Chapter 359: Minor Tricks and Summons
"Mr. Gao, we've run out of paper at the factory today. Why haven't your staff delivered the paper yet?"
"What? Out of stock…"
*Beep, beep, beep…*
"Damn it!"
Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Yan Wenhan slammed the receiver down, unable to hold back his curse.
Just now, he had called Gao Wencheng, the chairman of Xiangjiang Liyuan Paper Co., Ltd.
The Hong Kong market is relatively small, and freshwater is relatively precious. Therefore, there aren't many paper companies with significant pollution; only a few dominate the market. Two paper companies monopolize nearly 95% of the market in Hong Kong and Macau, with Liyuan Paper being one of them, and it holds the leading position with a 55% market share.
Xia Yu's Jiuding Media Company, Jiuding Publishing Company, and Jiuding Animation Ltd. are all major paper consumers, with Liyuan Paper as their supplier.
Normally, Liyuan Paper is incredibly proactive, always meeting the needs of the Jiuding Group to maintain their status as a major client. They meet all the requirements and provide excellent service, so Yan Wenhan rarely had to worry.
But unexpectedly, today they suddenly dropped the ball!
He had been informed by his subordinates that the current batch of paper at the printing factory was almost used up and could last no more than two days. The paper stock needed to be replenished urgently.
However, Liyuan Paper had not delivered the paper! Despite numerous calls made to urge them, Liyuan Paper kept promising but failed to deliver. As the paper stock dwindled, the staff could no longer sit still and escalated the issue layer by layer until it reached Yan Wenhan.
With no other option, Yan Wenhan personally called, but Gao Wencheng said there was no stock and his tone was clearly perfunctory. This indifferent attitude made Yan Wenhan uneasy.
Nevertheless, he decided to first resolve the paper supply issue.
If Liyuan Paper wasn't supplying the paper, then he'd have to turn to another company—Jinfa Paper!
To Yan Wenhan's disappointment, when he contacted the owner of Jinfa Paper, he received the same out-of-stock response, and they couldn't provide paper in the near future!
With two leading companies that dominate over 95% of the paper market now unable to supply paper, this was a serious problem!
"There must be someone scheming behind this! Otherwise, it's impossible for all the business to suddenly stop!"
Yan Wenhan said grimly to himself, recalling the previous fire inspection and realizing that there were definitely more complex issues behind this, and it was likely related to the boss.
This matter must be reported to the boss!
With that thought, Yan Wenhan picked up the phone and dialed Jiuding Securities' number.
After the call, he learned that the boss, Xia Yu, would be coming over, which made Yan Wenhan breathe a sigh of relief.
However, just as he sat down, he heard an urgent knock on the door.
"Come in!"
Yan Wenhan raised his eyebrows and said solemnly.
"Manager, I have something to report!"
As soon as the door opened, an employee anxiously reported.
Seeing this employee, Yan Wenhan felt another bad premonition rising in his heart because this employee was a mid-level manager he had sent to follow up on the remediation and lifting of restrictions for the newly acquired Xingdao News Group. Given the employee's current anxious demeanor, could there be trouble here too?
Wasn't the last report good news, saying that the restrictions were about to be lifted?
"What's going on?"
Yan Wenhan asked with concern.
"Manager, everything was progressing smoothly, but suddenly the General Administration of Press and Publication issued a new notice, requiring us to continue the remediation and did not specify a deadline."
"Moreover, the last two advertisers who had agreed to settle privately suddenly reneged, refusing to negotiate with us and directly taking the Xingdao News Group to court. Now the Department of Justice has issued a summons!"
"That's the situation for now! Manager, what should we do?"
After speaking, the subordinate looked expectantly at the frowning Yan Wenhan.
"What's that in your hand?"
Yan Wenhan noticed the item in the subordinate's hand and asked.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This is the court summons."
The subordinate suddenly realized, walked up, and handed the court summons to Yan Wenhan.
Seeing the words on the summons, Yan Wenhan's expression turned troubled.
At this moment, he felt the situation was quite tricky, and since he didn't know the source, he had no clue how to resolve it.
"These issues cannot be solved by us; they must be handed over to the boss! Sigh…"
Yan Wenhan sighed inwardly.
First, there was the unsatisfactory fire inspection, and now there were issues with the General Administration of Press and Publication, the Department of Justice, and the likely forthcoming Industrial and Commercial Department, totaling four departments. It's uncertain if there will be more to come. Clearly, someone is scheming against us!
"Wait here for a moment. The boss will be here soon. Report everything to him. There are some chairs over there, so sit down while you wait."
Yan Wenhan instructed.
---
Soon, Xia Yu arrived at the company.
"Boss!"
Yan Wenhan and the other person in the office stood up immediately and greeted him respectfully.
Xia Yu scanned their faces, showing no change in expression, and slightly nodded, saying, "Sit down."
Afterward, he sat down on a chair without wasting time and asked directly, "What's going on?"
"Boss, the situation is as follows: Liyuan Paper…"
"Besides that, while you were on your way here, Wu Liang came to report some issues. I'm uncertain about them and need your guidance on how to handle them."
Yan Wenhan first detailed the issue with the paper shortage at the printing factory and then instructed Wu Liang, "Wu Liang, you know more about this matter. Please report it to the boss."
Feeling the boss's gaze on him, Wu Liang felt a heavy pressure. He took a deep breath to suppress his nervousness and recounted the situation again.
"Report, boss…"
After finishing, Wu Liang fell silent and quietly watched Xia Yu.
Xia Yu's brows furrowed slightly, his fists clenched unconsciously, and a surge of anger rose within him.
It was obvious that these issues were orchestrated by the Yi He consortium. Compared to these, the fire inspection was trivial!
The Xingdao News Group had made mistakes first, and now with the Yi He consortium's strong intervention, the two advertisers who had initially bowed under pressure suddenly turned hostile and directly sued the Xingdao News Group.
Moreover, in the entire Hong Kong government, the Department of Justice, which is subordinate to the Secretary for Justice and the Financial Secretary, responded so quickly, and the court summons came out so fast. When has the Hong Kong stock market ever had such efficiency?
It's clear that the Yi He consortium wants to catch Xia Yu off guard, directly pinning down the Xingdao News Group and preventing him from intervening midway.
Xia Yu had invested heavily to seize the opportunity to acquire the Xingdao News Group, and he wouldn't be willing to let it be shut down. If the Xingdao News Group were to shut down directly, it would lead to a series of chain reactions. Hu Xian would definitely face jail time, and according to the agreement, he would also have to pay Hu Xian a huge compensation.
Beyond the financial loss, the more critical issue was that if the Xingdao News Group was really shut down and Hu Xian was arrested, how would Xia Yu save face?