dilute that kid's equity. Jian and Sequoia Capital's Don Valentine and Moritz had meticulously investigated and considered such situations beforehand."

"The ALI defined BJR in 'Principles of Corporate Governance.' Essentially, for business decisions made by a company's management board, even if they ultimately harm shareholders' interests, the latter cannot easily bring lawsuits. This is mainly to encourage people running companies to take more risks and boost economic development and value creation without worrying about being sued into bankruptcy due to mistaken decisions. If shareholders sue the board over all its decisions, the board can invoke BJR; shareholders must then present irrefutable evidence showing that decision-makers were acting against company interests or damaging them, otherwise they will almost certainly lose their cases. In this regard, Sequoia is fully aligned with us as they have extensive experience in this area. Faceplate Chinese's current reluctance to sue only proves that Su Zhan is smart and won't waste his limited energy on such a war of attrition he can't afford."

Gao Heng said confidently, "He will accumulate strength until he strikes decisively. However, we won’t give him this chance."

High Canghai, who was typically domineering in decision-making processes, nodded and stated, "It's time to act."

In the ongoing congress, Wang Bo proposed many reform directions such as rural revitalization, tax system reform, opposition to shareholding restructuring, etc., which received considerable support votes. Some even garnered the approval of officials aligned with Gao Canghai’s faction, a clash of ideological fronts where even the powerful Gao family could not force others to follow their exact path step by step. This move made High Langtao and his group feel uneasy, sensing that despite being pillars of their faction's power, their influence seemed to be waning gradually. Moreover, Wang Bo’s reform direction targeted monopolistic interest groups like those led by Gao Canghai, making some in the close circle of the Gao family see this as a preemptive strike from Wang Bo.

High Langtao said nothing and merely stubbed out his cigarette at last. "I’m eager to confront Wang Bo and see who will emerge victorious."

In June 2005, several Guanlan chain hotels under the Dunhuang Group in Zhe City encountered a sudden incident. Law enforcement arrested numerous suspects accused of drug use and trafficking from smuggling groups; their usual method was to smuggle drugs, cigarettes, diesel, and other contraband items through Zhoushan waters, suspected of long-term involvement with transnational activities sheltering these illicit operations.

This immediately sparked a huge controversy. Zhe City’s Guanlan chain hotels were sealed off by relevant authorities, and hotel executives and high-level managers were put under compulsory detention for investigation.

Even the controlling shareholder of Guanlan Hotel, Dunhuang Group, was implicated in tax evasion scandals. The property investments of Dunhuang in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangnan were also suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities. As a result, the Dunhuang Group was subjected to comprehensive investigations by regulatory authorities.

In response to the transnational drug trafficking organization linked to Guanlan Hotel under the Dunhuang Group, Governor Gaolangao of Jiangnan Province ordered an investigation and stern measures, leaving no stone unturned. The focus was directly on the Dunhuang Group, which had grown using unconventional means under the guise of retail businesses in Sichuan Province.

At the same time, Danyong Construction Group, the largest state-owned enterprise within the province, also faced reviews from central auditing units and received multiple reports.

The external clamor was constant, with opinions that internal corruption was rampant within both private enterprises like the Dunhuang Group and state-owned enterprises such as Danyong Construction Group. It was imperative to thoroughly investigate and address these issues in order to uncover the true culprits behind them. The target of these investigations was clear.

During this period, Gaolangao made a trip back to Beijing. A heated argument was rumored to have taken place at the Gao family mansion but could be disregarded as insignificant within the broader context of the era's tides. During his visit to Beijing, some individuals supported the investigation into the transnational smuggling and drug trafficking organization in Jiangnan, boosting Gaolangao’s reputation further. Anti-crime efforts were always a pressing core decision for central leadership.

Through multiple interactions with high-level leaders, Gaolangao expressed strong opinions, believing that what was feared most was not the investigation itself but the silent erosion of national interests akin to how Yuanhua had done before. Gaolangao's stance sparked significant reactions; due to Dunhuang Group’s unique position and its sensitive relationships in Sichuan Province, a central investigative team was formed and stationed in Sichuan. It is reported that related legal entities and individuals from the Dunhuang Group were placed under scrutiny and even government officials were called for talks.

In Huancheng, Phoenix Industrial Group, suspected of smuggling coking coal and having intricate ties with the Dunhuang side, also came under the attention of the investigative team.

As for companies like FaceBook Chinese and Shanghaitech in Shanghai, they were shielded from this風波by some exchanges between Mu Lao Tai and relevant parties in Shanghai.

The other related enterprises within Su Cun's Big Pineapple system immediately felt the pressure. Once a problem arose, it would directly lead to him, Su Cun, without any room for僥倖(luck).

Finally, these storms reached the Big Pineapple System, this carrier battle group navigating the blue sea.

A vast storm, like jade piling up and toppling cities.

In Huancheng city, within a residential building of the municipal government staff dormitory complex, Su Cun’s family door was abruptly opened by the urgent cries of someone weeping at the door. Welcomed in was Wang Yue’s mother, nearly kneeling as she begged the Su family to save her daughter. In her view, only the Su Richen family in Huancheng could possibly rescue Wang Yue now.

Rumors had it that Wang Yue was an extremely powerful and manipulative female tycoon behind the scenes. This time, she seemed to have finally met her match, but how many high-level executives were involved in this scandal

When Su Cen received a phone call, he asked his parents to take care of Wang Yue's mother and informed her that everything would be fine with Wang Yue.

Su Cen’s three phones were almost off the hook as various pressures came at him from all sides.

Seated in his penthouse apartment in Manhattan, Su Cen focused solely on handling this crisis through his mobile phone, ignoring everything else.

In a lengthy conversation with Wang Bo over the phone, they discussed the matter thoroughly.

"Last time when they forced you out of Facebook USA, it was not just about seizing economic benefits; their bigger motive might have been to invest in Chinese Facebook. In that case, as second shareholders, they could request an audit and suspect your financial background, including a secret connection with me and your BigPineapple Group and Dunhuang Corporation," Wang Bo said in a serious tone.

"Only those who resort to such tactics would doubt others of using the same. Could this also be their weakness" Su Cen thought about his own rise as the head of the BigPineapple Group, which mirrored Wang Bo’s ascension. This might lead some people to connect him with Wang Bo and suspect countless scandals within the BigPineapple enterprises. Revealing these could severely undermine their rivals.

Wang Bo sighed over the phone, saying, "Gao Langtiao was too hasty; there are more disadvantages than benefits."

This was the first time Wang Bo mentioned this name to him, and Su Cen knew that it reflected Wang Bo's complex inner world. Perhaps at his level, he would think about future repercussions rather than hatred or anger.

By late June, the momentum of the scandal had calmed down. After a higher-level investigative team intervened, they overturned the confessions made under duress by the smuggling syndicate, proving that Wanhua Hotel was indeed a victim in this smuggling case. The root cause was an area manager’s cover-up for the smugglers, allowing them to bypass hotel oversight and conduct prohibited item trade negotiations under the guise of VIP business exchanges. The vice provincial director and several department heads implicated in false testimony were dismissed and investigated. Although the線索最終斷在了副廳長那裡，關於高浪濤的一些隱晦的傳言已經開始流傳。

與此同時，敦煌集團在京滬江南省三地進行的物業詐騙也證實證據屬於偽造，更進一步的深挖調查也冇有任何問題。調查小組隻能無功而返。

大榕建工集團確實有一些弊端，但基本上都是陳年舊病，也查不到舉報中所說的蘇理成在位時侵吞國家資產、轉移資產並涉嫌受賄多名高官的決定性證據。

The investigative team's findings confirmed that the property fraud allegations by Dunhuang Group in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu Province were fabricated. Further investigations also yielded no issues. The investigation teams had to return without any concrete evidence.

DaRong Construction did indeed have some flaws, but most of them were old problems. They could not find decisive evidence proving that Su Licheng had embezzled state assets or bribed several high-ranking officials while in office as alleged by the informant.

Middle of July. The tax inspection authority and the investigation team's repeated scrutiny of detailed accounts from various departments of Dunhuang Group had finally come to a conclusion. Even the investigators personally visited coal mines within the province, verifying all related tips and reports, which turned out to be fake. Apart from uncovering some middle-level leaders embezzling public funds in Dunhuang Group, there was no significant tax evasion or illegal activities such as smuggling, crony capitalism, or any of those stormy rumors.

It was like a heavyweight boxer squaring off against another fighter at the same level. With all their might, they would expect to see results: the opponent's skin splitting open, feeling bones breaking and flesh tearing, sensing the immense destructive power from one punch. Yet ultimately, it felt more like hitting water, or punching into cotton—the disappointment was overwhelming.

The clamor came to an abrupt halt; the storm ceased at this moment.

However, those massive waves stirred up by the uproar seemed unable to find a release point and instead crashed back down in retaliation.

Vocals that had previously supported Gao Langtao fell silent. Many Jiangnan officials collectively maintained silence about Deputy Commissioner and those implicated due to coerced confessions being relieved of their duties, leaving everyone unsettled.

Gao Langtao suddenly lost considerable influence, feeling isolated without support. After the incident concluded, it was rumored that a high-ranking central official who had supported Gao and instructed investigators to "investigate thoroughly regardless of whom" flew to Chengdu for a meeting with Wang Bo.

Wang Bo's reputation appeared to soar following this event.

Previously, Dunhuang Group’s name beyond the southwestern region was virtually unknown. Now, however, it had become household knowledge overnight. While people were curious about Great Magnolia Construction Corporation, they were more interested in finding out what kind of company Dunhuang was to warrant such a large-scale crackdown by the Gao family. The once likely "most beautiful crony CEO," Wang Yue, gained fame instantly due to her vindication.

Furthermore, Dunhuang Group entered public view under this clarification from high-level officials.

The storm Gao’s faction had stirred up suddenly appeared overly aggressive and even repulsive in comparison, drawing constant criticism with unpredictable negative repercussions.

"This is the final result I wonder how they arrived at such a conclusion" High Constant rose to his feet from where he was sitting, throwing down a newspaper reporting on central leaders inspecting Sichuan. A senior official next to him, older by more than ten years, remained silent.

High Constant narrowed his eyes with a glare that could pierce through steel and finally took out his phone to call Gao Canghai.notonous high school life.Previously, it was rote learning under an educational system; now in university, with a different environment and a freer atmosphere, occasionally some elegant beauties emerg...