Chapter 317: Major Project

Huang Yingxiong's background made Li Xian feel amused, but at this moment, he couldn't bring himself to laugh.

Li Xian's personality isn't described as particularly good, but when it comes to life and career, he's quite open-minded. As for Huang Yingxiong, Li Xian believed he hadn't actively provoked him. Yet, now he and Li You had spent an entire afternoon and evening—eight hours—in the detention center of the inspection office because of this person.

Although it's said that a man who hasn't been to prison isn't a complete man, this experience didn't feel good to him.

"But why is this person targeting me?"

In the hotel room, Li Xian looked at Xu Chaoyang.

Even though he was temporarily released thanks to Sun Weimin's intervention, Li Xian still needed to understand the situation. Li You's frustration had dissipated after the unexpected benefit of shaking hands with Secretary Sun. However, Li Xian couldn't get past his own concerns.

Facing Li Xian's probing, Xu Chaoyang shook his head with a smile, "Isn't this all because of you?"

"Because of me?" Li Xian frowned, "Did I smash their glass or steal his wife's underwear?"

"If it were that trivial, it would be easier to deal with."

Ignoring Li Xian's retorts, Xu Chaoyang briefly explained the development project proposed by the Forest Group. "This project involves the timber, undergrowth resources, and mineral soil development from six state-owned forest farms under the Bangye Forestry Bureau. If done right, it's a business worth billions. But now that you've taken over the Berry Research Institute and with Han Wenzhong's incident, how could Huang Yingxiong not hold a grudge? But this isn't just about you; it's also about me. Huang Yingxiong wants to use this to send me a warning."

Hearing this, Li Xian was even more enraged.

So, he was just the sacrificial lamb used to make a point.

Understanding the complexities of the situation, Li Xian made up his mind.

"This matter is not over."

Seeing the grim expression on Li Xian's face, Xu Chaoyang hurriedly advised, "Li Xian, don't be reckless. I've already mentioned Huang Wenlong's case to Secretary Sun. He'll probably inquire about this with the Forest Group. Don't provoke him further; he's very influential."

Li Xian laughed—a scornful laugh.

Did Xu Chaoyang really think Secretary Sun was his guardian angel? 

What a naive fantasy!

Li Xian had already spoken with Liu Weihan and learned that his comrade had urgently escalated the matter to Sun Weimin, which led to Secretary Sun's unexpected visit to the inspection office.

But why did this drama unfold?

Because of his personal prestige? Because he held a significant place in Sun Weimin's view? Nonsense.

It was because his 32 million yuan had brought a national-level impoverished county enterprise, Bangye Liquor Industry, into the spotlight on CCTV, which helped Sun Weimin save face and boosted the local economy in Longjiang Province.

Without that, Li Xian couldn't imagine why Sun Weimin, a high-ranking official, would personally intervene on his behalf.

As for friendship, he had only met Secretary Sun twice, and in terms of status… it was irrelevant. He wasn't even a party member yet, just an active member.

To expect a secretary to get involved in such minor issues was idealistic.

Xu Chaoyang's way of handling things was his business, but for Li Xian, this matter couldn't just be ignored.

Whether Secretary Sun intervened or not, he had to settle this score himself.

"Li Xian, what are you planning to do?"

Seeing the ambiguous expression on his face and his shifting eyes, Xu Chaoyang straightened his face.

"Nothing much." Li Xian smirked, "Since Huang Yingxiong messed with me and my father, I'll return the favor. Cut off his financial resources. He's an orphan with no parents, so I'll cut off his financial resources."

Li Xian then looked at Xu Chaoyang again.

"Director Xu, can you provide more details about the forest development project?"

---

After a whole night of commotion, everyone was exhausted. After talking with Xu Chaoyang for over an hour, it was already midnight.

By the end of the conversation, Li Xian had wrapped himself in a thick quilt and fallen asleep.

The next morning, Li Xian woke up at 8:30—not naturally.

He answered the constantly ringing cell phone by his bed and heard Liu Weihan's voice.

"Li Xian, I'm at the CCTV advertising department. The bidding is done, and today we're discussing the placement. How should we proceed?"

Perhaps due to the lengthy conversation the previous day, Liu Weihan's voice was a bit hoarse.

Li Xian had already figured out the advertising plan. In fact, it didn't require much thought. Currently, CCTV's signal covers the entire country, with only one comprehensive channel, CCTV-1. The most valuable time slot on this channel is before and after the news broadcast.

CCTV had previously offered four advertising packages, but Li Xian preferred Package 1. The advertising slot was during the news broadcast, airing around 7 PM, with a daily slot from Monday to Sunday, positioned before the program, with a frequency of 30 days/month.

The package prices were 1.88 million yuan for a 5-second ad per month, 2.88 million for a 10-second ad, and 3.88 million for the top-tier 15-second version.

Although the package details were known, running the ad effectively was still a technical task.

Given the current bidding situation, he preferred the 10-second ad for a whole year, covering the news broadcast slot before 7 PM.

The quoted price for a year's worth of advertising was 34.56 million yuan. After discounts, it would be around 30 million yuan, including ad production and filming.

The pre-news advertising slot was currently the best position in China. It had prestige and viewership, and was sure to boost the brand.

The remaining 2 million yuan could be used to buy a 5-second slot before the weather forecast in the month before the ad placement. Alternatively, it could be used to further enhance the brand awareness of Bangye Liquor Industry or to promote Bangye Black Pottery to highlight the liquor brand.

32 million yuan was about right.

Liu Weihan naturally agreed with Li Xian's plan.

After finalizing the details, Li Xian asked Liu Weihan for the contact number of Lai Yunhao, the Director of the Provincial Party Office.

Since it was too late last night, and Li You's condition was poor, Li Xian hadn't had much chance to speak with Sun Weimin. Since Secretary Sun had personally intervened to help him, it was only right to express his gratitude.

After obtaining the phone number, he called Lai Yunhao, who had just finished a meeting. Upon learning that Li Xian wanted to meet Secretary Sun, he arranged a meeting for 1:30 PM.

With the appointment set, Li Xian immediately got up, tidied himself up, and went out.

But just as he was leaving his room, he saw someone walking up the hotel stairs toward his room.

"Hello, Mr. Li."

Li Xian thought the person was a hotel guest but was surprised when the person walked straight toward him and extended a hand from a distance.

"Who are you?" Li Xian frowned slightly, confirming that he didn't recognize this person while extending his hand.

"Huang Yingxiong from Lin Yuan Group."

Hearing this name, Li Xian's outstretched hand froze.